Zuo Canglang slept for two days. When she finally opened her eyes, she saw Old Madam Wen sitting by her bedside. She was momentarily dazed, but Old Madam Wen was already smiling. "You’re finally awake. If you’d slept any longer, we would have been worried to death!"
Seeing that the old woman’s eyes were bloodshot from exhaustion, Zuo Canglang said, "The manor has plenty of servants to look after me. Why did you have to stay here? At your age, you shouldn't push yourself like this."
Old Madam Wen took no offense and replied, "You’re family, after all. How could I leave you solely to the servants? I’ll go call the imperial physician to check on you again."
"I’m fine," Zuo Canglang said. "I know my own body and the extent of my injuries. Don't worry."
Old Madam Wen stood up and said as she walked out, "If everyone who got hurt knew exactly how they were doing, what would we need doctors for?"
A moment later, the imperial physician entered and took her pulse again. The room became a bustle of activity as several elderly physicians discussed her prescription, and a servant brought in a bowl of dark brown medicinal soup. Old Madam Wen took the medicine and sat by the bed. "Come, drink this first."
Zuo Canglang reached out to take the bowl, but Madam Wen shook her head and began feeding her with a silver spoon. Zuo Canglang simply bit the rim of the bowl and swallowed the entire draught in a few gulps. Old Madam Wen wiped her mouth and popped a dried plum into it.
Sucking on the plum, Zuo Canglang asked, "Where is the Old Master?"
"He was called away early this morning and hasn't returned yet," Madam Wen replied.
"Who called him? Someone from the palace?" Zuo Canglang asked.
"It wasn't someone from the palace. I asked him, but he wouldn't say," Madam Wen said. "Don't worry. The Emperor treats the Wen family with exceptional favor. Who in Jinyang would dare do anything to him?"
Zuo Canglang nodded. Feeling drowsy after the medicine, she soon fell back asleep.
***
In the Imperial Prison, Murong Yan stood outside an interrogation room while Feng Ping and Zhou Xin extracted confessions from the captured assassins. There were quite a few of them this time, and they had been hidden in the Moon Tower of the Bright Moon Terrace in advance. This would have been impossible without an inside informant within the palace.
Furthermore, the seven assassins with superior skills were clearly not ordinary people; identifying them should have been easy. However, they bore no marks on their bodies, and no items indicating their identity could be found.
Every form of torture had been exhausted. Some had been tortured to death, but not a single one had spoken. Some had even bitten off their tongues to commit suicide the moment they were captured. Murong Yan stood before the blood-soaked assassins, his gaze sweeping over their faces. "Actually, even if you say nothing, I know who you are."
The men acted as if they hadn't heard him, refusing to even look his way. Murong Yan continued, "With your skills, you cannot be nobodies in the martial world. Since you didn't prepare poison to commit suicide beforehand, you don't seem like professional killers. Cang Tianqi sent you, didn't he?"
At the mention of Cang Tianqi’s name, the three men flinched as if pricked by needles, their bodies twitching slightly. Murong Yan said, "Whether you confess or not is unimportant to me. Because regardless of whether you speak, or what you say, it is entirely meaningless."
He turned to Feng Ping and said, "Present the confession."
Feng Ping complied, bringing forward a document that had been prepared long ago. Murong Yan said, "Have any one of them sign it."
Feng Ping stared at the men and said coldly, "Whoever is willing to sign shall be spared."
"Pah!" One of them spat a mouthful of bloody phlegm in his face. Feng Ping walked up to the man, suddenly drew his waist saber, and severed the man's hand with a single strike! The man let out a muffled groan as blood sprayed. Without a second glance, Feng Ping picked up the severed hand, pressed it into the ink pad, and swiftly stamped the handprint onto the confession.
Murong Yan took the paper and said, "Now we have it. Cang Tianqi dispatched disciples to infiltrate Jinyang, disrupt the coronation ceremony, and attempt to assassinate the King. Hmm, and who was the inside informant? Such a feat could not be arranged in Jinyang without one."
