A figure clad in crimson official robes walked in slowly. Though the garment was of a strikingly vivid hue, it seemed oddly desolate in the gloom of the grand hall, like an abandoned attic where the red lacquer remained yet exuded a sense of peeling, timeworn desolation.
The man stopped before Empress Dowager Yide, swept aside the hem of his robe, and knelt with a clear voice: "Your subject, Lin Wei, pays his respects to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager—"
Empress Dowager Yide remained silent, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on the kneeling figure. Even Yang Gugu couldn't help but startle in surprise.
Lin Wei—this name was one that no official in the Da Jin Dynasty, save for the newly appointed, would be unfamiliar with. The elegant and refined Tanhua Lang (Third Place Scholar), whose eloquence once shook the empire. In his youth, he had debated with the venerable scholars of the Hanlin Academy without yielding an inch, leaving those stubborn old men tugging at their beards in frustration.
Yet what people most loved to recount was likely his friendship with Hongxi Crown Prince. Though the Crown Prince was known for his humility and respect for talent, his status naturally prevented excessive closeness—except with this Tanhua Lang, Lin Wei, whom he genuinely admired. During the late Emperor's reign, Hongxi Crown Prince had once declared: "With this man, the Da Jin court can remain stable for twenty years."
This handsome, young scholar with boundless prospects had voluntarily resigned from office after the incident involving Hongxi Crown Prince. Though he cited unsuitability for officialdom as his reason, anyone with eyes could see it was because of the Crown Prince. Such loyalty and brilliance in a young man—how could people not sigh in regret? The Da Jin Dynasty rarely produced a figure like Lin Wei in a century, yet after his resignation and retreat into seclusion, no further news of him emerged. The Emperor had inquired about him, both overtly and covertly, but to no avail. Many assumed he must have long passed from this world, for how could such a dazzling talent remain obscure for so many years otherwise?
Yang Gugu's thoughts swirled as she observed the man before her. Compared to his youthful appearance of the past, Lin Wei now bore traces of hardship, yet far from making him seem haggard or aged, it lent him a unique charm—the steadiness of one who had weathered life's storms, tempered with the vigor of a mature man. Yang Gugu felt a pang of nostalgia. When Lin Wei had first achieved the rank of Tanhua, she had been but a young girl. Back then, no maiden could help but harbor admiration for this scholar. So many years had passed, and the man before her had shed his former sharp edges, becoming more composed. If the Lin Wei of old had been a radiant pearl, he was now like a smooth, warm piece of jade, polished by time into something serene and profound.
At last, Empress Dowager Yide spoke, though she did not bid Lin Wei to rise. "After more than twenty years, Minister Lin still lives."
Lin Wei smiled. "Many years have passed since we last met. To see Your Majesty in good health puts my mind at ease."
Yang Gugu lowered her eyes, continuing to massage the Empress Dowager's shoulders with careful motions, though her distraction made her touch less precise than before. Unnoticing, the Empress Dowager averted her gaze, as if closing her eyes slightly, her tone neither warm nor cold as she asked, "All these years, We have heard no word of you. Where have you been?"There wasn't a trace of reproach in these words, spoken as if reminiscing with an old friend. Lin Wei knelt on the ground and replied, "This subject has gone nowhere. This subject has always been right here."
Empress Dowager Yide's breath hitched slightly before she said, "You've been in the capital?"
"Indeed," Lin Wei answered.
After a long silence, the Empress Dowager suddenly let out a bitter laugh. "So that's how it is. No wonder the Emperor couldn't find you anywhere. You've been by his side all along... Protecting him for so many years... Lin Wei, you even deceived this old one."
"This humble official only wished to properly care for the young master," Lin Wei replied. "When His Highness the Crown Prince entrusted the young lord to the prince, he also entrusted him to this official. I swore to follow His Highness unto death—my entire life exists only for the young master."
Another prolonged silence filled the grand hall. Finally, Empress Dowager Yide waved her hand wearily. "This old one has always believed your words. Since he entrusted his son to you, it means he trusted you. This old one has nothing more to say." She sighed. "Only... you've suffered much hardship."
