After the Dragon Boat Festival, the scorching summer officially arrived. For several consecutive days, it seemed as if fireballs were falling from the sky, making the weather unbearably hot.
Even the trees by the river showed signs of wilting, their once lush green leaves curling at the edges, let alone people. If one ventured out bare-faced at noon, one would experience an itching discomfort upon returning.
Water levels in several major rivers inside and outside the city dropped rapidly, and the air became exceptionally dry. Discussions at the imperial court lasted for days, fearing a major drought.
Xie Yu and others were kept busy too, inspecting the city daily—to prevent fires and to ensure no citizens collapsed from heatstroke.
Failure to provide timely medical treatment could result in fatalities.
The emperor was particularly concerned and ordered them to report to the palace every other day without fail.
On this particular day, after completing their patrol, it was already around the evening hour of Xu, dusk approaching, yet the heat remained unabated.
The ground, baked all day, continued to radiate heat, which rose and intertwined with the lingering hot air, creating a stifling atmosphere, as if people were trapped inside a steamer.
To prevent ambushes by assassins, the palace had very few large-scale trees. The smooth stone pathways, which looked elegant, became deadly in summer heat.
When Xie Yu entered the palace, he could even feel the soles of his shoes heating up, as if stepping into a hot pan.
His imperial uncle, the emperor, wore only a loosely-cut, wide-collared, open-weave robe in duck-egg blue, with his trousers legs rolled up, lounging on a couch reading a memorial.
Without waiting for Xie Yu to bow, the emperor raised his hand, signaling him to rise. “It’s hot today, no need for formalities. Go wash your face first, take off your outer robe before we talk. There’s some chilled watermelon over there; help yourself to cool down.”
Xie Yu visited often and was familiar with the arrangements. Without needing guidance from palace attendants, he went directly to wash up and change clothes, then personally carried a tray of watermelon over.
This watermelon had been delivered by fast horses from the northern border, packed in wet sand and covered with wool felt throughout the journey. Even the leaves were still fresh when the melons were cut open.
Cut into chunks and piled onto a silver tray over ice, the red flesh, green rind, and black seeds exuded a coolness that could be felt even from a distance. The sweet aroma alone brought a sense of relief.
The emperor gestured with his hand, pointing to the empty seat across the small table. “Come sit here.”
He temporarily set aside the memorial, rubbing his aching eyebrows and eyes, and stared at Xie Yu for a while. “Hmm, you’ve lost weight, and you’re darker.”
Then he smiled. “The other day, your mother came to the palace and complained to me, saying I was working you too hard. I told her I didn’t have many capable people at the moment, so I had to rely on those who could handle more responsibilities.”
Unlike his predecessor, the emperor was not very formal. In private conversations, he often used “I,” which made him seem more approachable.
“All the princes are good,” Xie Yu said, seeing his uncle looking at him expectantly, and handed him a seedless piece of watermelon. “And they’re older than me too.”
The emperor took a bite and let out a satisfied breath. “You don’t need to flatter them, nor do you need to be modest. I know my sons well enough, don’t I?”
He currently had nine sons who had survived infancy, five of whom were already married. Some were older than Xie Yu, some younger, but none were as mature, steady, and hardworking as Xie Yu.
The emperor looked at his nephew for a while longer, saying with both pride and regret, “You’re truly my nephew.”
Xie Yu: “…”
It was often said that nephews resemble their uncles, and indeed it was true. As a child, Xie Yu bore a striking resemblance to the current emperor for several years. To outsiders, he looked more like the emperor’s son than any of the princes.
Xie Yu was also clever and quick-witted, which made the emperor dote on him greatly, sometimes even overshadowing his own sons.
Because of this, Xie Yu’s relationship with the princes was now somewhat delicate.
The uncle and nephew exchanged casual conversation and then discussed the situation in the city.
“There are many wells drying up too. People are getting very anxious just waiting in line for water every day. Recently, there have been frequent fights breaking out over water disputes,” Xie Yu reported.
The emperor pondered for a moment, then summoned a palace attendant and mentioned several ministers’ names. “Have them draft a memorial immediately. Decide whether to open the sluice gates of Qingyun Reservoir to release water or first dispatch the city guards to bring water from outside using water carts to address the immediate need. Also, ask the Astronomical Bureau whether there will be rain soon.”
If it didn’t rain for a long time, not only would people and livestock suffer, but the crops in the fields would also wither and die.
But it was only May now. If the sluice gates were opened now and the weather remained hot in June, July, and August, what then?
