Chasing Jade (Zhu Yu)

In the afternoon, as soon as Fan Changyu returned to the military camp, she was summoned by Grand Tutor Tao.

She thought it was to check the books he had assigned her to copy, so she brought the stack of papers Xie Zheng had helped her transcribe. However, she found another person present in Grand Tutor Tao’s tent.

The man appeared to be nearly forty, with refined and upright features. He wasn’t wearing armor, looking more like a civil official.

Fan Changyu didn’t recognize him, so she simply greeted Grand Tutor Tao, “Foster Father.”

The middle-aged man had been observing her intently since she entered the tent, his gaze kind yet heavy, mixed with an indescribable sense of relief and concern.

Changyu found it rather odd, but since the man harbored no ill intent, she allowed him to continue his scrutiny.

Grand Tutor Tao glanced at her and said, “You’re here.”

He didn’t seem inclined to introduce her to the other man, merely stating, “This is a general in the army. He heard you killed Shi Hu and was curious to see your martial skills.”

Changyu hadn’t expected the scholarly-robed man to be a general. She quickly clasped her fists in salute. “Greetings, General.”

The man was none other than He Jingyuan. Seeing traces of an old acquaintance in Fan Changyu, his heart swirled with complex emotions. He asked, “You know martial arts?”

Changyu replied, “A little.”

Though he already had his suspicions, He Jingyuan pressed, “Who taught you?”

Changyu answered, “My father.”

He Jingyuan then asked, “Would you spar with this old man?”

Changyu looked to Grand Tutor Tao for guidance.

The grand tutor stroked his beard and said, “This general is also skilled in saber techniques. Let him offer you some pointers.”

Changyu clasped her fists again. “I would be honored to learn from you, General.”

The tent was too cramped for a proper match, so they moved outside to the training grounds, each wielding a long-handled saber.

Changyu initiated the attack first, her blade swift and overwhelming. He Jingyuan initially focused solely on defense, retreating step by step to study her techniques.

Only when he was nearly backed against the tent did he suddenly switch from defense to offense, employing the very moves Changyu had used earlier.

Compared to Changyu’s relentless aggression, his saber techniques were far more composed—capable of both offense and defense, perfectly balanced in rhythm.

Just as Changyu was about to shift her attack, He Jingyuan seized a flaw in her defense, his blade stopping just short of her neck.

Her own saber hadn’t even had the chance to strike. Startled, she realized that while she lacked real combat experience, her sole pastime had been practicing the saber techniques her father taught her. She had believed she knew every move inside out.

Yet facing this general, she felt as though he understood the techniques even better than she did, anticipating every countermove with ease.

Noticing her dazed expression, He Jingyuan withdrew his blade and asked, “Do you know where the flaw in your last move was?”

Changyu bowed respectfully. “Please enlighten me, General.”

He Jingyuan said, “You’ve practiced this set of techniques so rigidly that your strikes have become inflexible. You must complete one move before starting the next. But the battlefield is ever-changing. If one strike fails, you must adapt immediately—how can you afford to lose composure just because your opponent counters you?”

His words pinpointed the flaw in Changyu’s technique. When she used her butcher’s cleaver, she often caught opponents off guard.

But with the long-handled saber, she could easily overpower those less skilled than her. However, against masters like He Jingyuan or Xie Zheng, who were well-versed in all kinds of weaponry, she found herself severely constrained.Fan Changyu felt a surge of respect and gratitude, saying sincerely, "Thank you, General!"

Seeing that she understood, He Jingyuan's eyes held not only complexity but also a faint trace of relief. He said, "Let me teach you a few more moves."

The two continued their practice in the open space outside the military tent. With each move Fan Changyu executed, He Jingyuan pointed out its flaws and taught her how to counter them.

It wasn't until a soldier resembling a personal guard came looking for him that He Jingyuan stopped, instructing Fan Changyu to return and reflect on what she had learned that day.

After bidding farewell to Grand Tutor Tao, Fan Changyu headed back, her mind filled with sword techniques.

Grand Tutor Tao noticed that even after Fan Changyu had gone far, He Jingyuan was still staring absently in the direction she had left. He remarked, "I always thought that child was honest and resilient, maintaining her kindness no matter the circumstances—a promising seedling. When you later told me she was that old man's descendant, it all made sense. Her wisdom in simplicity mirrors her grandfather's."

He Jingyuan bowed solemnly to Grand Tutor Tao. "The orphan of an old friend—I entrust her to you, Grand Tutor."

Grand Tutor Tao sighed. "One boy, one girl—both are dear to me. But the past is gone. When those events occurred, neither girl had even been born. What does it have to do with them? No matter what, I will protect them."

