In the eighth year of Tianwu, during autumn.

Outside the Fengxiang Pavilion, the sunlight shone like gold, casting long shadows through the towering palace walls. Each brick and stone here seemed to be engraved with the splendor and glory of past dynasties, bearing witness to the passage of time.

The gilded gates were tightly shut. On the stone steps before them, Chen Geng knelt as if he were a statue. Sunlight dappled his back, and tiny particles of dust danced in the air.

Suddenly, the gates moved slightly. A monk stepped out from the Fengxiang Pavilion, clutching a golden edict in his hand—

"In the eighth year of Tianwu, Chen Geng, the young and meritorious Deputy Chief of the Dali Temple, known for his upright nature and beneficial governance, cherished in our heart, is hereby commended to exemplify his virtues. Henceforth, he is appointed as the Governor of Jiangnan, awarded gold and silk, and promoted in rank. He is to assume his duties immediately. We trust that he will continue to be diligent and dedicated."

The monk's voice was steady, echoing like the sound of a striking bell outside the Fengxiang Pavilion as he read the imperial edict under the golden sunlight.

Chen Geng bowed to receive the edict, feeling as though heavy chains of destiny had fastened around him.

A hundred steps away, inside the Fengxiang Pavilion, a shadowy figure knelt silently behind an intricately carved screen.

In front of the screen, the Empress lay gracefully on a chaise with gilded edges, her luxurious robe spread out casually. Strands of sunlight streamed in, casting a hint of melancholy over her features.

"Although he is the son of the Duke of Chen, he does not possess his father's cunning. Have someone follow him discreetly. I'm curious about who stands behind him."

The Empress spoke softly, and the shadowy figure vanished like the wind.

The Empress rose slowly, approaching the window. Her hand, white as jade, gently touched the lattice. The falling leaves outside seemed like stars on the ground, and she was undeniably the moon amongst them.

Chen Geng descended the golden staircase, his shadow stretching long in the sunlight. With every step, he moved further away from the truth he sought.

Several days prior, in the royal villa,

Inside the high walls of the deep courtyard, golden ginkgo leaves intertwined with deep red maple leaves. Expertly pruned bonsai and ancient trees swayed with the breeze.

Beneath an old tree, Rong Wang Fu Qianyu sat on a simple bamboo chair. His green robe flowed down like still water, and his slightly curly black hair hung beside his shoulders, eyes filled with an icy sternness.

A fiery-red maple leaf fell in the courtyard.

Standing quietly in front of him was a young man in his twenties with short hair, the guard Xuanfeng.

Dust from his recent journey still lingered on Xuanfeng. He bowed slightly to Fu Qianyu, his voice calm and unemotional, "Yang Gao is dead."

"After all these years, he truly knew how to hide..." Fu Qianyu let out a faint smile, caressing the bamboo chair, his eyes gently closed, "The time has come. No more innocents should be wronged."

Xuanfeng nodded and turned to leave.

At that moment, the atmosphere of the capital city, stagnant for years, was once again stirred by the impending storm. And this time, Fu Qianyu was clear; he would emerge cleansed and stand once more under the sunlight.

Dali Temple, enduring centuries of wind and rain, remains as busy as ever at this moment.

Under the sunlight, footsteps echo across the stone-paved road. The people of Dali Temple are engrossed in sorting out cases for the entire year.

The Archive Pavilion, located at the heart of the Dali Temple, stands as a magnificent four-story building. Each floor is meticulously designed to protect and archive a vast amount of ancient texts. On the first floor, numerous desks are neatly arranged, with officials like the recorder and chief clerk of Dali Temple working diligently.

Adjacent to the hall, bookshelves are lined up, holding various case files. The current Deputy Chief Justice of the Dali Temple, Chen Geng, is browsing through the aged case files. Among the neatly arranged archives, he finds a file significantly thinner than the others. Opening it, he discovers a record from a few years ago about a provincial governor being poisoned. The file contains no trial process or related evidence, only brief notes about several officials linked to Prince Rong and the outcomes of their cases.

Chen Geng frowns, placing the other files down and only picking up the record about the provincial governor. He approaches Shen Cheng, the chief clerk of the Dali Temple, who is seated at his desk.

"Chief Clerk Shen."

Shen Cheng quickly stands, "Deputy Chief Justice."

"Why is the record of this case so simplistic?" Chen Geng gently places the file on Shen Cheng's desk, "I see many omissions. There are no testimonies or evidence recorded, yet it's filed under closed cases."

