Mid-Autumn moon cakes were always sweet.

In the pitch-black prison cell, a disheveled prisoner huddled in the corner, gnawing on half a moldy moon cake in his hands.

Fan Zhenglian had been locked in the criminal prison for nearly a month. During this month, he had fallen from being a widely praised, high-ranking magistrate to a despised prisoner. Every day he ate poorly and slept poorly, keeping company with rats and bedbugs in the prison cell, where even half a moldy moon cake was a luxury.

He listened daily to the jailers’ idle chatter and learned that since the imperial examination fraud case, the Ministry of Rites had been in turmoil from top to bottom. The emperor’s rage exceeded thunder, and a batch of officials who had been selling positions and ranks in private had been investigated both inside and outside the court. With things having reached this point, he, a detailed judge of the Court of Judicial Review, would most likely meet a bad end. Perhaps because he had previously built up his reputation too high, when the scandal broke, it had aroused such public anger.

The entire Fan family, including the female relatives, had been implicated. The powerful people who had previously courted his favor were busy protecting themselves. He had been in this prison for many days, initially still hoping someone might help rescue him, but until all the gold and jade he could use to bribe the jailers had been searched clean, not a single person had come to visit.

The officialdom was a place where people scattered when the tea cooled. Fan Zhenglian chewed the moon cake in his mouth, thinking bitterly.

Just as he was thinking this, footsteps came from the darkness. The jailer who always kept his eyes turned skyward stood at the prison door, looking completely impatient: “One stick of incense as agreed, hurry up!”

The person behind him made an “mm” sound. After the jailer left, a familiar face was revealed.

“Qi Chuan?” Fan Zhenglian was surprised.

“It’s me, sir.”

Under the lamplight, half the man’s face was hidden in darkness, his expression unclear, his tone as wooden as always.

However, this woodenness immediately became endearing in the eyes of the currently isolated and helpless Fan Zhenglian.

Fan Zhenglian grabbed the iron bars, almost pressing his entire face against them, saying excitedly: “How did you come?”

He hadn’t expected to see Qi Chuan again. With his current criminal status, all his servants and subordinates should have been implicated. He had thought Qi Chuan was also imprisoned, never imagining he would be standing before him unharmed.

Fan Zhenglian asked hesitantly: “You… weren’t mistreated?”

Qi Chuan shook his head: “I’m just a clerk. They didn’t find anything incriminating on me.”

Only then did Fan Zhenglian remember. Since returning to the capital to take up his position at the Court of Judicial Review, he had deliberately suppressed Qi Chuan’s official rank, not allowing him to be promoted. A mere small clerk was indeed not easily noticed.

Qi Chuan said nothing, only taking out several dishes of food and wine from the food basket behind him, passing them through the bars to Fan Zhenglian, saying: “I know you’ve suffered these days, sir. I’m useless and can’t help, so I just brought some food.”

Fan Zhenglian looked at Qi Chuan, then at the roast goose he had passed over. For some reason, he suddenly felt moved.

He had been in this prison for a long time, witnessing all kinds of human nature in this month. Those who kicked him when he was down, those who took advantage of his misfortune, those who robbed him while the house burned – in the end, the one willing to risk coming to see him with aid in the snow was this servant he had never particularly valued.

The clerk’s hat he had previously suppressed now made him feel somewhat ashamed.

Qi Chuan silently poured wine for him. Fan Zhenglian took it and suddenly smiled bitterly, saying: “Little Chuan, having fallen to this state, only you are willing to come see me.”

The address “Little Chuan” was too distant. Qi Chuan was startled, and after a long time, he said in a low voice: “Sir has shown me kindness. I am endlessly grateful.”

Fan Zhenglian sighed.

Actually, he and Qi Chuan had grown up together since childhood, their master-servant relationship incomparable to ordinary ones. When Qi Chuan wanted to attend the clan school, the Qin family was poor and Qin’s father was unwilling to pay, even scolding him for not knowing his place. It was Fan Zhenglian who convinced his mother to pay Qi Chuan’s tuition and brought him to the academy together.

The academy was full of wealthy sons who bullied Qi Chuan for his lowly birth, and Fan Zhenglian helped protect him. Qi Chuan would also secretly help Fan Zhenglian copy homework. At that time, the gratitude was genuine, and the protection was genuine.

It’s just that between people, status had long been predetermined. Qi Chuan was loyal and clever, but unfortunately he was the son of a lowly slave, which was regrettable.

Fan Zhenglian asked: “How are things outside now?”

“The Ministry of Rites should have no room for maneuver. The Censorate takes this case very seriously. I’ve already made arrangements for the old madam and madam’s side, so they’ll fare better.”

Fan Zhenglian nodded, then looked around and suddenly beckoned Qi Chuan forward, saying to him in a low voice: “Help me do something.”

Qi Chuan was startled.

