In the imperial palace, incense curled lazily through Zhongcui Palace. Consort Shu was reclining on a couch, leisurely tasting fresh cherries recently offered as tribute from Yongzhou. When she saw her son Zhao Sheng walking in with a somewhat gloomy expression, she sat up, took the handkerchief beside her, wiped her hands, and asked in confusion, “Sheng’er, why have you come to the palace at this hour? Has something happened?”
Zhao Sheng dismissed the palace attendants on both sides, walked to the couch, and sat down before speaking in a low, solemn voice. “Mother Consort, I have come today to ask you to help me with something: I want to eliminate the Pingyang Marquis Heir, Shen Ji!”
At those words, a flicker of surprise passed through Consort Shu’s beautiful eyes. “Shen Ji? Is he the boy who caused such a scene at the Marquis Residence succession ceremony some days ago and ruined your plans?” She frowned slightly. “I heard he is nothing more than a frail, powerless heir. How is he so capable that you have to go to such lengths to deal with him?”
“Mother Consort, you do not know the full story!” Zhao Sheng ground his teeth and briefly recounted how Shen Ji had rescued Chu Yu, ruined his schemes involving the second branch of Duke Zhenguo’s Residence, slipped past the shadow guards sent by his former stepmother Lady Liu, and even set up a bizarre formation around the outer perimeter of the Marquis Residence, leaving the shadow guards of Prince Duan’s Residence and the capable experts they had recruited with nowhere to begin. “…This boy is downright unnatural now! He keeps ruining my grand plans. If we let him live, he will become a grave threat!”
A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he continued, “In a few days, the Deer Cry Banquet will be held. With all sorts of people mixed together there, it will be the perfect opportunity to act. I want to set a trap at the banquet and take his life! But I need Imperial Father to issue an imperial decree ordering him to attend. The Pingyang Marquis Residence is already in decline; without a decree, he could simply claim illness and refuse.”
After hearing this, a trace of seriousness and calculation crossed Consort Shu’s well-maintained face. She thought for a moment, then slowly nodded. “In that case, Mother Consort will go and have your Imperial Father issue the decree. He is merely an insignificant heir of the Marquis Residence. I doubt he would dare cause any trouble.”
She paused, and a cold light flashed in her eyes. “But Sheng’er, this matter must be done cleanly and decisively, leaving no loose ends. With so many eyes on the Deer Cry Banquet, the imperial family’s dignity is of utmost importance.”
“Rest assured, Mother Consort. I have already made full arrangements. I will make sure he has nothing to say for himself, becomes utterly disgraced, and dies with no witness left behind!” A cold, sinister smile curved at the corner of Zhao Sheng’s mouth.
That very afternoon, the imperial decree was delivered to the Pingyang Marquis Residence.
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor hereby decrees: the Deer Cry Banquet for the newly minted jinshi shall be held in the palace seven days from now. This is a great event of the dynasty and an occasion to reward outstanding talent. It is specially decreed that Shen Ji, Heir of the Pingyang Marquis, attend the banquet. Obey this decree…”
The eunuch’s shrill voice echoed through the hall as he proclaimed the decree.
Shen Ji knelt to receive the imperial decree, his expression calm. “This subject accepts the decree and thanks Your Majesty for your grace.”
After seeing off the eunuch who had delivered the decree, Shen Ji returned to his study and unconsciously tapped his fingertips against the desk. So it had finally come. The shadow guards of Prince Duan’s Residence and the hired experts had been lying in wait outside the residence for days without finding an opening; now they were using the Deer Cry Banquet to force him out of the residence. Everything was exactly as he had expected.
The information on Prince Duan’s side had also been gathered almost completely. He only had to wait until after the Deer Cry Banquet to make his move.
“Wenruo.”
“I am here, sir.” Li Wenruo answered as he entered.
“Go and find out who urged this decree before His Majesty.” Shen Ji’s tone was calm.
“Yes.” Li Wenruo accepted the order and withdrew without a sound.
In less than two hours, he returned with news. “Heir, it was Consort Shu. This afternoon she attended His Majesty in the imperial study and mentioned that the Deer Cry Banquet, as a way to show the court’s respect for talented men, should widely invite the sons of the capital’s noble and meritorious families to celebrate together, and she specifically mentioned you. His Majesty approved it casually.”
“Consort Shu… Prince Duan’s birth mother.” Shen Ji let out a cold laugh. “Well done.” He cast an appreciative look at Wenruo. In such a short time, he had extended his information network all the way into the palace. This man’s talent was indeed extraordinary.
Almost at the same time, Duke Zhenguo’s Residence also received the news.
Old Duke Chu Xiong pondered for a moment before saying to Heir Chu Lin, “Prince Duan can no longer hold himself back. He even persuaded Consort Shu to request the decree. The Deer Cry Banquet… Heir Shen’s trip there is likely to be a Hongmen Banquet.”
Chu Lin looked worried. “Father, why don’t we send some capable shadow guards to protect Heir Shen in secret?”
Chu Xiong nodded. “That is only right. Shen Ji has done our duke’s residence such a great favor, and besides, the Pingyang Marquis Residence is now declining. Wherever we can help, we must take good care of him. This evening, take a team of shadow guards to the Pingyang Marquis Residence and bring Yu’er along as well. On the surface, it will be because Yu’er misses Brother Shen; while you’re there, you can also see whether Heir Shen has any other needs. Our duke’s residence is bound to help.”
At dusk, Chu Lin arrived at the Pingyang Marquis Residence with Chu Yu, who was beaming with delight.
“Brother Shen!” The moment Chu Yu saw Shen Ji, he happily threw himself at him.
Shen Ji bent down and lifted him up, then nodded in greeting to Chu Lin beside him.
After chatting for a while, Chu Lin found an opportunity to explain the duke’s residence’s concerns and its intention to send shadow guards to assist at the Deer Cry Banquet.
Shen Ji thanked him, then politely declined. “I appreciate the Heir’s and the Old Duke’s kindness. Palace rules are strict, and I have my own sense of measure in this matter. I am fully capable of handling it, so there is no need to trouble the duke’s residence. Since Prince Duan has made his move, I will simply take it on.”
Seeing that Shen Ji was so confident, Chu Lin did not press the matter further. He only said, “In that case, Heir, be careful in all things. If there is anything you need, Duke Zhenguo’s Residence will certainly not refuse.”
After sitting a little longer, Chu Lin finally took his leave and departed, with Chu Yu still acting spoiled and refusing to leave.
A few days later, the results of the spring imperial examinations were posted.
The outer wall of the Examination Hall was packed shoulder to shoulder, and the noise was deafening. When the long yellow list was posted, it immediately caused an uproar.
“Top Scholar… Yan Shu!”
“Second Place… Li Du!”
“Third Place…”
Yan Shu’s name stood at the very top, drawing endless praise and envy. Yan Shu… he really was the top scholar! He had taken the glory that should have belonged to him! As for himself, he had only managed second place. Li Du forced a smile to deal with the congratulations around him, but his gaze kept sweeping the crowd unconsciously, terrified that the figure who had come to claim his life would suddenly appear.
So many days had passed, and the Vice Minister’s Residence still had not even found out where Yan Shu was staying, as if the man had vanished into thin air. Jealousy and fear tangled together, gnawing at Li Du’s heart like poisonous insects.
And at this very moment, at Vice Minister Shi’s Residence, the spy sent to Jiangnan had also delivered the first secret report at full speed.