Kayla glanced up as Zhang Dingyong approached her, stepping through the doorway into the office, which was now a complete mess.
“Right Secretariat,” Kayla greeted him.
“Minister, please pardon our interruption. We’re just about finished now, sorry for keeping you so long,” Zhang Dingyong apologized.
“Not at all, please send my regards to Minister Liang when you return,” Kayla replied.
It was late into the night now. The officials from the Ministry of Justice had been limited to high-ranking officials who stood to lose a great deal if they were caught messing with any of the documents from the Court of Judicial Review, a thoughtful choice on the part of Minister Liang that Kayla greatly appreciated. At the same time, it made the process much longer. Minister Liang had headed back with the first batch of evidence, leaving a small number of officials behind to finish procuring documents.
Kayla had also sent back most of the staff, with only a few members of the core staff remaining.
“I’ll be certain to do so,” Zhang Dingyong said. “Please rest assured that we will do our best to clear your name. After all, you used to be our Left Secretariat, you count as one of our own.”
So he’s saying that he won’t let the officials who hate me muddle with the process. That’s good.
“I appreciate it,” Kayla said. “Please have a safe trip.”
“You as well,” Zhang Dingyong bowed and left. Kayla glanced at where Boyong was standing by the doorway and decided to call it a night as well. There weren’t enough people left to clean up the mess the Ministry of Justice officials had made, so they might as well all go and get some sleep. She stepped outside of her office, nodding at Boyong.
“Alright everyone,” Kayla called to the remaining officials. The two Vice-Ministers, along with Sun Ruhui and Caichun were among them. “It’s been a long day, thank you for bearing it out with me. Go home and get some rest, it’ll be another long day tomorrow.”
There was a chorus of relieved yeses and the officials quickly shuffled off, Caichun and Sun Ruhui sharing a glance with Kayla before they left. Kayla headed out of the building to where her carriage was waiting, stepping back with a start as Boyong moved in front of her in a flash.
“Who are you?” Boyong demanded. Peeking around the young man’s sturdy frame, Kayla recognized the elderly man. Though he wore civilian clothes, Kayla could make him out as the eunuch who served at the Empress Dowager’s side.
“Boyong, he’s from the palace,” Kayla said softly. Boyong glanced at her in surprise before stepping aside.
“Minister Zhao, this old man apologizes for bothering you so late at night, but may I trouble you to join me on a short excursion?” The eunuch asked.
“Of course, please lead the way,” Kayla said. She waved for her carriage to leave, ignoring the guards’ curious looks as she followed the eunuch around the side of the building, Boyong keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings as he went with her.
“This way, my lord,” the eunuch gestured as a plain, undecorated carriage silently pulled into view. At Kayla’s hesitant glance in Boyong’s direction, the eunuch bowed. “Your servant may join you if you so wish.”
“Thank you,” Kayla said. She gestured for Boyong to join her, the young man quickly extending a hand to help her onto the carriage before joining the horseman in front. The eunuch spryly leaped onto a horse, evidently not weighed down by his age in the slightest. The carriage sped towards the Imperial Palace.
Inside the carriage, Kayla was left alone with her thoughts. Her mind had been in shambles ever since Kuang had broken the news about a potential marriage with a princess from the Eastern Turkic Khaganate, and then the accusation had been publicized without so much as giving her a moment of respite. She felt exhausted to the bone, but also too nervous to get any rest.
The carriage rolled to a stop. Kayla got off and followed the eunuch into the Inner Palace, Boyong trailing behind them.
“Please go ahead, Minister,” the eunuch gestured at the entrance to the Empress Dowager’s quarters. Kayla nodded her thanks and entered, gesturing for Boyong to wait outside.
“Wenyuan humbly greets the Empress Dowager,” Kayla said, bowing as she entered.
“Wenyuan, my grandson! Hurry up and come over here,” the Empress Dowager gestured for her to come over. Kayla sat down next to the Empress Dowager nervously. Despite the Empress Dowager acting the same as usual, Kayla was getting a bad feeling. If she was right about the Grand Duke's ploy, then the Empress Dowager was also at risk if it came to a full investigation.
“Grandmother, how have you been?” Kayla asked. The Empress Dowager’s expression faltered.
“I’ve been worried about you,” the Empress Dowager said heavily, dropping her facade. “I fear that I’ve dropped you into a pit of fire. Not to mention the accusations against you, they’re smearing your name with my actions. Who would’ve thought this could happen?”
