◎Are you Cui Heng?◎
“You’re absurd!”
Hearing this, Li Zong roared angrily, then realized his loss of composure. He glanced around, suppressed his emotions, and said soothingly: “Heng’er, you’ve been drinking today—I’ll take what you said as drunken words.”
“Does Your Majesty not dare?”
Xie Heng looked at Li Zong, saying calmly, “Your Majesty, you are the Son of Heaven. Your power is granted by Heaven—no one can take it away. The death-exemption medallion you gave to protect a lone girl seeking vengeance for her father—is it not enough? If anyone objects, they’re offending the imperial dignity. They’re being disrespectful, treasonous, rebellious ministers. What does Your Majesty have to fear?”
“Director Xie is placing the Emperor on burning coals for your selfish interests.”
Just as Xie Heng finished speaking, Li Guiyu’s voice came from outside the door. He stepped inside, and everyone looked up to see his clothes somewhat disheveled, breathing rapid—clearly having rushed here.
He raised his hand in salute, respectfully saying: “Imperial Father.”
“Guiyu has come.”
Seeing Li Guiyu, Li Zong breathed a sigh of relief, pointing to the small table nearest to him: “Come, Guiyu, sit here.”
“Thank you for the seat, Imperial Father, but your son still has words to say.”
After bowing to Li Zong, Li Guiyu looked up at Xie Heng: “I just heard Director Xie strongly protecting the criminal woman Luo Wanqing, not hesitating to threaten with the death-exemption medallion. Isn’t Director Xie afraid such favoritism will incite public anger?”
“Public anger?”
Xie Heng scoffed: “Who are the people? Is Zheng Pingsheng, who framed the common people of the Luo family, the people, or is the Luo family the people? Why the anger? Angry that the Luo clan, born humble as grass, died unjustly yet still had to kneel and apologize? Or angry that those who destroyed entire families can still enjoy wealth and old age? Speaking of public anger, today, Luo Wanqing’s actions brought great satisfaction to the world. Speaking of law and hierarchy, does the Zheng clan not recognize Your Majesty’s death-exemption medallion, or does Your Highness not recognize it? Or perhaps—”
Xie Heng turned to look at Wang Shenfeng: “The Southern Garrison Sixteen Guards don’t recognize it?”
Hearing this, Wang Shenfeng’s expression cooled.
Xie Heng looked toward Li Zong, bowing: “Your Majesty, the Supervision Department just intercepted a spy who was sending messages for the Southern Garrison Sixteen Guards to surround the Supervision Department. Today explosives were buried in the garden, three waves of assassins infiltrated—Your Majesty, whether Luo Wanqing protected Your Majesty and quelled rebellion, or assassinated Zheng Pingsheng for private grievance, this matter is undetermined.”
Speaking thus, Xie Heng glanced around meaningfully: “But imperial dignity cannot be violated. Today Your Majesty’s death-exemption medallion is present—whoever you wish to pardon, you may pardon. If anyone objects, this minister will face ten thousand deaths without refusal, will certainly exterminate their entire clan to shock the court’s prestige.”
Having said this, everyone understood.
Today, three waves of assassins came to assassinate Li Zong. After the assassination, the Supervision Department confined everyone to search for assassins, yet Wang Shenfeng directly mobilized the Southern Garrison Sixteen Guards for certain preparations.
This news terrified everyone present.
Pardoning Luo Wanqing seemed to have become Li Zong’s current bargaining chip to demonstrate his dignity as Son of Heaven and contest with the aristocratic families.
Li Zong’s face showed nothing as he remained silent. Li Guiyu, beside him, glanced at Li Zong’s expression and immediately said: “Director Xie speaks with such arrogance. If you strongly protect Luo Wanqing today, when the Zheng clan rebels in the future and war breaks out everywhere, whose responsibility will that be?”
“If the Zheng clan commits treason, naturally, it’s the Zheng clan’s responsibility.”
“The Zheng family is powerful. If the Zheng clan prepares for war, threatening the nation’s foundation, who will take responsibility?”
