Chapter 100
Ministry of Justice prison.
Xu Xuan had just finished eating a cold steamed bun when the jailer arrived with his men. The iron lock clicked open, and the gate swung open.
Five tall, strong men, dressed in plain clothes, with broadswords at their waists.
One of them bowed first and said politely, "My name is Wuwei. I have come on His Highness's orders to escort Master Xu south to Hangzhou."
After saying that, he waved his hand, and his henchmen immediately stepped forward to handcuff Xu Xuan, so that he wouldn't have to worry about Xu Xuan escaping.
Xu Xuan moved the shackles, the chains clanging, and he laughed mockingly, "I never expected this kind of escort. It's truly an eye-opener. I can only thank Your Majesty for your great kindness."
He then asked, "Will I make it to Hangzhou alive? I won't fall into the river and drown on the way, will I?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, someone shouted, "How dare you speak ill of His Highness!"
Wei Wu hurriedly reached out to stop him, his eagle eyes fixed on Xu Xuan, and said with his lips moving, "Don't worry, Manager Xu, there were no orders to kill in the mission I received, so you can rest assured."
Xu Xuan sneered and said, "Since that's the case, let's go."
The carriage traveled all the way to Datong Bridge Wharf.
Xu Xuan got out of the car and looked at the bustling crowds and traffic at the dock, feeling a mix of emotions.
Before the New Year, he saw Liu Ru off here, and now, just a few months later, he himself is forced to go south. What kind of fate is this!
Before they could think any further, the ship had already approached the shore, and Donggongwei urged them to board.
He didn't linger long, readily boarding the boat, then pulled up a stool and sat at the bow, gazing intently into the distance...
The river's clear waters rippled, creating white waves. Sailing smoothly, the boat soon merged into the countless other vessels and disappeared into the long river and sky.
At the dock, only when the ship was no longer in sight did Shen Yao dare to step out and remove her veil.
Near the river, the wind was always strong, making her eyes red and misty.
Biluo said from the side, "Miss, since you are worried about Young Master Xu, why don't you go and see him off?"
Shen Yao paused, then muttered, "What nonsense are you talking about? When have I ever worried about him?"
Biluo pouted, seemingly not believing it.
Shen Yao explained, "I came here not to see him off, but to watch him leave with my own eyes so that I can feel at ease."
So he turned and walked back, saying as he went, "He didn't turn around just now."
Biluo hummed in response, seemingly not having heard clearly, and asked, "Nothing?"
Shen Yao glanced at her and said loudly, "I said he didn't turn around."
Biluo asked in confusion, "Why did you turn around?"
A question suddenly caught Shen Yao off guard, causing her to stop in her tracks. She couldn't help but say, "He turned back because he still had feelings for her. He never turned back, so he must have completely let go."
Biluo nodded in realization, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons as she smiled. "You're right, young lady."
Shen Yao smiled slightly, "Your Highness promised to deliver the person safely to Hangzhou, so I have nothing to worry about."
After saying that, he took a breath of fresh air and went home with Biluo.
Shen Yao is safe and sound for the time being, but the emperor has not been doing so well lately.
Because of the favoritism in the imperial examinations, two factions fought each other, and the conspiracy of cronies caused a great uproar in the court.
The Grand Secretary's faction seized on this weakness and launched a vicious attack on the Second Grand Secretary's faction, forcing the two chief officials of the capital inspection to submit memorials requesting retirement.
The emperor issued a decree to persuade you to stay, saying, "My eyes are aching due to the accumulated heat from the New Year. You may leave now, and I will summon you to discuss state affairs once my heat has subsided."
The emperor was seriously ill and unable to manage state affairs, so he allowed Wei Luo to handle them from the sidelines. However, the emperor was worried that Wei Luo would take the opportunity to win over the ministers, so he became even more harsh on him.
Wei Luo was in unbearable pain.
For several days, the son groveled before his father, kowtowing and bowing, serving him food and drink, living like a grandson.
One evening, the Imperial Concubine brought Wei Xun to pay her respects.
The emperor was very happy and chatted with his wife and son in the room. Wei Luo stood to the side like a superfluous person, so he found an excuse to go out of the palace for some fresh air.
