#88: The Galaxy Overflows (Part 7)

The pounding of the Dengwen Drum in the early morning startled half of the capital. Moreover, on that very day, a minister knelt in the morning court and refused to get up. Under duress, Song Lan had no choice but to temporarily relent and order the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Punishments to investigate the drum-striking incident.

Under the watchful eyes of the ministers, Song Lan did not have Qiu Xueyu imprisoned in Zhuque, but temporarily sent her to the Ministry of Justice.

His words were vague, only saying that he wanted to investigate the “drum-striking” matter, but he didn’t mention re-examining the old Assassin-Begonia case at all. After the court was dismissed, Ye Tingyan and Chang Zhao were kept behind and were asked by the emperor how to proceed.

Song Lan rotated the thumb ring in his hand, thinking about how Ye Tingyan had brought up Qiu Xueyu’s identity in court. The fact that this matter was exposed in court could certainly get her into trouble, but it could also be said that it was to prevent future problems.

At the beginning of the year, he had promoted this person from the northern border to the capital and bestowed upon him his favor. And he had lived up to his expectations, helping him solve many unsavory problems.

Although he was a high-ranking minister, ever since Ye Tingyan had spoken up to plead for the three families of the Lin clan, he had realized that he truly didn’t know the depth of this person’s thoughts.

If he was truly seeking to be a loyal subordinate, would he have done something so contrary to his own will?

Was his plea just a way to show kindness to his subordinates and pave the way for his own future?

Chang Zhao remained silent. Ye Tingyan waited patiently for a while. When he saw that Song Lan was getting a little impatient, he cleared his throat and said unhurriedly, “This minister believes...”

“His Majesty did not file the case in the morning court simply because he is unwilling to re-examine the old case, for fear of any mishaps. But with the Remonstrance of Jinghe Autumn and public opinion in the capital, being too cautious would only make it look like you have something to hide. In this minister’s view, this woman dared to strike the drum and complain, so she must have been instigated by someone. If His Majesty files the case, he will have to re-examine it. If he doesn’t, his reputation will be damaged. It’s a no-win situation, and this... is precisely the goal of the instigator. It doesn’t matter what His Majesty chooses.”

Chang Zhao turned his head to look at him, a little surprised, but said, “Minister Ye is right.”

He continued, “So, Your Majesty, why don’t you play along?”

Song Lan tapped the table twice. “Is Pingnian suggesting that we repeat the same trick?”

Chang Zhao said, “Exactly. They want to re-examine it, so let’s re-examine it. They want to clear the names of Liu, Zuo, and Yang. Why shouldn’t Your Majesty go along with their wishes and give these three dead people a good reputation? As for who the real murderer is, that will naturally be whoever Your Majesty wants it to be.”

After he finished speaking, he looked at Ye Tingyan, waiting for him to refute him. However, Ye Tingyan just gave him a deep look and said nothing more.

Song Lan asked, “What does Tingyan think?”

Ye Tingyan pursed his lips and finally only replied, “This minister has no objection.”

In just three days, the news of the re-examination of the Assassin-Begonia case had spread throughout the streets and alleys. Even the once-deserted Tinghua Terrace became bustling with people. The “Monument to the Students Executed in the Year of Gengzi” was still there, and everyone was curious about what the outcome of such a major case would be.

The Ministry of Justice held its first public hearing today. The physical evidence that Qiu Xueyu provided was a letter that the late Crown Prince had written to Liu Fuliang. The letter was a response to Liu Fuliang’s essay during the imperial examination, in which he expressed his gratitude for the Crown Prince’s actions in eliminating the “human sacrifice for ghosts” cult. The witnesses were Liu’s old neighbors, who all testified that Liu Fuliang’s father had died at the hands of the cult and that he had vehemently denounced the absurdity of the cult in his imperial examination essay, making it impossible for him to be a believer.

The Ministry of Justice invited six great scholars, found all of the late Crown Prince’s early handwriting, and compared it for a full day. All six were able to confirm that the letter was undoubtedly written by the Crown Prince himself and could not have been forged.