“I will take responsibility.” Xie Heng answered without hesitation, then lifted his robe hem and knelt on the ground, saying earnestly: “This minister Xie Heng swears here—if the Zheng clan dares harbor even half a treasonous thought, this minister will personally lead troops and pacify Sizhou within one month. If I let the Zheng clan step one foot outside Sizhou, this minister will bring his head to Your Majesty!”
Hearing this, everyone’s faces changed dramatically.
The Zheng clan commanded tens of thousands of troops in Sizhou with deep-rooted networks. To destroy the Zheng clan within one month was simply wild talk.
“Xie Heng,” Xie Xiuqi gripped his porcelain cup tightly, unable to help saying: “Don’t be too arrogant!”
“Young people,” Wang Shenfeng chuckled lightly, staring at Xie Heng with pure killing intent in his eyes, “saying things without knowing their limitations isn’t unusual.”
People around discussed in whispers. Li Zong stared at Xie Heng, looking into his eyes, weighing Xie Heng’s intentions.
After a long while, he finally spoke: “Speaking of these things now is still too early. I believe the Zheng clan will understand this is a misunderstanding. I also believe there should be many misunderstandings today. After all, it’s Heng’er’s joyous day—let it be.”
He seemed to compromise and yield, sighing: “These assassins today need not be investigated. As for those who sent messages to the Sixteen Guards, perhaps they were just pretexts to frame others. After all, the Sixteen Guards belong to the court—how could any court minister command them? Let it be. As for Luo Wanqing…”
Li Zong thought for a moment, looked up at Xie Heng, only saying: “Since Heng’er values her so highly, I’ll spare her death. But while the death penalty can be waived, living crimes are hard to escape. First issue wanted notices to find her. After finding her, Heng’er, you take her to the Zheng clan to apologize to the Zheng family.”
“Yes.”
Xie Heng responded. Everyone listening to Li Zong’s arrangement had their thoughts.
He was beating both sides equally, not investigating the assassins, not pursuing those who sent messages to the Southern Garrison Sixteen Guards, but keeping Luo Wanqing, who killed Zheng Pingsheng.
So was Luo Wanqing sent by Li Zong or not?
And who arranged today’s assassination of Li Zong?
The court ministers all had doubts and countless possibilities, but none dared speak more. Li Zong wearily waved his hand, supporting his forehead: “Disperse. Guiyu, wait here and return to the palace with me.”
“Yes.”
Li Guiyu responded, understanding that Li Zong was probably frightened by today’s assassination. Yang Chun alone wasn’t enough to give him peace of mind—he wanted to keep his son as a guard.
With Li Zong’s words, the people confined in the Supervision Department for a day immediately rose and hurried to leave, fearing complications.
After everyone left, Li Zong was helped up by Yang Chun, sighing: “Heng’er, follow me inside.”
Xie Heng followed Yang Chun to the rear courtyard study. As soon as they entered, Li Zong turned and slapped Xie Heng hard across the face.
Xie Heng stood unmoved. Li Zong stared at him: “Kneel!”
Hearing this, Xie Heng knelt. Li Zong looked down at him with pure coldness in his eyes: “Have I indulged you too long, making you forget what you are? Director of the Supervision Department? Who gave you this position—do you still remember?”
“I remember,” Xie Heng said calmly. “Your Majesty.”
“Then how dare you do this?” Li Zong was somewhat incredulous, looking at the young man kneeling before him, unable to understand: “Didn’t you hear what she shouted? What she did? Now the entire world thinks I ordered her! And you still want to protect her?!”
“But now—” Xie Heng spoke, reminding: “The entire world also knows I’m shielding her.”
Li Zong was startled. Xie Heng raised his head, saying earnestly: “Imperial Father, please let Lingshu bear this blame.”
The moment these words came out, Li Zong suddenly understood Xie Heng’s intention today.
For so many years, the aristocratic families had grown too powerful, and every monarch was constrained by them. If the Zheng clan didn’t rebel this time, then all aristocratic families would have to weigh their actions carefully in the future. His imperial throne might reach the peak of authority in Li dynasty history.
If they did rebel, and Xie Heng could truly pacify Sizhou within one month, other aristocratic families certainly wouldn’t dare cause trouble. If Xie Heng failed, he could push all the blame onto Xie Heng.
