FYM - 142

The next day’s court session proceeded as usual. As the officials dispersed, they noticed silver-armored guards stationed at the palace gates. The sharp-eyed recognized them as part of the newly established Thousand Strategies Office, formerly the dreaded Shenlue division of the Yingchuan army.

Their leader was a familiar face—Liu Feng, elder brother of Liu Wei, the General of the Southern Guard. After the defeat at Shangxiao Valley years ago, Liu Feng had been relegated to an idle military post. Unexpectedly, he was now promoted and placed under Jiang Chao as his deputy. No one knew whom they were here to arrest with such a show of force today.

As the crowd speculated, Liu Feng raised his hand to stop Song Mingzhuo, the Compiler of the Imperial Library, as he passed by. His stern face betrayed no emotion as he solemnly declared, “The Thousand Strategies Office has important matters to investigate regarding the assassination attempt on Xu Zongyao, the Minister of Revenue. I must ask Compiler Song to come with me.”

The announcement caused an uproar among the officials, who exchanged bewildered glances. Each of them harbored at least three points of surprise: First, news of Xu Zongyao’s assassination attempt outside the capital had already reached Jinling. However, investigating such matters should fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice or the Supreme Court, not the Thousand Strategies Office, which primarily handled military affairs. Second, although Song Mingzhuo held a relatively minor position, he was still the eldest son of the Chancellor, Song Dan, and the Empress Dowager’s own brother. The Thousand Strategies Office’s blatant public arrest suggested that the Empress Dowager might have resolved to take action against her maternal clan. Third, relations between the Fang family and the imperial household were already strained. Now, the Empress Dowager had assigned the Shenlue division to Liu Feng’s command, knowing full well that nine years ago, it was the Liu family that caused the complete annihilation of ten thousand Shenlue soldiers. This arrangement seemed to further humiliate the Fang family.

With so many twists and turns to consider, the minds of those present raced through endless possibilities. The more perceptive ones noticed the darkened expressions of Song Dan and Song Bo, while Yinping Prince and Chancellor Fan stood nearby, their demeanor inscrutable. A moment later, Lord Fang emerged from the Qian Ding Palace, followed by his retinue. Upon seeing Liu Feng, who now commanded the Shenlue division, each member of the Fang family stiffened before silently departing in haste. The scene was rife with subtle tension.

Liu Feng remained rooted in place, only bowing slightly to Fang Xianting as they passed each other. In that brief exchange of glances, Fang Xianting gave him an almost imperceptible nod, reminding Liu Feng of their secret meeting at the Thousand Strategies Office the previous day.

“Lord Fang, this is absolutely unacceptable—”

Liu Feng’s face showed alarm as he hastily knelt, forgetting even Jiang Chao’s presence as he bowed his head to Fang Xianting.

“Our clan was responsible for the disastrous defeat in the second year of Taiqing, causing immeasurable suffering to the Fang family and placing you in grave danger. How can I possibly accept command over the Shenlue division under the Thousand Strategies Office? This is utterly unacceptable—utterly unacceptable—”

His refusal was heartfelt. The sins of his forefathers had weighed heavily on him for a decade, leaving him unable to hold his head high. Fang Xianting and Jiang Chao exchanged a glance, and the latter soon excused himself, leaving the room. Fang Xianting then stepped down from his seat and personally helped Liu Feng to his feet. Those who witnessed this moment might recall how they once rode together through the streets and celebrated late into the night as young friends.

“Precisely because of this, I need you.”

His tone was calm, reminiscent of the fading scent of blood deep in the desert ten years later.

“The Jiang family is tied to mine by marriage. Jiang Chao taking over the Thousand Strategies Office may not gain the trust of the Luoyang faction. My discord with the imperial family must appear genuine in the eyes of the world. Therefore, no one is more suited than you to assume this deputy position.”

