With the winter gone and spring arriving, a few continuous spring rains thoroughly dispelled the frost of the last month of winter. The weather warmed up, swallows hovered in the sky, and all the hidden flowers and plants broke through the soil. The trees along the street sprouted new buds, pedestrians filled the roads, and the market gradually became bustling. With the triumphant return of the army, it seemed that this capital city, which had been in turmoil for half a year, finally welcomed a new peace.
But amidst the peace, there was a faint restlessness in the Censorate.
The returning army brought back the corpses of the rebels to serve as a warning, the Xiao family was confiscated, and their nine clans were punished. The Directorate of Ceremonial and the Eastern Depot fell into decline following Zhao Yong’s death. The Jinyiwei, having successfully repelled the enemy in Taiyuan, were temporarily allowed to continue, but—
Justice must be served. What about the Jinyiwei commander who colluded with the eunuchs?
Neither alive nor dead, it was said he was recuperating peacefully in Dongxiang County.
How could this be acceptable? The censors in the Censorate, all with deep hatred towards the Huo family, couldn’t let this go lightly.
The morning court session lasted two hours, during which the censors scolded continuously for two hours.
They meticulously listed Huo Xian’s crimes, one after another, feeling it would be a pity if they didn’t compile them into a book to warn future generations.
Xiao Yinzhang stood behind the beaded curtain, attending the morning court for the first time. She was also seeing someone scold continuously for two hours without stopping for the first time, and she was so shocked that her eyes widened. She curiously pricked up her ears, wishing she could get closer.
In contrast, Wu Sheng was much calmer.
He had served the late emperor before, so he was used to such scenes. He even secretly covered his mouth to yawn and glanced sideways at the young new emperor, seeing him also slightly bowing his head, his eyelids heavy with weariness and impatience.
Finally, someone couldn’t stand it any longer—
“I heard that Huo Xian cooperated with the court from within and without this time. If it weren’t for him infiltrating the enemy camp alone, the court wouldn’t have even found the hiding place of the Xiao army, let alone wipe them out completely. Shouldn’t his merits offset his faults? There’s no need to be too aggressive.”
“Merits offset faults? How can Huo Zhe’an’s merits offset his faults?”
“He and Zhao Yong were originally in the same faction. The atrocities committed by the factory and guards over the years were at least half his doing. Who knows if he was involved in the Xiao family’s matter?”
“Exactly, do we have to thank him? At most, we should grant him a whole corpse.”
“But what I heard is that he initially acted on Emperor Chenghe’s orders, feigning compliance with Zhao Yong. And the poison in his body was also administered by Zhao Yong. Maybe he had no choice in many of his past actions…”
“Hah, do you have any evidence? Emperor Chenghe has been buried for many years. Naturally, people can fabricate whatever they want. You say he had no choice, but what about the colleagues who died tragically at Huo Xian’s hands? Would they agree with you?”
“You…”
Recently, rumors have been circulating, claiming that Huo Xian was wronged and that he was a pawn placed beside Zhao Yong by Emperor Chenghe. The downfall of the factory guards began a few months ago when the Three Judicial Offices thoroughly investigated Zhao Yong’s faction and captured Zhao Yong. It was said that the evidence used by the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice originally came from the Jinyiwei.
Moreover, he had led the Jinyiwei in repelling the enemy in Taiyuan and later collaborated with the court to eliminate the rebels. As these stories spread, they became increasingly believable.
But in truth, how can anyone tell the difference now?
Over the years, the factory guards had wielded immense power, persecuting countless innocent lives. Bureaucrats and officials lived in daily fear, the constant threat of losing their lives hanging over their heads, robbing them of sleep. Now that the factory guards had fallen, the wrongful deaths in the Imperial Prison and the pain of those who suffered still remained a thorn in many people’s hearts.
They hated Zhao Yong deeply and hated Huo Xian just as much because Huo Xian was the one who acted directly. He represented Zhao Yong and became the embodiment of the shadow.
Now that Zhao Yong was dead, having died so easily without even facing the court’s judgment, all the surging hatred naturally had to be vented on the still-living Huo Xian.
But to now say that Huo Xian was innocent—how could they possibly accept that?
Even with evidence, they would be unwilling to believe it, let alone without evidence.
At this moment, someone said, “According to Lord Yao, there are many unresolved suspicions regarding Huo Xian. To avoid wronging him, he should be brought back to the capital for trial. Leaving it ambiguous like this, what does that accomplish?”
