Wei Yuan, having stood firm in officialdom for decades, could keenly discern even the slightest shift in the atmosphere.
Although Emperor Yuan Jing had merely glanced at him when he entered, and though the assembled ministers had already withdrawn their gazes, Wei Yuan knew that this small court session likely concerned him.
The Spring Festival had just concluded, and in a few days, the results of the imperial examination would be released. During this period, personnel departments from various provinces had been sending in their assessment lists, awaiting Emperor Yuan Jing’s final approval.
Meanwhile, the evaluation results for the capital were gradually taking shape under the supervision of the Minister of Personnel.
Everyone in the hall, including Emperor Yuan Jing, was well aware of the bloody struggles that had accompanied the formation of this assessment list. It was certainly not a matter to be overturned at this point.
If it wasn’t about the imperial examination, what other major issue could involve him?
Wei Yuan’s mind raced, and two words surfaced in his thoughts — Cloud Province!
The urgent report from eight hundred li away came from Cloud Province… It seemed Cloud Province had truly rebelled. With Jiang Luzhong and Yang Yan’s abilities, and the groundwork laid by Zhang Xingying earlier, Cloud Province shouldn’t be in chaos… Wei Yuan pondered.
After another quarter of an hour, all the ministers eligible to attend the small court session had arrived.
Emperor Yuan Jing looked down at the assembled ministers and said, “This morning, we received an urgent dispatch from Cloud Province. The Cloud Province case has concluded. The one who colluded with the Witch-God Cult, supported mountain bandits, and supplied military resources was the Administration Commissioner of Cloud Province, Song Changfu.”
Like a bomb dropping, the ministers erupted in shock, their faces pale. Then came uncontrollable discussions and angry denouncements.
However, some people weren’t surprised, such as the Wang faction.
Urgent dispatches first passed through the hands of the Inner Cabinet, who then transferred them to the Communication Department. The Communication Department was responsible for handling imperial edicts, conveying information from below, and specifically verifying imperial seals on documents, reporting memorials from officials and commoners across the realm, as well as military intelligence and natural disasters.
The Inner Cabinet was First Minister Wang’s domain. Although the Inner Cabinet had no right to privately open urgent documents, after the emperor read them, the first thing to do was to inform the Inner Cabinet of the contents, and then hold a meeting.
So the Wang faction had received first-hand information.
“Silence!” the emperor’s attendant shouted several times before the ministers quieted down.
“Ministers, listen,” Emperor Yuan Jing said.
The elderly eunuch with graying hair, wearing a python robe, glanced at a eunuch in the corner and nodded slightly.
That eunuch stepped forward, unfolded the document in his hand, and read aloud:
“Your subject Zhang Xingying kowtows and reports:
“The Cloud Province case concluded on the twenty-fourth day of the first month. The traitor Song Changfu, Yang You, Chen Ming… thirty-four people in total, have all been executed.”
A string of names, all officials with ranks.
“Now Cloud Province has returned to order, and the major case is closed. This is due to the success of the court’s education and Your Majesty’s profound virtue and divine wisdom.
“Golden Gong Jiang Luzhong escorted your subject safely throughout the journey, diligently and conscientiously…
“Golden Gong Yang Yan, risking his life a hundred times, led troops to strike hard at the rebel army, achieving great merit in suppressing the rebellion, preventing the rebel army from burning, killing, looting, and afflicting the people of Cloud Province, a most outstanding achievement…
“Silver Gongs Zhao Bin, Tang Shanhu, and Li Yun, these three died at the hands of the Dream Witch of the Witch-God Cult while protecting your humble subject, dying without regret. Their loyal hearts and overwhelming spirit deeply pain your subject…
“Bronze Gongs Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao made repeated contributions during the investigation, helping Xu Qi’an find evidence. To protect the evidence, they did not hesitate to sacrifice themselves to ghosts, greatly depleting their vital energy… In the process of eliminating the rebel party, they led from the front, fearless of death. Their patriotic hearts are moving…”
From Golden Gongs to Bronze Gongs, Inspector Zhang detailed each one’s merits, writing very thoroughly and thoughtfully.