Feng Ping and Zhou Xin stood before him, not daring to make a sound. If anyone was suspicious, it should have been the two of them. Fortunately, they had always been Murong Yan’s trusted men, which left him with no grounds to hold them accountable.
Murong Yan thought for a moment and said, "There are many of my father's old officials in the court; any of them could be responsible. But the most likely candidate... let's write down Bi Chengjing. Bi Chengjing might not have been able to do this alone. The Directorate of Imperial Manufactories was responsible for building the Floating Cloud Terrace, so they cannot escape involvement. Add the Minister of Works, Wan Lou, as well."
Zhou Xin’s body trembled slightly. Feng Ping had already written another confession, then used the same method—severing another man's hand—to stamp it.
Murong Yan tossed the two confessions in front of Zhou Xin and said, "What are you waiting for?"
Zhou Xin picked up the papers with trembling hands. "Your... Your Majesty..." Murong Yan looked at him, and he could only say, "Yes, this servant will see to it immediately!"
***
In the dead of night, the Imperial Guard silently surrounded the residence of the Left Chancellor.
Soldiers held torches aloft and, without a word, used a battering ram to smash open the main gates. The household was jolted awake. A servant shouted loudly, "Who goes there? How dare you break into the Chancellor’s manor at night!"
Zhou Xin and Feng Ping sat atop their horses. Feng Ping looked around as the household members were roused one by one. "Detain everyone in Bi Chengjing’s family, young and old. Do not let a single person escape."
The Imperial Guard shouted their assent and immediately began arresting everyone in the manor.
Bi Chengjing rose and threw on his robes. Walking into the courtyard, he saw Zhou Xin and Feng Ping. He seemed to realize something and said, "As expected, this day was inevitable."
Zhou Xin said, "Old Chancellor, His Majesty has no other intentions. It is just that the assassins in prison have implicated you. Please come with us; do not make this difficult for us."
Feng Ping snapped, "Why are you talking so much to him? Do you think he’ll be grateful? Men, put Bi Chengjing in chains!"
Zhou Xin opened his mouth to speak but ultimately said nothing. Bi Chengjing had served the court for forty years; for a moment, the guards hesitated to move. Feng Ping snorted coldly, dismounted, and personally placed the black iron stocks around Bi Chengjing’s neck.
"Master!" In the dim torchlight, a woman in her sixties rushed forward. Feng Ping thrust his sword out, the tip piercing her abdomen. The woman screamed and collapsed. Bi Chengjing’s calm expression finally shattered. "Wife!!"
He tried to rush to her, but the guards held him back and pushed him toward the gates. Bi Chengjing wept bitter tears as the household erupted in indignation.
Zhou Xin finally dismounted and ran over, shouting, "Feng Ping! Do not harm people! His Majesty only ordered us to bring back Chancellor Bi! What do you think you're doing?!"
Feng Ping turned to him and said, "Do you really not understand what His Majesty intends?"
The Imperial Guard began searching and seizing the Chancellor’s manor. Children wailed and women fled, but how could they escape the hands of the guards? Soon, the entire Bi family was loaded into prisoner carts. Zhou Xin turned his head and glanced at the corpse of Madam Bi on the steps. For some reason, he felt a chill in his heart.
***
The next day, news of Bi Chengjing’s arrest spread through Jinyang. Officials and commoners alike were in an uproar.
During the morning court session, Bo Zhengshu and other ministers were incensed. "Your Majesty! Old Chancellor Bi has assisted the Murong clan through four generations of monarchs! How can a single confession from a few assassins in prison determine that Lord Bi is in league with them?"
The Minister of Justice, Xia Changyou, also stepped forward. "Your Majesty! May I ask where the assassins are now? A matter involving the reputation and life of a first-rank official of the court requires a confrontation in open court!"
Murong Yan idly toyed with the eighteen-bead prayer bracelet in his hand, letting the ministers argue without saying a word.
