Raindrops fell onto the bluish fish-scale roof tiles, splashing misty sprays and then converging into streams that dripped down along the Pixiu-patterned eaves.
This tavern had been built during the previous emperor’s reign. Decades had passed, and the persistent dripping water had worn small pits into the hard bluestone bricks beneath.
“One autumn rain brings another chill. Rains like this always make people feel uneasy inside,” said Pei Rong, pounding his aching knees as he sighed. However, his eyes remained fixed on the bubbling copper hotpot on the table.
It was a day off, but due to the poor weather, few pedestrians were on the road. Occasionally, round colorful clouds floated by—umbrellas carried by passersby walking beneath the building.
Fine drizzle fell, silently sliding across umbrella surfaces, much like lotus leaves floating on a pond.
Seeing Pei Rong growing restless, a voice immediately cut in, “It’s not ready yet.”
Older people have weaker digestion; eating raw meat again isn’t good.
Pei Rong quickly switched his chopsticks, reaching straight into the bowl of red-braised venison and grabbing a piece. With a thick face, he defended himself, “I know that, but I just want to eat some venison.”
Ma Bing and Xie Yu across the table both suppressed their laughter. “Of course.”
Pei Rong’s face slightly reddened as he tossed the piece of venison into his mouth and chewed heartily.
Honestly, this venison was salty and tender, quite delicious. But still… he wanted something spicy!
Unable to bear it, Pei Rong fiercely kicked Xie Yu under the table, though his face remained smiling. He turned to Ma Bing beside him and asked, “Have you been feeling better these days? It’s getting cold; remember to eat more, gain some weight, and wear more clothes…”
Xie Yu, noticing the movement at Pei’s waist, knew exactly what he intended. Though he could have dodged, he hesitated slightly and then accepted the kick obediently.
His foot landed solidly, and Pei Rong instantly felt refreshed, his irritation toward Xie Yu easing.
Ma Bing calmly enjoyed the elder’s nurturing care, watching the bubbles in the copper pot grow denser, white steam rising as the meat slices dropped in began to cook. She then scooped some out with a ladle, filling Pei Rong’s bowl generously.
“Here you go.”
The old man had many old injuries, with deficiencies in both qi and blood, which made cold, damp weather especially uncomfortable. Although Ma Bing had treated him with acupuncture and medicinal plasters several times recently, the root cause couldn’t be completely removed.
Eating warming meats like venison or lamb to replenish qi and blood was indeed a good idea.
But moderation was key; overindulgence could lead to imbalance and adverse effects.
Today was the first time the three of them had sat together for a meal, yet surprisingly, there was little sense of unfamiliarity.
Still, every time Pei Rong looked up at Xie Yu’s face, he felt uneasy, thinking about how he could possibly tease the young man a bit.
Pei An, Pei Rong’s second son, had repeatedly shown disrespect toward the young marquis in public, leaving his colleagues astounded. Yet Xie Yu himself never seemed angry, always smiling instead.
As a result, Pei An often felt like his punches were hitting cotton and gradually gave up.
But occasionally, when they met on the street, he still couldn’t help but snort.
Xie Yu poured two cups of warmed Shaoxing rice wine and pushed them over. “Chen Qi has a strong personality and a hatred for evil; he can be useful.”
Ripples gently spread across the amber surface of the wine, releasing a warm aroma. The distinct roasted fragrance of the grains slowly blended into the damp air.
Evidence to bring down the Tian family was ready, but the question of who would present it required careful consideration.
It must be done with the force of wind and thunder, striking the enemy hard.
Previously, Xie Xian had already accused them once. If he led the charge again, it might seem overly aggressive and leave him isolated.
Another imperial censor, Chen Qi, who had long had little connection with Xie Xian, would be better suited to take the lead. Then Xie Xian could support him from the side, creating a stronger impact.
After listening, Pei Rong grunted in agreement. “Fine.”
Indeed, the young man was better at such schemes and strategies than he was.
Ma Bing picked up a four-color tofu pouch, first carefully scooping out the four fillings inside—mushrooms, meat sauce, etc.—with a small spoon. Once the tofu skin collapsed, she picked it up and took a bite.
The pouch resembled a dumpling, also wrapped with a filling inside. However, dumplings usually had vegetable skins, while pouches were often wrapped in tofu or starch skins, larger in size, too big to finish in one bite.
The low conversation between Pei Rong and Xie Yu blended into the sound of rain, gradually forming a unique rhythm. Ma Bing listened quietly, instinctively glancing out the window.