Wei Yuan listened silently. Even when hearing about the sacrifice of three Silver Gongs, this powerful official, known for never showing emotion, remained expressionless.
“Bronze Gong Xu Qi’an, during his journey south, uncovered the iron ore smuggling case. This matter has been reported previously and will not be detailed again. But in the Cloud Province case, Xu Qi’an almost single-handedly unraveled various clues and found evidence of guilt… It was also he who detected Song Changfu’s plot, causing the case to turn around, preventing your subject from wrongly accusing loyal officials.
“After the plot was exposed, Song Changfu, cornered like a desperate dog, gathered rebel troops to close the city gates and surround your subject at the Administration Commissioner’s office. When your subject was in dire straits, Xu Qi’an, alone with a sword, fought to the death against hundreds of rebel troops, killing over two hundred enemies before finally perishing from exhaustion.
“Your humble subject boldly requests a posthumous title for him.
“Your subject remains in Cloud Province, hoping to soon have an audience with Your Majesty. Zhang Xingying kowtows again.”
After finishing, the eunuch folded the long memorial and retreated.
Emperor Yuan Jing glanced at the ministers who couldn’t stop murmuring and whispering to each other, his gaze finally landing on Wei Yuan.
This legendary figure was praised as the strongest state hand in Great Shang’s five hundred years; this Left Commander of the Five Armies who won the Shanhai Pass battle and subdued surrounding countries; this Wei the Eunuch who led the Night Watchmen and monitored all officials, with his infamous reputation…
At this moment, in the court session, he was lost in thought.
“What do you ministers think of Zhang Xingying’s report?” Emperor Yuan Jing asked. “Wei Yuan, Wei Yuan, Wei Yuan…”
He called three times, each louder than the last.
Wei Yuan’s body shook as if startled. He reacted with a soft “Ah?”
Emperor Yuan Jing’s mouth twitched. “Minister Wei seems to be in poor spirits. Zhang Xingying nipped the Cloud Province rebellion in the bud, which is also your merit. Is Minister Wei unhappy about this?”
Wei Yuan didn’t answer.
The Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Rites and the Left Supervising Censor jumped out to rebuke: “Wei Yuan, His Majesty is asking you a question.”
Wei Yuan still didn’t answer.
“Forget it!” Emperor Yuan Jing was in a good mood and waved his hand, discussing the matters in the memorial with the ministers and rewarding the Night Watchmen for their merits.
When it came to Xu Qi’an, there was disagreement about granting him a posthumous title. A small number of ministers agreed to bestow a title, while more people expressed that it was inappropriate.
There was nothing inappropriate about it. A title wasn’t an official position, but a “reward” for meritorious individuals, a means for the court to win people’s hearts.
Xu Qi’an’s situation qualified for a posthumous title, which was merely an honor after death.
But Xu Qi’an was Wei Yuan’s confidant, and opposing Wei Yuan was an instinct for the civil officials. Secondly, Xu Qi’an had made too many enemies. From the tax silver case to the Sangbo case, from the Princess Pingyang case to the Cloud Province case.
Because of him, the Vice Minister of Revenue from the Wang faction fell; the Liang faction was ruined; the Minister of Rites from the Wang faction fell; the Minister of Works from the Qi faction had nine generations executed…
Those who hated him were countless, and even for posthumous honor, they were unwilling to give it to him.
Among them, the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review and the Vice Minister of Rites, both from the Qi faction, were the most agitated. They eloquently pointed out the drawbacks, essentially saying one thing:
Xu Qi’an didn’t deserve it.
Although the Chief Justice was from the Qi faction, there was no evidence implicating him in collusion with the Witch-God Cult like the Minister of Works, so he remained uninvolved.
