Li Wenruo hurried through the corridor and stopped beneath the Haitang blossom tree where Shen Ji usually rested, bowing deeply.
“Heir, we’ve uncovered the truth behind Li Du’s hasty betrothal to the Shi family’s legitimate daughter.”
Shen Ji set down the green jade teacup he had been toying with and gave him a faint glance. “Speak.”
“Last year, during the Mid-Autumn Festival in the eighth month, Shi Qingyi used a trip to Qixia Temple to burn incense as a pretext and slipped away from all the guards and servants accompanying her. She disappeared for a full three days.”
“The Vice Minister Shi Residence publicly claimed that the Shi young lady had caught a chill, but the truth was that Shi Qingyi eloped with Yan Yunsheng, the lead performer of the Shuyu opera troupe that often performed at the Vice Minister’s Residence.”
Shen Ji’s brow twitched slightly. “Eloped?”
“Yes. Although Yan Yunsheng came from humble origins, he was extraordinarily handsome, and his singing, recitation, acting, and acrobatics were renowned throughout the capital. He was known as the ‘Jade Gentleman.’ The Shi young lady loved watching his performances. Over time, the two developed feelings for each other.”
Li Wenruo continued, “They had planned it for a long time. Taking advantage of the crowds and confusion during the Mid-Autumn Festival, they managed to flee the capital. But the Shi family’s power was immense, and within two days they were found in Hejian Prefecture, two hundred li from the capital.”
He paused before going on. “Yan Yunsheng was beaten to death on the spot by the trusted guards sent by Vice Minister Shi. The troupe master of the Shuyu opera troupe, who knew about it but failed to report it, was also killed in secret. The rest were handed hush money, scattered from the capital, and have long since vanished.”
A trace of coldness entered Li Wenruo’s voice. “The Shi family kept the matter tightly sealed, and the servants who knew the inside story were all dealt with. After the Shi young lady was brought back, she was kept imprisoned in the inner chambers.”
“With such a scandal, it’s not hard to understand why the Shi family was in such a hurry to marry off their daughter.” Shen Ji tapped the table lightly with his fingertips.
“After that incident, Concubine Mother Lou seized the opportunity. On one hand, she persuaded Vice Minister Shi that although Li Du came from a poor family, his talent was genuine, and he would surely pass the imperial examinations this year. By then, his status would be completely different, and the Li family had no real foundation, so they would be easy to control.”
“On the other hand, she promised Li Du the power and backing of the Vice Minister’s Residence. The two sides hit it off immediately, and the marriage was hastily arranged. Naturally, Li Du jumped at the chance to attach himself to such a match. He would not have cared about the oddities in it.”
Shen Ji understood. Blinded by greed, Li Du had moved to eliminate Yan Shu before the imperial examinations. He needed that top scholar title too badly to solidify his position in the Vice Minister’s Residence and erase the stain of his poor family background. Any obstacle in his way had to be ruthlessly removed.
…
Inside the study of the Vice Minister’s Residence, candlelight flickered, illuminating Shi Mingyuan’s dark, uncertain face.
The men sent to investigate Yan Shu’s whereabouts had been reporting back one after another, yet not one of them had found anything. Yan Shu was a living, breathing man who had only just recovered from serious injuries… how could he hide his tracks so thoroughly in the capital?
His heart was full of shock and suspicion. This was absolutely not something an ordinary scholar could do. Could it be that Yan Shu had some backing in the capital that even the Vice Minister’s Residence could not uncover? Or that he had made the acquaintance of some remarkable nobleman?
“Father-in-law.” Li Du, led in by a page boy, walked uneasily into the study and bowed. He had been ordered to stay in the residence these past few days, and his heart was in a panic. He had been hoping to hear that Yan Shu had already been eliminated, so he cautiously glanced toward Shi Mingyuan at the head of the room.
Shi Mingyuan merely gave Li Du a cold look. “What is Yan Shu’s family background? Does he know any important people in the capital?”