Shen Cheng takes a glance and after seeing the words "provincial governor," he puts it down. "Deputy Chief Justice might not know, but this is the complete record. It was personally reviewed by Lord Liu years ago."

Chen Geng nods slightly, but his mind is filled with doubts. The case, several years old, still remains a significant topic in the court. Although he wasn't working in the Dali Temple at the time, he had heard whispers about it. The court's handling was discreet, so few knew the details.

As Chen Geng prepares to leave with the file, Shen Cheng calls out to him, hinting at unfinished matters.

"Deputy Chief Justice—"

"Yes?"

Shen Cheng hesitates before warning, "It's best to leave this case alone. It involves too much and might bring trouble."

"Thank you for the advice," Chen Geng nods in acknowledgment, but doesn't seem too concerned. He leaves quickly.

As Chen Geng exits the Archive Pavilion, Wei Zhaoyang, who was dozing off nearby, quickly approaches.

Chen Geng walks briskly without pausing, heading directly to the back of the pavilion.

Seeing Chen Geng's furrowed brows, Wei Zhaoyang is puzzled, "Sir, what's the rush?"

"Do you remember the case from years ago when the provincial governor was poisoned?"

"Who could forget? Many were executed by the Emperor because of it. Why bring up this old case now?"

"It's nothing significant. While organizing closed cases, I found this record mixed with others. It's rather vague, with many omissions. After all these years, Prince Rong remains imprisoned without clear evidence. It doesn't seem like a proper conclusion."

Knowing Chen Geng's upright nature, Wei Zhaoyang warns him, "Even so, you have no ties with Prince Rong. Best not to get involved in this muddy water."

However, Chen Geng doesn't respond. As they converse, the two arrive at the office of the Chief Justice of Dali Temple.

Chen Geng gestures to Wei Zhaoyang, who can only wait outside, arms crossed.

Chen Geng knocks, and the voice of Liu Jue, Chief Justice of Dali Temple, comes from inside.

"Enter."

Chen Geng steps in.

Right in front was a finely crafted square table accompanied by two red lacquered wooden chairs.

Turning to his right, Liu Jue was sitting at his desk, reviewing official documents. Stacks of files were laid out before him, and behind him stood an ancient folding screen inscribed with poetic verses.

The sunlight shone through the window, casting a glow on the desk and floor. Liu Jue continued writing without lifting his head.

Standing in front of the desk, Chen Geng softly called out, "Master."

Liu Jue glanced up at him and then resumed his work.

"What is it?"

Chen Geng gently placed the file he held onto the table, "Master, I have reviewed the case files of the governor. There seem to be many omissions. There are gaps in details and evidence. Since it's the end of the year and we are reviewing old cases, should we also revisit this one more thoroughly?"

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Without a response, Liu Jue continued with his work.

Seeing no reaction, Chen Geng quietly stood waiting.

After a long pause, Liu Jue finally set down his brush, took a deep breath, and picked up the file Chen Geng had placed on the table, flipping through it.

"This case has been closed for years. Why bring it up now? I see that everyone has been working tirelessly recently. Do we really need to exhaust ourselves over this unrelated matter?"

Chen Geng, now slightly irritated and disregarding their respective statuses, argued back, "The case was hastily concluded with many unresolved doubts. As the head of the Ministry of Justice, how can you turn a blind eye? The honorable prince is known for his benevolence. Without concrete evidence, why is he still imprisoned in the capital?"

"Enough!" Liu Jue, detecting the discontent in Chen Geng's tone, sternly reprimanded him.

Realizing his outburst, Chen Geng bowed in apology, though his face betrayed his lingering resentment.

With a deep sigh, Liu Jue stood up, walked to the square table, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to Chen Geng.

"This case originated years ago, when you weren't yet in the Ministry of Justice, so you might not understand the underlying grudges. The emperor personally oversaw this case. There's no need for you to wade into this muddy water again. Whether it's the governor or the honorable prince, the emperor will decide."

Chen Geng stared at the tea leaves in his cup, his brow furrowed.

Returning to his desk, Liu Jue began annotating another file. After a while, he finally spoke again.

"Are there any true innocents in the court? Hearing isn't necessarily believing, and seeing might not be the truth. It's best to leave this matter be."

"Yes."

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Liu Jue, Chen Geng simply agreed verbally. But as he set down his tea cup, he had already made up his mind and left after a courteous bow.