He Jingyuan bowed deeply once more.

Grand Tutor Tao said, "As for Jiuheng, let's keep it from him for now."

He Jingyuan worried, "I fear paper cannot wrap fire forever."

Grand Tutor Tao patted his shoulder. "Jingyuan, Jingyuan, you still don't fully understand your Prime Minister. Do you truly believe it took him over a decade to discover that Meng Shuyuan's daughter and son-in-law were hiding in Qingping County under your protection?"

He Jingyuan froze.

Grand Tutor Tao clasped his hands behind his back, gazing at the distant mountains meeting the sky. "Perhaps the past wasn't as you thought. Both of us know Meng Shuyuan's character—he would never have acted so recklessly. Yet after Jinzhou fell, he took his own life in his tent, and his trusted generals perished in subsequent battles, leaving no way to uncover the truth. But if Wei Yan orchestrated it all, and Meng Shuyuan's descendants held evidence of his schemes, he would rather kill a thousand innocents than let one escape. How could he allow them to flee to the borderlands and live in hiding for over a decade?"

He Jingyuan smiled bitterly. "When Brother Qilin brought Meng's only daughter to me, he told me the Prime Minister had ordered him to kill her. Unable to do it, he faked their deaths by falling off a cliff. If, as you say, the Prime Minister intended to spare them from the start, why did he later order me to kill my former comrades and repeatedly send Martial Assassins to the Fan Family to retrieve that item?"

Had any veteran been present, they would have recognized the "Qilin" He Jingyuan mentioned as Wei Qilin, a retainer of the Wei Mansion.

Wei Qilin had not originally borne the Wei surname, nor did he have a proper name. He was merely a servant bought by the Wei Family and trained as a Martial Assassin. His natural strength and martial talent led to his promotion as a family retainer.

Wei Yan had initially held no military power whatsoever. It was only through the battlefield achievements of He Jingyuan and Wei Qilin that he gradually gained influence.Later, when Wei Yan married his sister to Xie Linshan, the ties between the Wei and Xie families grew even closer. Wei Qilin even served under Xie Linshan’s command and won the admiration of Meng Shuyuan, an old general in Xie’s ranks. Since Old General Meng had only one daughter, Wei Qilin married into the Meng family.

This Wei Qilin was none other than the later Fan Erniu.

What He Jingyuan had always feared was that Wei Qilin had become the blade—the one who pushed Old General Meng to delay the grain shipment.

Yet regarding the events of Jinzhou back then, Wei Qilin had told him very little. Over the past decade, apart from that one time Wei Qilin sought him out for help, the two had not met again, all to avoid arousing Wei Yan’s suspicions.

He let out a heavy sigh. “If I had opened and read those things he gave me back then, I wouldn’t be so uncertain now.”

But if he had read them at the time, unless he openly rebelled against Wei Yan, he wouldn’t have been able to protect Fan Changyu and her sister either.

Grand Tutor Tao comforted him, “Nothing is settled yet. Let’s wait and see. The reason I emerged from seclusion was my worry that someone might use the Battle of Jinzhou to manipulate Jiuh*eng as a weapon. Linshan’s death remains an insurmountable wound in that boy’s heart. I fear he might fall into someone’s trap.”

He Jingyuan considered himself well-versed in the current situation, yet his mind was still clouded with doubts. He said, “I may be slow-witted, but when rumors questioning the Battle of Jinzhou spread among the people, the accusations pointed directly at the Chancellor. Are you suggesting, Grand Tutor, that someone is trying to pit the Marquis against the Chancellor in a fight where both sides lose?”

Grand Tutor Tao replied, “I was never close to Wei Yan. Over the years, whether among the common folk or in court, he has faced nothing but condemnation. Perhaps, after sitting in that position for so long, he truly lost his way. But as you said, looking back a dozen years, he was once diligent in serving Great Yin’s imperial court. Back then, when he wanted me to take Jiuh*eng as my student, he even went through a scholar from Nanshan Academy, using Linshan’s name to persuade me indirectly. It seemed he feared I would refuse the boy due to my disagreements with him.”

Grand Tutor Tao himself had studied at Nanshan Academy.

He Jingyuan had not expected Wei Yan to go to such lengths for Xie Zheng’s sake. He had once been a trusted subordinate of Wei Yan and had occasionally witnessed Wei Yan’s interactions with Xie Zheng. Wei Yan had always been stern and unyielding toward his nephew.

Even when Xie Zheng achieved great military feats and received commendations, Wei Yan would first reprimand him before offering half-hearted praise.

