◎Grass Has Sharp Edges◎

In mid-February, the weather warmed, and tender buds sprouted anew on the branches.

After Luo Wanqing and Xie Heng finished the morning court session and had their midday meal, Xie Heng led Luo Wanqing into the palace once again.

“This time I’m bringing you as my attendant,” Xie Heng said as he helped Luo Wanqing down from the carriage. Walking into the imperial garden, he lowered his voice to remind her, “Just observe. Don’t say much.”

“Understood.”

Luo Wanqing responded, and just then heard Zhang Yiran’s voice nearby: “Master Ji, be careful.”

Luo Wanqing and Xie Heng looked up to see Zhang Yiran at the garden entrance, supporting Jiqing, who had nearly fallen.

Noticing their gaze, Zhang Yiran lifted his head and bowed with suppressed excitement: “Director Xie.”

Then Zhang Yiran turned his attention to Luo Wanqing, nodding with a gentle smile: “Inspector Liu.”

“Minister Zhang.”

Xie Heng nodded, and Luo Wanqing silently bowed in return. Her gaze swept across Jiqing’s pale face. Jiqing looked up at her, and the two made brief eye contact in midair before averting their gazes.

Xie Heng then led her forward. When they had walked some distance, Xie Heng asked, “Last night you chased him back – is that the end of it?”

When Luo Wanqing returned, he had already gone to his room. These days, no matter what, he would secretly slip out to sleep with her until nearly time for court, then return to his room to prepare for the morning session.

Between attending court and the constant presence of people around them, he hadn’t had a chance to ask more. Busy with affairs, it slipped his mind until now, seeing Jiqing, that Xie Heng remembered.

Luo Wanqing nodded, softly saying, “I talked with him.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng glanced at her. Knowing she didn’t want to elaborate, he didn’t press further, only saying, “As long as you know what you’re doing.”

With that, he led her through the garden, turning left and right until they reached the imperial study.

When they arrived at the imperial study, the voices of Li Zong and others chatting and laughing could be heard inside. Xie Heng led Luo Wanqing in, and everyone looked up. Li Zong smiled, “Heng’er is here. Please sit.”

Xie Heng stepped forward and sat to Li Zong’s left. To Li Zong’s right sat Xie Guangcheng, while Song Xichao and Zheng Pingsheng sat on either side.

Li Guiyu and Zheng Bikui were also present. Zheng Bikui stood behind Zheng Pingsheng, and Li Guiyu sat beside Zheng Bikui.

The group seemed to have been there for some time. After Xie Heng took his seat, they continued their previous conversation about Xie Guangcheng’s son’s wedding. The entire imperial study was lively and cheerful, without a trace of the solemnity of a trial. Only Xie Heng sat coldly beside Li Zong, listening to their conversation without speaking.

After a moment, a eunuch approached and whispered something in Li Zong’s ear. Li Zong’s expression grew serious, and he turned to the group: “Alright, Imperial Censor Zhang has arrived. Let’s stop the pleasantries.”

Hearing this, Zheng Pingsheng and others’ faces grew colder.

Li Zong turned to Zheng Pingsheng, first consoling him: “Old Zheng, don’t get too agitated later. Young people speak rashly, but if this is a wrongful case, I will see justice done for you.”

“I naturally trust Your Majesty,” Zheng Pingsheng replied respectfully, his expression slightly clearing. “As long as Minister Zhang doesn’t go too far, this old minister won’t stoop to argue with a young man.”

“My apologies for the inconvenience to Elder Zheng.”

Li Zong sighed. Luo Wanqing calmly listened to their conversation, glancing around. Song Xichao and Xie Guangcheng’s faces showed no emotion, while Li Guiyu kept turning the jade thumb ring on his finger, lost in thought.

Sensing Luo Wanqing’s gaze, Li Guiyu looked up. Seeing Luo Wanqing watching him, he nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

After everyone adjusted their emotions, Li Zong ordered Zhang Yiran to be summoned. Moments later, footsteps were heard outside the imperial study, and then a young man entered, crimson robes like the morning sun, straight-backed, striding into the room. In a clear, resonant voice, he announced loudly: “Your humble minister Zhang Yiran pays respects to Your Majesty.”

“Rise.”

Li Zong raised his hand. Zhang Yiran stood upon hearing this. Li Zong took a teacup from beside him and explained the background to everyone: “Last month at the palace banquet, Minister Zhang accused Minister Zheng and the Third Prince of framing the Luo family before the throne. All of you were present and surely remember this clearly.”