Kayla bowed her head slightly, her stomach twisting as the bad feeling intensified. The Grand Duke was launching a direct attack against Kayla, but it was really just a front for an attack on the Imperial Family itself. Either the Empress Dowager risked running her reputation into the ground, or the Imperial Family was forced to relinquish someone under their protection-by proxy, it would also quash the neutral faction's development at the starting line.
“Do you have any advice for me, grandmother?” Kayla asked, still holding onto one last shred of hope. Surely the Empress Dowager would have some sort of backup plan.
“I cannot forcefully quell the voices of the court,” the Empress Dowager said with quiet finality. “And I cannot step forward to clear your name. I had thought that my actions were like a heavenly robe without seams, but evidently, I wasn't careful enough. I was prepared for an attack that wielded the eyes and ears I planted against myself or against the Emperor, but I was certain that no one would tie them to you, especially while you're at the height of the Emperor's favor. It seems that I've miscalculated."
“I understand,” Kayla forced out the words in a choked voice. It was what she had expected deep inside, but actually hearing it felt completely different.
“You will be protected, the punishment will be a mere formality,” the Empress Dowager said. She suddenly looked much older and frailer than she usually did. “I’m very sorry, Wenyuan. If I had known it would be like this earlier...”
Kayla breathed in deeply, closing her eyes as she tried to quell the wounded feeling in her chest.
“That’s alright, grandmother. Even if you can predict as accurately as a god, plans can’t catch up to changes. I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me,” Kayla said, managing a smile.
“Oh, Wenyuan. What would your mother say if she knew of this?” The Empress Dowager said sadly. She shook her head before gaining her composure, once more the powerful and cunning Empress Dowager of the country. “I assure you, there will be opportunities for you to rise from the east mountain in the future. It’ll just take a little longer to get there.”
“Thank you, grandmother.” Kayla bowed her head. She wasn’t sure whether the Empress Dowager was just saying this to comfort her or if the old woman actually meant it.
“Here, take a look at this, it’s a summary of the results from the Liu Hongyu investigation. Hopefully, you can still find a path out of this,” the Empress Dowager handed her a thick scroll. “I’ve also included Li Sanjin’s testimony, though it may be best for you to leave this here with me. They’ll likely search your belongings. I will also keep searching for a solution for this, so please bear with it in the meantime.”
“Understood, grandmother. I’ll remember what I can,” Kayla replied. She hastily read through the scroll, slowing down as she got to Li Sanjin’s testimony. The man claimed to have served Liu Hongyu while he drank with Wenyuan, and to have heard Liu Hongyu insult the late Imperial Princess. Just looking at it, Kayla could tell where things had gone wrong.
How could he possibly have been there? If someone who clearly knows that he wasn’t there got his hands on this, they would realize it’s a false statement. But I guess it's my fault for excluding too many details when telling the Empress Dowager.
To her surprise, the investigation barely mentioned Wenyuan at all. More likely than not, it was a thoughtful gesture meant to protect Wenyuan from facing public humiliation as a coward who let Liu Hongyu run his mouth. Kayla felt a pang in her heart at the care Wenyuan was evidently shown, in contrast to what he’d actually gone through and what she faced now.
As she finished, she set the scroll down with a heavy heart.
“Thank you, grandmother. This was very helpful,” Kayla said.
“Alright then, go and get some rest. Don’t take this to heart,” the Empress Dowager said.
“I understand, I’ll take my leave now. Please rest early as well, grandmother,” Kayla bowed before leaving the Empress Dowager’s quarters. The cool night air hit her face and Kayla came to a halt, standing in stunned silence to absorb the conversation before forcing her legs to move again. Boyong glanced up from where he stood by a pillar, hurrying forward to join her.
“Let’s go,” Kayla said. Boyong faltered at the tired tone in her voice, seeming to have understood the situation. The eunuch from before led them back to the carriage, not commenting as Boyong joined Kayla inside the carriage.
Kayla leaned against the window, thoroughly sapped of energy. It reminded her of the night she had discovered the red jade necklace on Chujiao.
That feels like ages ago.
Was it only three months ago? It feels like it’s been forever.
I know, that was back when the serving girls still dared to come to our quarters.
That’s right, it’s rare to see one near our rooms these days.
That Chujiao, you really didn’t dote on her for nothing. She’s a good person.
Don’t start on that again, Wenyuan warned her. But yes, Chujiao really is a good person.
From Wenyuan’s memories, Kayla had a clear recollection of Chujiao’s progression from a lower-ranking serving girl in dark blue robes to Wenyuan’s designated personal serving girl, with a corresponding upgrade to green robes.