"This official feels no hardship." A faint smile appeared on Lin Wei's face, softening his usually solemn expression. For a fleeting moment, he resembled the dashing young scholar who once galloped past the Red Sleeve Pavilion, but the expression quickly gave way to quiet contentment. "This official watched the young master grow up—his first steps, his first lost tooth, and now his marriage. Having fulfilled His Highness's trust, this official feels no hardship."
The sincerity in his words moved even Yang Gugu. After a pause, the Empress Dowager abruptly changed the subject. "Then why have you come to the palace today?"
After more than a decade living incognito in quiet stability, the reappearance of this former top scholar meant his identity would soon be exposed—an outcome that would undo years of careful concealment. Yet he had come regardless. What could compel him to abandon his peaceful life? Certainly not wealth or status—had he desired those, he wouldn't have resigned his official post years ago. Both knew the true reason perfectly well.
"Your Majesty, this official initially entered government service to assist a ruler worthy of the realm. After His Highness the Crown Prince passed, though this official possessed skills, they found no worthy application. Now that a wise sovereign has reappeared, this official wishes to serve the young lord once more."
"Outrageous!" Empress Dowager Yide interrupted before he could finish. "Are you implying the Emperor isn't a wise ruler? Lin Wei, you have tremendous audacity!"
Had these words been spoken while the Emperor lived, not even ten heads would suffice for punishment. His meaning was clear—the only ruler he recognized as wise was the Hongxi Crown Prince. Whoever subsequently ascended the throne mattered not to Lin Wei; he disdained serving them.
Hearing the Empress Dowager's fury, Lin Wei didn't beg for mercy but remained kneeling quietly, his back ramrod straight, projecting unyielding stubbornness. Clearly, he saw nothing wrong with his statement.
The atmosphere in the hall grew instantly tense enough to catch spies, even Yang Gugu holding her breath. After an interminable standoff, Empress Dowager Yide finally sneered coldly: "You truly remain as reckless as ever!""If we speak of Liu Min, who rose through the imperial examinations alongside Lin Wei, he too was a stubborn and unyielding character, but he paled in comparison to the former Tanhua Lin. The late Emperor had no fondness for Hongxi Crown Prince, yet held Lin Wei in the highest regard. Lin Wei possessed the audacity to tug at a tiger's whiskers and the skill to soothe its fury. He was a law unto himself, boldly speaking words in the Emperor's presence that others in court dared not utter. Even when his words occasionally provoked the late Emperor's wrath, the storms he stirred always ended with more thunder than rain.
In truth, Lin Wei was exceedingly clever. For those in power, nothing was more unsettling than a minister who could read their every thought. A minister too sharp was no blessing. But in the eyes of the Emperor, a man as forthright as Lin Wei was the least suspect. If such a man also possessed a measure of talent, he became a rare and valued asset. Lin Wei was not only blunt but also gifted—seven or eight parts talented, in fact—and the Emperor, thoroughly satisfied, was naturally disinclined to punish him lightly.
Now, seeing Lin Wei brazenly critique the Emperor in Empress Dowager Yide's presence left her momentarily stunned. Her gaze seemed to pierce through the man kneeling before her, transporting her back to the golden halls of the past, to a time before everything had unraveled. She closed her eyes briefly, then said solemnly, "Enough. If the late Emperor did not hold it against you, what right have I to do so?" Her eyes sharpened as she regarded him. "What is it you seek?"
"Your servant humbly beseeches the Empress Dowager to grant permission for this lowly official to re-enter court service under the late Emperor's Imperial Edict," Lin Wei declared.
At these words, Yang Gugu could not help but pause in her tasks, staring at Lin Wei in astonishment.
"When the late Emperor still reigned, he bestowed upon this servant an edict, decreeing that should I ever wish it, I would remain a servant of the imperial court for life," Lin Wei continued. "Though I later resigned and retired to seclusion, the edict remains in my possession. Now, I dare to beg the Empress Dowager's mercy—I formally request to return to court service."
"You've gone mad..." Empress Dowager Yide murmured.
For a minister who had left the court years ago to suddenly and inexplicably seek reinstatement—such a thing would strike anyone as absurd. Yet Lin Wei's grave demeanor left no room for doubt; neither Yang Gugu nor the Empress Dowager could mistake his words for jest.
