The moon cakes of the fifteenth were always sweet.

In the pitch-black interrogation chamber, a disheveled prisoner huddled in the corner, gnawing on half a moldy moon cake.

Fan Zhenglian had been imprisoned for nearly a month. During this time, he had fallen from a widely renowned, lofty official of justice to a universally despised prisoner. Each day brought poor food and restless sleep as he shared his cell with rats and bedbugs, making even half a moldy moon cake feel like a luxury.

Daily, he overheard the jail guards’ idle chat, learning that the imperial examination fraud case had shaken the Ministry of Rites to its core. The Emperor’s fury exceeded thunder, and throughout the court, inside and out, a batch of officials had been discovered selling official positions. Given the circumstances, his position as a Criminal Review Official likely spelled more doom than hope. Perhaps it was because he had previously built his reputation too high that when the scandal broke, it sparked such overwhelming public outrage.

The entire Fan family, including the women, had been implicated. The powerful figures who had once curried favor now rushed to distance themselves. He had spent many days in prison, initially hoping someone might extend help, but even after all the gold and jade he could offer the jail guards had been exhausted, not a single person came to visit.

“The official world grows cold when one falls from power.” Fan Zhenglian thought bitterly as he chewed his moon cake.

Just then, footsteps echoed from the darkness. The guard who always gazed skyward stood at the cell door, his face full of impatience: “Remember, one incense stick’s time, be quick!”

The person behind him responded with a “mm,” and after the guard left, revealed a familiar face.

“Qi Chuan?” Fan Zhenglian was surprised.

“It’s me, sir.” In the lamplight, half the man’s face was lost in shadow, his expression unclear, but his tone carried its usual dullness.

However, to the isolated and helpless Fan Zhenglian, this dullness suddenly felt endearing.

Fan Zhenglian grabbed the iron bars, pressing his face against them in excitement: “Why have you come?”

He hadn’t expected to see Qi Chuan again. Given his current criminal status, all his servants and subordinates should have been implicated. He thought Qi Chuan would also be imprisoned, yet here he stood, perfectly fine.

Fan Zhenglian hesitated: “You… weren’t troubled?”

Qi Chuan shook his head: “I was just a clerk, they found nothing on me.”

His words reminded Fan Zhenglian. Since returning to the capital to serve in the Criminal Review Court, he had deliberately kept Qi Chuan’s position low, preventing his promotion. A mere clerk indeed wouldn’t draw much attention.

Qi Chuan said nothing more, simply taking out several dishes of food and wine from his basket and passing them through the bars: “I know sir has suffered these days. I’m useless and can’t help much, so I just brought some food.”

Fan Zhenglian looked at Qi Chuan, then at the roasted goose he offered, and somehow felt deeply moved.

He had been in this prison for so long, experiencing all manner of human nature in a month. Those who kicked him while he was down, those who took advantage of his misfortune, those who added fuel to the fire – in the end, the only one willing to risk bringing him comfort was this servant he had barely valued.

The clerk’s position he had used to suppress him now made him feel somewhat ashamed.

Qi Chuan silently poured him wine. Fan Zhenglian took it and suddenly laughed bitterly: “Xiao Chuan, fallen to this state, only you are willing to visit me.”

The name “Xiao Chuan” was too distant a memory. Qi Chuan froze for a moment, and after a long while softly said: “Sir has shown me great kindness, I am eternally grateful.”

Fan Zhenglian sighed.

In truth, he and Qi Chuan had grown up together, their master-servant relationship far exceeding the ordinary. Back then, when Qi Chuan wanted to study at the clan school, the Qi family was poor, and Qi’s father refused to pay, scolding him for not knowing his place. It was Fan Zhenglian who convinced his mother to pay Qi Chuan’s tuition, bringing him along to the academy.

At the academy, wealthy students often bullied Qi Chuan for his humble origins, and Fan Zhenglian protected him. In turn, Qi Chuan would secretly help Fan Zhenglian copy homework. In those days, the gratitude was genuine, the protection sincere.

But between people, status was predetermined. Qi Chuan was loyal and clever, but unfortunately born to servants, a regrettable circumstance.

Fan Zhenglian asked: “How are things outside?”

“The Ministry of Rites likely has no room for maneuver. The Censorate takes this case very seriously. I’ve made arrangements for the Old Madam and Madam, things should be a bit better for them.”

Fan Zhenglian nodded, then looked around before beckoning Qi Chuan closer, whispering: “Help me with something.”

Qi Chuan started.

“Secretly visit the Grand Tutor’s mansion, find a way to send him a message. Say I have something to offer the Grand Tutor and request his assistance.”

