Chapter 83

For a while, the court ministers related to Qi Min all showed concern, and many glared daggers at this person, as if he was a traitor.

But joy painted Pang Shao’s face.

He knew Qi Min’s people weren’t all clean. Even if the so-called colluding evidence wasn’t seized, some vulnerable points could be discovered. He had fooled Qi Min, and used this chance to tear up his power by the roots. It was better to cut the weeds and dig up the roots, so as to avoid those people who still wanted to avenge Qi Min.

With this in mind, he stepped forward and said, “This servant also thinks so. The crime of colluding with the enemy cannot be looked down upon. Your Majesty, why not try this approach?”

The Hou Zhu, hearing that person’s suggestion, was already tempted. Hearing Pang Shao agree, he said, “Then, let’s go with aiqing’s suggestion.”

Immediately, Pang Shao smoothly recited the full names of several officials, all of whom always went against him, but whose vulnerabilities couldn’t be caught.

But after he finished, that official who first made the suggestion commented, “Your Majesty, although Zhao Dunting-daren was the one who accused Qi Min, he’s still Qi Min’s pupil, and although he is always on friendly terms with Qi Min, he can’t be left out.”

Hearing that, Pang Shao impassively glanced at that person.

And saw that person looking up at the Hou Zhu, waiting for the Hou Zhu’s instruction.

Pang Shao coldly laughed in his heart.

Truly a person so eager that he became brainless. He himself had already delivered his words, and he still had to interrupt. It seemed he had gone mad from wanting to make worthy contributions and lost his sense of propriety.

Anyway, there was no trace of his contacts with Zhao Dunting, and the only physical evidence was those several letters framing Qi Min, which had long been sent to Qi Min’s residence. Even if an investigation was needed, Zhao Dunting was not afraid. After being checked along with the others, it would instead purge him of the suspicion of fabricating charges.

With this in mind, Pang Shao coldly looked at that official, and said:

“This official was careless and forgot Zhao-daren,” he said. “Since they have a master and apprentice relationship, have him investigated along with the others.”

——

The palace was thrown into chaos. The news was delivered to the prince’s residence very quickly as well.

Jiang Suizhou watched as the situation gradually shifted to the direction of his plans, and his dangling heart gradually was laid down.

Toward sunset, the most significant news was sent in.

Letters were found in Zhao Dunting’s residence.

They were actually Pang Shao’s. The continuous letters, according to the words of Pang Shao’s attendant, instructed Zhao Dunting how to frame Qi Min step by step, even telling him to send the letters Pang Shao had prepared over to Qi Min’s study with the excuse of visiting the sick.

The letters were placed in the most hidden secret compartment in the room. All matters, step by step, all could be matched with the events of these days.

Zhao Dunting was filled with surprise seeing those letters, and immediately cried as if wronged. But with the ironclad evidence, he had no way to refute, and was imprisoned then and there, replacing Qi Min out.

Meanwhile, Pang Shao attempted to explain to the Hou Zhu, but the Hou Zhu did not bother to listen even a word: he lost his temper and had people drag Pang Shao out of the imperial palace.

Jiang Suizhou knew that since Pang Shao did not commit collusion, although he framed a court minister, he wouldn’t really receive a substantive punishment.

However, the crack between him and the Hou Zhu would be more severe to the extent that it couldn’t be healed.

This, to Pang Shao, was a loss more grave than being punished.

Jiang Suizhou breathed a sigh of relief and instructed Xu Du to rest up, then left his residence. He headed back to Anyin Hall.

When he passed the garden, he had the palanquin take a detour to the wine cellar in the prince’s residence. After taking two jugs of fine wine, he left.

Such a great occasion, how could he not celebrate with wine?

When he returned to Anyin Hall, lamps had been lit up all around. He hugged the wine jugs as he stepped off the palanquin, and went straight into the main house. But his footsteps faltered.

He stood right in the middle of the courtyard, gazing northward, only to see the lights of Huo Wujiu’s room passing through the window gauze, slightly flickering.

