Su Liu claimed that he had been separated from his parents since childhood. After finally tracking down news of them, he rushed to find them, only to discover a tragedy had occurred.
As the two exchanged information, A-Cheng Yu realized that Su Liu was actually his long-lost elder brother. They held each other and wept bitterly, eventually finding a place to bury their parents.
Su Liu noticed the waist token A-Cheng Yu was clutching and gasped: “This is a waist token from the manor of Zheng Heng in the Kingdom of Rong!”
At that time, Chiying and Rong were locked in a fierce war. Qinchuan, caught in the middle, naturally became the collateral damage. Burning, looting, and the indiscriminate slaughter of innocents—at that time, Qinchuan could be described as a living hell.
A-Cheng Yu wanted revenge. Su Liu said he was making a living in Chiying and took his brother there. As they grew older, the two traveled through various regions. A-Cheng Yu tracked the southward route of the then-successful Zheng Yanzhang and intentionally approached him, seeking a chance to get the truth from Zheng Heng.
Su Liu knelt, cupping A-Cheng Yu’s face, sobbing: “We are like this today because of the Zheng family! It’s all because of them! Why do they get to live such a good life? Why! Yu’er, look at my face! I can’t see people, I can’t go out—all because of them!”
As Su Liu spoke, he grew more agitated, his suppressed voice sounding as if it would burst through the door. A-Cheng Yu embraced him through tears, his own voice failing. He whimpered, “I know, Brother. Once I find the truth, believe me… believe me…”
Inside, two people were licking each other’s wounds. Outside, Guan Qi stood in a hidden spot, looking at the tightly closed private booth with a thoughtful expression.
Lin Yu had come to him that morning, asking him to quietly follow A-Cheng Yu to see if there was anything unusual. Guan Qi stood there for a while, seeing the door move. He quickly slipped into the shadows. When A-Cheng Yu eventually exited, Guan Qi stared at the door for a long time, but no one else came out.
Inside the room, A-Cheng Yu tidied his appearance, took a deep breath, and walked out of the restaurant acting as if nothing was wrong. On the way back, he stopped at a famous pastry shop to buy a box of Plum Blossom Crisps. The line was too long, so he simply paid double the price to someone who had just finished their purchase.
Zheng Manor
Lin Yu and Zheng Qingyun listened to Guan Qi’s report. After a moment of silence, Guan Qi suggested, “Should we just tie him up and interrogate him?”
Zheng Qingyun shook his head. “It’s too sudden. We’ll test him when he returns.” Lin Yu agreed.
When A-Cheng Yu returned to the courtyard carrying the pastries, Zheng Qingyun and Lin Yu were standing together under the corridor.
In the Kingdom of Rong, men bind their hair at twenty; currently, both youths had their hair only half-tied with ribbons. As a light breeze blew, their strands of hair tangled together in the air. A-Cheng Yu was momentarily dazed. Is Zheng Heng truly the kind of man who would burn a village?
Noticing A-Cheng Yu standing nearby, Zheng Qingyun smiled. “Why back so late? The crowds at the bulletin board must have been huge. You aren’t hurt, are you?”
Hearing the concern in his voice, A-Cheng Yu snapped back to reality. “I’m fine, no injuries.” He couldn’t hide the excitement in his tone as he announced loudly: “Congratulations, Third Young Master! You are at the top of the list for the first session!”
He had already informed Deng Yuan upon his return. She was very pleased but didn’t show it excessively, granting an extra half-month’s allowance to add to the joy. Zheng Qingyun curled his lips into a slight smile; it was as expected.
With the first session over, the remaining sessions passed quickly. Once he left the examination hall and rested, he finally had time to join Lin Yu in speaking with Zheng Yanzhang. Since A-Cheng Yu had been “picked up” by Yanzhang, they needed to involve him in any decisions.
A-Cheng Yu was a bit dazed when the three summoned him. “Does the Young Master have instructions for me?”
Zheng Yanzhang held a document—A-Cheng Yu’s status as a “Good Citizen” (free person). He spoke softly: “A-Cheng Yu, that day you said you lost your parents and had no path forward, wanting to stay by my side even as a servant. But years have passed, and I haven’t asked if you’ve changed your mind. If you have, your registration is here; you can take it and live your own life. I will also give you a parting gift.”
A-Cheng Yu’s heart jolted. He hadn’t found the truth yet; he couldn’t leave. He threw himself to the ground. “The Young Master saved my life; I have no way to repay it. I only hope to be of some use. Master, I want to stay in the manor. Please don’t drive me away!”
Zheng Qingyun quickly helped him up, sounding slightly reproachful: “Eldest Brother, look at how you’ve phrased it. A-Cheng Yu, my brother doesn’t mean to kick you out; he just wanted to ask about your future plans. Besides, it’s been so long—don’t you want to go back and pay respects to your parents’ graves? I noticed you rarely ask for leave.”
A-Cheng Yu breathed a sigh of relief, though his face showed sorrow. “To be honest, the whereabouts of my parents are unknown. I don’t even know if I have any living kin, so I haven’t thought about it.”
Lin Yu asked, “If there are any clues, you can tell us. We can help you look for traces.”
A-Cheng Yu nodded and looked at Zheng Yanzhang, who sighed. “In that case, keep your registration yourself. Guard it well. If you have plans in the future, come speak to us again.”