This question was directed at Xie Heng, Song Xichao, and Xie Guangcheng, who were there to observe. Everyone confirmed their recollection.

Li Zong nodded and continued: “To uncover the truth, I approved Minister Zhang’s continued investigation. Originally, I intended to simply inform everyone once the facts were clear. However, over this past month, someone has been spreading supernatural rumors throughout the country under the name of the deceased Luo Wanqing. Now the common people hotly debate this matter, making it a case that threatens the foundation of the state. To ensure fairness and prevent accusations of favoritism, I specifically invited Minister Song and Minister Xie to witness together. Both are virtuous and respected veteran ministers – with them present, surely no one will have anything more to say.”

“Your Majesty worries unnecessarily,” Xie Guangcheng smiled warmly. “Your Majesty has always been just and impartial. Even without our presence today, no one would question your judgment.”

“Indeed,” Song Xichao nodded, though his tone was considerably cooler, reminding: “Your Majesty has your principles and will surely render a fair verdict.”

“Enough talk,” Li Zong looked toward Zhang Yiran and gestured: “First, let Minister Zhang tell us what you’ve discovered during this time.”

“Reporting to Your Majesty and honored ministers,” Zhang Yiran bowed, then had several confessions presented. “When I was in Jiangnan, I discovered irregularities in Luo Qushu’s case. The confessions in Luo Qushu’s case were extremely detailed. Based on my investigative experience, ordinary people cannot recall events so clearly, which raised my suspicions. So I visited and verified extensively, discovering that all these confession witnesses,” Zhang Yiran emphasized, “not just one or a few, but all related witnesses, either never existed, had fled far away, or were already dead. This case occurred only a year ago, yet all involved parties can no longer be found – isn’t this suspicious? From another perspective, there is currently not a single person who can verify that this case occurred.”

Everyone listened while examining the confessions. Zhang Yiran had provided transcribed copies, one for each person. After reading for a while, Song Xichao nodded: “Normal confessions indeed don’t seem this precise. Not finding witnesses after just one year is also suspicious.”

“Everything in this world can be coincidental,” Zheng Pingsheng interrupted impatiently. “Even if witnesses can’t be found now, all these people confessed at the time.”

“With no witnesses to be found, the only evidence is the large quantity of coarse salt that Prefect Zhou Chun found in the warehouse. Given the enormous quantity of this coarse salt, if Luo Qushu were a salt smuggler, he would not be a first-time offender. Yet, whether in Luo Qushu’s confession or the confessions of other salt dealers and salt buyers, they all mention only this one instance of salt smuggling. Is this possible?”

“Then how did this salt get there?” Zheng Pingsheng asked coldly. “He was originally a merchant. Perhaps he wanted to gamble big on his first salt smuggling attempt?”

“And then got caught?” Zhang Yiran spoke mockingly, looking toward Li Guiyu. “Speaking of which, the Third Prince is the only one here who had contact with Luo Qushu. Third Prince, tell us – was Luo Qushu such an impulsive person?”

“This…” Li Guiyu seemed to be recalling, speaking ambiguously: “Actually, I didn’t know Uncle very well. He was usually quite cautious, but occasionally… he did have a gambling nature.”

“Would someone with a gambling nature, when cooperating with new merchants, gradually increase quantities rather than making large purchases all at once?”

Zhang Yiran presented several purchase contracts showing that with the same merchant, purchases were always made in gradually increasing amounts.

Zhang Yiran analyzed: “These are all transaction records from the Luo family trading house. You can see that Luo Qushu was a cautious person who wouldn’t make large purchases all at once. Yet only in the salt case did he make a large purchase on his first attempt, then get caught selling it. Isn’t this suspicious? According to the warehouse keeper who managed this warehouse, he wasn’t clear how the salt was placed there. Those who confirmed the salt was placed there were several salt dealers, but these salt dealers were long since executed. Isn’t it possible that these executed salt dealers gave false confessions, and the salt was planted by someone else as a frame-up? After all… this warehouse hadn’t been managed by Luo Qushu for quite some time. Instead, it was the Third Prince who,” Zhang Yiran presented an account book showing daily warehouse inventory signatures with Jiang Shaoyan’s name written, as Zhang Yiran stared at Li Guiyu, “seemed to frequently inspect this warehouse. Only in the final few days did he stop going. Why stop? Did he know what was inside?”

“Uncle told me not to go,” Li Guiyu frowned, recalling: “Uncle suddenly told me not to approach that warehouse. I happened to be preparing for my wedding as well, so I didn’t think much of it…”

Li Guiyu showed a sorrowful expression.