How could a mere Director of the Supervision Department have such deep feelings? It was simply that Luo Wanqing was his puppet in assassinating Zheng Pingsheng.
Then, assassinating Zheng Pingsheng would be Xie Heng’s crime, and bringing war to Sizhou would be Xie Heng’s crime. He could execute Xie Heng and at least preserve a way out.
Just like years ago when he pushed out the Cui family, he could preserve himself.
Yet he had such loyalty?
For a moment, Li Zong found it hard to believe. He stared blankly at the young man kneeling before him, hearing him analyze earnestly: “Imperial Father, today they wanted to assassinate you—they can no longer contain themselves. If you continue tolerating them, they’ll only think you’re weak and can be bullied. Previously, they poisoned witnesses before your face in the great hall; now, they dare assassinate publicly, and when we searched, they directly mobilized the Southern Garrison Sixteen Guards. Continuing this way, do you think—”
Xie Heng didn’t continue, but Li Zong already understood his meaning.
The aristocratic families’ behavior escalated step by step. Sooner or later, perhaps they would murder him on that golden throne.
Li Zong remained silent. After thinking for a long time, he finally asked: “Why?”
He looked at Xie Heng, staring into his eyes: “Why do they want to assassinate me?”
“Does Your Majesty want this minister to investigate?”
Xie Heng spoke directly. Li Zong paused, then realized.
It was the Xuantian Box.
His expression slowly cooled as he suddenly understood—these people knew he had opened the Xuantian Box.
That layer of paper everyone tacitly ignored seemed to shatter in an instant.
He had never thought of pursuing old matters, but these people, thinking he knew about past events, chose without hesitation to assassinate him, their monarch.
Anger accumulated in Li Zong’s heart. Li Zong laughed mockingly, turning away: “Forget it, I understand now. I misunderstood you.”
Speaking thus, Li Zong turned to look at him, his eyes showing affection and guilt: “Sorry, I struck too hard. Lingshu, being in this position…”
“This minister understands.” Xie Heng immediately responded, saying earnestly, “Your Majesty has shown cultivation grace to Lingshu, the affection of an imperial father. The Cui clan disregarded my life or death, the Xie clan ignored my life, only Your Majesty, like a teacher and father. Your Majesty needs never say sorry to Lingshu in this lifetime.”
Hearing this, Li Zong’s heart stirred. Looking at the young man before him, he couldn’t help saying: “How wonderful it would be if you were my son.”
If he were his son, why worry about the Li dynasty’s foundation?
Hearing this, Xie Heng smiled, only saying: “That Your Majesty has such feelings is Lingshu’s great honor.”
“Alright, let’s proceed as you said. Keep Luo Wanqing for now. If the Zheng clan doesn’t rebel and remains loyal to me, kill her later as an attitude toward the Zheng clan. If the Zheng clan rebels…”
Li Zong laughed coldly, saying no more.
Xie Heng lowered his eyes, only responding: “Yes.”
“Good, that’s settled. I won’t stay longer.”
Li Zong patted his shoulder, saying earnestly, “Find her quickly. For a groom to spend his wedding night alone—wouldn’t that be a pity?”
“Your Majesty jests.” Xie Heng spoke, escorting Li Zong out.
Seeing they were about to reach the outer courtyard, Xie Heng suddenly remembered Li Guiyu at the gate, saying softly: “Your Majesty, Grand Eunuch Yang ranks second among grandmasters—he’s trustworthy. But keep a distance from the Third Prince. This minister hasn’t finished investigating today’s events—Your Majesty should be cautious. If Your Majesty is uneasy, I’ll escort you back to the palace.”
Hearing this, Li Zong thought and said, “Good.”
Speaking thus, Li Zong came out with Xie Heng.
Before others, he stopped talking with Xie Heng, being escorted back to the palace by both Li Guiyu and Xie Heng.
All the way, everyone remained silent. This night, in Eastern Capital’s official circles, every family lit lamps for night discussions—no one could sleep peacefully.
After Li Zong returned to the palace, Li Guiyu and Xie Heng walked out together.
Walking through the palace gates, Li Guiyu seemed finally calm. As if understanding something, he said peacefully: “I heard that the original conception of the ‘Great Xia Code’ came from Director Xie, later refined through improvements to become the final published version.”