The entire Chancellor’s estate knew that Wei Yan disliked his nephew Xie Zheng. Yet behind the scenes, he had gone to great lengths to secure Grand Tutor Tao as Xie Zheng’s teacher—a privilege even Wei Xuan, Wei Yan’s own son, had likely never enjoyed.

For a moment, He Jingyuan was even more perplexed.

He said, “But it’s also true that the Chancellor sought to kill the Marquis on the Chongzhou battlefield.”

Grand Tutor Tao narrowed his aged yet piercing eyes. “The Jinzhou case was undoubtedly linked to Wei Yan. But there may be some hidden circumstances that led to his erratic behavior. I will go to the capital to see him in person. Until I return, do not tell Jiuh*eng about the Meng family.”

He paused, then added, “The Li family has uncovered quite a bit and may make their move soon. My daughter has been tempered enough—let her go to the battlefield and earn some military merits. If the Li family disrupts things and that brat learns of this prematurely, at least she’ll have capable people by her side. Then I won’t have to worry for her.”

( Note: Jiuh eng is Xie Zheng’s courtesy name, but since it wasn’t explicitly defined in the glossary, it’s retained in pinyin for consistency.)He Jingyuan felt as if the tangled mess of thoughts in his mind had finally found a loose end and quickly agreed—

The capital.

After the morning court session, civil and military officials gradually filed out of the Golden Luan Hall, clustering on either side behind Wei Yan and Grand Tutor Li, respectively.

As Wei Yan descended the white marble steps, he happened to cross paths with Grand Tutor Li, who was coming down the opposite side separated by dragon-carved railings.

Both were seasoned old foxes who had weathered the treacherous tides of officialdom for years. At this encounter, one exuded stern authority, while the other appeared amiable and approachable.

After a brief moment of eye contact, Grand Tutor Li was the first to cup his hands in greeting. "Chancellor Wei."

He was gaunt, with white hair and beard, appearing much older than Wei Yan. Yet, his affability lacked the effortless ease of Grand Tutor Tao, making him seem approachable at first glance but difficult to truly get close to.

Wei Yan merely raised his hand slightly in return. "Grand Tutor Li."

Having held the reins of imperial power for over a decade, his imposing presence was no less than that of an emperor.

Grand Tutor Li chuckled. "On the northwestern front, the rebels are now pinned down separately by the Wu'an Marquis and General He, leaving them no room to fight back. His Majesty is greatly pleased. Victory reports should soon arrive in the capital. I, Li, offer my early congratulations to the Chancellor."

Wei Yan's expression remained unreadable. "A matter of national importance—shared joy."

With that, their exchange reached its conclusion.

Regardless of the current political climate or the public outcry against Wei Yan, he was undeniably the foremost figure in Great Yin's court. Without hesitation, he strode past Grand Tutor Li, his crimson official robes billowing in the wind as he descended the next stretch of white marble steps with composed dignity. No one dared utter a word of dissent.

Only after Wei Yan had gone far did the officials behind Grand Tutor Li dare to voice their indignation. "Wei Yan is far too arrogant! The Great Yin imperial family still bears the surname Qi!"

Grand Tutor Li cast a calm glance at the speaker. "Shouyi, mind your words!"

His tone was neither loud nor angry, yet it frightened the official into a deep bow, stammering, "This humble official spoke out of turn..."

Grand Tutor Li said nothing more and departed with the other officials. Only then did the chastened official dare to glance fearfully back at the Golden Luan Hall, wiping cold sweat from his brow with his sleeve.

Three generations of the Li family had entered officialdom. Aside from Grand Tutor Li, the pillar of resistance against Wei Yan, and Li Huaian, who had gone to the northwest, Grand Tutor Li had several other sons serving in the court. However, the only one remaining in the capital now was his eldest son—also Li Huaian's father.

Once father and son were seated in their carriage home, Li Yuanting spoke up. "Father, the Wu'an Marquis bypassed Chongzhou and instead laid siege to Kangcheng. It seems he saw through our plan to claim credit for the Chongzhou campaign and deliberately stayed out of it. Yet, during today's court session, His Majesty still praised the Marquis highly, even hinting at betrothing the Eldest Princess to him. Wei Yan hasn't fallen yet, but His Majesty is already wary of our Li family."

Grand Tutor Li closed his eyes and asked, "How is the Empress?"

Li Yuanting replied with difficulty, "Her Majesty... still hasn't conceived."

Grand Tutor Li had been the young emperor's tutor. Back then, to bolster the Li family against Wei Yan, the emperor had elevated a Li daughter, not yet thirteen, to Empress.

Yet years had passed, and the Empress remained childless.

