A Bitter Heart (Part 7)

After Gui Heng left, Chi Lian returned to Wei Ming's side. In those few short steps, countless excuses and explanations spun through his mind, but when he finally stood before him, he felt that anything he could say would be pale and weak. He was just that kind of person, possessing an extraordinary obsession with protecting the Emperor. Wanyue and Yangzhi had seen them, and anyone with ill intentions could trace the clues back to them.

Chi Lian didn't dare gamble the Emperor's safety on their silence. The best way was to cut the weeds and eliminate the roots—to silence them permanently. Only the dead tell no tales.

He knew this principle, and Wei Ming could guess it as well. It was just that sometimes, one had to do things they knew were wrong, even if it meant getting their hands dirty.

"His Highness."

He was filled with guilt, so his gaze was slightly avoidant. Wei Ming looked at him, seeing how he was already so ashamed he wanted to bury himself in the ground before he had even had a chance to commit the crime. Wei Ming's only thought was that some people could never be spoiled. The Grand Preceptor was adorable when he was elegant and composed, adorable when he killed without blinking, and doubly captivating when he considered everything for him without a word. So, taking advantage of the height difference as he stood on higher ground, Wei Ming leaned down and kissed Chi Lian on the forehead, sighing with emotion, "You are so cute."

Chi Lian: ?

He was completely baffled by the kiss, even beginning to wonder if he had done something wrong to make Wei Ming misunderstand. However, with that one kiss, the entire solemn, repentant atmosphere was shattered to pieces. Anything he said now would sound like he was playing hard to get. In the end, he could only dazedly accept Wei Ming's outstretched hand and let himself be pulled away to dinner.

For the next month, Wei Ming led the officials of the Dali Temple in relentlessly tackling Fang Tianchong's case. They turned his entire record upside down, from his appointment to the West Sea to the present, along with all the battle reports submitted to the Imperial Court over the years. Comparing them one by one with the account books from the red box, the findings were indeed shocking. Coupled with the testimonies of the captain's personal soldiers, Zhao Tingying, and other involved parties, Fang Tianchong's various crimes—colluding with Qiyun merchants to traffic people, killing innocents to claim military merit, drawing salaries for non-existent soldiers, and plotting to murder an imperial prince—were all firmly established, with no room for reversal.

He Guan stood below with his hands at his sides. Seeing Wei Ming staring at the case file without speaking, he couldn't help but hold his breath and ask, "His Highness, is there something wrong with the file?"

"Hmm?" Wei Ming returned to his senses. "No, it's very well organized. It's good enough to be presented to His Majesty right now. You've worked hard these past few days. For this case to be concluded so smoothly, Jialiang deserves the highest credit."

He Guan quickly said, "It was all due to His Highness's brilliant strategy that secured victory from a thousand li away. How could this subordinate dare to take credit? If you hadn't personally entered a perilous situation to hold off Fang Tianchong, I'm afraid this subordinate would have long since perished on the road with Zhao Tingying." He paused, then bowed deeply to Wei Ming. "This subordinate has not for a single day forgotten that Your Highness saved my life, and neither has Lord Shen. If Your Highness has any command, we will do everything in our power to serve you."

Ever since returning from Liang Continent, He Guan had shown signs of following Wei Ming's lead completely. Although Wei Ming was prepared to gather supporters, he had no intention of demanding repayment for his favors. Hearing his words, he waved his hand and smiled, "Alright, I understand. As long as Lord He serves the country well for a hundred years, that will be repayment enough for this Prince. Let's stop here for today. Submit the case file for His Majesty's review after the Three Judicial Offices have affixed their seals. Go back and rest."

He Guan was the biological grandson of the Left Prime Minister and had been raised as his successor from a young age. It had always been others who revered him. This was the first time since entering officialdom that he had pledged loyalty to his chosen "wise lord." In the heat of the moment, he had acted recklessly, but now that he came to his senses, he was a little embarrassed. He bowed shyly and exited.

Long, slender fingers rested on the paper, carelessly flipping through several pages, creating a very pleasing sight. However, at this moment, Wei Ming was not seriously examining the text that the Dali Temple officials had carefully drafted and revised. The things on his mind could not be known to outsiders—this case file was detailed and clear, but it couldn't completely resolve his questions.