So-called factions were just political allies, not relatives or family.
The Vice Minister of Rites was from the Wang faction. His superior had been brought down by Xu Qi’an in the Sangbo case, and most hatefully, the new Minister of Rites was Wei Yuan’s man.
The ministers’ attitudes made Emperor Yuan Jing hesitate. From his perspective, the death of that always-displeasing Bronze Gong certainly wasn’t enough to make the august Son of Heaven excited with joy, but honestly, it was quite satisfying.
Like swatting away an annoying fly.
However, Emperor Yuan Jing agreed to grant a title. Because Xu Qi’an had indeed achieved great merit, bestowing a title would demonstrate his fairness in rewards and punishments.
Emperor Yuan Jing was most lenient towards the dead.
But if most ministers disagreed, Emperor Yuan Jing wouldn’t insist on his view.
Just as Emperor Yuan Jing was about to announce the end of the topic and reject Zhang Xingying’s suggestion, he suddenly saw Wei Yuan step forward.
The great eunuch walked straight towards the Vice Minister of Rites, raised his hand, and “Slap!”
A resounding slap echoed through the Imperial Study, instantly drowning out the ministers’ arguments. Astonished gazes turned towards them.
“Slap!”
The Chief Justice also received a slap, stumbling and falling, his official hat coming off, his hair disheveled.
“Hubbub…”
The astonished gazes turned into an uproar, and the Imperial Study exploded with noise.
In Great Shang’s history, there were quite a few examples of hot-tempered ministers fighting in the court. Moreover, this was the Imperial Study.
But the one striking was Wei Yuan, which made it seem absurd and bizarre.
In the ministers’ minds, Wei Yuan, as a eunuch controlling the Night Watchmen’s Office and the Censorate, occupying high positions, was labeled as: insidious and cunning, malicious and venomous, scheming and calculating.
But not “impulsive and rash.” If he were so easy to exploit, he would have been finished off long ago.
What scheme did Wei Yuan have now? Was it deliberate?
As the court officials’ thoughts raced, the professional critics, the Supervising Secretaries, didn’t need to think so much. The “Left Supervising Censors” of the Six Ministries hurriedly rushed out, shouting:
“Your Majesty, Wei Yuan struck people in court, showing no respect for Your Majesty or the law. We request Your Majesty to issue an edict to execute this scoundrel.”
The Supervising Secretaries didn’t need to think much; they just needed to seize on weaknesses and press hard.
Immediately, many ministers echoed the sentiment.
Wei Yuan completely ignored the accusations from the crowd. He bowed and said in a deep voice, “Your Majesty, the matter of the Qi faction is not yet concluded. Although the Minister of Works has been dealt with, his accomplices still lurk in the court. In the Sangbo case, the Minister of Rites colluded with demon races, and his associates remain.
“As the imperial examination approaches, your subject proposes to delay the assessment until everything comes to light, then make a decision.”
What did he mean?
The ministers were shocked, looking at Wei Yuan in disbelief. The implication in his words was clearly that he wanted to delay the imperial examination. Did he still want to cause trouble?!
Since the beginning of the year, the official circles in the capital had experienced a tense period of caution and observation, followed by intrigue and universal fear from mid-year to the end of the year. Everyone was already exhausted.
Even the most combative schemers wanted to end the imperial examination early and recuperate.
Wei Yuan, this fellow, actually wanted to prolong the struggle.
Had he… had he gone mad?
Even First Minister Wang Zhenwen couldn’t help but turn his head, looking at Wei Yuan in astonishment. Wei Qingyi’s face remained expressionless, not much different from usual.
As an old rival, First Minister Wang found that at this moment, he couldn’t fathom Wei Yuan’s intentions.
A moment of anger?
No, how could Wei Yuan possibly be swayed by emotions? Besides, where would the anger come from?
