Light and Shadow

He slept so soundly it was as if the world had gone dark, yet it was an exceptionally peaceful sleep, as though making up for over a year of constant vigilance.

He was awakened by a touch on his hand. Someone was speaking in a low voice nearby, and the air was filled with a scent that smelled expensive just by breathing it in. It had an indescribable familiarity, yet he couldn't recall its source. Lu Shuo groggily opened his eyes and saw a worried face looking down at him.

His unfocused vision gradually sharpened, his mind sluggishly searching for the other person's name. Then, as if struck by a whip across his spine, he shot up from the bed. "Your Majesty!"

The panicked movement pulled at his wounds, and the bones and muscles all over his body protested in unison. Intense pain immediately overwhelmed him. Seeing a fine layer of cold sweat suddenly break out on Lu Shuo's forehead, the Emperor quickly pressed him back down onto the couch. "Slowly, slowly, don't panic... Just lie down, there's no need for formalities."

Lu Shuo's gaze went past the Emperor's shoulder and fell upon Wen Chan and a detached-looking Pei Rusong behind him. He wished he could faint and wake up all over again. The Princess had previously frightened him about not being able to enter the palace, making an imperial audience seem as difficult as ascending to heaven, yet he wakes up to find the Emperor sitting by his bedside!

He hadn't even had a chance to coordinate their stories beforehand!

Wen Chan calmly accepted General Lu's "terrified and helpless" gaze. Taking advantage of the fact that the Emperor couldn't see, she even gave him a playful smile. Lu Shuo detected a subtle hint of revenge in her smile, and the back of his head tingled. He then heard Wen Chan say to the Emperor, "General Lu has no friends or family in Pingjing. Fearing that entering the palace rashly would alert the enemy, and with nowhere else to turn, he came to my door, hoping to implore Your Imperial Majesty to leave the palace. Now that Father Emperor is here, General Lu can report any hidden grievances he has to Your Majesty in detail."

In just a few words, she had smoothly explained the most crucial part and even managed to craft an image of a loyal, isolated official for him. Truly worthy of being the slick leader of "Deep Forest." Lu Shuo felt a little more at ease. He propped himself up slightly and apologized to the Emperor in a hoarse voice, "This humble servant has been indecorous in your presence. I beg Your Majesty to forgive my offense."

The Emperor had, after all, watched Lu Shuo grow up and regarded him as a nephew. He still remembered Lu Shuo's dashing and handsome appearance before he left the capital. Seeing him now, so haggard and covered in scars, completely bereft of his former glory, the Emperor's heart ached. "Such a fine boy. To think you've suffered so much on this trip for no reason. If anything had happened to you, how could I have faced your father in the afterlife!"

The Emperor lived a pampered life, his fingers bearing only the thin calluses from years of holding a writing brush, nothing at all like Lu Zhonghui, who had bled on battlefields. Yet, as he tightly gripped Lu Shuo's hand, which was covered in small cuts, he inexplicably gave off a 'fatherly' air. Lu Shuo's eyes suddenly burned, and he quickly lowered his head to hold back his emotions. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty... This servant is fine. They are only superficial wounds and will heal after a couple of days' rest."

Behind the Emperor, Wen Chan let out a distinct scoff.

Lu Shuo: "..."

Seeing the Emperor look over, Wen Chan bowed slightly and said coolly, "Father Emperor, please continue your chat with General Lu. Your daughter will take her leave."

The Emperor pondered for a moment, then said, "You and Xuechen stay. Liang Jiang, go stand guard outside."

Liang Jiang withdrew with the attendants and palace maids. Wen Chan and Pei Rusong seemed accustomed to this, but Lu Shuo was somewhat surprised. He had been away from the court for a long time, and although he had heard rumors that the Princess was highly regarded by the Emperor, he hadn't expected this "high regard" to extend to the point where even crucial military matters were not kept from her. She was in no way inferior to the adult princes who had been enfeoffed.

Having spoken with Wen Chan earlier, his thoughts were much clearer than when he had first returned. He recounted the events in Wuyuan to the Emperor in detail from beginning to end. He watched as the Emperor's expression grew darker and darker, like a collapsing cliff. Finally, the Emperor took a deep breath, as if wanting to grab something nearby and throw it, but barely restrained himself. "All of this you've said... is there any proof?"

Falsely reporting military achievements was a grave crime, but if the offender was a meritorious veteran general, the Emperor would often allow them to atone for their crime with their merits; it wouldn't necessarily be a death sentence. Colluding with the enemy and betraying the country, however, was an unpardonable crime. No emperor would tolerate such a general under his nose. Once discovered, death would be inevitable. For this reason, the Emperor handled such matters with extreme caution. Even though Lu Shuo was closer to him, the Emperor dared not act on his word alone.

"The location of the iron mine, and the general under Xiao Dingfang responsible for trading with the Chuohan Tribe—this servant can provide all of that. As for the outcome of the battle at Gaolong River, you only need to ask the soldiers who participated to know the truth," Lu Shuo said. "This servant witnessed every single event with my own eyes. Your Majesty can send people to investigate. If there is a single word of falsehood, this servant is willing to accept any punishment."

The Emperor's expression was grim, his aura as cold as a blade. He patted the back of Lu Shuo's hand. "You have been wronged. If Xiao Dingfang has truly committed such a monstrous crime, I will absolutely not spare him."

Lu Shuo thanked him in a low voice, "Your Majesty is wise."

The Emperor knitted his brows and shifted his gaze to Wen Chan.