“The defeat in Taiqing was a national tragedy. Upon closer examination, it was not entirely your fault. You’ve already paid the price for your father’s debts for ten years. I have no intention of dwelling on the past. We both serve the nation, and personal grievances should gradually be set aside.”

“The Thousand Strategies Office is currently at the center of attention. Beyond military affairs, it must also assist the Empress Dowager in purging corruption within the bureaucracy. This task is no easy feat, and entrusting it to you is not some special favor—investigating land audits threatens the foundation of the Song family. Consider it your duty to incur Song Gong’s displeasure on my behalf.”

His words were clear and matter-of-fact, as if casually chatting, but every sentence carried immense significance. His trust in Liu Feng far exceeded what the latter could have imagined. “Not some special favor”? This was undoubtedly the greatest favor! While this move would inevitably offend the Jinling faction, matters involving land were always the easiest way to win popular support. After the defeat at Shangxiao Valley, the Liu family bore countless curses, but now they had the chance to regain public favor—a true opportunity for redemption.

“Lord Fang…”

Liu Feng was deeply moved, unsure how to respond as he gazed into Fang Xianting’s eyes. Overcome with emotion, he prepared to kneel again, but Fang stopped him with a gentle gesture.

“There’s no need for such formalities outside the court,” he said warmly, perhaps recalling memories of their youth, his expression tinged with nostalgia. “Call me Yi Zhi, just as we did in the past.”

He had said these words before, but as long as the jest “Fang without Liu” lingered, the Liu family could never stand tall before the Fangs. He could generously overlook the life-and-death debts of the past, but they could not shamelessly pretend nothing had happened.

“…This humble servant dare not.”

Liu Feng bowed his head low, his submissive gesture filled with deference. Though their bond was now stronger than it had been ten years ago, the name once used between pure friends would likely never pass his lips again.

In the blink of an eye, the Fang retinue had disappeared into the distance. Nearby, Song Mingzhuo let out a cold laugh, sneering, “We naturally obey the Empress Dowager’s decree, but I wonder if she instructed you to shackle me?”

The casual use of “she” carried a hint of disrespect. Liu Feng frowned but chose not to engage further, merely waving his hand dismissively. His subordinates stepped forward to escort Song Mingzhuo out of the palace gates. With a flick of his sleeve, Song strode ahead, turning back to look at his father in the crowd. Laughing loudly, he said, “I’ll take my leave first. Please explain to Mother that I won’t be home for dinner tonight.”

The Thousand Strategies Office was recently established, and its official premises were not yet fully arranged. Since it reported directly to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, it was conveniently located within the imperial city. The two halls and four palaces north of the Taiyuan Gate fell under its jurisdiction, making it the most prestigious office surpassing even the three provinces and six ministries.

Jiang Chao was a capable man who devoted himself wholeheartedly to any task. Within a month of assuming leadership of the new office, he transformed the two halls and four palaces, renaming them to reflect their new functions. Among them, the Yinfadian (Hall of Law) specialized in interrogations, rumored to house stone cells where military punishments were administered—it was the most secluded, deepest, and most terrifying place.

Song Mingzhuo was being escorted here. Upon entering, he saw the hall divided into eight sections, five of which were obscured by curtains, leaving three visible seats occupied by Jiang Chao, Liu Feng, and another man—Xu Zongyao, who had just returned to Jinling the previous day.

Seeing him, Song Mingzhuo smirked, scrutinizing the injured leg beneath Xu Zongyao’s crimson robe. Raising an eyebrow, he mockingly greeted, “I heard that Minister Xu recently encountered bandits while returning home and fell off a cliff, injuring his leg. It seems the injury isn’t severe since you’re here participating in this joint investigation. Congratulations.”

His words dripped with sarcasm, clearly intended to provoke. Yet Xu Zongyao remained calm, neither surprised nor angered. He simply smiled faintly and replied, “Thank you for your concern, Lord Song. The Song family, being a distinguished clan, surely taught you proper etiquette. When addressing someone of higher rank, one should refer to oneself as ‘this humble servant.’ Such casualness is inappropriate.”

