Section 6

Han Wei nodded and turned to Chu Yun'er, asking, "So, has Lord Peng visited your residence?"

Chu Yun'er retorted, "Replying to the esteemed sir, it is likely that Lord Peng has made a mistake. On that day, there was indeed a poem hung in my humble abode, but I remember clearly that it was a 'Pusa Man.' I have never seen this 'He Xin Lang.' As a woman, I cannot display a poem that expresses nostalgia for my homeland in the hall."

Chao Duanyan's trial proceeded without any turbulence. When Chao Duanyan threatened to impose severe punishment, all the prisoners in the hall confessed in unison, pointing to Peng Jian as the instigator. Although Peng Jian attempted to deny it, these individuals were all members of the Peng family, making it impossible for him to evade responsibility. While Chao Duanyan did not possess the authority to immediately strip Peng Jian of his official position, he could send the confession and case files along with a memorial to the capital... However, Peng Jian remained unflustered; he was simultaneously drafting a memorial to apologize and defend himself while awaiting the court's decision regarding Shi Yue—if that memorial could bring down Shi Yue, he would undoubtedly be the one to laugh last.

The sword attendant has just returned, saying that Miss Chu is expected to arrive in the capital tomorrow

Su Song smiled and said, "It is said that during the reign of Emperor Renzong, there were the 'Four True Ones'—Fu Bi as the true Prime Minister, Bao Zheng as the true Censor, Ouyang Xiu as the true Scholar, and Hu Nuan as the true Master. Your Majesty, this is Hu Nuan..."

Accompanying the edict, Su Song smiled and said: "Your Majesty, I have heard that Di Qing has six sons, among whom the second son Di Zi and the third son Di Yong possess remarkable martial skills, resembling their father. Since ancient times, there has never been a lack of capable individuals in the world; it merely depends on whether the sovereign can select them from the common folk."

Cai Que hesitated for a moment and then stepped forward to say, "I request Your Majesty to issue an order to prepare for war"

Standing inside the Chongzheng Hall, the historian observed the somewhat chaotic scene within, silently watching the actions of each individual. After returning to the Historical Archives, he wrote on a piece of paper: "On a certain day in the second month of the eighth year of Xining, ...... the Emperor sent Han Zhen to Hebei to discuss matters ...... the Deputy Chief of the Secretariat, Cai Ting, hastily fell to the ground while deliberating in the Chongzheng Hall ......"

Ah! Chu Yun'er turned pale and urgently asked, "What about the Emperor..."

Han Wei nodded slightly, struck the wooden block, issued a summons, and shouted: "Summon ten maidservants and servants from the Chu family to the court."

A-Yuan knelt beside them, realizing in alarm that they intended to torture Chu Yun'er. In a state of panic, she stood up and pointed at An Dun, questioning, "You, sir, are being utterly unreasonable. What crime has my young lady committed? On what grounds do you resort to torture?" This left everyone dumbfounded.

"Lord Peng, you should return and await your impeachment." To act on behalf of someone who comes from the background of a courtesan is already a significant loss of dignity for a minister; moreover, doing so to curry favor with superiors is even more disgraceful. If Cai Chengxi were to find out and did not impeach, it would not be long before someone else would come forward to impeach him for this.

What audacity! Indeed, both the master and the servant are unruly people! They dare to disrupt the court, accuse the officials, slap me, and drive me out

An Jun was left feeling bored and said nothing. Han Wei took over the conversation and, in a routine manner, verified Chu Yun'er’s identity. Only then did he ask, "Chu, this office has been ordered to summon you from Hangzhou; do you know the reason for this?"

Han Wei's expression darkened as he slammed his hand down, exclaiming, "Chu family, what do you have to say for yourself?"

Chu Yun'er had long since seen everything with indifference. Upon seeing An Dun like this, she merely smiled faintly, her expression filled with disdain

"They are colluding to testify, using torture, using torture, she cannot help but confess!" Peng Jian shouted fiercely, pointing at Chu Yun'er.

Peng Jian quickly replied, "That is exactly right"

The common woman recognizes.

"The commoner, Chu, pays her respects to you, esteemed sir"

The "Three Lords" saw that Lü Huaiqing no longer inquired further, and was just about to return to his position to organize official duties when he noticed a central envoy rushing over. "Minister Wang, Minister Lü, there is an imperial decree—"

Chu Yun'er suddenly felt a sharp pain in her heart, as if it were being twisted by a knife, yet she smiled and said, "In that case, please follow me, young master"

"A-Yuan?" Tang Kang murmured softly, then asked, "Does she not have a surname?"

"Since Fu Bi was previously unaware, we have no way of knowing either," Lü Huiqing said with a smile. "However, now that we need to investigate this person, it is likely to be as difficult as searching for a needle in the ocean."

A common woman does not dare to deceive.

Five years ago, five years ago... that man, helpless in the tavern... her eyes had already become glistening. Chu Yun'er gently caressed the manuscript, casting a gaze at Tang Kang that was almost pleading, but before he could respond, she closed her eyes, relaxed her grip, and the manuscript slipped towards the brazier... Two lines of clear tears could no longer be restrained, bursting forth from her tightly shut eyes.

I... am... speaking... nothing... but... the... truth...

A few months ago, Lord Peng visited my humble residence, claiming to discuss a matter with me

Han Wei and Cai Chengxi exchanged a glance, and the two subtly nodded to each other. Han Wei said to An Dun with significant meaning, "Lord An, it is time to stop."

A true gentleman must not forget his aspirations even in the most difficult times. The Emperor has already seen the portraits of renowned ministers. Fu Bi submitted a memorial the day before yesterday, requesting the Emperor to record the loyal and virtuous officials. The Emperor has decreed to appoint one official each from Zhao Pu, Di Qing, and Bao Zheng. In a few days, Fu Bi will submit another memorial, requesting the recording of Shi Jie and Ouyang Xiu. The plan has been progressing very smoothly thus far, and the young master's ambitions will surely one day be fully realized

Han Wei and others are well-educated individuals, and they naturally know that Li Yu's poem describes a girl's secret meeting with her lover. It is understandable to say that it would not be appropriate for Peng Jian to see it. Moreover, Chu Yun'er is a famous courtesan, so it seems not surprising that there are such passionate verses in her residence. In the minds of Han Wei and others, such poetry likely aligns more with Chu Yun'er's "expected" taste.

Chu Yun'er was taken aback by Tang Kang's strange and abrupt question, and could not help but ask, "What is the purpose of your visit, my lord..."

"I recognize him. He came to our residence that day," Ah Yuan replied directly, without much regard for formalities.

"Yes." Yuan Jiang inclined his body slightly and continued, "... Shi Jie was originally from Fengfu in Yanzhou, and he passed the imperial examination... He entered the National University as a lecturer, attracting numerous scholars, thus enhancing the prestige of the academy... Due to the recommendations of Du Yan and Han Qi, he became a Zhongyun for the Crown Prince and served as the Director of the Academy of Scholarly Excellence. He authored 'Tang Jian' to admonish treacherous officials, eunuchs, and palace maids, addressing the issues of the time without reservation. During the Qingli era, Zhang Dexiang, Yan Shu, Jia Changchao, Fan Zhongyan, Fu Bi, and Han Qi were concurrently in power, while Ouyang Xiu, Yu Jing, Wang Su, and Cai Xiang served as advisors. Shi Jie was pleased with the capable individuals in the court and composed the 'Qingli Shengde Poem,' in which he subtly criticized Xia Song as a treacherous minister."

Since the day Zier visited, the residence of Chuyun'er has been unusually quiet for several days. On this day, Ah Yuan led a male servant outside the courtyard to fetch water for the flowers, only to discover that all the officials who had surrounded the Yang family's courtyard tightly had vanished. "Amitabha!" Ah Yuan couldn't help but chant a Buddhist phrase, letting out a sigh, and said, "These plague gods have all left."