Zheng Pingsheng grew impatient, tapping the table: “Minister Zhang, these are all your speculations.”

“They are my speculations, but at least we’ve proven one thing – based on current available evidence, it’s insufficient to prove Luo Qushu smuggled salt.”

“But it was sufficient at the time,” Zheng Pingsheng coldly emphasized. “Could Luo Qushu’s confession be false?”

“This brings us to the second matter.”

Zhang Yiran gestured: “I then searched for case personnel involved at the time – mainly Prefect Zhou Chun and Minister Zheng. But Zhou Chun died in Jiangnan while attempting to assassinate me and Inspector Liu. So I searched extensively and found the jailer Jia Sanqian, who was responsible for interrogation, and the legal secretary Jiqing. According to Jia Sanqian, Luo Qushu never confessed at all. Zhou Chun tortured Luo Qushu severely, yet Luo Qushu never confessed. In the end, it was Jiqing who wrote the confession for Luo Qushu.”

Zhang Yiran presented two confession papers: “Your Majesty, honored ministers can verify the handwriting – the confessions are all in Jiqing’s hand.”

“Because Luo Qushu was completely illiterate.”

Zheng Pingsheng interjected: “Secretaries writing confessions for prisoners is a normal procedure. What is Minister Zhang trying to confuse?!”

“Because Jiqing admitted that he wrote the entire confession himself, and Luo Qushu never confessed. The person who provided the confession content was precisely Minister Zheng.”

“He’s lying!” Zheng Pingsheng shouted angrily, his hands trembling involuntarily. “Nonsense… how dare a minor county official slander a minister! Your Majesty,” Zheng Pingsheng knelt, speaking urgently, “I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice for this old minister and execute Jiqing to clear my name!”

“Father!” Zheng Bikui quickly stepped forward to help Zheng Pingsheng up: “Father, don’t get agitated – your health isn’t good. Your Majesty, how can you watch Zhang Yiran slander…”

“If he didn’t do it, why is Minister Zheng so anxious?” Zhang Yiran looked coldly at the father and son. “Just have Master Ji come up and clarify things.”

“Can this Master Ji’s testimony… truly clarify things?”

Just as Zhang Yiran finished speaking, Li Guiyu spoke up.

Everyone looked over to see Li Guiyu watching Zhang Yiran with a puzzled expression: “Minister Zhang, you keep saying there are problems with the witnesses in this case. If there are problems with the witnesses in Uncle Luo’s case, then Jiqing… has no problems?”

Hearing this, Zhang Yiran frowned: “What do you mean?”

“Father Emperor, since this case concerns Uncle Luo and Wanqing, I must be cautious,” Li Guiyu said, looking toward Li Zong. “So I investigated a bit and found many puzzling things about Minister Zhang. Minister Zhang talks extensively, but many things are ambiguous. Regarding the past case, Minister Zhang says Minister Zheng’s evidence is insufficient to prove that Uncle Luo did it. But he also lacks sufficient evidence to say the case wasn’t Uncle Luo’s doing. The only thing that could provide strong proof is the witness Jiqing. But this Master Ji…”

Li Guiyu looked up toward Xie Heng across from him: “His family members seem to still be in the hands of the Yangzhou Supervision Department.”

He used the phrase “in the hands,” as if Jiqing’s family were being held hostage.

Hearing this, Zheng Bikui sneered, staring at Xie Heng: “Director Xie, what are you doing with an official’s family members for no good reason?”

Xie Heng remained unmoved, simply saying: “Xiniang.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing immediately knelt and stepped forward, respectfully saying: “Reporting to Your Majesty, when inspecting Jiangnan, the relationships among Jiangnan officials were extremely complex. I was responsible for protecting Minister Zhang at the time. When Minister Zhang wanted to investigate the case, he worried that Jiqing’s family might be coerced by others, so he requested that I ask colleagues to look after Jiqing’s family.”

“Is it looking after or threatening?” Zheng Bikui pressed his advantage, saying coldly: “You manage whatever you’re told to manage – is the Supervision Department your family business? Director Xie,” Zheng Bikui looked up at Xie Heng, “your new White Tiger Division director is quite bold. Is this her idea or yours?”

“Would you prefer it to be my idea?” Xie Heng raised his eyelids and directly countered.

Zheng Bikui’s voice stuck. He suddenly realized that if this were Xie Heng’s idea, he wouldn’t care about admitting it, and his methods would only be more troublesome.