But if this matter could be clarified, would there be a need for such debates?
The current push to bring him back to the capital for investigation was nothing more than taking advantage of his illness to demand his life.
Everyone understood this, but most chose to feign ignorance.
Just as the crowd was about to agree, the palace doors suddenly opened, and a young eunuch rushed in, even stumbling and falling in front of the emperor.
Wu Sheng cleared his throat. “How dare you behave so improperly before the emperor!”
The young eunuch trembled as if a ghost was chasing him and cried, “Your… Your Majesty! Someone outside seeks an audience. It is… it is…”
Wu Sheng, impatient, asked, “Who is it?”
“It is… Grand Tutor Xu!”
The entire court was in an uproar.
Xie Subai finally raised his eyes.
****
Escorting Xu He into the palace, Liyang stood outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony for a moment before slowly leaving. Now that the Censorate was in decline, he no longer had pressing duties and could take his time. He walked slowly, and after a few steps, he turned back to look at the majestic palace, sighing.
Grand Tutor Xu had rushed over for Huo Xian’s matter. With his esteemed reputation, his presence would undoubtedly lend credibility to the rumors. But Liyang knew that even Grand Tutor Xu could only barely spare Huo Xian from a harsh interrogation. It was impossible to clear Huo Xian’s name entirely. In the future, there would likely be two versions of the story circulating among the people: some would say he was innocent, others would claim he was wicked. The truth would remain obscured.
Some matters could only be muddled through.
A young eunuch’s sarcastic prompting brought Liyang back to reality, urging him to leave the palace. As he started to walk, he saw Shen Qingli approaching with Zhou Baihu. Zhou Baihu, having distinguished himself in the battle of Dongxiang County, had joined the Marquis of Xuanping’s ranks and was thriving in the capital. However, there was one amusing issue—he had no sense of direction!
Despite having been in the capital for some time, he still couldn’t remember its complex streets, often causing delays in military affairs by getting lost while looking for the Marquis’s residence. Despite repeated instructions, he still hadn’t learned.
He protested, “How is it that I don’t change? I remember, I just can’t remember clearly!”
Shen Qingli scolded, “You can remember military maps but not a few streets? Military intelligence on the border is crucial. If you delay again like last time, making the emperor wait until midnight, what then? Forget it, I shouldn’t expect much from you…”
Turning to Liyang, he said, “It’s fortunate that you’re here, Thousand Household Li1“Thousand Household Li” is a title that refers to Liyang’s rank and position within the military or governmental hierarchy. In the historical context of ancient China, a “Thousand Household” (千户, qiānhù) was a military or administrative rank that typically indicated command over a unit of one thousand households or soldiers.. Do you have any urgent business? Could you guide Zhou Baihu?”
Liyang, having no pressing matters, readily agreed.
He wasn’t very familiar with Zhou Baihu, but fortunately, Zhou Baihu was a talkative person, chatting non-stop along the way.
When he mentioned the Marquis of Xuanping, Liyang asked, “Why didn’t the Marquis attend the morning court today?”
As they reached the Marquis’s residence, they dismounted.
Liyang, not wanting to enter the residence, slowed his pace. Zhou Baihu explained, “Oh, the morning court has been all about Lord Huo’s matters lately. The Marquis didn’t want to get involved, so he feigned illness. But the residence has been quite unsettled recently. The Marquis must have a headache…”
Just as Liyang was about to ask what the headache was about, he heard an argument from inside—
“When the Marquis expelled him from the family, you said he was cut off from the Huo family, that his fate was his own, and you would never bend the law for personal reasons. But now, you’re sending people to save him…”
The weak, tearful voice was undoubtedly that of the Marquis’s wife, Lady Qin.
Liyang paused outside the door, furrowing his brows.
At that moment, the Marquis said, “But wasn’t it a misunderstanding on our part? Madam, Brother Lou explained everything to me. Now that I know the truth, how can I stand by and do nothing? We owe him.”
“You owe him?” Lady Qin’s face turned deathly pale, her disbelief palpable. “You say we owe him? What about our Cong’er? Have you forgotten how he drugged Cong’er? He may not be my own flesh and blood, but I’ve never denied him anything that Jue’er and Cong’er had. How have I ever wronged him? And yet, what did he do to me? He poisoned my only son! Cold Food Powder—do you realize how deadly that is? Are you saying we wronged him on this as well?”