"Even with the late Emperor's edict, this act defies official protocol and will surely invite endless gossip. What folly is this?" the Empress Dowager said coldly, her gaze complex. If Lin Wei claimed to possess the edict, then he surely did. But the late Emperor had been gone for so long, and every tremor in the court now bore consequences for the future. For Lin Wei to choose this moment to return was tantamount to handing his enemies a weapon. Though Empress Dowager Yide had once commanded the winds and rains in her youth, age had forced her to acknowledge her limits. The pressures of supporting Xuan Li had already strained her, and she dared not imagine the upheaval Lin Wei's return would unleash.
"This servant does not act in folly," Lin Wei replied. "A wise ruler has emerged, and I seek only to fulfill my duty as a minister, offering my humble service. With all sincerity, I beg the Empress Dowager's approval."Empress Dowager Yide rose from her seat and approached Lin Wei, looking down at him with a chilling smile rather than anger. "A wise ruler? This old woman also wishes to know who the so-called wise ruler of this realm truly is!" By the end, her tone had sharpened with a trace of suppressed fury. Over these days, she had coldly observed the court's turbulence, and the repetition of history reminded her of the late emperor's era—the struggle among the eight princes for the throne was no different from the current spectacle. And now, Lin Wei, this old minister from the past, dared to brazenly speak of "supporting a wise ruler."
A wise ruler! Where in this realm does such a ruler exist? The victor becomes the wise ruler, while the defeated are left to the mercy of history's distortions—no one can escape it.
"Your Majesty is far-sighted and naturally discerns who is wise," Lin Wei suddenly bowed deeply, pressing his forehead to the ground before Empress Dowager Yide. "This servant has sworn lifelong loyalty to my young master. His commands are my life's purpose. It matters not to me who holds the empire's reins—only that it belongs to whomever my young master wills."
Yang Gugu's hand paused slightly. Such words were audacious to the extreme, as if he held the entire world in contempt. Yang Gugu thought to herself, I had heard rumors in the court that Lin Wei was the boldest of them all, but I never believed it—until now. Not only that, after all these years, his temperament has only grown fiercer. Where does he find such courage?
What was surprising was not just Lin Wei's audacity, but also Empress Dowager Yide's reaction. Upon hearing his words, she fell into a long silence before wordlessly turning back to her seat. The ruby-adorned nails on her fingers unconsciously traced the carved clouds on the armrest, the faint sound echoing sharply in the quiet hall. After what seemed an eternity, she finally let out a heavy sigh and said, "Heaven's will... Heaven's will has ordained this day."
She raised her hand, her voice clear and resolute. "Enter the court. This old woman grants your request."
"This servant thanks Your Majesty for your benevolence." Lin Wei kowtowed once more.
"Minister Lin, think carefully," Empress Dowager Yide glanced at him. "No one knows what the future holds. Supporting a ruler is a path you sought for yourself. If one day you become a stepping stone, you must accept it willingly. Do not say this old woman failed to warn you."
Lin Wei smiled faintly and replied in a firm voice, "This servant shall remember Your Majesty's admonition."
...
That same day, unrest stirred within the palace. At the residence of the Eighth Prince, Xuan Li received the news and spent a long time in solemn discussion with his advisors.
"That man must be an ally sought by Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. Your Highness should act swiftly before matters are settled, catching them off guard," one advisor suggested.
A stranger had entered the palace, bearing the token once given by Hongxi Crown Prince to request an audience with Empress Dowager Yide. Yet, the messenger had not revealed the man's identity. Still, the mere fact that he carried the token was enough to raise suspicions.
"Not necessarily," another advisor countered. "That man is likely an old associate of Hongxi Crown Prince. Since he has entered the palace, he must be prepared. Acting rashly now would be unwise. Since Your Highness already holds the advantage, there is no need for excessive concern. It would be better to observe and adapt—know your enemy and know yourself, and you shall never be defeated."Xuan Li frowned. The argument had been going on for the entire afternoon, with his advisors split into two factions. One faction insisted on proceeding with the plan regardless of who the opponent was, while the other believed the situation was too suspicious and warned against falling into the enemy's trap. Both sides had compelling arguments, and the debate had dragged on without resolution. An inexplicable irritation began to rise in Xuan Li's heart.
