Pang Xiao’s expression was somewhat complex. “I think they may not necessarily cause trouble. The news my people gathered in the city is that the common people now seem to be thinking about how to invite me into the city to recuperate.”
Speaking as they returned to the tent, Qin Yining sat in the folding chair and looked up at Pang Xiao. “It must be that the words Magistrate Cheng spoke for you have taken effect.”
“Yes.” Speaking of Magistrate Cheng, Pang Xiao couldn’t help but feel somewhat melancholy. “Magistrate Cheng should have already been thrown into prison by now, just waiting for execution after autumn. I wonder what he thinks upon learning that His Majesty has not stopped constructing the imperial mausoleum—whether he feels everything was in vain.”
Qin Yining shook her head. “Actually, Magistrate Cheng may not necessarily have wanted to immediately stop the imperial mausoleum construction. From what Wang the Great Benefactor told me that day, their intention was merely to slow down His Majesty’s pace of building the imperial mausoleum. They originally envisioned that by taking you down, His Majesty would send someone else. They just never expected His Majesty would choose Uncle Lu nearby to concurrently hold this position.”
“Lu Heng will never give up the treasure. I’m afraid Magistrate Cheng’s plans are destined to fail.”
“That too is a matter of helplessness.”
Pang Xiao sent people to closely monitor developments in Huichuan County. He had deliberately withdrawn to give Lu Heng time and space to operate freely, wanting to see exactly what he would arrange so they could formulate countermeasures. Therefore, Pang Xiao and Qin Yining quickly learned of Lu Heng’s renewed memorial to the emperor.
Just as Pang Xiao, Qin Yining, Xie Yue, and Xu Weizhi were gathered together speculating about what Lu Heng was planning, Tang Xiu also brought back the intelligence he had gathered.
“Your Highness, Earl Zhongyi memorialized reporting the crimes of negligence and embezzlement by the former imperial mausoleum supervisor. Through his careful investigation, he can confirm that some of the granite used for constructing the imperial mausoleum contains defective materials. Additionally, much of the timber used for the foundation also has problems. If construction continues this way, the imperial mausoleum may not be sturdy enough and unable to last long in the future.”
Pang Xiao smiled slightly. “And then? What did His Majesty say?”
“His Majesty approved Earl Lu’s memorial to repurchase stone materials and ordered silver to be withdrawn from the national treasury. As for the original unqualified granite and timber, they were all handed over to Uncle Lu for disposal. His Majesty also issued an edict to arrest the wife and children of the former supervisor who had fled to the countryside. Although there was no explicit statement about how to deal with them, it certainly won’t end well.”
Everyone fell silent.
Qin Yining had originally thought that with Magistrate Cheng’s sacrifice of himself, Li Qitian had indeed fallen into the trap after all, and things developing according to Magistrate Cheng’s vision was just a matter of time.
But His Majesty’s edict was truly beyond her expectations—he seemed to completely disregard his own reputation.
Now he had not the slightest intention of stopping the imperial mausoleum construction, even allowing the disposal of unqualified stone and timber and having everything replaced with good materials.
His Majesty was the Son of Heaven. Even if he came from humble origins, he had now tasted the flavors of wealth and honor. He felt that everything under heaven should belong to him, having long forgotten what he had originally risen up in rebellion for. For the sake of the imperial mausoleum, he was again drawing from the national treasury. This ran completely counter to Magistrate Cheng’s original vision.
Thinking of Magistrate Cheng, Qin Yining’s heart softened and she sighed, murmuring, “This reality—how can one bear it?”
Hearing this, Pang Xiao, Xie Yue, and the others all sighed together.
In the evening, the afterglow of the setting sun had scattered into the horizon, and the last trace of red had also shyly hidden behind the mountains. The evening clouds projected through the small window onto the pitch-black walls of the Ministry of Justice prison also gradually faded. Only deep black silence remained in the prison, with the air filled with heavy deathly atmosphere.
The prisoners held here were all awaiting execution after autumn.
