Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Zhao Zongzheng had yet to appear.

Those gathered in the corridor grew anxious, curious about how today’s situation would conclude. The Jiang family father and son, both involved in the matter, were surrounded by colleagues in the hallway. Jiang Tanwang still patiently exchanged a few words, but Jiang Lanyun remained expressionless, pressing his lips shut. He was never one for idle chatter, and with his eyes lowered, no one could tell what thoughts occupied him. Then a squad of imperial guards entered the garden. The leader stopped before him and said, “Young Master Jiang.”

At last, Jiang Lanyun lifted his gaze.

This was the imperial guard sent to fetch Zhao Zongzheng. The courtyard instantly fell silent as all craned their necks, but Zhao’s figure remained nowhere in sight.

The guard presented a bundle of documents and said without a change in expression, “On our way to summon Lord Zhao, we encountered him coming this way himself. He confessed to dereliction of duty and corruption, and wishes to personally beg the princess’s pardon. These are the evidentiary materials, which should be handed over to the Court of Judicial Review for trial. The Hall Guard dared not act beyond their authority. Lord Zhao is now held outside the garden. Young Master Jiang, would you like to see him first?”

At this, a murmur of astonishment rippled through the crowd.

Jiang Lanyun silently took the documents. Though the guard claimed they dared not overstep, the papers bore bloodstains, clear proof the guard had already interrogated Zhao. Even if Zhao was indeed outside the garden at this moment, he was likely half-dead. Whether he had been tortured without authorization or following someone’s orders mattered little; what mattered was that things had finally unfolded as the princess wished.

Jiang Lanyun shifted his thoughts and said, “No need. Please trouble the imperial guards to escort Marquis Wude to the Court of Judicial Review for trial. I will go petition the princess.”

The leader promptly agreed. The guards marched fiercely toward the pavilion opposite. Their heavy footsteps intimidated even the courtiers, who lost track of when Jiang Lanyun disappeared.

Cheng Muning stood by the pavilion window, watching Marquis Wude being roughly pushed out. The marquis shouted, “Why are you pushing me? Why are you pushing me?! There is no concrete evidence yet. I was assisting the investigation for the sake of the Princess Royal’s honor. Even if I am to be taken to the Court of Judicial Review, it will be with dignity!”

At that moment, Wei Lin arrived, scanning the scene from head to toe. “Zhao Zongzheng has confessed and the evidence is conclusive. Marquis, you’d best not resist—seize the criminal!”

The guards on both sides responded in unison, drawing their curved blades. The cold gleam terrified Marquis Wude into staggering. Before he could steady himself, he was dragged away while cursing, “You—how dare you be so rude! I shall report this to His Majesty… Minister Xu! Minister Xu!”

Xu Jingqing stepped forward calmly. He raised his head to face the wide-open window.

Cheng Muning smiled respectfully at him. Xu Jingqing returned the salute, his face showing no sign of defeat.

Hong Jin lifted the curtain and entered. “Princess, Young Master Jiang is waiting outside.”

“Let him come in,” Cheng Muning said, turning her head.

“He refuses,” Hong Jin frowned. “He hasn’t even crossed the threshold, just waits outside the door.”

Yinzhu added, “Young Master Jiang is courteous. He probably considers the princess’s reputation.”

Cheng Muning raised an eyebrow. Reputation had been lost three years ago. Back then, rumors about Pei Shao had been widespread because of her intentions. Now, she did not want to implicate others. Jiang Lanyun’s caution was warranted. She said, “Tell Young Master Jiang I am coming.”

Cheng Muning quickly descended the stairs, and sure enough, Jiang Lanyun stood in the corridor.

Unlike Pei Shao’s imposing martial presence, Jiang Lanyun’s figure was slender and refined, much like his character.

Strangely, Jiang Lanyun’s temperament was gentle. Compared to Shen Wenjie’s more impulsive nature, he seemed like a scholar. No one had thought he would end up at the Court of Judicial Review. Yet at the gathering, his words were steady and forceful, unlike before. Clearly, his experiences outside had borne fruit. If he were too easygoing, he would find it harder to navigate court politics.

Hearing the sound, Jiang Lanyun turned. He hesitated slightly and said, “Princess.”

Cheng Muning stepped over the threshold, smiling. “Young Master Jiang, are you here to inquire about the cases of Marquis Wude and Zhao Zongzheng?”

Jiang Lanyun nodded and hesitated. “May I ask, Princess, how do you intend to handle this case?”

“Zhao Zongzheng has committed a crime. The Court of Judicial Review currently has no one to take charge. Naturally, the decisions fall to you.” Cheng Muning paused, then said, “I have ordered the imperial guards to assist, but the main authority remains with the Court. This case will continue to be investigated. The Court will proceed as it deems fit.”

Yet Jiang Lanyun knew this was no ordinary legal matter. Since the Princess Royal had taken it up, the Court could not exercise full autonomy. The bribery involving court officials could be grave or minor. If the Princess wished Marquis Wude dead, the Court had means to ensure it. If she wanted to spare him, it would depend how—exile or detention—each with its own protocols.

If the case were pursued further, it involved more than Marquis Wude alone, and not just Xu Jingqing. The scandal it would ignite could be immense, and the Princess would face an even harsher predicament. The events three years prior made it clear this path would be no easier.

Seeing Jiang Lanyun frown, Cheng Muning asked, “Why so silent, Young Master Jiang?”

