Destined

As Gu Jiusi had anticipated, within a few days, Fan Xuan ordered Li Yuchang to handle the case. However, contrary to Gu Jiusi's expectations, Fan Xuan did not completely abandon him. Instead, he instructed Gu Jiusi to jointly preside over the case with Li Yuchang, while Shen Ming's case was handled separately and solely by Li Yuchang.

This decision was announced in the imperial court. As soon as the order was issued, the entire hall buzzed with discussions. Gu Jiusi stood at the front, listening to the various voices. Before long, a minister stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the case of Shen Ming's assassination of Wang Siyuan has not yet been fully investigated. Minister Gu has close ties with Shen Ming. It seems inappropriate to have Minister Gu jointly handle the Yingyang case with Lord Li."

Upon hearing this, Fan Xuan looked up at the speaker and said, "I often speak with Lord Shen as well. Does that mean I am also closely connected to him? This case has been handled by Minister Li and Minister Gu from the beginning. If you want to replace them now, find me a suitable candidate."

This deliberately unreasonable remark made Fan Xuan's stance clear, and no one dared to say more. After forcefully suppressing the court's objections, Fan Xuan summoned Gu Jiusi after the court session ended.

Gu Jiusi entered the imperial study and saw Fan Xuan drinking tea. As soon as he entered, he knelt on the ground to confess his fault. Fan Xuan did not ask him to rise and said while sipping his tea, "After this case is concluded, you will oversee this year's imperial examinations."

Gu Jiusi felt uneasy. He did not understand why Fan Xuan had ultimately pushed him into this position. Fan Xuan did not explain further but said, "You are unwilling to deal with Shen Ming, and I will not force you. But remember, today I can suppress this matter for you, but in the future, it will become a stain on your record. If someone wishes to strike at you, this will be their opening."

"Your servant understands," Gu Jiusi hurriedly replied. "Your servant knows of Your Majesty's thoughtful consideration."

Fan Xuan sighed and said no more. He then discussed the details of the matters with Gu Jiusi. Afterward, Gu Jiusi stood up and took his leave. As he was leaving, he noticed someone bringing in medicinal soup. He glanced at it but remained silent.

After leaving the palace, he felt a heaviness in his heart. He vaguely understood the reason behind Fan Xuan's actions, but the situation was irreversible. All he could do was strive to handle matters as well as possible before things escalated.

Fan Xuan assigned Gu Jiusi and Li Yuchang to handle the Yingyang case primarily to allow them to accumulate more political achievements. With this case as a foundation, it would be natural for Gu Jiusi to subsequently oversee the imperial examinations.

Gu Jiusi had already gathered numerous testimonies in Yingyang. Now, working in the Eastern Capital, he began making arrests directly.

Those in the Eastern Capital implicated in the Yingyang case were mostly officials left over from the previous dynasty. They had long-established connections with Yingyang, and for years, whenever the Yellow River needed repairs, it became an opportunity for them to enrich themselves. These individuals had extensive networks. During Gu Jiusi's investigation, the Gu Family residence was constantly visited by people, with relatives of all kinds seeking favors. Gu Lang Hua and Jiang Rou were so overwhelmed they dared not receive guests, and even Su Wan found the disturbances unbearable.

Liu Yu Ru initially did not fully grasp what Gu Jiusi was doing. However, the number of customers in her shop inexplicably increased, with people visiting daily to propose business deals. After a few such visits, Liu Yu Ru caught on. She simply declined all customers and stayed at the Gu Family residence, afraid to go out. Whenever gifts were sent to her, she returned them all.She had long grown accustomed to such tasks. What once felt humiliating now stirred no embarrassment within her.

The trial had stretched over half a month, moving from Xingyang to the Eastern Capital, ultimately implicating over twelve hundred people—the largest case since the founding of Great Xia, and rare even in the century-long history of the previous Da Rong dynasty. Overnight, Li Yuchang and Gu Jiusi became widely known—some cursed them, others feared them, but most enshrined them as righteous officials.

Amid such fame, few objected when Gu Jiusi was appointed to oversee the imperial examinations. Among scholars, it was even considered an honor. If they succeeded under his supervision, they would indirectly become his "disciples." Gu Jiusi was known for his integrity and impartiality, ensuring a fair examination. His boundless future and prominence in the Eastern Capital made becoming his student a fortunate opportunity.

That year’s Autumn Examination was scheduled for the third day of the tenth month, notably later than usual. Before the exams, Shen Ming’s sentence was finalized. Understanding Gu Jiusi’s intent, Li Yuchang sentenced Shen Ming to military exile in Youzhou.

On the first day of the tenth month, Gu Jiusi brought Liu Yu Ru, Ye Shi’an, and Ye Yun to bid Shen Ming farewell. Shen Ming marched among other exiled convicts, clad in prison garb, shackled at the wrists and ankles, his movements labored beneath the wooden cangue.

He still wore a bright smile, though quieter than before. Gu Jiusi poured him wine, and Shen Ming clinked cups with each of them. “Who knows when I’ll return,” he said lightly. “Visit me when you can.”

“Don’t speak like that,” Ye Shi’an sighed. “You’ll be back. We’ll find a way.”

Shen Ming chuckled. “Fine. I know you’re the most reliable. I’ll wait for your solution.”

Hearing the teasing tone, Ye Shi’an bit back a retort, not wanting to sour the farewell. Shen Ming seemed cheered by his friend’s stifled irritation. Turning to Gu Jiusi, he finally said, “Brother, I’m leaving.”

