Wang Jun heard the sounds of cart wheels and horse hooves in the front courtyard breaking the silence of the streets and lanes. She lifted her skirt and hurried over, just as her father emerged from the carriage compartment. She asked, “Where did Father rush off to so late?”

“Just went out for a stroll with Yin Peng. Why haven’t you rested yet?” Wang Wenqian asked with a smile.

“Today I took Tu’er shopping on the streets. I saw several shops in the West Market selling Qianyang cloth, so I bought several bolts of Qianyang cloth to bring back, thinking to make Father two warm robes.”

Wang Jun said happily about today’s harvest.

“In this bitter cold, cotton cloth is warmer than hemp cloth and silk. And Qianyang cloth’s texture is finer than ordinary cotton cloth—it’s comfortable to wear. It’s truly excellent material. Daughter heard that Uncle Han and Han Qian are vigorously growing cotton in Xu Prefecture. In just three to five years, from initially over a thousand mu it has surged to over a hundred thousand mu. They also purchase cotton seeds from surrounding prefectures and counties. But the textile workshops in Qianyang, Linjiang, Zhongfang and other places employ only two to three thousand workers. This shows they must have new methods for removing cotton seeds and spinning thread to save so much labor, and only then can they sell such good material so cheaply. Father says to broadly benefit the people and aid the world. If Xu Prefecture is truly as Daughter guesses, having already devised new methods for ginning and spinning cotton, shouldn’t this be called a great blessing clothing the realm?”

“The phrase ‘blessing the realm’—how can you interpret it so carelessly?” Wang Wenqian said with a smile. “Xu Prefecture producing cloth seeks nothing more than merchant profits.”

“Not to mention the northern lands—even in Chu Prefecture, poor people cannot afford silk. Their winter cold-weather clothing couldn’t possibly be filled with expensive materials like silk floss. They can only use hemp cloth filled with grass—it’s truly inadequate for keeping warm. This is the main reason why after entering winter, cold damage illnesses frequently occur in the Huaihe region, epidemics surge, and the dead fill the fields. That’s why when mentioning poverty, hunger and cold are always paired together,” Wang Jun said seriously despite her snow-white delicate face. “Even if Xu Prefecture seeks merchant profits, if their methods can be practiced throughout the realm, enabling common people to afford warm clothing, it’s a great blessing.”

“With such learning, Young Miss, if this were the Wuzhou period of the previous dynasty, you could have served as a female chancellor!” Yin Peng said with a laugh and sigh. “Only I don’t know which gentleman has the fortune to marry Young Miss home to assist father and teach children!”

“I don’t want to marry someone to assist father and teach children,” Wang Jun looked up at her father and asked, “Father often says Uncle Han has the heart to benefit the world. These days, could we call at his door to ask Uncle Han for the textile methods for Qianyang cloth to promote in Chu Prefecture? If this matter could succeed, Father would truly be doing a great meritorious deed!”

Wang Wenqian was slightly stunned, somewhat at a loss for how to respond to his daughter’s words. Should he say he had just dug a big pit and was waiting to see if Han Daoxun would jump in?

“The iron implements Xu Prefecture produces, even ordinary farming tools, are far more excellent than iron works from other prefectures and counties,” Wang Jun said with a smile, not noticing the strange expression on her father’s face. “This matter, seeking Uncle Han might still be useless. The Qiuhu Mountain workshops were created by Han Qian. The new methods for iron and cloth in Xu Prefecture mostly also came from Han Qian’s hands. Yet some people still laugh at him as unlearned and unskilled. Father, you probably also can’t contend with Han Qian. Uncle Yin was also carelessly captured alive by him. Why not wait until Han Qian returns from his Shu mission—Father, you can ask Han Qian what price Chu Prefecture must pay to obtain the new methods for cloth and iron?”

Yin Peng coughed awkwardly twice, then took his leave and departed first.

