Chapter Ninety-Eight: Confession

Banxia lay in the room for three days before she wanted to go out, but Gansu seemed to be stationed there, refusing to leave and keeping watch over her constantly.

“Don’t you have government affairs to handle? I’m much better now, you don’t need to keep watching me. Xiangyu and the others are still here,” Banxia grumbled.

Gansu paid no heed to Banxia’s complaints, calmly turning a page of his book before asking, “After all this talking, are you thirsty?”

Banxia was exasperated—she had been speaking for so long and he hadn’t budged at all, which irritated her. “Where are Yuhuai and Liuguang?”

“They’re in the little garden, watching the flowers.”

“Oh, nursemaids are bound to be less attentive sometimes. I need to see for myself.”

Gansu looked at her, “Are you saying you don’t like their nursemaids?”

“No, no, it’s not that…” she just wanted some fresh air.

“That’s good. The medicinal stew is ready. Get up and have some.”

“I don’t want this—I want normal food.”

“Medicinal stew is to nourish your body. Your cycle is irregular; you must drink it.”

“You’ve been so stubborn these past days, not at all as adorable as when you were young. Gansu, do you know, I saw you as a child.”

“What?”

“When I was unconscious, I felt like I’d returned to the modern age, only younger, as if I’d been kidnapped… Were you ever kidnapped as a child?”

“Yes. When I was six, I escaped with a little girl…”

“That was me. Somehow I forgot about it later.”

Gansu hugged her. “Thank you.” You appeared at my most fearful moment, and helped me escape the darkness.

“It’s nothing. I heard sirens at the end, so maybe even without me, the police would have found you.”

“No, I asked them. That day, they were already on their way back. We fell down a slope, and that’s how they discovered us. So you truly are my savior.”

“Would you let your savior admire the beauty of nature and breathe some fresh air?”

Gansu’s face turned cold instantly. “No!”

“Hmph!”

“When you’re better, I’ll let you have all the fun you want.”

“Don’t think I don’t know—in a month, we’re all leaving, so there’ll be no fun. Tell me honestly: have I got some fatal illness? For example, did I injure a nerve in the fall, and now any breeze will paralyze me? Don’t hide it from me; I can accept anything.” Banxia looked determined, as if her will was stronger than her body.

“Stop imagining things. The imperial physician said your menstruation is unstable; during this period of medication, you shouldn’t be exposed to wind. That’s why you can’t go out.”

“But I’m so bored.”

“Sister, are you there?” Anzi called from outside.

“Yes, yes! Come in, come in.” Finally someone had arrived; Banxia was delighted.

“You don’t know, your brother-in-law won’t let me go out. It’s so unbearable!”

“He’s doing it for your own good. Health is a lifelong matter. If you indulge now, you’ll suffer later.” Anzi had even consulted the imperial physician, learning all about the consequences for women after a miscarriage, and felt it was right to be cautious.

“You’re totally siding with your brother-in-law, not thinking of me at all. You two are real brothers.”

“How could you think that? I’m standing by reason, not by kinship. But I’ve prepared lots of storybooks for you, all the most popular ones right now.”

“Is there one written about ‘Feng Sheng: The Unparalleled Handsome Man’?”

“Yes, yes, here…”

Finally, Banxia’s attention was diverted, and Gansu breathed a sigh of relief.

To protect the rare Seven Apertures Linglong Plum, Li Haoyu and Deng Hai had set up a small hut deep in the forest, monitoring the flowering round the clock.

Three days later, the culprit who had poisoned the horse feed confessed. Gansu was shocked when he heard the news. He had been certain it was Lord Wen’s doing, but he also knew the culprit would likely not survive. Unexpectedly, not only did the man live, he confessed, which was peculiar.

When Lu Ying arrived, Gansu frowned, but Banxia was pleased. “No need to stay with me; go handle your official business…” If her jailer left, she could finally get some freedom.

Without even looking at her expression, Gansu knew what Banxia wanted to do, and felt conflicted. Just then, Anzi entered. “Brother-in-law, don’t worry—I’ll take good care of Sister.” Only then did Gansu change clothes and head out.

Lu Ying was waiting outside. “The Emperor knows you’re reluctant to leave, but the situation is special now and you must come.”

“Let’s go. I’ll be quick.”

Gansu and Lu Ying made their way to the main hall, discussing the case as they went. “Did the confession implicate Lord Wen?”

“No. It named the eldest son of the Wen family.”

“Who? I think I’ve hardly heard of him.”

“The eldest son is very discreet and not involved in official circles, so you rarely hear his name.”

“What does he do?”

“He’s extremely mysterious. Our people have little information on him. He seems to stay in the inner quarters, only coming out for social occasions when Lord Wen takes him, and even then, he doesn’t attend the feasts but merely serves at the side.”

Truly an intriguing figure. While talking, Gansu and Lu Ying arrived at the Emperor’s inner hall. The Emperor and Li Jing were reviewing the confession. When they saw the pair, they called them over. “Come, Gansu, take a look at this report.”