The third-rank graduates of the imperial examinations were no ordinary scholars. Song Mingzhuo’s sharp tongue rarely sought conflict, but when provoked, it could cut deeply. Already resentful of his stagnation at the sixth rank despite years of service, how could Song endure such mockery? His expression darkened, his eyes glinting with cold fury, signaling that half the battle was already lost.

Beside him, Jiang Chao’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly into a faint smile. Then, adopting a serious tone, he said, “Minister Xu’s assassination attempt in Pengzhou may involve officials within the court. Today, we will question you, and we expect you to answer truthfully.”

Song Mingzhuo sneered in response but said nothing. Jiang Chao appeared unfazed, flipping open the dossier before him and continuing, “On the fourth day of the sixth month of Guangyou Year One, Minister Xu traveled to Huainan Circuit to oversee land audits. In Huoshan County of Shouzhou, Jianzhong County of Chuzhou, Xiaochang and Yingcheng Counties of Yingzhou, and Lanxi County of Qizhou, he uncovered illegal land seizures totaling eighteen thousand mu belonging to the Song family, with fines amounting to forty-nine thousand six hundred strings of cash. On the twelfth day of the seventh month, Minister Xu dispatched land inspectors to collect payment from the Song family. They were ignored three times, and later, officials were severely beaten. On the twenty-first day of the eighth month, further illegal land seizures totaling six thousand mu were discovered in Wucheng County of Huzhou, Fenshui County of Muzhou, and Shan and Xiaoshan Counties of Yuezhou, increasing the fine to sixty-eight thousand strings of cash. On the twenty-seventh day of the ninth month, Minister Xu’s ancestral home in Pengzhou was deliberately burned. On the third day of the following month, he was ambushed on his way home, and his carriage fell off a cliff. One of the assailants has been apprehended and confessed to acting under your orders to pressure Minister Xu into halting his investigation into the Song family’s land seizures.”

“Do you have anything to say in response to these allegations?”

Jiang Chao’s steady voice echoed through the Hall of Law, its faint resonance adding to the chilling authority of the setting. Instead of showing fear, Song Mingzhuo laughed, clasping his hands behind his back and retorting, “‘Respond’?”

“You bring up this word, clearly convinced that I am guilty. If so, why bother with this pretense of interrogation? Why not simply convict me and announce it to the world?”

As he spoke, his gaze swept across the hall, as though certain that behind one of the heavy curtains sat the person he expected. Like a cornered beast, his expression now revealed a growing ferocity.

“Or perhaps it’s not your conviction but merely duty compelling you…”

He seemed to mutter to himself, or perhaps to someone else. Suddenly, his low voice rose sharply, almost like a proclamation, as he called out, “Sister, our blood ties bind us as siblings. Since you’re here today, why do you refuse to meet your brother?”

The atmosphere in the hall shifted immediately. Jiang Chao and Liu Feng’s expressions darkened, and Xu Zongyao’s brows furrowed slightly. After a brief silence, a soft sigh came from behind one of the curtains. Moments later, a palace maid entered to lift the heavy veil, revealing the most exalted woman in the realm—accompanied by her second brother, Song Mingzhen. Her beautiful eyes were cast downward, her expression neither joyful nor sorrowful.

“Hahaha…”

Song Mingzhuo laughed wildly, his unrestrained manner suggesting he was still drunk from the previous night. His gaze toward Song Shuyan was cold and cruel, eerily reminiscent of the time years ago when he had dragged her back to Jinling from Yingchuan.

“So you’ve come after all…”

He attempted to take a few steps toward her, his eyes filled with resentment and hatred. But before he could move, the silver-armored guards restrained him, forcing him back to his original position. Their roles were now entirely reversed from those days.

“Born of the same root, why are you so eager to see me dead?”