Sun Zongbing was meeting Xiao Huang for the first time. Before coming, Shangguan hadn’t elaborated on Xiao Huang’s identity, so Sun naturally assumed that Xiao Huang must be a secret agent specially dispatched by someone important. Seeing now that Xiao Huang, despite appearing like a beggar, still cared about major affairs, Sun instinctively admired him inwardly, thinking he was indeed a tough guy.
“Brother Xiao Huang,” Sun said, “would you mind telling me how you discovered that large ship suspicious? It would help me better understand the situation.”
This question caught Xiao Huang halfway off guard. If he wanted to continue pursuing the matter, he needed to understand it more deeply.
Xiao Huang agreed to explain.
About a month ago, Gao Laoliu and his men, including Xiao Huang, began collecting information on Tian family’s illicit properties within and outside the city. Some of these properties were closely associated with the Prince of Su’s mansion.
Xiao Huang had noticed several horse-drawn carriages frequently entering and exiting these premises, with their attendants being particularly vigilant, so he began paying close attention. Later, those shops were successively sealed, yet one of the carriages, which should have disappeared from sight, reappeared one day within Xiao Huang’s view.
Suspecting something unusual, he didn’t have time to report and followed the carriage out of the city. Unfortunately, a man cannot outrun a horse, and following too closely was risky, so Xiao Huang could only watch helplessly as the carriage sped southeast.
Could there be another hideout?
Xiao Huang thought the carriage wouldn’t make just a single trip, so he decided to stake out outside the city.
Sure enough, in the following days, the carriage made repeated trips, and Xiao Huang took the opportunity to wait at the spot where he had previously lost track of it, gradually pushing further outward.
By a chance occurrence, Xiao Huang accidentally glimpsed the cargo being transported on the carriage, which sparked a bold idea:
Since this carriage had entered and exited both Tian family’s and the Prince of Su’s properties, it must be connected to both. With Tian family and the Prince of Su’s mansion on the verge of collapse, their subordinates must be panicking. Such exquisite utensils and fine wines and delicacies—could it be that he had stumbled upon a big fish?
Indeed, with the city’s atmosphere tense and many eyes and ears around, it was naturally better to talk outside the city.
But where?
Xiao Huang initially suspected many of the manors outside the city. However, those with lax security were desolate and clearly neglected by their owners. The heavily guarded ones were impossible to approach, and the carriage never stopped there…
During this time, he met Zheng Laohan, a blind old man, who provided him with assistance, preventing him from freezing or starving to death on the roadside.
Until recently, Xiao Huang had traced his way to the confluence of the Bian River and the dock.
Not far from here were two small villages. Local villagers, seeking to profit from passing merchants, had gradually extended their businesses toward the riverbank, making it ideal for long-term surveillance.
Most importantly, Xiao Huang had once seen that carriage stop nearby.
“…In these past few days, boats have come and gone, changing several times,” Xiao Huang said urgently. “But only that particular boat has remained nearby. On several nights, it deliberately moved toward secluded areas…”
Boats coming to conduct business either went in or out. Even if delayed for some reason, they would dock at the shore and replenish supplies in time.
But this boat did neither.
Occasionally, it would disappear at night and reappear the next morning.
No one knew where it went.
To further confirm, Xiao Huang began selling goods on nearby boats at a loss. One night, with the wind in his favor, he indeed faintly heard men laughing and women crying aboard that boat.
Sun Zongbing had used this to trick Yuyin earlier and now asked again, “Could you hear clearly? If you encountered those people again, would you recognize their voices?”
Xiao Huang hesitated slightly and shook his head. “Honestly, it was quite far, and I couldn’t hear clearly, but I’m sure there was something!”
At the time, he had casually asked a crew member who bought his goods, and the man had laughed, saying he must be going mad missing his wife.
Later, Xiao Huang thought perhaps others had also heard something but chose to mind their own business.
Everyone was just trying to make a living. Why be the first to stick their neck out?
Besides, he wasn’t an official. Who would care?
Sun Zongbing nodded. “You make a fair point.”
In the past, when they conducted official business without wearing their uniforms or showing their insignia, no one would cooperate.