Qi Chuan hesitated: “This…”

Fan Zhenglian smiled mysteriously, “Though I’ve fallen to this state, complete exoneration is impossible, but there’s still room for negotiation in how this case is judged. You’re not in officialdom so you don’t understand – saving me is merely a matter of one word for those in power.”

“The Grand Tutor’s mansion is my last lifeline.”

He stepped back, and took a sip of hot wine, his eyes gleaming in the dark prison.

Back when he had dealt with that Lu boy cleanly, he had done the Grand Tutor’s mansion a favor, but he hadn’t forgotten to keep something for himself. He hadn’t submitted the boy’s letter to the mansion but had kept it private.

Used wrongly, this thing was a death warrant, but if used well, it could save his life.

Now at his wit’s end, death seemed certain either way. Better to make one last desperate attempt, and worry about the consequences later.

Qi Chuan wanted to say something, but the guard’s urging came from outside: “Time’s up—”

Fan Zhenglian glanced outside, then told Qi Chuan: “Go, don’t forget what I said.”

He responded affirmatively and packed up the empty food basket to leave, but Fan Zhenglian called out once more.

“Xiao Chuan,” Fan Zhenglian couldn’t meet Qi Chuan’s eyes, his tone remorseful, “These years, I’ve wronged you.”

Qi Chuan’s body trembled, but he said nothing and quickly left.

After exiting, he slipped another piece of silver to the guard. The guard weighed it, his expression improving as he looked at Qi Chuan, “You’re truly a loyal servant, still visiting even in these circumstances.”

The words “loyal servant,” which had never seemed noteworthy before, now felt somewhat stinging. Qi Chuan hurried out of the Criminal Court’s main gate, where a strong wind was blowing.

The wind cut against his face like knives. As he walked aimlessly, thinking of Fan Zhenglian’s instructions to visit the Grand Tutor’s mansion, his mind was in chaos.

Fan Zhenglian wanted to play his final card with the Grand Tutor’s mansion, attempting to turn the tide from desperate straits. However, Qi Chuan knew the situation outside was worse than Fan Zhenglian imagined.

These days, wherever he went, he could hear people discussing the examination fraud case. The authorities had decided to investigate thoroughly, and there were even rumors they would review past examination candidates for potential cheating.

Like a startled bird, their guilty conscience made him dream of officials arresting him.

Once they investigated Fan Zhenglian, they would discover him too. His daughter Jiu’er was still young – having such a father would ruin her life.

Actually, since Fan Zhenglian’s imprisonment, others had approached him. Fan Zhenglian had made many enemies during his years in office, and if he defected to others, he would need to use Fan Zhenglian as a token of loyalty.

For some reason, he recalled what the female doctor at Renxin Medical Hall had said.

“When the ship is sinking, shouldn’t you escape first?”

Qi Chuan’s footsteps halted.

In the dark prison, whether from sudden awakening or something else, Fan Zhenglian had called him “Xiao Chuan” and said, “I’ve wronged you.”

If it were before, they might have reconciled – those who share hardships often grow closer than others. After all, in those years, he had truly been grateful to Fan Zhenglian, swearing lifelong loyalty.

But it was now.

Unfortunately, it was now.

If feelings remained as they were at the first meeting, there would be no resentment in the end. This apology came too late, and the rift between master and servant had already formed.

The ship was sinking, and clever people always escaped first. He didn’t want to sink with this ship, so he had to find another way out, at any cost.

Even if it meant using his former benefactor as a stepping stone.

The cold wind blew, chilling his body. Qi Chuan collected himself, gripped the food basket tightly, and quickly disappeared into the bustling crowd.

……

The wind in the capital grew colder day by day. In the blink of an eye, it was September, the dew turned cold, and wild geese began their southern migration.

The geese flew over the mansions of the capital’s nobility, spreading tales of common life throughout the city.

Two days ago, a rumor quietly spread through the common areas, saying that Fan Zhenglian, imprisoned for examination fraud, had deep connections with the current Grand Tutor’s mansion. Now in trouble, Fan Zhenglian was bribing jail guards to help send messages to the Grand Tutor’s mansion, begging for Grand Tutor Qi’s assistance.

This baseless and truly absurd news was initially dismissed as malicious gossip, for how could a mere Criminal Review Official be connected to the court’s most powerful Grand Tutor? They rarely interacted, and even six degrees of separation couldn’t connect them. If anything, the Fan family would be reaching above their station.

But the rumor spread with convincing detail, and some claimed to have seen the Grand Tutor’s carriage at the Fan residence years ago. Gradually, the gossip intensified, suggesting Fan Zhenglian was the Grand Tutor’s man, colluding with the Ministry of Rites under the Grand Tutor’s secret orders. After all, controlling the examinations meant controlling half the Liang dynasty’s court. Those seeking official positions could only achieve glory and wealth through heavy bribes via Fan Zhenglian.