The moonlight was bright and the air was cool as water. He stepped down from the steps and stretched his limbs.
Suddenly, a dark figure approached stealthily. Wei Luo turned around abruptly, looking at the newcomer warily.
The newcomer immediately knelt down and kowtowed, then raised her face and said, "Your Highness, this servant is Zhao Xian from Yikun Palace."
Wei Luo raised an eyebrow and lowered his eyes, saying, "Zhao Xian of Yikun Palace? I know you. Get up."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Zhao Xian dusted off his clothes and stood up.
Wei Luo asked, "Is it an old friend or an enemy?"
Zhao Xian was taken aback, then quickly smiled and said, "We were enemies before, but today we are old friends."
Wei Luo asked, "Why?"
Zhao Xian said frankly, "It's to repay Miss Shen's kindness."
Wei Luo smiled and crossed his arms leisurely, "Speak, what is it?"
Zhao Xian said, "I have recently become close to several eunuchs from the Eastern Depot and learned that they are investigating you. They have probably already investigated Miss Shen."
Wei Luo's heart jumped into his throat, and cold sweat broke out on his back.
Just as he was about to ask something, a patrol of guards suddenly appeared in the distance, and Zhao Xian hurriedly left.
Wei Luo stood there for a long time before he could barely suppress his fear and return to continue to fulfill his filial duties to the emperor.
Inside the palace, the Imperial Concubine and her son had already left, and the Emperor was lying on the couch, playing chess with Chen Zhen.
Upon seeing the Crown Prince approach, Chen Zhen quickly stood up to offer him a seat, but the Emperor waved his hand hastily, saying, "Don't move, this game isn't over yet."
Chen Zhen exclaimed in surprise and said modestly, "This servant is a rough person and I have never mastered the art of Go. Please, Your Highness, take a seat and we will play a game."
The emperor lifted his eyelids, looked at the two of them, and suddenly slammed down the chess piece, sighing, "Alright, it's getting late, so let's stop playing. I have nothing to do here, so the Crown Prince should go and rest in the side hall."
The emperor looked slightly displeased. Wei Luo thought for a moment and realized that he hadn't said a word since he came in, so it shouldn't be his problem.
However, since the emperor had already spoken, there was no point in staying here to invite criticism. So he knelt down, kowtowed, said some auspicious words, and left.
When the moon was high in the sky, Wei Luo had not yet gone to bed and was reading a book by candlelight.
Liu Heng came inside to put some clothes on Wei Luo, who then asked, "What time is it?"
It's almost midnight.
"Hmm." He put down his book, rubbed his head wearily, and said, "Let's do it tomorrow. We can't delay any longer."
Liu Heng lowered his head. "Yes, the gold and evidence are all in place."
Wei Luo nodded, stretched, and went to sleep.
*
As the sun rises in the east and the majestic drumbeats resound from the Drum Tower, the magnificent capital city awakens from its slumber.
As dawn approached, Wei Luo went to the emperor to act as a grandson, while Liu Heng, dressed in his finest clothes and official hat, went directly to visit Hu Mazi with his men.
Hu Mazi was wealthy and powerful, so his residence was naturally quite valuable.
After presenting his visiting card, Liu Heng was invited to the main hall, where tea was served, and he waited while drinking it.
Half an hour later, Hu Mazi arrived, dressed in fine clothes and exuding an air of wealth and nobility.
Both being eunuchs, Liu Heng looked at his own clothes and couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.
Indeed, it's not poverty that's scary, it's comparison.
The two exchanged greetings and pleasantries, and then Liu Heng had the box presented to them.
Hu Mazi asked in surprise, "What does Eunuch Liu mean?"
Liu Heng smiled, "Please take a look first, Eunuch Hu."
The box was opened, revealing a silver note inside. He picked it up, glanced at it, and his brow twitched. He looked up in surprise and exclaimed, "What is this, Eunuch Liu?"
"I would like to ask the chief eunuch for a favor."
Hu Mazi's expression instantly understood, but having been in officialdom for a long time, he was a shrewd person. He quickly closed the box and pushed it to Liu Heng, waving his hands repeatedly and saying, "Eunuch Liu, please take it back. I am a member of the Eastern Depot, the eyes and ears of the Emperor. How can a maid serve two masters?"