Pan Zhaolin clapped his hands and laughed, saying: "As for these three matters, the first two face no obstacles in the court. The current official system is inconsistent with reality and has long been deeply resented by all. Both the new and old factions are eager for clarification. If we can take advantage of the opportunity to reform the official system and lay a solid foundation for future reforms, it will surely yield great results with minimal effort. Establishing schools has been a task of nearly five years since the establishment of the Bai Shui Tan, and it is not a difficult matter. However, the method of election is of great significance to the interests of both the court and the public, and must be approached with caution"

Only then did Shigui feel somewhat relieved, yet the guilt in his heart did not diminish in the slightest

"Miss Chu," Tang Kang called out with a sense of guilt

Even Cai Jing could not help but chuckle, saying, "What a wild girl. If I remember correctly, that just now was Miss Chu's personal maid, A Yuan."

Therefore, when Tang Kang was planning for Shi Yue, he never had the slightest hesitation or doubt. He had read the "Labor Law" in Shi Yue's study, which was a reform plan for labor that was far more genuine than Wang Anshi's exemption and assistance labor laws. If his reforms could be realized, then countless common people would benefit from it! Standing by his义兄, both in public and private, was the right thing to do!

"Disaster?" Chu Yun'er smiled faintly, her expression tinged with a hint of disappointment. "Life and death, wealth and poverty, are all ordinary matters. I have no quarrel with the world, so what disaster could there be for me?"

"It is Ah Yuan," replied Chu Yun'er

"Is this the residence of the Chu family?"

Zhao Xu nodded noncommittally and turned his gaze towards Zeng Bu. Zeng Bu quickly stepped forward and said, "I still believe we should act with caution"

"If you do not dare to deceive, then why have some seen the calligraphy of this poem in your hall, yet you claim to have never seen it?" An Tun asked sternly, his face serious.

Cai Chengxi also wore a grim expression and said, "Even if she were to change her testimony under severe torture, how could she win over Shi Yue's heart? Moreover, for a frail woman like her, if subjected to further torture, she might not withstand it and could end up dying instead, which would only lead to more trouble."

"Young Master, if the Emperor truly intends to make significant use of you, where do you think the reforms should begin?" Pan Zhaolin casually shifted the topic.

Peng Jian saw that Han Wei and Cai Chengxi seemed to have already believed Chu Yun'er’s words. Thinking of the consequences, cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He stood up and said loudly, "As a court official, how could I deceive others? Master Han, you must not be deceived by the singing girls; they are colluding with each other!"

An Zhun's muscles involuntarily twitched, and he glanced at Han Wei and Cai Chengxi before suddenly speaking in a loud voice: "In my humble opinion, today's trial can come to a conclusion. As for how Lord Peng's poem came to be, I believe the Emperor will surely order the Censorate to investigate thoroughly, and at that time, Lord Peng will surely be able to tell us the truth"

I believe that we can send Han Zhen, the waiting official of the Hall of Heavenly Documents, as an envoy..." Wang Gui continued, while Lü Huiqing and Cai Que silently sneered.

An Jun sneered from the side, "What kind of 'Bodhisattva Barbarian' is this, that it cannot be seen by others?"

The ministers in the court finally expressed their opinions one by one, creating a tumultuous scene. However, the faction advocating for peace far outnumbered those who supported a hardline approach. Zhao Xu bit his lip tightly, and after a long pause, he finally said weakly, "Let us yield to their wishes"

The common woman is unaware

"Just know it." Han Wei gave a glance, and the team leader immediately ran over, took a piece of white paper filled with writing, and handed it to Chu Yun'er. "Chu, have you seen this poem?"

"Returning to the matter at hand, since it has been seen in the home of the common woman, there must surely be material evidence. The authorities of the Two Zhejiang provinces should thoroughly search the common woman's home, as it is presumed that you already possess evidence. Why not present it to the common woman for her to see, so that she may be convinced? If there is no proof, the common woman would not dare to bear this accusation."

The manuscript has already been burned, so let us not mention it again

Chu Yun'er reluctantly opened her eyes, casting a disdainful glance at An Dun, but lacked the strength to speak

Han Wei slowed his tone and said, "If a crime has been committed, would there not be shackles? You are to serve as a witness. This matter is of great importance, and you must speak truthfully. If you tell the truth, there will be no blame; if you speak falsely, you will bear the consequences of this crime! Do you understand?"

As Su Song's voice fell, Li Xiangan entered holding two scrolls. The four eunuchs, without waiting for instructions, hurriedly stepped forward, each pulling one side to unfold the paintings for the Emperor's viewing. Zhao Xu approached to take a look and saw that each of the two paintings depicted around twenty individuals, with the official titles and names of each person noted in small script at the upper left corner of their likenesses. As he continued to observe, he recognized that the figures from the reign of Emperor Ren Zong included none other than Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi, Fu Bi, Bao Zheng, and Di Qing among others

He uttered the name "Chu Yun'er," and the three could not help but exchange a knowing smile. Tang Kang sensed something unusual and, without waiting for their response, asked again, "I presume you are aware? Could it be that there is some change in this matter?"

Tang Kang turned his gaze in the direction of the sound and saw a woman with skin as smooth as凝脂 standing in front of the main seat, bowing to him. He recognized her as Chu Yun'er and quickly returned the greeting, saying, "I am Tang Kang, the sworn brother of Brother Shi." Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Chu Yun'er was playing with a small string of prayer beads on her slender fingers. He opened the box he had brought and placed it on the table. It was likely that it contained a small string of prayer beads. Tang Kang was unaware that this string of prayer beads was what Chu Yun'er had requested from the Great Xiangguo Temple for Shi Yue, and it bore the inscription "Longevity and Happiness, May the Gentleman Live for Ten Thousand Years" carved by Chu Yun'er's own hand. Therefore, upon seeing it, Chu Yun'er immediately recognized that it was sent by Shi Yue and naturally treated him with special regard.

"Do you still want to use torture? To force a confession?" Han Wei said with a cold smile

Chu Yun'er retorted, "Since there is no physical evidence, and you claim that someone witnessed it, there must surely be a witness. Why not bring him forth for confrontation?"

"Lord Peng said that he had seen this poem 'He Xin Lang' at your residence that day!" Han Wei questioned sharply. He then turned to Lord Peng and asked, "Is that so, Lord Peng?"

Indeed

"Excessive rigidity leads to easy breakage." Shi Yue sighed deeply, "I fear that she may be too strong-willed. Have the officials of the Kaifeng Prefecture already arranged everything through someone?"

"Young master, please return. I will find another piece of calligraphy to replace it." Chu Yun'er kept her eyes closed, afraid to open them.

Chu Yun'er thought for a moment and still shook her head, saying, "This humble girl indeed has not seen it."

"Esteemed ministers, there is one more matter I wish to inquire if you have heard about. Fu Bi mentioned that in the year of Shi Jie’s passing, there was a maidservant who was three months pregnant. Due to the calamity that befell the family, she feared being implicated and fled to another place, her whereabouts unknown." Zhao Xu hesitated for a moment before finally asking.

No wonder Fu Bi specifically submitted a memorial, wanting to seek a reward for Shi Qi, the son of Shi Jie. Zhao Xu thought to himself. Fu Bi mentioned Shi Jie’s deeds in the memorial, which generally aligned with what Yuan Jiang had said. It was also noted that Shi Jie’s wife had already passed away, leaving only one son named Shi Qi, who was studying and farming at home

The physical evidence presented from the two Zhejiang roads includes dozens of calligraphies and paintings, yet none of them contain the poem "He Xin Lang." An Dun, rebutted by Chu Yun'er, felt his face flush with shame and angrily exclaimed, "You shameless woman, your sharp tongue is indeed formidable. If you destroy the evidence, how can anyone investigate?"

