At the entrance of the Dali Temple, the Chief Minister of Dali Temple was about to leave with his sword when the Minister of Revenue blocked him at the courtyard gate.
The Minister of Revenue maintained his usual leisurely demeanor: "Where are you off to? I’ve just acquired two liang of fine tea—come and sample it with me."
The Chief Minister of Dali Temple struggled to suppress his impatience: "I have official duties to attend to. If you wish to drink tea, feel free to do so yourself!"
The Minister of Revenue continued blocking his way: "What could possibly be delayed by the time it takes to drink a cup of tea? What kind of urgent matter is this?"
The Chief Minister of Dali Temple was growing frantic but could not simply cut down the old man obstructing him: "There has been a public murder."
The Minister of Revenue: "I’ve heard about it too, but I also heard the Minister of Justice was present and witnessed it himself. There’s no need for you to join the commotion, is there?"
The Chief Minister of Dali Temple: "Are you deliberately delaying matters that His Highness the Crown Prince has ordered me to handle?"
The Minister of Revenue feigned confusion: "His Highness the Crown Prince gave you orders? What orders? Surely not regarding a murder case? Such a trivial public killing hardly requires your attention. Are you trying to deceive me by invoking the Crown Prince’s name?"
After a lengthy back-and-forth, the Chief Minister of Dali Temple gradually calmed.
He stared at the old man: "It seems the Minister has no intention of letting me leave. You hold the third rank, and I hold the third rank as well. How exactly do you plan to stop me from going out?"
The Minister of Revenue: "I hold the senior third rank, while you hold the junior third rank. Why be so agitated? We are colleagues—what harm is there in fostering camaraderie?"
The Chief Minister of Dali Temple let out a cold laugh and immediately ordered his subordinates: "Guards! On charges of obstructing official duties, kindly escort our esteemed Minister to sit and enjoy a pot of tea! Since the Minister wishes to drink tea, let him drink alone. I shall join him properly upon my return!"
With that, he straightened his attire, gripped his sword, strode out of the residence, mounted his horse, and led the assembled troops out of the imperial city.
The Minister of Revenue sighed. As long as he retained his official status, even if detained by the Chief Minister of Dali Temple for tea, no one would dare lay a hand on him. The only question was whether his position would still hold any power by the time the Chief Minister returned...
Utterly unbothered, the Minister of Revenue amiably allowed himself to be escorted inside to drink tea. As he meticulously and regretfully pinched the slender tea leaves he had carefully selected, he glanced outside at the cloudless sky.
He sighed inwardly: At least I’ve managed to delay things for a while. I wonder if this delay will make a difference to the situation over there...
Once the Ministry of Justice took the person into custody and acted decisively, there would be no turning back—
Yet, there was still room for reversal.
Princess Danyang’s unexpected return had thrown the Ministry of Justice officials, who had come to arrest the Vice Minister of Revenue, into disarray.
Originally, the Ministry of Justice had intended to exploit a vague pretext, using another case to detain the Vice Minister first. But now, with Mu Wan Yao’s return and her confirmation of the Vice Minister’s identity... on what grounds could the Ministry of Justice imprison a fourth-rank senior official?
In the official hierarchy of Great Wei, aside from the largely honorary first and second ranks, the highest substantive positions were of the third rank, followed by the fourth rank. Without an imperial decree, what authority did the Ministry of Justice have to detain a fourth-rank senior official?The Ministry of Justice remained deadlocked, unable to blatantly claim before the princess that the man was not the Vice Minister of Revenue but merely a fugitive... Such an insult to their intelligence was unbearable. Just as the ministry nearly conceded failure, an unexpected defection occurred from Mu Wan Yao's side—Yan Shang pressed his blade against the Vice Minister of Revenue's neck.
Mu Wan Yao: "Yan Shang, drop the knife!"
He was the last person she wished to have as an adversary.
Yan Shang glanced at her lightly before looking away. He resembled an emotionless jade statue; if personal sentiments had troubled him earlier, he now had no retreat. If the Vice Minister of Revenue avoided imprisonment, or even delayed it... how could the case proceed?
