Half a month after the murder of Registrar He, the Court of Judicial Review submitted a secret report directly to the Emperor, delivered personally by He Anchang, the Participant in Proclamations of the Secretariat. The Emperor and He Anchang conferred in private for a long time; the only sound heard from the study was the sharp crack of a brush being hurled to the floor. The very next day at court, Zuo Kaizhi, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, formally denounced the crime. He requested an imperial decree to take Xin Wen, the heir to the Prince of Qin, into custody for interrogation, citing the Prince of Qin’s negligence in discipline and suspicion of condoning such behavior. While the Emperor remained silent, Xie Jingsheng, the Administration Commissioner of the Qingping and Liaoyuan regions, followed immediately with a memorial. He stated that although Xin Wen held no official rank, he had been selling offices and titles—a grave impropriety—and had further kidnapped daughters of officials from other prefectures to serve as prostitutes. These crimes, he argued, warranted immediate arrest. Enraged, the Emperor ordered the Court of Judicial Review to seize Xin Wen at once, docked the Prince of Qin’s salary for half a year, and ordered him to remain confined to his manor for reflection.
Xin Wen was imprisoned. While Zuo Kaizhi presided over the trial, six officials were appointed to oversee the proceedings: He Anchang, Xie Jingsheng, Left Censor-in-Chief Fu Mingxue, Commander of the Capital Guards Tai-shu Bo, and Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Hou Rongcheng.
"In a single night, two of the Crown Prince's men were wedged in. It seems the Crown Prince is determined to protect the Prince of Qin," Xie Jingsheng remarked from an upper floor, watching Fu Mingxue and Tai-shu Bo conversing in the courtyard below. "Tai-shu Bo is a troublesome one."
"And yet, he is also the easiest to manipulate," He Anchang replied, standing beside him. "As the Commander of the Capital Guards, Tai-shu Bo’s duty is to defend the capital and guard the palace. If he leans too visibly toward the Crown Prince, the Emperor will be the first to remove him. The one I am concerned about is Fu Mingxue."
"The Left Censor-in-Chief?" Xie Jingsheng arched an eyebrow and glanced at him. "You don't look like the type to be targeted by the Censorate’s memorials."
He Anchang said tonelessly, "I am not. You, however, are."
"If I were still serving in the capital, perhaps. But now that I’ve been posted to Qingping, what can he impeach me for?" Xie Jingsheng asked innocently. "Besides, I have always enforced the law impartially and never done anything to violate the court's regulations."
"You did plenty while you were in the capital," He Anchang turned back to his desk. "Make sure the Brocade Guard cleans up after you."
"As you command," Xie Jingsheng smiled, though his eyes remained fixed on Tai-shu Bo like a hawk watching a rabbit.
He Anchang could afford to ignore Tai-shu Bo, but Xie Jingsheng could not. To the Crown Prince, Tai-shu Bo was far more vital than Fu Mingxue. Tai-shu Bo commanded the thirty thousand troops of the Capital Guard Commandery—the only military force the Crown Prince currently possessed to counter the Prince of Tang, who was stationed in the borderlands. Thirty thousand men might not seem like much in a grand war, but they were more than enough to seize the capital. If the Prince of Qin was the Crown Prince’s eyes in the capital, then Tai-shu Bo was his watchdog. They couldn't take down the Crown Prince yet, but Xie Jingsheng was more than happy to sever one of his hands by removing these two men.
However, after several days of investigation, the case reached a standstill. The issue lay with Tai-shu Bo’s orders to track down the official's daughters Xin Wen had sent away; the numbers simply wouldn't match up. He was growing anxious, and the Emperor was becoming increasingly dissatisfied. Tai-shu Bo had a grievance he couldn't voice: he had clearly found the right locations, but the people previously sent there were gone. Someone had scrubbed the traces clean, forcing him to swallow this bitter pill.
It happened that Bai Jiu was in the palace playing chess with the Emperor. Noticing the Emperor’s poor mood, it wasn't long before the sovereign spoke: "What do you think of Tai-shu Bo?"