Indeed, when it comes to this matter, Shi Yue's spirit was invigorated, "I have been contemplating this matter repeatedly over the past few days, and I believe that the affairs of our dynasty are complex and multifaceted, yet reforms must be based on three fundamental aspects. First, reform the official system to ensure that titles match reality; second, establish schools to cultivate talent; third, improve elections to enable the court to select capable individuals"

However, this time, gazing at Chu Yun'er’s expression, Tang Kang felt as if he was personally depriving someone of their happiness! As he watched Chu Yun'er’s hand loosen, causing the calligraphy scroll to slip into the brazier, Tang Kang couldn't help but shiver involuntarily

"But you have no evidence anymore, do you?" Han Wei's face grew increasingly dark.

Ah

As soon as the three of them expressed their stance, the Deputy Minister of the Privy Council, Cai Ting, and Wang Shao could not help but exchange glances, their expressions changing in alarm. The two stepped forward and said sternly, "We believe that the Liao people are insatiable in their demands, and their wishes should not be fulfilled"

Tang Kang sat down, let out a light sigh, and said with a bitter smile, "I fear it cannot be called a good word."

"The Holy Edict summons Wang Gui and Lü Huaiqing to the Ying Hall to meet the Emperor."

Peng Jian's complexion grew increasingly pale, and he almost shouted hysterically: "Lord Han, Lord Cai, Lord An, you must give me justice! This vile servant has plotted against me!"

The majority of the yamen runners had received training, and after a moment of hesitation, seeing that Han Wei had not spoken, they quickly surged forward, seizing Ah Yuan and delivering four hard slaps to her face, driving her out of the main hall. A group of yamen runners, fierce as wolves and tigers, pinned Chu Yun'er to the ground, and with each strike, her back was beaten to a bloody pulp, causing her to faint. Although she had been trained and no tendons or muscles were injured, the pain to her skin and flesh was unbearable for someone as delicate as her.

Chu Yun'er slightly raised her head, casting a disdainful glance at him, and said: "As a commoner, I have neither deceived nor concealed anything, and I am not afraid of confronting the truth. If you have witnesses, please bring them to the court for a direct confrontation; if there are no witnesses, there is no need for empty threats. I also wish to know who is slandering me"

Even Cai Chengxi and An Dun could not help but change color, saying: "There are only a handful of people in the court who know the details of this matter. How could a mere courtesan from the Chu family possibly know in advance and collude?" To admit that Chu Yun'er colluded would be to acknowledge that someone leaked confidential information. At that time, no one would be able to escape responsibility. Han Wei and others surely understand the gravity of the situation.

"Nonsense. It was clearly 'He Xin Lang'; I saw it at a glance, and you had your maid put it away immediately." Peng Jian shouted loudly, "Lord Han, you may summon her maid to confront this matter and you will know the truth."

Chu Yun'er gently shook her head, not wishing to argue, and said, "Then what calamity is the young master referring to?"

Is he doing well?" Chu Yun'er asked softly, biting her lip, as she invited Tang Kang to sit down. Her heart was racing; just a few days ago, Sang Zier had left, and now Shi Yue had sent his sworn brother from afar, but she did not know the reason behind it

Chu Yun'er replied softly, "In response to your Excellency, it is the 'Flowers Bright and Moon Dim, Light Mist Flying' of Duke Longxi, which seems rather inconvenient for men to view"

Peng Jian pointed at Chu Yun'er and said in a hoarse voice, "It is from her that it came."

"Brother Yu Yu, I heard that Lord Fu has once again requested the Emperor to record the works of Shi Jie and Ouyang Xiu." Lü Huiqing asked with a smile after Wang Gui finished his walk and returned to the Hall of Political Affairs

Upon hearing the phrase "disloyal intentions," Chu Yun'er immediately felt her heart tighten. At that moment, she noticed Tang Kang hesitating to speak, and hurriedly pressed him, asking, "What is it?"

Wang Gui and Lü Huiqing then realized that the Emperor was listening to Yuan Jiang recount the historical anecdotes of the current dynasty, yet they were puzzled as to why they had been summoned. They could only stand with their hands crossed, as the Emperor did not inquire further. Lü Huiqing caught a glimpse of Lü Shengqing's flushed face and had already anticipated that the Emperor must have posed a question that he could not answer, which was why the Hanlin scholar Yuan Jiang had to personally narrate the story. This thought inevitably filled him with a sense of shame and annoyance.

Han Wei pressed further, asking: "Lord Peng, how exactly did that poem come about?"

Tang Kang then slightly understood the situation. Seeing that Chu Yun'er was willing to cooperate, he felt a sense of relief in his heart and said: "The presiding judge for this case is Master Han Wei from the Kaifeng Prefecture, along with two censors as accompaniers. Master Han is reasonable and will not make things difficult for you, but I fear for those two censors... If they testify, it would be fine, but if they deny the occurrence of this matter, I worry that Peng Jian might turn against you, and then you would suffer."

Although Ah Yuan loved to dress as a man, she was still a girl of considerable beauty. Seeing herself dirty and smelly, she felt both angry and anxious, and could hardly hold back her tears. Looking again at the male servant, he had already walked out of sight. Fearing that others would see her in such an embarrassing state and mock her, she had no choice but to muster her courage and get up, glancing around as she made her way back. After much difficulty, she finally reached her doorstep, and seeing that no one was watching, she let out a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to push open the side door, she suddenly heard footsteps approaching from behind. A man's voice said, "Second Young Master, this is Miss Chu's residence."

Is the young master still awake

How to recognize it

Not long after, Shi Jie fell ill and died, coinciding with the madman Kong Zhiwen's rebellion. The authorities searched his home and found letters from Shi Jie. Xia Song suspected that Shi Jie had faked his death, and he fled north to the Khitan, requesting the coffin be opened for verification

Chen Liang knew that Tang Kang did not recognize Cai Jing, so he hurriedly said: "This is Master Cai Yuanchang, the Director of the Maritime Trade Office." He then smiled at Cai Jing and said: "Master Cai, this is Tang Kang, the sworn brother of Master Shi." Kang Shi is the courtesy name of Tang Kang

Tang Kang had the two companions accompanying him lead the horses and entered the residence first. Upon greeting everyone, he raised his eyes and saw Shi Jian dressed in travel attire, realizing that he was about to return to the capital. He then smiled and said: "Shi Jian, please take your time and proceed at a slower pace."

Tang Kang sighed: "The young lady's deep feelings and strong intentions make me feel ashamed. I have torn out the page from the manuscript that contains that poem; please take good care of the rest, young lady."

Although Yuan Jiang deliberately introduced Shi Jie’s life in a plain tone and tried to be brief, even Zhao Xu knew that behind this was a heart-stirring political struggle, which was actually part of the contest between "gentlemen" and "villains" during the Qingli Reform. Shi Jie was the most famous radical among the gentlemen of the Qingli Reform, and his experiences had garnered widespread sympathy from many gentlemen. At that time, many of his students who attended his lectures were now serving as officials in the court.

"Quickly present it here." Zhao Xu instructed, while turning to Su Song and asking, "You mentioned that Di Qing has six sons; what are they all doing?"

This is a trivial matter. Wang Gui smiled faintly, showing indifference

An Zhun was momentarily at a loss for words. He was repeatedly attacked by Chu Yun'er’s rhetoric, and with a desire to please Lü Huiqing, he could not help but feel a mix of anger and embarrassment. He said: "I see you are clearly trying to use clever words to argue your case. If you are not subjected to torture, I doubt you will speak the truth! Come here!"