Without extracting a confession from the Vice Minister, who would answer for the countless lives lost in Yizhou?
Yan Shang cared little for his own absurdity, fearing only that if this plan failed, no one would dare challenge the Revenue officials again. These men would never acknowledge their faults, shielded at every misstep by figures like the princess... while the common people suffered and were sacrificed.
Yet from their lofty perches, they remained blind to the value of human life.
Life should never be so cheaply held.
Yan Shang turned toward the Ministry of Justice officials and asked softly, "Might I inquire, sir, if two officials engage in public altercation, should both not be detained for investigation?"
The Ministry of Justice officials evaded his gaze: "But he is a fourth-rank official..."
Implying: Your rank is too low. A fourth-rank official cannot be easily imprisoned for clashing with a minor official.
Yan Shang murmured, "If a seventh-rank official is injured by a fourth-rank official, does the law grant immunity?"
A gleam sparked in the Ministry of Justice officials' eyes. Mu Wan Yao, realizing his intent, signaled Fang Tong to intervene, but none could match Yan Shang's speed. In the blink of an eye, the previously threatened Vice Minister found the blade forced into his own hand by Yan Shang.
In the next moment, the Vice Minister's blade tip pressed against Yan Shang's chest.
Blood seeped forth.
Mu Wan Yao felt herself unraveling: "Yan Shang!"
Pale-faced, Yan Shang lifted his chin, his hand still gripping the Vice Minister's, both clasping the knife. Blood dripped from the blade—his own wound. Toppling a high official required personal sacrifice. The Ministry of Justice agents immediately moved to arrest both men.
Yan Shang had handed them a pretext. The ministry officials declared, "Your Highness, forgive our duty! Both are imperial officials yet brawled publicly, with the Vice Minister even wounding the other. By law and reason, they must be detained..."
Mu Wan Yao's gaze fixed on the deepening bloodstain on Yan Shang's chest. As the ministry agents advanced, she shot a sharp glance, and her Princess Residence guards unsheathed their blades in unison. The ministry officials paled. Mu Wan Yao's voice turned icy: "I have summoned the Dali Court officials. This case falls under their jurisdiction. Since this altercation occurred at my Princess Residence's gates, damaging my honor, I will resolve the matter before surrendering anyone to you."
The ministry officials exchanged startled looks: The Dali Court? How could the princess have alerted them so swiftly?
The princess was tearing off all pretenses. This was raw power—authority wielded without disguise, coercion unabashed.
Time pressed. The Ministry of Justice agents gritted their teeth: "The princess obstructs official duties! Show no mercy! Advance!"—The crowd remained deadlocked at the entrance of the Princess Residence. The Ministry of Justice personnel pressed closer toward the princess's side, and just as the two sides were about to clash, the reinforcements from the Dali Temple still had not arrived.
The Vice Minister of Revenue suddenly let out a low chuckle: "So that's it."
He finally understood Yan Shang's plan, finally understood that he was destined for prison today—and once imprisoned, he knew exactly what awaited him.
The Vice Minister of Revenue stepped backward. Yan Shang had been watching him closely. But as soon as Yan Shang moved to react, Fang Tong restrained him. Following the princess's orders, Fang Tong ensured Yan Shang could take no further action. Unable to intervene, Yan Shang could only watch helplessly as the Vice Minister of Revenue retreated five steps away.
The Vice Minister still held a blade in his hand.
The Ministry of Justice officials also kept their eyes on him: "He's trying to escape! Everyone be careful, don't let him get away!"
The Vice Minister was immediately amused: "Escape? You petty officials underestimate me far too much!"
He had no intention of escaping at all.
After retreating five steps, he faced the princess's direction, knelt with a thud, and kowtowed to Mu Wan Yao.
Mu Wan Yao's face turned pale.
With difficulty, she said: "Get up! With me here, you will not enter the Ministry of Justice prison today!"
The Vice Minister gazed deeply at the princess, smiling self-deprecatingly. When he turned to face Yan Erlang, his eyes turned much colder.