After court was dismissed, Wang Yunzhao asked, "Your Majesty, will you be having lunch at the Queen’s palace?"
Murong Yan asked, "How did Jiang Sanyi react?" Wang Yunzhao was startled. Murong Yan added, "If he is smart, he should have reacted by now."
Wang Yunzhao did not reply. Murong Yan walked straight to the Phoenix Resting Palace. Jiang Bilan had personally gone to the kitchen to prepare several small dishes. However, her "cooking" consisted of a team of chefs washing and cutting everything and assistants boiling the water while she stood by and gave directions. When the food was done, she tasted it—that was all.
As soon as Murong Yan entered, Jiang Bilan greeted him. As she prepared to bow, Murong Yan caught her by the arm. "No need. I’ve said before, there’s no need for such formality in private."
Jiang Bilan pursed her lips slightly as she took his cloak and handed it to a maid. "As long as I see Brother Yan coming, I am willing to perform any level of ceremony."
Murong Yan felt the smooth, jade-like skin of her arm as she leaned against him. He asked, "What delicious things did Lan'er make today? I could smell the fragrance before I even stepped inside."
Jiang Bilan looked slightly proud and ordered the servants to serve the dishes, introducing each one. Murong Yan smiled as he listened to her. She was a peerless beauty, every frown and smile full of charm. Murong Yan looked at a plate of steamed pork with rock sugar. The glaze was translucent and shimmering, coating slices of meat that were perfectly balanced between lean and fat, pulling away in thin, sugary threads.
He smiled and said, "Only Ah Zuo can eat this dish."
Jiang Bilan was momentarily stunned. Beside them, Wang Yunzhao quickly picked up a piece for him and said, "Indeed. General Zuo, General Zhou Xin, and Commander Feng Ping are all martial artists; it’s only natural they prefer these rich, oily dishes."
Jiang Bilan’s face flushed slightly with embarrassment. "I forgot that Brother Yan has always preferred light food. It’s just that I only recently learned this dish, so..."
Murong Yan actually extended his chopsticks and took a piece. "Then I must have a taste."
The sugar glaze melted between his teeth. He still found it oily and cloying, yet for some reason, he took another bite. Did these things taste like this to that person as well? But it wasn't good; why did she like it?
Jiang Bilan served him attentively. After lunch, she whispered, "Brother Yan, would you like to rest here for a while?"
Murong Yan gently lifted her chin. "When a beauty asks me to stay, how could I refuse?"
Jiang Bilan smiled radiantly and helped him undress. Wang Yunzhao was somewhat surprised that he agreed to stay; after the unintentional mention of Zuo Canglang, he had thought Murong Yan would go to the Wen residence.
***
Outside the court, things were in total chaos. Jiang Sanyi was greatly shocked to hear that the assassins had implicated Bi Chengjing. His wife, Lady Zheng, was even more worried. "Master, what do you think His Majesty means by this? Could he be intentionally purging the old officials of the late King?"
Jiang Sanyi said irritably, "He is the late King's son himself. Is he going to purge himself too? Our daughter is securely established as the Queen; what are you so anxious about?"
Lady Zheng didn't dare say more. Jiang Sanyi suddenly seemed to think of something and said urgently, "Quickly, prepare the sedan chair. I must go out!"
Lady Zheng didn't dare oppose him. Jiang Sanyi hurried to the homes of his protégés who still held positions in court, gathered them together, and gave them specific instructions. The next day, people began secretly investigating the Bi estate.
Bi Chengjing had always been loyal to Murong Yuan, and some things, once investigated, could be interpreted in many ways. For instance, Bi Chengjing had once prayed for Murong Yuan at Fachang Temple and lit a lamp for him. Or the fact that Bi Chengjing’s nephew was currently a fugitive alongside Murong Yuan and the deposed Crown Prince.
