Qin Sang acknowledged the order and summoned an inner attendant to take his place driving the imperial carriage, then departed after receiving his instructions.

Su Jin said to Zhu Nanxian: “Although Your Highness has dispatched men to search for and apprehend Du Zhen, for Qingyue to interrogate a Third-Rank Vice Minister still requires simultaneous warrant orders from both the Ministry of Justice and the Imperial Censorate. This subject will return immediately to draft them.” After thinking it over, he added, “This subject must also prepare matters for the diplomatic mission. Tomorrow at the grand funeral procession, I won’t be able to accompany Your Highness to the Imperial Mausoleum. I humbly ask that Your Highness pay respects on my behalf to the Late Crown Prince and Late Crown Princess.”

Zhu Nanxian nodded: “Very well. You must set out before dawn, so rest early.”

Having said this, he lowered the carriage curtain and allowed the inner attendant to drive the imperial carriage away.

In truth, Su Jin’s words just now had been somewhat improper. Even though everyone in the palace knew the Crown Prince placed great trust in Vice Minister Su, she was ultimately just a subject. How could matters of paying respects to the Late Crown Prince and Late Crown Princess be entrusted to Zhu Nanxian, the heir apparent?

Fortunately, Wu Jizhi knew Su Jin was a woman. After a moment’s consideration, he smiled as if casually remarking: “People always say the Crown Prince treats Lord Su and Lord Shen quite differently in private. Having witnessed it today, it’s true—calling them as close as blood brothers would be no exaggeration.”

Su Jin then realized her misstep and smiled: “Qingyue and I have walked this path alongside His Highness. In private we disregard propriety and are somewhat disrespectful, but fortunately His Highness is tolerant and never takes offense.” She then addressed the Ministry of Revenue clerk waiting nearby: “You return to the Ministry of Revenue first and inform Qingyue of the situation here so he can be at ease. If there are any developments on Qingyue’s end later, please trouble yourself to come notify us at the Ministry of Justice.”

The clerk hastily replied: “Lord Su, you’re too kind. This is naturally this subordinate’s duty.”

Night had deepened. Apart from the guards and inner attendants on night watch, the palace grounds were utterly silent. Wu Jizhi carried a wind lantern to light Su Jin’s path while guiding her toward the Ministry of Justice, remarking: “My lord is in good spirits today.”

Su Jin was surprised: “Is that so?”

Wu Jizhi nodded: “My lord rarely smiles on ordinary days, but today you’ve smiled several times.”

Su Jin couldn’t help smiling again: “Perhaps attending the betrothal banquet at the Zhao residence brought back some festive good fortune.”

Not far away, two censors from the Imperial Censorate passed by. Upon seeing it was actually a lord from the Ministry of Justice approaching, they quickly clasped their hands and bowed to Su Jin. After Wu Jizhi exchanged bows with them both, he said: “I heard that today Lord Liu ultimately couldn’t attend the betrothal banquet at the Zhao residence.”

Su Jin nodded: “Yes, my lord has always been self-disciplined, placing great emphasis on completing today’s tasks today. Earlier he was detained at Fengtian Hall by Lord Gong and the others for quite some time, so he didn’t go to the Zhao residence. Even his congratulatory gift was delivered by An’ran and A’Liu from his household.”

Wu Jizhi said: “That truly is a pity. I thought if Miss Zhao could see Lord Liu at her younger sister’s betrothal banquet today, it might lead to another fine match.”

Meeting Su Jin’s puzzled gaze, he explained: “Oh, Lord Su may not know—about nine years ago, shortly after Lord Liu became a censor, Miss Zhao Wan of the Zhao residence developed feelings for him alone.” However, having said this, he felt something was amiss. After thinking it over, he shook his head with a smile: “Though at that time Lord Liu was still just Liu Yun, only seventeen years old, composed beyond his years, intelligent and handsome, from a distinguished family, and a student of great scholars. Back then, who in the entire capital didn’t wish to marry Liu Yun?”

Su Jin was startled: “I’ve only heard that in earlier years, every family with daughters in the capital without exception wished to marry Qingyue.”

“Ah, that was different.” Wu Jizhi said, then smiled and continued: “Speaking of others’ private affairs behind their backs isn’t quite proper, but fortunately these are all old stories. Lord Su is well-acquainted with Lords Shen and Liu—surely they wouldn’t mind.”