These rumors spread through internal and external offices, across East Tower Street’s lanes, past the Censorate to the Emperor’s desk, and naturally reached the Grand Tutor’s mansion at Vermilion Bird Gate.

In the Grand Tutor’s courtyard garden, by the pond and artificial mountain, fish swam freely – golden armored, ink-eyed, brocade-scaled, plum-patterned… At a glance, golden light shimmered on the water, creating rhythmic ripples.

The current court’s civil officials most loved raising cranes and appreciating fish, and the Liang dynasty’s refined scholars all followed suit, keeping such creatures in their courtyards. However, the rare creatures in others’ mansions couldn’t compare to those in the Grand Tutor’s residence – if compared, the precious birds in the Grand Tutor’s courtyard were superior.

It was afternoon when someone hurried through the corridor beside the pond, heading to the nearby tea room.

In the tea room, a decorated sand pot sat on the table while someone read an ancient scroll by the window. A black crane-patterned robe draped loosely around him, and under the lotus-carved jade crown, white hair cascaded to his shoulders. Even from behind, he emanated an otherworldly air.

The visitor was a short steward who, after quickly entering, stood far behind the black-robed elder and spoke softly: “Master, the rumors outside are spreading more intensely.”

These days, the Fan family affair had become the talk of the town, impossible to ignore even if one wished to.

The elder remained silent.

“If it continues spreading, it might damage the Grand Tutor mansion’s reputation…”

“No matter,” the elder still held his scroll, speaking unhurriedly as if discussing something unrelated to him, “The Fan family has no connection to our mansion, let the rumors spread as they will.”

“But…” the steward lowered his head: “This involves the young master.”

The elder’s page-turning hand paused.

“Last February, the young master accidentally injured a woman at Fengle Tower. Later, when she returned home, her family caused trouble and came to the capital to find the Criminal Review Official Fan Zhenglian, who after understanding the situation, helped handle it quietly.”

“Because it happened suddenly and the young master was anxious, this servant dared to conceal it from the master. I didn’t expect it would cause such trouble now, please punish me.” The steward immediately knelt.

The room fell silent.

After a long while, the elder spoke calmly: “Rise, this isn’t your fault.”

Just a commoner woman’s death – such a minor matter could be handled by servants, indeed not worth reporting to the master. Even if time could be turned back, the Grand Tutor’s mansion would handle it no differently.

“These rumors are running rampant, likely Fan Zhenglian’s desperate attempt to drag down the Grand Tutor’s mansion. The Emperor is particularly concerned about the examination case. If someone with ill intent uses this, and Fan Zhenglian speaks up, revealing the young master’s affair publicly would harm his reputation.” The steward advised earnestly.

The black-robed elder was silent for a moment, then spoke gently: “Then make him keep quiet.”

The steward’s expression tightened: “Yes.”

“Go now.”

The steward stood up and was about to leave the tea room when he was called back: “Wait.”

“What are master’s instructions?”

Setting aside the ancient scroll, the black-robed elder took up the sand pot from the table, filled the tea cup before him, and slowly spoke.

“That woman’s family, investigate them again.”

The steward was startled: “Master suspects there’s more to this?”

“The rumors spread strangely. Fan Zhenglian has been in officialdom for years – even if seeking the Grand Tutor’s help, he wouldn’t be so blatant. This isn’t his doing.” He brought the tea to his lips, took a small sip, then pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the tea from his mouth before continuing: “Many in the capital watch the Qi family. If that woman’s matter became known, it was likely used as someone’s weapon.”

“Go investigate that family’s recent situation, where their relatives are. When you find them, question them thoroughly.”

“Yes.”

Thinking of something else, the elder set down his teacup: “That unfilial beast, committing such shameful acts, disgracing our door – punish him with one month’s confinement, facing the wall in the ancestral hall to reflect.” He sighed, “It’s ultimately my failure in teaching my son.”

The steward hurried to say: “The young master was young then, and has long known his mistake. He feels guilty daily. Master’s painstaking care for the young master, he will eventually understand.”

Facing away from the steward, the elder shook his head: “Enough. You may go.”

The steward stood up to leave, but suddenly thought of something and hesitated before speaking: “Master, since we’re investigating that woman, should we still proceed with silencing Fan Zhenglian…”

The incense on the table continued burning, and in the blue smoke, that figure appeared increasingly noble, like a transcendent being high above, casually manipulating mortal fates.

He calmly replied: “Of course.”