Fang Tianchong's allegiance with Prince Kang's faction didn't begin after Wei Ming returned to the capital; it had been so even when the Crown Prince was still in his position. Before, the Crown Prince had always been proper and well-behaved, never making any major mistakes. Moreover, he had already taken residence in the Eastern Palace and, by all rights, should have had a firm grasp on victory. Yet, at that time, Fang Tianchong maintained close ties with Prince Kang. His support once made even the Crown Prince feel threatened, but no matter how he was probed or shown goodwill, Fang Tianchong never changed his stance.

On the surface, there were no ties of marriage or old friendships between the Fang family and Prince Kang, nor had they ever worked together in the past. Their only connection was that the Three Continents of the West Sea were a fiefdom nominally granted to Prince Kang, but he only enjoyed the tax revenues from the fief and had never interfered in the military or civil affairs of the three continents.

Where exactly did their interests connect? Taking down a West Sea Governor-General was equivalent to severing one of Prince Kang's arms, which was already a huge gain. But what Wei Ming was truly curious about were the means Prince Kang used to win over Fang Tianchong. Whether it was a favor or blackmail, it was like prying open a tightly shut clam—there had to be a crack to get started.

However, before he could figure out where to start digging for the hidden story, Prince Kang was the first to lose his composure. The next day, after the grand court session ended, as Wei Ming was walking out of the palace, he was suddenly blocked by Prince Kang, Wei Shi.

Prince Kang was an impatient person, or to put it bluntly, reckless. This could be seen from the way and timing of his actions. However, because he was adept at presenting himself well, Emperor Qiansheng only saw him as straightforward. People who were too clever were often enigmatic and aroused suspicion, so someone who could be seen through at a glance sometimes made the emperor feel more at ease. The reason Emperor Qiansheng could tolerate Prince Kang's ambition, and even endure his struggle against the Crown Prince, was precisely because he felt he saw him clearly enough and had the ability to keep him under control in the palm of his hand.

Wei Ming politely raised a hand to him. "Second Brother."

But Prince Kang did not accept his courtesy, saying coldly, "Fourth Brother, you've been quite pleased with yourself lately, haven't you?"

Wei Ming said innocently, "Where is this coming from? I must ask Second Brother to enlighten me."

Prince Kang looked him levelly in the eye, his gaze filled with anger, and rebuked him harshly, "If you want to fight me, then fight me openly and honorably in the Imperial Court! What kind of skill is it to play schemes in the Inner Palace and use flattery to vie for favor!"

The two of them were standing right on the imperial path where officials came and went. If their voices were a little louder, their conversation would be overheard by passing officials. Prince Kang might be frank by nature, but Wei Ming couldn't afford to lose face like that. He immediately replied with a serious expression, "How can matters of the palace be openly discussed by subjects? I must ask Your Highness to speak with caution."

Prince Kang frowned in disdain. "You don't have to pretend to be a good person here. Do you think this Prince doesn't know what you're thinking? It's nothing more than trying to suppress me by framing my mother consort! Truly a good son born of that palace maid mother of yours. The woman you chose is just like her, an out-and-out fawning, lowly slut!"

Wei Ming had been without a mother since birth, so he had no eyes and ears to help him in the Inner Palace, nor had he ever intended to scheme in that area. Furthermore, he had a reincarnated identity, so it was hard to say he had any deep mother-son affection. But she was, after all, the mother who had given him life. Even if it was just for the connection of those ten months, he could not tolerate Prince Kang's wild accusations. "Let me inform Your Highness that my mother, before her death, was one of His Majesty's Nine Concubines. She was posthumously honored as Consort Shu, had undergone the investiture ceremony, and had been announced to Heaven, Earth, and the ancestral temples. I wonder who Your Highness is referring to with every mention of 'lowly slut'?"

"The Sage selects virtuous ladies to manage the inner court's affairs; the Inner Palace has its own laws and regulations. Your Highness seems to wish for everyone to know of these matters. Which of them are you dissatisfied with? Instead of voicing your concerns before our Father Emperor, you come to block my path. Could it be that you want the Dali Temple to uphold justice for you?!"