Gu Jiusi regarded him calmly. “I’ve written to Brother Zhou. He’ll send you books. You’re not a boy anymore—stop acting like a bandit.”

“Understood.” Shen Ming grinned. “I’ll study properly.”

“Treat the battlefield in Youzhou as your domain. Distinguish yourself there—build a career worthy of you.”

“I know.” Shen Ming scratched his head awkwardly. “But glory on the battlefield… that’s unpredictable. I’ll do my best.”

After a pause, Gu Jiusi spoke slowly. “Shen Ming.”

“Hm?” Shen Ming looked puzzled.

Gu Jiusi met his gaze solemnly. “Shi’an and I are civil officials. We need someone with military authority—someone who shares our convictions to stand with us.”Hearing this, Shen Ming couldn't help but freeze. Gu Jiusi's gaze remained fixed on him, full of expectation: "I know you are an eagle, destined for vast skies. Shi An and I will be waiting for you in the Eastern Capital. When the time comes, return covered in glory. Then, we'll wield our pens, and you'll raise your sword—together, we'll protect the land and people of Great Xia."

Shen Ming said nothing.

Listening to Gu Jiusi's words, he felt something surging restlessly within him.

The urging voices of the officials came from nearby. Shen Ming snapped out of his thoughts, lowering his head somewhat awkwardly as he replied hoarsely, "Alright, I understand."

Gu Jiusi patted his shoulder, thought for a moment, and said, "I'll wait for you over there. If there's anyone else you'd like to speak with, go ahead."

The hint was obvious. As soon as Gu Jiusi left, Liu Yu Ru and Ye Shi'an quickly followed, leaving only Ye Yun standing there, hesitant and uneasy.

Shen Ming quietly watched Ye Yun. After a moment, he unexpectedly asked, "How old are you this year?"

Ye Yun was taken aback, not expecting such a question. She replied somewhat blankly, "Nineteen."

"Prime of youth."

Shen Ming smiled.

Ye Yun didn't understand his meaning. She simply stood there as silence fell between them. Shen Ming gazed at her quietly until, after a while, he said with a smile, "Go back. Run your shop well—you should become a wealthy young woman."

Hearing his words, Ye Yun was stunned and instinctively asked, "Don't you have anything else to say to me?"

"What needed to be said, I've already spoken openly," Shen Ming turned to look into the distance, "What shouldn't be said... need not be said."

Ye Yun pursed her lips upon hearing this. After a moment, she asked instead, "Do you still plan to return?"

"With Ninth Brother here, of course I'll return." Shen Ming replied calmly. Ye Yun looked at him earnestly and said, "Since you plan to return, won't you say something to me?"

Shen Ming fell silent, watching her quietly. Ye Yun grew nervous under his gaze but still said, "I remember you once said you wanted to marry me."

Hearing this, Shen Ming slowly smiled: "Yes."

"Then," Ye Yun looked at him seriously, "I can wait for you. Come back early."

Seeing the determination in her eyes and hearing her words, Shen Ming felt both sorrow and joy stirring in his heart. Yet he didn't respond directly. Instead, he looked at her intently and simply said, "You don't need to wait for me deliberately, nor do you need to say such things to me."

"Ye Yun," he called her name, "you must live well for yourself. Don't always think about being good to others or repaying them. If you marry me, it should only be because you love me. Any other reason—I won't accept it."

"I didn't..." Ye Yun started urgently, but Shen Ming interrupted, "I'm not foolish."

He looked at her seriously: "I didn't understand before, but now I do. Your agreement today is just to give me hope of returning to the Eastern Capital, to make me happier. Your willingness to marry me is only because you see me as a close friend and think this marriage would at least bring me some joy."

Ye Yun fell silent. She used to think Shen Ming was foolish, but now she realized this man saw things more clearly and wisely than anyone.Shen Ming looked at Ye Yun silently, then smiled. "But I don't want it this way. I like you. You don't have to like me back, but I hope that if you ever respond to my feelings, it's only because you genuinely care for me. I will live well in Youzhou and return to the Eastern Capital as soon as possible. When I come back, I will have a status worthy of you and a rank that does not disgrace your family's honor. If you come to like me by then, I will formally propose with all due ceremonies and marry you in a grand procession. I will make sure everyone sees that you're marrying me not out of compromise, and that it will never diminish your standing."

"Before I return, I hope you'll live well, just as I will," Shen Ming said with tenderness in his eyes. "If you meet someone suitable, someone you wish to marry and who makes you happy, then marry him. I will be happy too, because you're living well. If you don't meet the right person, don't be afraid. I will always wait for you. Someday, if you come to like me, I'll be ready to marry you anytime, anywhere."

As he spoke, Shen Ming seemed somewhat embarrassed. He lowered his gaze. The guards called out again nearby—this time, he truly couldn't delay any longer.

After bidding farewell to everyone, Shen Ming turned and walked away with the other prisoners into the distance.

Ye Yun watched Shen Ming's retreating figure, watching the wind whip his tattered prison clothes, watching his back bent under the weight of hundred-pound shackles.

She realized that she could finally regard Shen Ming as an equal.

In the past, she had always thought him immature, incapable of understanding her inner thoughts and hardships. But as she watched him walk away, she suddenly began to understand.

Perhaps he wasn't ignorant—he might have understood better than anyone, seen more clearly than anyone.

It was just that he wasn't like those clever people who overthink and worry excessively. If he wanted to do something, he did it. If he wanted to love someone, he loved them.

Without hesitation or doubt.

The path Shen Ming embarked on, he never regretted, nor did he ever look back.