In the Feiyun Garden, Lady Yun picked up her teacup, gently stirring the floating tea leaves with the lid.
She spoke calmly, "Today, many people are risking their lives waiting for you to make contact, yet not a single person has shown up. If you don’t have a proper explanation for this, you won’t be leaving the prince’s estate."
Chen Ji quickly pondered: Liu Shiyu from the Liu family is close to Lady Jing, so why didn’t he choose to contact her instead of Lady Yun? Why doesn’t Lady Jing know about my identity as a spy for the Jing Dynasty? And so on.
Suddenly, Chen Ji remembered the lead-barium glass cup that caused Lady Jing to miscarry.
It felt as if a hidden clue was guiding him toward the truth.
"Why aren’t you answering?" Lady Yun asked sternly.
The dignified consort sat on her grand chair, the python patterns on her robe seemingly glaring at Chen Ji, exuding an intimidating aura without anger.
Chen Ji lowered his voice, "Something major happened in the Liu family. The spies Yun Yang and Jiao Tu nearly uncovered the truth, so we had to temporarily halt our plans as a precaution."
In reality, that night he had gone to Zhou Chengyi’s residence to inform him of the delivery date, but Yun Yang and Jiao Tu killed him.
The resurrected Chen Ji had no idea about any of this.
Lady Yun’s tone remained calm, "The Jing Dynasty’s Military Intelligence Bureau casually breaking an agreement we had is not enough of an explanation. Have you thought of how to respond, or would you rather become fertilizer in my garden?"
Chen Ji suddenly said, "The spy bureau in Luocheng is a threat to both of us. Since you’ve shown sincerity, our Military Intelligence Bureau naturally wants to demonstrate our strength. Yun Yang and Jiao Tu being imprisoned today was part of our bureau’s plan. I hope this satisfies you."
Lady Yun’s eyes lit up, "So the person who delivered the message was from your bureau. Who is this bureau chief? Not only did he plant spies in the enemy’s bureau, but he also managed to infiltrate the Liu family unnoticed!"
Chen Ji was startled.
The events of the morning were already fully known to Lady Yun by the afternoon, indicating that the Liu family maintained close contact with her.
He lowered his gaze, "The bureau chief is naturally one of the best in our bureau. The bureau head sent him here to ensure our cooperation goes smoothly."
Lady Yun’s demeanor softened, "When I first met you, I thought the Military Intelligence Bureau had sent a young, inexperienced person to deal with me, so I was somewhat dismissive. But at the Wanxing Garden, you’ve proven yourself to be no fool. Very well, since your bureau’s spies in Luocheng are all elites, I’m reassured."
Chen Ji thought for a moment and replied, "With Yun Yang and Jiao Tu imprisoned, and before the spy bureau’s new leader arrives in Luocheng, we can ensure our transaction goes smoothly. Lady Yun, let’s reconsider the date and location for the exchange."
Lady Yun glanced at him a few more times, "Then let’s make it tomorrow night, at the same place as before."
Chen Ji had no idea where the previous meeting place was or how to inform the bureau chief.
He immediately said, "That’s not suitable. Our bureau never conducts transactions in the same place twice. Please provide a new location."
"You’re quite cautious," Lady Yun thought for a moment, "This time, let’s set it at the ‘Golden Workshop’ in the Red Clothes Alley of the East Market. Find the madam and say the words ‘Luo Tian,’ and she’ll take you to the storage place."
At this point, after much deliberation, Chen Ji decided to voice his confusion, "Lady Yun, our bureau has always been puzzled by one thing."
Without knowing the full picture, he could never take the initiative.
Lady Yun picked up her teacup and took a sip, "Go on."
"We’ve learned that Liu Shiyu is Lady Jing’s favorite nephew, the only son of her elder sister. Our bureau initially doubted he would relay your message because we were confused—why didn’t he contact Lady Jing instead?"
Lady Yun chuckled, "My dear sister, the Liu family can’t control her, so how could they entrust their grand plans to her? Now, the Liu family and I share common interests. You need not worry."
Chen Ji stood up, "Then I’ll—"
"Wait," Lady Yun said.
Chen Ji was puzzled, "Is there something else, Lady Yun?"
Lady Yun smiled and invited, "Tonight, the prince’s son is hosting a gathering of scholars. Your two elder brothers will also be attending. Why don’t I send a few invitations to the medical hall? You and your fellow disciples can join."
Chen Ji thought for a moment, "No need. My current identity is sensitive, and I don’t want to implicate them. I still need to arrange the handover of goods today, so I’ll take my leave."
As Chen Ji left the Feiyun Garden, he glanced back at the persimmon tree before turning away.
...
On the official road to Luocheng, a modest carriage approached from the north.
Only two attendants followed on horseback, keeping a low profile.
At the same time, a group of over a hundred people was approaching from the opposite direction.
As they drew near, the officials of Yuzhou dismounted from their carriages and horses, hurriedly kneeling before the carriage, "We welcome the Elder back to Yuzhou. We failed to greet you properly and beg for your forgiveness."
The Liu family had ruled this region for centuries, controlling over half of Yuzhou’s farmland and tenants.
No matter who came to Yuzhou as an official, if they wanted to collect taxes, conscript labor, or achieve political success, they had to curry favor with the Liu family.
Thus, with the exception of a few aristocratic sons here for prestige, all officials knelt in welcome.