…

…

Lanting Lane was shrouded in the quiet night.

When Han Qian “fled” to Xu Prefecture, the household troops and retainers of the Han family settled in Lanting Lane, Kaoshan Lane, and Tieli Lane all migrated west with Han Qian. The family members and relatives of Lin Haizheng, Tian Cheng, Gao Shao and others also all migrated together to Xu Prefecture.

Afterward, the warehouses and money shops were taken over by people dispatched from the Prince’s estate.

Because Han Qian hadn’t returned to Jinling, when the Jinyun Tower rebuilt its intelligence gathering network in Jinling, it used the former Prince’s estate—that is, the current Prince of Tan’s estate—and the Ningxiang Tower as organizational cores.

Many residences near Lanting Lane had emptied, and even now no new families had moved in to live there, making it appear quite desolate.

Feng Liao carried a small horn lantern, pushed open the door from the side courtyard and walked out, heading toward the courtyard diagonally across.

Zhou Zhi had taken leave from the palace. Unable to return in the middle of the night, he had no residence arranged in the city. At the same time, as the aggrieved party, it was impossible to directly have people throw him into the Capital Governor’s office prison. Han Daoxun had directly arranged for him to temporarily stay overnight in the guest courtyard at Lanting Lane, then bring him back to the Capital Governor’s office tomorrow to inquire about the case details in depth and further confirm whether to memorialize upward and open the coffin for autopsy.

Feng Liao carried a pot of wine and a package of beef, his heart also in his throat. Passing two hidden sentries, he forced himself to remain calm, knocking on the door to indicate the guards inside the guest courtyard should let him in.

Though the Feng family had previously also had some blind servants—either seducing female servants in the estate for adultery, or stealing and embezzling the master’s property—who were all secretly disposed of by Feng Liao, at that time Feng Liao had retainers under him to do dirty work. He himself had never personally acted.

No matter who the mastermind behind was, and no matter whether it was as Zhou Zhi himself claimed—waiting in concealment for Han Daoxun’s carriage after leaving the palace—Feng Liao looked at the wine pot and beef package in his hands, thinking he absolutely couldn’t let Zhou Zhi live until tomorrow.

Once the truth of Shen He’s death was uncovered, Feng Liao could hardly imagine what kind of towering waves would surge!

Han Qian was far away in the Shu capital four to five thousand li distant. For this matter, Feng Liao couldn’t find anyone else to consult.

Of course, truly killing Zhou Zhi to silence him would certainly enrage My Lord. Feng Liao thought that Zhao Wuji still had to be responsible for commanding guards to protect Han Daoxun’s safety, so this matter could only be done by his own hand.

Even if afterward Han Daoxun flew into a rage and expelled him or had him arrested and imprisoned in the Capital Governor’s office prison, it would be fine. The key now was still to drag things out until Han Qian returned from his Shu mission.

“Why hasn’t Steward Feng slept so late?” The guard attending the guest courtyard opened the courtyard door from inside. Seeing it was Feng Liao, he asked with considerable shock.

“Zhou Zhi’s complaint paper has ambiguous points. My Lord ordered me to come inquire clearly,” Feng Liao said, forcing calm. “Additionally, Zhou Zhi blocking the street to lodge a complaint probably hasn’t eaten anything. I passed through the rear kitchen and saw there was still some cold wine and cold beef, so I brought it for him to eat. Inquiring about this matter is confidential—you all don’t come in. I’ll go directly to find Zhou Zhi.”

“Did I say Zhou Zhi’s complaint paper had unclear points?” Han Daoxun walked out from the shadows under the corridor with Zhao Kuo, his gaze intensely fixed on the wine pot and cold beef in Feng Liao’s hands, questioning sternly, “What are you holding? Falsely claiming my authorization to privately meet Zhou Zhi—what exactly do you want to do?”

Feng Liao’s face turned deathly pale. He hadn’t expected Han Daoxun wasn’t resting but was here waiting like a stump for rabbits, for him to throw himself into the net.

