The council meeting concluded with the Emperor announcing his displeasure before dismissing the court. He summoned four or five trusted ministers to the North Palace for further discussions. Initially intending to include Huo Bu Yi, a glance at the Crown Prince's darkened expression made him signal his adopted son with a meaningful look. Truthfully, Huo Bu Yi wished to return to his residence immediately to deal with Luo Jitong, but since his adoptive father had caught him, he had no choice but to follow the Crown Prince back to the Eastern Palace.
"Utter lawlessness! The audacity!" The Crown Prince tore off his ceremonial crown and slammed it onto the table, sending several gleaming pearls rolling across the floor.
In the rear hall of the Eastern Palace, the council chamber was flanked by three or four individuals on each side—some clad in the crimson and black court robes of officials, others in the wide-sleeved robes of advisors. Hearing the Crown Prince's outburst, they quickly voiced their agreement.
"Your Highness speaks truly!" One man straightened and clasped his hands, declaring loudly, "The court issued the Land Measurement Decree to survey the fields and populations of all provinces, counties, and districts, facilitating future tax collection and governance. The world belongs to the state, and the state belongs to the court. Surveying land and population is the court's rightful duty—how dare anyone question it!"
Another echoed, "Exactly! After decades of war and turmoil, the realm is finally unified and at peace. Yet the land and population records from the previous dynasty bear little resemblance to today's reality. Without proper surveys, how can the state be governed?"
A sharp-eyed young man sneered coldly, "None of you have touched the crux of the matter! Land and people inherently belong to no one. The reason the Land Measurement Decree faces such resistance is that some fear the court will restrict their land annexation and hoarding of servants! If all the land and people fall into the hands of powerful families, where will the court collect taxes? Who will perform corvée labor? By then, will the world still belong to the court?"
"Shaocheng, mind your words!" The second imperial son-in-law, seated to the Crown Prince's lower right, cautioned softly. "Do not exaggerate—things are not so dire. Such talk could bring you trouble if overheard."
The Crown Prince, on the verge of praising Shaocheng, hesitated at his brother-in-law's interruption and turned to Huo Bu Yi. "Zisheng, what do you think?"
Seated to the Crown Prince's lower left, Huo Bu Yi smiled faintly. "Everyone has made valid points."
"I absolutely cannot agree with the imperial son-in-law!" Shaocheng exclaimed. "With the realm newly stabilized, there should be no land or population annexation. Clearly, these powerful families—"
"Allow me to interject," a middle-aged scholar cut in. "Had the two of you spoken thus at today's Grand Court Assembly, both would have faced criticism. Some would say the imperial son-in-law's family, with generations of high-ranking officials, has countless annexed lands and servants, hence his dismissive tone. Others would accuse Shaocheng, coming from humble origins, of coveting the wealthy families' lands for himself."
Shaocheng fumed, "Nonsense!"
The second imperial son-in-law turned to Huo Bu Yi. "Zisheng, your thoughts?"
Huo Bu Yi glanced at the sky outside. "Both sides have merit."
"Ah!" The Crown Prince struck his knee with a fist. "His Majesty is too lenient. These 'powerful clans and militia leaders' possess land, people, and weapons—yet they openly defy the Land Measurement Decree in front of court officials! And the local magistrates fear them, accepting bribes and allowing them to underreport, shifting the burden onto commoners with heavier taxes and corvée labor. Hmph! It seems officials will once again drive the people to rebellion!"The second son-in-law laughed and said, "Your Highness, look at the bright side—it shows that the powerful clans of the world are not omnipotent, and the corrupt officials are not an unbreakable bloc. While some collude with local tyrants to harm the people, there are also righteous officials who cannot stand such injustice and have reported these unlawful acts to the court within days."
A young man with thick eyebrows and big eyes laughed loudly, "Ever since marrying the princess, every word from the Commandant's mouth has been music to our ears, like a refreshing breeze!"
The hall erupted in laughter again. Shao Cheng asked, "May I ask, Crown Prince, what do you intend to do?"
The Crown Prince said solemnly, "I intend to petition His Majesty the Emperor to punish all powerful clans that have concealed their unlawful acts—beheading those who deserve it and exterminating their clans where necessary!"