Su Song hurried over to take a closer look, but after examining it for a while, he could not discern the Emperor's intention and could only smile and say, "This artist has captured the likeness very well"

When Shijian saw Tang Kang suddenly appear in Hangzhou, he already knew that the plan could not be carried out. The crowd surrounded Tang Kang and turned back to the Shi residence. Tang Kang whispered to Shijian, "Only reliable people should be called to discuss matters in the back hall." He had always been in the capital and was unaware of who in Hangzhou could be trusted. He thought that finding Chu Yun'er would undoubtedly be a complicated affair, requiring considerable effort and manpower—yet he did not know that the people here had already secured Chu Yun'er in their grasp. After whispering to Shijian, Tang Kang stopped and bowed deeply to the crowd, smiling as he said, "Please forgive my rudeness; I must first go pay my respects to my sister-in-law." After saying this, he bowed again and proceeded directly to the back.

As instructed

Zhao Xu could not help but become interested and said with a smile, "Please tell me, who are they? I also wish to know who the renowned ministers in the hearts of the common people are"

Tang Kang kept a close watch on Chu Yun'er’s expression and noticed her genuine concern for Shi Yue, which made him feel a twinge of compassion. However, given the gravity of the matter, he dared not trust anyone lightly, so he asked again: "Miss Chu, do you not wish to inquire about my intentions?"

Minister Wang Jui and Lu Huiching quickly bowed down to receive the imperial decree

Then let us change personnel, allow Liu Chen to return to his original position, and let Lü Dazhong go home to finalize matters Zhao Xu said indifferently

The common folk have heard the rumors outside, all claiming that Duke Wu of Di is the reincarnation of the True Martial God" Li Xiang'an replied with a smile, following the Emperor's tone

"Your Majesty, the painting was purchased by this old servant the day before yesterday. Should it be taken out for Your Majesty's inspection?" Li Xiang'an felt that he had received a stroke of good fortune

A Yuan saw Tang Kang's serious expression, yet there was an unmistakable hint of amusement in his eyes. For some reason, her heart skipped a beat, and she felt an inexplicable surge of anger and embarrassment. Without considering whether it was impudent, she exclaimed, "I know I look ridiculous; if you want to laugh, just laugh. Why pretend to laugh but hold it back? It shows no manliness at all, humph!" After saying this, she forcefully pushed the door and ran inside

These two men are Cai Jing and Tang Kang. Upon seeing A Yuan covered in mud, with patches of black and white, Tang Kang could hardly contain his laughter. However, since it was their first meeting and the other party seemed to be from the Chu residence, he felt it inappropriate to mock him. Thus, he forced himself to suppress his amusement and said with a serious expression: "May I ask this brother..."

Since following Shi Yue two years ago, Tang Kang suddenly discovered that he seemed to have entered a completely different world. At Baishuitan Academy, he witnessed the clash of various thoughts firsthand. He still vividly remembers the shock of hearing a debate for the first time in the debate hall, and the excitement and passion he felt during his first competition at the skills pavilion. Following Shi Yue, who is both his foster brother and cousin-in-law, he was influenced by the ideals and aspirations that he inadvertently expressed, listening to him share fresh ideas and stories, imagining everything he had experienced. He had unknowingly become a disciple of Shi Yue, eagerly willing to follow him in creating the ideal world described in "The Governance of the Three Generations"

What the historian did not know was that Cai Ting, while ill, had once cried out: "A great humiliation! A great humiliation!" On the very day Cai Ting resigned as Deputy Minister of the Privy Council, Fu Bi's memorial arrived in the capital; the case of Shi Yue was secretly opened for trial in the Kaifeng Prefecture...

Lü Huiqing's gaze was fixed upon a clock located at the corner of the northern wall of the Hall of Political Affairs. The clock was designed in the form of a bronze statue of Confucius standing by a winding river. Beside the river, there was a bronze tree, from which a slender pendulum extended, featuring a small bird made of brass. The bird swung back and forth incessantly beneath the tree by the river. The clock face was made of porcelain, embedded in the branches, indicating the twelve hours. On the trunk of the tree, the inscription "Time flows like this" was carved in seal script.

Chu Yun'er suddenly smiled slightly and calmly said: "It seems that there is still a turn of events. The Emperor would rather travel a long distance to bring me, a commoner, to the capital than to inquire about Brother Shi... Young Master Tang, if I firmly assert that that poem was not written by Brother Shi..."

Han Wei nodded and asked Peng Jian: "Is that character in cursive script?"

"Common woman? Are you not a singing courtesan?" An Dun asked with a tone of sarcasm.

An Zhun suddenly said coldly: "Chu, do you know what crime it is to deceive the authorities?"

A Yuan responded and stepped forward. Han Wei glanced at her and asked Peng Jian, "Lord Peng, is this her?"

Tang Kang hesitated for a moment, casting a worried glance at Chu Yun'er, his mind constantly weighing the risks. Such a delicate woman, he truly did not know... Chu Yun'er pursed her lips and remained silent. Tang Kang looked at her again, as if he had made up his mind, and said: "Miss Chu, since it is so, please destroy the original manuscript and all the writings, and find another piece of calligraphy to replace it. When the officials come, they will naturally take the physical evidence with them. There are many people in the residence, and it is hard to ensure that no one will betray us; this cannot be denied."

Inside the Baowen Pavilion are enshrined the imperial writings and collections of two emperors, Emperor Ren of Song and Emperor Ying of Song. At this moment, Zhao Xu is seated in the pavilion, with a pile of imperial writings placed before him, all of which pertain to one individual—Diqing, the Duke of Wu Xiang!

Tang Kang stood with his hands behind his back, surveying the surrounding scenery while waiting. He was born in Sichuan and later spent two years in Hangzhou with his father. In the fifth year of the Xining era, he arrived in Bianjing, and counting carefully, it has been over two years now. This time returning to Hangzhou, although he knew his father was in the city, he had no time to meet him, let alone savor the beauty of Hangzhou's landscapes. At this moment, seeing the elegant environment here, which was refreshing and uplifting, he couldn't help but feel a sense of fondness. He was just about to take a few steps away when the door creaked open again, and the maid from earlier stepped out, bowing and saying: "Young Master, my young lady requests your presence."

Before long, Chu Yun'er was brought into the hall by the yamen runners

Chu Yun'er coldly laughed and said: "Lord Peng has come to propose for me! He wishes to marry me off as a concubine to Scholar Shi Ziming."

"The manuscript was not burned." Tang Kang looked at the manuscript he had impulsively snatched back, unsure in his heart whether what he had done was right or wrong

A Yuan silently groaned, not daring to turn back. However, she heard another man exclaim, "Oh," and suddenly ask in a voice filled with astonishment, "Who is this..." A Yuan sensed the surprise in his tone, her curiosity piqued. Without thinking much, she turned around and saw a young man, around eighteen or nineteen years old, cupping his fists in greeting a few steps away. Her face instantly flushed red, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to hide in.

This ... ...

Tang Kang waited for Cai Jing to walk away before he approached the main gate and lightly knocked on the door knocker. After a short while, a maid opened the door just a crack and peeked out. Upon seeing that the one knocking was a graceful young man, her face involuntarily flushed, and she softly asked, "May I ask who you are looking for, young sir?"

The next day, in the Chongzheng Hall

An Zhun had long since made up his mind, and he had someone wake Chu Yun'er with cold water, asking in a fierce voice: "Are you going to tell the truth or not?"

Chu Yun'er smiled wearily and said, "Young Master Tang need not worry."

Upon hearing this, Ah Yuan's expression immediately darkened, her lips curled in disdain as she coldly remarked, "You only know that it was the Lady Shi and Lady Mu who suffered losses; I don't think she is a good person." The male servants, who were accustomed to not daring to argue with her, also refrained from further conversation and silently went to fetch water. Ah Yuan remained displeased, muttering indignantly, "I don't understand what Scholar Shi sees in her; I heard she is merely the daughter of a merchant." Even as the two of them each carried a load of water on their way back, Ah Yuan still felt a lingering resentment. However, she thought it pointless to discuss these matters with a male servant, and her pent-up anger could not be vented, making her feel utterly miserable. As she observed the male servant briskly carrying two large buckets of water, she, with her two smaller buckets, found herself lagging far behind, which only added to her inexplicable discomfort. In a moment of distraction, her foot suddenly slipped, and with a cry of "Ouch," she fell into the roadside ditch, soaking herself with the water from the buckets, and a wave of foul mud assaulted her senses.

