The wheels rolled along, traveling down the busiest street in the capital.
After a swift ride to the palace gates, a eunuch announced his arrival, and Song Langyu was led through one palace gate after another until he reached the doors of the Imperial Study.
"His Majesty happens to be free at the moment, Lord Song—please go right in." The head eunuch said with a fawning smile.
Song Langyu nodded, stepped inside, and gathered his robes to bow in salute. "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
Emperor Changping was past forty, yet his heroic bearing remained undiminished.
"What did you uncover that made you rush into the palace like this, unable to wait even for tomorrow's morning court?"
Song Langyu's expression was grave as he declared in a clear voice: "New developments have emerged in the Quedu Temple case. Today, an assassin attempted to silence an official's family member. We now have witness testimony implicating Grand Princess Ningle in the matter."
Emperor Changping fixed his gaze on Song Langyu, remaining silent for a long while.
Song Langyu bowed deeply, his voice dropping slightly in weight: "Your Majesty, this matter concerns the very foundation of the state. I beg you to make a decision soon!"
"What decision?" Emperor Changping's tone was neither heavy nor light. "Grand Princess Ningle is my imperial aunt. On the strength of a single flimsy piece of testimony, you expect me to issue an order to interrogate my own flesh and blood?"
Song Langyu moved to remonstrate further, but Emperor Changping cut him off: "Grand Princess Ningle was once married off to a foreign state for peace through alliance—she rendered meritorious service to the realm. If she were wronged on the basis of your unverified testimony, it would chill the hearts of all under heaven. Do not raise this matter again."
Grand Princess Ningle's reputation for virtue had spread far and wide. Since returning to court ten years ago, she had welcomed scholars of talent, funded those from humble backgrounds, and gathered no small number of capable people under her banner, with many close allies in the court as well. Emperor Changping was not unaware of this—it was only because the Grand Princess had committed no transgression and these people also served the court that he had never intervened.
Now the Grand Princess had become entangled with the Quedu Temple case, but after ten years of careful cultivation, her influence had taken deep root throughout the court. If Song Langyu's approach of open interrogation were followed, who knew what chaos might erupt.
Song Langyu was silent for a moment, then bowed once more. "If that is the case, there is one more matter I would ask Your Majesty to approve."
Emperor Changping rubbed his brow. "What matter?"
"This case has wide-reaching implications, and the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice lack sufficient manpower. I request Your Majesty's permission to mobilize the Palace Guard to assist in the investigation."
Emperor Changping let out a "hmph." "Aim for the highest and you'll get the middle—you're using military strategy on me, are you? You knew full well I wouldn't allow you to interrogate the Grand Princess, yet you still came to petition—your real intention is simply to get command of the Palace Guard's personal guards, isn't it?"
Though Emperor Changping had seen through his scheme, Song Langyu showed no sign of panic. He stood with his back straight and answered honestly: "The assassin today was extremely skilled. The manpower of the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice could barely match him. Had it not been for the Palace Guard's soldiers stepping in, I fear this case could not have been pursued any further."
Emperor Changping let out a sigh. "I know well that because of the peace-alliance marriage, the Grand Princess harbors resentment in her heart."
Song Langyu felt it inappropriate to comment, so he stood with his eyes lowered.
"Investigate the Grand Princess's affairs as you see fit, but be as discreet as possible. Otherwise, I fear that before you can get to the bottom of this case, you'll be impeached and stripped of your post—and then this case will become a cold case."
After a moment of deliberation, Emperor Changping spoke again: "It's not that I refuse to let you mobilize the Palace Guard. It's just that you know Shen Xiao's temperament. He's a deputy-second-rank commander; a fourth-rank official like you trying to command him will likely prove difficult."
Had Song Langyu any other choice, he naturally would not wish to have dealings with Shen Xiao. But neither the Infantry Battalion nor the Cavalry Battalion was as suitable as the Palace Guard.
"As long as Your Majesty grants permission, I have my own means of persuading Commander Shen."
Emperor Changping pondered for a moment, then said, "Go out and wait. I will speak with him."
Song Langyu bowed and withdrew. Seeing Shen Xiao standing beneath the corridor, he said to him, "His Majesty summons you inside."
"Are you lodging complaints again?" Shen Xiao's expression darkened as his hand quietly moved to his saber hilt.
Song Langyu noticed the movement and asked coolly, "Is the Commander drawing his blade to strike me down?"
The chief eunuch following behind Song Langyu let out an "Aiy, aiy," and stepped between them, smiling placatingly at Shen Xiao. "Commander Shen, please go in quickly—don't keep His Majesty waiting!"
Shen Xiao released his grip with a resentful grunt, shot Song Langyu a sidelong glare, and entered the hall.
Song Langyu did not wait long before Shen Xiao emerged from the hall.
The two stood side by side. Song Langyu gazed at the palace walls in the distance while Shen Xiao took two mint leaves from his pouch and chewed on them, saying, "I can have the Palace Guard follow your command, but you must keep me informed of the case's progress. If there's danger in any operation, you must tell me as well. The brothers under my command may die, but they won't die in ignorance."
Song Langyu did not agree immediately. Instead, he asked, "How is Vice Commander Xiao Sheng faring these days?"
The mint leaves in Shen Xiao's mouth had lost their flavor. He spat out the remnants and said flatly, "On duty, he still looks like a man—though he stands as still as a statue. Off duty, he goes home and drinks himself into a stupor, looking like a dog."