Kneeling on the ground, the Vice Minister declared: "Yan Erlang, this move of 'casting a brick to attract jade' is quite clever. What Zhang Shiyi Lang—he was merely bait. So it was me you truly wanted to imprison. What are you, anyway?
"You're nothing but a fame-seeker, using me to build your own reputation. 'Pleading for the people'! What a noble reputation! But what have I done wrong? Was I the mastermind behind the Yizhou affair? Wasn't I the one who sent you to provide disaster relief? Some financial exchanges in official circles are commonplace—what crime is there in that?
"You, with your arrogance and inflexibility, have driven both me and Her Highness to this point! My cousin died because of you, and you still aren't satisfied—you won't rest until I'm ruined too, is that it? I too have been working for the people! Without the Ministry of Revenue, without my maneuvering, who knows what state Yizhou would be in today! With your relentless pressure, you're nothing but a 'ruthless official'! How could such a name be remembered in history!"
No one had tended to Yan Shang's wounds.
Pale from blood loss, restrained by Fang Tong, and facing Mu Wan Yao's hostile gaze—where was his comfort in all this?
As the Vice Minister questioned him, Yan Shang's dark eyes shifted over. Staring at the other's impassioned speech, a chill also rose in Yan Shang's gaze.
Yan Shang said softly: "I have no use for the phrase 'pleading for the people,' and you are not worthy of mentioning it either. If I were seeking fame, I would not have returned to the city with the princess today. How dare you claim you've been working for the people? What about the seventy-two lives in Yizhou—or even more than that... You ask what crime you've committed, so let me ask you: what crime have the common people of this land committed? What crime have the people you deceived committed? Do they deserve this?
"You merely took some money, while they paid with their very lives.
"When I went to Yizhou to investigate, who did I target? Not just officials—but also the merchants colluding with them, the powerful local families buying grain from those merchants, the commoners forced to become bandits in the mountains... What crime did any of them commit?
"Did they deserve to have such officials? Did they deserve to suffer like this? Did they deserve to have no one speak up for them?""I am unworthy to claim I plead for the people, and you are even less qualified to question me with that."
Though spoken softly, the words struck like thunder.
The Vice Minister of Revenue’s face turned pale, then ashen, finally realizing he could not out-argue Yan Shang. He coldly left one last remark: "Yan Erlang, a word of advice—there are countless clever people in this world. Do not think you can truly control the game, that no one can turn the tables."
A sense of foreboding instantly gripped Yan Shang.
The Vice Minister of Revenue wasted no more words on him and turned to Mu Wan Yao. Seeing her somewhat dazed, the Vice Minister bowed deeply once more—
"Your Highness!
"Yan Erlang seeks to use me to build his reputation as a scholar, tarnish Your Highness’s standing, and harm the Crown Prince’s honor... I have served Your Highness since your youth, entrusted by your late mother. It was I who strayed from the path, failing in my duty as a loyal subject.
"I failed to manage my subordinates properly, I failed to restrain Yan Erlang. But this man is nothing but a fame-seeking opportunist. I cannot bear to see Your Highness deceived by his poisonous words! I must warn Your Highness—be vigilant against him, do not trust him!
"I took the wrong path, forcing Your Highness into an impossible position, leaving you vulnerable to such a villain’s coercion! My heart is filled with remorse—I cannot let Your Highness be held hostage by him. I... shall atone with my death!"
Mu Wan Yao: "You—"
But it was already too late.
No one possessed the Vice Minister’s resolve. As he spoke, he drew a blade, cast one last tearful glance at the Princess, and slit his throat right in the hall—unable to be stopped!
Even in death, he refused imprisonment, refused to confess.
Even in death, he refused to let Yan Shang’s plan proceed!
He had seen through Yan Shang’s intentions and shattered the game with his death, plunging today’s affairs into another deadlock!
Yan Shang’s face turned pale as he watched Mu Wan Yao let out a piercing cry, push through the crowd, and stumble forward to kneel beside the Vice Minister’s corpse. Clutching his hand, she could not wake him no matter how she called. Mu Wan Yao looked up, her eyes blazing with hatred as she stared at Yan Shang, whose face grew even whiter.