Jiang Suizhou’s heart faintly stirred.

How could he drink this merry wine alone?

With this thought in mind, he turned on his feet and walked toward the light.

It had not been a day since Qi Min was thrown into the prison, when he was let out.

Even the Hou Zhu felt guilty toward this old pedant whom he hadn’t liked since childhood. After he was released from the prison, he had him stay in the palace first. Only after consoling him with a few words did he let him go home.

When Qi Min arrived home, the streets were already lit with evening lights.

His whole family had been let out of the prison and had been waiting in front of the door to welcome him. His several good friends also waited in front of the residence. Seeing him get down from the carriage, they all came forward to congratulate him.

They just escaped from a crisis; it was a happy occasion. After Qi Min exchanged pleasantries with them one by one, he welcomed everyone into his residence, inviting them to stay and eat first before going back.

The officials naturally did not decline.

Qi Min set up a feast in the house, as if congratulating everyone. He was normally thrifty, and this time, after his house was searched, he also didn’t bring many silvers out.

So this feast was prepared quite simply. However, everyone in the feast was his best and closest friends; all of them knew how he was.

The officials closed the doors and feasted. After everyone was full and delirious from the drinks, their talks gradually became open.

“Today in the courtroom, I found out what a shallow person is like,” an official drunkenly said, holding a wine cup.

For a moment, everyone lost their voices, gradually quieting.

That official still continued, “Qi-daren has students everywhere. Those who are acquainted with him, aren’t they seasoned scholars? But today, the one who framed him, fanned the flames, and took advantage to plead innocence—of all people, it’s his disciple whom he tutored!”

Although Qi Min had never been a teacher, scholars always placed importance in manners. If a student wanted to be an official, they had to pass the imperial examination, and the candidate who passed the imperial examination must always remember the kindness of the examiner who recognized their worth, so they should address their own examiner as ‘teacher’.

And Qi Min had been the head examiner of the imperial examination for so many times already.

Hearing these words, silence fell.

After a moment, an official gulped down a glass of wine, and put the wine glass atop the table with a clang.

“Dunting…! Who would have thought, the one who did this is Zhao Dunting!”

The officials who were sitting all knew Zhao Dunting had been most filial to Qi Min. In those years, Zhao Dunting was impoverished. He sold his ancestors’ residential land to enter the capital and take the imperial examination, and even suffered from being robbed by thieves outside the city. When he entered the capital, he was penniless. Qi Min came across him just then and helped him financially, so that he could remain in the capital and take the examination.

And, henceforth, Zhao Dunting repaid Qi Min day by day, and it was seen by all eyes.

Hearing these words, everyone’s expressions at the feast became all the heavier. And Qi Min was silent for a long while. He picked up his chopsticks, grabbed some food, and brought it into his mouth.

“I’ve never taught him. He passed the imperial examination and serves for the imperial court. It’s all his own skill and good luck,” he said impassively. “I don’t count as his teacher; what he did to me also does not count as a betrayal.”

For a while, everyone heaved a sigh.

Then someone continued, “Today’s matter is also good for Qi-gong*; we discerned certain people’s nature. It’s a blessing in disguise.”

*gong – respectful salutation for an elder

An official on the side praised, “That’s right. Zhang Yan, Qi Min’s subordinate who stubbornly wanted the emperor to thoroughly investigate Qi-daren’s relatives and friends, is a dark horse.”

All around, everyone nodded.

But saw Qi Min put down his chopsticks.

“He is not,” he said.

The official on the side was surprised. “What Qi-daren is saying is…?”

Then saw Qi Min fix his gaze on the small cup on the table, and slowly said:

“Today, he looked to be in trouble, but he didn’t forget to drag Zhao Dunting in. If not for him, I’d long been beheaded. This action of his, like knowing something in advance, was to save me.”

The feast sunk into silence.

“But I don’t know how he knows, and who is behind him.”

At this particular moment, an official slowly opened his mouth:

“Qi-daren, I’m somewhat friends with Zhang Yan. When drunk the other day, he told me something.”

