For a long while, there was no sound in the tent.

After a moment, Zhu Yushen said coolly, “You accept the punishment just like that?”

The meaning in his words was unclear. However, without waiting for anyone to discern it, he turned to look at Shu Wenlan. “Shu Yu.”

“Your subject is here.”

“Jiaozhi Province’s Hu Yuanjie is of Annan’s royal house and rendered great service in my recovery of Annan. Now that these former royal descendants have submitted, they must not be neglected. After returning to the capital, select a princess to marry into their family.”

“Your Majesty’s meaning is—a marriage alliance?” Shu Wenlan was astonished.

Zhu Yushen had no daughters. The Zhu family sisters of his generation had all long since married. Where in the current palace could there be any princesses?

Though puzzled, Shu Wenlan didn’t ask more at present. He bowed deeply and responded, “Your subject receives the decree. After returning to the capital, your subject will certainly select carefully the most suitable one.”

Zhu Yushen waved his hand. “Alright, you’re all dismissed.”

Everyone received the command and withdrew from the great tent in order. Guard Que Wu lifted the tent flap first, escorting people outside the military camp. He cupped his hands. “My lords, the matter of three hundred thousand troops garrisoning the Southwest Regional Military Commission is settled. His Majesty will personally inspect the three armies tomorrow. After the inspection, we should return triumphant to the capital. If you lords still have pressing matters in Shu territory, please resolve them within two days.”

The group acknowledged this. Starting with Liu Chaoming, they each boarded their carriages.

As a disgraced minister, Su Jin couldn’t accompany Shen Xi to the reception hostel. Along the way, Shu Wenlan’s carriage instead led the way, returning her to Jinzhou government office.

Shu Wenlan escorted Su Jin to the government office entrance and said, “Today Lord Liu, Lord Shen, and Lord Zhai were all convicted and must rush back to the reception hostel to write memorials accepting punishment—they cannot delay. Only I, Shu, can escort Lord Su. Fortunately, I serve in the Ministry of Rites, so escorting and accompanying is also appropriate.”

Hearing his mouthful of polite words, Su Jin bowed slightly and replied, “Thank you for your trouble, Lord Shu.” She turned to walk into the government office.

“Is Lord Su rushing back to the office so urgently because you’ve hidden that old man surnamed Wu from Cuiwei Town in the courtyard, wanting to determine through him as quickly as possible the cause of Yao Youcai’s death and clear Lord Liu’s name?”

Su Jin had already reached the central courtyard. Hearing these words, her steps paused and she turned around.

Shu Wenlan’s face still wore that customary smile. “Does Lord Su think that as long as you clarify how Yao Youcai died, as long as you prove there were reasons, Lord Liu’s mobilization of the Embroidered Uniform Guard today can be explained with the four words ‘expedient measure’?”

“Does Lord Su hope His Majesty will change his mind and restore Lord Liu’s censor position?”

“Actually, why must Lord Su go to such trouble? Didn’t you see that when His Majesty convicted Lord Liu today, if you had just spoken a few good words for him, His Majesty might well have shown leniency? Unfortunately, Lord Su, you had barely opened your mouth when Lord Liu blocked you with the phrase ‘accept punishment and thank Your Majesty for grace.’ Tell me, Lord Su—why wouldn’t Lord Liu let you finish speaking?”

Su Jin remained impassive. “What are Lord Shu’s insights?”

The officials around had long since withdrawn far away. The night was cold, the wind cool. Shu Wenlan drew his robe closer and walked toward Su Jin step by step. “Lord Su is intelligent and perceptive—why ask me? You’ve been away from court for over three years and no longer involved in disputes. If you had spoken on Lord Liu’s behalf today and His Majesty had pardoned him because of it, would this favor be owed by Lord Liu to you, or by you to His Majesty? Between us subjects, grudges and grievances—if owed, then owed. But this favor bestowed by the emperor—how should it be repaid?”

“Lord Shu’s meaning is that Lord Liu fears I would once again be drawn into court disputes because of him, so he wouldn’t let me finish speaking?” Su Jin said.

She paused, then suddenly changed tack. “How do you know I was going to plead for Liu Yun? His unauthorized mobilization of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is true, his protection of Zhai Qiguang is also true. By law, even execution wouldn’t be excessive. How do you know I wasn’t about to request His Majesty impose even harsher punishment?”

“Lord Shu, you’re too impatient,” Su Jin said. “You’ve schemed in every possible way to topple Liu Yun’s position as Chief Minister. The land system case, the Jiang family case, Yao Youcai’s death—interfering again and again. Do you think no one truly notices? Today Liu Yun deployed the Embroidered Uniform Guard, yet His Majesty was unwilling to punish him severely. Are you disappointed? So you came to find me. On the surface, you say Liu Yun lost his chance to return to the Imperial Censorate because of me. In reality, you’re merely reminding me that it was because of whom that I, Su Shiyu, became a disgraced minister and was exiled. You want me to join forces with you?”

As Shu Wenlan listened to Su Jin speak, a layer of gloom gradually surfaced in his eyes. After a while, as if recalling something amusing, he laughed aloud. “Even between Han Xin and Xiao He there was a death. Guan Yu and Cao Mengde were also irreconcilable enemies. When Lord Liu and Lord Su parted ways back then, standing in opposition like that, I thought no matter what, it should be a fight to mutual destruction. Yet today, it seems neither wishes the other to suffer. In court, everyone says Lords Shen and Su are close friends. In my, Shu’s, view, the relationship between Lords Liu and Su is far more interesting and worth savoring.”

Saying this, he smiled. “Forget it. Hearing Lord Su’s meaning, you certainly won’t be willing to join forces with me.”

He turned, walking step by step slowly toward the government office exit. At the plaque, he turned back again. “I hear Lord Su once aspired to serve as censor? When you left the Imperial Censorate back then, what did it feel like inside?”

Su Jin didn’t answer.

“What a pity. When day breaks tomorrow, Lord Liu will no longer be a censor. I hear that when he came to Shu this time, for the land system case, he even prepared his crimson robe.” Shu Wenlan shook his head. “A perfectly good crimson robe, wasted.”