“Back then there was a saying: Lord Shen was charming and attracted young ladies’ favor, but when it came to marriage, one should still marry Liu Yun.”

“At that time, this subordinate was still serving as a City Patrol Censor. When Lord Liu first entered the Imperial Censorate, I heard that marriage proposals nearly wore down the threshold of Old Censor Meng’s door. Lord Su, you also know that Old Censor Meng had a daughter of his own. Thinking it best to keep good fortune in the family, he arranged a betrothal between Lord Liu and his own daughter. After the betrothal, Miss Zhao Wan of the Zhao residence cried for quite some time. I heard that wherever she went, she would weep whenever anyone mentioned the two characters ‘Liu Yun.’ That’s how word spread of her devoted feelings for Lord Liu.”

“Later, not many months passed before Lord Liu and Miss Meng were to wed. That young miss was ill-fated and died of acute illness. Old Censor Meng grieved for a time but ultimately took it philosophically. He thought that at least Miss Zhao Wan had grown up under his watch, and aside from being somewhat improper in her excessive fondness for Liu Yun, her appearance and character were all excellent. So he thought he might as well take the initiative and settle Liu Yun’s life’s great matter anew.”

“However, Old Censor Meng regarded Lord Liu as his own son and always considered his feelings in all matters. Before settling this arrangement, he called Lord Liu before him and asked: ‘Would you be willing to wait three years, until Zhao Wan is somewhat older, to marry her as your wife?’ Lord Su, can you guess how Lord Liu answered?”

Su Jin thought for a moment but couldn’t figure it out: “How did he answer?”

Wu Jizhi laughed: “Just one word—’Good.'”

Su Jin was astonished: “He agreed just like that? Was he sincere?”

Wu Jizhi smiled: “Exactly—Old Censor Meng had the same thought as you, my lord. Moreover, he had an upright temperament, so he immediately asked Lord Liu: ‘Are you truly willing, or are you merely yielding to me? You’ve seen Miss Zhao several times—do you remember what she looks like?'”

“Lord Liu said he should remember. But when Old Censor Meng asked about her height, build, and age, my lord couldn’t answer a single question. Old Censor Meng was half-dead with frustration and asked: ‘Then why did you say good?’ Lord Liu said: ‘Teacher has shown this student great kindness. This is a small matter. If Teacher says it is so, then it is so. This student could never oppose Teacher over such a small matter.'”

Su Jin smiled: “That does sound like Lord Liu’s temperament.”

Wu Jizhi continued: “Later, on one occasion, this subordinate was delivering the roster of City Patrol Censors from the northern district to Old Censor Meng. I happened to overhear at the Imperial Censorate when Old Censor Meng mentioned this matter to the former Minister of Justice, Lord Shen Tuo. He didn’t avoid me at the time, merely saying that Liu Yun would spend his life alone and solitary, too lacking in both romantic and familial ties. He was anxious to arrange a betrothal for him because he feared that after his own passing, Lord Liu would have no one to talk to. In his private heart, he hoped Liu Yun could marry someone he truly liked. He also said Liu Yun’s nature destined him to a life of self-discipline and hardship—it would be good if he could have one matter that truly fulfilled his heart’s wishes. So he helped him decline the match with the Zhao family. Perhaps it was the melancholy in Old Censor Meng’s words that moved me so deeply—after all these years I still remember it clearly, often wondering: what kind of woman would it take to win Lord Liu’s favor and fulfill his heart’s desire?”

Su Jin said: “When I first met Liu Yun, I too wondered why a man of such character remained alone and unattached. But after knowing him longer, I discovered he has his own set of principles. Though extremely strict in dealing with matters and people, he disciplines himself even more than he disciplines others, earning deep admiration. Perhaps his thoughts simply aren’t focused on these things he considers ‘idle matters’ or ‘small matters.'”

Wu Jizhi smiled: “Lord Su speaks truly. It seems this subordinate has been measuring a sage by ordinary standards.”

As they spoke, they arrived at the Ministry of Justice. Since Su Jin would depart before dawn tomorrow and would be gone for several days, lights still burned in the various tribunal halls of the Ministry of Justice, with many officials working through the night.

Wu Jizhi was about to hand the wind lantern to a junior clerk nearby when he looked up and saw a tall, slender figure standing with hands clasped behind his back in the courtyard.

It was none other than Liu Yun, whom they had been discussing all along.