Qi Min looked at him, and saw him slowly say:

“He said…he wants to handle a matter for His Highness Jingwang. Whether it’s life-threatening or not, he must do it.”

——

When evening came, Zhao residence was more or less seized.

The troops dispersed. Everyone in Zhao’s family was either arrested or dispersed. The thick and heavy gates were slowly shut and a seal was affixed.

The people going in and out of Zhao residence sank into a pitch dark quiet.

At this particular moment, a few shadows drifted out on the eaves very swiftly, like owls in the night, scurrying up the wall from the darkness. In a blink of an eye, it disappeared into the darkness again.

These were the rearguards of Xu Du’s death soldiers.

The shadows flashed a few times, and then plunged into the dark lane. Within half an incense stick, the lane was already empty. The several people in dark clothes had long vanished. Only several unnoticeable servants, wearing duan da*, carried groceries from the busy street, directly entering Jingwang Manor.

*duan da – a kind of ancient Chinese Hanfu, including top and trousers, made of coarse cloth worn by commoners or servants

And no one noticed, beside the lane where the people vanished, there was a seemingly endless cul-de-sac. Turn a corner there, walk a short distance, and the stench of blood could be smelled.

There were several people who quietly hid there. Below their feet lay about ten dead bodies, piled up into a small hill.

These dead bodies were precisely these people’s doing.

Inaudible footsteps came.

“They’re gone,” that person unhurriedly said, stopping before the dead bodies.

Then he saw those snake-like figures hanging on the wall move upon hearing these words. One of them landed down from the wall, tore off his mask, and walked up to the dead bodies, casually kicking them.

“It’s over,” he said. “The assassins Pang-laozei* sent were indeed rather skillful.”

*lao zei – derogatory term used for the old and immoral.

He then saw that person before who was on the lookout also tearing off his own mask.

It was Wei Kai.

“I still need to trouble you xiong di’s to clean these things,” he said, looking at those corpses. “You must not leave any trace.”

“Commander Wei, rest assured,” someone said at the side. “We will handle it, you just be at ease.”

After that, the people got busy in the dark.

The one who had spoken before said as he bustled about, “I don’t know what the General is thinking. I thought it was serious, even troubling Commander Wei.”

Someone at the side smiled. “Right. Look at this situation. Lao zi* was eager for a fight and even thought we were going to rescue the General from Jingwang Manor.”

*lao zi – “I” for the elderly, or used in anger, fun, or arrogantly

Then someone followed, “Who knew it would be secretly protecting a few dead soldiers. Commander Wei, do you know which family these dead soldiers belong to that are surprisingly so precious?”

But Wei Kai calmy reprimanded, “Stop gossiping, hurry up.”

The few of them laughed, and then no longer spoke as they deftly continued to work.

Wei Kai stood at the side, brows furrowed so tight.

It was not only his fellow xiong di’s who were puzzled; he did not know why either.

Jingwang wanted to oppose Pang Shao, he knew this much; Jingwang had finished this matter, he had also somewhat heard about it.

And the General had long asked him to prepare, had them hide discreetly in advance, waiting for Jiang Suizhou’s dead soldiers to withdraw.

Although the General predicted very accurately that there really were Pang Shao’s people coming here to investigate, and were killed clean by them, Wei Kai didn’t know why the General wanted to do such a superfluous thing.

Was it to kill these subordinates of Pang Shao, or was it because of Jingwang Manor’s dead soldiers? What was so special about them?

——

Jiang Suizhou’s two jugs of wine were the residence’s fine wines that had been stored for many years. The original owner seemed to extremely love to store these, but did not particularly drink. Many vintage wines from Ye Cheng were stored in the residence.

These were among them.

And Jiang Suizhou didn’t expect the wines of the northern area to be so strong.

He carried the wine jugs in his arms to Huo Wujiu’s room, and Huo Wujiu happened to have just finished his dinner.

Only when Jiang Suizhou saw him sitting on the bed did he remember he was still injured. He anxiously asked, “You’re still on medication. You can’t drink wine, can you?”