He couldn't pinpoint the source of his unease. These days, he had been careful to conceal his movements, avoiding any actions that might leave him vulnerable. He hadn't even visited the place where Jiang Ruan was being held. Yuan Chuan had brought back news that Jiang Ruan seemed to have no backup plan, suggesting their scheme was feasible. Yet, the scouts Xuan Li had sent out reported that Jiang Ruan's daily life was entirely normal—she appeared utterly at ease.
This puzzled Xuan Li. Yuan Chuan was his ally, and for now, he needed Xuan Li to ascend the throne to leverage his power. There was no reason for Yuan Chuan to deceive him, especially regarding Jiang Ruan. His own scouts had no reason to lie either. Given Jiang Ruan's precarious situation, why was she so calm?
Xiao Shao's Brocade-clad Guards were indeed searching everywhere for Jiang Ruan, which was to be expected. However, Xuan Pei in the palace had remained strangely inactive. Xuan Li didn’t believe Xuan Pei was the type to sit idly by—he should have been scheming to change the current situation. Yet, there was nothing. Xuan Pei was eerily quiet, showing remarkable composure even under house arrest.
As for the Zhao family and Jiang Xin Zhi, who had been imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, they hadn’t cried injustice. Despite daily interrogations by the Ministry of Justice, they refused to talk. With Xiao Shao's intervention, the officials dared not subject them to severe torture, but verbal threats had been relentless—yet none had worked.
Even Mu Xirou, who had already been sentenced to death, remained composed upon learning she would be executed in a dozen days, as if she had long anticipated this outcome. Most pawns, especially the crucial ones, were zealots who knew their fate. This was nothing unusual. Yet, Xuan Li had noticed that Mu Xirou’s calmness wasn’t the resignation of someone who had foreseen her end—it was more like a quiet, almost relieved joy. Joy?
Xuan Li felt a headache coming on. These people were too calm—so calm that it made him doubt his own supposedly foolproof plan. Now, with the appearance of a stranger bearing a token, his hesitation grew. He was someone who always ensured absolute certainty in his actions, and this time was no exception. Finally, he turned and silenced his advisors' debate with a dismissive wave, declaring they would wait and see before storming off.
But the change they were waiting for arrived far sooner than anyone expected.
For the very next day, Empress Dowager Yide announced startling news: Lin Wei, the former top scholar who had resigned and retreated from court life decades ago, had returned bearing an imperial edict from the late emperor, commanding his reinstatement.
The court erupted in uproar.Lin Wei's reputation among the older generation of civil and military officials was nothing short of resounding. Even among the younger officials in the court today, their fathers and uncles in their households were well aware of him. Such a man, who held immense influence over the Da Jin Dynasty, had suddenly returned with such high-profile fanfare at a time when the political climate was unpredictable. While this aligned with Lin Wei's usual unrestrained style, it was still utterly shocking.
Instantly, two opposing waves surged within the court. One faction vehemently opposed Lin Wei's return to office, even if he held the late Emperor's decree. They dredged up his past resignation and seclusion, arguing that if he had truly been devoted to the nation, why had he left so carefreely before? His sudden return now must harbor ulterior motives. The other faction, however, fervently supported Lin Wei, praising his extraordinary talent and strategic acumen, insisting that his presence in the court would usher in prosperity for the Da Jin Dynasty and bring blessings to its people. Among the current civil officials, who could rival Lin Wei's brilliance? Such a prodigious talent naturally deserved to be entrusted with great responsibilities.
Those opposing Lin Wei were naturally Xuan Li's supporters. From the moment they saw Lin Wei's first meeting with Empress Dowager Yide, they were convinced of some underlying conspiracy. As for those supporting Lin Wei, they weren’t necessarily backing the Thirteenth Prince, but were mostly veteran court officials who had ties with Lin Wei. Decades later, Lin Wei's influence among civil officials remained undiminished. If Liu Min was the model for scholars, Lin Wei was the epitome of civil officials, having perfected the path of a scholar-official. He could boldly reprimand the Emperor, indulge in carefree revelry, maintain close ties with the Crown Prince, and yet withdraw gracefully, leaving behind an impeccable reputation—a dream scenario for any civil official.
