After that, Li Ying would burn a small piece of calming incense for Cui Xun every night. Perhaps due to the incense’s effect, or perhaps because Li Ying was by his side, Cui Xun’s nightmares had rarely appeared again, and he could finally sleep peacefully.
The investigation into the forged travel permit had yielded some results. Secret agents reported that while the Director and Vice Director of the Gate Authority appeared to be neutral officials not affiliated with any faction, calligraphy and paintings by Cui Songqing had appeared in their homes. They had privately become members of the Cui faction. With this information, it became obvious who had ordered the forgery of the travel permit.
But why would Cui Songqing forge a travel permit for Jin Ni?
Cui Xun thus decided to test the waters.
However, before he could visit the Cui residence, Cui Songqing proactively sought him out.
After the morning court session, officials were served a meal in the corridor, while ministers dined in the Hall of Government Affairs. Lu Yumin had been summoned separately by His Majesty, leaving only Cui Songqing in the Hall. Just as Cui Xun picked up a piece of sweet rice cake, a palace eunuch came to inform him that Minister Cui requested his presence.
As he rose to leave, the officials beside him cast surprised glances his way. Everyone knew that although Cui Xun was Cui Songqing’s nephew, Cui Songqing had always despised him and never showed him any courtesy. Why would he suddenly invite him for a discussion? But then the officials reconsidered—even if Cui Songqing didn’t show courtesy to Cui Xun, he was still his nephew. Moreover, Cui Xun belonged to the Empress Dowager’s faction, sharing the same political stance as Cui Songqing. It seemed perfectly normal for their relationship to have improved.
The officials thought no more of it and continued enjoying their corridor meal. The feast consisted of one hundred dishes, three sheep, and various fruits and fine wines—truly sumptuous. Some elderly officials couldn’t help but recall that thirty years ago, the corridor meals had been only half as lavish. Since the implementation of the Taichang Reforms, the national treasury had grown increasingly abundant. The reforms, which had seemed uncertain thirty years before, had proven to be a successful gamble by the late emperor.
The Hall of Government Affairs had a floor of blue stone and austere furnishings. From its exterior appearance, one could not tell that this was where the Prime Ministers made decisions about matters of state. Cui Songqing sat upright behind his desk, on which sat only a plate with a flatbread. His meal was much simpler than the corridor feast. Seeing Cui Xun looking at his plate, Cui Songqing said, “Gastronomic pleasures are not worth mentioning. Better to use that silver to provide some practical benefits for the common people.”
In his official capacity, Cui Songqing truly did serve the country and its people. Cui Xun nodded and sat upright across from him. On his desk too was only a flatbread. Cui Songqing said, “If you’re not accustomed to this, you may fetch some food from the corridor.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Cui Xun replied.
During his imprisonment by the Turks, he had gone for long periods without even a flatbread to eat, often starving for seven or eight days at a stretch. Cui Songqing underestimated him if he thought Cui Xun was not used to simple fare.
But Cui Xun didn’t bother to explain further. He picked up the crisp flatbread and took a bite.
In the past, sitting before his uncle, knowing there would likely be no pleasant conversation forthcoming, he would have had no appetite even for flatbread. But Li Ying had told him to take care of his health, and he didn’t want to disappoint her. So he chewed a few mouthfuls of the flatbread. Cui Songqing watched him and said slowly, “I heard you went to the Furong Garden to capture Jin Ni but came up empty-handed.”
It seemed his uncle was indeed looking for him because of Jin Ni’s matter. He probably learned that Cui Xun had traced the forgery to the Director and Vice Director of the Gate Authority, and was too anxious to wait until the corridor meal ended before summoning him to the Hall of Government Affairs.
Cui Xun swallowed the fragrant flatbread in his mouth, then picked up the white silk handkerchief from the desk and wiped his hands. He replied calmly, “Indeed, I came up empty-handed, but it wasn’t entirely fruitless.”
“Oh?”
“I found a forged travel permit that Jin Ni didn’t have time to take with him. Following the trail of that forgery, I made some discoveries.”
Cui Songqing’s expression remained unchanged. He didn’t ask what Cui Xun had discovered, but simply said, “Whatever you’ve found, the matter of apprehending Jin Ni ends here.”
Cui Songqing’s demand did not surprise Cui Xun. He shook his head and said, “I’m afraid that’s not possible.”
Cui Songqing was momentarily stunned, seemingly not expecting Cui Xun to refuse so directly. Losing face, he snapped, “If you’re worried that the Court of Judicial Review will capture Jin Ni and he’ll implicate you, rest assured, I will protect you.”
“That’s not the reason,” Cui Xun replied.
“Then why?”
Cui Xun pressed his lips together, his eyes calm as still water. He said, “Perhaps, I seek the truth.”
He sought the truth for Li Ying.
Cui Songqing did not know what Cui Xun was thinking. He sneered, “Haven’t you, Cui Xun, fabricated enough unjust cases? How dare you speak of truth?”
Cui Xun had likely anticipated Cui Songqing’s mockery. He simply lowered his gaze and said, “I regret that I cannot fulfill Uncle’s request.”
Annoyed, Cui Songqing furrowed his brow and said coldly:
“Cui Xun, let me remind you, you work for the Empress Dowager. For some matters, knowing too much is not good.”
Upon hearing this, Cui Xun instead asked, “Does Uncle mean that the Empress Dowager doesn’t want me to capture Jin Ni? May I ask, why would the Empress Dowager not want me to apprehend a traitor?”