He had driven her step by step into a corner, causing the death of her most capable ally! She saw him as her enemy.
That single glance from her felt like a knife twisting in his heart, bleeding drop by drop.
Mu Wan Yao’s voice was hoarse: "Are you satisfied now, is that it?
"Driving me into a dead end—are you satisfied?!"
"Blocking the way in front, killing from behind... Yan Shang, who doesn’t know your methods!"
Yan Shang’s lips trembled, his eyes slightly red. He stood rigid under the blazing sun, his lips bloodless, the blood on his chest staining his robes darker. But he, too, had been forced into a corner by the Vice Minister—
The Vice Minister was dead!
He never confessed!
In the end, Yan Shang had lost!—
The Dali Court officials arrived belatedly, confronting the Ministry of Justice personnel in the crowded alley.
Mu Wan Yao knelt beside the body, gazing sorrowfully at the Vice Minister. Her mind swirled with rage and grief, but surely this game should end here?
With the Dali Court present, what charges could the Ministry of Justice possibly press? That absurd case of Zhang Shiyi Lang—could the Princess Residence really be held accountable?
The Ministry of Justice officials, looking embarrassed, knew they had lost with the Vice Minister’s death. They prepared to retreat in disgrace, awaiting the Princess’s future reckoning, when an extremely soft voice spoke: "It’s not over yet."
Mu Wan Yao, furious: "What more do you want?!"
That faint voice came from Yan Shang.
As if unyielding and unbreakable, he could not let go today, no matter what.Having come this far, there was no turning back... Looking back, Mu Wan Yao would blame him; moving forward, Mu Wan Yao would still blame him... There was no retreat left!
Fang Tong held onto Yan Shang, whose body swayed slightly. Yan Shang took two steps forward, his wide robes billowing in the wind. He knelt down, though it was unclear to whom he was kneeling.
Yan Shang lowered his head and whispered, "I want to reopen the case."
The officials from the Ministry of Justice did not understand: "Reopen what case?"
What case was there to reopen?
Yan Shang raised his head and looked toward Mu Wan Yao, but she turned her face away, refusing to meet his gaze. He watched her quietly, his expression filled with profound sorrow, his voice as faint as a wisp: "Previously, in my memorial, I stated that the disaster in Yizhou was solely the fault of the Yizhou Governor. Now, I wish to retract what I said that day.
"The disaster in Yizhou was not the fault of the Yizhou Governor alone. It was the collusion of all the officials in Yizhou, and their collusion with the Ministry of Revenue here in Chang'an... The Ministry of Revenue is not innocent. Having spent months in the Ministry of Revenue, I know what it is like. The entire Ministry of Revenue is a murky swamp—no one is clean."
The faces of the Ministry of Justice officials turned deathly pale.
The Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review paled drastically.
Mu Wan Yao abruptly lifted her head and looked at him.
The Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review spoke threateningly: "Yan Erlang, do you realize what you are saying? As an imperial official, to claim that what you stated in your memorial was wrong and to retract your previous report... even the Censorate will not spare you! Are you truly determined to do this?"
Yan Shang’s lips trembled slightly, but he remained silent.
The Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review’s expression turned cold: "You, as a single individual, are accusing all the officials of the Ministry of Revenue. Do you have evidence?"
Yan Shang said softly, "Am I not the witness?"
The lead investigator from the Ministry of Justice began to feel uneasy, realizing that this was not what had been agreed upon beforehand. Before coming here, no one had expected Yan Shang to stage such a dramatic move—even he, who had been eager to see the Crown Prince and the Ministry of Revenue embroiled in trouble, could not help but warn: "Accusing so many officials and retracting your previous memorial means admitting that you previously shielded them, admitting that you were complicit... Yan Erlang, no matter what happens to others, the law will punish you first.
"Only if you are proven innocent can you accuse others. The crimes you committed, whether shielding or colluding... in the Ministry of Justice, they will be met with severe punishment."
The Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review added coldly, "In the Court of Judicial Review, severe punishment will also be administered."
Yan Shang whispered, "Yes, I know. I admit my guilt. I submit to the law. I accept my punishment in full... I only ask that the crimes of others are not overlooked!"