Seeing Xiao Huang’s discomfort, Sun reached out and touched his forehead, immediately hissing in concern, “You’re burning up! Come on, hire a cart and get this man back to the city right away!”
After nearly a month of roughing it outdoors, constantly on edge, Xiao Huang had been sustained only by sheer willpower.
Two days ago, he had been caught in the rain and sneezed several times.
Now that the authorities had finally arrived, his tension eased, and he suddenly felt exhausted.
But the matter wasn’t resolved yet, and Xiao Huang was reluctant to leave like this.
Seeing Xiao Huang still gazing wistfully at the river, Sun patted him on the shoulder. “Alright, leave the rest to us. Don’t worry!”
After all, he was still young. Such a major matter couldn’t possibly be pursued and completed by one person alone from start to finish.
Xiao Huang nearly staggered from the force of the pat but knew that staying would only burden others, so he gave up.
As Xiao Huang departed, the deputy couldn’t hide his envy. “This kid is going places!”
Don’t be fooled by the prestige of being the Kaifeng naval forces; outsiders who don’t understand the trade might think it’s glamorous, but major incidents are rare, making promotions extremely difficult!
This time, however, it was a matter that could shake the very foundations of the court, and yet the credit for the initial breakthrough wasn’t even theirs!
Sun Zongbing nodded in agreement. “Don’t envy him. It’s all bought with his life.”
Everyone agreed.
If they had arrived just a couple of days later, the kid might have lost his life.
“Alright, all of you, pull yourselves together and do your jobs properly. Promotion opportunities will come naturally!”
Sun Zongbing bellowed an order, pointing at the nearby shops, vendors, and pedestrians. “Question everyone one by one! If anyone hides anything, destroy their stall!”
If Xiao Huang couldn’t ask, the government officials could!
Surely, with that carriage making so many trips back and forth, someone must have seen something?
The nobleman boarding the boat needed supplies brought from the city, but surely the servants wouldn’t all be dressed in gold and silver, eating delicacies? They must have made local purchases.
As long as there were purchases, there must have been contact with people!
That evening, when Xie Yu returned from the Imperial Guards, he heard that Xiao Huang had been found. Without a second thought, he hurried straight to the herb garden, only to bump into Tu Yao at the entrance.
Tu Yao waved at him, signaling to talk outside.
Xie Yu stepped aside, inviting him to go first, but remained rooted in place, instinctively glancing into the room.
Hearing the noise, Ma Bing peeked out and smiled at him. “He’s just tired. He just took the medicine and fell asleep. Nothing serious.”
Xie Yu exhaled slightly in relief but still felt uneasy. “Take care of yourself. I’ll come back later.”
Ma Bing knew he had something to say and nodded. “Alright, there’s ox bone soup simmering on the stove. Remember to come and have some.”
With the weather getting colder and everyone exhausted lately, they needed to prevent catching cold like Xiao Huang did.
She had brought back half a cow skeleton that morning. Not caring much for the meat, she added herbs like angelica root, scutellaria root, and goji berries, along with a few strands of ginseng root, simmering it all into a rich broth. She shared bowls with acquaintances and strangers alike to nourish their bodies.
If someone got hungry, they could ladle out ox bone soup, cook a bowl of noodles with buckwheat flour, thickly slice some beef, and briefly blanch a few vegetables, creating a delicious beef noodle bowl with color, aroma, and taste.
The “Huangdi Neijing” mentions the concept of treating illness before it occurs, meaning that doctors should proactively nourish and regulate the body based on actual conditions before illness strikes or worsens, preventing problems before they happen.
Since no one was sick, it was not advisable to take medicine indiscriminately.
After all, nourishment through food is better than medicine. Nothing beats a good meal.
As Xie Yu looked at her face a bit longer, he turned to leave. Looking up, he saw Tu Yao standing under a roadside pine tree, hands behind his back, his eyes faintly mocking.
After months of teasing, Xie Yu had grown thick skin and didn’t feel awkward. “What does the lord wish to say?”
Tu Yao, finding no fun in teasing him anymore, slightly regretful, didn’t dwell on it and walked toward the study first.
“Tian Song is awake.”
Xie Yu paused. “What did he say?”
Tu Yao shook his head, his expression somewhat grave.