At these words, Shao Cheng and several others loudly cheered. The second son-in-law said, "Your Highness, I believe this is inappropriate, and His Majesty would not approve." Several others behind him voiced similar opinions.
The Crown Prince looked at Huo Bu Yi, who glanced around the room as everyone fell silent. At first, Huo Bu Yi thought it might be better to let the Emperor, his adoptive father, personally 'educate' his son. But considering the Emperor and the Crown Prince's deep affection for him, he patiently said, "Your Highness, allow me to ask—if the investigation reveals that eight or nine out of ten powerful clans have concealed their circumstances, would you truly behead them all and exterminate their clans?"
The Crown Prince remained silent. Shao Cheng shouted, "Emperor Wu of the previous dynasty issued the 'Order to Relocate to Maoling,' commanding powerful clans to migrate on schedule to weaken their influence. Why can't our Emperor do the same?!"
Someone sneered, "Emperor Wu also exhausted the nation's resources in endless wars. Do you want His Majesty to emulate that too?"
"You—!" Shao Cheng was furious.
"Enough!" the Crown Prince said.
The hall fell silent. The Crown Prince scanned the crowd and said sternly, "All of you may withdraw for now. The Commandant and Zisheng will stay."
The officials bowed and filed out, though Shao Cheng left indignantly, dragged away by his colleagues.
Only the three of them remained in the hall. The Crown Prince glanced sideways at Huo Bu Yi. "You stand aloof, utterly unconcerned. Aren't you afraid these 'powerful clan leaders' will bring disaster to the nation and its people?"
Huo Bu Yi smiled. "Most powerful clans will not resist. The 'New Policies' of Emperor Li from the previous dynasty are still fresh in memory. If pushed too far, they fear another 'Imperial Land Decree'—where all mountains, rivers, and fields would be seized by the court. Now, His Majesty is only conducting land measurement. Though they may resent it, as long as His Majesty shows determination, they will comply."
The Crown Prince pressed, "Why can't His Majesty simply enforce the 'Order to Relocate to Maoling'?"
Huo Bu Yi thought to himself: Why? You’ll understand once His Majesty gives you a good beating. If one beating isn’t enough, two will do. But aloud, he patiently began to explain—"Before Emperor Gao unified the realm, the land had endured centuries of warfare. Under the rule of the Zhou Son of Heaven, feudal lords and nobles ceaselessly attacked one another. Later, the First Emperor swept through the land in conquest, yet peace lasted but briefly before heroes rose against the tyrannical Qin, plunging the world back into war. When the King of Chu finally destroyed Qin, his unfair enfeoffment of nobles soon led Emperor Gao to rise against him, and war continued. In the end, when the King of Chu fell at Wu River, fewer than five of the original contenders for supremacy remained. After founding the dynasty, Emperor Gao nearly had to reconquer the entire realm again to eliminate the non-imperial kings. Empress Lü and Emperor Wen nurtured recovery, until Emperor Jing dealt with the imperial kinsmen kings—by then, after years of continuous warfare, not only were the common people suffering, but even the powerful clans were left gasping for breath..."
"Why are you saying all this?" The Crown Prince frowned.
Huo Bu Yi replied, "My point is—this is also partly His Majesty's fault."
"Zisheng, don't speak nonsense," the Second Princess's Consort said nervously.
Huo Bu Yi smiled gently. "His Majesty was too brilliant and martial—he unified the realm too quickly. Rebuilding from ruins is actually easier than reforming an established order. Emperor Wu could implement the 'Order to Move to Maoling' because firstly, his temperament was severe and harsh, and secondly, the powerful clans of his time were far weaker than today's. To put it bluntly, after Emperor Li usurped the throne and plunged the world into chaos, the chaos didn't last long enough. These aristocratic families suffered heavy blows during the wars but never had their foundations destroyed—though such words cut to the heart of the matter. Can we say this openly?"
The Crown Prince remained silent, while the Second Princess's Consort exhaled slightly in relief.
"Our dynasty inherited the realm from the previous dynasty. While unification came much faster, we also inherited many of its flaws. Families like the Lous, the Liangs, the Yuans, the Gengs—oh, and Consort Dou's family—these weren't clans His Majesty raised. On the contrary, they provided significant assistance when His Majesty founded the state. Families like the Yuans and Liangs joined His Majesty while still controlling multiple commanderies. Your brother-in-law's uncle once governed the four Hexi commanderies with peaceful, prosperous people and strong armies—they weren't desperate with nowhere to turn, yet they still pledged allegiance sincerely. Crown Prince, what could His Majesty have done?"