Emperor Yuan Jing stared at Wei Yuan, and after a moment, suddenly realized that the Bronze Gong called Xu Qi’an held an extraordinary position in Wei Yuan’s heart.
He lowered his hand to quiet the crowd, then slowly said, “For such a complex and perplexing case to be solved by Xu Qi’an in just ten days is truly miraculous.
“The loss of such talent is a great loss for our court. Let’s follow Zhang Xingying’s memorial.
“Wei Yuan struck court officials in the hall, showing disregard for the law. He will be fined one year’s salary. As for the imperial examination, it will proceed as usual according to ancestral traditions, without changes.”
The ministers weren’t surprised by Emperor Yuan Jing’s light punishment, though they were disappointed. They knew such an incident couldn’t bring down the great eunuch.
Given Wei Yuan’s importance, His Majesty’s tolerance for his mistakes was extremely high. Striking court officials once or twice and receiving some punishment was already the limit.
What surprised them was that Wei Yuan no longer dwelled on the imperial examination issue, keeping silent about it.
This made the ministers realize that the so-called delay of the imperial examination was just an excuse for Wei Yuan to vent his anger.
Compared to the moderate punishment, the reason for Wei Yuan’s loss of composure greatly interested the ministers. It turned out that the seemingly flawless Wei the Eunuch also had something he cared about, something that could make him lose his composure.
Afterward, there was a heated discussion about granting Xu Qi’an a posthumous title.
After much debate, Xu Qi’an’s title was decided: Viscount of Changle County.
A viscount!
Non-hereditary.
…
As the small court session ended and the ministers dispersed, Wei Yuan walked ahead without a word. Whether intentional or not, his pace was extremely quick, walking in front of the ministers, not letting anyone see his expression.
“Foster Father,” Nangong Qianrou greeted him, about to inquire about the contents of the small court session and the urgent dispatch. But he suddenly froze.
Although Wei Yuan’s face was expressionless, one could easily read the sorrow in it. Those eyes, weathered by the passage of time, held a deep desolation.
Without greeting, not even a nod, Wei Yuan walked by silently, passing Nangong Qianrou in silence, and continued forward in silence.
The hem of his green robe swayed gently. His silhouette was lonely and desolate.
What happened… Nangong Qianrou was stunned. He glanced at the approaching ministers, resisted the urge to probe, and hurried to catch up with Wei Yuan.
On the carriage ride back to the Night Watchmen’s Office, Nangong Qianrou held back the entire way. As they approached the office, he finally asked:
“Foster Father, what happened?”
From inside the carriage came Wei Yuan’s low, hoarse voice: “Xu Qi’an died in the line of duty.”
This… Nangong Qianrou’s expression froze.
He turned his head, secretly glancing at the carriage. Although the door blocked his view, he still unconsciously slowed his movements, afraid of being discovered by Wei Yuan.
Everyone in the Night Watchmen’s Office knew that Lord Wei valued Xu Qi’an, but only Nangong Qianrou and Yang Yan knew that it was more than just value. Foster Father held great expectations for Xu Qi’an, like a craftsman discovering a perfect piece of raw jade.
He cherished it, constantly thinking about how to carve it into a peerless beautiful jade that would astonish the world when completed.
Although not explicitly stated, Nangong Qianrou knew clearly that this expectation and importance far surpassed that for him, the foster son.
Now that Xu Qi’an had died in the line of duty, Foster Father’s mood was imaginable… Nangong Qianrou sighed inwardly.
He had thought he would be secretly happy. Xu Qi’an’s appearance had made him jealous, made him feel unbalanced, countless times wishing that guy had never appeared.
Foster Father’s main focus would still be on me.
Now, hearing the news of Xu Qi’an’s death, Nangong Qianrou felt no happiness at all. Instead, he felt lost, his heart empty.
At this moment, the reins in his hand suddenly slipped. Nangong Qianrou was startled, only to find that the reins in his palm had been unconsciously crushed to powder.