Oh?

The male servant also laughed and said, "This must certainly be a loss for Lady Shi."

How? Although Chu Yun'er spoke in a calm tone, her fingers tightly gripping the prayer beads betrayed her emotions

Well, did your mistress ever ask you to collect a piece of calligraphy that day

"Attention!" Zhao Xu waved his hand, intending to dismiss the court. Suddenly, a minister fell to the ground with a loud thud. "Minister Cai, Minister Cai!" The Chongzheng Hall was instantly thrown into chaos. Zhao Xu descended from the throne and realized that it was actually the Deputy Chief of the Privy Council, Cai Ting, who had fainted in the hall! Startled, he quickly called out loudly: "Imperial physician, quickly summon the imperial physician!"

There is an impending disaster, and it is about to occur. My elder brother specifically asked me to inform Miss Chu so that she can prepare in advance

I have great sympathy for his circumstances," Zhao Xu sighed, "Fu Bi said that in order to prevent Xia Song from seeking revenge, he wanted to leave a line of kin for the Shi family, which is why he sent her to escape. There was only half a piece of Hetian green jade unicorn, which, when combined with the half piece owned by Shi Qi, formed a pair, to be used as a token for the future. This matter was known to Fu Bi, who was previously unaware; it was only before his wife's death that she entrusted Fu Bi to investigate.

Tang Kang raised his head and surveyed his surroundings, only to realize that the maid was actually leading him directly to the inner hall for a meeting! He understood that this was a special treatment from Chu Yun'er, and quickly adjusted his attire before stepping into the hall

"Your Excellency, the commoner did not lie. What the commoner had A Yuan put away that day was indeed a poem titled 'Pusa Man'!" Chu Yun'er replied calmly

Chu Yun'er let out a barely audible sigh, her gaze falling upon the manuscript personally gifted to her by Shi Yue

An Zhun noticed that both individuals remained silent, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of hesitation in his heart. In an instant, memories of Lu Huiqing's hints flashed through his mind, followed by thoughts of Shi Yue's power. After weighing the situation for a moment, he finally gritted his teeth and said with a sinister smile: "Chu, do you really think that I have no witnesses to confront you?"

Peng Jian had a deep impression of her and nodded, saying: "It is indeed her"

Wang Gui further reported: "Liu Chen and Lü Dazhong hold their views very firmly. If the court advocates for peace negotiations, I fear it may not be able to sway their intentions"

Can you recognize what is written on it

Upon hearing her words, Han Wei felt a surge of joy in his heart, secretly letting out a sigh of relief, and then solemnly asked, "Think carefully again, have you truly never seen it?"

Yuan Jiang also understood that this was ultimately a difficult matter, and said: "The court's consideration for loyal ministers is indeed a commendable act. Your Majesty, why not heed Fu Bi's suggestion and summon Ouyang Fa and Shi Qi for an audience? If their talents are deemed useful, they could be appointed to official positions to serve the court; if their abilities are mediocre, they could be granted gifts of gold and silk. This would be sufficient to encourage the hearts of the people throughout the world. As for the orphan of Shi Jie, heaven will surely show favor, and he will be found. In my humble opinion, there is no need for excessive effort in this matter."

Han Wei and Cai Chengxi were both taken aback by An Dun's sudden change of stance. The two nodded slightly, and Han Wei struck the gavel, exclaiming: "Withdraw from the court!"

Tang Kang shook his head and said with a bitter smile, "Miss, please do not misunderstand. This poem will be known to Peng Jian, and my elder brother is well aware that it is by no means your intention. Moreover, this matter does not need to be delved into deeply. We have heard news that the Emperor has personally issued an edict, requesting that Lord Chao, the Chief Justice, bring you back to Bianjing to testify. My elder brother is concerned for your safety, but given his current position, speaking out would only worsen the situation, so..."

Chu Yun'er furrowed her brows and said: "I seldom see outsiders. My elder brother's manuscript is precious and not to be shown to others. It was only due to a moment of carelessness that someone named Peng was able to see a piece of calligraphy. That was written in cursive script after drinking. The girl beside me, even if she recognizes a few characters, would certainly not be able to read cursive script."

Han Wei and Cai Chengxi were taken aback and exclaimed, "Sir An, how can one use torture on a witness?"

I am concerned about Lü Huiqing. Whenever he has the opportunity, he will certainly not let it go easily. Now that Peng Jian has been summoned back to the capital, if it can be confirmed in the Kaifeng Prefecture that the poem was composed by me, he will undoubtedly gain sympathy. Since the founding of the dynasty by Emperor Taizu, we have adhered to the ancestral teaching that 'reason is of utmost importance'; even the Emperor cannot take action against Peng Jian simply because he dislikes him. As for the affairs in Hangzhou, they are being handled by Chao Meishu, but it is uncertain how that will turn out.

An Zhun also cast a somewhat disdainful glance at Peng Jian, lightly cleared his throat, and said: "I kindly ask Lord Han to continue with the inquiry."

Shige suddenly recalled something, "How could I possibly look like Shijie?"

I just do not know how many people have seen that poem? If many people have seen it, it will eventually be leaked.

May I ask how you would like to be addressed, young master

In times of national crisis, one longs for capable generals

"Your Excellency, this humble woman truly does not know what crime she has committed, and I kindly ask you to clarify it for me." Chu Yun'er’s words were soft yet laced with sharpness

Your Majesty is wise! The voices singing praises and commendations immediately resounded in the Chongzheng Hall, yet Zhao Xu found them unbearably harsh to his ears.

Zhao Xu nodded and said: "I summoned Wang Qing and Lü Qing to inquire about this matter. Is it possible for the court to issue a notice to seek out this orphan? If we can find this orphan, it would indeed be a wonderful thing"

"Miss Chu, do you know which poem that little man presented to the Emperor?" Tang Kang sighed deeply, and before Chu Yun'er could ask, he answered himself: "Dreams linger on the roads of the Divine Land. Sighing in the autumn wind, the bugles of the encampments sound, the Forbidden City is far from the millet..."

This clock was presented as a tribute to the court. Its selling price in Tokyo is 500 guan; in Liao and Dali, it is 3,000 guan; and in Goryeo and Japan, it is 5,000 guan

Wang Gui and Lü Huiqing, among others, were certainly aware of this matter. Xia Song not only harbored resentment because Shi Jie praised the gentlemen of the Qingli era and scorned himself as a traitor, but he also sought to take the opportunity to slander Du Yan, Fu Bi, and others—at that time, Du Yan was in Yanzhou, which is why he dared to act so recklessly. However, they were unwilling to expose these matters. Even Yuan Jiang merely responded lightly, saying: "Your Majesty is wise." He then continued: "Thus, the court issued an edict requiring local authorities to investigate the truth of Shi Jie's existence and demise. Gong Dingchen, the chief scribe of Yanzhou, was willing to guarantee with his entire family that Jie would certainly die, and Du Yan, along with the head of the criminal justice department, Lü Jujian, as well as hundreds of local citizens, also guaranteed his certain death. As a result, he was spared the humiliation of having his coffin destroyed. After Shi Jie died, the younger members of his clan were detained in other states, and his family was originally impoverished, with his wife nearly starving to death. It was Fu Bi and Han Qi who together purchased land to support them.

