“Xiao Yi, that is not what this King meant.” King Yu pushed the jade pendant back.
Xiao Yi’s gift of the jade was not intended to compensate King Yu, but to clarify his stance. He did not want King Yu to be disappointed; the friendship between them had never changed because of anyone else.
“How could there be any reason to take back a jade pendant gifted to a brother?” Xiao Yi curled his lips into a smile and presented the pendant to King Yu once more.
After several refusals proved fruitless, Xiao Yi had clearly stated it was a gift; if King Yu continued to pretend not to understand, he would simply be acting foolish.
King Yu treasured the jade pendant and put it away, then provocatively arched his brows at Shu Fuyan, as if to show off that his relationship with Xiao Yi was close and that Shu Fuyan, an outsider, could not compare.
Shu Fuyan remained silent; the black ink of his pupils grew deeper and deeper, as if he were about to fall into a pool of ink.
Once King Yu had gotten the upper hand, he no longer deliberately targeted Shu Fuyan.
“Xiao Yi, Shangjing has not been peaceful lately. These few days, if you don’t need to go out, stay inside.” King Yu rubbed his fingertips, his palms itching to play with the jade pendant, but due to Shu Fuyan and the original owner of the pendant being present, he felt embarrassed.
Xiao Yi gave an “un,” and raised his eyes to look at Shu Fuyan, as if saying: You heard that, don’t go out lately.
Shu Fuyan gave a sweet smile and nodded.
Seeing the two of them so intimate, King Yu immediately felt as if he had eaten a bitter, lush melon, his eyes filled with resentment.
“Fine, this King is leaving first.” King Yu gave Shu Fuyan a meaningful glare. “Certain people had best not harbor crooked thoughts. Otherwise, this King will surely ensure he is left without even a corpse.”
Xiao Yi gave a warning cough and unceremoniously summoned the steward to see the guest out.
If not for the jade pendant in his hand, King Yu’s heart would have been completely shattered.
“Don’t take it to heart.” Xiao Yi patted Shu Fuyan’s shoulder, guiding him: “The Prince is wary of the Crown Prince and King Ji. If you associate closely with them, the Prince cannot guarantee he won’t be suspicious of you.”
Shu Fuyan sniffed, looking pitiable: “General Xiao also believes that this humble one is in league with them.”
Xiao Yi fell silent, and the hand covering Shu Fuyan’s shoulder stopped moving.
Clearly, this was what he thought.
At the very least, when investigating Shu Fuyan privately, the answers obtained were that Shu Fuyan had overly close private ties with the Crown Prince and King Ji; as for whose side he was on, that remained unclear.
Shu Fuyan’s body swayed slightly, and the strength of his entire body seemed to drain away all at once.
Shu Fuyan forced a smile; once he steadied his body, he let the bitterness chill his heart.
“General Xiao, rest assured. No matter what happens, this humble one will never harm you.”
Shu Fuyan looked directly into Xiao Yi’s deep, ripple-less eyes and spoke solemnly: “This humble one swears that, for all eternity, for a thousand years and ten thousand years, I will never betray General Xiao.”
Xiao Yi was startled. Shu Fuyan’s promise invisibly gave Xiao Yi a sense of reassurance.
The warmth of the heavens reached straight to his bloodlines, and endless power melted into his bones and blood, breaking the loneliness he had wandered in for a hundred years.
This feeling was like cracking open the long river of time to drop a seed inside, and this seed, under the warm care of Shu Fuyan, would grow wantonly toward the spring.
“Young Master Shu, do not misunderstand.” Xiao Yi’s throat felt blocked, and the voice he emitted was extremely hoarse and deep: “No matter whose person you are, you are the musician of my Marquis of Zhenbei’s manor.”
Did this count as indirectly acknowledging him?
Shu Fuyan smiled; the smile did not reach his eyes, but floated on their surface.
He was highly ambitious; he didn’t just want to be a musician—he wanted to be the person by Xiao Yi’s bedside.
“General Xiao, the hour is late; this humble one will take his leave.”