Returning to the office, Nangong Qianrou followed Wei Yuan into the Haoqi Tower, ascending to the seventh floor. Wei Yuan stopped at the entrance of the tea room and said in a low voice:
“You go out first. I want to be alone for a while.”
Nangong Qianrou hesitated but bowed and retreated, not leaving but waiting outside the tea room.
The tea room was quiet. The afternoon sunlight shone on the observation deck, spacious and bright.
Wei Yuan perused official documents as usual, as if nothing had happened. He was still that great eunuch who never showed emotion.
As the sun gradually moved westward, the twilight glow was orange-red, setting the western clouds ablaze.
Wei Yuan hadn’t turned a single page of the documents in his hand. He had sat motionless for two and a half hours.
Closing the documents and pinching the bridge of his nose, Wei Yuan called out, “Qianrou.”
“Foster Father…” Nangong Qianrou entered upon hearing the call, his delicate face full of concern.
“Gather all the Golden Gongs in the office,” Wei Yuan said.
Nangong Qianrou withdrew and soon returned with six Golden Gongs.
At this time, Wei Yuan stood in the center of the tea room, his silent gaze examining the Golden Gongs.
“Lord Wei,” the Golden Gongs cupped their hands in salute.
Wei Yuan nodded slightly and slowly said, “Order all our undercover agents to infiltrate the countries in the northeast. Before early summer, I want to obtain the border defense layout of the southwestern Witch-God Cult, at any cost.”
Golden Gong Zhang Kaitai was shocked: “Lord Wei…”
The other Golden Gongs were equally surprised.
Wei Yuan said calmly, “After the autumn harvest, I will strike at the Witch-God Cult.”
As expected… The Golden Gongs carefully observed Wei Yuan, finally noticing the subtle difference in the great eunuch. Previously, Lord Wei had always maintained a detached demeanor of having everything under control, with a calmness befitting his status and position.
But today’s Lord Wei was different. Those eyes, full of vicissitudes, burned with sharp edge and fighting spirit.
This kind of fighting spirit and determination was only seen during the Shanhai Pass battle years ago.
The Golden Gongs bowed their heads in unison, using the formal reply: “We respectfully obey your command.”
The Golden Gongs withdrew. After leaving the Haoqi Tower, one Golden Gong frowned and said, “The court probably won’t easily start a war.”
Nangong Qianrou gave a cold laugh. The court might not easily start a war, but the Witch-God Cult would, and so would the northeastern countries. As long as they actively sent confidential intelligence through secret channels, the Witch-God Cult would take the bait.
Once the border was disturbed, His Majesty and the court ministers wouldn’t turn a blind eye.
With Foster Father’s methods, whether to strike at the Witch-God Cult depended only on his willingness, not on whether His Majesty wanted to fight.
Zhang Kaitai looked at Nangong Qianrou and asked with a frown, “Did something happen in court today? Lord Wei seems a bit unusual.”
Nangong Qianrou nodded: “This morning there was an urgent dispatch from Zhang Xingying in Cloud Province. As Foster Father predicted, Cloud Province indeed rebelled.”
After a pause, he swept his gaze over the Golden Gongs and said in an unconsciously deep voice: “Xu Qi’an died in the line of duty.”
The Golden Gongs suddenly raised their heads, looking towards the Haoqi Tower.
…
At this time, Xu Qi’an was still adrift on the water.
The one who kidnapped Liang Youping wasn’t the Boasting King?!
An indescribable horror rose in Xu Qi’an’s heart, like taking a selfie in an abandoned house, only to develop the photo at home and find a long-haired woman in white standing behind you.
That kind of horror made one’s spine go cold and scalp tingle.
“Liang Youping really wasn’t kidnapped by you?” Xu Qi’an sought confirmation.
“When has Yang Qianhua ever told a lie?” the Boasting King said calmly.