Bai Jiu held a chess piece, focused intently on the board. He replied nonchalantly, "Commander Tai-shu is strict and impartial." He looked up slightly and smiled at the Emperor. "He appears stern; he is a man who follows imperial orders to the letter."
"Follows imperial orders," the Emperor narrowed his eyes, repeating the phrase.
Bai Jiu slowly placed his piece. "Commander Tai-shu has guarded the palace for years without a single mishap."
"How do you know there have been no mishaps?" The Emperor followed with a move of his own. "Wasn't the incident at the Dragon Boat Festival banquet a mishap? If he had been watching closely, that wouldn't have happened."
"That is hard to avoid," Bai Jiu said. "Commander Tai-shu has been the Commander of the Capital Guards for decades. He watched the Crown Prince and the various Princes grow up; his bond of service with Your Majesty goes back a long way. For one or two minor slips, Your Majesty should perhaps consider his years of hard work."
"You are quite kind-hearted," the Emperor chuckled, pointing at him. "You have no private dealings with him, yet you speak on his behalf. I was thinking that after decades of guarding the capital, he ought to rest. An old man is best suited for enjoying his twilight years in peace." Bai Jiu smiled but did not respond. The Emperor mused for a moment before saying softly, "Besides, he has always been close to the Crown Prince. If he is still here when the Crown Prince returns, I fear there will be more sorrowful partings. The Crown Prince has worked hard accompanying the Empress Dowager in her Buddhist rites; he shouldn't have to suffer the pain of such a departure."
"I was too busy talking to Your Majesty," Bai Jiu suddenly gave a light laugh. "I've lost again."
The Emperor laughed heartily. "You wretched chess player, you've never won a single game."
"Indeed," Bai Jiu raised his tea, blowing gently on the surface. A warm smile lingered on his lips as he said softly, "I have never won."
Tai-shu Bo’s dismissal came so swiftly it caught everyone off guard. He had held the position for decades; his sudden removal was almost incomprehensible. It wasn't that the Emperor had forced him out directly; rather, Xie Jingsheng had submitted a memorial stating that Commander Tai-shu was getting on in years and was ineffective in investigating the case. The Emperor then remarked that if Tai-shu Bo was too old to even handle an investigation, how could he be expected to guard the capital? Tai-shu Bo had no way to explain himself. The Emperor didn't press him hard, only offering a few words of reproach. To everyone's surprise, after returning home for one night, Tai-shu Bo personally requested to retire.
A useless chess piece is better discarded voluntarily to leave a space for those who follow.
Bai Jiu steadied Xin Yi’s hand and said, "Relax."
Being guided in his calligraphy, Xin Yi’s face was flushed as usual. He whispered, "My Lord, you're holding too tight." Bai Jiu acknowledged him but didn't loosen his grip. Xin Yi’s characters remained stiff, so he had to say, "Jingyuan, you're holding too tight."
Bai Jiu turned his head slightly as if only just hearing him. "Calligraphy requires strength." He tightened his fingers slightly. "Focus on your practice."
Xin Yi pursed his lips. "I am focused."
"I was talking about myself," Bai Jiu chuckled. He guided Xin Yi’s hand to write the character *Yi* (弈) on the paper. Before he could finish, Old Qu announced from outside the door that a visitor had arrived. Bai Jiu only gave a hum of acknowledgment and didn't move.
Xin Yi said, "Since someone is looking for you, My Lord..."
Bai Jiu continued writing unhurriedly. "I don't want to see them." He wrote the character for *Prohibited* (禁) on the paper and remarked, "I should paste this character on the front gate." He tilted his head, thinking. "Actually... that's not a bad idea. You wrote this well; let's put it on the door."
Seeing that he seemed serious, Xin Yi hurriedly pulled the paper away. "Let's leave a way in for others." The position of Commander of the Capital Guards had just become vacant, and many people were maneuvering for it. Visitors had been constant these past few days, though Bai Jiu hadn't seen a single one. With so many people coming and going, the thought of posting a character they had written hand-in-hand made Xin Yi’s face burn with a sense of guilt. "The Crown Prince still wants that position. Will you appoint someone else, My Lord?"