Tang Kang couldn't help but smile and said, "We should focus on the important matters at hand, and I appreciate Lord Cai for seeing us off"

Peng Jian, upon seeing Han Wei inquire about this matter, had already turned red and pale, feeling extremely embarrassed. However, Han Wei pretended not to notice and continued to ask: "What matter is being discussed?"

"How can we be sure that this is not a forgery, Lord Peng!" Han Wei asked coldly, emphasizing his tone. "If that is truly the case, do you not know that the law of the land is merciless?"

Last night, Liu Chen and Xiao Xi argued until deep into the night, with Xiao Xi refusing to yield... Han Jiang said cautiously, lowering his head and not daring to meet the emperor's gaze

Which one is A Yuan, please come forward to inquire

Tang Kang smiled faintly and nodded, saying: "Thank you for your trouble."

A family does not speak as two families. I will wait for the second young master outside the bamboo grove to return to the city together. If someone from Uncle Chao Mei arrives, there will naturally be someone to inform the second young master. Cai Jing replied with a smile and took his leave.

Tang Kang nodded slightly and smiled, saying, "Thank you, sister, for leading the way." Following the maid, he entered the Chu residence. The maid guided him along winding paths, passing through several doors, yet he still did not see the reception room. Tang Kang felt puzzled, wondering just how large this Chu residence could be. While he was contemplating, he heard the maid laugh and say, "Young master, we have arrived. My young lady is waiting for you in the hall."

"If Peng Daren is the plaintiff, then the Chu family is not only a witness but also a defendant," An Tun replied coldly, continuing to shout, "Give her twenty strokes of the rod and see if she speaks or not!"

An Zhun saw that both individuals opposed the use of torture for interrogation and, realizing he could not force the issue, reluctantly nodded in agreement. He cast a cold glance at the maidservants of the Chu residence and shouted, "Whoever dares not speak the truth, beware of severe punishment!" However, what could those maidservants possibly know? In any case, when it came to the crucial points, they remained at a loss. After Han Wei had finished questioning him, he instructed the maidservants to leave the main hall, then fixed his cold gaze on Peng Jian and asked, "Lord Peng, do you have any other evidence?"

"If you are determined to be stubborn, I shall naturally accompany you to the end!" An Dun let out a heavy "hmph".

Su Song looked at the portrait of Shi Jie, then at the portrait of Shi Yue, and indeed felt that there was a certain resemblance. He couldn't help but nod and said, "There is indeed some similarity. However, Shi Jie appears rather aloof, while Shi Yue is much more gentle; the two cannot be compared on the same day."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yun'er couldn't help but sway slightly, her pale face devoid of any color. She lowered her head and glanced at the Buddhist beads in her hand, forcing out a faint smile as she asked, "That little man, is he Peng Jian?" Tang Kang gently nodded, pursing his lips, and listened as Chu Yun'er continued, "I already understand the young master's intentions. However, I would like to ask why this poem has spread outwards?"

The Emperor's words were indeed quite severe. Han Jiang quickly stepped forward and said first, "I believe that lightly provoking conflict with the Liao state is a most inferior strategy." Before he could finish speaking, Lü Huiqing had already voiced a strong opposition, saying, "I believe we must resolutely reject the unreasonable demands of the Liao people." Feng Jing and Wang Gui exchanged glances and spoke in unison, "We believe that it is unwise to lightly initiate hostilities." Wu Chong hesitated for a moment and also stated, "I too believe that we should not lightly provoke conflict."

Chu Yun'er lowered her head and replied coldly, "In response to your honor, the commoner has long since renounced her status."

"Returning to the words of the esteemed official, this humble woman does not dare to deceive or mislead." Chu Yun'er could not help but sneer inwardly. Indeed, the commands of officials weigh as heavily as Mount Tai, while the lives of common people are as light as a feather. It was merely to serve as a witness, and having committed no offense, she was unceremoniously summoned to travel a great distance to the capital.

Yes

In the imperial palace of Bianjing, to the east of the Tianzhang Pavilion and to the north of the Qunyu and Ruizhu Halls, lies the Baowen Pavilion

After waiting in the back hall for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Tang Kangcai walked in and apologized with a bow, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." However, his gaze stopped on Cai Jing.

Han Wei coldly asked, "How am I to give you justice?"

The sound of "clanging" is the only sound in the quiet political hall

Tang Kang smiled wryly and said, "My lady, do you know that the tree wishes to be still, yet the wind does not cease?"

"Why must the young master worry unnecessarily?" Pan Zhaolin said with a smile, "In the letter from Kang Shi, it is mentioned that Miss Chu is gentle on the outside but strong on the inside, resilient and principled. Although she is young, she has always had a keen eye for people."

Zhao Xu pushed aside the scrolls on the table and sighed deeply, "Is there a portrait of Di Wuxiang?"

Zhao Xu shifted his gaze, nodded slightly, and smiled, saying: "I have heard that in the past, during the Ministry of Rites' selection of scholars, four or five out of ten were disciples of this 'True Master.' Is the Mr. Culai, who is beside him, the same Shi Jie who wrote the 'Poem of the Sacred Virtues of the Great Calendar'?"

Zhao Xu pondered and said, "Transfer Di Yong to the Imperial Guard and grant him the authority to carry imperial weapons"

Chu Yun'er took the paper and saw the words written on it: "Dreams linger on the roads of the Divine Land. Sighing in the autumn wind, the bugle sounds from the encampments, the Forbidden City departs from the millet..." Although she had been mentally prepared, she could not help but feel a jolt. She then feigned ignorance, read it carefully to the end, returned the paper to the squad leader, and shook her head in confusion, saying, "This humble girl has never seen this poem."

The swordsman Shijian recounted the entire sequence of events from beginning to end, and only then did Tang Kang realize that the situation in Hangzhou was not as concerning as he had thought. After Shijian finished speaking, he briefly summarized the situation in the capital, mentioning only what could be disclosed. It was at this point that everyone learned of Peng Jian's treacherous intentions. However, Tang Kang, being naturally cautious, remained vague about whether that poem was indeed written by Shi Yue, and no one dared to press further for clarification.

The maid, blushing, extended her hand to take the box and said, "Please wait a moment, young master." With a creak, she closed the door again

Han Wei struck the wooden block with a loud "bang" and sternly exclaimed, "Do you truly not know?"

Zhao Xu frowned and said, "This seems a bit excessive; could it be that Xia Song is seeking revenge out of resentment?" At that time, people placed great importance on being buried peacefully.

Su Song smiled and said, "Recently, the bookstores and newsstands in Bianjing have been selling two types of paintings. One type is portraits of virtuous officials from the Ren Temple, and the other type is portraits of famous officials from our dynasty. I don't know which artist painted them, but their skill is remarkable. The portraits are incredibly lifelike, and it's impressive that he recognizes so many high-ranking officials."

An Tun cast a glance at Han Wei and Cai Chengxi. Han Wei remained noncommittal, already feeling anger towards him for being meddlesome; however, Cai Chengxi pretended not to see. He usually had the potential to flatter and criticize Shi Yue, but when faced with such a significant matter, Cai Chengxi had long made up his mind not to stick his neck out. With Deng Wan as a cautionary tale, and knowing that the Emperor clearly favored Shi Yue, how could he, as an Imperial Censor, dare to act against the Emperor's will? An Imperial Censor is merely a tool for the Emperor to balance the officials, and Cai Chengxi understood this better than anyone. "You, An Tun, rely on the support of Lü Huiqing, so go ahead and make a fuss," Cai Chengxi thought to himself.

Tang Kang glanced at Cai Jing and smiled, saying, "I have come to Hangzhou specifically for this matter. I am just afraid that Peng Jian will slander Miss Chu. It is essential to investigate the hidden truths in order to better assist Miss Chu in the future, so that the authorities do not hear only one side of the story." His words were so grand and dignified that they immediately caught Cai Jing's attention, who then smiled and said, "In that case, I shall lead the way and take you to meet Miss Chu. I believe that the smuggling case at the Yang family residence in my office seems to lack substantial evidence and can now be closed."