In truth, Lin Wei couldn’t care less about what others said of him. Empress Dowager Yide's Imperial Decree had been issued, and Lin Wei still held the late Emperor's Imperial Edict. Who could possibly restrain him now? Moreover, those supporting his return were all highly respected veteran officials, leaving no one with the power to oppose him. Thus, the once-resigned Tanhua (third-ranked scholar) made a grand and dramatic return under the watchful eyes of all.
Now that he was back, everyone couldn’t help but speculate about his motives. True to form, Lin Wei lived up to expectations, displaying his old audacity. On his second day back in office, he openly submitted a memorial in court advocating for the swift appointment of an heir apparent—and made it unequivocally clear that he supported none other than the Thirteenth Prince, Xuan Pei.
The situation quickly devolved into farce. No one had anticipated Lin Wei would make such a move. Immediately, Xuan Li's supporters clashed with Lin Wei in court. But who was Lin Wei? A man who had once outdebated a room full of scholars. Even after over two decades, his skills hadn’t dulled—if anything, his words had grown even more biting and sarcastic. At first glance, his arguments seemed innocuous, but upon closer listening, they revealed a razor-sharp wit. He left Xuan Li's supporters red-faced and speechless, their anger boiling but their tongues tied.If it were just that, it would be one thing, but Lin Wei also began lobbying other officials. As a scholar himself, he sought out fellow civil officials in the court—most of them elderly figures of considerable status and influence. Naturally, they also shared a deep friendship with him. Given their existing ties, Lin Wei's leadership-like stature among the civil officials, and his silver tongue, it took only a few days for most of the previously hesitant civil officials to firmly align themselves with the faction of the Thirteenth Prince.
In this world, civil officials may seem to lack real power, but their influence should never be underestimated. Their students are spread across the land, and scholars inherently hold significant sway among the common people. If all their praise were directed solely toward the Thirteenth Prince, Xuan Pei, even if Xuan Li later ascended the throne, his reputation would likely suffer. Lin Wei's actions grew increasingly brazen, until even someone as patient as Xuan Li could no longer endure it.
"If this continues, the civil officials' words alone will drown us," an advisor urgently warned. "Your Highness, we cannot let this go on. We must act soon—the longer we delay, the more likely Lin Wei will deceive the entire populace of Jin Dynasty."
Xuan Li's gaze darkened. Naturally, he understood the reasoning behind it—Lin Wei had actually been plotting this all along. Though he didn't know how Xuan Pei and Lin Wei had connected, to Xuan Li, Lin Wei's existence was like a fly, utterly nauseating. Slowly turning the jade ring on his finger, he said coldly, "This can't be tolerated any longer. It's time to act."
...
After returning to the Brocade Hero King Manor, Butler Lin removed his official robes. After so many years, he had grown accustomed to comfortable fabrics and ordinary styles, finding the stiff, ornate garments extremely uncomfortable.
Just as he changed into his usual clothes and stepped outside, he sensed something amiss. Looking up, he saw Jin San lounging leisurely on the eaves, watching him with amusement. Butler Lin was momentarily stunned before huffing in irritation, "What are you staring at? A young lady should mind her posture!"
His huffing and puffing might have been comical in the past, but paired with his now-handsome face, it just seemed out of place. Jin San spat out the blade of grass in her mouth, flipped down, and landed in front of him, shaking her head. "Tsk tsk, clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse. Old Lin, you clean up pretty well."
"This old man has always been a dashingly handsome gentleman," Butler Lin replied smugly. "At least you have good taste."
"Not just handsome, but also a great talent," Jin San raised an eyebrow. "Your recent maneuvers in court have been the talk of our Brocade-clad Guards. They say you're a true master hiding your skills, playing the fool to trap the wise, enduring hardships for revenge, cunning and deceitful, shameless and despicable..."
At first, the words sounded flattering, but the more Butler Lin listened, the more off they seemed. He quickly cut her off, "Hold on, hold on—what kind of nonsense is that? Do you even know how to use idioms? Is that supposed to be praise?"
Jin San stuck out her tongue. "Don't blame me for not being as learned as Butler Lin. Anyway, there's something I need to tell you." She pulled out a thick stack of papers from her robe. Butler Lin was momentarily stunned before unfolding them—they were banknotes from the Four Seas Bank, a hefty pile worth over a hundred thousand taels. He blinked. "What's the meaning of this?"