"No need." Bai Jiu seemed to take great pleasure in leaning against Xin Yi’s shoulder. His brush deftly sketched a lifelike rabbit. "Xin Yi."
"Hmm?" Xin Yi was still lost in thought and looked over when called, but received no answer. Their faces were so close that even Xin Yi’s lightest breath brushed against Bai Jiu’s cheek. He froze, and by some strange impulse, he didn't pull away, secretly wishing to linger a moment longer.
Bai Jiu gripped his hand and tapped the brush. "One Xin Yi." Xin Yi’s gaze fell back to the drawing. He saw a rabbit carrying a radish, looking as if it were about to run into a tree stump. Only then did he realize Bai Jiu was calling the rabbit 'Xin Yi.' Then, with a shift of the brush, Bai Jiu sketched a scrawny, vicious dog behind the rabbit, snarling in pursuit. The rabbit, panicked and lost, was headed for the stump, but the brush slid again, drawing a dozing leopard right in front of the tree. Just like that, the rabbit was trapped between a rock and a hard place.
Xin Yi laughed. "It doesn't look like me."
Bai Jiu continued drawing. Just as the rabbit was about to hit the leopard and the dog was about to catch the rabbit, a snake suddenly lunged out from the side, coiling the rabbit into its own territory. Caught off guard, the dog collided with the leopard, and the two began to tear at each other. The snake, having claimed the rabbit, watched coldly as the dog and leopard fought to their mutual destruction.
Bai Jiu then casually tossed the brush aside.
Xin Yi asked, "Are you finished?"
Bai Jiu asked in return, "Are you afraid of snakes?" Xin Yi shook his head, not understanding the meaning. Bai Jiu smiled, let go of him, and took a step back. "Turn around and let me look at you."
Xin Yi turned around, only for Bai Jiu to suddenly step forward, their bodies nearly touching. Xin Yi’s face reddened; he stepped back until his hands were braced against the edge of the desk, leaning back against it. But this time, Bai Jiu did not let him go. He lifted Xin Yi and sat him on the desk, his long legs moving between Xin Yi’s, pinning him within inches. He asked again, "Are you afraid of snakes?"
Xin Yi’s heart felt like it was going to leap out of his chest. He balled his hand into a fist and pressed it against his nose, trying to hide his flaming face. Bai Jiu’s fingers brushed against his cheek. "Answer me."
Xin Yi lowered his eyes and shook his head. Bai Jiu pulled Xin Yi’s clenched hand away and placed it on his own shoulder. He leaned in, pressing his weight forward, while his other hand cupped the back of Xin Yi’s head, trapping him firmly and securely within his reach. Then, he kissed him thoroughly. Pressed against the desk, Xin Yi was startled by the sensation of Bai Jiu’s tongue. His fingers gradually tightened on Bai Jiu’s shoulder, his face flushing deeper as he felt a suffocating sense of urgency.
By the time Bai Jiu’s lips left his, Xin Yi was breathless. Bai Jiu rested his forehead against Xin Yi’s, remaining silent. As Xin Yi’s breathing steadied, he felt as though his lip had been bitten raw; Bai Jiu then licked the spot.
Xin Yi suddenly tilted his head back and said loudly, "Wait!" His face was flushed, his expression flustered, and his eyes were so bright they seemed ready to overflow. Even his voice trembled.
Being so close, Bai Jiu naturally felt the distinct physical change in the youth, yet he refused to let go. "Little child," he murmured.
Xin Yi realized then that this man was truly wicked; he took pleasure in making him feel embarrassed. He lifted his arm to cover his eyes and muttered, "I'll just treat this as a dream. Don't expect me to be overwhelmed with shame."
Bai Jiu paused, then asked with keen interest, "What have you dreamed about?"