Xiao Yi opened his mouth, but the words of entreaty stopped between his teeth.
Perhaps he should calm down and sort through his thoughts.
After leaving the Marquis of Zhenbei’s manor, Shu Fuyan did not immediately return to Shenzhu Residence, but instead came to a deserted small alley.
Someone had been waiting in the alley for a long time.
“The Green Sandalwood jade pendant, I want it.”
Shu Fuyan took a piece of paper from his sleeve, on which were listed the names of over a dozen officials; it was precisely the memorial the Crown Prince had previously handed over.
“Easily done.” The person in the shadows took the paper and looked at it twice, then lowered their hat brim and left from beyond the high wall.
Shu Fuyan leaned back against the wall, the hem of his azure robe rising with the wind, the gloom between his brows congealing into frost.
He would not let Xiao Yi’s personal items be given to anyone.
Having handled the matter for King Ji, Shu Fuyan turned to head in another direction.
The Cui Residence.
Cui Yan held the office of a Langzhong in the Ministry of Justice, a rank of 5th grade. A local of Shangjing, he seemed glorious, but in reality, his official career was fraught with difficulties.
With the Vice Minister and Minister of Justice pressing down from above, although he managed the Justice Department and the Metropolitan Office, he never stood out.
Shu Fuyan’s visit to the Cui Residence was naturally to lend him a helping hand so he could soar in his career.
Not long after, a servant entered the manor to report a distinguished guest’s visit.
As soon as Cui Yan heard Shu Fuyan had arrived, he went to welcome him personally.
“Young Master Shu, excuse me for not meeting you sooner.” Cui Yan, dressed in black robes, hurried over.
Shu Fuyan nodded, gentle and elegant: “Official Cui.”
“No need for formalities.” Cui Yan enthusiastically led Shu Fuyan into the manor, ordering servants to brew a pot of good tea to entertain the guest.
Arriving at the main hall, the two took their seats.
Cui Yan’s eyes rolled around, flashing with shrewd calculation. He sipped his tea and smiled familiarly: “Young Master Shu is a very busy person. If you are not waiting at the sides of King Ji and the Crown Prince, how do you have the leisure time to visit my Cui Residence?”
Shu Fuyan curled his lips, frank and composed: “Naturally, I have a request for Official Cui.”
Cui Yan was slightly stunned. Shu Fuyan wandered among various factions year-round; if he had business, he wouldn’t go asking royalty, yet he came to find him! Something was fishy.
Cui Yan set down his tea, feigning ignorance and playing the fool: “Young Master Shu is being too modest. If even a Prince cannot handle a matter, how could Cui handle it?”
Shu Fuyan frowned, a trace of irritation crossing his indifferent brows.
“The favor Shu seeks, only Official Cui can handle.”
Shu Fuyan was absolute in his assertion, and Cui Yan could not help but feel suspicious. Could it be that what Shu Fuyan wanted to do had not been disclosed to King Ji or the Crown Prince?
If that were truly the case, it would mean Shu Fuyan was acting privately in the dark, and the matter was of great importance.
Shu Fuyan did not have a deep relationship with him, and to come to the Cui Residence to seek this, he was surely coming with bad intentions.
Involving the safety of the Cui Residence, Cui Yan’s expression changed. He straightened his posture, smiling without mirth: “Young Master Shu, do tell, what is the request?”
Shu Fuyan leaned back in the pear-wood chair, leisurely and calm, speaking slowly: “Shu seeks a person.”
Cui Yan’s mouth twitched, his fingertips tightening.
Asking for a person could it be… someone in the prison cells?
“No.” Cui Yan refused without thinking.
Letting a criminal go was a capital offense. He hadn’t lived enough yet; the moment Shu Fuyan arrived, he wanted to force him to the west, which was simply bullying people too much!
Shu Fuyan had expected that Cui Yan would not be straightforward, so he had specially brought something Cui Yan wanted.
Shu Fuyan took out the letter of recommendation he had prepared in advance and handed it over.
“Official Cui, have a look.”
Cui Yan lowered his eyes, and when the document was opened, the words that met his eyes seemed to want to blind him.