Zhao Kuo stepped forward and snatched away the wine pot and beef, indicating the guards should lead over a black dog.

The black dog wouldn’t drink wine. Zhao Kuo crouched down, held the black dog’s neck, and forcibly stuffed the wine and beef into the dog’s mouth, forcing it to swallow. Before long, the dog struggled wildly under Zhao Kuo’s armpit. But with Zhao Kuo gripping its mouth, it could only emit whimpering howls, especially eerie in this quiet night.

The black dog quickly convulsed, foamed at the mouth, and died.

The aggrieved party Zhou Zhi came out. Seeing this scene, his face turned deathly pale. He hadn’t expected he had just brushed past death.

Seeing his tracks exposed, Feng Liao pressed his voice low and said to Han Daoxun: “Zhou Zhi blocking the street to lodge a complaint—My Lord must first figure out who commanded it. Don’t fall into a villain’s trap!”

“You actually wanted to privately poison and murder the aggrieved party. What great audacity you have!” Han Daoxun was so angry veins bulged on his forehead, his hands trembling. He hadn’t expected Feng Liao would be so bold and reckless, daring to commit murder to silence under his very nose. He didn’t know just how many matters they were concealing from him. He indicated to those on both sides and ordered in a stern voice, “Seize Feng Liao!”

Though the two guards in the guest courtyard were also among those Zhao Wuji brought back to Jinling this time, no matter what, as Han family retainers, they would only obey Han Daoxun’s orders at this moment. They immediately found hemp rope and bound Feng Liao tightly.

“Supervisor Shen’s kindness to this humble one during his life was as heavy as mountains. He even said he would adopt this humble one as his adopted son. Even if my brains are dashed out, I must seek justice for Supervisor Shen. I absolutely was not incited by others. I beg My Lord to investigate clearly!” Zhou Zhi knelt before the corridor, kowtowing while crying injustice.

“I have received your complaint paper and will certainly give you and Supervisor Shen an accounting,” Han Daoxun said in a stern voice. “You rest here tonight. Don’t worry about anyone else daring to come disturb you. Tomorrow you’ll return to the palace. If there’s anything, I’ll notify the Palace Domestic Service to summon you for inquiry.”

Han Daoxun stared at the two guards attending the courtyard and said sternly: “If the aggrieved party has any mishap in this courtyard, I’ll hold you responsible.” After giving instructions, he had Zhao Kuo lead Feng Liao to follow him to the main courtyard.

…

…

“Feng Liao, speak—just how many matters have you and Qian’er concealed from me? Shen He died of poisoning—why exactly have you concealed it in every way?”

Feng Liao daring to murder to silence right under his nose—Han Daoxun was truly enraged. Returning to the study, he directly had Feng Liao kneel on the ice-cold ground for questioning, not having anyone untie the hemp rope binding his hands.

Zhao Wuji and Han Laoshan were both disturbed at this time, but standing in the study, what could they say?

“Shen He truly died of poisoning. When he reached Tan Prefecture, the young master had already detected it and had physicians confirm this point,” Feng Liao organized his thoughts slightly, kneeling on the ice-cold brick floor. “But the young master and His Highness suspected the Anning Palace administered the poison, intending to replace their people to serve beside His Majesty. The young master worried about alerting the enemy, only secretly memorializing His Majesty about the matter, having His Majesty handle everything. On the surface, Tan Prefecture claimed Shen He contracted miasma epidemic. At that time Shen He was deeply poisoned, already beyond saving. Tan Prefecture’s medical officials also only treated it as miasma epidemic. Zhou Zhi’s appeal for justice must have someone scheming behind the scenes. Feng Liao killing him to silence was to prevent the Anning Palace from becoming alert that their treacherous scheme was exposed, stirring up towering waves.”