That unlicensed physician indeed had some skill. After forcing Tian Song to take harsh medicine for over half a month, he had stabilized.
But his foundation was damaged, and it was said that his hair and beard had turned completely white, making him look decades older. He probably didn’t have long to live.
Xie Yu wasn’t surprised by Tian Song’s silence.
After all, the matter from back then involved the late emperor. Tian Song couldn’t be sure of the current emperor’s attitude.
Besides… if he refused to confess, perhaps the Tian family could still preserve some remnants; but if he confessed, at least three generations of his family would die!
“Also,” Tu Yao slowly exhaled, watching the white vapor rising and eventually disappearing into the still verdant pine forest, “Xu Maocai committed suicide.”
Xie Yu’s pupils contracted for an instant.
Xu Maocai was dead?!
He tightened his hands at his sides and said gravely, “Are you sure it was suicide?”
Xu Maocai was indeed doomed to die, but why did he choose this moment? It was hard not to make Xie Yu suspicious.
Compared to suicide, Xie Yu was more inclined to believe that Xu Maocai had been silenced.
Tu Yao looked at him. “He died by hitting his head against a wall.”
Xie Yu frowned.
Dying by hitting one’s head against a wall made it hard to determine whether it was voluntary.
But he didn’t believe it was a coincidence.
“There were people from the Prince of Su in the prison guards.”
Xu Maocai had been captured for so long and had endured several rounds of torture, yet he still refused to mention anything about the past. It wasn’t just a matter of not fearing death anymore.
At this point, staying alive was more painful for him than dying.
He refused to speak only because he feared retaliation against his family and the Xu clan.
But what if he knew that Tian Song and the Prince of Su were themselves in dire straits?
Would he take a chance?
The officials of the Ministry of Justice thought so, and naturally, the Prince of Su’s henchmen thought the same, so they struck first.
Tu Yao hummed in acknowledgment and continued walking forward. His feet crushed the fallen leaves, making a crackling sound.
The lower prison guards were the easiest to bribe, making them almost impossible to guard against.
Now that things had come to this, even if they caught them, it would be too late.
Upon hearing this, the emperor shattered several tea sets in fury and summoned the officials from the Ministry of Justice to the palace overnight for a severe reprimand, commanding a thorough investigation.
If nothing came of the investigation, their official careers would likely end.
At the same time, the second prince, who had been undergoing training at the Ministry of Justice and was currently under house arrest for self-reflection, was also summoned by the eunuch Wang Zhong to endure another reprimand, resulting in a demotion in rank and a deduction of his salary.
The second prince’s birth mother in the palace was also punished, ordered to copy Buddhist sutras within the palace and forbidden to leave until after the New Year, a significant humiliation.
No wonder the emperor was angry.
Previously, he had specifically instructed to keep a close watch on Xu Maocai. Now, instead of guarding him properly, they had let him die!
Even Xie Yu, at this moment, wanted to rush over and beat them up.
Upon reaching the study, Tu Yao invited Xie Yu to sit and went to brew tea himself. “How did it go on your side?”
Xie Yu replied, “He revealed quite a bit, and we’re organizing the records, but…”
“But it’s not what you wanted to hear?” Tu Yao said.
Xie Yu nodded.
The Prince of Su was pretending to be ill.
He was indeed sick, with half his face paralyzed and his arm numb, but not so much that he couldn’t think clearly or speak.
Yet he remained silent, accepting bitter medicine without complaint, making it difficult to apply direct punishment, thus creating a stalemate.
As for the Prince of Su’s heir and others, who were somewhat related to Xie Yu, they had heard whispers of the previous generation’s affairs but only knew superficial details.
The Prince of Su was cautious. Matters like this were almost never handled by his sons but entrusted to trusted subordinates outside.
It was getting cold, and Tu Yao was sensitive to the chill. The room already had a warm stove, with a small kettle sitting on it. The fire licked the kettle, causing bubbles to rise and pop.
White vapor became increasingly visible, escaping from the spout in puffs, creating a hazy mist.
Tu Yao extended his hands near the stove, waiting for the cold to dissipate, then used a cloth to lift the hot water and pour it into the teapot. “You seem unusually anxious. That’s not like you.”