Realizing that this was what he had hoped for, Cui Yan hurriedly flipped through the document.
Looking at it line by line, he looked carefully, afraid of missing a single word or sentence.
“True, the document is true!” Cui Yan was extremely excited and tilted his head back, shouting aloud.
Shu Fuyan curled his lips, mocking him with a cold snort.
This world was realistic; no one could escape the temptation of fame and fortune.
Ordinary mortals would always be greedy for all the beautiful things in the world, desiring things that did not belong to them. When virtue did not match the position, they would sooner or later fall from the high stage.
Cui Yan realized that Shu Fuyan was still present, and hurriedly closed the document, his face full of defense.
“What do you want?” Cui Yan said: “If you insist on Cui releasing a serious criminal, I cannot help you.”
Promotion and wealth were good things, but Cui Yan was afraid that if the matter were exposed, it would bring disaster to his wife and children.
At this moment, the other party was prepared; Cui Yan knew that saving his own life was the key.
Shu Fuyan sneered, having grasped the other party’s panic perfectly.
If Cui Yan had truly wanted to refuse, he should have expelled him from the manor after reading the recommendation document.
But Cui Yan did not.
He had desire.
He wanted to rise in rank.
“Official Cui has misunderstood; Shu merely wishes to borrow someone for a while; when it is used, I will naturally return them.” Shu Fuyan stood up, leaned in toward Cui Yan’s ear, and said sinisterly: “Lin Xi’e.”
Cui Yan was suddenly puzzled: Lin Xi’e who is this person?
Shu Fuyan stepped back a few paces, his eyes smiling: “Has Official Cui forgotten? A few years ago, the case of the widow in Shangjing murdering someone caused a huge uproar.”
Reminded by Shu Fuyan, Cui Yan slapped his thigh and remembered.
A few years ago, a major event happened in Shangjing.
Widow Lin had lost her husband when she was young; she was beautiful and had no children. As time went on, it attracted the covetousness of ruffians.
The local bullies grouped together to block Widow Lin at her courtyard gate, attempting to harm her.
Widow Lin would rather die than submit, grabbing her tools to fight the ruffians to the death.
Just when outsiders thought Widow Lin couldn’t escape, a miracle happened: the four bullies and lackeys all died.
The manner of death was tragic, and the blood was everywhere. The killer was extremely vicious, with every blow ruthless; the bodies of the ruffians were mangled. Their brains were blown out, their limbs snapped, and even the “root of life,” the symbol of male power, had been cut off to feed the dogs.
Such a vicious method was definitely not something Widow Lin, a weak woman, could accomplish; the real killer was someone else.
But Widow Lin insisted that she was the one who did it. The Ministry of Justice had no other way; since they couldn’t find leads, they had to seize her first and shut her in a prison cell to await trial.
This wait lasted for several years.
To this day, the killer remains untraceable, and the case has not a single lead.
Shu Fuyan mentioned the old case again, wanting to take Lin Xi’e away could it be that there were leads in the case?
If so, if he could crack the unsolved case, his path to promotion would be just around the corner; where would he need to swallow his pride and depend on others to write him letters of recommendation?
Whatever Cui Yan was thinking, Shu Fuyan knew it clearly. Human desires were endless; once the gate was opened, the spilled water could not be retrieved.
Cui Yan wanted to rise, but without him, Shu Fuyan, helping, he could not take a single step.
“How does Official Cui consider it?” Shu Fuyan asked languidly.
Cui Yan wanted to agree, but was worried about the consequences if the matter were exposed and affected his career.
If he missed this opportunity, he didn’t know when the next promotion would be.
Cui Yan gritted his teeth and made a major decision.
“The favor Young Master Shu asks, Cui will handle it.”
It was just borrowing a person to take outside, and once used, return them; nothing should go wrong. Cui Yan comforted himself.
Shu Fuyan finally curled his lips into a satisfactory smile: “Official Cui is quite straightforward; Shu thanks you here.”
Cui Yan swallowed, his face shifting between cyan and white.