Should they go outside the city to pray for rain?
The emperor didn’t believe in that. If praying to heaven worked, why spend so much on military expenses? Why would so many people have to die? Why would governing the country be so exhausting? He could just lie on the altar and worship heaven every day.
But many common people did believe in it, and so did many old-fashioned scholars. If it really came to that, even just to reassure the people, the emperor would have to pretend to go along with it.
However, this would involve a lot of expenses for the travel and the rituals…
Thinking about it, the emperor felt a bit reluctant to spend so much money.
Wouldn’t it be better to spend so much silver on doing something practical!
He needed to discuss it carefully before making a decision.
The palace attendant took the orders and left.
“I see you’re becoming more capable,” the emperor said to Xie Yu. “Don’t stay in Kaifeng Prefecture anymore as a mere military inspector. Come to the imperial court and do some real work. How about the Ministry of War? Or you could return to the imperial guards and become a commander.”
However, Xie Yu declined outright.
The emperor was taken aback and sighed. “Your father has many flaws, but he has one virtue you haven’t inherited—being adaptable!”
Xie Yu raised his eyebrows.
Adaptable?
Was he referring to Xie Xian?
The emperor said no more, and then asked Xie Yu his views on court affairs, partly to chat and partly to test and guide the younger generation.
Xie Yu offered several opinions and then subtly inquired about several ministers. “Since the court is in need of capable people, why has Your Majesty…”
In recent days, he had compiled a list of ministers who were prominent during the previous emperor’s reign but had suddenly faded since the current emperor ascended the throne, totaling eighteen names.
After repeated deliberation and several rounds of deletions, only eleven remained.
Among these eleven were imperial relatives, in-laws, and former high-ranking officials who once wielded great power…
It seemed any one of them could be the next target.
Some of them had retired due to old age, while others had mysteriously disappeared at the height of their careers.
Especially the former Minister of Revenue, Tian Song, who was only in his early sixties now. When he submitted his resignation at the time, he was only around fifty, still in the prime of his career.
According to tradition, when elderly ministers submitted their resignations, the emperor would usually make a symbolic attempt to persuade them to stay, creating a touching story.
But it was said that the emperor had agreed to his resignation on the spot! Since then, not only had Tian Song never returned to office, but the entire Tian family had gradually faded from the center of power.
The emperor did not answer immediately but instead asked, “Why do you want to know?”
Xie Yu remained silent.
If his suspicions were correct, once this matter came to light, it would surely shock the entire country. He was still unsure of his uncle’s stance. However, to truly understand the truth, he couldn’t avoid these people, so he had to ask indirectly.
Neither uncle nor nephew spoke first, and they just stared at each other in a stalemate.
No one knew how long had passed when a palace attendant entered with a report, and the emperor gave in first. “The child has grown up and has secrets now.”
Xie Yu looked back expressionlessly, “Even when not that big, there were secrets.”
As a child, he was often held and played with by the emperor in the palace, and even the concubines had said with a hint of jealousy, “They look more like father and son than the real ones,” so he had no fear of this uncle at all.
The emperor was momentarily speechless, loving yet resentful, and gently tapped Xie Yu’s forehead with his fan. “You little rascal.”
The attendant reported that according to the observations of the Astronomical Bureau, heavy rain was certain within the next two or three days, and the emperor felt relieved.
Whether accurate or not, at least there was hope now. Otherwise, the anxiety was unbearable.
The emperor turned to look at Xie Yu again, but the little rascal was so good at pretending to be wooden that the emperor could only helplessly say, “Fine, if you ever want to see those dusty old records, go ahead, but you must tell me beforehand whose records you want to see.”
Xie Yu looked at him with some surprise and delight, finally bowing tentatively. “Thank Your Majesty.”
“Get out!” The emperor was both annoyed and amused. “You only come to me when you have business, and call me uncle when you don’t. Are you here to collect a debt? Hurry up and go.”
Xie Yu smiled slightly and indeed stood up to take his leave, then went to the adjacent room to change clothes.
The Astronomical Bureau’s observation proved very accurate. When he arrived, the sun was blazing, but by the time Xie Yu finished changing clothes and was about to leave, the sky suddenly turned dark with clouds, fierce winds began to blow, and distant thunder rolled in from the horizon.
As soon as the palace doors opened, a cool breeze carrying moisture rushed in, instantly dispelling the oppressive heat of recent days and invigorating the emperor inside.