Liu Heng blinked and laughed, "Eunuch Hu is joking. When His Highness went missing during the time of the 'seditious book,' it was really Eunuch Hu who helped. This is actually thanks to Eunuch Xie for his help back then."
Hu Mazi twitched the corner of his mouth, picked up his teacup, stirred the snow buds, and remained silent.
Liu Heng's eyes suddenly flashed, and he stood up and said, "These are nothing. Eunuch Hu, please come with me. There are other things for you to admire."
Outside the back gate of the Hu residence, a carriage had been waiting for a long time. After the two arrived, Liu Heng opened several large boxes on the carriage, revealing neatly stacked snowflake silver.
Hu Mazi stared wide-eyed.
Liu Heng then bowed respectfully and said with a smile, "These all belong to Eunuch Hu—"
*
At sunset, Liu Heng returned to the palace to report to Wei Luo.
Liu Heng said, "Hu Mazi accepted the whole cartload of silver and promised to help His Highness keep the news a secret."
Wei Luo sat on the stool and asked, "Did they really find Shen Yao?"
"Yes, after all, the truth will eventually come out. His Highness often goes out, and although the guards who accompany him are loyal, who knows if they say anything inappropriate after drinking? Anyway, they have already found out about Miss Shen, and even Governor Shen has found out about it."
Wei Luo was shocked, "So fast?"
"After all, it's the Eastern Depot. How could His Majesty's eyes and ears be all useless? Fortunately, not many people know about this right now. Hu Mazi is one, and Chen Zhen is another. The rest are just minor figures, which makes them easier to deal with."
Wei Luo couldn't help but stand up, tapping his fingers in thought, "His Majesty sent Chen Zhen to investigate me to find out if I had formed a faction. I suppose they didn't find anything, but they did find out that I had been in private dealings with Governor Shen."
“Although Governor Shen is a relative of the emperor, he is merely a tool for His Majesty to amass wealth. So strictly speaking, we cannot be considered to be forming a faction, but from His Majesty’s perspective, we are.”
Liu Heng continued, "But Chen Zhen still suppressed this matter, presumably to do His Highness a favor."
The two exchanged a glance, and Wei Luo nodded slightly. "He's a smart man. He knows how to leave himself a way out. Now that His Majesty's health is deteriorating day by day, everyone should be thinking about their future."
As the two were talking, a eunuch came in to announce, "Your Highness, Chen Zhen from the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs requests an audience."
Speak of the devil and he appears.
Wei Luo smiled and said to those outside, "Please come in."
He then said to Liu Heng, "Serve tea."
Inside the main hall, Wei Luo sat in the highest position.
Upon seeing Chen Zhen enter, he quickly rose to greet him, waiving all formalities.
Wei Luo inwardly despised himself for this deliberate attempt to please.
He smiled and said, "The Minister of State works hard for the country, so there's no need for formalities. Please take a seat."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Highness."
Chen Zhen clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, accepting the Crown Prince's overture with composure.
Liu Heng personally served him tea, and Chen Zhen thanked him again.
Wei Luo asked, "Are you tired from the journey to the seal-bearer's position?"
Chen Zhen said, "Thanks to Your Majesty's grace, I came by sedan chair and I'm not tired at all."
Wei Luo: "...Very good, very good."
With a smile on his face, Chen Zhen said, "This servant has come to apologize to Your Highness on behalf of my good-for-nothing godson."
Both sides understood perfectly well what was said.
Wei Luo said with a smile, "Master, you've got it backwards. I should be thanking you for keeping the Shen family a secret for me. I will never forget your great kindness."
Chen Zhen hurriedly said, "Your Highness is too kind. I was just doing my duty. As for Miss Shen, it was just a matter of personal feelings between a man and a woman."
Wei Luo's eyes flashed, and he was about to express his gratitude when Chen Zhen suddenly changed the subject, his expression turning serious. He said, "Your Highness often reads history books and knows that 'wind arises from the earth, starting from the tip of a blade of grass.' So-called matters of women may seem insignificant, but if they are brought to the forefront, who knows what kind of storm might rage."
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