“You’re still spouting nonsense there, truly thinking I Han Daoxun is easy to deceive?” Han Daoxun angrily slapped the desk and demanded.

“The young master and Third Highness perhaps worried that after His Majesty learned of Shen He’s poisoning, he might order Chu Prefecture troops to cross the river to suppress the Anning Palace’s rebellion, so deliberately concealed this matter?” Zhao Kuo guessed. “The young master ultimately is single-mindedly thinking of assisting Third Highness to ascend the throne.”

“The Han family’s honor and disgrace, the Feng family’s restoration—all hang upon Third Prince alone. If My Lord uncovers this case, it will only make His Majesty suspicious of Third Prince and the young master. I beseech My Lord to think thrice!” Though Zhao Kuo was usually silent, though what he said was far from the truth, being able to think to this step was extremely impressive. Feng Liao followed his tone and continued advising Han Daoxun.

“It won’t be this simple. If it were truly just Shen He being poisoned by the Anning Palace, they should have secretly memorialized His Majesty. As long as they could successfully stabilize the Anning Palace, His Majesty wouldn’t be so unable to contain himself as to directly decide on the heir apparent’s selection.” Han Daoxun shook his head, not believing Feng Liao’s explanation. He closed his eyes in pain, rubbing his temples in bitter thought. After a while, a thought suddenly flashed through. He opened his eyes and stared at Feng Liao. “Is it that His Majesty was also poisoned but still doesn’t know?”

Only then did Feng Liao truly sit down completely on the ice-cold brick floor, truly not knowing how to answer Han Daoxun’s question.

Han Qian had Zhao Wuji send a letter back. The letter had only reached his hands the night before. In the letter, Han Qian had given a thousand warnings and ten thousand instructions—what he emphasized was that his father absolutely couldn’t learn of Emperor Tianyou’s poisoning. Only who could have imagined the person hidden behind would use such ruthless methods, or that Han Daoxun wouldn’t be so easily deceived!

Seeing Feng Liao’s reaction, Han Daoxun felt a cold sensation shoot straight up his spine. He never imagined Han Qian would be so bold and reckless as to conceal such earth-shattering news.

“Zhao Wuji, what exactly do you know? Is His Majesty already deeply poisoned?” Han Daoxun turned his stern eyes toward Zhao Wuji and demanded in a heavy voice.

Zhao Wuji shamefully lowered his head, not daring to meet Han Daoxun’s gaze.

“You all, you all—besides power schemes and private interests, have you thought about the realm and state? Have you thought about the hundreds of millions of common people?” Han Daoxun said with heartbroken indignation. “Right now, transferring Chu Prefecture troops to the capital, there’s still a possibility of stabilizing the situation. Have you thought that if His Majesty suddenly dies from poison one day, how many people in this Jianghuai Great Chu will die, how much blood will flow?”

Han Daoxun felt acute pain in his chest. He hadn’t expected Qian’er, to help Third Prince ascend the throne, would actually sit and watch blood flow like rivers across the Jianghuai lands. He pushed open the window. Seeing the sky turning pale blue, and that before much longer the palace gates would open, he instructed Zhao Kuo: “Zhao Kuo, immediately prepare horses. We’re entering the palace!”

“My Lord, the young master and Third Prince have committed the great crime of deceiving the sovereign. Even if His Majesty doesn’t pursue it, when Prince Xin ascends the throne, he’ll use this to settle accounts with the Han family!” Feng Liao hastily stood up, reaching out to block Han Daoxun.

“You all pull him away!” Han Daoxun stared coldly at Feng Liao, indicating Zhao Wuji and Zhao Kuo should pull him away.

Seeing Zhao Wuji about to come pull him away, Feng Liao said urgently: “Zhao Wuji, didn’t the young master order you that after reaching Jinling, you should obey my orders in everything?”

Zhao Wuji was stunned, somewhat not understanding the meaning in Feng Liao’s words, but Han Qian indeed had such instructions…