Grand Tutor Li asked, "What did the imperial physicians say?"

Li Yuanting answered, "They couldn't identify the ailment."Grand Tutor Li opened his eyes and said with an ambiguous tone, "His Majesty has indeed grown up."

Li Yuanting looked puzzled and asked, "Father, what do you mean by that?"

Grand Tutor Li gazed at his eldest son and inquired, "Do you remember how Wei Yan chose His Majesty, who had no maternal clan to rely on, among all the imperial princes to inherit the throne back then?"

After pondering for a moment, Li Yuanting suddenly looked startled. "Did His Majesty deliberately prevent the empress from conceiving?"

Wei Yan had selected the current emperor to ascend the throne precisely because he lacked external relatives. The young emperor, to secure his position, had no choice but to obey Wei Yan in everything.

Thus, Wei Yan almost naturally monopolized imperial power.

Seeking protection, the young emperor had feigned obedience before Grand Tutor Li for over a decade, but now he was gradually revealing his claws.

Under years of support, the Li family had risen to prominence in the court. The young emperor feared that once the Wei Faction fell, the Li family would become the next Wei Faction, so he dared not let the empress conceive.

After all, he had yet to reclaim his full authority. If Empress Li were to become pregnant, any future intention to eliminate the Li family might prompt them to strike first, following Wei Yan's example by supporting a young prince to the throne.

Grand Tutor Li remained silent, tacitly acknowledging his son's words.

Li Yuanting's face darkened with indignation. "No wonder His Majesty wants to marry the eldest princess to Wu'an Marquis. After Wei Yan's downfall, he intends to use Wu'an Marquis to restrain our Li family! They say the bow is put away once the birds are gone. While Wei Yan still controls the court, His Majesty already treats our family this way. Once Wei Yan is removed, will our Li family even have a place to stand?"

Grand Tutor Li merely said, "Enough. The hearts of emperors have always been inscrutable."

Li Yuanting pressed urgently, "Father, we must think of a way. The way His Majesty treats Wei Yan today may well be how he treats our Li family tomorrow."

Grand Tutor Li spoke leisurely, "In this realm, isn't there another who is most qualified to inherit the throne?"

Li Yuanting shuddered. "You mean... the imperial grandson?"

Grand Tutor Li did not pursue the topic further and instead asked, "What has Huai'an discovered in Jizhou?"

Li Yuanting, realizing the implications of their earlier conversation, felt cold sweat drench his back. He replied, "Wei Yan has indeed maintained capable men under him all these years to secure his position as chancellor. He Jingyuan served in Jizhou for over a decade without a hint of corruption. After months of investigation, Huai'an only found a suspicious case involving a butcher's family whom Wei Yan sent numerous Martial Assassins to kill last year."

Grand Tutor Li raised an eyebrow. "Weren't those Martial Assassins sent to kill Wu'an Marquis?"

Li Yuanting explained, "Huai'an checked Jizhou Prefecture's military deployment records. When Wei Yan dispatched the Martial Assassins, He Jingyuan also sent troops to assist. It seemed like one wanted to kill while the other wanted to save. Yet when Wei Xuan caused trouble by requisitioning grain in the northwest, He Jingyuan urgently sent something back to Wei Yan, who showed no sign of reproach."

Glancing at his father's expression, he continued, "The butcher and his wife were recorded in the case files as killed by bandits, but the captured bandits all denied harming the family. Delving deeper, Huai'an found the butcher had returned to Qingping County seventeen years ago with a woman of unknown origin. Back then, all his business dealings were conducted under the name of an escort."Grand Tutor Li said, "Throughout the entire Jizhou Prefecture, only He Jingyuan has the authority to forge household registries and other official documents."

He turned to his eldest son. "Are you saying He Jingyuan is helping that butcher hide something? And has been sheltering the butcher's family all along?"

Li Yuanting nodded. "Exactly so."

Grand Tutor Li fell silent for a long while.

Seventeen years—that number was far too sensitive.

How many significant events had occurred seventeen years ago?

Meng Shuyuan, a veteran general under Xie Linshan, had disregarded military orders to rescue 100,000 besieged border town civilians while transporting provisions. This delay in battle strategy led to the deaths of Chengde Crown Prince and Xie Linshan at Jinzhou, after which Meng committed suicide to atone, bearing eternal infamy.

That same year, the Eastern Palace caught fire, killing both the Crown Princess and the imperial grandson.

Grand Tutor Li spoke slowly, "What do you think He Jingyuan gave to Wei Yan?"

Li Yuanting was startled. "Unfortunately, He Jingyuan is meticulous in his work. Huai'an couldn't uncover anything else."