However, these vague clues were not enough to convict Bi Chengjing. His influence in the court and among the people was not to be underestimated; if the evidence was insufficient, even Murong Yan might not dare to act against him lightly. Furthermore, Bi Chengjing was a clean official and had always been considered a virtuous chancellor. There were truly no major scandals to be found.
Jiang Sanyi’s brother-in-law, the current Supervising Secretary Zheng Zhizhou, said, "Brother-in-law, I’m afraid these things aren't enough. In my opinion..." He leaned close to Jiang Sanyi and whispered. After listening, Jiang Sanyi hesitated slightly. "Go and do it. I will ask around further; I must be certain of His Majesty’s intent. Remember, it must be hidden. Planting evidence is a crime that could lead to the execution of our entire clan if Bi Chengjing’s people catch us!"
Zheng Zhizhou assured him and hurried out with a few confidants.
Jiang Sanyi thought for a moment and ordered a lavish gift to be prepared. He went to see Feng Ping—he had heard that Feng Ping had accidentally killed Bi Chengjing’s wife when entering the manor. Feng Ping was now the Commander of the Imperial Guard and someone Murong Yan truly trusted.
Despite seeing Jiang Sanyi, Feng Ping remained polite. "Lord Jiang, I hope you have been well?"
Jiang Sanyi was all smiles. "Commander Feng, I had some free time and took the liberty of visiting. I hope I am not disturbing you."
Feng Ping said, "Since Lord Jiang has graced my humble home, it certainly isn't a random visit. We both serve to ease His Majesty’s burdens. If there is anything, please speak plainly."
"Commander Feng is a straightforward man!" Jiang Sanyi said. With a wave of his hand, several chests were brought in. Jiang Sanyi opened them himself; they were filled with gold, silver, and jewels. Feng Ping was somewhat stunned—this Jiang Sanyi had not been back in Jinyang long, yet his generosity was already so immense.
Jiang Sanyi said, "To be honest, I came today to ask Commander Feng about something."
Feng Ping understood immediately. "The matter of Old Chancellor Bi?" Jiang Sanyi gave a silent nod. Feng Ping smiled and said, "Actually, although the assassins were severely tortured, they never confessed." He then recounted how Murong Yan had obtained the confessions. Jiang Sanyi was struck by a sudden realization!
Without even staying for pleasantries, he hurriedly took his leave.
The next day, when the Imperial Guard searched Bi Chengjing’s manor again, they "discovered" countless gold and silver treasures, banknotes, and antiques!
The news spread like wildfire, shocking the court and the public.
***
That night, it rained heavily. Zuo Canglang was startled awake by the thunder and sat up. In the dead of night, someone was pounding frantically on the manor gates. She had been in bed for five days and felt as though her bones had turned stiff. She forced herself out of bed, leaning against the bedframe to reach the table, and poured some tea.
As she drank, she suddenly heard someone wailing outside—it was a man's voice. Although the sound was faint against the storm, her keen hearing could pick it up.
Who would come to the Wen residence in the middle of the night to cry so piteously?
She leaned against the table, moving step by step toward the door, careful not to strain her wound. A maid was stationed outside her room for the night, but the girl was young, and since Zuo Canglang rarely asked for anything, she was fast asleep. Zuo Canglang stepped out of her room and saw a person in a black hooded cloak enter the manor. Without a word, the person knelt before Old Master Wen.
Old Master Wen was startled. He helped the man up and, upon closer inspection, gasped, "Nephew Dongting?!"
The visitor was Bi Chengjing’s eldest son, Bi Dongting! He was dripping wet from head to toe. "Uncle Wen, I beg you, save my father!" Before he could finish, he struck his forehead against the hard ground in a heavy kowtow.
Wen Xingye said, "Nephew, please get up, please get up!" While helping him, he shouted to Old Madam Wen, "Quickly, brew some ginger tea!"
Old Madam Wen hurried off. Wen Xingye asked, "Nephew, I’ve heard about the Bi family! I heard the entire household was imprisoned. How did you escape?"