“Why mention this matter?”
“Later, the entire Cui clan perished because of it, so I always thought Director Xie was someone who disowned all relatives, single-mindedly wanting to implement the ‘Great Xia Code.’ I couldn’t imagine how someone whose friends and relatives all died because of it could let go and talk about love like an ordinary person.”
“These two don’t conflict.”
“Really?” Li Guiyu stopped, turning to look at Xie Heng.
He stared at Xie Heng for a long time before finally saying, “If they don’t conflict, why did Cui Heng have to die at Flowing Wind Island?”
Hearing this, Xie Heng’s movements stiffened. Li Guiyu noticed his rigidity and suddenly realized, raising his hand to strike at Xie Heng’s chest. This strike was identical to the killing move he used when fighting Cui Heng when Luo Wanqing broke into the city gates. The strike was too fast—Xie Heng almost instinctively used the same posture to twist and block Li Guiyu’s palm strike in front of him.
Li Guiyu’s eyes widened in disbelief: “It’s you, isn’t it?”
Xie Heng pretended ignorance: “What is Your Highness saying?”
“You’re Cui Heng?” Li Guiyu realized, breathing rapidly, as those moments he had deliberately ignored suddenly connected in his mind. He stared at Xie Heng: “You didn’t die—you’re Cui Heng, aren’t you?!”
This time, Xie Heng neither denied nor confirmed.
He knew he could no longer hide it. After his silence, Li Guiyu suddenly became frantic, urgently saying: “Does Miss know? Does she know you didn’t die?!”
“On her first night back in Eastern Capital, when you encountered me in the carriage,” Xie Heng suddenly spoke calmly, “that wasn’t coincidence.”
Li Guiyu was stunned. Instantly, he remembered the faintly visible plum blossom at Luo Wanqing’s collar, remembered that Xie Heng’s mountain villa was the famous plum garden of Eastern Capital.
He realized something but didn’t dare believe it. He stared at Xie Heng, carefully saying: “You’re lying to me, aren’t you?”
Speaking thus, before Xie Heng could respond, Li Guiyu laughed: “You’re all lying to me! How could you be Cui Heng? How could Miss lie to me? You should die,” Li Guiyu grabbed his chest clothing, breathing rapidly, “you should die!”
“She left.”
Xie Heng spoke. Li Guiyu immediately shouted: “Shut up!”
“At Flowing Wind Island, I hoped she would walk out of your life.”
“Shut up! Shut up!”
“She doesn’t hate you, and she doesn’t love you. Li Guiyu,” Xie Heng pried his fingers away one by one, calmly declaring, “From now on, she’s my wife, has nothing to do with you, nothing to do with Jiang Shaoyan either. Jiang Shaoyan is just an experience in her life. Her future won’t have you.”
“You’re lying to me.”
Li Guiyu spoke hoarsely: “You lied to her, you lied to yourself, and now you want to lie to me.”
Xie Heng paused. Li Guiyu stared at him, only asking: “You used Cui Heng to deceive her—does she love you, Xie Heng? She loves Cui Heng. Everything she feels for you now is just transferring her feelings from Cui Heng to you! What similarities do you have with Cui Heng?”
Li Guiyu examined him, questioning him as if questioning himself: “Are you Cui Heng? Can you love her wholeheartedly? Can you set aside everything, having only her in your life?”
Xie Heng fell silent. Li Guiyu laughed: “Li Guiyu isn’t Jiang Shaoyan, and Xie Heng isn’t Cui Heng. Xie Heng, you just occupied Cui Heng’s emotions—you killed Cui Heng. Just like I—”
Li Guiyu’s eyes filled with tears: “Killed Jiang Shaoyan.”
Xie Heng quietly looked at him. At this moment he suddenly realized that between him and Li Guiyu, there were so many similarities.
“She only cares that you’re alive, that the existence inheriting Cui Heng lives. If she truly cared about you, she wouldn’t have chosen today to act. When she chose our wedding date back then, even if the neighbor was killing chickens, she would bring gifts to ask them to avoid our wedding day. But today was her orchestration. Do you know why she renovated the garden?”
Li Guiyu smiled: “To let my people bury explosives.”