"Should he have refused their allegiance? Over the years, these ministers have served diligently, campaigning and governing for His Majesty without fault. Should His Majesty have simply raised his sword and slaughtered them? Not every emperor can casually execute meritorious officials and exterminate their clans. At the very least, our Emperor cannot."
The Crown Prince thought of Zhou Yafu and sighed inwardly.
The Second Princess's Consort's eyes grew moist as he bowed sincerely to Huo Bu Yi. "Zisheng, I thank you for these words!" Raising his head, he added, "The title 'meritorious official' sounds honorable but is difficult to uphold. No wonder His Majesty and Your Highness have reservations. For the sake of good governance, land measurement is imperative, yet we descendants of meritorious families are numerous, and incidents inevitably arise that hinder the court's grand plans..."
"Enough," the Crown Prince snapped at the consort. "You are you, and your family is your family. If not for avoiding your cousin, you wouldn't have lain low all this time, idling away your days composing poetry and music with Second Sister."
The consort smiled. "Actually, composing poetry and music in leisure is its own kind of freedom."
"Spare me!" the Crown Prince retorted irritably. Turning back to Huo Bu Yi, he eyed him with slight puzzlement. "Somehow, I feel you're in an unusually... cheerful mood today?""Oh, is that so?" Huo Buyi's long eyebrows arched gracefully, his handsome eyes deep as pools. Though he said little, one could clearly sense the bright ease emanating from him.
The Second Princess's consort chuckled lightly. When the Crown Prince asked why, he replied, "Your Highness may not know, but a few days ago, Zisheng asked me to inquire about something—whether Prefect Wan Songbai of Xu Commandery was properly conducting land measurements."
The Crown Prince couldn't immediately recall the reason behind this, so the consort reminded him, "Prefect Wan and Cheng Xiaowei are sworn brothers."
The Crown Prince paused, then let out a sarcastic "Oh."
Huo Buyi said gently, "May I ask, Commander, how is Prefect Wan's situation?"
The consort smiled. "Rest assured, I've made thorough inquiries. Prefect Wan is at odds with his clan relatives, so the Wan family members cannot bully others by relying on his influence. Land measurement in Sui County's Wan family proceeded very smoothly. As for Xu Commandery, Prefect Wan has both troops and wealth—he neither fears intimidation from local magnates nor covets their bribes. Thus, land measurement in Xu Commandery also went smoothly."
Huo Buyi was relieved, then promptly turned stern: "Commander, you are truly vexing. Back when you asked me about the Second Princess's habits, I never told a soul. Yet you immediately blabbed about what I entrusted to you. Fine, then I shall also have a word with His Majesty and Your Highness. Did you know, Your Highness, that before His Majesty bestowed the marriage, the consort and the princess were in the garden—"
"Stop, stop!" The consort flushed crimson, flustered. "Alright, alright, it's all my fault! Don't say another word. For the sake of how well the princess has treated you since childhood, for the sake of last time... oh..."
Suddenly, he remembered something. "Ah, I haven't settled accounts with you yet! Your Highness, let me tell you—three years ago, I trekked over mountains and through wilderness to visit this rascal at the border city. Yet he pretended not to know me! I spent an entire day searching the camp, thinking I'd gone to the wrong place!"
Huo Buyi laughed. "Who told you to dress so gaudily? The border is harsh—soldiers despise those flashy young nobles!"
The Crown Prince finally couldn't hold back and burst into laughter. Once he composed himself, he turned serious again. "In Zisheng's view, how will Father deal with local magnates defying the Land Measurement Decree?"
Huo Buyi thought for a moment. "His Majesty will first punish the commandery prefects who concealed land and population records—likely executing several. After all, they are the court's key officials. Disregarding national laws, they bear the primary blame. Then the court will intensify land measurements and observe the local magnates' response. If they yield and comply obediently, so be it. If they persist in defiance or even raise troops in rebellion..." He trailed off, letting the cold glint in his eyes convey his resolve.
The Crown Prince nodded. He had thought the same—it aligned well with his father's habit of giving people a chance to reconsider. He then asked, "What does the consort think?"