The task his master gave him was to secretly watch over Xu Qi’an. Although the Boasting King didn’t know why his master would give such an order, he had always been a rule-abiding disciple.
Very reliable in doing things!
Having agreed to watch over Xu Qi’an, he absolutely wouldn’t do anything extra.
The Cloud Province case had nothing to do with him either. Whether the case was solved or not was the Inspector’s business. It was only when Xu Qi’an walked into the trap that he had to step in to help, revealing himself.
Go to hell, you just lied to me saying you didn’t peek at the letters… If he wasn’t in such a bad mood, Xu Qi’an would have slapped the Boasting King’s face on the spot.
Liang Youping wasn’t kidnapped by Yang Qianhua? If that’s the case, the entire case would have to be revisited… Could it be that the mastermind behind the scenes wasn’t Song Changfu, but someone else, like Yang Chuannan?
The case in Cloud Province originally started with the undercover agent Zhou Min discovering Yang Chuannan’s embezzlement of military supplies and support of mountain bandits… It wasn’t until Xu Qi’an stumbled upon the Qi faction’s collusion with the Witch-God Cult that it led to the subsequent investigation by the Inspector in Cloud Province.
Could the truth of this case be like this:
Yang Chuannan discovered that his plot had been exposed by the Night Watchmen’s undercover agent, so he had the Dream Witch kill Zhou Min to silence him and decode the cipher to find the evidence… Then he set up this self-inflicted injury plan, with the turning point being Liang Youping.
He first deliberately let Liang Youping wait for me in the dog meat shop, then used Li Miaozheng to reveal Liang Youping’s identity, drawing my attention… Then he had someone deliver Liang Youping to Inspector Zhang, using this reversal to make us firmly believe that the mastermind was Song Changfu, while he himself escaped unscathed?
At that time, Liang Youping’s fate was indeed blocked, and the Imperial Observatory’s fate-reading technique couldn’t tell if he was lying.
Xu Qi’an pondered for a long time and rejected this speculation for the following three reasons:
First, there was no need to be so complicated. Going to great lengths to make the case so complex would only expose more flaws. The simpler the case, the harder it is to solve. As the saying goes, the weirder the weapon, the quicker you die. The same applies to cases.
Yang Chuannan only needed to destroy the evidence. Even if everyone thought he did it, Inspector Zhang couldn’t touch a second-rank Commander-in-Chief without evidence.
This was the most secure method.
Second, the reason Inspector Zhang and others, including Xu Qi’an, believed Liang Youping’s words without doubt was mainly because they all thought the person who helped was Yang Qianhua.
Reviewing the case, when Liang Youping was sent to the post station, Inspector Zhang and others were skeptical about Liang Youping’s confession. At that time, Inspector Zhang’s response was to first arrest Song Changfu and confront him with Liang Youping.
As a result, Song Changfu “committed suicide out of guilt,” and immediately after, various armies in Cloud Province rebelled. The events were so tightly connected that there was no time to verify the truth of the case.
It wasn’t until Yang Qianhua’s appearance that everyone suddenly realized, so that magician was Yang Qianhua, which made sense.
Thus, Liang Youping’s “surrender” had a reasonable explanation.
Unfortunately, after helping Jiang Luzhong kill the Dream Witch, Yang Qianhua left immediately, and subsequent verification couldn’t be carried out.
Xu Qi’an listed this point as a reason because Yang Chuannan couldn’t have known that Yang Qianhua had come to Cloud Province. So this mysteriously appearing magician would be an inexplicable point of doubt in the minds of Inspector Zhang and others.
Although he could use the subsequent rebellion to erase Inspector Zhang, if he could already eliminate Inspector Zhang and others, why bother with such an elaborate scheme?
On the contrary, the Dream Witch’s explanation was more reasonable. The reason for enduring was to push Yang Chuannan to take the blame, until the matter was exposed, and they had to implement the final plan – silencing through murder.