Magistrate Cheng, dressed in prison clothes with disheveled hair, was confined alone in a single cell, listening to the squeaking of mice like his fellow inmates who had also committed crimes.
Suddenly, from the end of the dark corridor came the clanking sound of iron chains, followed by hurried footsteps approaching. As the lamplight gradually moved closer, two shadows on the dark, mottled walls also drew nearer.
Candlelight flickered as the jailer inserted a white paper lantern beside the small window, saying in a deep voice, “Magistrate Cheng, someone is here to visit.”
Magistrate Cheng lifted his eyelids to look outside the cell door, seeing a familiar person pressing a piece of silver covered with white frost into the jailer’s hand.
The jailer weighed the silver, said “Be quick about it,” and turned to leave.
“Haolin, you’ve come.”
The visitor was none other than Master Liu Haolin, whom Magistrate Cheng trusted.
Liu Haolin walked to the cell door, gripping the wooden bars tightly with both hands, looking at the person in the cell with tears in his eyes. “My lord!”
“Shh. How can I still be called ‘my lord’ now?” Magistrate Cheng smiled, rising and slowly pacing to the door.
Liu Haolin wore a guilty expression. “My lord, not staying with you to the end that day—this subordinate truly feels ashamed.”
“Don’t mention that matter. Your leaving that day was only natural. Should accompanying me to wait for death have been the right thing?” Magistrate Cheng’s smile also carried some bitterness. “How are things outside? The people in my household…”
Liu Haolin wiped away tears and shook his head while choking back sobs.
Magistrate Cheng understood everything.
With His Majesty’s edict issued, how could the Cheng family have a good outcome? When the nest is overturned, no eggs remain intact. Even if he had made what he thought were the most comprehensive preparations in advance, in the end the family line would probably be extinguished.
Closing his eyes, Magistrate Cheng raised his head, the corners of his lips turning up as he said in a deep voice, “Good. Good. I, Cheng, am without shame before heaven and earth. Everything I did was for the stability of the Great Zhou. My family members naturally stood with me. When we meet King Yama in the underworld in the future, I too will have words to defend myself. As long as the imperial mausoleum construction stops and the silver is preserved, when famine arrives it can provide support for a while. In this way, the Great Zhou’s territory will certainly be stable, and my Cheng family can be said to have died for a worthy cause!”
Hearing this, Liu Haolin didn’t know what to say for a moment. After a long while, he hesitantly lowered his head.
Since he was going to die anyway, some things were better left unknown. This way, Magistrate Cheng could continue waiting for his autumn execution with full confidence, at least feeling that everything was worthwhile.
However, although Liu Haolin said nothing, Magistrate Cheng clearly saw his expression by the weak light of the lantern.
Having spent many years by his side, how could Magistrate Cheng not discern the expression of his capable subordinate?
“Haolin!” Magistrate Cheng’s face stiffened, the smile on his lips becoming somewhat ugly. His right hand reached through the cell bars and grabbed Liu Haolin’s shoulder. “What happened outside?”
Liu Haolin forced a smile. “What could have happened? You…”
“Don’t try to deceive me. With our years of friendship, can’t I tell whether you’re speaking truth or lies?”
Hearing this, Liu Haolin froze.
Seeing Liu Haolin’s reaction, Magistrate Cheng’s relaxed smile completely disappeared, and he couldn’t help but increase the force in his hand. “Speak quickly—what exactly happened?”
Looking at Magistrate Cheng, Liu Haolin choked out, “My lord, your plan—your plan failed! His Majesty has already ordered Earl Zhongyi to concurrently serve as imperial mausoleum supervisor and approved funding from the national treasury to repurchase superior granite and timber. His Majesty’s imperial mausoleum is still going to continue being built!”
Hearing this, Magistrate Cheng closed his eyes, slapped his forehead hard with his palm, raised his head, and let out a long sigh.
“Are you speaking the truth?”