The consort, still wiping cold sweat from Huo Buyi's earlier scare with a silk handkerchief, grumbled, "This rascal is rarely far off the mark in matters great and small—except when it comes to his own marriage."
With serious matters mostly concluded, Huo Buyi rose to take his leave. The Crown Prince had wanted to ask about his marriage progress, but the consort stopped him with a look, so he simply watched Huo Buyi depart.
Gazing at Huo Buyi's tall, vigorous figure, the consort couldn't help but sigh. "If not for that scoundrel Ling Yi's evil deeds and the tragic deaths of his kin, Zisheng would surely be the most dashing and forthright young man in the Capital City. Ah, how fate plays cruel tricks."
The Crown Prince also sighed.
...Upon returning to his residence, Huo Bu Yi heard that Luo Jitong was still waiting. He first went to change into casual attire before heading to meet her.
Luo Jitong sat anxiously in the side hall, and when she saw Huo Bu Yi enter, she tensed and straightened up.
Huo Bu Yi did not look at her as he walked in. "I thought you already knew. It wasn’t until today’s court session that I learned your father is still outside the city. I suppose you don’t yet know what I said to him."
Luo Jitong suddenly blurted out, "I saw the bite mark on Cheng Shaoshang’s arm!"
Huo Bu Yi turned to face her, studied her for a moment, then slowly rolled up his own sleeve. Sure enough, there was a scarred bite mark on his upper right arm, now a deep pink.
"...So it’s true. So it’s true." Luo Jitong slumped back into her seat, murmuring, "No wonder you’re always touching your right arm." She suddenly looked up. "All these years, you’ve never forgotten her?!"
Huo Bu Yi silently confirmed.
"You—how could you treat me like this?" Tears welled in Luo Jitong’s eyes. "Since childhood, you’ve never let anyone get close to you. Yet you allowed me to meddle in your household affairs. I thought you were willing to accept me, but it was all just a dream! You—you deceived me so cruelly!"
Huo Bu Yi corrected, "Deception is too strong a word. Misleading would be more accurate."
Luo Jitong sobbed, "How could you do this to me! I gave you my sincere heart. If you didn’t want to accept it, fine, but why mislead me and waste all these years of my youth?" She gazed at him tearfully. "After all this time, have you never felt even the slightest affection for me?"
Huo Bu Yi considered for a moment before replying coolly, "No."
Luo Jitong’s face turned deathly pale.
"We knew each other long before Shao Shang appeared. Given how useful you’ve been to me over the years, I’ll make sure you understand completely today." Huo Bu Yi clasped his hands behind his back and walked to the window. "I’ve long known what kind of person the Fifth Princess is—brutal, narrow-minded, and indulgent. Yet you, Luo Niangzi, renowned for your virtue and reason, got along with her famously. Tell me, what was I supposed to think of you?"
Luo Jitong protested tearfully, "I did it for my father and brothers! The Luo family is mediocre. If I didn’t attach myself to the Fifth Princess, how could Consort Xuan speak for my family?"
"So you stood by as the Fifth Princess beat innocent palace maids to death and drowned young girls who dared to glance at me—then covered for her in front of the consort?"
Luo Jitong immediately fell silent.
Huo Bu Yi’s gaze was icy. "Still, at the time, I thought you were just an ordinary woman clinging to power. It wasn’t until the Grand Empress Dowager of Huai'an’s birthday banquet that I realized I’d misjudged you. Who would have thought you were so ruthless?" He smirked mockingly. "Let me ask you—how did your personal maid, Chuntiao, die?"
Luo Jitong paled, stammering, "She—she… wasn’t it the Fifth Princess who—"
Huo Bu Yi scoffed. "Everyone assumed the Fifth Princess was responsible, but I later realized something was off. A woman of noble birth like you wouldn’t just pick a maid off the streets. Servants like that usually have entire families working for the Luo household. Take Shao Shang—her personal maids are all daughters of Cheng Xiaowei’s private army. How could a maid whose whole family is under the Luo family’s control be so easily bribed by the Fifth Princess?""Furthermore, after the incident, Fifth Princess quickly confessed to framing Shao Shang. With her reckless and domineering temperament, she wouldn’t go to such lengths to silence a maid—because she wasn’t afraid of being exposed. The one who wanted to silence the maid was you, Luo Niangzi, wasn’t it? Unfortunately, by the time I uncovered the clues, you were already set to marry far away in the northwest."