He fell silent for a moment, then also turned his gaze to the distant palace walls.
"Xiao Sheng loved Lady Feng dearly. Five years of marriage without a child, and he never once considered taking a concubine. The brothers often teased him about being completely under her thumb, and he would only smile without taking offense. When Lady Feng died so suddenly, the blow was too great for him. If I cannot uncover the reason behind her suicide and give him an answer, then I have failed as his superior."
"A small Quedu Temple, and yet it implicates figures of such weight. Can this case be investigated? How far can it go? I don't know either." Song Langyu had earned fame in his youth and had the Duke of Zhenguo's household as his backing. Since joining the Court of Judicial Review, he had investigated cases without fear or restriction.
But this case stirred a flicker of unease even in him.
Controlling officials' wives, cultivating retainers, lying low for ten years, roots running deep—how great must Grand Princess Ningle's ambition be…
The evening breeze brushed past the eaves, crimson clouds churning at the edge of the sky.
Over ten years, more than a dozen lives had been lost, and who knew how many more had died unjustly in the shadows. Even if it implicated the most powerful figures in the realm, he would see this case investigated to the bottom. If human lives were as fleeting as mayflies, then how could he stand tall between heaven and earth?
"The road ahead is uncertain, and I cannot know what dangers may come. Anything I can share with the Commander, I will not conceal. And I will devote myself fully to this case."
Though Shen Xiao had little regard for Song Langyu's rigid formality, he knew the man was far more reliable than those slippery old officials skilled at passing the buck. For once, he straightened his expression and clasped his hands in salute. "Then I shall trouble you, Lord Song."
Song Langyu drew a jade bracelet from his bosom and held it out to Shen Xiao. "The Commander already apologized to my cousin in the prison. This jade bracelet is precious—please take it back, Commander."
That bracelet had cost no small sum—a full half-month of Shen Xiao's salary. And he had only given it away half a day ago, only to have it returned?
She had looked so pitiful when he gave it to her, begging him to keep it a secret—and then she'd gone straight to Song Langyu about it? Little liar!
By the time Song Langyu returned to the Duke of Zhenguo's residence, it was already midnight. A food box sat on his desk. Out of habit, he opened it and took out the porcelain bowl inside—but upon seeing its contents, he furrowed his brow—
It was not one of the pastries Wen Jiao usually made, but rather a bowl of sticky, glutinous substance that was hard to identify.
Song Langyu, ravenous with hunger, thought it might taste decent and took a bite—only to spit it out the next moment.
It looked sticky, and the texture was sticky too, both sweet and salty, as if his tongue had been beaten black and blue. He hastily rinsed his mouth, then couldn't help but call Yingliu in, frowning as he asked, "Who sent this?"
Yingliu replied, "Miss Wen sent it over this afternoon. Has it gone cold and spoiled the taste?"
The taste was indeed bad, but it had nothing to do with temperature. She had likely just survived an assassination attempt during the day and been interrogated by Shen Xiao, leaving her unsettled—hence the slip of adding too much sugar and mistakenly pouring in extra salt.
"Take it away and throw it out."
Wen Jiao harbored resentment in her heart, cursing Song Langyu even in her dreams.
Two days later, Song Xiangyu dragged Wen Jiao out for a spring outing. As they were leaving, they ran into Song Langyu returning home.
"I'm taking Jiao Jiao out for a spring outing. Would Eldest Brother like to join us?"
Song Langyu initially wanted to stop them, but seeing both young ladies dressed up so meticulously, he couldn't bear to dampen their spirits, so he boarded the carriage with them.
Wen Jiao linked arms with Song Xiangyu and said with a bright smile, "I heard the Zhichun Dock outside the city is full of magnolias. Has Cousin been there before?"
"Of course I have. Zhichun Dock has more than just magnolias—there are yulan magnolias, lilacs, and pleasure boats with painted decks. You'll have a wonderful time today."
Song Langyu was resting with his eyes closed, dark circles under them—clearly he hadn't slept well for days.
Wen Jiao stole a glance at him, then continued chattering away without pause, deliberately not lowering her voice, determined not to give Song Langyu a moment's peace.
When the carriage stopped, Song Langyu got off first and extended his hand to help Song Xiangyu down.
Wen Jiao followed behind, lightly placing her hand on Song Langyu's arm and saying sweetly, "Thank you, Eldest Cousin."
As she stepped down, she "accidentally" slipped, landing squarely on Song Langyu's black boots and leaving a clear footprint.
"Eldest Cousin, I didn't mean to!" Wen Jiao hastily stepped back, apologizing profusely.
Song Langyu pressed his lips together. Though he said nothing, his jaw was taut. He took a few deep breaths before finally speaking: "It's nothing."
Wen Jiao was about to offer a few more words of concern when suddenly a man came galloping toward them on horseback. Reining in before them, he dismounted and bowed urgently: "Vice Minister, Miaoshan has regained consciousness!"
"What did she say?"
Wen Jiao's face appeared calm, but her nails had already dug deep into her palms.
The man hesitated, glancing at her, before saying, "Miaoshan said that day… she was knocked unconscious by Miss Wen."
Wen Jiao's whole body stiffened. Song Langyu turned to look at her, his gaze probing: "Cousin, do you know what Miaoshan means by this?"