“My lord, this subordinate wouldn’t lie about such a matter. This subordinate knows he was wrong—I should have properly advised you from the beginning, but you…”
How had he not tried to advise? It was just that Magistrate Cheng was stubborn and completely unwilling to listen to his counsel. Now all plans had come to nothing. Magistrate Cheng had not only sacrificed himself but even his family, yet gained nothing in return. The emperor’s determination to build the imperial mausoleum remained unwavering.
As a subordinate, his heart ached for him too!
Magistrate Cheng lowered his hand, staring blankly at the lantern across from him with vacant expression, as if his soul had left his body.
His dazed appearance made Liu Haolin’s heart race with alarm, and he shouted, “My lord, what’s wrong with you? Wake up…”
“The foolish ruler has ruined the Great Zhou Dynasty…” Magistrate Cheng suddenly murmured these words, frightening Liu Haolin so much he wished he could rush into the cell to cover Magistrate Cheng’s mouth.
All the muscles in Magistrate Cheng’s body were rigid. He kept muttering “The foolish ruler has ruined the Great Zhou Dynasty,” then suddenly raised his eyes, glaring fiercely at the stone wall, and with all his strength crashed his head against the wall.
“My lord! My lord!” Liu Haolin gripped the wooden bars with both hands, weeping uncontrollably as he watched helplessly as Magistrate Cheng’s head struck something red and white, his body falling limply onto the moldy straw, frightening even the mice scurrying about to scatter in all directions.
When news of Magistrate Cheng’s death reached Pang Xiao’s ears, he and Qin Yining had already been respectfully welcomed into the city by the people of Danfu County.
The three family heads had specially cleaned out a two-courtyard mansion for Pang Xiao’s recovery.
Clearly, the people of Danfu County’s impression of Pang Xiao had completely changed, and his image of magnanimity and loyalty had long been deeply rooted in their hearts.
“Magistrate Cheng committed suicide in prison…”
“Yes. When His Majesty learned of it, he was extremely furious, believing that Magistrate Cheng was dissatisfied with His Majesty. He had him hung outside the city gate for public display.”
Pang Xiao closed his eyes, ultimately sighing and pursing his lips in silence.
When Qin Yining learned of this, her heart also felt very heavy.
Although Magistrate Cheng had employed schemes and acted somewhat excessively, his starting point was ultimately good. To end up with such a result was deeply lamentable and gave one the feeling of the rabbit grieving for the fox’s death.
Pang Xiao comfortingly took Qin Yining’s hand and shook it.
The two looked at each other, their gazes meeting, both feeling a wave of melancholy.
To prevent Qin Yining from being sad, Pang Xiao actively changed the subject. “His Majesty has graciously permitted me to recuperate here. Moreover, because of the incident where I was stabbed, I memorialized requesting His Majesty’s permission to increase the prince’s mansion guards. My people in court also joined in applying pressure. His Majesty is wholly focused on the imperial mausoleum matter and probably assumes I won’t have any reaction—he has already approved my expansion of the prince’s mansion guards.”
“His Majesty has abandoned all face for the sake of the imperial mausoleum, so he must be more lenient in your matter to avoid criticism everywhere.” Qin Yining rubbed her brow. “For expanding the prince’s mansion guards, do you have candidates in mind?”
“I’ve long had arrangements. Now I’ve been given the opportunity to strengthen. If anything happens, we won’t face a shortage of manpower again.”
Qin Yining nodded. For them, this could be considered a blessing in disguise.
Settling down in Danfu County, Pang Xiao’s “injuries” were also slowly recovering.
Because the people of Danfu County were grateful to Pang Xiao, everyone in the entire prince’s mansion, even the laborers who swept the courtyards, appeared more dignified when they went out than laborers from ordinary households. Although Danfu County had three major families, when their interests weren’t touched, the local customs were quite simple. Qin Yining and Pang Xiao’s days passed in exceptional tranquility, almost giving one the illusion of peaceful times.
However, the good days had only lasted about ten days when the prince’s mansion welcomed an unexpected guest.