Three, if Yang Chuannan was the mastermind, those rebel parties who followed him in rebellion would have exposed him long ago. Would those rebel parties in Cloud Province’s officialdom not know which boss they were following?
This was rebellion, not gangsters in society.
“The mastermind should undoubtedly be Song Changfu, but what about that magician who appeared out of thin air?”
“Could a wild magician cultivate to such a level? Keep in mind, the magician system has only existed for about 600 years, unlike martial artists and other systems that have existed for a long time and have many wild practitioners.”
“Even for long-established systems like Confucianism, the control over cultivation methods is still very strict. Only fatherless (transcending ranks) martial artists bloom everywhere, which is probably another reason why other systems look down on martial artists.”
“Also, why would that magician of unknown origin help me? What was his purpose?”
Xu Qi’an suddenly thought of something – could the magician in the tax silver case who created fake silver be the same person as the magician in the Cloud Province case, or from the same force?
If so, the option of helping me could be ruled out… These bastards almost got me exiled thousands of miles away and almost got Second Uncle executed… Xu Qi’an pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache.
The Imperial Observatory wasn’t so simple.
“Ahem…” Xu Qi’an coughed. “There’s something I need to tell Senior Brother Yang.”
“Speak.”
Xu Qi’an then told Yang Qianhua everything about the nameless magician’s existence, and then asked, “Is our Imperial Observatory hiding some secrets?”
“Our Imperial Observatory?” Yang Qianhua asked back, facing away from him.
“Anyway, Miss Caiwei will marry me sooner or later.”
“Heh.” Yang Qianhua mocked, then said in a serious tone, “The Imperial Observatory does have some secrets. For example, Master never talks about his own master, but I know clearly that Master once killed his teacher.”
Killed his teacher… Xu Qi’an reviewed the previous text, recalling the information about the first-generation Observatory Master from the Sangbo case investigation.
The first-generation Observatory Master supported the old royal family 500 years ago. After the original Prince of Pinghai, later Emperor Wuzong, usurped the throne, the Observatory Master changed to the current one.
Information about the first-generation Observatory Master was erased from history.
Erased so thoroughly that even a female scholar like Princess Huaiqing, who could revise history, couldn’t find a trace of information. It was only through Buddhism’s missionary work 500 years ago that she made a breakthrough indirectly.
So the Observatory Master really did kill his teacher. It was only speculation before, but now it’s confirmed… Xu Qi’an said, “Senior Brother Yang means that this magician who appeared in Cloud Province is related to the first-generation Observatory Master?”
Yang Qianhua shook his head: “I don’t know about that. Don’t ask so much. You don’t understand the magician system. Even a rare talent like me doesn’t know what first-rank and second-rank magicians are called.”
Xu Qi’an was no longer a novice now. Usually, in this situation, it meant that knowing information about first and second ranks would reveal many secrets of the magician system, and such secrets couldn’t be known to outsiders.
“Then do you know what rank a magician who can block auras is? Can you do it, Senior Brother Yang?” Xu Qi’an probed reluctantly.
“I can tell you this,” Yang Qianhua said. “Blocking fate, normal magicians can do it, it’s not difficult. To block fate for others, one must be sixth rank or above.
“But as you said, if that Liang Youping could block the divination and curse-killing of a fourth-rank Dream Witch, only one rank in the magician system can do that. What was blocked for Liang Youping wasn’t fate, but destiny, the secrets of heaven.”
After a pause, he said: “Third-rank magicians, Heaven’s Secrets Masters.”
…Third rank?! The magician in the Cloud Province case was third rank?! Xu Qi’an was stunned for a moment, feeling his brain wasn’t enough.
The Cloud Province case actually involved a third-rank magician!
If that’s the case, of course Yang Qianhua, a fourth-rank Array Master, couldn’t do it. Damn, if I had known such important information earlier, I… I would have pretended to know nothing.