"Now that you're an official in court, you need funds for everything. And didn't you say you needed to trick people into dealing with the Eighth Prince? Those men aren't fools—they won't obey you without benefits. Scholars are the most hypocritical—they claim money is trivial, but in truth, they crave as much as they can get. Our Brocade-clad Guards figured your funds might be running low, and we couldn't let you sell off your own marriage savings. So everyone chipped in a bit for you to bribe your so-called scholarly friends. That's all we could scrape together—don't expect more."Butler Lin paused for a moment upon hearing this, then turned his gaze to Jin San. Jin San met his eyes frankly without the slightest hint of awkwardness. Butler Lin, who had cared for Xiao Shao since childhood, was quite familiar with the Brocade-clad Guards. This man usually seemed unreliable, but who would have guessed he had such a significant background? The fact that he was willing to live incognito by Xiao Shao's side for so many years alone showed he was a man of steadfast determination. Moreover, Butler Lin had always disliked using the manor's funds, preferring to pay for everything from his own pocket. But he wasn't a bank—where would he get so much silver? Though the Brocade-clad Guards hadn't personally experienced the court's affairs, they'd at least heard enough to know Butler Lin wasn't having an easy time. That was why they'd pooled some silver to send over.
"How could I take silver from youngsters!" Butler Lin fumed. "And from women, no less! Wouldn't that make me spineless?"
"Oh? Weren't you the one buttering up the princess consort when you were still the butler?" Jin San remarked blandly. "Who was that again? Ah, right—that was Butler Lin. But there's no Butler Lin in the manor now, only Lin Tanhua. The old one must've been forgotten already. Ah well. If you don't want it, forget it. Pity our young madam went out of her way to help the manor, only for someone to cling to their pride and make things difficult over some ridiculous sense of dignity. Ah, what a shame—" With that, he plucked the banknote from Butler Lin's hand and turned to leave.
"Stop right there!" Butler Lin barked, striding over in a few steps and snatching the note back. "It'd be heartless of me to refuse the younger generation's filial piety. I'll reluctantly accept it." Jin San's last remark had struck a chord. Indeed, pride and face meant nothing now—the only thing that mattered was helping the Thirteenth Prince ascend the throne. This silver was indispensable. No matter how much the Brocade Hero King Manor had, if war truly broke out, where would the military pay for the troops come from? Butler Lin had already been feeling the pinch these past few days. Everything came at a cost—no matter how silver-tongued he was, empty promises without substance wouldn't suffice.
Jin San smiled charmingly, flipping his hair with a coquettish flair. "Actually, this silver isn't free. In fact, I have a favor to ask of you, Butler Lin."
"What is it?" Butler Lin asked curiously. Jin San rarely ever asked him for anything.
"Well, I've taken a fancy to the young master of the Garrison General's Residence and plan to slip a love poem by his bedside tonight. The thing is, I'm not very good at writing love poems. Since you were the Tanhua scholar back in the day, your literary skills must be excellent. Do me this favor, won't you?"
"Get lost!" Butler Lin stormed off with a dark expression, muttering under his breath all the way: "No sense of propriety... a young lady writing love poems... slipping them under beds... what disgraceful behavior!"
Only after Butler Lin had left did Jin San shrug. Jin Si dropped down from the eaves behind and walked over, watching Butler Lin's retreating figure with a sigh. "He's had it rough."No matter how handsome his features were, they couldn't conceal the exhaustion in his expression. These past few days, Butler Lin had been tirelessly lobbying—partly to build momentum for the Thirteenth Prince, but more importantly to pressure Xuan Li. Just like in warfare, the first attack rouses spirits, the second weakens them, and the third exhausts them. To make someone as habitually patient as Xuan Li anxious required considerable skill. Butler Lin's relentless persuasion and continuous efforts to win over civil officials would eventually unsettle Xuan Li. Under such unease, he would only hasten to execute his plans. Only then would Butler Lin's wish be fulfilled.
"I hope his efforts won't be in vain," Jin Si said.
"Let's hope so," Jin San replied, his usual playful expression fading. "I just hope it won't betray the sacrifice and plans of the young mistress."
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