According to the law, buildings within two streets near the imperial palace couldn’t exceed three stories to prevent anyone from peering into the palace grounds from outside.
The tavern they were in was exactly on the third floor.
From here, the street view was wide and clear, while it was difficult for anyone outside to see in.
Autumn winds carried falling leaves, which brushed against copper bells hanging from the eaves, producing a dull “clang.”
Ma Bing’s gaze unconsciously followed the falling leaf downward, and then she unexpectedly spotted someone:
Fu Wenshan.
More precisely, Fu Wenshan’s trusted attendant.
He was accompanying a plain bamboo sedan chair moving quickly along the street, and the person inside could only be Fu Wenshan himself.
A chill quickly replaced the warmth in Ma Bing’s eyes.
During the previous emperor’s reign, Fu Wenshan had served in the Ministry of War. Coming from a military background, he wanted his son to follow in his footsteps, so he sent his legitimate son to the army for training.
This “training” was more like a formality. Officials along the way, upon hearing of Fu’s son’s identity, dared not truly send him to the front lines.
He merely followed behind, collecting credit.
Everything had been going smoothly until Fu’s son, overly praised, lost his sense of proportion, believing the borderlands were like the capital, where he could act recklessly.
One day, Yan Xiong, then not yet the Marquis of Wwei, received a report from subordinates about a soldier who had openly violated military discipline by assaulting a local girl. Her family had come to the camp to file a complaint.
Enraged, Yan Xiong ordered the soldier dragged out and executed immediately to uphold military law, despite the county magistrate’s objections.
That soldier was none other than Fu’s son.
The magistrate who tried to intervene was Fan Shixi, later promoted by Yan Xiong.
Seeing Fu’s son’s head roll, Fan Shixi was so terrified that he immediately wrote a secret letter and sent it to the capital…
Fu Wenshan had many sons, but he cherished his legitimate son the most. He had originally planned for him to gain experience in the army and return for promotion, never expecting a tragic separation.
Fu Wenshan’s fury was understandable.
In fact, Ma Bing had never met Fu Wenshan before. However, during her first three months in Kaifeng, she had wandered the streets whenever she could, with Zhang Baoyue’s covert assistance, memorizing the appearances of all the major officials and targets in court.
After the current emperor ascended the throne, Fu Wenshan was transferred from the Ministry of War to the Ministry of Rites and now held only a minor, unimportant post.
Ma Bing leaned her arm on the windowsill, watching Fu Wenshan’s sedan chair move quickly down the street. After turning into a street corner ahead and to the right, it finally disappeared behind buildings.
She raised her eyes, following the direction of the road.
The further ahead, the more it became the center of power in Kaifeng. Besides the imperial palace and the various departments of the six ministries, it was also where the imperial relatives and noble families resided.
For instance, the former Prince Shun’s Mansion, Princess Ningde’s residence, and… Prince Su’s Mansion.
Indeed, Fu Wenshan hurriedly arrived at Prince Su’s Mansion, where his attendant ran ahead to deliver the visiting card.
The gatekeeper of Prince Su’s Mansion saw them and immediately opened the gate. “Please come in and wait a moment while I go to report.”
The sedan curtain was lifted, and Fu Wenshan stepped out, nodding to the gatekeeper. “Thank you.”
He came from a military background, but in reality, he had never been to the battlefield. However, with a good father and a good marriage, he had risen quickly.
Therefore, this former military official from the Ministry of War looked refined and slender, appearing quite scholarly.
Soon, someone came to lead Fu Wenshan inside.
Autumn had arrived, with yellow leaves piling up on the ground, and dead butterflies flying alongside autumn rain. Once prosperous, Prince Su’s Mansion now showed signs of desolation.
Prince Su was still watching performances in the waterside pavilion, but now there were four stoves inside, and thick woolen curtains were hung on the sides where the wind came from.
After greeting, Fu Wenshan did not rush to speak but first asked about Prince Su’s health.
Tian Song had always been suspicious and timid. After being poisoned, his condition worsened, and upon hearing of his daughter’s death, he became bedridden.
However, Prince Su had always been bold and reckless. His symptoms were much milder than Tian Song’s. He was a ruthless man, and when the two palace physicians in his mansion couldn’t cure him, he directly summoned a wandering physician who used strong, aggressive medicine. Although it damaged his body, it managed to suppress the hallucinations.
Now, although he had become thin, he had gradually regained some energy.
After his serious illness, Prince Su had become even more impatient. Rubbing his temples, he said abruptly, “If you have something to say, say it! If you have to fart, fart quickly!”