Shiyue nodded and said, "If I am to reform, I cannot allow the old party to think that I intend to follow in Wang Anshi's footsteps; instead, I can only raise the banner of the Qingli New Policies and proceed gradually. Moreover, I cannot let the Emperor and others become anxious and impatient..." At this point, Shiyue suddenly smiled to himself, self-mockingly saying, "With the constant troubles we face now, it is indeed extravagant to discuss such matters."

Yuan Jiang pondered for a moment, then turned his gaze towards Wang Gui. Wang Gui shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, this private matter of the Shi family from nearly thirty years ago is not well known to us. Shi Jie’s wife has always been taken care of by Fu Bi, and since Fu Bi has said this, it is likely to be true"

"Master need not worry. Chao Meishu accused Peng Jian of secretly sending people to monitor the official residence of the adult. The emperor was furious, and the two governments, Hanlin Academy, and Lantai all criticized Peng Jian for his audacity. This is the first scandal of this kind in our dynasty. Since the emperor has rejected Peng Jian's defense, this matter should come to an end." Pan Zhaolin's tone made it seem as if everything was under control.

Tang Kang took out a wooden box from his arms and handed it to the maid, smiling and saying, "Please trouble sister to deliver this to your master, Miss Chu, and tell her that an old friend from the capital has sent someone to visit and hopes for an audience."

Cai Jing knew in his heart that the lyrics were most likely written by Shi Yue, but he dared not reveal it. He only frowned and said, "What's strange now is how Peng Jian managed to win over Miss Chu. This matter, I'm afraid I can't know the details unless I ask the person involved."

Just a few days later, Tang Kang and the envoy from the imperial court both arrived in Hangzhou on the same day. Almost at the same time the envoy entered the north gate of Hangzhou and headed to the prison office to deliver the imperial decree, Tang Kang dismounted in front of the Shifu Gate and coincidentally bumped into Chen Liang, Cai Jing, and others who were about to leave to escort the sword back to the capital.

When Wang Gui and Lu Huiqing arrived at the side hall of the Neiying Palace, they found several Zhizhigao officials and Hanlin academicians such as Yuan Jiong in the hall. Even the imperial book reader of the Chongzheng Palace, Lu Shengqing, and Shen Jizhang were present. After the two of them paid their respects, the emperor turned his gaze to Yuan Jiong and said, "Yuan Qing, please continue."

Your Majesty, Di Qing's eldest son, Di Liang, has inherited the title and is now farming and studying in his ancestral home in Xiehe, Fenzhou. His second son, Di Zi, and third son, Di Yong, both serve as officials in the imperial court. Di Zi holds a position in the Forbidden Army, while Di Yong has made significant military achievements in the Wang Shao army. The fourth son, Di Hui, and the fifth son, Di Shuo, have chosen to pursue scholarly pursuits over martial arts. The youngest son, Di Jian, is currently studying at the Academy of Investigation in Baishuitan.

Pan Zhaolin looked up at the stars in the night sky and said, "These things will pass sooner or later. What really worries me is that the Emperor will eventually succumb to pressure and show weakness to the Khitan people. Why hasn't Sima Mengqiu returned yet?"

Looking at Chu Yuner opening that calligraphy copy, Tang Kang watched foolishly, with a gaze seemingly filled with a thousand tender feelings and endless longing. Suddenly, Tang Kang felt extremely ashamed in his heart. In front of this woman, he seemed like a shameless villain.

A trial, unexpectedly ended so hastily! Only Peng Jian stood in the hall, looking as if he had lost his soul.

More than twenty years have passed since Shi Jie's death. When he died, he had just offended Xia Song, and many of his manuscripts were burned. Not even a single portrait of him was left behind. After more than twenty years, when I heard Fu Bi describe Shi Jie's appearance, I made a few slight changes to his facial features when painting his portrait. It was an easy task. Even Fu Bi thought the portrait was very similar. How could others distinguish between the real and the fake? Pan Zhao Lin said with a half-smile, clearly very pleased with himself.

Han Wei couldn't help but show a hint of disdain on his face. He glanced at Peng Jian, who was already uneasy. Cai Chengxi asked indifferently, "Mr. Peng, is what she said true?"

Let it be received

As the sound of the bell echoed through the air like a resounding bronze vessel, it almost startled Lu Huiching. He furrowed his brow unconsciously. Until now, he was still not accustomed to the clock's hourly chime. He glanced at Wang Gui, who was indeed punctual. Every time the clock struck, he would stand up and take a walk around the courtyard.

Han Wei glanced at the sky outside, where the clouds were scattered, some light and some dense. Even sitting inside the Kaifeng Prefectural Government, he could feel the hot and humid air. Han Wei unconsciously shook his head and thought, "It's really not good weather!" He turned and saw the censor Cai Chengxi and the supervisory censor Li Xing'an whispering to each other. Cai Chengxi was nothing special, but Li Xing'an was just a top scholar from the Imperial Academy who had written about educational matters and gained the emperor's appreciation. He was also recommended by Lu Huiqing and thus obtained a prestigious position. He was just a small person who had risen through the ranks. Han Wei sighed in his heart, picked up the gavel, and slammed it heavily, shouting, "Court is in session!"

Kaifeng Prefecture

"What?" Chu Yuner suddenly opened her eyes and saw Tang Kang holding the manuscript in his hand. She grabbed it and held it tightly in her arms, crying softly.

The yamen runner immediately elongated his voice and shouted, "Wei--Wu--".

Tang Kang was stunned for a moment. He heard her soft voice, scolding people as if singing, clearly a girl from the south of the Yangtze River—girls wearing men's clothing did not seem strange to Tang Kang. He had seen his cousin wear it several times, but she was always covered in mud, which he had never seen before. Most of the women he had seen in his life were well-bred ladies, with restrained behavior and manners of a lady; even the maidservants were disciplined according to family rules. Only the singing girls and courtesans would act wantonly to show their distinctiveness, but those women could not be compared with the innocent and lively girl he had just seen. After a while, Tang Kang came to his senses and shook his head with a bitter smile at Cai Jing.

The silver moonlight spilled on the ground, with dense tree shadows everywhere, and no sound of people. In the garden of the Stone Mansion, it was very quiet. Shi Yue put on a cloak, looked out from the gauze window, the sky was clear, without a trace of cloud or mist, only seeing countless stars all over the sky.

It is said that Emperor Renzong dared not appoint him as a censor, fearing that he would break the jade steps. This shows that he must be a solitary and introverted person. Although Zhao Xu and Shi Jie are from different eras, Zhao Xu has heard some anecdotes from the Renzong dynasty. As he spoke, he couldn't help but feel a faint sense of familiarity between Shi Jie's eyebrows and eyes. Zhao Xu slowly finished looking at the portraits of the famous ministers of the Renzong dynasty, and then walked to the "Portraits of Famous Ministers in the Xining Era". The first one was Wang Anshi, the second was Sima Guang, and the third was Shi Yue. Zhao Xu stood in front of Shi Yue's portrait, suddenly stopped, carefully examining the painting for a while, and suddenly said to Su Song, "Su Qing, come and take a look at Shi Yue's portrait."

This manuscript...

Tang Kang had long heard of the name Cai Jing, knowing that he was recommended by Shi Yue, and having seen Chen Liang and Shi Jian regard him as a trusted confidant, he clasped his fists and smiled, saying, "I have long admired you, Master Cai, who has been appointed to the Hangzhou Customs. Your reputation has already spread throughout the capital, and today, seeing you in person, you truly possess an extraordinary demeanor." Cai Jing quickly responded with humility. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Tang Kang smiled and said, "The matter is urgent, and we are all on the same side here, so I will get straight to the point. Do you all know that Miss Chu Yun'er is living in seclusion in Hangzhou?"