Li Du’s heart tightened. As his hopes were dashed, he grew even more flustered and hurriedly said, “To answer Father-in-law, he’s just from an ordinary family. I’ve never heard that he has any connections with important people.” After saying that, he quickly lowered his head, not daring to let Shi Mingyuan see any flaw in his expression.
He and Yan Shu were locked in a struggle to the death. At this point, the only support he could rely on was the Vice Minister’s Residence. The most urgent thing was to eliminate Yan Shu as quickly as possible and remove future trouble. If luck was on his side, the top scholar title might still fall into his hands. By then, even if Shi Mingyuan learned that the Yan family was powerful, it would be too late.
Shi Mingyuan let out a cold snort, clearly unconvinced. “An ordinary family? They searched the whole capital and still couldn’t find him? Could he really have grown wings and flown off?” A sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he studied Li Du closely. “Think again, carefully. Has he ever had any dealings with the sons of powerful nobles?”
Li Du thought for a long moment, then shook his head. “No… He spent all day buried in his books. I never heard of him having old connections with the powerful nobles in the capital.”
Shi Mingyuan grew even more irritated. He waved his hand as if to sweep away the unease in his chest and signaled for Li Du to withdraw.
Li Du dared not say another word and retreated, drenched in cold sweat.
Shi Mingyuan summoned the butler and ordered men to be secretly sent to Jiangnan to investigate. He felt that Li Du was hiding something, and he even regretted letting Li Du become engaged to his daughter. Fortunately, not many people knew about the betrothal. He would wait for word from Jiangnan and hold off on making a move against Yan Shu for now.
…
Pingyang Marquis Residence
Li Wenruo reported to Shen Ji that the Vice Minister Shi Residence had been making frequent moves lately, sending people all over the place to search for Yan Shu.
Shen Ji listened without changing expression and said calmly, “It seems Li Du and Vice Minister Shi are truly anxious. That’s fine. Let them run around like headless flies; it will distract them and buy the Yan family more time to respond.”
He thought for a moment, then instructed, “Wenruo, secretly let Second Master Yan know about the Shi Residence’s movements. Tell him that if needed, the Marquis Residence can also help. As for Yan Shu, tell him not to worry… if it comes to it, my Pingyang Marquis Residence can still protect one person. On your side, do everything you can to help the Yan family gather evidence of the Shi Residence’s and Li Du’s crimes.”
“Yes, Heir. I will take care of it right away.” Li Wenruo answered and withdrew with a bow.
Shen Ji walked to the window and looked out at the increasingly lush spring scenery in the courtyard. On Yan Shu’s side, with the Marquis Residence guards and his own mental energy keeping watch, outsiders would have an extremely hard time finding him.
…
Prince Duan’s Residence.
After hearing the report from the shadow guard, Zhao Sheng’s face grew even darker.
“Still no chance to make a move? So Shen Ji is just hiding in the Marquis Residence and refusing to step outside?” His tone already carried a hint of impatience and cruelty.
The shadow guard knelt flat on the ground and gritted his teeth before answering, “To answer Your Highness, the formation around the Marquis Residence is strange. None of the skilled men we recruited could break it, and several even lost their lives trying. Your subordinate and the others have been watching closely day after day, but Shen Ji… has not stepped out of the front gate even half a pace.”
“Useless!” The jade Pi Xiu paperweight was swept to the floor, making a crisp shattering sound. “Are you telling this prince to just watch him enjoy himself there in peace?!”
Seeing this, one of the trusted advisers nearby hurried forward. “Your Highness, please calm your anger. For now, the only course is to wait quietly for the Deer Cry Banquet.”
Zhao Sheng tapped the table with his fingers. Everyone below held their breath and focused, not daring to make a sound.
After a long while, Zhao Sheng spoke again, cold calculation surging in his eyes. “The Deer Cry Banquet… follow the earlier plan. Poison first, then assassination. This prince wants to see how he escapes this time!”
He suddenly stood up. “This prince is going to the palace right now to see Mother! I’ll have her intervene and make sure Father issues an imperial decree ordering Shen Ji to attend the banquet!”