Once he became angry, his voice turned harsh and his expression severe. The pressure descended like a landslide, instantly extinguishing most of Prince Kang's arrogance. Prince Kang still scowled at him, about to say something more, when Shang Heng walked up to them. With a slight smile on his face, he asked gracefully, "What are you two Highnesses doing? This servant seems to have heard some trouble. Do you need help resolving it?"

Wei Ming didn't respond. Even though Prince Kang was in a bad mood, he didn't dare throw a tantrum at the Emperor's trusted confidant. He forced a smile and said, "It's nothing. This Prince was just having a few words with my Fourth Brother. Thank you for your concern, Eunuch Shang."

Seeing that the argument could not continue, he shot Wei Ming a glare and left in a huff, flicking his sleeves. That old fox Shang Heng remained as composed as ever, still wearing a smiling expression. He said to Wei Ming in a low voice, "Yesterday, Noble Consort Wu angered His Majesty and was sentenced to half a year of confinement. His Highness, Prince Kang, is likely upset for his mother consort, so he has lost his composure. Your Highness, please don't take it to heart."

Wei Ming was also someone whose expression could change in an instant. In a moment, he reined in his anger and thanked Shang Heng with a dignified air, "So that's how it is. This Prince knows what to do. Many thanks to Chief Eunuch Shang for intervening just now."

Shang Heng had a genuine past connection with him. For Yi Dayou's sake, he had to give him face. He smiled faintly, turned sideways to return the courtesy, and said respectfully, "You are too kind. Your Highness overpraises this servant."

In the evening, Chi Lian came over. Hearing Wei Ming recount the matter, he frowned and said, "I only heard about this today as well. I was just about to tell Your Highness, but I didn't expect Prince Kang to make the first move."

"The cause of this matter was that when the Emperor was at the Longshan Imperial Palace, he favored a palace maid, Lady Yan. I heard she plays the pipa very well and has won the Emperor's favor. Not only did he bring her back to the palace, but there were even signs that he was doting on her exclusively. Lady Yan was just promoted to Jieyu last month. Noble Consort Wu perhaps wanted to put her in her place, so she ordered her to copy a hundred scrolls of the Heart Sutra. As a result, she injured her hand. When the Emperor found out, he flew into a rage, confined Noble Consort Wu, and forbade her from managing the affairs of the Six Palaces anymore."

Wei Ming said thoughtfully, "No wonder Prince Kang was furious. If Noble Consort Wu's favor wanes because of this, then Yan Jieyu has unintentionally helped us."

Chi Lian said, "But she's not one of our people. That's something that can be found out with a simple investigation. Prince Kang's anger is too unreasonable."

"That's why one shouldn't make enemies easily. Otherwise, if he chokes while eating, he'll suspect I'm the one who poisoned him." Wei Ming lowered the curtain by the bed and said casually, "Prince Kang's move was very clever. He has always been forthright by nature, only shouting when he encounters injustice. The matter of us arguing outside today will definitely reach the Emperor's ears. But his version of the story will make the Emperor suspect that Yan Jieyu is someone I planted in the Inner Palace. At this juncture, regardless of whether it's true, as long as he fans the flames, perhaps the Emperor's heart will be swayed, and his anger towards Noble Consort Wu will lessen. And even if he can't bring down Yan Jieyu, dampening her spirit is also a good thing for him and his mother."

Chi Lian was silent for a moment, then finally commented, "How vicious."

Wei Ming was amused and let out a "pfft" of laughter. He leaned over, gave him a kiss, and comforted him, "Don't worry, you probably won't encounter this kind of thing in the future."

Chi Lian: "..."

He was just about to retaliate when three clear bell chimes suddenly sounded from outside. This signified that someone outside the Secret Realm was looking for Wei Ming. The servants in the Prince's Manor more or less knew the situation and generally wouldn't disturb him late at night unless it was something extremely important. Wei Ming exchanged a look with him, took an outer robe from a nearby rack, and draped it over Chi Lian, saying, "Let's go, we'll go out and see."

The green jade lotus spun. A flash of light streaked through the bedroom, and the two figures appeared. Outside the door, Yi Dayou reported softly, "General Duan Muxun of the Jinwu Guard has come to visit and requests an audience with the Prince. He is currently waiting outside the manor."