Gansu unfolded the confession. It stated that the eldest son of the Wen family had offered a large sum of money, tempting the culprit to poison the feed. After the act, fearing trouble, he lingered nearby. Just as he was about to replace the feed, Anzi and Banxia came to ride, resulting in the incident.

“How did he confirm the person paying him was the eldest son of the Wen family?”

“The culprit was a thief who, seeing the opportunity, stole the jade pendant from the man who approached him. Later, he found out this pendant was unique to the Wen family, a symbol of their identity.”

“Has the jade pendant been authenticated?”

“Yes, it’s genuine. We also inquired indirectly with Imperial Concubine Wen and confirmed it exists. Yet…”

“Yet the more obvious the evidence, the more suspicious it seems,” Gansu finished.

“There’s something off about all this,” Li Jing agreed.

“I suggest arresting Wen Yuan directly, to probe further. Since we know so little about him, it’s the perfect opportunity to investigate. What do you think, Your Majesty?”

“The entire Wen family claims their mourning isn’t finished and no one has come to the palace. Going back to arrest someone would break the stalemate. Li Qing, go and take him.”

“Yes.” Li Jing accepted the order and hurried to the capital.

“Li Jing, observe the Wen family closely.”

Li Jing nodded and left. Qi Nanxing asked Gansu, “Is your wife feeling better?”

“Much better. As soon as she improved, she wanted to go outside, but I’ve had to restrain her.”

“I heard you haven’t told her about the child’s loss.”

“It’s not a small matter. I feel heartbroken just thinking about it, let alone her. If she doesn’t know, she can be happier.”

“The things you and your wife have done for Anzi, the Emperor remembers.”

“We’ve only acted with a clear conscience. She’s always treated Anzi as her own brother, so it’s natural.”

“The final battle is approaching. Are you steady at heart?”

“The enemy is spent; it all depends on how Your Majesty chooses to act. With the situation clear, I can remain calm.”

“Don’t underestimate him. Over the decades, his wealth rivals the treasury. Money can move mountains; never let your guard down until the very end.”

“Your Majesty’s lesson is well taken.”

“I know you’re eager to return, but Li Jing won’t be back soon. Go home for now.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Gansu bowed and withdrew.

Li Jing hurried to the Ministry of Justice, obtained the warrant, and led his men to the Wen residence, calling at the gate.

“By order of the Ministry of Justice, we are here to arrest Wen Yuan, a suspect involved in the attempted murder of the Crown Prince. Please open the gate.” The officials shouted repeatedly, drawing a crowd of onlookers.

Lord Wen was napping. With age, his sleep had become restless, plagued by nightmares of endless blood. When he awoke, his vision was tinged red, leaving him irritable.

“What’s all this racket at midday? Are the servants outside so undisciplined? Drive them all out.”

The chief steward entered. “My lord, bad news—officials from the Ministry of Justice are here to arrest someone.”

“Who are they arresting? Does Qi Nanxing really think he can bring me down now? What charges?”

“Not you, my lord—it’s the eldest son. They say it’s for the attempted murder of the Crown Prince.”

“Hmph, I want to see how Li Jing tries to smear us.” Lord Wen put on his official robes, straightened his attire, and said, “Let’s go meet this Minister.”

The officials had shouted for half an hour. Just as Li Jing was about to force entry, the door creaked open, and Lord Wen emerged, surrounded by attendants.

Having served through two reigns, Lord Wen’s imposing presence made even the officials step back.

“Minister Li, do you know where you are? This is the mansion personally designed and built by the Holy Ancestor; the inscription over the gate is in the Emperor’s own hand. By causing this commotion, you disrespect both the Ancestor and the Emperor.”

Li Jing remained unmoved. “I am responsible for major cases at the Ministry of Justice. I know only that the truth is paramount—imperial dignity comes second. As this concerns a major case, I ask for your cooperation.”

“Cooperation? How can one cooperate with such baseless charges?”

“My lord, I act by imperial command. Are you intending to resist in public?”

Lord Wen was about to retort, but Wen Yuan hurried over and bowed. “Since Minister Li acts by imperial order, I’ll cooperate.”

“You don’t know the Ministry’s methods. Innocent people may confess under duress…”

“My lord, please choose your words. As the overseer of the Ministry of Justice, I assure you there is no abuse of authority. Your accusations are unfounded.”

“You…” Lord Wen started, but Wen Yuan interjected, “Father is distraught over Second Uncle’s death and may speak out of turn. I hope Minister Li will forgive him. Since I am to cooperate with the investigation, let us depart early—the Emperor is waiting.”

Li Jing accepted the compromise. Someone brought shackles, but Li Jing stopped them. “Since Wen Yuan is cooperating, there’s no need for restraints. Let’s go.”

As they prepared to leave, Lord Wen called out, “Wait. Since this concerns my son, I cannot stand by. I will go with you.”

“Please, then.”

And so the group departed. The Wen household was thrown into chaos. The chief steward calmed the servants and rushed to the lady of the house. “My lady, the lord and the eldest son have gone to the palace. Should we…”

“The lord went willingly. If he’s not worried, why should you be? Life goes on as usual. How could the Wen mansion collapse just for a questioning?”

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