“Director Xie jests,” Zheng Pingsheng, seeing Zheng Bikui couldn’t respond quickly, hurried to say: “Bikui was just anxious and spoke nonsense. Please forgive him, Director Xie. However, Your Majesty,” Zheng Pingsheng’s expression grew cold, “Liu Xiniang and Zhang Yiran are indeed too close, and Zhang Yiran having the Supervision Department detain witness family members is truly suspicious. Today, Jiqing’s words may not be entirely trustworthy. I implore Your Majesty to see clearly.”

“Minister Zheng speaks absurdly,” Luo Wanqing immediately looked up. “I cooperated with Minister Zhang in handling the case and placed people under the Supervision Department protection to safeguard witnesses – this is standard procedure. If this counts as being too close, then now that the Third Prince pursued the investigation to Jiangnan for Minister Zheng, wouldn’t you two be like family? The Third Prince claims deep affection for Miss Luo:” Luo Wanqing looked toward Li Guiyu, “but now it seems he’s completely unwilling to believe in any possibility of Luo Qushu’s wrongful conviction. Is this the Third Prince’s feeling toward the Luo family?”

“Feelings are feelings, but ultimately we must distinguish right from wrong.”

Luo Wanqing’s question was sharp, but Li Guiyu remained unmoved: “We must clarify things first.”

“Then let’s clarify.”

Zhang Yiran immediately said: “Bring Jiqing up – wouldn’t asking him clarify everything?!”

“Exactly.”

Li Guiyu nodded, looking up at Zhang Yiran: “Whether Jiqing comes to seek justice and overturn the case for Uncle Luo, or is coerced into slandering Minister Zheng – bring him up and ask, and we’ll know immediately.”

“Then let’s…”

Before finishing, Zhang Yiran suddenly stopped speaking. He looked at Li Guiyu’s fearless eyes, then at the confident Zheng Bikui and Zheng Pingsheng nearby. He suddenly realized something was wrong.

This wasn’t the reaction they should have had.

They kept directing all outcomes toward his “coercing” Jiqing, and now showed no fear of Jiqing appearing in court, as if they were prepared.

Something was wrong.

Zhang Yiran remained silent. Li Zong studied him: “Imperial Censor Zhang?”

“Then let’s,” Zhang Yiran’s heart raced. Luo Wanqing knelt on the ground, listening as Zhang Yiran forced himself to say, “Have Jiqing… appear in court for questioning.”

Li Zong waved his hand, and the eunuch’s voice rang out loudly: “Summon Jiqing to court.”

Luo Wanqing knelt on the ground, looking down at the shadows on the floor, remembering what happened last night.

Last night, when Jiqing wept bitterly, begging her to let him go, she had given him a vial of poison.

“Keep this pill in your gums. Bite down and you’ll die within half a moment. Zhang Yiran is staking his career on this case. If you don’t appear in court, Minister Zhang will bear the charge of false accusation. I know you don’t dare testify, so then – do you dare to die before His Majesty?”

She handed him the poison: “If you die, they can’t use your family to threaten you anymore, and since you didn’t testify against them, they won’t waste time and energy taking revenge on your family. And your death in court would prove that at least this case isn’t Minister Zhang’s false accusation.”

“But…” Jiqing trembled slightly, “I will die.”

“So you must choose,” Luo Wanqing stared at him. “Conscience, or your own life. Jiqing, I won’t force you. You choose.”

He chooses.

Luo Wanqing looked at the shadows on the ground, hearing the sound of iron shackles from behind.

“Master Ji,” Zhang Yiran saw Jiqing enter and hurried forward. He supported Jiqing, saying urgently, “You’re here. Come, pay respects to His Majesty.”

Hearing this, Jiqing knelt trembling, softly saying: “This commoner pays respects to Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty.”

“Jiqing.”

Li Zong looked at the middle-aged man who entered, saying coldly: “Minister Zhang says you accused Minister Zheng of instructing you to write Luo Qushu’s confession, accused Minister Zheng and Zhou Chun of torture and coerced confession, and tampering with Luo Qushu’s confession. Is this true?”

Jiqing didn’t speak. He knelt prostrate on the ground, trembling silently.

Zhang Yiran beside him urged quietly: “Master Ji, don’t be afraid. Tell the truth. His Majesty is here now – he will uphold justice, and no one can harm you.”

“That’s right.”

Zheng Bikui spoke up, casually cleaning his fingernails with a smile: “Jiqing, no one dares harm you. Think carefully before speaking.”

“This commoner…”

Jiqing began, his voice trembling: “This commoner was born in Yangzhou, read the sages’ books from childhood. In my youth, I was pure-hearted, thinking I could pass the imperial examinations and fight for a clear sky for the people and my relatives and friends.”