She jolted straight in her seat, Boyong snapping to attention as well.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
“My lord?” Boyong said quizzically. Kayla held up a hand for him to be quiet as she tried to recall the night she’d gone to apologize to Liu Hongyu, arguably the beginning of the man’s demise.
A lower-ranking serving girl in blue robes-that reminds me! There was a girl like that in the room!
“That girl was there,” Kayla muttered. “But only five serving girls testified-I know their names. Damn it, I don’t know hers!”
“My lord, did you think of something?” Boyong asked.
“Boyong, there’s something I urgently need you to do for me,” Kayla said. “I need to know the names and faces of the lower-ranking serving girls who worked for Liu Hongyu, the ones who were still using dark blue robes at the time of the case.”
“I know some servants from Liu Hongyu’s household,” Boyong replied. “But for faces, that’ll be a bit difficult since none of them are particularly artistic. Is there something specific I can ask for?”
“Do you remember the night I came back from Liu Hongyu’s household soaked in wine?” Kayla asked. Boyong’s face twitched.
“How could I forget? That was a very…memorable night,” Boyong replied. Kayla broke into a smile.
“There was a serving girl who was in the room that night, she was pretty young, probably around fifteen or sixteen years old. There usually wasn’t anyone else, so she shouldn’t be hard for them to recall,” Kayla said. “I need you to find her.”
“Understood, my lord. I’ll ask around first thing tomorrow,” Boyong promised.
“That’s right, there’s no need to guard me for the time being,” Kayla said. Boyong opened his mouth to protest and she hastily cut him off. “I won’t confess unless I’ve completely exhausted all my other options, so once I enter the Ministry of Justice tomorrow, I’ll be there until either they release me or if new evidence turns up. If you can find that girl, then I'll be able to find a way out of this.”
“Alright then, my lord. I’ll do as you say.”
Kayla’s smile widened. It seemed there was a glimmer of hope on the horizon after all.
Since the Grand Duke’s binding my hands with the Empress Dowager’s actions, I’ll bind his with Liu Hongyu’s.
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Liu Boyue handed the announcement to Xianchun, who was frowning before he’d even read it. The prince scanned the words with an outraged expression before he tossed the scroll aside in anger.
“That bastard! He’s old but does not die, what a knave!” Xianchun snarled. Liu Boyue cautiously picked up the scroll from the floor, tucking it back into his sleeve.
“My prince, you also think it’s the doing of the Grand Duke?” Liu Boyue asked.
“Who else could it be? That old mongrel, he’s still got the Secretariat Department under his thumb even though Liu Hongyu’s dead,” Xianchun said in a low voice.
“Of course, but doesn’t this seem strange to you, my prince?” Liu Boyue asked. At Xianchun’s confused frown, Liu Boyue quirked his lips into a tight smile.
“I’m saying that it wouldn’t make sense for the Grand Duke to make such a move unless he feels certain to grasp victory, or it would be the same as picking up a rock to smash his own foot. There are two potential situations I can think of, one is that Wenyuan really is guilty, and the other is that Wenyuan can’t allow an investigation for someone else's sake,” Boyue explained. A look of realization flashed over Xianchun’s face.
“Can’t allow an investigation? That would mean that there’s someone whose role can’t be uncovered,” Xianchun murmured. “He doesn’t have any friends, so more likely than not it must be someone in the Imperial Investigator Bureau.”
“Or the Empress Dowager,” Boyue pointed out. “I had my doubts when Zhao Wenyuan began the investigations. Even if he’s shown unexpected talents in plots and politics, those attributes are much less useful when it comes to investigations and the like. Those require actual skills that need to be built from the ground up, but Wenyuan was able to exceed everyone’s expectations. I suspect that the Empress Dowager must have helped him.”
“Even if she wanted to help him, she couldn’t have planted evidence on such short notice,” Xianchun protested before his face scrunched into a frown. “You mean she’s planned this for a while now.”
“I believe so, my prince. And it’s difficult to say, but Wenyuan may have been in on it as well. It would explain why the Grand Duke’s confident enough to make such a public move if he thinks the ties between them are enough to bind both of them down. After all, Wenyuan played a central role in each of the events that led up to the investigation,” Boyue explained. “Think about what’s happened the last few months, starting with Wenyuan telling you about Lady Yue’s relationship to the Liang clan and about He Shirang, and then there was the internal investigation of the Ministry of Justice, and then the Liu Hongyu case. Each of them built up to the investigations and the reinstatement of the Court of Judicial Review. This couldn’t have just come together on short notice. I believe we need to be more careful in dealing with Wenyuan, my prince. We can’t stumble on the same rock twice by underestimating him.”