Yan Shang was taken away by the Ministry of Justice.
The Court of Judicial Review was caught off guard by this turn of events. To avoid any appearance of impropriety, they could only watch helplessly as Yan Shang was taken away. The Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review immediately rushed to the palace to consult with the Crown Prince. Shortly after, Mu Wan Yao also entered the palace to discuss the current situation in greater detail with the Crown Prince.
With Yan Shang’s imprisonment and the severe punishment that awaited him, even if he survived, he would be left half-dead.
Within just half a day, memorials impeaching the Ministry of Revenue and Yan Shang flooded the Crown Prince’s desk.
By the dim light of the candles, the Crown Prince threw the memorials at Mu Wan Yao, gritting his teeth: "This fine hound you trained has turned around and bitten us! Yao Yao, this bite truly hurts!"
Mu Wan Yao closed her eyes, allowing the papers to strike her. When she opened them again, her face was as pale as snow, but her voice remained calm: "What’s the use of blaming anyone? What matters now is protecting the Ministry of Revenue."The Crown Prince sneered, "Protect? How can we protect? Just watch, starting tomorrow, all officials will submit memorials against us! Once this matter blows up, even our father who never attends to affairs will intervene! We can hardly protect ourselves!"
Mu Wan Yao abruptly stood up, her voice trembling with suppressed fury, "Even if it's difficult, we must protect it! Are we just going to admit defeat like this? Without even a struggle? Should our wings be clipped so easily? No matter what Eldest Brother thinks, I won't stand by and watch my influence be toppled!"
She turned and strode toward the palace gates.
The Crown Prince stared at her retreating figure, finally confirming that Mu Wan Yao was still on his side.
The Crown Prince said softly, "Little sister, this time we're going to lose a layer of skin, all because of Yan Shang. I want Yan Shang dead. You don't mind, do you?"
With her back to the Crown Prince, Mu Wan Yao's face turned as pale as paper.
Her expression was hollow.
Her entire being seemed like a puppet in a daze.
Yet she held herself together, turned back, and replied to the Crown Prince, "...I don't mind."—
After all, it had been said long ago.
Each would rely on their own abilities.
After all, she had warned him when she first became involved with Yan Shang.
After all, she had long declared—
If you stand against me, I will kill you—
So what wrong was there in that?
Was Yan Shang in the right? Were they supposed to be suppressed?
What wrong had she committed to have met Yan Shang, to have brought him into this circle, to have reached this point where enemies surrounded them on all sides—
The Crown Prince and Mu Wan Yao's fears were not unfounded.
Yan Shang, subjected to severe torture in the Ministry of Justice prison, clung to a thread of life and the next day accused all officials of the Ministry of Revenue.
Memorials from the Censorate and various court officials denouncing others continued unabated.
Some targeted the Ministry of Revenue, others targeted Yan Shang... It was a situation where everyone would perish together, a fight to the death.
Yan Shang had pushed the situation to such a brutal extreme that even if the Crown Prince's influence in the Ministry of Revenue collapsed, Yan Shang himself was unlikely to leave the Ministry of Justice prison alive. Especially since the Crown Prince had united too many people, all focusing on Yan Shang's reversed conviction, claiming he was unfit to be an official, fickle and untrustworthy—a man who lied even in memorials, whose words held no truth... His accusations could not be trusted!
Others argued that they were all birds of a feather—the Crown Prince should be investigated, and Danyang Princess, being a princess, should also be investigated, with a ban on princesses participating in politics! All these troubles stemmed from the Emperor's leniency toward his children, which had led to the current situation.
The officials aligned with Mu Wan Yao also fought desperately to argue the innocence of the Ministry of Revenue.
Yet there were ministers who claimed Yan Shang embodied the spirit of a principled scholar, fearless in the face of power, and that he should be given leniency—first investigate the Ministry of Revenue's affairs, then reward Yan Shang. However, such voices were currently weak and held little sway.
Amid the chaos, even the Secretariat stepped in.
