Snow fell continuously like cotton fluff, with a low, ash-gray sky pressing down over the Imperial City. The golden birdcages and glazed tile eaves stood in stark contrast to the surrounding gloom.

“Third Master.”

A voice called from behind.

Chen Yan Yun turned around to see Lord Liang ascending the steps.

Lord Liang climbed the white marble stairs in a few steps and smiled, cupping his hands in greeting to Chen Yan Yun.

“The snow is falling harder and harder. I’m afraid we won’t be able to return home after court ends.”

“It always snows heavily this time of year.” Chen Yan Yun tightened the ties of his cape, slowed his pace to allow Lord Liang to catch up, and together they walked toward the side entrance of the Huangji Hall. Inside was a place to rest, with braziers and hot tea, providing officials a temporary respite.

Ye Xian saw Chen Yan Yun enter the side door from a distance. He looked up at the continuously falling snow. The carriage driver, wearing a felt hat, was using a small broom to sweep snow off the green-curtained carriage cover, and said to Ye Xian: “Young Master! The sky looks so heavy, I’m afraid it will continue snowing for several more hours…”

Ye Xian withdrew his gaze without responding. Who knows what he was thinking as he slowly walked toward the side entrance of Huangji Hall, holding a hand warmer.

Inside Huangji Hall were long tables, incense burners, and prayer mats. Beneath the gilded plaque, Grand Master chairs were arranged on both sides.

Zhang Ju Lian was also sitting on a Grand Master chair drinking tea. When he knew Chen Yan Yun had entered, he didn’t even raise his head.

Chen Yan Yun first bowed with cupped hands and addressed him as a Teacher. Lord Liang called him Grand Secretary.

Zhang Ju Lian merely smiled.

The two sat separately. Chen Yan Yun had nothing to say and quietly drank his tea.

Everyone inside the side entrance fell silent.

Everyone knew that for the past few months, the relationship between Lord Chen and Lord Zhang had grown tense, especially regarding Zhou Hu Sheng’s case. Rumors said that Zhang Ju Lian had hinted at Chen Yan Yun’s help, but he had smilingly declined. Zhang Ju Lian had barely spoken to Chen Yan Yun for the past few days, though Chen Yan Yun still greeted him as a Teacher every day, seemingly unchanged. Seeing their current estrangement, it was clear that the rumors were true.

Third Master Chen’s current position, though not officially Deputy Grand Secretary in the Grand Secretariat, carried equivalent real power. Zhang Ju Lian’s assistance had certainly played a role in this.

Would Third Master Chen now face neglect? Everyone secretly pondered this.

When it was time for the court to begin, Zhang Ju Lian stood up. Lord Liang reached out to assist him, but Zhang Ju Lian gently brushed his hand aside.

“Lord Liang need not stand on ceremony. I can still stand on my own.”

Liang Lin’s face reddened, wondering if Zhang Ju Lian was displeased with him accompanying Chen Yan Yun. Yet he had a good relationship with Chen Yan Yun; they often had tea and chatted together, with no taboos between them… He glanced at Chen Yan Yun with some concern.

Chen Yan Yun’s hair was neatly combed, and he wore a six-ridge official hat and his customary crimson court robes, appearing tall, orderly, and scholarly in demeanor.

He remained unperturbed by favor or disgrace.

Those from Zhang Ju Lian’s faction, seeing how Zhang Ju Lian treated Liang Lin, dared not speak to Chen Yan Yun. They walked ahead of him in twos and threes. Those friendly with Third Master Chen, or who had been his subordinates, bowed and smiled at him. Li Ying, Vice Minister of Revenue, slowly stopped beside him. This Li Ying had been personally promoted by Third Master Chen, formerly serving as Magistrate of Changde in Hunan. He said softly: “What this official has to say may be superfluous, but I wish to say it nonetheless… You need not mind Lord Zhang. This official is willing to serve you with utmost loyalty no matter what. We all know your worth.”

Chen Yan Yun looked at him after hearing this.

Chen Yan Yun clearly understood that his strained relationship with Zhang Ju Lian would certainly affect his position within Zhang Ju Lian’s faction, so he didn’t mind these things. What surprised him was that there were still people who sided with him. Besides his own merits, there must also be reasons related to Zhang Ju Lian. Probably many people disapproved of Zhang Ju Lian’s current style of conducting affairs.

He said quietly, “This is not the time to talk… Lord Li, please walk ahead.”

Li Ying responded affirmatively and walked forward.

Third Master Chen fell to the very back. He walked slowly, but with no one beside him, his silhouette appeared somewhat lonely.

Ye Xian, seeing Chen Yan Yun falling behind, slowly caught up to him. “Lord Chen seems to have lost weight. Haven’t you been eating well?”

Chen Yan Yun turned to look at Ye Xian and smiled: “I think the Young Master seems to have gained some weight.”