Zheng Qingyun smiled. “Exactly. we treat you as a friend. You can tell us anything.”
Lin Yu watched A-Cheng Yu and, as expected, saw a momentary flicker of unnaturalness on his face. After A-Cheng Yu left, the three exchanged looks.
Zheng Yanzhang said: “Continue to have someone watch him.”
Zheng Qingyun was thoughtful. “Is he after something in the Zheng manor? He’d rather give up his freedom than leave.”
Lin Yu analyzed: “What traps a person is usually parents, kin, friends, lovers, or country. Given his situation, is it possible to start the investigation with his parents?”
Zheng Yanzhang thought: “He’s about my age. Parents of mixed nationality… I recall a small state next to Chiying called Qinchuan, but it was destroyed over a decade ago.”
Lin Yu nodded. “The people of Qinchuan look similar to those of Chiying. That’s likely why we initially thought he was related to Chiying. Looking back, it might be Qinchuan.”
Zheng Qingyun gave a cold laugh. “Regardless of whether it’s Chiying or Qinchuan, as long as he has no ill intent, it’s fine. If he does, he won’t live to see another day.”
Zheng Yanzhang reached out and lightly tapped his brother’s head. “Alright, stop thinking about that. The results will be posted in ten days. You should focus on preparing for the Prefectural Examination.”
When the drooping crabapples were in full bloom, the day of the Prefectural Examination arrived. While Zheng Qingyun was studying diligently, shocking news came from the palace.
The Empress had fallen suddenly ill. Liang Jin was anxious, summoning famous physicians from across the land, while the imperial concubines prayed for her recovery.
Lin Yu’s heart skipped a beat. In the first life, the Empress didn’t die at this time.
He was confused. Zheng Yanzhang whispered some news: “The Empress’s health has been poor since her miscarriage years ago. Perhaps the volatile weather lately triggered a sickness.”
Half a month later, the news was updated. The Empress wasn’t sick—she had been poisoned. Lin Yu had a terrible premonition.
Yuan Family Tea Shop
Zheng Mingtang was busy in the shop, with Yuan Xiu helping out. Their rented shop was in the East Market, where high officials and nobles conducted business. “Cloud-Mist Spring Snow” was selling exceptionally well; their stock was nearly gone, and Yuan Xiu was preparing to write to her father for more.
Their shop offered many varieties and great flavors, and having been personally praised by the Empress, it naturally attracted many customers. People were coming and going, browsing the selection.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted on the street. A group of soldiers burst into the shop, sending customers fleeing in terror. Yuan Xiu and Zheng Mingtang were startled.
The officer roared: “Quiet! Is the shop owner here?”
Yuan Xiu patted Mingtang’s hand reassuringly and stepped forward. “I am. May I ask what business the officers have?”
The officer stared at her. “Is ‘Cloud-Mist Spring Snow’ sold exclusively here?”
“Yes,” Yuan Xiu said quickly.
The officer nodded. “Then we have the right place. Take her away.” Two men stepped forward and seized Yuan Xiu. Before she could react, she was bound.
Zheng Mingtang rushed out. “What crime has my mother committed that you would arrest her?”
The officer ordered the shop cleared and the doors shut. He said: “The Empress has been poisoned and is in critical condition. The imperial physicians discovered poison in the tea Her Majesty frequently drinks. Her maid stated the Empress only drank Cloud-Mist Spring Snow today. We are acting on the Emperor’s decree to uncover the truth. Miss, if you do not leave, we will take you as well.”
Zheng Mingtang said: “Then take me too. I want to stay with my mother.”
Yuan Xiu scolded her: “Mingtang, don’t be foolish! Officer, my daughter is young, do not listen to her. Ask me whatever you need.”
Mingtang wouldn’t listen. “Mother, I must go with you.” The officer sighed, feeling helpless.
Outside, a crowd of onlookers gathered three layers deep. As the officer led the two toward the yamen, Lin Yu came running. He had felt a sense of dread all day, and seeing Yuan Xiu and Mingtang bound, he was shocked. He was about to rush forward to ask what was happening when Guan Qi grabbed him and pulled him away.
Lin Yu shook off Guan Qi’s hand. “What are you doing? Aunt Yuan and Mingtang have been taken!”
Guan Qi hissed at him to lower his voice. “The Eldest Young Master knew you would try to stop them, so he sent me to find you. Master Lin, Madam Yuan and the Young Miss are embroiled in the Empress’s poisoning case. You cannot save them simply by rushing in.”
Lin Yu seemed to just now process the words. He asked urgently: “The Empress was poisoned? How are Aunt Yuan and the others involved?”
Guan Qi sighed and shook his head. “The specifics aren’t known yet. We have to wait for the Master and the Eldest Young Master to return.”
Lin Yu bit his lip hard, his mind racing for a way to break the deadlock. He watched with deep worry as Zheng Mingtang and Yuan Xiu were led away, his heart filled with anxiety.
The Prison of the Judicial Bureau
Crack—
The sound of a whip striking a wall echoed. The Superintendent, Li Changfeng, asked: “Are they brought in?”
A subordinate replied: “They are. The daughter came as well; they are being held in the cells.”
Li Changfeng nodded. “Interrogate them carefully. Be mindful—do not use torture.”