The physical and human evidence was not fully presented, so the Ministry of Justice had to schedule another hearing.

If this continued, the “Monument to the Students Executed in the Year of Gengzi” and the kneeling stone statues would become a joke. If the three were innocent, were the over a thousand people who were implicated also innocent? Was the rebellion of the five princes also fake?

Such comments would naturally not reach the imperial city.

Luo Wei was getting ready to go out. It was nighttime.

Although it was not yet the end of the first month, the weather was already showing signs of warming up. The day was sunny, and even lying in the courtyard, you could see the brilliant night sky.

When she went out, she saw Ye Tingyan standing in the garden wrapped in a quilt, looking up at the sky. She walked over and stood beside him, saying lightly, “It hasn’t rained in the capital for a long time.”

Ye Tingyan said, “In winter, it’s naturally snow.”

“I remember—”

“I remember...”

The two of them smiled at each other. Ye Tingyan said, “You first.”

Luo Wei said, “I remember when I was confronting Yu Qiushi at Xiuqing Temple, he said that this was a big rain, and no matter how careful we were, we couldn’t avoid getting wet.”

Ye Tingyan smiled slightly. “The rain in the first month of the third year of Tianshou... But I think this big rain didn’t start that year. It came earlier and more fiercely, at a time when neither of us knew.”

Luo Wei held her hand up to block her eyes, obscuring the bright Milky Way.

“We have come this far. With the water of the celestial river overflowing, there doesn’t seem to be anything to be afraid of.”

She turned her head and gently kissed the corner of his lips, leaving a scent of roses. Ye Tingyan stood there, not moving. Only when she reached the door did he say softly, “Be careful.”

Today was a day off, and the weather was clear. Fengle Tower was bustling with activity, with music and singing everywhere. Luo Wei had styled her hair like an unmarried woman and was wearing a bamboo hat, so she wasn’t very noticeable. The young attendant recognized the frequent visitor’s pass in her hand and led her up to the top floor with practiced ease.

The private room where Luo Wei was to meet Su Shiyu was called “Rain of the Bell.” She pushed the door open, took off her bamboo hat, and saw Su Shiyu drinking tea in the room. “Brother.”

Su Shiyu sat motionless and only nodded. “Sit.”

Luo Wei sat down as she was told.

Since she was a child, her relationship with her brother had always been distant. Su Shiyu was the child that Su Zhoudu had adopted when the refugees entered the capital. He was already a sensible age when he entered the family.

Luo Wei was a naive and carefree child at that time, spending her days in the palace studying and chasing butterflies with Song Yaofeng, so she didn’t have many days to spend with this usually silent, pale, and thin brother.

Later, when Fang Hezhi opened a school in Xuzhou, Su Shiyu also gave the opportunity to her, using the excuse that he was too weak to travel far.

That was the first time Luo Wei felt close to her brother. When she barged into the study, Su Shiyu was playing the zither by the window.

She listened to the entire piece before speaking properly. “Brother, even though we have not seen much of each other since childhood, in my heart, I have always considered you my older brother. You don’t have to give up such an opportunity to me out of a sense of obligation to Father.”

Su Shiyu seemed a little surprised. He stared at her for a while, then suddenly smiled and reached out to touch her head. “Weiwei, you don’t have to overthink it. I really caught a cold and can’t travel far.”

Luo Wei lowered her eyes, recalling this insignificant little event. Just as she was about to say something, a lazy voice came from the side of the private room. “Empress, it’s been a while.”

Hearing this voice, Luo Wei was suddenly startled.

She turned around and saw Chang Zhao lighting a candle beside him, casting his face into a pool of candlelight. He lifted his upper eyelids and looked over, with an unusual look of amusement on his face.

The moment she saw him, Luo Wei stood up to leave. Her hand had just touched the doorframe when she heard the faint sounds of swords being drawn outside.