Shu Fuyan dared to defy the rules to ask him for a person, so he must have someone in the background acting as his backing. Now that they were on the same boat, Cui Yan could not let Shu Fuyan jump ship no matter what.
“Easily said, easily said, we are all our own people.” Cui Yan walked to Shu Fuyan’s side of his own accord, grabbed his large sleeves, and attached himself affectionately: “Young Master Shu, stay for a simple meal.”
“Although the meals of the Cui Residence are not as good as the delicacies of the Imperial Palace, they can be called appetizing and delicious.”
Shu Fuyan opened his mouth to refuse, when a clear voice, as crisp as an oriole, came: “Father.”
Just then, a beautiful girl wearing a goose-yellow dress came across the threshold, lifting her skirts. She had a beautiful face, with peach-pink rouge on her cheeks; she was no more than fifteen or so.
“Eh, who are you? Why have I not seen you in the manor?”
Cui Yan’s heart shrank suddenly, and he hurriedly reprimanded: “Yun’er, do not be rude! This is Young Master Shu.”
Cui Yan was afraid Shu Fuyan would mind, so he deliberately blocked the beautiful girl behind his back.
Cui Yun was his precious daughter. Shu Fuyan’s scheming against him was one thing, but he could not drag Cui Yun into the storm.
Shu Fuyan had always been cold toward women; for twenty years, he had only been interested in Xiao Yi. Even if a fairy had descended to earth, he would not be able to attract his gaze.
Shu Fuyan perfunctorily gave Cui Yan two excuses, saying he would come to pick up the person another day, then hurriedly left. When he left, he hadn’t even looked at Cui Yun once.
Cui Yun gazed at that unyielding back, her mind lost, murmuring: “Father, I… I want to marry.”
Upon seeing this, Cui Yan felt that a major disaster was imminent.
He gave Cui Yun’s forehead a heavy knock, launching into a lecture: “Marry who! Isn’t it good to stay by Father’s side?”
“Don’t be in a rush to marry; Father will help you save for a dowry first.”
Cui Yun was delighted, hopping and jumping: “Really! Father is helping me save for a dowry! Then I want to take that dowry and marry Young Master Shu.”
Cui Yan almost had his breath knocked out of him. It was one thing for his obedient daughter not to understand his implications, but she was thinking of marrying Shu Fuyan!
How unreasonable!
“No, you can marry anyone, just not Shu Fuyan.” Cui Yan would not budge an inch.
Cui Yun pursed her lips: “Alright then, I will marry Young Master Liu from the east side of the city.”
Cui Yan held his forehead, hating that his daughter was not living up to his expectations.
Young Master Liu from the east of the city had taken the imperial examinations three times and failed each one; his family was poor, and he had to support his disabled mother and care for his ailing younger sister the whole family relied on Young Master Liu to support them.
If he married his precious daughter off to that family, she would surely suffer.
An un-foolable Shu Fuyan, and a penniless, down-and-out scholar. Cui Yan’s head was spinning.
Cui Yun didn’t care about these things; she noticed a section of a document peeking out of Cui Yan’s sleeve and naughtily pulled it out.
“Let me take a look.” Cui Yun read ten lines at a glance.
“Prince Jin’an, isn’t he a cripple?” Cui Yun shouted unreasonably.
Prince Jin’an!
Cui Yan was shocked, hurriedly snatching back the document and scanning the recommender whose name was left on it.
Prince Jin’an, Yu Jianheng.
Having confirmed the identity of the recommender, Cui Yan’s expression was grave, as if he had fallen into a bottomless abyss with nowhere to settle.
Who in the world doesn’t know that Prince Jin’an’s power is weak and his chances of seizing the throne are slim? Shu Fuyan was entangled with Prince Jin’an, using a piece of paper to drag him into the water.
It was evident that Shu Fuyan had a deep relationship with Prince Jin’an.
Cui Yan clutched the corner of the document, his intestines filled with regret.
He shouldn’t have agreed to Shu Fuyan’s request just now.
Now, things were fine the Cui Residence was in danger!