As the hot water poured into the pot, it gradually turned red from the tea leaves, presenting a beautiful hue.
Tu Yao had a weak stomach and usually drank black tea.
When he was really unwell, Madame Zhao wouldn’t even let him touch tea stems.
Xie Yu lowered his eyes.
He was anxious, naturally because of personal reasons.
He didn’t want her to wait any longer.
But he couldn’t say that to Tu Yao.
Come to think of it, even if he didn’t say it, Tu Yao probably guessed something.
Watching Tu Yao brew tea, Xie Yu suddenly remarked, “The emperor has issued an edict, ordering the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple, and the Censorate to jointly review the case…”
In other words, he could no longer directly intervene in the matter.
Tu Yao was surprised but then nodded. “Unexpected but understandable.”
At this point, the matter had grown beyond what a single person or department could handle. The emperor was bound to get personally involved.
Besides, considering their familial ties, it wouldn’t be good for Xie Yu to continue pursuing the case.
However, with Xie Xian in the Censorate, there was some reassurance.
Speaking of Xie Xian, Xie Yu almost smiled.
Not long ago, when the order was first issued, Fu Wenshan led the opposition, arguing that Xie Xian had previously impeached Tian Song and the Prince of Su, having personal grudges, and thus should recuse himself.
The emperor, already in a bad mood, asked him bluntly:
“Doesn’t he have grudges with every official in the court?!”
Fu Wenshan: “…”
Damn it!
The two shared a bitter laugh before returning to serious matters.
Xie Yu took a sip of tea. “The Prince of Su’s heir indeed inherited much of his father’s traits. Nothing could be pried from his mouth, but those following him weren’t as tight-lipped as clams.”
Originally, no one was willing to talk, so Xie Yu directly issued a threat.
Actually, it wasn’t even a threat. He simply shattered their illusions completely, forcing them to face reality.
The emperor wouldn’t kill his son, nor would he openly kill his brother, but someone had to take the blame. If not you, then him.
How do you choose?
Where there are die-hard loyalists, there are naturally those who wish to survive. Xie Yu had obtained much inside information.
The heir of Prince Su and several of his brothers were all aware that there were two courtyards within the prince’s mansion where specially selected girls from outside resided. These girls spent their days playing musical instruments and singing, their voices exquisitely pleasant to the ear. Occasionally passing by, they couldn’t help but take notice.
According to the confession of the heir’s trusted servant, he had secretly gone to take a look and had set his eyes on two girls. He originally intended to take them directly back to his quarters to enjoy their company, but was stopped by a nursemaid.
The heir was unconvinced and turned to Prince Su to plead his case…
After all, he was the heir of Prince Su’s mansion; the entire vast estate would eventually be his. Would his father refuse such a small request for just two girls?
Unexpectedly, he was refused!
Prince Su, who had almost always granted the heir’s requests, not only refused but also flew into a rage, resorting to family punishment by inviting all his sons to witness the event.
Everyone was terrified.
If even the favored heir could be denied and punished, who would dare harbor similar thoughts?
Tu Yao was stunned, “Then do they know where those girls were sent?”
“They don’t know,” Xie Yu replied. “As the previous assassin mentioned, Prince Su is very cautious. Each steward is only responsible for a specific task, and they are forbidden from speaking or asking about other matters.”
But it wasn’t entirely fruitless.
Curiosity is a common human trait. Often, the more you forbid someone from knowing something, the more they want to find out, and the heir of Prince Su was no exception.
He had been doted on since birth. The late emperor had favored him greatly, and later Prince Su had indulged his every wish. When he went outside, there were always numerous officials and nobles chasing after him, flattering and praising him. How could he have ever endured such humiliation!
Household punishment—Prince Su actually disciplined me and made all those illegitimate sons watch!
It was simply, utterly, a disgrace!
The heir developed a rebellious mindset, determined to find out who had the audacity to take away his women!
In his eyes, everything in Prince Su’s mansion would eventually belong to him, including those girls being trained in the inner quarters, who naturally would become his future consorts.
Could he swallow the indignity of his women being taken by outsiders?