Lord Liu spoke with resounding authority in the court, his spittle spraying across the faces of all the ministers, blocking those with ill intentions from deciding to execute Yan Shang. But though Lord Liu had driven them back with his rebuke, he knew it was only a temporary victory through sheer force of will... These people still wanted Yan Shang dead.
Because Yan Shang had torn open an unspoken wound in the officialdom.
Not only had he exposed the corruption in the Ministry of Revenue, he had made every official fear for their own safety, afraid that if they couldn't bring Yan Shang down, they might one day encounter someone like him who would strip them of their power...
The Emperor's mental state had improved somewhat recently, and due to the special circumstances, it was no longer appropriate for the Crown Prince to oversee the court... Today's morning court session was attended by the Emperor.
Listening to the indignant arguments below, the Emperor's expression remained calm.Finally, the Emperor temporarily relieved the Crown Prince of his duties, ordering the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice to jointly investigate the matter involving Yan Shang and the Ministry of Revenue. The Secretariat was put in charge of the case, overseeing it alongside the Censorate.
This became the major case before the year’s end. The Emperor decreed that the Secretariat must uncover the full truth, and anyone found guilty of favoritism would be dismissed and prosecuted—
Liu Wenji, as a eunuch, had the rare opportunity to participate in court affairs. Yet his face turned pale and ashen; from start to finish, he was unable to interject.
Moreover, he remained uncertain of the Emperor’s stance.
It is said that this matter was triggered by Zhang Shiyi Lang harassing a courtesan, and now everyone involved, including that courtesan, has been imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice's dungeon. Without surprise, Zhang Shiyi Lang will likely die in this case.
Liu Wenji was utterly bewildered.
He never expected Yan Shang to choose such a move to open the game... He had the Censorate impeach Yan Shang, making Yan Shang too preoccupied with his own affairs. Yet in the end, when Yan Shang made his opening move, he still used Zhang Shiyi Lang as a pawn to exact revenge for himself?
It felt like a blunt strike to the face.
Liu Wenji was deeply ashamed and terrified that Yan Shang might die in this ordeal. If Yan Shang were to die in prison, would he have contributed to it?
Judging by the attitudes of those ministers, about eighty percent believed that while the Ministry of Revenue might be guilty, it had not yet been proven. However, Yan Shang was already deemed guilty, and they even wished his crime would directly warrant the death penalty, with execution being the best outcome.
These ministers, who might have had decent relations with Yan Shang on ordinary days, showed no mercy when it came to political struggles.
Thus... the Emperor's attitude became extremely crucial in this situation.
Because the remaining twenty percent of ministers were still observing, waiting to see if the Emperor would protect Yan Shang.
Not to mention those ministers, even Liu Wenji, who served closely by the Emperor's side daily, could not guess whether the Emperor would intervene.
Liu Wenji could only take advantage of his usual duties to cautiously advise the Emperor: "...The overwhelming consensus in the court is too strong, perhaps they are afraid of Yan Erlang. But this precisely proves that Yan Erlang is in the right..."
The Emperor glanced faintly at Liu Wenji and suddenly said, "Is it because Yan Shang is your fellow townsman, and that Zhang Shiyi Lang ruined you, that you speak so fervently on Yan Shang's behalf?"
Liu Wenji was taken aback, then knelt down: "Your Majesty, I dare not let personal affairs interfere with public duty! I speak for Yan Erlang only because he is doing what is right..."
Liu Wenji was not surprised that the Emperor knew about his background. Since the Emperor employed him, how could he not have investigated him thoroughly?
The Emperor certainly knew that Liu Wenji had no affiliations with any faction. Even though Liu Wenji had been sent to the palace by the princess, he had never aligned himself with her... Liu Wenji could only rely entirely on the Emperor, as all his authority was granted by the Emperor, which was why the Emperor could trust and use a eunuch like him.
The Emperor chuckled softly and said gently, "Rise, I am not blaming you."
The Emperor mused thoughtfully, "I thought the previous Yizhou incident had concluded, but I never expected they could reach this point... Yan Suchen, I indeed did not misjudge him."
Liu Wenji's heart stirred: "Does Your Majesty intend to protect him?"
The Emperor scoffed.