She stood still for a long time before turning around. The first person she looked at was not Chang Zhao, but Su Shiyu. “Brother, we have met so many times. Why did you have to wait until today to make your move?”

Su Shiyu held his teacup, smelled it, and answered calmly, “If I wasn’t sure that you were completely unguarded when you came to see me, how would I dare to let Minister Chang make his move?”

Luo Wei sneered. “Brother, you truly resent me. If that’s the case, why did you pretend all those years ago that everything was your own choice?”

“Luo Wei...” Su Shiyu put down his teacup and sighed. “The moment we met as we did, this day was destined to happen. Although Minister Su adopted me, you are his blood relative. How could I, living under your protection, fight you for things? You wanted to go to Xuzhou, so of course, I had to let you have the opportunity. You became the Empress, so of course, I had to avoid suspicion. I cherish the kindness of Minister Su, but must I sacrifice my entire life for that past kindness?”

He smiled faintly. Luo Wei saw some of Su Zhoudu’s old expressions on his face, but they disappeared in an instant.

“Brother, you also have things you’re not resigned to,” Su Shiyu said.

“Besides, have you ever trusted me? All these years, have you not just treated me as a useful tool? You ordered me to do things for you, but you never told me why you were doing them. You didn’t care about my thoughts and you didn’t know what I was looking for. It’s laughable, but in the end, we can never be family.”

Chang Zhao clapped his hands and sighed. “It’s a good thing His Majesty has such a discerning eye. The first time he saw Young Master Su after the Empress disappeared, he could already tell that he had accumulated resentment towards you. I played along with his plan and waited for so long, and I have finally waited for you today, Empress.”

Luo Wei ignored him and continued to stare at Su Shiyu. “What did they promise you?”

Su Shiyu shook his head. “Nothing more than what I should have had in the first place.”

Luo Wei pressed on, “Do you truly think it’s worth it, Brother?”

Seeing that Su Shiyu was silent, Chang Zhao said, “It’s come to this. Why don’t you tell the Empress the truth, my good brother? Actually, at first, His Majesty didn’t convince Young Master Su. It was only when I went to see him and drank with him that I got the truth out of him. The person he loves is still in the palace. If Young Master Su doesn’t work for His Majesty, how can he protect her life?”

“Brother Pingnian.” Su Shiyu suddenly called out, a flash of pain in his eyes. His tone was one of warning. “Be careful what you say.”

Luo Wei then turned to look at Chang Zhao. “Minister Chang, you are so capable that you can protect the life of the noble consort?”

Chang Zhao said, “Although I am not very talented, I have His Majesty’s favor. I can still do a small thing like this.”

Su Shiyu’s chest rose and fell twice, as if he was calming himself down. After a long time, he said, “You should have realized it long ago. When Qiu Xueyu rode alone out of the Moshun grounds, who do you think leaked the news? The Empress, when she uses people, always relies on some illusory old affection. How can affection be more important than self-interest?”

Luo Wei was stunned and couldn’t help but say angrily, “It was you!”

Chang Zhao saw the siblings’ falling out and finally deigned to get up. He picked up the candle holder and walked closer, saying unhurriedly as he walked, “Empress, you don’t need to be angry. It’s a long night. Why don’t you come back to Zhuque with me? I’m sure not only I but also His Majesty is looking forward to a private chat with you.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a strange sound was heard. An arrow flew out of nowhere, shattered the window, and shot directly through the candle in his hand. It then pinned itself to the wall, blocking his path.

The candle flame was extinguished by the sudden arrow, plunging Chang Zhao’s face into darkness.

At some point, Luo Wei had hidden the anger on her face and replaced it with the look of amusement he had had earlier. She said leisurely, “Brother, you said so much, but there was one thing you got right. If you’re not sure you’re completely unguarded, how can you make your move? I never trusted him from the beginning either.”

She reached out and snatched the candle holder from Chang Zhao’s hand, then glanced at Su Shiyu. “Minister Chang, I have met with my brother so many times, and I finally risked it all to wait for you. Now, send everyone else away and talk with me.”