She laughed bitterly, tears streaming down her face. “Lou Panshun is his master, of course he would side with him. And you, my lord, favor him over our frail Cong’er…”
Hearing this, Zhou Baihu rubbed his nose. He had only heard of these old grievances since arriving in the capital and found the Huo family’s domestic affairs more dramatic than a stage play. He glanced at Liyang and quietly asked, “Brother, did Lord Huo really do such a thing?”
To his surprise, Liyang shot him a cold look, making Zhou Baihu shiver.
Liyang strode up the steps and pushed the door open.
Lady Qin, disheveled from crying, nearly fainted. Upon hearing the door, she turned her head, wiping her tears, and tried to compose herself.
Marquis Xuanping asked, “Liyang, why are you here?”
He wanted to ask if something had happened to Huo Xian but glanced at Lady Qin and held his tongue.
Liyang, usually polite and respectful, now looked cold. He was always more composed than Nanyue, and he usually ignored such comments. But today, he couldn’t hold back.
His voice icy, he said, “Yes, my lord did poison the young master, but have you ever asked where the Cold Food Powder came from? It was Emperor Chenghe. He personally gave it to my lord and ordered him to use it to sever ties with the Huo family and avoid implicating the Marquis. Yes, the young master suffered, but Hanshi Powder is colorless and tasteless. Have you ever wondered how the nurse discovered it in his food? Moreover, if my lord truly wanted the young master dead, why would he administer it in small doses over time instead of killing him outright? He refused to confess, and what could you do about it? You all say the young master suffered, but in this damned world, the eldest young master was killed by traitors, and my lord has endured the torment of poison for four years. Every son of the Huo family has suffered. Why should the young master be the exception? And do you think it’s a coincidence that all those renowned doctors came to the Marquis’s residence to treat him?”
Zhou Baihu, sensing the gravity of the situation, felt his heart racing and said, “Brother Liyang, calm down, calm down…”
Liyang wiped away his tears and said coldly, “You are simply going too far.”
After Liyang left, the courtyard fell into a dead silence.
Zhou Baihu, at a loss, followed the servants’ example and lowered his head, pretending he hadn’t heard anything.
In the oppressive silence, there was a sound from behind the wall. Zhou Baihu turned to see the young master Huo standing at the corner, looking heartbroken, with tears glistening in his eyes. He wavered in the wind.
Having vented his pent-up anger, Liyang felt a wave of relief. His pale face and red-rimmed eyes were noticeable when he returned to the Censorate, and he ran into a group of Jinyiwei officers on their way out.
Liu Wu, in a hurry, stopped short when he saw Liyang. “What happened to you? Did those bastards bully us Jinyiwei again, thinking we have no one to stand up for us?”
Liyang quickly denied it, instead asking in surprise, “A case? Where are you all heading?”
Liu Wu replied, “Oh, no, we heard that my lord has returned to the capital, and we planned to visit him.”
Liyang was equally astonished. Just recently, Nanyue had sent a message saying that although my lord had regained consciousness, he was still very weak and unable to endure travel, likely needing to rest until late spring before moving.
So soon?
His face lit up with joy, and without another word, he joined Liu Wu and the others.
However, none of them expected the scene that awaited them.
The Huo residence had long been confiscated, and Huo Xian was now staying in a private residence bought by Ji Yuluo. It wasn’t as grand as the Huo residence, but it was clean and elegant.
Huo Xian’s courtyard was to the east. Even before they got close, they could hear Huo Xian shouting, “Nanyue, I know you’re out there. Get in here!”
His voice was full of energy, suggesting he was recovering well.
But Nanyue, for some reason, stood motionless in the corridor, holding his sword. He seemed like a deaf person, unresponsive to the calls from inside.
Seeing his old colleagues, he only said, “My lord stays indoors all day and inevitably gets bored. Your visit is timely.”
He opened the door, and everyone went inside.
They saw Huo Xian leaning against the couch, his hand half-raised, shackled to the bedpost. The iron chain was about a foot long, just enough for him to take a step off the bed.
This…
Even dogs aren’t chained like this.
The atmosphere instantly became awkward.
Liyang was the first to react. Maintaining a composed expression, he pretended not to notice the chain and said, “Fortunately, my lord is safe. Otherwise, I would be guilty of a thousand deaths.”
Liu Wu and the others finally snapped out of it, their confused gazes lingering on the chain even as they nodded, “Yes, yes, fortunately, my lord is safe…”