The Emperor spoke slowly, "Let's wait and see. Let's observe what they are thinking, how far these ministers intend to go... Wenji, I have been pondering lately—if there are strong ministers and a weak emperor, but the ministers, though assertive, are wholly devoted to the public good, could the empire perhaps transition smoothly?"
Liu Wenji was stunned.
He thought to himself, is the Emperor's health truly failing?
But considering the current princes... he cautiously said, "Each of the princes has their strengths. Overall, the Crown Prince still holds the strongest position. However, this time... the Crown Prince might have made a mistake."
The Emperor neither agreed nor disagreed.
He murmured, "I hope he can wake up."—
Yet the path is walked by others; the Emperor had no interest in any of his sons and merely watched without speaking—
"Grandfather! Grandfather!"Lord Liu returned from court in the bitter winter, yet he was drenched in sweat, a clear indication of how vexing recent court affairs had been. Walking with his hands clasped behind his back, he had just entered the mansion gates when Liu Ruozhu called out from behind, chasing after him.
Stomping her feet, Liu Ruozhu caught up to her grandfather outside his study and anxiously said, "Grandfather, I’ve heard about the major case in court recently… Will Second Brother Yan be alright? Grandfather, you’ll protect him, won’t you? Second Brother Yan hasn’t done anything wrong!"
Lord Liu sighed softly.
He said, "This time, he has stepped on too many people’s interests… I never expected him to be so resolute, so reckless. If I had known he would act this way, I shouldn’t have said ‘be cautious when undertaking great deeds’ when he came to ask for advice. This isn’t just recklessness—he’s throwing caution to the wind."
Liu Ruozhu’s heart sank with panic.
She wouldn’t believe others, but if even her grandfather said so, it was clear that Yan Shang’s predicament was dire.
Liu Ruozhu said, "But he’s right—we all know he’s right! Why aren’t any ministers speaking up for him? Why is no one stepping forward to support him? Is it because Second Brother Yan is isolated, with no powerful backing? But if something is right, someone should stand up for it."
Lord Liu replied, "Right now, the wise are biding their time… waiting to see His Majesty’s stance."
He added with a bitter smile, "And yet, our esteemed emperor… isn’t he also watching us? Our emperor dislikes forceful intervention. At this point, I don’t know whether His Majesty intends to protect the Crown Prince or the honest official. We can only uphold justice impartially…"
Liu Ruozhu breathed a sigh of relief. "Upholding justice is good enough. I trust you and the others will sort it out fairly… When I went out today, the common people spoke of this matter, and they all say Second Brother Yan is right. The people support him."
Her eyes sparkled as she tried hard to suppress her worry. "With the people’s hearts on his side, just like last time with the Zheng Family Head, Second Brother Yan will gain the people’s support…"
Lord Liu said calmly, "Last time, it wasn’t the common people’s support he gained, but the backing of the scholar-officials. This time, he has turned against them. Though none of us wish to admit it… the voices of the great families carry the most weight. What can the common people do besides sympathize? Can they ascend the golden hall to plead for the honest official, or beat the drum to appeal for justice?
"And if such a scene were to unfold… the Crown Prince would only accuse the honest official of being a fame-seeker.
"He still wants the honest official dead."
Liu Ruozhu was stunned, the light in her eyes dimming. Deep down, she already knew the truth—she just hoped for a good outcome for Second Brother Yan… Tears welled in her eyes as she said, "Then what can be done? Is there no one who can save Second Brother Yan? Can’t even you save him, Grandfather?
"And the princess… Her Highness, Danyang Princess, has given up on Second Brother Yan, hasn’t she?"
Lord Liu smiled bitterly.
He said, "If Danyang Princess doesn’t hate him enough to want him dead, I’d say their past affection must have been deep."
Liu Ruozhu, tears in her eyes, was silent for a long moment before asking, "Then… can I go see Second Brother Yan?"
Lord Liu shook his head. "The Ministry of Justice prison is no place for ordinary people to enter now. And what could you do if you went?"