“Secretly go to the Grand Tutor’s manor and find a way to pass a message to the Grand Tutor, saying I have something to offer him and requesting his assistance.”

Qi Chuan hesitated: “This…”

Fan Zhenglian smiled mysteriously: “Although I’ve fallen to this state and complete escape is impossible, there’s still room in how this case is judged. You don’t know since you’re not in officialdom, but saving me is just a matter of one word for those great figures.”

“The Grand Tutor’s manor is my last support, Fan Zhenglian.”

He stepped back and drank a mouthful of hot wine, his eyes burning bright in the dim prison cell.

When he had cleanly disposed of that Lu fellow, he had done the Grand Tutor’s manor a favor, but he had also kept something for himself. He hadn’t submitted that young man’s letter to the Grand Tutor’s manor but had privately kept it.

This thing could be a death warrant if used poorly, but if used well, it could also save lives.

Now that he was at the end of his rope and death was inevitable either way, he might as well struggle with all his might first. What happened afterward could be considered later.

Qi Chuan was about to say something when the jailer’s urging voice came from outside: “Time’s up—”

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

He agreed and packed up the empty food basket to take away. As he was about to leave, Fan Zhenglian called him back.

“Little Chuan,” Fan Zhenglian didn’t dare look into Qi Chuan’s eyes, his tone guilty: “All these years, I’ve wronged you.”

Qi Chuan’s body shook. He said nothing and quickly walked out.

After leaving, he slipped another piece of broken silver into the jailer’s hand. The jailer weighed it and his expression improved. Looking at him, he said: “You’re quite a loyal servant, still coming to visit even in this situation.”

The words “loyal servant” hadn’t meant anything before, but now they sounded somewhat jarring. Qi Chuan walked out of the Criminal Justice Department gate with his head down. A strong wind was blowing outside.

The wind cut his face like knives. He walked aimlessly, thinking of Fan Zhenglian’s instruction to go to the Grand Tutor’s manor, his mind in turmoil.

Fan Zhenglian wanted to play his last card with the Grand Tutor’s manor, trying to turn things around from a desperate situation. However, Qi Chuan knew that the situation outside was even worse than Fan Zhenglian imagined.

These past few days, wherever he went, he could almost always hear people discussing the imperial examination fraud case. The higher-ups had decided to investigate thoroughly, and there were even rumors that they would investigate backwards to see if examination candidates from previous years had any history of cheating.

Having a guilty conscience, he was like a bird startled by the mere twang of a bow, dreaming of officers arresting him.

Once they investigated backwards and reached Fan Zhenglian, they would also uncover him. Jiu’er was still young – if she had such a father, her life would be ruined.

Actually, since Fan Zhenglian’s imprisonment, others had approached him. Fan Zhenglian had made many enemies during his years as an official. If he sought refuge with others, he would have to use Fan Zhenglian as his pledge of allegiance.

For some reason, he remembered what the female doctor at Renxin Medical Clinic had said.

“The ship is sinking fast. Shouldn’t you escape first?”

Qi Chuan’s steps paused.

In the dim prison, Fan Zhenglian, whether suddenly enlightened or not, had called him “Little Chuan” and said “I’m sorry.”

If it had been before, they might have reconciled, and people who shared hardships always had deeper feelings than others. After all, in those years, he had truly been grateful to Fan Zhenglian and had sworn to be loyal to him for life.

But it had to be now.

Unfortunately, it was now.

If human feelings were like when first meeting, there would ultimately be no resentment in the heart. This apology came too late, and the rift between master and servant had already formed.

The ship was sinking fast. Smart 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, making his body feel cold. Qi Chuan steadied himself, gripped the food basket in his hand tightly, and quickly walked into the bustling crowd.

…

The wind in the capital grew colder each day. In the blink of an eye, it was September, with cold dew and northern wild geese beginning to fly south.

The wild geese swept over the mansions of the capital’s nobility, but they spread the idle gossip of the marketplace throughout the city.

Two days ago, a piece of news quietly began circulating in the marketplace, saying that the criminal official Fan Zhenglian, imprisoned for the imperial examination fraud case, had deep connections with the current Grand Tutor’s manor. Now that trouble had arisen, Fan Zhenglian was bribing jailers in prison and asking people to carry messages to the Grand Tutor’s manor, seeking Grand Tutor Qi’s assistance.

This news was baseless and truly absurd. At first, everyone treated it as some damned rumor-monger’s wild talk. After all, a detailed judge from the Court of Judicial Review and a Grand Tutor who held sway over the court had no visible interaction in daily life – even with eight poles you couldn’t connect them. Speaking of it, it would be the Fan family reaching above their station.