Ye Xian said: “I eat well and sleep soundly, with no worries… But Lord Chen must be somewhat troubled now! Just days ago, he was affectionate with you, attending your son’s third-day celebration. Now he’s cold and stern. Others follow suit, treating you, Third Master Chen, like a dangerous beast. If your former glory fades, what will you, Third Master Chen, do?”

“The Young Master is concerned. I have endured more difficult times; the loss of glory means little.” Chen Yan Yun smiled faintly, looking ahead.

“Has the Young Master visited Zhou Hu Sheng?” Ye Xian suddenly asked.

He didn’t expect Chen Yan Yun to answer and continued with a slight smile: “Fortunately, he has an uncle like Lord Zhang; otherwise, coming out of the Court of Judicature, Zhou Hu Sheng would certainly have been severely punished. How could he be as he is now? It’s a pity about Liu Xin Yun, a rare honest official…”

“What does the Young Master wish to say?” Chen Yan Yun asked softly.

“Just making idle chat with Lord Chen,” Ye Xian replied.

Chen Yan Yun merely smiled: “This Chen’s power and status need not concern the Young Master. Thank you for your kind intentions.”

He bowed with cupped hands, walked ahead one step, and moved forward.

Ye Xian frowned. Third Master Chen seemed truly unconcerned about Zhang Ju Lian. Had he guessed wrong? Was this part of Third Master’s strategy? If so, what exactly was he planning?

The court session proceeded without major events as usual.

Third Master Chen stood in the second row of civil officials. Lord Zhang was discussing military farming in the Hexi Corridor: “…A few years ago, this humble official implemented the development of wasteland to solve the problem of insufficient military provisions in Hexi. Now after land surveys, Hexi military farms exceed expectations by over ten thousand qing, with tax collection yielding an additional hundred thousand shi of grain, sufficient for the garrison troops in Gansu. The Mongolian tribes in the north and Tibetans in the west are currently at war with each other, not disturbing our borders. The nation is peaceful and the people content.”

Zhu Jun An, seated on the dragon throne, showed a hint of a smile on his handsome face: “That is still due to Lord Zhang’s merit. As such, the Works Ministry and Revenue Ministry officials who oversaw the development shall each be promoted one rank and rewarded with five hundred taels of gold.”

Yao Ping, Grand Secretary of Wenhua Hall and concurrent Vice Minister of Rites stepped forward and said: “This humble official has a memorial.”

Zhu Jun An glanced at the chief usher, who called out loudly: “Present the memorial.” The memorial official then accepted the document and first presented it to Zhu Jun An for review.

Yao Ping continued: “This humble official requests that Lord Zhang be granted the honorary title of Grand Preceptor. Lord Zhang has labored diligently with great merit, devoting himself wholeheartedly for many years to assisting Your Majesty, governing the nation, and implementing beneficial policies for the people. Now the realm is peaceful and the people prosperous; Lord Zhang’s diligent efforts have borne fruit. Moreover, Lord Zhang was once the Imperial Tutor, possessing the virtue of a Grand Chancellor. The title of Grand Preceptor would be well-deserved. Therefore, this humble official requests this honorary title for Lord Zhang.”

Chen Yan Yun looked up, only able to see the crane pattern on Zhang Ju Lian’s official robe, not knowing his expression.

Several more officials stepped forward to support Yao Ping’s proposal.

Zhu Jun An also looked up at his assembled officials. Zhang Ju Lian had previously been granted the honorary title of Grand Preceptor to the Crown Prince, a junior first-rank position, conferred by the late emperor. Now, with his great achievements and virtue, he was being recommended for the Grand Preceptor title. Although only an honorary title, its status was exceptionally prestigious…

As Zhu Jun An was about to speak to Zhang Ju Lian, Zhang Ju Lian knelt and said: “This official has a differing view. For this official to be concerned for Your Majesty is simply a subject’s duty, truly not requiring such empty titles. I beseech Your Majesty to reconsider.”

Zhu Jun An felt the memorial in his hand grows hot.

“My lord, please rise. Lord Yao speaks reason; I should reward Lord Zhang.” Zhu Jun An said, “Summon Feng Cheng Shan from the Imperial Ceremonial Court to draft an edict conferring upon Lord Zhang the honorary title of Grand Preceptor, with a reward of three thousand taels of gold and increased salary.”

His young yet dignified voice echoed through the hall, resonating firmly.

…After the court session ended, the Emperor departed, and the officials withdrew.

Everyone congratulated Zhang Ju Lian, who smiled and returned their bows.

Chen Yan Yun was accompanied by the Director of the Palace Domestic Service, smiling as he crossed the threshold, whispering with him, falling far behind the others.