As the door opened and then closed again, Liu Jue looked towards it, his expression no longer calm, but now weighed down with concern.

Seeing Chen Geng's displeased exit, Wei Zhaoyang quickly approached and asked, "What did Lord Liu say?"

"He told me to stay out of it."

Wei Zhaoyang exhaled in relief, attempting to comfort him, "After all, it's a matter concerning the royal family..."

However, Chen Geng didn't seem to heed the advice, and retorted, "There are no personal affairs in the royal family. A family feud affects the common people and shouldn't be taken lightly. As officials of the Ministry of Justice, we should discern the cause and make judgments. No matter how deep this case goes, we can't be negligent. It's unjust for the innocent to be imprisoned and the guilty to roam free."

"Even so, while the honorable prince might not be the true culprit, he's not free from suspicion, right? Without concrete proof, how can you exonerate him? You might end up not gaining any favor from the prince and incurring the emperor's wrath instead."

"I know my limits."

With that, Chen Geng hurriedly left.

Wei Zhaoyang remained standing there, watching Chen Geng's retreating figure, sighing, "He always seems so cold and indifferent, like nothing affects him. Why is he acting so obsessed today?"

That night, under the dim moonlight, the silence was only broken by the chirping of cicadas.

Inside the study, Chen Geng sat at his desk, meticulously going through every file, searching for overlooked secrets. The flickering candlelight danced as he became deeply engrossed, and unknowingly, he fell asleep, resting his forehead on his hand.

After what seemed like hours, as the stars dimmed and the eastern sky began to brighten with a hint of red, blending the dawn with the retreating night, the sound of birds chirping gradually rose.

Chen Geng woke up in surprise, realizing he had slept through the night. Stretching his limbs, he turned to see a sealed letter slipped under his door.

Approaching it, he picked up the letter, returned to his desk, and opened it. There was just one line -

"There are indeed doubts about this matter. It's not suitable for me to say more. You should judge based on the facts. Be cautious."

The familiar handwriting he hadn't seen in a long time.

Gently touching the golden seal on the letter, Chen Geng felt a renewed sense of determination.

"Ministry of Justice."

The entire courtyard was shrouded in an oppressive silence, as if one could feel the constant heavy atmosphere in the air.

The surrounding buildings stood silently, with only a few officials quickly passing by. Their footsteps echoed loudly in the quietness.

Deep within, the dungeon held many unknown secrets. Every now and then, intermittent screams would seep out from behind the heavy doors, shattering the serenity of the courtyard.

Chen Geng silently stepped into this stillness, walking resolutely towards the archive tower.

The archive tower of the Ministry of Justice might not be as grand as the one in the Ministry of Justice, but it was equally majestic, standing tall with three tiers, each adorned with intricate carvings and paintings. Inside, rectangular bookshelves lined the walls, locked securely, seemingly guarding endless secrets. Among the officials, the air was thick with scholarly vibes, with some engrossed in reading the archives, seemingly isolated from the outside world.

Yue Wuji, an official from the Ministry of Justice, dressed in official robes, looking dignified, noticed Chen Geng approaching and greeted him, "Lord Chen. It has been a while. What brings you to the Ministry of Justice today?"

Chen Geng wasn't in the mood for small talk but politely replied, "It's been some time, Brother Yue. You still look as distinguished as ever."

"Good times are coming," Yue Wuji responded with a smile, making a fist and bow gesture.

Chen Geng also raised his hand in return, "I heard your wife is expecting soon. Congratulations in advance, Brother Yue. Your family is truly flourishing, making others envious."

Yue Wuji laughed and pulled Chen Geng aside, "Enough of the pleasantries. You're known for not visiting without a reason. Which case from the Ministry of Justice has caught your eye this time?"

"It's nothing major. The Ministry of Justice is reorganizing old files, and there's a case with unclear records. I came to see if there's any record here to cross-check and archive properly."

"An old case?" Yue Wuji said, leading Chen Geng deeper into the archive tower, "Tell me about it, and I'll help you look."

"Well..." Chen Geng paused, then slowly said, "The case from the third year of Tianwu involving the provincial governor."

Hearing the term "provincial governor", Yue Wuji suddenly stopped in his tracks, turned, and looked at Chen Geng with a hint of difficulty, "You're really putting me in a tough spot. This case never went through our department. We have no records of it. You might want to look elsewhere."