If you knelt, you could survive in Yuzhou’s official circles; if you didn’t, you’d find it impossible to move forward.
Elder Liu lifted the carriage curtain and glanced indifferently at the kneeling officials, "My father has passed away, and I’m in no mood to reminisce with you all. Disperse."
With that, the carriage began to move again.
An official hurried to the carriage, jogging alongside it and whispering to Elder Liu behind the curtain, "Elder, the eldest and second masters are waiting for you at home."
Elder Liu instructed, "I’m going to the ancestral graves. Have Liu Mingxian come see me."
The carriage made its way to the Beimang Mountain.
Elder Liu stood before the shattered tomb, watching dozens of laborers carry new stones to rebuild the mausoleum.
He stood there for an unknown amount of time.
Liu Mingxian hurried over and knelt before Elder Liu, "Father!"
Elder Liu remained silent, letting his son kneel.
Only when Liu Mingxian’s knees began to ache and he shifted uncomfortably did Elder Liu finally ask, "After I die, will my coffin also be opened for inspection?"
Liu Mingxian quickly lowered his head, "Father, absolutely not!"
Elder Liu dismissed everyone and sat on a stone slab, slowly saying, "Liu Mingxian, today you killed your grandfather for the sake of your so-called grand plans. Who’s to say you won’t kill me tomorrow for the same reason?"
The mountain was silent.
Liu Mingxian lay prostrate on the ground, saying nothing.
Elder Liu shouted, "Speak!"
Liu Mingxian quickly explained, "Father, that wasn’t my intention. I originally planned to use my grandfather’s death to drive away the spy bureau. Yun Yang and Jiao Tu are only good at killing and have no brains. I thought they’d be scared off, but who knew they’d actually find evidence against Liu Shiyu."
"Then why did you kill your grandfather?"
"We received intelligence that the spy bureau was on their way to open the coffin for inspection. If they found the coffin empty, our Liu family would be guilty of deceiving the emperor! So I fed my grandfather ‘mandrake,’ thinking he’d only feign death for a moment in the coffin. But who knew he was too old and couldn’t withstand the effects of the mandrake, and he died."
Elder Liu was furious, "Still lying? It’s clear your grandfather didn’t approve of your collusion with the Jing Dynasty, so you took this opportunity to kill him! Liu Mingxian, you’re too ruthless. I never thought I’d raise such a wolf in the Liu family!"
Liu Mingxian suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with ferocity, "Father, ever since the emperor ascended the throne, he’s been plotting to destroy our Liu family. First, he used the Donglin Party members to impeach us through censors, and now he’s inciting the eunuch faction to frame and slander us. He won’t stop until he’s rid of us!"
"Father, twenty years ago, the entire court was filled with our Liu family’s people. Now, we can’t even hold onto our positions in Yuzhou. You’re not unaware—the Chen family sent Chen Liqin as the deputy magistrate of Luocheng, and that old fox Xu Gong sent his son-in-law Zhang Zhuo as the magistrate. These two are in cahoots, determined to investigate our Liu family’s lands and tenants."
"Father, I’m just taking a desperate gamble. If we sit back and do nothing, the Liu family’s centuries-old foundation will be destroyed!"
A thin mist blew through the mountain.
Elder Liu sat in the mist, looking desolate, "None of you listen to me anymore, so why call me father?"
"I told your aunt that the emperor is naturally intelligent and mastered the art of ruling from a young age. She wouldn’t listen, and from the moment the emperor ascended the throne at eleven, she controlled the court, preventing him from ruling directly. The emperor endured six years of hardship—how could he not hate our Liu family?"
"Precisely because he hates us, we have no way out. If we fight, we might not lose! This world doesn’t belong solely to the Zhu family!" Liu Mingxian said fiercely.
Elder Liu suddenly seemed defeated, "Enough, enough. I’ll just ask you one more question. When you gave your sister that glass cup, did you know it would cause her to lose her child?"
Liu Mingxian shook his head, "I didn’t know. The cup was exquisitely beautiful, and I thought she’d like it."
"Still lying!" Elder Liu kicked him to the ground.
Liu Mingxian no longer knelt but stood up, brushing the dust off his blue official robe, "Father, after she married into the prince’s estate, her heart belonged only to the prince. She no longer cared about the Liu family. All she thought about was bearing the prince’s child. When I asked her to act for the Liu family, she refused, so I cut off that hope!"
"You’re too cruel!"
"Father, am I crueler than those eunuchs? If I’m not cruel, how can I fight them?"
"You..."
Elder Liu’s words caught in his throat, unsure of what to say.
He sat on the stone, silent for a long time, before finally sighing, "Today, Yun Yang and Jiao Tu were imprisoned. Who tipped you off?"
Seeing his father’s softened tone, Liu Mingxian’s face lit up.
He knew someone in such a high position wouldn’t act on emotion.
He respectfully said, "I don’t know yet. I’m still investigating and haven’t determined their intentions."
Elder Liu’s expression turned serious, "Whether friend or foe, having such a person around makes me uneasy. Find out quickly. I’ll send people from Yanshi to assist you. These people are not easy to use, so put away your arrogance."
"Understood."
Elder Liu waved his hand, "Go, I’m tired."
Liu Mingxian turned and left the mountain, leaving Elder Liu alone.
The old man, like a candle in the wind, slowly stood up and leaned on the coffin before the tomb, "Father, it’s been a long time since you stepped out of the Liu family estate to see the world."
(End of Chapter)