The Princess proactively took up the conversation, her response quick and practiced, far more reliable than those officials of the Three Departments and Six Ministries who needed prodding to act. "How does Father Emperor wish to investigate? There are two paths: an overt investigation or a covert one. We can either officially welcome General Lu back, and you can issue a decree summoning Xiao Dingfang back to the capital for interrogation by The Three Judicial Offices; or, we can hold our hand for now, send a trusted agent to Wuyuan to investigate secretly, and act only after the truth is clear."

Her words seemed thorough, as if either choice were the same, but upon reflection, she was being smooth to the point of cunning. If the Emperor still had doubts, wanted to leave a way out for the old official, or was considerate of Virtuous Consort Xiao and her son, the Fourth Prince, he would choose to bring the issue into the open, giving Xiao Dingfang a chance to clean up his mess. But if the Emperor was filled with rage and only wanted the truth, he would choose to strike later. This would mean his suspicion of Xiao Dingfang had already overcome their past relationship, and once the matter was investigated thoroughly, Xiao Dingfang would have no chance of recovery.

As expected, the Emperor deliberated for a moment before saying decisively, "Don't alert him yet. I want to see just what the Duke of Xu, whose family has received imperial favor for generations, has been doing behind my back."

Fortunately, though the Emperor was easily swayed, he could still think clearly when it came to major issues. Wen Chan continued, "Since this will be a covert operation, the person sent must be completely reliable. If Xiao Dingfang's faction discovers the court's secret investigation, whether through heavy bribes or assassination to silence witnesses, should the imperial envoy fail to withstand it, all our efforts will be for naught."

"There is also a worst-case scenario: Xiao Dingfang, driven to desperation, might disregard the lives of his family and directly lead the Wuyuan Army in rebellion. He is very close to the Chuohan and Tongluo. No matter who he allies with, it will be very difficult for the court to handle."

The Emperor grunted in agreement, feeling her concerns were not unfounded. He asked, "What do you think should be done?"

Wen Chan: "Repair the plank roads in the open, while secretly crossing at Chencang."

The Emperor: "Explain."

"General Lu's not publicizing the fact that he's still alive was a brilliant move." Wen Chan didn't forget to praise Lu Shuo. "Right now, the Wuyuan Army likely believes he has died for his country. This is when Xiao Dingfang's guard is at its lowest. Father Emperor should use the great victory at Wuyuan as a pretext to summon Xiao Dingfang to court for a reward. First, find a way to keep him in Pingjing, and simultaneously send someone to Wuyuan to investigate. This way, even if his accomplices find out, there won't be a risk of mutiny."

Lu Shuo's expression twisted slightly, not particularly eager to accept her praise. The Emperor, as if hearing his thoughts, scolded, "You're still praising him? How many times have I told him not to put himself in danger? I see he hasn't taken a single word to heart! His narrow escape this time was all thanks to Heaven's blessing. Once your injuries have healed, Beichu, you will go to Juehui Temple and properly pay your respects to the Buddha for me."

Lu Shuo suppressed the cough rising in his chest and meekly replied, "This servant obeys."

"The Princess's method is good. Xuechen, take note of it and draft an edict for me when you return to the palace." The Emperor asked Wen Chan, "As for the person to send to Wuyuan, who do you think is suitable?"

Wen Chan smiled and demurred, "Your daughter has already offered a suggestion. To also have a hand in selecting the candidate would be overstepping my bounds. Your Majesty need only choose someone you trust."

The Emperor looked at Pei Rusong.

Wen Chan: "..."

Pei Rusong: "This servant also agrees with what the Princess said."

For a moment, the Emperor couldn't tell if he genuinely didn't understand or was just playing dumb. He guided him patiently, "The palace eunuchs can't be used. The court officials are all related by marriage to one person or are the protégés of another. Their connections are too intertwined; I don't trust them."

Wen Chan reminded him, "Father Emperor, a censor is the proper person for this task. Sending the Prince Consort may raise suspicions of overstepping his authority."

"Since it is a secret investigation, other factors are irrelevant. Only the four words 'loyalty, righteousness, talent, and ability' matter." The Emperor shot her a teasing glance. "I know you're worried about the dangers at the border. I will send the Imperial Guard to accompany and protect him. I guarantee I'll bring the Prince Consort back in one piece. How about that?"

The number of people the Emperor would consult in such a pleasant tone could be counted on one hand. He was already showing the Princess immense respect. Had it been any other fifth-rank official, it would have been settled with a verbal command at most, with no room for negotiation.

Wen Chan raised her eyes to look at Pei Rusong. Seeing him nod, she knew the matter was settled and that he had to go on this trip. However, she couldn't agree so easily. "It is a subject's duty to share the sovereign's burdens. Since Father Emperor trusts the Prince Consort, your daughter naturally cannot stand in the way. But Wuyuan Commandery is, after all, a dangerous place. They even dared to plot against General Lu; I fear they won't be deterred by the Prince Consort's status either. Your daughter wishes to ask Father Emperor for one thing."

Since the Emperor wanted to use her man, he naturally wouldn't refuse her. "What do you want?"

Wen Chan said clearly and solemnly, "Your daughter requests that you grant the Prince Consort the authority to act decisively as the situation demands. Should he encounter an emergency, allow him to act as he sees fit."

The air in the room froze for a moment.

The Emperor was slightly surprised, not because the request was too bold, but because Wen Chan had always handled matters meticulously and thoroughly, never seeking credit or rewards. She was the type of child who caused the least trouble. For her to speak up for once, and to ask for a life-saving talisman for the Prince Consort of all things, gave the Emperor the strange feeling that his own little daughter had fallen in love.

He shot a sideways glance at Pei Rusong, for the first time finding fault with the handsome Prince Consort's every feature, and said irritably, "I know."

Pei Rusong, who had been glared at for no reason: "...Then I shall thank Your Majesty for your profound grace?"