Luo Jitong wiped her tears and sneered, "So you’ve already made up your mind about me? If that’s the case, why did you tolerate my closeness?"
"If you were truly a kind and virtuous woman, I would have stayed far away from you."
Luo Jitong said bitterly, "You only see my flaws, but can’t you see any of my merits? I kept my promises and devoted myself to serving my late husband and the Jia family elders..."
Huo Bu Yi laughed mockingly. "Luo Niangzi, stop pretending. Others might not guess your intentions, but you can’t deceive me. The Luo family has been declining for decades, and their daughters’ marriages are all used to forge ties with the powerful. Your aunts and sisters accepted their fate, but you refused. Knowing full well that the Jia family’s son was frail and sickly, you still acted self-righteous and insisted on marrying him, playing the victim in public and private. So your parents promised you that when you remarried, you’d have full control. Am I wrong?"
Luo Jitong’s chest burned with anger. "So what if it’s true? The first marriage is arranged by the father, the second is up to oneself. When I became a widow, it was my chance to decide for myself—what’s wrong with that? Do you think I didn’t investigate the families that wanted to marry me back then? Those families looked glamorous, but the ones willing to marry me were all worthless sons, expecting me to discipline them! The Jia family was also a prominent household. Marrying those good-for-nothings was worse than marrying into the Jia family—at least I could remarry soon! Do you know how much I envy Cheng Shaoshang? Though her background isn’t as good as mine, her parents genuinely cared for her. She’s beautiful, yet her parents never thought of using her to curry favor with the powerful!"
Thinking of the girl, Huo Bu Yi unconsciously smiled softly. "Actually, her parents were afraid she’d cause trouble and embarrass them, so they never dared to marry her into a high-ranking family. You acted too well—virtuous, kind, and capable—so of course your family wanted to marry you into a prestigious household. Maybe you should have learned from Shao Shang and ruined your reputation a little... Oh, no, you couldn’t. You cherish your reputation, your future—you couldn’t let go of anything, so in the end, you had to take someone else’s life."
Luo Jitong stiffened. "What do you mean?"
Huo Bu Yi spoke word by word. "How did your late husband, Jia Qilang, really die?"
Luo Jitong felt dizzy, barely able to stand. "You—you—" She steadied herself. "I did nothing! You can’t slander me just to push me away!"
"I never make baseless accusations." Huo Bu Yi stared at her like aiming at a target, his gaze icy and merciless. "Everyone says Jia Qilang’s new bride was the most virtuous woman in the world, but I know the truth. Back then, there was an elderly and frail Imperial Physician in the Everlasting Autumn Palace. You followed him around for months. I recall that physician specialized in medicinal diets and knew all about obscure, unknown incompatible substances."
"After Jia Qilang passed away, the Imperial Physician Cui Hou took to the border city once remarked how strange it was. Jia Qilang’s weak constitution was congenital—he had seen many such cases and had even treated Jia Qilang before. He didn’t think the condition was severe enough to prevent him from reaching twenty.""Jia Qilang's parents were extremely protective of their only son and likely kept detailed records of his diet back then. Luo Niangzi, if I were to have them test the meals you prepared for Jia Qilang at that time, what result do you think we'd find? Hmm, while ordinary people might merely feel discomfort, when administered to the chronically ill Jia Qilang, it would prove fatal."
Luo Jitong swayed unsteadily, pleading pitifully: "I didn't mean to! I did it for you, Eleventh Master! I've loved you since childhood. When I saw you arrive in Liangzhou sick and injured, I wanted to care for you! I couldn't let you go!"
Huo Bu Yi regarded her coldly: "Though Shao Shang may speak harshly, she has never harmed innocent people. Your words may sound sweet, but you harm others without hesitation. What crime did Jia Qilang commit? How innocent were his parents, grieving their son in old age!"
"He was going to die anyway!" Luo Jitong cried out.
"All men must die—the only difference lies in the length of their years," Huo Bu Yi said sternly. "The Imperial Physician mentioned he'd seen patients with conditions as weak as Jia Qilang's who, with proper care, not only married and had children upon reaching adulthood but lived into their forties. But of course, you couldn't wait that long."