But this news spread with such detail that some even claimed to have seen the Grand Tutor’s carriage stop at the Fan family gate years ago. Gradually, the rumors grew more intense, saying Fan Zhenglian was originally Grand Tutor Qi’s subordinate, colluding with the Ministry of Rites in fraud, precisely because of secret instructions from the Grand Tutor’s manor. After all, once the examination grounds were controlled, it meant controlling half of the Liang Dynasty’s court. If there were those seeking official positions and career advancement, they would go through Fan Zhenglian’s hands with heavy bribes to achieve wealth and honor.

This rumor spread through the various departments inside and outside, through the streets and alleys of Donglou, over to the Censorate and onto the emperor’s desk, and naturally also reached the Grand Tutor’s manor at Zhuque Gate.

In the courtyard of the Grand Tutor’s manor, by the pond and artificial mountains, fish swam leisurely in the pond – golden helmets, ink eyes, brocade quilts, plum blossom patches… At a glance, the water glittered with golden ripples, creating harmonious sounds.

The current court’s civil officials most loved raising cranes and appreciating fish. The Liang Dynasty’s refined scholars all followed suit, often keeping such creatures in their study courtyards. However, how could the fish and cranes in others’ mansions compare to the rarities in the Grand Tutor’s manor? Speaking of it, the precious birds in the Grand Tutor’s manor courtyard were still superior.

It was afternoon when someone crossed the long corridor by the pond, walking quickly all the way, and entered the tea room not far from the pond with lowered head.

In the tea room, a carved sand pot sat on the table. Someone was holding an ancient scroll, resting by the window. A black crane cloak was loosely draped over him, and under his lotus jade crown, silvery white hair fell to his shoulders. Just from his back, he had quite an ethereal, sage-like bearing.

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

These past few days, the Fan family matter had spread like wildfire, making it difficult to pretend ignorance even if one wanted to.

The elder made no sound.

“If this continues, it may damage the Grand Tutor manor’s reputation…”

“No matter,” the elder still held his scroll, his voice unhurried, as if the matter being discussed had nothing to do with him. “The Fan family has no connection with our manor. Let the rumors be.”

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

The elder’s hand turning the page paused.

“In the second month of the year before last, the young master accidentally injured a good woman at Fengle Tower. Later, when the woman returned home, there was endless entanglement, and her family came to the capital and found the Court of Judicial Review. The detailed judge Fan Zhenglian understood the situation and took the initiative to help, handling the matter cleanly.”

“Because the incident was sudden and the young master was panicked and uneasy, this slave took the liberty of concealing it from the master. I didn’t expect it to cause such trouble now. Please punish me, master.” After speaking, the steward immediately prostrated himself.

The room fell completely silent.

After a long while, the elder spoke indifferently: “Get up. This matter isn’t your fault.”

It was just the death of a good woman – such a small matter could indeed be handled by servants without needing to report to the master. Even if time could flow backward, the Grand Tutor’s manor would handle it no differently.

“These rumors are rampant. I’m afraid it’s Fan Zhenglian’s dying struggle trying to drag the Fan family down with him. The imperial family is currently focused on the examination case. If used by someone with ulterior motives, once Fan Zhenglian speaks up and the young master’s matter becomes public, it will ultimately harm the young master’s reputation.” The old steward advised earnestly.

The black-clothed elder was silent for a moment, then said gently: “Then let him shut up.”

The steward’s expression became stern: “Yes.”

“Go.”

The stewardwas about to leave the tea room when he was called back: “Wait.”

“What are your instructions, master?”

The ancient scroll in his hands was placed on the table. The black-clothed elder picked up the sand pot on the table, filled the tea cup before him, and then slowly began to speak.

“That good woman’s family – go investigate them again.”

The steward was startled: “Does master think there’s something wrong?”

“The rumors spread strangely. Fan Zhenglian has also mixed in officialdom for some years. Even if he sought the Grand Tutor’s manor, he wouldn’t be so blatant about it. This isn’t his doing.” He brought the tea to his lips, took a small sip, then took out a handkerchief to wipe the tea from the corner of his mouth before continuing: “There are many people in the capital watching the Qi family. If that good woman’s matter became known, it would most likely be used as a knife in someone’s hand.”

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

“Yes.”

Thinking of something else, the elder put down his tea cup: “That wicked beast, committing such shameless acts and defiling the family gate – punish him with house arrest for a month, facing the wall in the ancestral hall to reflect. It’s ultimately my fault for failing to educate my son properly.” He sighed.

The steward quickly said: “The young master was young at the time and has long known his mistake, feeling daily remorse. Master’s painstaking efforts for the young master will eventually be understood.”

With his back to the steward, the elder shook his head: “Enough. You may go.”

The steward stood up and was about to withdraw when he suddenly thought of something. He paused hesitantly before speaking: “Master, since we need to investigate that good woman, should we still continue with making Fan Zhenglian shut up…”

The incense burning on the table continued, and in the green smoke, that back figure appeared even more imposing, like an immortal high above, casually manipulating mortal fates with laughter and conversation.

He said calmly: “Of course.”