Xie Heng’s eyes flickered slightly. Li Guiyu continued: “Do you know why she sent invitations to minor officials? To let my people infiltrate, to let me take her away. My boat was prepared at the riverside—I said I would wait for her.”
“But she didn’t go.”
Xie Heng spoke. Li Guiyu felt sharp pain in his heart. Xie Heng continued: “You said all this, I know it all. But today, she refused His Majesty’s request and persisted until she could bind her hair with me. For me, that’s enough.”
Li Guiyu’s eyes flickered. Xie Heng’s eyes showed gentleness: “In my lifetime, every step I’ve taken is heaven’s gift—I’m very grateful. I love her not because she loves me, but because she is that person.”
“Then you’re truly pitiful.” Li Guiyu spoke mockingly.
Xie Heng chuckled: “Are you qualified to call me pitiful?”
The two remained at an impasse in silence. Li Guiyu took a deep breath: “Fine, then let me see how long your luck lasts, how many days you can be husband and wife.”
“Always longer than your life.”
“Then I’ll wait and see.”
Having said this, with nothing more to discuss, they simply went their separate ways.
After each had boarded their carriages, Li Guiyu immediately called Qingzhu over, lowering his voice: “Have the people in Sizhou prepare several hundred men, find a county office to occupy, kill all the county officials, and hang up the Zheng family crest. Send intelligence to the palace saying—” Li Guiyu thought, then said: “The Zheng clan has rebelled.”
Qingzhu was startled, couldn’t help saying: “Your Highness, but these are our people, not the Zheng clan…”
“I say they are, then they are. After Sizhou is pacified,” Li Guiyu lowered his eyes, looking at the long sword on his knee, stroking the blade and speaking coldly: “They’ll be the Supervision Department’s people.”
Hearing this, Qingzhu slowly understood and responded: “This subordinate understands and will handle it immediately.”
“What about that other matter?”
Li Guiyu looked up at him. Qingzhu immediately knew Li Guiyu’s meaning and said earnestly, “Already completed.”
On the other side, Xie Heng boarded his carriage, wiping his hands: “Tonight the mountain mechanisms stay closed—search for Madam with full effort. Qingya, give me a list of generals, and notify Zhou Shan that they can prepare during this time. Also send a letter to the northwest, tell Cui Junye everything proceeds as planned—within one month, I should reach Sizhou.”
“Something happened.”
Xuanshan suddenly spoke in the carriage. Xie Heng looked over and heard Xuanshan say: “On today’s casualty list, besides Li Guiyu, the only remaining little prince of the Wang family, Twelfth Prince Li Changrong, is dead.”
Author’s Note:
[Mini Theater]
Li Guiyu (stabbing): “With so many problems behind you, you’re qualified to date our Miss?”
Xie Heng (stabbing): “I am Cui Heng.”
Li Guiyu (stabbing): “So what if you’re Cui Heng? I’m still Jiang Shaoyan.”
Xie Heng (stabbing): “You’re not Jiang Shaoyan—Jiang Shaoyan is past.”
Li Guiyu (stabbing): “You have no future either—she’s just transferring her feelings from Cui Heng to you.”
Xie Heng (stabbing, smiling bloodily): “I don’t care—anyway, the future is mine.”
Li Guiyu (stabbing): “She conspired with me and didn’t tell you—what future are you talking about?”
Xie Heng (continuing to stab): “But she delayed time to marry me—isn’t that love?”
Li Guiyu (stabbing): “Your self-deceptive appearance is truly pitiful.”
Xie Heng (stabbing again): “Your desperate appearance is more pitiful.”
Li Guiyu (drawing sword, threatening): “Fine, let me see how many days you can be happy. Anyway, these are all small matters now—I’ve experienced them too, I don’t care.”
Xie Heng (drawing sword, threatening): “Alright, anyway, my good days will always last longer than your life. That bit of the past you have—I don’t care.”
Stabbing round ends—both covered in blood, holding swords menacingly, heading home in opposite directions.
Li Guiyu: “Kill him.”
Xie Heng: “Kill him.”
After giving orders, both cover their wounds and silently shed tears: “Miss/Wife, I’m in so much pain.”