There are no secrets that cannot be uncovered. Even if Prince Su’s faction was extremely cautious, they could not possibly handle everything themselves.
When you travel, don’t you need sedan bearers and carriage drivers?
When you go somewhere, don’t you need attendants to accompany and serve you?
With so many people involved, it’s difficult to ensure absolute loyalty from top to bottom.
The heir of Prince Su was also a well-known figure in the capital. Rarely did he fail when he truly wanted to investigate something.
He dispatched several trusted men and spent a large sum of silver, and indeed heard some whispers.
It was said there was a moving paradise outside the city, filled with the finest wine and most enchanting virgins… Even the humblest carpet was a Persian luxury.
But this place was not one you could visit at will; you needed an invitation from the host.
“It moves? So it must be a large ship!”
Tu Yao said.
If so, the ship Xiao Huang discovered was very likely the legendary paradise.
Even if it wasn’t, it must have had countless connections. Capturing it would certainly yield results!
Xie Yu thought the same.
Unfortunately, what the heir of Prince Su investigated was only superficial. After Prince Su discovered it, he directly had two servants involved in the investigation beaten to death. From then on, the heir dared not continue his inquiries.
At noon, Xie Yu went to have lunch with Ma Bing, as expected there was a bowl of rich, delicious beef soup.
This made him recall the scenes of them secretly cooking noodles late at night in the past.
Ma Bing glanced at him, “The beef hasn’t been marinated yet. Let’s have noodles tomorrow.”
She hadn’t marinated the beef today yet when Xiao Huang was sent back, so she had to prioritize saving him first.
When Xiao Huang’s fever was temporarily controlled, it was almost the end of the morning. Now the beef was still stewing in the pot.
“This is good enough. Don’t tire yourself too much,” Xie Yu said.
Autumn winds already carried a chill; walking through the courtyard felt cold and damp. A slightly hot bowl of soup warmed the body, spreading warmth from throat to internal organs, the medicinal power quickly penetrating, warming the entire body.
“It’s not that tiring,” Ma Bing said.
She couldn’t really assist with current matters, waiting idly made her anxious. Cooking something delicious at least temporarily eased her restlessness, preventing her from overthinking.
Xie Yu also knew she was anxious inside. He freed one hand to gently squeeze her fingers, talking about things that weren’t too confidential.
“Zheng Zheng,” he said earnestly, “we’re getting closer to the truth bit by bit.”
The truth was unimaginably dark, making him start to hate his own origins.
Because among those evils, nine out of ten originated from people around him.
But on the other hand, if he hadn’t had such a background, he might never have known even a corner of the truth in his entire life, let alone had the ability to help past victims seek justice.
When he was young, Princess Ningde had personally taught him swordsmanship. At that time, she once said while wiping the blade, “Many beautiful things in this world are like this sword. Used well, they kill enemies; used poorly, they harm oneself…”
Xie Yu had just picked up the beef broth bowl, his palm slightly warm. The heat seemed to travel from Ma Bing’s fingers all the way up, warming his heart.
She gently returned the squeeze, “I know.”
Ma Bing knew everyone was doing their best. Xie Yu, who advised her not to tire herself, was far more exhausted than she was. Yet deep inside, she remained somewhat pessimistic.
Because the two most critical figures, Tian Song and Prince Su, had not spoken.
She couldn’t say whether Tian Song was blindly loyal, but Prince Su was certainly blindly filial.
Or to put it differently, the late emperor indeed wasn’t a good ruler in his later years, nor a good father to most of his children. But to Prince Su, he had been truly benevolent and thorough beyond words.
He gave everything, whether appropriate or not.
Prince Su’s feelings toward the late emperor were also incomparable to those of other princes and princesses.
At the time of the late emperor’s death, several princes and princesses wept until they fainted, but most were merely putting on a show. Their sorrow could even be described as joyful tears.
But Prince Su alone was genuinely heartbroken.
Because he knew full well, with the emperor’s death, there would never again be someone in this world who would support and indulge him so completely.
Now, with the passage of time, the late emperor’s later years’ foolishness was gradually being forgotten. Few seemed to remember his faults.
Under such circumstances, could Prince Su possibly help his former rival, rekindling people’s disgust toward the late emperor?
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