Liu Ruozhu said, "I… I at least want Second Brother Yan to know the people’s voices, that the people support him. He shouldn’t doubt himself—even if all the officials want him dead, there are still people, people who know he is right. It’s just that, since ancient times, those who challenge others’ interests have faced hardships like his.
"I hope he doesn’t give up hope, doesn’t despair."As she spoke, her voice choked with emotion. Standing in the twilight, she wept until she could no longer continue.
Lord Liu turned to look at his granddaughter, seeing her tears streaming down as she repeatedly wiped them away. He had always taught her about justice, about great love, about state affairs... Yet it was only at this moment that Lord Liu felt gratified, realizing he had actually raised his granddaughter so well.
Liu Ruozhu pressed her lips together, suddenly stubbornly declaring: "I... I must make Second Brother Yan hear the voices of the common people... I don't care what the court thinks of him, I only wish to use my own strength to let him know that in this world, there are people who can understand him."
Lord Liu said: "...Good child.
"You are all good children.
"...How could I not fight with all my might to protect you then?"—
In the Ministry of Justice prison, darkness prevailed without a glimpse of sky, gloomy and damp.
Yan Shang woke up groggily, roused by the pain from the whip wounds on his back. This imprisonment was completely different from the previous one. The daily interrogations were no longer mere formalities. Every questioning session came accompanied by severe torture.
Day and night, time lost all meaning. Yan Shang was clinging to his last breath, knowing those people undoubtedly wanted him to die during the interrogation, which was precisely why he couldn't die—at the very least, he had to see a favorable outcome before being willing to meet his end.
Waking from pain in the middle of this night, when Yan Shang opened his eyes, he saw the faint glow of candlelight.
No one would normally light candles in this place where he was imprisoned. Propping himself up on the straw, Yan Shang lifted his gaze and saw Mu Wan Yao sitting against the wall opposite him, looking down at him.
Yan Shang stared at her blankly.
Mu Wan Yao watched his haggard appearance. Through his inner garments, she could vaguely see the bloodstains on his white clothes, yet she pretended not to notice.
Mu Wan Yao said softly: "You've ruined me."
Yan Shang looked at her as if in a dream, reaching out his hand toward her: "Yao Yao..."
Mu Wan Yao remained seated against the wall, not approaching. She said calmly: "Yan Shang, I came to break up with you. We're over."
He didn't speak, simply looking at her like this.
Mu Wan Yao didn't dare look at him too much, afraid that if she looked at him one more time, she would soften. But what right did she have to soften now?
After a long while, Yan Shang whispered: "Alright."
Mu Wan Yao was silent for a moment, then suddenly mocked herself: "Alright?
"Because you think you're about to die, and don't want to burden me, so you say 'alright'?"
She suddenly stood up, anger surging through her entire body. She rushed to kneel before him, gripping his shoulders to make him look up at her, her tone impassioned: "Facing death, why are you still playing the good person?! Is being good so important? Are the common people so important?
"Why... won't you just yield! Why... won't you yield even now!
"His Highness the Crown Prince sent me to find you, saying that if you would only yield, he could spare your life... But I knew you wouldn't yield, yet I still came... I feel... you make me feel like I'm watching you walk toward death! Clearly you're forcing everyone to walk toward death together, but now you want me to watch you go first!
"Everyone wants you dead! Everyone wants you dead! Do you know that! Do you know that!"
As she spoke, her vision turned crimson, her words filled with utter despair, tears rolling down her cheeks.
Yan Shang looked at her, his heart aching with sorrow.
He said one sentence.
Mu Wan Yao: "What."
Yan Shang said: "It should be you who doesn't want me. Because I'm so unworthy, not good enough for you."He slowly reached out to hold her shoulder, whispering softly, "It's my fault. I lacked the ability to protect you, I was naive and didn't know how to bide my time, I insisted on opposing everyone... But I have no choice. I can't get past my own conscience. I just can't do it.
"I can't pretend not to know when so many people have died, just to build up my own power and endure. It's impossible to endure... No matter how many years pass, if I step forward and admit it, I will die. Since ancient times, people like me, no matter how well prepared, how many have survived?
"Just be a lofty princess. Just abandon me. Just forget me. Just hate me."
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