“Princess.” Jiang Lanyun clenched his hands hidden in his wide sleeves, then lifted his eyes to meet hers. “Back then, every step was perilous. You narrowly escaped. Now that you have returned to the capital, must you repeat the same mistakes?”

Emotions churned in his eyes, surprising Cheng Muning. After a moment, she said, “Young Master Jiang should know, His Majesty lies ill in bed, beset by enemies on all sides. There are things I must do.”

“But is His Majesty truly ill?” Jiang Lanyun frowned. “He is merely too afraid to offend others, so he pushes you forth to bear the blame. He must have foreseen today’s events, but dared not act! Yet you also labored to assist him. What was the result? You are of noble blood and should not be embroiled in such disputes. Now that you have returned, why not stop here and seek peace?”

“Lord Jiang.” Cheng Muning suddenly interrupted him.

Their eyes met. The warmth in her brow vanished, replaced by cold distance. “If His Majesty is no longer His Majesty, then I am no longer a princess. How then can I claim noble blood? It is a grave offense to slander His Majesty in private. You know the laws and court etiquette, Lord Jiang. Do not speak such words again.”

Jiang Lanyun regarded her silently for a moment. “I overstepped.”

He said no more. After bowing to Cheng Muning, he turned to leave. His steps hesitated, as if he had more to say, yet he remained silent.

Yinzhu watched Jiang Lanyun’s retreating figure. Though upright, his posture betrayed a sense of loss. She seemed to perceive something and glanced sideways at Cheng Muning, who appeared composed, her face unreadable. She looked up at the sky and spoke in an ordinary tone, “Prepare the carriage to return to the palace. After I leave, the banquet continues. The scholars have studied for years for this moment. There is still time. No slacking or negligence is allowed.”

“Yes, I will give the orders immediately.” Before Yinzhu finished, a commotion arose from the corner of the corridor. A guard shouted loudly, “Who goes there? How dare you trespass on the princess’s resting place!”

“I—I am not an assassin—”

“Yinzhu.” Cheng Muning gestured for Yinzhu to check. Before Yinzhu approached, a white figure was pushed forward. The person crashed against a pillar with a thud, tumbling down the steps in a sorry state. The guards moved to seize him, but Cheng Muning said, “Wait.”

She raised a finger. The guards paused and stepped aside.

Cheng Muning scrutinized the man on the ground and raised an eyebrow. “Mr. Du, skulking outside my courtyard—is there more case information you wish to report?”

Du Linyi scrambled up anxiously, brushing the dust from his robe. Unlike his earlier cold despondency at the gathering, now his expression was lively but uneasy. “I am from Longzhou and a firsthand witness to last year’s great disaster there. I came to the capital for the imperial examinations and to present a case. No one understands Longzhou’s grievances better than I do. I…”

He took a deep breath; the rest seemed hard to say.

Cheng Muning guessed his intent. “You wish to participate in the Court of Judicial Review’s investigation?”

Before Du Linyi could answer, she continued, “You have not passed the imperial exam and are not qualified to enter the Court. The Court has no precedent for involving commoners in case investigations.”

“I know.” Du Linyi’s face flushed red, but he summoned courage to say, “I want to enter the princess’s residence as your aide.”

“Oh? You wish to be… my aide?”

Cheng Muning circled him like a cat intrigued by a curious toy. Her gaze was playful yet piercing, as if she saw right through him. Du Linyi instinctively held his breath.

When he was about to suffocate, Cheng Muning uttered a long “Hmm” and nodded. “That is indeed a good idea. You failed the exam, so a government post is out for now. By old rules, you should serve as an aide in local counties for three years before reapplying for a central post. But since you accused Marquis Wude today, no one will dare employ you now. I suppose it was Director Jiang who persuaded you to come to my residence?”

Du Linyi did not deny it. Cheng Muning said, “It seems he truly likes you and has taken care of your future. After thinking it over, you realize you have reached a dead end. You are unwilling to accept that, so even if you despise serving in the princess’s household and are ashamed to be my underling, you still came.”

“I—”

Indeed, serving in the princess’s household was not desirable. Although the Princess Royal was rising in influence, she was still just a princess. Official duties there were menial at best, and an aide was not even an official position. What great achievements could one hope for? Moreover, the Princess Royal’s reputation was poor. Rumors said her assistance to the Emperor had been more through seduction than statesmanship, riding on the Pei family’s influence. Du Linyi looked down on it, but his feelings were gradually exposed. The flush on his face spread to his neck, leaving him utterly embarrassed.

Cheng Muning’s smile deepened. She teased, “You scholars pride yourselves on your integrity, but do you also know when to bend?”

Feeling mocked, Du Linyi was at a loss. Clenching his fists, he began to regret coming.

Cheng Muning toyed with the tassels of her fan, not answering immediately. Just as Du Linyi thought he had made a fool of himself and was about to leave before she spoke harshly, she said calmly, “It’s been a long time since I’ve returned home. I don’t know if it’s been well kept. So, Mr. Du, you may take charge of the residence for me.”

Calling him “Mr. Du” was an acknowledgment of his status as an aide.

Du Linyi looked up sharply, stunned and forgetting to thank her. When he regained his senses, Cheng Muning had already left with her maidservants, the guards flooding behind. Du Linyi was jostled twice and hurried to avoid them.

He stood still to collect his thoughts, sighing deeply before preparing to leave. Suddenly, he sensed someone watching him from above.

It was someone on the watchtower.

Unfortunately, Du Linyi’s eyesight was poor; he could not make out who it was, only feeling a chill down his spine.