As he said this, everyone frowned. Zheng Bikui said impatiently: “Get to the point.”

“But this commoner was incompetent, repeatedly failing the imperial examinations. When my mother and wife both fell gravely ill, for a few pieces of silver, this commoner had no choice but to bow and scrape, becoming another’s hunting dog and lackey. My life is like grass, submissive and yielding. However…”

Jiqing slowly straightened up. He looked up toward Li Zong on high: “Grass has sharp edges, people have rebellious bones. Though I dare not speak, I too wish to struggle once.”

“What do you wish to struggle for?”

Li Zong didn’t understand.

Luo Wanqing slowly clenched her fists, already knowing Jiqing’s decision.

Jiqing looked at Li Zong, tears in his eyes. He slowly began to smile, blood pouring from his mouth. He spoke unclearly: “Your Majesty, I cannot speak…”

“Jiqing!!”

Zhang Yiran suddenly realized what was happening and lunged forward to support Jiqing, shouting: “Imperial physician! Quickly summon the imperial physician!”

Li Guiyu was startled and suddenly stood up. Zheng Bikui and Zheng Pingsheng also looked astonished.

Luo Wanqing calmly stood up, pushed Zhang Yiran aside with one motion, and channeled her internal energy into Jiqing’s body, quickly sealing his acupoints.

Blood continuously poured from Jiqing’s mouth. His body trembled lightly, yet he still struggled to look toward Li Zong, saying with difficulty: “This is… this commoner’s… struggle…”

He dared not speak.

He dared not until death.

But even someone as gentle and weak as grass has its sharp edges.

His death here would become silent evidence of guilt.

This way, regardless of the outcome, for all the world to see, this guilt would be firmly pinned on Zheng Pingsheng.

He had won.

Thinking of this, Jiqing couldn’t help wanting to laugh. He looked toward Zheng Pingsheng in the distance, who was staring at him, his eyes unable to suppress a mad smile.

Someone like him – so worthless, lowly-born, who for a few coins could sell out his entire life – had finally still won with his life.

Infinite satisfaction surged up. He felt an unprecedented joy.

He began gasping rapidly, clutching Luo Wanqing’s sleeve. With tears in his eyes and trembling lips, he said with difficulty: “Daughter…”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing was stunned, instantly remembering what he had said last night.

“My son is grown now, already married with children. My mother passed last year, and my wife… probably won’t last much longer.”

Last night, when he took the poison bottle, he stared at it blankly and said hoarsely, “But I still have a daughter. She’s only eight years old. If I die, what will happen to her?”

“What do you want? Do you want me to arrange for her to go somewhere safe?”

Luo Wanqing asked him. Jiqing didn’t speak.

After a long time, he finally said, “I want her to join the Supervision Department.”

Luo Wanqing was stunned, seeing Jiqing looking at the poison, slowly saying: “I want her to become like Inspector Liu – someone who can protect herself and also protect others.”

“Daughter…”

He repeated, his eyes full of pleading.

Luo Wanqing felt her throat choke painfully.

She looked into Jiqing’s eyes, as if seeing Luo Qushu from the past.

“I understand.”

Luo Wanqing nodded in response: “Jiqing, I understand.”

“Thank you…” Jiqing’s gaze slowly became unfocused as he smiled, “Thank you… Minister Zhang… thank you…”

He kept saying thank you. As he spoke, he felt his body gradually becoming lighter, his vision growing hazy, and the light becoming gentle.

He slowly felt as if he were back to being twenty years old, when he and his classmates came down the academy steps with books in hand, running joyfully.

“Jiqing, do you want to become an official?”

“Yes.”

“If you become an official, what will you do?”

“I’ll let my mother live well, let Cuiniang not have to weave cloth, and oh,” young Jiqing looked up into the distance, “I want to be worthy of my conscience and help more people.”

But he was weaker and more ordinary than he had imagined.

“Jiqing, tell that family not to sue anymore. Young Master Wang isn’t someone they can provoke. Settle it for twenty taels – Cuiniang’s medicine money will be secured.”

“Jiqing, have that family give up their farmland. Ten taels is enough – tell them not to be too greedy. Settle it, and you take ten percent. Isn’t your son getting married? It’s not much anyway – just one more case.”

“Jiqing, forge a confession.”

“Prefect Zhou, this time it will kill someone.”

“Do you think you haven’t killed anyone before? Jiqing, having come this far, you can’t turn back.”

Yes, he could.

Jiqing closed his eyes.

He seemed to taste that bowl of longevity noodles again.

Minister Zhang, Inspector Liu.

I… have turned back. Thank you.