“If you’re right, then that guy’s sure hidden it pretty deep,” Xianchun muttered. “But then how could the Grand Duke grab hold of their weakness so easily?”
“The Grand Duke dares to go where no one else would,” Boyue replied. “Who else would dare to directly implicate the Empress Dowager?”
Xianchun let out a sigh. “Well, that’s true. In either case, I’ve benefited so much from Wenyuan’s actions that I can’t just leave him to fend for himself at this kind of time. Regardless of whether he was dragged into this by grandmother or had been plotting this as a conspirator, my stance remains the same. Contact Minister Liang and let him know my intentions on this.”
Boyue hesitated for a moment before bowing his head. “As you wish, my prince.”
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Yunqi and Cao Shuyi hovered behind Kuang, who tossed a handful of feed into the pond for his koi fish, watching as they splashed about below. The courtyard was illuminated by warm, flickering lamps, as well as the soft glow of moonlight. Kuang's face was hidden in shadows.
“If the Ministry of Justice has already taken him in for questioning, then that means they already have strongly implicative evidence,” Kuang mused.
“From the looks of it, grandmother must be involved somehow, or the Grand Duke wouldn’t have made this move. Even if Wenyuan had ordered such a thing, grandmother and father would cover for him. The fact that he’s getting hounded to this extent and they still haven’t done anything speaks to this,” Yunqi sighed. “My strategist Qiu Jinwei suggested that grandmother may have been involved in more than just this case as well, so it’d be impossible for Wenyuan to allow an investigation into this. His only options are to deal with the Grand Duke, or to confess.”
“That’s too harsh, how could the Grand Duke do that to his own grandson?” Shuyi exclaimed.
Kuang shook his head slowly.
“It’s not that simple. I heard this from my grandfather, but our cousin’s family situation is much more complicated than it appears to be. The mess goes back three generations at that, I could definitely see the Grand Duke making such a move against his heir,” Kuang said. Cao Shuyi frowned, exchanging a glance with Yunqi.
“Brother, then what do you think? Should we take action?” Yunqi asked. Kuang let out a sigh.
“Well, having a neutral faction is a bit of an annoyance, but having the Grand Duke’s faction maintain its hegemony is much worse. If anything, Wenyuan’s at least a good-natured kid, but that’s also why he’s more likely than not to take a great hit from this,” Kuang said heavily. “It’s not his fault, but it’s grandmother and father’s fault for pitting that kid against someone like the Grand Duke. If they didn’t plan to take complete responsibility, then it’s no different than striking a rock with an egg.”
“That’s true,” Yunqi lamented. “Wenyuan’s talented, but he operates within basic morality. On the other hand, the Grand Duke’s someone who best understands that the crude and basest methods are the most useful. Violence and bribes, he wields one in each hand like a butcher’s meat cleavers. I don’t believe for a second that Li Sanjin confessed out of guilt or anything of the sort, and I doubt anyone else believes that either. The Grand Duke’s methods are poisonous to the bone, without any pity or mercy to speak of, but people willingly side with him because he knows how to buy a man’s soul with fear, luxury, and power. Someone trying to oppose him through political ploys and the like would only find themselves faced with the unsurmountable evil of human desires.”
“All the more reason to protect him,” Shuyi interjected. “What kind of country would we be leaving for our child if all the good officials are crushed before they can do anything?”
“That’s why I’m keeping my good men off the battleground until everything’s settled,” Kuang replied. “I wouldn’t drag them in to be ground into the dust like this.” At Shuyi’s pointed silence, Kuang let out a short huff.
“I don’t mean that I won’t help him,” Kuang coaxed her. “I want that kid to serve in my court as well, it’s a waste to let Wenyuan get crushed by the mistakes of others.”
Shuyi and Yunqi both smiled at that.
“Then I’ll tell Zhang Dingyong,” Yunqi said. Kuang nodded.
“And ask that Qiu Jinwei what else we can do,” Kuang added. “I just don’t believe the Grand Duke’s move can’t be effectively countered.”
“Of course, brother,” Yunqi said warmly. “I’ll do that right away.”
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Boyong pushed back the stray hairs on his forehead in frustration. Even with the help of An Haoyang, he was having a great deal of trouble locating the girl Wenyuan spoke of. Wenyuan didn’t know her name, nor could he recall any specifics about her appearance-Boyong didn’t even fully understand what the girl was needed for.