From a practical perspective, due to the relationship with Shi Yue, I almost received a title and honor. However, Shi Yue insisted on refusing, and it was finally abandoned. Even the emperor knew that Shi Yue had such a younger brother. Tang Kang deeply understands that his own future, as well as the future of his family, is closely tied to Shi Yue.

Zhao Xu thought for a moment and nodded, saying, "In that case, send envoys to summon Ouyang Fa and Shi Qilai to the Hall of Gathering Excellence. I want to meet them in person. I heard that Ouyang Fa is also a renowned talent."

Early on, the yamen officer had brought in ten maidservants and servants, including Ayuan, and they all knelt down in the hall. Han Wei then asked Chu Yun'er, "Which maidservant was present that day?"

Lv Huiqing smiled and said, "Your Majesty is benevolent and virtuous. However, it has been nearly thirty years since Shi Jie passed away in the fifth year of the Qingli era. His son was born in the sixth year of Qingli and is now in his late twenties. It is unknown whether his mother is still alive. If the court were to issue a notice, it is feared that the real person may not be found, but instead, it may attract many impostors."

Han Wei noticed the determined expression in Chu Yun'er's eyes, with a hint of resoluteness, which stirred something in his heart. When he looked at An Dun again, his eyes were filled with anger. He was worried that Chu Yun'er might not understand the severity of the situation and would further provoke An Dun. So he quickly took over the conversation and said, "Since that's the case..." He paused for a moment and raised his voice, "Please invite Mr. Peng to come to the court."

Someone sent a sealed letter to the emperor, inside of which was a poem supposedly written by the eldest brother. It is said that this poem not only proves that the eldest brother is the descendant of Shi Jingtang, but also demonstrates his unpredictable ambition!

"Today, the Imperial Academy, the Hanlin Academy, the Three Departments and Six Ministries, and the Office of the Inspectorate are all here. We must have a final conclusion," said Emperor Zhaoxu coldly. "Since the Liao people refuse to compromise, should the court prepare for border defense or continue to endure silently? You are all high-ranking officials of the court. When the time comes, how can you remain silent like cicadas in winter?"

An Dun was furious, with red eyes, he shouted, "Hit me hard."

Cai Chengxi and An Dun also quickly adjusted their attire, sat up straight, and looked serious.

Shigeo could not help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief, thinking to himself, "Fortunately, Chinese painting is different from oil painting"

"Indeed, very similar." Zhao Xu nodded, then walked to the portrait of Shi Jie and looked at it for a while. Pointing to the portrait, he asked, "Do you see any resemblance between the eyebrows of these two people?"

This...

Indeed. Zhao Xu smiled gently, unconsciously shook his head, and continued to appreciate the other portraits

"Brother Qian Guang? Why are you coming to the garden so late?" Shi Yue turned his head and saw it was Pan Zhaolin, feeling a little surprised.

It is this person.

The swordsman saw Tang Kang walk away and then turned his head to Chen Liang, saying, "Mr. Chen, please follow me to the back hall; I have a matter to consult with you." He glanced around at the others, his gaze resting on Cai Jing's face, then looked at Chen Liang again. Noticing Chen's slight nod, he hesitated for a moment in his heart and finally said, "Lord Cai, may I trouble you to accompany us to the back hall?"

Indeed. Unfortunately, in the past, among the people under Di Qing's command, only one, Zhang Yu, known as "Zhang Tiejian," remains. Zhang Yu, a general renowned for his exceptional bravery, was a fierce warrior under Di Qing and is currently the Inspector of Xuanzhou and Deputy Commander-in-Chief, also stationed in the Xihe region

"Bring the witness of the Chu family to the court!" Han Wei shouted loudly, deliberately emphasizing the words "witness." Cai Chengxi squinted his eyes noncommittally; however, An Dun's face inevitably changed slightly in color.

Han Wei's face sank, and he sternly said, "Mr. Peng, be careful with your words!"

Miss Chu, don't worry. The Emperor is still uncertain whether this poem was written by Big Brother or not.

A few days later, the historian wrote: "... the Deputy Minister of the Privy Council, Cai Ting, was dismissed due to illness and appointed as the Minister of State and Scholar of the Imperial Academy, overseeing the Nanjing Inspectorate..."

"Yes," Li Xiangan replied cautiously, unfolding a portrait of Di Qing. Zhao Xu examined it for a long time, his gaze fixed on the tattoo on Di Qing's forehead, and sighed, "A true hero indeed"

"Second Young Master!" Upon seeing the weary Tang Kang, everyone was taken aback. Could it be that something has happened in the capital again?

After noon

"Ah Yuan, do you recognize this Lord Peng?"

Li Xiang'an also forced a smile and cautiously said, "The officials often say that the reign of Emperor Renzong was a time of great talent, but I have also heard that the talents of our current dynasty are not at all inferior to those of the Renzong era"

Han Wei and the two, Cai and An, clasped their fists in salute and said, "Please allow Lord Peng to take a seat." After Lord Peng Jian had seated himself in the hall, Han Wei then turned his head and asked Chu Yun'er, "Chu, do you recognize Lord Peng?"

"I have just organized the official system of our dynasty, and came here to take a look." Pan Zhaolin's face seemed to show a hint of fatigue, "What is the young master worried about?"

How could these subtle actions escape Tang Kang's eyes? He lowered his head and said in a deep voice, "Not long ago, the Emperor summoned my elder brother back, intending to assign him a significant role. I even saw an article on the laws of our dynasty in my brother's study—clearly, he wished to achieve something. However, overnight, rumors spread throughout the capital, claiming that my brother was a descendant of Shi Jingtang and harbored treasonous intentions. Although the Emperor does not intend to execute my brother, he is evidently filled with doubts. To make matters worse—"

Understood

Cai Jing was taken aback, shook his head, and smiled, saying: "Everyone has a surname, but this official does not know what her surname is"

"Indeed, he is a 'Three Edicts Minister'!" Lü Huiqing thought disdainfully, no longer inquiring further, and buried himself in reviewing official documents. Wang Gui, in his position, was mocked by the ministers in court who enjoyed joking around, being referred to as the "Three Edicts Minister." They said that when he entered the hall to present matters, he would say, "Receive the imperial edict"; after the emperor made a decision, he would say, "Accept the imperial edict"; and after leaving the hall, he would instruct those reporting matters by saying, "The imperial edict has been received." He regarded everything based on the emperor's judgments of right and wrong, lacking both originality and personal opinion, merely possessing good writing skills. Among the ministers in the Central Secretariat, Wang Gui was also the least threatening.

I do not recognize cursive script

Chu Yun'er was quite surprised to find that Peng Jian had arrived in the capital almost at the same time as herself. She turned her head and saw Peng Jian swaggering into the main hall, glancing at her as he walked by with a scoff, then raised his head to greet Han Wei and others, saying, "This official pays respects to Lord Han, the Cai Court, and Lord An." After receiving the imperial edict that summoned him to the capital for questioning regarding his punishment, he had traveled day and night to Bianjing, partly to make preparations in advance and partly to wait for the opportunity to turn the situation around today.

Chu Yun'er slightly brightened her expression, saying, "This is good, this is good..."

It's all settled. Qin Guan will come forward in his name, and won't give anyone a handle. Tian Liewu also went to talk to his brothers, and they know how to handle things if it comes to punishment.

Hehe," Pan Zhaolin said with a leisurely smile, "it is not that the young master resembles Shi Jie, but rather that Shi Jie resembles the young master.

Cai Jing had already taken note of the subtle expressions of the two. He understood that this hesitation from Shi Jian indicated that he had already acknowledged him as a trusted confidant of Shi Yue, which brought him a sense of secret delight. However, being a person of considerable depth, he maintained a composed demeanor, subtly nodding and saying, "I dare not."