Chen Geng replied solemnly, "But wasn't the purge and lockdown of the Imperial Medical Institution overseen by the Ministry of Justice?"

Yue Wuji frowned and whispered, "Listen to me. Some things are better left unexplored. Yes, our department was responsible, but no records were kept. It was a direct decree from the Emperor. They were all executed without trial."

"The provincial governor was the Emperor's own nephew. Doesn't she want to know the truth?"

"People are already dead. How important is the truth now? Isn't what the Emperor wants the most important thing?"

Chen Geng's eyes flashed with determination, "Were there any oversights?"

After a cautious glance around, Yue Wuji sighed before saying, "There was one imperial physician who escaped the purge, perhaps..."

Chen Geng was taken aback, gave Yue Wuji a thoughtful look, nodded, and then bowed, "Thank you for your guidance, Brother Yue."

Without waiting for a response, Chen Geng turned and left.

What Chen Geng didn't know was that his recent actions had already alarmed those in the depths of the distant palace.

In Phoenix Pavilion, alongside a stone-bricked corridor, a monk walks with his head down, closing the gently opened hall door. Inside the grand hall, beneath intricate glass lanterns, the Empress stands by a carved table. She lifts a teacup, surrounded by a mist. Two maids, dressed in pink tassels, stand on either side, displaying a respectful posture.

Not far from her, Liu Jue sits with a solemn expression at another table. The Empress sets down her tea and speaks with a cold, piercing gaze, "Master Liu, how have you been lately?"

A maid brings a delicate teacup to Liu Jue. Accepting it, he places it on the table, "Thanks to Your Majesty's grace, I've been well. My insomnia has even improved."

The Empress smiles faintly, "I wonder if it's my blessing or the skills of Miss Junya from the Liuxiang Tower that did the trick."

Liu Jue's face changes slightly, avoiding her gaze, "Your Majesty jests. Liuxiang Tower isn't a decent place. I've only accompanied some officials there to listen to music a couple of times."

The Empress lightly traces circles on the table, "Master Liu, with your many responsibilities, some leisure is fine. Just be moderate."

"Your guidance is noted."

After a moment of silence, filled only by the flickering of lantern lights, Liu Jue begins to feel uneasy. It's not until sweat starts to form on his forehead that the Empress slowly rises, "Yesterday, I was inspired and wrote a couplet. Seeing you today brings me comfort, so I gift it to you."

A maid hands over a scroll to Liu Jue. As he unfurls it, he reads ten bold characters: "Mountains remain untroubled, refrain from dwelling on the past."

Surprised, Liu Jue bows in gratitude, "Your Majesty's words flow like clouds and smoke. I am enlightened."

"You may leave now," the Empress gestures, appearing a bit weary.

Although Liu Jue wishes to speak, he takes the scroll and respectfully departs. Only when he's far from the Phoenix Pavilion does he let out a sigh, "Ah, that Chen Geng..."

He understands the Empress' hints today relate to Chen Geng's attempts to reopen an old case, possibly offending the current ruler. If stopped soon, it might be fine, but if not, it could lead to serious consequences.

However, Chen Geng, unaware of the storm he's stirring in the court, just returned home. As he's about to settle down, his steward rushes over, saying his father wishes to see him in the study.

Confused, Chen Geng hurries to the study, a tranquil spot surrounded by neatly trimmed greenery. Inside, a painting of winter plum blossoms contrasts the current season. His father, Duke Chen, stands admiring it.

Upon entering, Chen Geng bows, "Father."

Duke Chen, with a gentle gaze, speaks, "I've been preoccupied with the New Year's palace banquet, neglecting you. How've you been?"

Chen Geng replies, "Father, you're always serving the Emperor, it's understandable."

Duke Chen continues, "Liu Jue mentioned you're revisiting the case of Zhong Lixiu."

Chen Geng nods, "Yes, there are many doubts in that case."

Duke Chen advises, "Stay out of it."

"But father..."

Interrupting, Duke Chen warns, "The Emperor's health is declining, and there's unrest in the court. Your meddling in the old case might be seen as being manipulated. The Emperor, for my sake, is overlooking it. Drop the matter."

Shocked, Chen Geng asks, "How did the Emperor find out?"

"Every little movement in the capital is under her watch."

Seeing his son silent, Duke Chen leaves. As he's far away, his faint voice reaches, "Pack your things. There might be a decree tomorrow..."