Suddenly, a strong gust of wind surged, lifting Xie Yu’s hat ribbons and hair strands high, and violently whipping his robe corners together, flapping noisily.
Instinctively narrowing his eyes, Xie Yu suddenly turned around and asked, “Your Majesty, which is more important: reputation or truth? Which comes first: the living or the dead?”
The young man had called him “Your Majesty” again…
At this moment, they were no longer uncle and nephew chatting casually, but a subject questioning his sovereign.
Slowly rising to his feet, the emperor paced back and forth with his hands clasped behind his back. “What benefits the realm is most important; what brings peace to the people comes first.”
Xie Yu lowered his gaze in thought for a moment, then once again performed a proper bow. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s guidance. This subject takes his leave.”
Good, he was still the uncle he remembered.
After watching Xie Yu leave, the emperor let out a long sigh and murmured, “This kid is going to bring me a huge trouble…”
A palace attendant, guessing his thoughts, stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, it’s about to rain, and the young marquis seems to have forgotten his rain gear.”
“Let him get soaked!” The emperor snapped.
For not giving his uncle a moment’s peace.
Why go digging into those troublesome old affairs?
A moment later, however, the emperor called out again, “Where’s the rain gear? Didn’t anyone send it for Youque?”
The palace attendant: “…”
You were the one who said not to send it, and now you’re the one asking to send it. What about the saying that the emperor’s word is as good as nine tripods?
Xie Yu hadn’t walked far when the rain began to pour down in large drops, pelting him painfully.
The summer rain came fierce and fast, and the accumulated heat of several days was utterly defeated in an instant. Within just a few breaths, the world was shrouded in mist and water, with the sky and earth blending into one.
Guards were sent running to deliver rain gear, and one of the men behind carried two small wicker baskets. “The emperor said to bring these back with you.”
Each basket was filled with a round watermelon, wrapped in oil paper and tied with rope, looking quite adorable.
Raindrops occasionally splashed onto the surface, making the green color even more vivid.
At the palace rest area, Yuan Pei had already come out to wait. Seeing this, he stepped forward to help Xie Yu carry the baskets. After seeing what was inside, he laughed. “The emperor really cares for you.”
By the way, someone reported discovering an unidentified male corpse outside Sheng’an Town in the southeast of the city. “Would Your Excellency prefer to inspect it personally, or shall I take some men to investigate?”
“A life is at stake, and it’s right under the emperor’s nose. I’ll go myself.” Xie Yu pointed at the watermelons in his hand. “First, send someone to deliver these melons back to Kaifeng Prefecture—one to Magistrate Tu and Madam Zhao, and the other to Doctor Wang and Miss Ma.”
Yuan Pei just laughed. “This one can’t be delivered anymore.”
He gestured toward the city gate. “Earlier, a theater caught fire on the street, causing panic among the crowd. The yamen officials went to assist in evacuating the people to prevent injuries. It was Miss Ma who came to deliver the news. She mentioned that the coroners were already prepared—they would accompany you if you went, otherwise they would proceed ahead.”
(Note: “衙门” is translated as “yamen” to maintain cultural specificity, and “疏散” is rendered as “evacuating” for clarity in context.)
Many might think that when there’s a corpse, the coroner is needed, but in fact, physicians who treat the living also play a significant role. They can notice many details that ordinary people overlook, thus assisting in determining the cause of death.
In the past, after the body was brought back to the yamen, Wang Heng would assist in the examination. But now, with the energetic and capable young Ma Bing, she could also go to the scene right away.
Xie Yu looked in that direction and indeed saw Ma Bing holding a large black horse standing far from the city gate.
Since unappointed individuals were not allowed within a hundred paces of the palace gate, she was quite far away, but still easily recognizable.
Ma Bing also saw them and waved her hand energetically.
Suddenly, for no apparent reason, Xie Yu felt that this arduous task might also bring some joy. He left one of the watermelons and sent the other back to the Kaifeng Prefecture.
The trip to Sheng’an Town would take at least two or three days, and this watermelon would be perfect for quenching thirst along the way.
When Xie Yu exited the palace gate, he indeed saw the people from the Kaifeng Prefecture already waiting by the roadside. “Magistrate Xie!”
Xie Yu nodded and led the way, galloping his horse out of the city gate first. “Let’s go!”
Everyone immediately followed.
Dozens of horse hooves struck the stone pavement, splashing high waves of water with a crisp sound. Even after the cavalry disappeared into the rain-soaked distance, the sound still lingered for a long time.
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