When Huo Wujiu raised his eyes to see him carrying the wine jugs, he asked, “Success?”

Jiang Suizhou naturally knew what he was talking about. He raised his hand to have the servants withdraw, and smiled. “Success. Everything was as planned.”

Huo Wujiu’s gaze stopped at his smiling expression, and didn’t move for a moment.

Then saw Jiang Suizhou place the wine jugs on the table, sat on the left, and said, “I thought to celebrate with you, but forgot your injury has not healed. But forget it, it doesn’t matter if we drink or not.”

But he heard Huo Wujiu repeat, “Celebrate with me?”

Jiang Suizhou nodded.

“In any case, Pang Shao has enmity with you. He has suffered a big loss. To you, it’s a joyous occasion.”

His words sounded rather pretentious. At this moment, the lights were dim, as if a little out of place.

He paused, one hand on the wine jug, his chin resting on the back of his hand, looking at Huo Wujiu, and candidly laughed.

“Also because there’s no one else. Very few know about this matter. Gu Changyun is unreliable, Xu Du is still busy. If ben wang doesn’t look for you to celebrate with, wouldn’t it be suffocating?”

At this moment, he was extremely relaxed. The pretense on his face was pretty much removed, revealing his lethargic and gentle look.

He saw Huo Wujiu stay silent, but his hands were agile. One hand pulled the wheelchair, and bracing down, he sat on the wheelchair and rolled directly to the table, stopping in front of Jiang Suizhou.

He didn’t speak, only opened the wine jug.

In the next moment, the alcoholic fragrant wafted about, flowing all over the room.

Jiang Suizhou was stunned for a moment, before hurriedly raising his hand to stop him.

“Can you drink or not? If you can’t, forget it, do not let your treatment time go to waste…”

But he saw Huo Wujiu raise his eyes, his dark eyes especially bright under the lights.

“The wine is already here, do you want to drink it or not?”

Jiang Suizhou thought his eyes right now were brimming with laughter.

Although it couldn’t be seen, the inkling couldn’t be grasped, they gleamed, like sunbeams flashing on the tip of a gun, illuminating his eyes. And, for a while, it made one rather light-headed.

He involuntarily took his hand away, letting Huo Wujiu skillfully hold up the wine jug with one hand as he easily grabbed two bowls, filling them up with wine.

Only until Huo Wujiu placed a bowl in front of him did he come back to his senses, dumbfounded.

The wine in the bowl was very cool. The wine gave off a rich fragrance—just smelling it was intoxicating. This bowl was also not small, and the lights illuminating the wine in the bowls were bright. For a moment, it made Jiang Suizhou shrink back a little.

Even before he crossed over, he had never seen anyone who used a bowl for white wine.

He dazedly looked at the bowls on the table, then raised his eyes to look at Huo Wujiu. He calmly said, “We’re using these to drink?”

He saw Huo Wujiu looking puzzled. “What else?”

Huo Wujiu reacted for a moment, before remembering the people in the capital seemed outmoded using bowls to drink wine, unlike in the frontier that always lacked supplies—there were not many garish cups, and the same bowl was used to both eat meat and drink wine.

He was chagrined for a while, feeling rustic.

“Forgot,” he said. “I’ll go find someone for cups.”

He was about to leave with his wheelchair, but saw Jiang Suizhou raise his eyes and stop him.

When he saw the look at Jingwang’s face, it seemed to reveal some ego that he didn’t want to show.

He gritted his teeth, and said, “Forget it. Today, Pang Shao got into the worst trouble ever, it’s worth ben wang to drink wine with a bowl.”

As Huo Wujiu watched as he grabbed the bowl, he suddenly remembered that day when he came back drunk, his whole body exuding the smell of sweet liquor. From the smell, it was clear it was not a strong one. This person most likely did not have good alcoholic tolerance.

He paused. He was about to say ‘stop’, but forcibly swallowed the word down.

He remembered that day when this person was unsteady on his feet and fell into his embrace.

It was filled with sweet osmanthus.

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