Wenyuan had been even less forthcoming with his motivations than usual, and Boyong couldn’t help but doubt if Wenyuan really knew what he was doing. He was pulled out of his thoughts as he sensed someone approach.
Boyong discreetly reached for his knife, backing into the shadows. A familiar cloaked figure appeared before him, expensive sword in hand.
“Hello there, Qu Boyong. Do you still remember me?” The man asked. Qu Boyong glared at him.
“What do you want? I thought I made myself clear last time!”
“Just wanted to offer again, in case you’d changed your mind,” the man replied.
“My answer remains the same!” Boyong snapped.
“Hey, don’t be so foolish, you’re more stubborn than a mule,” the man complained.
Boyong glared at the cloaked man before him. “Say no more. I’m in a bad enough mood without you bothering me, if you continue to anger me, I won’t hold back anymore!”
“Oh, so you were holding back? I had thought you were just weak,” the man said in realization. “Well, if you really don’t want to hear it, that’s too bad. But your master’s in a pretty bad spot right now, isn’t he? Getting questioned by the Ministry of Justice like a common criminal, even though he’d only just been promoted.”
Boyong glared at the man. For some reason, the situation with Wenyuan left Boyong on edge. The Grand Duke’s cruelty towards his heir and Wenyuan’s rebellious attitude had softened Boyong’s hatred of the Zhao clan’s young lord to a neutral indifference, and the possibility for that to change any further was enough to make Boyong stew in silent rage.
“Perhaps not, but maybe your master could benefit,” the man argued. Boyong’s anger cleared away somewhat. Wenyuan had asked him to bring the stranger should Boyong ever run into him again, hadn’t he? Unusual circumstances called for unusual measures, and perhaps this man could at least provide a new possibility. In either case, it didn't hurt to keep a potential threat in check at such a critical time.
“You’re right, perhaps he can. The thing is, he seems to think so as well,” Boyong said. The man tilted his head in a show of curiosity. Boyong smiled grimly. “When I told him about your offer, he told me to bring you the next time you approached me.”
“Speaking of, you told your employer I showed my face, didn’t you?” The man asked in annoyance. “After showing my sincerity, you turn around and rat me out?”
“You were recruiting me to be a rat,” Boyong replied in exasperation.
“Well, that’s fair. Fine, I’ll agree to it, I’m bored anyway,” the man said in a magnanimous tone that had Boyong’s temper flaring up again.
“What’s your name? I can’t let a stranger meet with my master,” Boyong demanded.
“The name’s Hu Qing,” the man replied without hesitation. “How long is he going to take in the Ministry of Justice?”
Boyong deflated slightly. Wenyuan had gone in almost five hours ago, but if Wenyuan really refused to say anything, then it was likely that the Ministry of Justice would simply keep him in holding until the pressure from the palace grew too strong. All things considered, that could take days. The only way to speed up the process was by finding the serving girl who’d been there the night of Wenyuan’s argument with Liu Hongyu.
“Well, I don’t mind waiting,” Hu Qing said with a shrug. “But what are you doing, chatting up servant girls?”
“For strictly professional purposes,” Boyong protested. Hu Qing smiled.
“Well, I could certainly help you with that, I don’t mind chatting up the guys either,” Hu Qing said breezily. “Consider it a belated greeting gift. What are we asking about?”
Boyong hesitated for a moment before telling Hu Qing. It wasn’t as though he expected Liu Hongyu’s former servants to keep their mouths shut about what Boyong was asking about, if Hu Qing really wanted to know, it wouldn’t take him long to find out.
“I’m looking for a low-ranking serving girl about fifteen or sixteen years of age,” Boyong explained. “She was present on the night where Liu Hongyu had an argument with my master.”
“I’m guessing that confrontation escalated?” Hu Qing asked.
Boyong kept his face blank. Hu Qing shrugged.
“Alright, I’ve drank with some of Liu Hongyu’s servants before, I can go ask them,” Hu Qing said, turning to leave.
“Let’s go together,” Boyong said firmly, determined not to let Hu Qing slip out of sight. Hu Qing shrugged, gesturing for him to follow.
“Your employer, is it the Seventh Prince or the Third Prince?” Boyong asked.
“Neither,” Hu Qing said. “And in either case, I actually wasn’t authorized to meet you today.”
Boyong’s face scrunched up in confusion and disbelief. “You-then why are you here?”
“I wanted to see you,” Hu Qing replied carelessly. “And like I said, I was bored.”
Boyong shook his head in disbelief. “I shouldn’t have asked.”