Xin Yi completely blocked his face with his arm. "My Lord, Xin Yi is not here."
"Is that so?" Bai Jiu reached out and grasped his waist, pulling the youth's arousal flush against himself. He said tonelessly, "If I can't find Xin Yi, I'll just have to find my fun with this instead."
Utterly mortified, Xin Yi pushed against Bai Jiu’s chest and shrank back. "I—I—I am Xin Yi!" In his nervousness, he began to stutter again. Bai Jiu stared at him like a predator watching a trembling rabbit. Xin Yi could least endure Bai Jiu staring at him like that; the blush spread down to his neck, and his ears were red enough to bleed.
Bai Jiu’s thumb rubbed against the tip of Xin Yi’s ear. "Such a coward."
Xin Yi was speechless. Seeing Bai Jiu’s gaze move back toward his lips, he immediately covered his mouth. "It's... it's broken..."
Bai Jiu said, "My apologies."
It didn't sound like an apology; it sounded more like a calm declaration of possession. Bai Jiu’s fingers rubbed his ear until it was burning hot. Only after the snake had fully claimed the rabbit's scent did it contentedly release the huddled creature. The panicked rabbit, with its "radish" legs feeling weak, took a few trembling steps before realizing it was now entirely saturated with the scent of the snake.
With Tai-shu Bo’s retirement, the position of Commander of the Capital Guards was vacant, and someone would inevitably fill it. But that person would not just be an individual; they would represent a faction. By so brazenly driving Tai-shu Bo from his post, Xie Jingsheng had undoubtedly added another mark against his name.
The next day brought a heavy downpour. On the way to the Court of Judicial Review, the wheel of He Anchang’s carriage suddenly malfunctioned. The vehicle slammed into a stone lion at a street corner, flipping over into the rain and shattering on one side. By the time Xie Jingsheng reached the clinic, He Anchang was being bandaged. Half his body, starting from his right shoulder, was covered in blood. The injuries to his shoulder and arm were the most severe; the sight of wood splinters embedded in his pale skin was jarring, and his face was white as a sheet.
"The wheel was poorly maintained, and the heavy rain made the road slippery. Accidents happen." He Anchang gestured with his left hand toward a stool, saying to Xie Jingsheng, "It’s nothing serious."
Xie Jingsheng didn't sit. He crouched in front of him, staring.
He Anchang felt that today, Xie Jingsheng didn't seem like himself, and he didn't feel like himself either. In those few moments, he read something in Xie Jingsheng’s gaze, yet he felt no anger. Seeing that Xie Jingsheng’s shoulders were soaked, he said, "Go dry yourself. You're dripping wet, and it's making me cold."
Xie Jingsheng smiled, stood up, and asked the young physician for a cloth. He stood in the hall and dried himself off casually. The physician invited him to the inner room to change clothes, but he refused, teasing the man until he reverted to his usual self.
He Anchang breathed a small sigh of relief, then froze, not understanding why he felt relieved.
Once the doctor had applied the medicine, Xie Jingsheng found a heavy cloak from somewhere and draped it over He Anchang. Seeing the rain still pouring outside, He Anchang didn't refuse. His legs were also injured, and he hadn't intended to trouble Xie Jingsheng, but after Xie Jingsheng obtained the prescription and medicine from the doctor, he turned and swept He Anchang up into his arms to carry him out.
He Anchang frowned. "In broad daylight."
Xie Jingsheng tightened his grip. "I'm taking you home."
An unfamiliar carriage was waiting outside. Seeing Xie Jingsheng carrying him, the driver silently lifted the curtain, and Xie Jingsheng stepped inside. Throughout the journey, He Anchang kept his eyes closed as if sleeping, his complexion failing to recover. Neither of them spoke much. When they arrived at the He residence and sent word, the entire family came out to receive him within moments. Xie Jingsheng handed him over, exchanged a few polite words with the elder Lord He, and took his leave.
The moment he stepped back into the carriage and dropped the curtain, his expression changed instantly.
***
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