Bi Dongting said, "My father once helped a jailer. The jailer risked his life to let me out to seek help! Uncle Wen, now over two hundred members of my family are in prison. My father is innocent; I could only come to you!"
Wen Xingye ordered someone to get dry clothes while saying, "Nephew, I have no power or influence in the court now. Even if I have the heart to help, what can I do?"
Bi Dongting said, "Uncle Wen, you and my father are old friends of many years. Can you bear to watch him die a wrongful death in prison at his age?"
Wen Xingye said, "Nephew, among the guards at the Jinyang city gates, there are still a few who will listen to me. Why don't you flee the city tonight? At least preserve one bloodline for the Bi family!"
Bi Dongting wept loudly. "Uncle Wen, my entire family is in prison, and my mother’s body lies unburied. How can I flee alone? I am at my wit's end; please, Uncle, show me a way!"
He was utterly distraught, his tears and desperation moving to behold. Wen Xingye sighed, "Jiang Sanyi and his lot are determined to see Brother Bi dead."
Outside, horses neighed. A moment later, there was a knock at the door. The butler opened it to find Feng Ping leading a squad of men, all clad in straw raincoats. "Where is Old Master Wen?" Without waiting for an answer, he marched inside.
Wen Xingye stood in the hall, his posture straight. "Does Commander Feng come in the middle of the night to follow the example of the previous dynasty and lock up my entire household?"
Feng Ping paused, then bowed. "Marquis of Dingguo, I would not dare. I merely heard that a fugitive escaped and headed toward the Wen residence. Fearing for your safety, I came specifically to check. Please hand over the criminal so I may report back to His Majesty."
Wen Xingye’s fingernails dug into his palms. His jaw tightened, but for a long time, he could not say a word. Hiding in the inner room, Bi Dongting seemed to finally regain his senses. He turned to Old Madam Wen and said, "Aunt Wen, my recklessness will only bring disaster to your home. But besides the Wen residence, I had nowhere else to go. Please forgive me."
Old Madam Wen wiped her tears. "Dongting, don't say that. The Wen family is just powerless!"
Bi Dongting said, "Aunt, bring some rope and bind me."
Old Madam Wen said, "Dongting, with your Uncle Wen out there, they might not dare to search the manor. After they leave, you can escape the city!"
Bi Dongting shook his head. "Aunt, I cannot leave my father, my brothers, my wife, and my children. Besides, this Feng Ping killed my mother; he won't let me go so easily. Bind me."
Shortly after, Bi Dongting emerged from the back, his hands tied behind his back. He walked slowly toward Feng Ping. The Imperial Guard escorted him out of the Wen residence. In the torrential rain, he suddenly looked back. His face, so similar in age to Wen Qi’s, made Wen Xingye’s eyes redden.
A long time passed until the sound of the horses' hooves could no longer be heard. Wen Xingye slowly turned around and saw Zuo Canglang standing behind the beaded curtain.
He opened his mouth, but in the end, he only said, "Your injuries aren't healed yet. Why are you out of bed? Go back to your room."
With that, he walked slowly toward the back garden. He moved very slowly, his cane thumping against the ground, suddenly looking very old and frail. Old Madam Wen went to support him, and the two elders entered the inner chambers in silence.
***
The next day, Murong Yan announced in court that the position of Chancellor could not remain vacant. Jiang Sanyi would temporarily hold the post and perform the duties of the Left Chancellor.
No one in the court dared to speak. Previously, because Bi Chengjing was outspoken and highly respected, the officials had few reservations. Furthermore, some of the old ministers didn't truly respect Murong Yan. They felt their seniority was high and, having served his father, they viewed him as a youth who needed constant guidance and correction.
Moreover, when Murong Yan was a prince, he had hidden his brilliance, which fostered a latent contempt among these officials. Even after he became King and won several brilliant battles, he hadn't conducted a major purge or targeted the Wen family’s old subordinates. One could say he had shown plenty of grace, but not enough awe-inspiring authority.