Luo Jitong straightened her posture, roughly wiping away her tears as she laughed mockingly. "Fine, fine! Since you regard me as a venomous snake, why haven't you exposed all my misdeeds?"
"Because you once saved A Fei's life."
Luo Jitong froze.
Huo Bu Yi continued, "The fathers, grandfathers, and uncles of the Liangqiu brothers all died in battle alongside my father. It is my duty to provide for their widows and orphans. That year, if you hadn't released the Spirit Hound to search, A Fei would have frozen to death on the snowy ridge—that's why I didn't inform the Jia family."
Luo Jitong's eyes brightened with hope, only for the next sentence to shatter it.
"However, yesterday I already told your father. Once he returns from outside the city, he will deal with you." Huo Bu Yi said, "I told him he must either marry you off far away, never to return in this lifetime, or confine you—regardless, you saved A Fei's life, and I spare yours. We're even."
A chill ran through Luo Jitong's heart as she murmured blankly, "I... I don't understand. Since you knew everything, why did you let me get close to you? Why let me—let everyone—misunderstand that you were willing to marry me? If you never intended to marry me, then why..."
Her voice trailed off as she met Huo Bu Yi's shadowed gaze, and she shuddered. "Oh, I see now. I understand. You used me as a decoy. You did it on purpose!"
Huo Bu Yi stood by the window, his back to the light. "Five years ago, I decided to let Shao Shang go. I hoped she would never suffer grievances again, that she would marry well and live a peaceful life. I didn’t want to hinder her, nor could I let Your Majesty or the Crown Prince hinder her. With you in the picture, everyone would be at ease about me."
Luo Jitong still didn’t comprehend. "But you can delay for a while, not forever! Once Cheng Shaoshang marries, you’ll have to wed someone eventually—if not me, then someone else. Why go to such lengths—" She cut herself off.
Huo Bu Yi’s faint smile made her realize the truth, and she gasped in disbelief. "You... you don’t intend to marry anyone at all! No, no, that’s impossible. You must continue your family’s Incense offering. The Huo clan was wiped out—how can you selfishly sever the bloodline?!"
"Why not?" Bathed in the sunlight streaming through the window, Huo Bu Yi’s profile was as flawless as cold jade. "A thousand years ago, there was no Huo family in this world either."
Luo Jitong was so furious she could barely speak, her chest heaving as she ground her teeth. "Hahaha! We’ve all been fooled by you! But Your Majesty won’t let you have your way! The Crown Prince will be furious—you, you—"
Huo Bu Yi gazed out the window, his eyes cool and profound. "If I don’t wish to marry, there are always ways. If I ever take a wife, it will be because she brings me joy—not for any other reason." Just like his loving and devoted parents.
No matter the bloodshed, fire, or hardships, a stubborn and proud youth still resided in his heart. He longed for a love like his parents’, for his future children to be born—like him and his five siblings—from genuine and beautiful affection, not tangled interests or the duty to continue the family line.
That was why he had never blamed his aunt Huo Junhua. Though she had been blind and misjudged her lover, her desire to marry the one she loved was never wrong.Huo Buyi felt he had said all that needed to be said. "You saved A Fei's life, so I spared yours. You framed Shao Shang, so I used you as a decoy for several years. Now our debts are settled. Luo Niangzi, this is farewell. I won't see you out." With that, he turned and left, his tall, elegant figure receding in the golden slanting sunlight.
Luo Jitong gazed after him, her heart aching with sorrow.
She had known all along she wasn't mistaken about him. The man she loved was unlike any other in the world—beneath his quiet, reserved exterior lay the purest and most fervent affection. A pity that affection was never meant for her.
"There's something I must tell you!" she suddenly shouted at Huo Buyi's retreating back, her voice dripping with malice. "The bite mark on Cheng Shaoshang's right arm has nearly faded. I suppose in her heart, you've already been forgotten too."
Huo Buyi paused but didn’t turn around. His reply was calm. "It seems I didn’t bite hard enough back then. But that’s no longer any concern of yours, Luo Niangzi."
Defeated, Luo Jitong slumped to the ground.
Author's Note: Can someone check if Chapter 150 is still locked? I resubmitted it.
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