Grand Tutor Li replied, "If we can't find it, let those who can investigate instead."

Li Yuanting hesitated. "You mean... report it to His Majesty?"

Grand Tutor Li answered, "As Censorate Official Zhao once rightly said, this Great Yin Empire still bears the surname Qi."

The Censorate Official Zhao he referred to was the outspoken censor who had angrily spoken up after Wei Yan left earlier.

Li Yuanting realized he had guessed his father's intentions correctly.

The carriage had stopped, and Li Yuanting personally assisted Grand Tutor Li in alighting. With numerous servants and guards at the doorstep, the two refrained from further discussion of state affairs. Only after entering the residence did Li Yuanting continue, "Using His Majesty's hand, we can eliminate He Jingyuan and sever one of Wei Yan's limbs. But since you intend to support the one in Chongzhou, if His Majesty arranges a marriage between the Grand Princess and Wu'an Marquis, securing Wu'an Marquis as an ally, the situation could turn extremely unfavorable for us."

Grand Tutor Li lifted his eyelids slightly. "Didn't Huai'an mention a woman by Wu'an Marquis's side?"

Li Yuanting quickly responded, "Indeed, the butcher's daughter. When Huai'an first went to Jizhou and encountered bandits, it was Wu'an Marquis's personal cavalry disguised as Jizhou Prefecture soldiers who rescued her. Now, the woman is in the Jizhou army and has even been adopted as a foster daughter by Grand Tutor Tao. It seems Wu'an Marquis holds her in high regard."

Grand Tutor Li paused mid-step. "That old fox Tao Yi?"

His eyelids drooped slightly, his pupils appearing faint with age. After a moment, he said, "Find a way to let the Grand Princess hear of this."

Li Yuanting acknowledged the order.

He understood well—being adopted as Grand Tutor Tao's foster daughter elevated the woman's status significantly. Clearly, Wu'an Marquis had no intention of keeping her merely as a concubine.

The proud and haughty Grand Princess would never tolerate such a thing.

The Emperor sought to win over Wu'an Marquis through marriage, but whether this would forge an alliance or enmity remained uncertain.

A few days later, a memorial impeaching He Jingyuan for falsifying records and harboring criminals was presented to the Emperor.

He Jingyuan was Wei Yan's man, currently leading troops to suppress rebels in Chongzhou. Punishing him now would put the Emperor in a difficult position, so he handed the memorial to the court officials for deliberation on how to proceed.

The officials were at a loss—the accusers were Grand Tutor Li's faction, the accused Wei Yan's. Not one of them dared meddle in such a deadly factional struggle.

During that morning court session, only the Wei Faction and Li Faction argued fiercely.

In the end, the Emperor postponed the matter, citing ongoing military campaigns.After the court session, Wei Yan and Grand Tutor Li crossed paths once more at the end of the white marble steps.

Grand Tutor Li still wore his usual smile as he cupped his hands and said, "Old men like me can no longer control our disciples—their minds are too set in their ways. I hope the Prime Minister won’t take today’s morning court affairs to heart."

The one who had impeached He Jingyuan was none other than Grand Tutor Li’s disciple.

Wei Yan did not even return the courtesy this time. His hawk-like eyes swept over with an imposing air that commanded respect without anger: "Grand Tutor Li is getting old. Perhaps you could learn from Grand Tutor Tao. Back then, Grand Tutor Tao retired at the height of his career, and now not only the officials in the court but even His Majesty remembers him fondly, doesn’t he?"

The smile on Grand Tutor Li’s face faded slightly.

Only then did Wei Yan raise his hand slightly in a perfunctory gesture and say, "I shall take my leave first."

After Wei Yan had gone far, Grand Tutor Li’s expression darkened as well.

Once inside the sedan, Wei Yan kept his eyes closed, his face stern and solemn.

Grand Tutor Li’s move was an attempt to force the Emperor to investigate He Jingyuan.

Due to the war in Chongzhou, the Emperor had temporarily set the matter aside. But once the battle in Chongzhou was over, even without the Li family’s prompting, the Emperor would bring it back to the agenda.

Seventeen years had passed, and the young Emperor was gradually gaining strength, seeking to wrest power from his hands.

Once He Jingyuan’s act of forging an identity for that traitor was exposed, the Jinzhou Massacre from back then would inevitably be brought up. Meng Shuyuan was already a condemned criminal, and if his trusted aide shielded the offspring of a criminal, the Jinzhou case, which he had long sought to suppress, would likely face a retrial.

After a long silence, he opened his hawk-like eyes and said slowly, "He Jingyuan must not be spared."

Outside the sedan, a shadow swiftly darted away.