Xu Qi’an thought to himself, even if one saw through a third-rank magician’s scheme, one couldn’t expose it.
This wasn’t cowardice, but an adult’s mode of thinking.
One had to save face for each other.
“Remember to keep it confidential, don’t spread it around, especially about Master killing his teacher,” Yang Qianhua paused, then added:
“It’s not that I’m afraid of Master, I just think, at his age, he shouldn’t tarnish his reputation in his later years. I should leave him some dignity as a person.”
The more you explain, the more it shows you’re guilty… How dare I talk carelessly? The Observatory Master could crush me with one finger… Xu Qi’an nodded and agreed: “I also think we should give the Observatory Master some face.”
Yang Qianhua smiled: “You are indeed an interesting man, just like me.”
The Imperial Observatory’s history wasn’t long, and many things were actually easy to investigate, unlike the Dao Venerable and Confucian Sage. The latter were figures from thousands of years ago, while the former was simply beyond historical records.
Xu Qi’an planned to secretly investigate the Imperial Observatory after returning to the capital, and also investigate Susu’s family affairs. It definitely wasn’t because he coveted her body; she didn’t have a body.
“Gurgle gurgle…”
Xu Qi’an’s stomach was a bit hungry. He immediately came out of the coffin: “I’m going to find something to eat.”
Yang Qianhua asked, “Then how do you plan to explain your resurrection?”
Xu Qi’an suddenly froze. Yes, how would he explain his resurrection?
The big shots in the capital weren’t easy to fool, and he was no longer the small constable from Changle County of years ago. Oh, he was still a small constable this year.
He was that small constable from back then.
Xu Qi’an silently lay back in the coffin: “I won’t show my face for now. When we get to the capital, I’ll ask my father’s opinion. Senior Brother Yang, I’ll trouble you with the food.”
Yang Qianhua nodded, indicating no problem, then asked in surprise: “Weren’t you orphaned at a young age and raised by your Second Uncle?”
“Actually, I’m Wei Yuan’s illegitimate son.”
“What?!” Yang Qianhua was shocked.
Xu Qi’an was Wei Yuan’s illegitimate son, Wei Yuan actually had an illegitimate son?
…
Inner City, Xu Mansion.
The next morning, Nangong Qianrou, accompanied by two Bronze Gongs, knocked on the main gate of the Xu Mansion.
Actually, the side door was already open, but given his status as a Golden Gong, he naturally had to use the main entrance.
Old Zhang, the doorkeeper, opened the main gate. Seeing the three Night Watchmen, he immediately lowered his head and said, “Gentlemen, what brings you here?”
Because the eldest young master was a Night Watchman, he had some understanding of the ranks and uniforms of Night Watchmen.
This female Night Watchman had a golden gong embroidered on her chest, clearly indicating a higher status than the eldest young master.
At this time, the sky had just brightened. Nangong Qianrou glanced at Old Zhang, his gaze turning towards the mansion, and asked, “Is Imperial Blade Guard Centurion Xu Pingzhi in the mansion?”
He was here on his Foster Father’s orders to deliver Xu Qi’an’s bereavement money, three hundred taels of silver.
That was the value of a Bronze Gong’s life, rules were rules.
But Nangong Qianrou knew that the future benefits the Xu family would receive were immeasurable. For example, the official position of Imperial Blade Guard Centurion could be promoted further.
That student from Yunlu Academy who was about to take the spring imperial examination, his future official career wouldn’t be relegated to a remote county.
“He is, he is. The master and madam are currently having breakfast in the rear hall. Sir, please wait in the front hall. I’ll go call the master.”
Old Zhang respectfully led the three Night Watchmen into the front hall, ordering servants to bring hot tea.
The two Bronze Gongs politely expressed their thanks, their attitude very friendly.
Nangong Qianrou didn’t accept the tea, saying, “No need to waste time, lead this official over.”
(End of Volume One)