Thus, even when they knew Murong Yan’s intentions, they would often argue their points without leaving any room for compromise.
But now, overnight, the great tree that was Bi Chengjing—the one least likely to fall—had collapsed. And it had collapsed utterly. These old ministers suddenly realized that their own necks had been resting on the edge of a blade all along.
And now, this monarch who had always shown grace had finally unsheathed his butcher’s knife.
The officials remained silent. Murong Yan said, "Since my dear ministers have no objections, the matter is settled."
Jiang Sanyi knelt to give thanks. The court was deathly quiet.
***
At that time, in the Phoenix Resting Palace, Huiyun and Huayue ran in to bring the good news to Jiang Bilan. When she heard her father had been appointed Left Chancellor, her face showed no sign of joy. Huiyun was puzzled. "Your Majesty, this is a good thing. From now on, you won't be without support."
Jiang Bilan said, "This is what my father has always hoped for. He gave me life and raised me just so I could be of some use to him. What is there for me to be happy about?"
Huayue said, "Your Majesty, right now you are the only one favored in the harem. Of course you don't feel it. But if in the future you have a prince, you will certainly need your family's support to prevent other consorts from..."
Before she could finish, Huiyun snapped, "Huayue!"
Huayue gasped, realizing what she had said. Her face turned pale, and she immediately knelt and began slapping her own face. "This servant deserves to die! His Majesty dotes only on Your Majesty. Besides our Queen, where would any other consorts come from..."
Jiang Bilan said, "Get up. I was just speaking casually. He is my father, after all; would I wish him ill?"
The two maids finally breathed a sigh of relief and came over to massage her legs and shoulders. Jiang Bilan asked, "Is His Majesty coming tonight?"
Huiyun said, "Chief Manager Wang just sent word that His Majesty will be discussing military affairs with several generals tonight and won't be coming. He specifically told Your Majesty to rest early."
Jiang Bilan smiled sweetly. "I’ll go to the kitchen myself in a bit and send a bowl of soup over tonight."
Huiyun and Huayue had grown up with her and teased, "Look at our Queen; the moment His Majesty is mentioned, even her heart turns to honey."
Jiang Bilan acted annoyed. "You two wretched girls, do you want to die?!"
***
That night, at the Wen residence.
After the incident with Bi Dongting the previous night, the entire manor was steeped in a strange, somber atmosphere. Zuo Canglang couldn't sleep, but since her secret excursion the night before had caused the maid on duty to be punished, she didn't want to get out of bed. She lay there with her eyes open, staring blankly.
After an unknown amount of time, the window frame creaked slightly, and someone leaped inside. Zuo Canglang was startled—who would dare commit such a stealthy act in the Wen residence?
But her shock lasted only a moment. When she saw the visitor by the moonlight, she was stunned. "Mas... Master!" Although Murong Yan had been on the throne for some time, she occasionally forgot to change how she addressed him. Murong Yan didn't seem to mind and walked quickly to her bedside. Zuo Canglang said in a panic, "Why are you here at this hour?!"
Before Murong Yan could speak, the maid outside asked, "General? Is something wrong?"
She had been punished during the day, so she was particularly alert tonight. As she spoke, she moved to open the door.
For the first time, Zuo Canglang felt a sense of sheer panic. If the maid pushed the door open and saw a man in her room, she would surely scream and wake the entire manor!
She didn't know what to do, but Murong Yan was fast. He immediately flipped onto the bed. Zuo Canglang had no choice but to cover him with the quilt. The maid had already opened the door and asked, "General? Are you thirsty? This servant will get you some water."
As she spoke, she came over to pour water. Zuo Canglang wanted to say she wasn't thirsty, but seeing the maid holding out the cup, she had to pull back the bed curtain and take it. Just as she was about to drink, Murong Yan, hidden under the quilt, slowly wrapped his arm around her waist.
Her hands shook, and the cup nearly fell to the floor.
***
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