This question stumped Cui Songqing. He was dumbfounded, momentarily unable to answer, because the slightest misstep would allow Cui Xun to trap him, with no escape.
He stared at his nephew, who had always tolerated his insults. Only now did he equate this man with the ruthless Deputy Chief of the Investigation Department that everyone spoke of. The reason his nephew had tolerated his insults was not because he didn’t want to retaliate, but perhaps out of respect for him as an uncle.
Being a seasoned politician, Cui Songqing quickly recovered. He laughed coldly and said, “Fine, Cui Xun. Since you refuse to drop Jin Ni’s case, I can tell you now that I ordered the forgery of that travel permit. If you have the courage, arrest me and take me to the Investigation Department for interrogation.”
Cui Xun shook his head and said, “I won’t arrest Uncle.”
He continued, “But I still must ask, why is Uncle protecting Jin Ni?” He paused, then added, “Does Jin Ni possess evidence that could incriminate Uncle, or evidence that could incriminate someone Uncle wishes to protect?”
Though his tone was calm, it had the quality of an interrogation. Cui Songqing was taken aback. Cui Xun continued, “Uncle has always served the public interest. I believe Uncle has nothing to hide. So it must be that Jin Ni has evidence against someone Uncle wishes to protect. But in this world, there are only a few people Uncle would protect.”
Cui Songqing’s face had turned somewhat pale. Cui Xun asked, “Is it the Empress Dowager, or…”
As he spoke, he observed Cui Songqing’s expression closely. Before he could finish, footsteps were heard, followed by the shrill voice of a eunuch outside, “Greetings to Minister Lu.”
Vice Minister of the Left Lu Yumin pushed open the door. In his fifties, thin, he looked even older than his actual age. Seeing Cui Xun, he was momentarily startled, then said with displeasure, “It seems there’s no need to dine in the hall today.”
Cui Songqing, already shocked by Cui Xun’s questioning and now faced with Lu Yumin’s intrusion and sarcasm, had a belly full of fire with nowhere to vent. He said coldly, “Minister Lu need not be so sarcastic.”
Lu Yumin glanced at Cui Xun, then looked at Cui Songqing and mocked, “Minister Cui brings in this hunting dog, this lackey, defiling the Hall of Government Affairs, yet dares to accuse me of sarcasm.”
Cui Songqing disliked Cui Xun, but he disliked Lu Yumin even more. Moreover, since both he and Cui Xun belonged to the Empress Dowager’s faction, for both public and private reasons, he felt obliged to defend Cui Xun. He said, “If serving the imperial family makes one a hunting dog or lackey, then both you and I are hunting dogs and lackeys.”
Lu Yumin raised his voice: “I, Lu Yumin, serve the common people.”
Cui Songqing snorted, “Whether you’re truly concerned for the country and its people, or merely pretending to be loyal while harboring treacherous intentions, the historical record will judge.”
His words infuriated Lu Yumin. The two men attacked each other in court, and here in the Hall of Government Affairs, neither would yield. Lu Yumin laughed coldly, “I, pretending to be loyal? I have no wife, no children, and my family wealth amounts to just a few strings of cash. I don’t seek fame by calling myself an unofficial minister, nor do I claim to be above reproach while instructing my nephew to act as my claw, fabricating false charges to eliminate opponents! Everything I do, I can answer to both the Emperor above and the common people below.”
As he spoke, Cui Xun, who had been listening quietly, suddenly gave a light laugh. “The common people? Would that be minus fifty thousand people?”
Lu Yumin was momentarily stunned. Cui Xun stood up and said mockingly, “Oh, I’m sorry, and minus the people of several prefectures as well.”
Lu Yumin’s face turned pale. Cui Xun looked at him, then at Cui Songqing, both with shocked expressions. His gaze then fixed on the plaque hanging on the white wall that read “Govern the World and Aid the People.” He smiled, “Is it this hunting dog and lackey who has defiled the Hall of Government Affairs, or was it already defiled to begin with?”
With that, he laughed ruefully. Without bothering to observe the expressions of Lu and Cui any further, he turned and left, smiling coldly.
After leaving the Hall of Government Affairs, Cui Xun had no desire to return to the corridor to dine with the officials who despised him. He seemed unwilling to stay a moment longer. He mounted his horse and left the Daming Palace, whipping his horse to gallop quickly toward Xuanyang Ward.
When he finally reached that secluded residence and saw the vermilion wooden door, Cui Xun’s indignation gradually subsided. He dismounted. Previously, this place had merely been a resting place for him, but now, it was different.
Li Ying was crouching on the ground, watching a swallow pecking at fresh mud. This spring swallow was the fledgling she had previously asked Cui Xun to save. Several months had passed, and the fledgling had grown into a spring swallow. Li Ying watched with interest as the swallow’s beak pecked at the moist soil, one peck after another. After gathering enough mud, the swallow would fly off to build its new nest, then return to gather more mud, repeating the process over and over. Li Ying was so entranced that she didn’t notice Cui Xun’s early return.
Cui Xun unconsciously slowed his steps. Li Ying watched the swallow, and he watched Li Ying. The warm sunlight fell on Li Ying’s body, making her slender figure appear particularly serene and beautiful. Cui Xun gazed silently at her back. In his heart, he gradually forgot the phrases “hunting dog and lackey” and “defiled the Hall of Government Affairs,” and the mutual attacks between Lu and Cui. The world might be clamorous, but as long as she was by his side, it would be enough for the rest of his life.