Wu Jizhi’s hand trembled and the wind lantern fell to the ground.

Su Jin was also startled to see Liu Chaoming, thinking to herself that one really shouldn’t gossip about people behind their backs. Though they’d said nothing improper, encountering him face-to-face already made her feel guilty as a thief.

Wu Jizhi picked up the wind lantern, went forward to pay respects to Liu Chaoming, cupped his hands in salute, and hurried away.

Liu Chaoming noticed their unusual expressions and furrowed his brow slightly, but didn’t press the matter. He merely said to Su Jin: “How is your interrogation of the Imperial Noble Consort’s case progressing?”

Su Jin had just recovered from her earlier guilty conscience. Her expression became extremely serious as she said: “It’s almost complete. Imperial Physician An administered the poison—he’s already confessed and claims he was acting under Consort Qi’s instructions. Consort Qi has also admitted guilt, but neither of these two is willing to implicate Zhu Zhaowei. I was just considering whether to close the case like this or wait until Consort Qi’s health improves to interrogate her again with moderate use of torture.”

Liu Chaoming said: “Close it as is. Consort Qi already faces capital punishment—even if you torture her, she won’t implicate Zhu Zhaowei. Imperial Physician An is utterly loyal to Zhu Zhaowei—he must be constrained by some fatal weakness.”

Su Jin said: “I was thinking the same.” She bowed respectfully: “Since my lord says so, I’ll finalize the case tonight and rush to send it to the Court of Judicial Review and the Imperial Censorate for review before I leave. After all, it concerns imperial family members—it shouldn’t be delayed too long.”

Liu Chaoming looked at Su Jin without immediately responding.

Earlier when Shen Qingyue had come to tell him about Du Zhen’s matter, he’d felt inexplicably uneasy, yet couldn’t say what he was worried about. It was like a solid stone sinking into water but caught by water weeds extending from somewhere unknown, unable to settle to the bottom.

Seeing her now and thinking how she must depart at the hour of the Tiger, not knowing how much rest she could get, he said: “Hand over the case files, evidence, and testimony from the Imperial Noble Consort’s case to me. I’m currently free—I’ll take them back to review, then write both the Ministry of Justice’s closing statement and the Imperial Censorate’s review memorial together. You needn’t concern yourself with it.”

Su Jin was momentarily stunned by these words.

The Imperial Noble Consort’s case involved Zhu Zhaowei. She wouldn’t feel at ease entrusting it to anyone, which was why she’d rushed back to write the closing statement herself. But if Liu Yun was willing to write the statement for her, that would be ideal—he conducted affairs with rigorous clarity, and she had complete confidence in him.

Su Jin smiled: “Ordinarily I would never presume to ask my lord’s help with my own matters, but today is truly exceptional.” She gestured toward the tribunal hall with an inviting motion: “My lord, please wait a moment. I’ll go retrieve the case files immediately.”

The night-duty officials in the Ministry of Justice tribunal saw both the Left Chief Censor and Vice Minister Su enter together and came forward one after another to pay respects. Su Jin gave a few instructions and went off to her duty room to fetch documents.

Shortly after, a junior clerk came with a teapot and cups, saying to Liu Chaoming: “Lord Liu, this is what Lord Su specially instructed this subordinate to serve you.”

As the tea was brewed, it released an extremely fresh floral fragrance, though it wasn’t flower tea.

Liu Chaoming glanced at it: “Fragrant tea from Lingnan?”

“And the finest of the finest,” the clerk said. “Minister Luo from the Ministry of Rites specially arranged for someone to procure it from the Lingnan region and have it rushed to the capital by express horse. Some time ago, Minister Luo frequently asked Lord Su for help, so privately he slipped Lord Su a cake of fragrant tea. After trying it, Lord Su liked it very much. This is the first time Lord Su has used this tea to treat a guest. A few days ago when Minister Shen came, he merely fetched some Silver Thread tea to send him off with.”

Having finished speaking, the clerk cupped his hands again in salute and withdrew.

Liu Chaoming sat in silence for a while before finally reaching for the teacup from the side table.

As he lifted the tea lid, rising steam mingled with the clear fragrance billowed forth, enveloping Liu Chaoming’s brow and eyes. The fresh green tea leaves were still curling and unfurling in the water, creating pale ripples of watery color.

Sitting alone, even his usually unfathomable eyes held the same clear, pale quality.