Zhang Ju Lian, however, stopped to wait for Chen Yan Yun and smiled slightly: “Jiu Heng, aren’t you going to congratulate your teacher?”

Chen Yan Yun said: “Of course, I should, but I was waiting until the Teacher had some free time.”

Zhang Ju Lian smiled: “No need to wait. You understand that without your teacher, you wouldn’t be where you are today. Your teacher can make you rise or fall.” He said these words very slowly; even the Director walking far behind Chen Yan Yun heard them and his expression changed slightly.

“Student understands,” Chen Yan Yun replied calmly.

“Let’s forget about Hu Sheng’s matter. In the future, it would be better for you to heed your teacher’s words,” Zhang Ju Lian said, hands behind his back. “You’re not old enough yet; you should learn to be obedient and humble. Many wish to be compliant.”

Chen Yan Yun smiled: “The teacher’s instruction is correct.”

Zhang Ju Lian gestured with his hand: “Let’s go. There’s a gathering at Songpeng. You can toast me a few cups of wine.”

The crowd again surrounded Zhang Ju Lian, heading toward Wenyuan Pavilion.

Someone was ascending the steps. The sharp-eyed Director was the first to notice: “Isn’t… isn’t that Lord Liu?”

They saw a figure in a blue round-collared official robe with right-side fastening, wearing a two-ridge hat, thin and weak.

He walked slowly but steadily, climbing the white marble steps one by one. Just over fifty, only a year older than Zhang Ju Lian, he now had a head full of gray hair and appeared much older. Heavy snow fell continuously on him as if weighing him down.

Someone whispered: “Isn’t he being investigated for embezzlement? Why has he come to court…”

A guard at the entrance of Huangji Hall stepped forward: “The court session has ended. Please return, my lord!”

Liu Xin Yun, with trembling lips, said: “Someone stopped me at the Meridian Gate… otherwise I would have been on time. I must see the Emperor. Please relay a message…”

The guard had recognized him already and his tone was no longer polite: “Lord Liu, the Emperor has returned to Qianqing Palace. You are currently under investigation, you should go back and wait! Besides, the court session is over; you cannot see the Emperor now.”

“Someone obstructed me—” Liu Xin Yun said softly. “Would you… would you help me convey a message…”

Before he could finish, the guard laughed: “Lord Liu, are you too old and weak to understand? The court is over. Please leave!”

“My daughter is dying, and I fear I will be imprisoned in two days. Can’t you let me see the Emperor?”

The guard grew impatient and pushed him: “I don’t understand what you’re saying. Don’t talk to me!”

Liu Xin Yun lost his balance and fell to the ground.

The guard hadn’t expected him to be so frail and was momentarily stunned.

Liu Xin Yun bent both knees and knelt, slowly removing his two-ridge hat, and began kowtowing toward the main doors of Huangji Hall.

“Your Majesty—” Fearing the Emperor had gone too far to hear, he called loudly, “Your Majesty, this humble official has been wronged! This humble official has been wronged!”

His voice trembled as he cried out. In the next moment, he could no longer hold back his tears.

“Zhang Ju Lian is a dog! He shields his nephew’s crimes and has harmed my daughter—”

“Treacherous officials hold sway—Your Majesty—”

Liu Xin Yun’s forehead quickly became red and swollen. As if wanting to vent something, he kowtowed heavily, immediately causing his forehead to bleed.

Outside Huangji Hall, it was too quiet; the hoarse cries echoed hollowly.

Heavy snow continued to fall from the sky.

Zhang Ju Lian sighed softly: “I see Lord Liu has lost his mind from the grief of losing his daughter.” Someone was about to pull Liu Xin Yun away, but Zhang Ju Lian signaled him not to approach. “Let him shout. When he’s tired, he’ll leave on his own.”

He paid no further attention to Liu Xin Yun and walked toward Wenyuan Pavilion.

Chen Yan Yun looked at the glaring blood-red scene and closed his eyes briefly.

He thought of many things but ultimately said nothing and did nothing. With his hands inside his sleeves, he continued walking forward.

Everyone left those desperate cries behind them.

…

Zhu Jun An ordered the palace servants carrying his sedan chair to stop. “I seem to have heard something.”

Feng Cheng Shan approached with a smile: “Your Majesty, you still need to pay respects to the Empress Dowager! Why doesn’t this old servant send someone to check?”

Zhu Jun An shook his head: “It sounded like someone crying out against injustice—let’s go back and see!”

Feng Cheng Shan had no choice but to order the servants to turn around.

When they reached Huangji Hall, Zhu Jun An alighted from his sedan chair. He saw only a pool of blood on the ground. When he questioned the guards at the gate, they said someone had been causing trouble and had been dragged away. Zhu Jun An pressed his lips tightly together, saying nothing.

The young Emperor stood motionless, the cold wind filling his sleeves, for a long, long time.