Although the previous illness was almost cured, the medicine used had been too strong, and he had developed a new symptom of headaches. Even slight noise would cause his brain to throb.
Fu Wenshan hurriedly softened his voice, “Your Highness, some of our shops are being watched.”
Prince Su didn’t even bother to open his eyes. “Which ones?”
His properties were too numerous—some granted by the late emperor, some self-acquired, and some given by his children and subordinates. Otherwise, how could he support his entire family solely on the prince’s stipend?
Fu Wenshan quietly listed a few, but before he finished, Prince Su suddenly opened his eyes wide, his gaze filled with fury. “Who dares to do this!”
The shops Fu Wenshan mentioned included taverns, restaurants, brothels, and antique shops. They appeared to run normal businesses, but in reality, they engaged in many illicit trades.
Take that antique shop, for example. The so-called antiques were arbitrarily labeled. A shopkeeper might claim some scribbles were masterpieces and insist on purchasing them for twenty thousand taels of silver, and no one could say otherwise.
Through such transactions, many illicit funds were laundered.
Since the previous emperor’s death, Prince Su had indeed ordered his subordinates to be cautious, ensuring all fake accounts were perfectly maintained. How could they be discovered?
Fu Wenshan leaned closer, “Your subordinate has been observing for several days. It seems to be the young marquis who initiated this.”
In the capital, the only person universally referred to as the young marquis without needing clarification was none other than Xie Yu.
Prince Su kicked the low table aside, gritting his teeth. “Just like his father, always meddling in others’ affairs when they have nothing better to do!”
“Your Highness, please calm down!” Fu Wenshan hurriedly said. “Your subordinate believes this might be a case of being implicated by association. The young marquis seems to be focusing more on the Tian family’s businesses. I heard that the other day, two shops under Tian Song’s eldest son were sealed because they underpaid tax by eight taels and a half.”
Eight taels and a half…
Prince Su almost laughed out of anger.
What a trivial amount!
The Tian family had already cooked the books and bribed officials. Could it really be just this eight taels and a half?
It was just an excuse!
After venting his anger, Prince Su calmed down slightly and realized he might indeed be caught in an unexpected disaster.
Those shops had many dealings with the Tian family.
But in his view, the Xie father and son were no good either.
Today they toppled Tian Song, and tomorrow it might be himself!
Prince Su’s head throbbed again.
He clenched his teeth and rubbed hard a few times. “This illness came too strangely. There’s no such thing as too many coincidences in the world. You mustn’t be careless. Keep watching, and act decisively when necessary.”
He didn’t believe it was just a coincidence.
Earlier, he and Tian Song had both fallen ill, and now their businesses were being targeted together.
But what exactly did that brat Xie Yu want to do!
Who instructed him to do this?
Was it the emperor?
Prince Su thought for a while, but his head ached as if it were splitting, so he had to stop for now.
Fu Wenshan carefully observed his expression, feeling a bit afraid inside.
In recent years, the prince had become increasingly irritable and quick-tempered, more and more like the late emperor.
“What about the Tian family…” he cautiously asked.
Prince Su closed his eyes again. “Did the Tian family come to you for help?”
With Tian Song fallen, the Tian family’s sky had collapsed. Relying only on those few sons, it was unlikely they could rise again.
What remained to rely on was wealth.
They were naturally unwilling to give it up.
“What use are those useless things? Get rid of them!”
Prince Su snapped.
Fu Wenshan had already guessed this, but he still felt a bit worried. “But what if they decide to fight to the death…”
“Do you believe madmen’s words?!” Prince Su roared, his eyes bloodshot. “Send someone to tell them—if they want to fight to the death, let them weigh whether my net is stronger or their lives are longer!”
The Tian family had enjoyed enough power over the years. Not only in Kaifeng, but also in various regions, there were Tian family members serving in official positions, and their ancestral hometown…
If they want to destroy the entire Tian family, there’s nothing stopping them!
After a pause, Prince Su added, “You should personally ask Tian Song whether he wants his youngest son to live!”
Objectively speaking, Tian Bin’s talent and character were among the best, not only in the Tian family but even among the second-generation elites in Kaifeng.
Unfortunately, fate was unkind. He was born at the wrong time, and before he could enter the court, the Tian family had already fallen.
Thus, whether a person can achieve success depends on timing and destiny.
Fu Wenshan was startled, quickly responding in a low voice.
Prince Su took a moment to compose himself before adding, “Also, that brat Xie Yu couldn’t have suddenly known about the Tian family’s businesses. You need to investigate and find out who’s doing the dirty work for him!”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage