Liu Chaoming’s words were ambiguous in meaning, causing both senior and junior censors to kneel in unison.

He glanced at Feng Mengping and asked, “Who arrested this person?”

Zhou Ping bowed his head and said, “Reporting to Lord Liu, this person was arrested by this official…”

“My lord!” Before he could finish, Su Jin interrupted, “It was this official who went to the Feng residence to investigate the case. I inadvertently alerted them, and had no choice but to request the help of bailiffs from the Capital Magistrate’s office to arrest the person. This has nothing to do with Assistant Magistrate Zhou. I implore you to allow him to return to his office first.”

Liu Chaoming glanced at the two junior clerks behind him. Understanding his meaning, they escorted Feng Mengping to the interrogation room.

Then he said expressionlessly to Zhou Ping, “You are not one of our Censorate’s people. In the future, do not come knocking unless there is important business.”

Zhou Ping acknowledged this and straightened up, wanting to speak a few words in Su Jin’s defense. However, fearing that saying too much would anger the Left Censor-in-Chief, he could only leave.

Only then did Liu Chaoming glance at Su Jin and say coolly, “Come here.” Upon reaching the courtroom entrance, he paused again and said, “Yan Xiu, you few should come as well.”

Liu Chaoming sat at his desk and asked coldly, “Why did you arrest this person?”

Su Jin explained the ins and outs of the matter, then added, “Originally I only wanted to inquire about the truth, but unexpectedly this official’s words didn’t connect properly with Lord Shen’s. Fearing the person would flee, I had no choice but to bind him and bring him back for interrogation first.”

Zhao Yan advised, “In that case, this was mending the fold after the sheep were lost. This matter shouldn’t be blamed on Censor Su.”

Liu Chaoming said coldly, “Mending the fold after the sheep are lost still means losing the sheep first and mending the fold second.” He looked at Su Jin again. “You just arrived in the capital and haven’t even reviewed the case files. Based solely on hearsay, you volunteered to investigate the case. Isn’t this the root cause of your losing the sheep?”

Su Jin lowered her eyes and said, “My lord’s reprimand is correct. This official was indeed reckless.”

Only then did Liu Chaoming soften his tone somewhat and say, “According to what you said, Shen Qingyue is also investigating this case?”

Su Jin replied, “Yes, it seems that this year’s tax grain from the Ministry of Finance had some discrepancies, and the investigation led to Feng Mengping. This official originally intended to seek out Lord Shen today to ask about it, but haven’t had the chance yet.”

Liu Chaoming thought for a moment and said, “No need.” Then he added, “If even Shen Qingyue must personally investigate this case, the waters within must run deep. You are newly appointed as Vice Censor-in-Chief and it would be inappropriate for you to wade into this.” Then he instructed, “Qian San’er, the case of Magistrate Qu of Luhe County in Shaanxi shall be entirely entrusted to you to investigate. Feng Mengping shall also be interrogated by you.”

Qian San’er acknowledged the order.

Liu Chaoming added one more line, “Take him to the dark chamber for interrogation.”

Qian San’er paused, then bowed solemnly again, “This official understands.”

Liu Chaoming said, “Yan Xiu, you few shall henceforth follow Su Jin and first investigate the scholar and woman who died after beating the Petition Drum. If you obtain any leads, Qian San’er and Su Jin, you two must immediately report to Lord Zhao.”

Everyone acknowledged in unison.

Liu Chaoming said, “Alright, everyone is dismissed.” As the group was leaving the courtroom, Liu Chaoming remained silent for a moment, then called out, “Su Shiyu.”

The others, seeing that Liu Chaoming seemed to have something to say privately to Su Jin, all dispersed far away.

Su Jin stood at the entrance and bowed, “Does my lord have any other instructions?”

Liu Chaoming was silent for a moment, then after a while said, “Although you disguise yourself as a man, you are ultimately not a man. In your conduct and dealings with the world, you should pay attention to propriety.”

Su Jin thought carefully, then bowed to him again, “This official will remember.”

When Su Jin returned to her own courtroom, Yan Xiu had already brought several people to wait for her at the hall entrance. After the group paid their respects to Su Jin, Yan Xiu said, “Lord Su, this official has brought you the case files on that scholar and woman.”

Su Jin nodded slightly. Scanning the rank insignias on these people’s official robes, aside from Yan Xiu, there was also a seventh-rank Supervising Censor. She said, “You two come in with me. The rest may disperse.”

The other Supervising Censor was surnamed Song and named Jue. He appeared older than Yan Xiu in age, with two long mustaches above his lips, though his appearance seemed rather frivolous.

Su Jin flipped through the case files on her desk and said, “Reading through these case files will probably take me an entire day. You two should first investigate according to the leads you have. If there’s anything urgent, come back and report to me at any time.”

Yan Xiu acknowledged this. Song Jue rolled his eyes, but asked, “Lord Su, are we truly not touching that Magistrate Qu case? But why did Lord Liu assign this case to Lord Qian?”

Su Jin looked up from the case files, “Is there something wrong with that?”

Song Jue was momentarily stunned, then said “Ah” and continued, “Doesn’t Lord Su know? The Minister of Finance, Lord Qian Zhihuan, is precisely the father of our Censorate’s Lord Qian Yueqian. Logically speaking, since this case is connected to the Ministry of Finance, Lord Qian should avoid suspicion. What do you think, Lord Su? Why did Lord Liu assign him to investigate?”

Before Su Jin could speak, Yan Xiu blocked him and said, “Lord Liu naturally has Lord Liu’s reasoning.” Then he reported to Su Jin, “Lord Su, Censor Song is just like this—fond of gossip. In his spare time he’s always inquiring about the idle affairs of various ministries and offices, never serious about anything.”

Su Jin shook her head and said, “No harm.” Then she looked at Song Jue and asked, “According to what you say, Lord Qian’s background is actually somewhat similar to Lord Shen of the Ministry of Finance?”

Yet though both were sons of ministers and both held high positions, Shen Qingyue was carefree and unrestrained, with every gesture and movement utterly casual and natural. But though Qian Yueqian was also gentle and approachable, compared to Shen Qingyue, he lacked much of that noble bearing born of superior birth.

Song Jue said, “Lord Su doesn’t know—Lord Qian and Lord Shen’s backgrounds only appear similar, but in fact are vastly different. Lord Shen is the legitimate eldest son of the Shen family. Above him are only three elder sisters, and apart from the eldest who passed away years ago, the second sister is the Crown Princess and the third sister is the Fourth Prince’s consort. Lord Shen grew up frequently in the palace alongside several princes and the sons of high officials—he is an incomparably noble personage.”

He then continued, “But Minister Qian’s household has eight concubines and more than ten sons, and our Lord Qian’s birth mother is said to not even have been a concubine—probably just a maid. After giving birth to Lord Qian, before she could even be elevated in status, she passed away. Just look at Lord Qian’s name—it’s said that the year he was born, the capital was full of catkin fluff, which made Minister Qian sneeze constantly and feel very irritated. Having yet another son felt as bothersome as the catkin fluff, which is why he was named ‘Xu’ [catkin]. It’s also said that back then, people in the household were too lazy to even call him by name. Since he was third in birth order, they just called him Qian San’er.”

Su Jin, hearing these words, lowered her eyes and said, “For him to have walked step by step to where he is today is truly not easy.”

Song Jue said, “Oh, there’s also…” but was interrupted by Yan Xiu, “Enough!” He bowed to Su Jin, “Lord Su, then we two shall take our leave first. If you have any instructions, please give them to this official to carry out.”

Su Jin replied with a soft “Mm,” “You may go.”

By late afternoon, Su Jin still hadn’t finished reading even half the case files. She had various matters to attend to today and couldn’t stay longer. After putting away her writing materials, she glanced through the window and saw Liu Chaoming exchange a few words with Qian San’er, then leave the office compound.

Su Jin first went to the money house to exchange three hundred taels for a banknote, then went to the Reception Bureau. She showed her official seal to the bureau official for verification, saying she hadn’t yet found a suitable residence and needed to lodge there for several days.

When that bureau official saw that the visitor was actually a fourth-rank Vice Censor-in-Chief, he was immediately frightened and bowed to her. The crowd of officials who had come to the capital to report on their duties heard it was a Vice Censor-in-Chief and all knelt in respect.

Su Jin had never before received such treatment. She was momentarily stunned before saying, “Everyone please rise, no need for such courtesy.”

The bureau official led Su Jin to a superior guest room and had someone prepare an evening meal. After Su Jin ate, washed up, and then lay down fully clothed.

Her mind couldn’t let go of that day when she had left through Zhengyang Gate—those princely guards whose movements seemed suspicious. Even with her eyes closed, she didn’t know when she fell asleep or how long she slept before suddenly hearing a knock at the door. Su Jin immediately awakened.

The visitor was Tan Zhaolin. Though his mind was simple, he had one good quality—he never spoke unnecessary words. Thus upon seeing Su Jin he anxiously said, “My lord, I followed those guards to a teahouse. Just in the time it takes to doze off and drink a cup of tea, they suddenly vanished. Later when I looked more carefully, these bastards had actually disguised themselves as teahouse servants and tea customers. What do you think they’re trying to do?”

Su Jin’s brows knitted together. She returned to her room, grabbed her cloak with one hand while hurrying outside, “Did you see any of the princes on the road when you followed them?”

Tan Zhaolin said, “This is even more worrisome. Yesterday morning right after you left, I saw the Tenth Prince enter the city. The Tenth Prince even saw those guards leaving the city but pretended not to recognize them, as if he couldn’t see them at all.”

Su Jin’s gaze swept around and spotted the bureau official who had been kneeling to her earlier. She called out, “Prepare a horse!”

With that she walked out of the Reception Bureau, grabbed Tan Zhaolin’s horse with one hand, mounted it, and said, “I’m going to Zhengyang Gate. Follow immediately.”

Tan Zhaolin stood beside the horse and asked, “My lord, are these bastards going after the Thirteenth Prince?”

Su Jin didn’t answer this question. From atop the horse she fastened her cloak and rode off with a crack of her whip.

Currently, only the Sixth Prince and Thirteenth Prince had yet to enter the capital.

The Sixth Prince had married ten years ago and secluded himself in his domain, rarely returning to Yingtian. If these people weren’t targeting Zhu Nanxian, who else could they be targeting?

Su Jin knew that even if she rode out of the city like this, it would probably be futile. She only hoped that the patrol censor whom she had ordered that day to investigate the travel schedules of the various princes would still be guarding Zhengyang Gate.

Fortunately, heaven helps those who help themselves. Upon reaching Zhengyang Gate, that patrol censor came forward to pay his respects, “Lord Su.”

Su Jin was somewhat surprised and reined in her horse, “Don’t you rotate shifts?”

The patrol censor replied, “We do rotate, but this official thought that in these few days Lord Su might have matters to instruct, and fearing my lord would have trouble finding this official for a time, I switched my night watch days with a colleague.” He paused, then added, “Reporting to my lord, this official’s subordinates have already located the Sixth Prince based on his travel schedule, but we have not yet seen any trace of the Thirteenth Prince.”

Su Jin’s expression grew somber, “Where has he traveled to?”

The patrol censor said, “Using eight-hundred-li express horses, we’ve covered both official roads outside the south gate, going back and forth four hundred li.”

At this moment, Tan Zhaolin also rode up on horseback. Su Jin jerked her chin at him, giving terse instructions, “You go have them open the city gate. I need to leave the city.”

Tan Zhaolin was momentarily stunned and asked, “Why?” But knowing Su Jin’s resolute temperament, he could only go and have someone open the city gate.

It was already nearly the fourth watch. The patrol censor beside her said, “My lord has just been promoted to Vice Censor-in-Chief and should attend morning court today. Whatever the matter is, why not entrust it to this official to handle? This official will certainly do his utmost.”

Su Jin looked back at the palace towers and said resolutely, “I can’t worry about all that now.” Then she asked, “Which direction?”

The patrol censor immediately mounted his horse, “This official will lead the way for you.”

The three rode side by side. Upon reaching the post station crossroads, the patrol censor said again, “Though this official doesn’t know which official road the Thirteenth Prince will take back to the capital, the prince only departed seven days late after receiving the decree. It would be more than sufficient to reach the capital before the twelfth month, so he would likely choose the left road which is somewhat easier to travel.”

The teahouse Tan Zhaolin mentioned was also in this direction.

Su Jin cracked her whip and urged the horse forward. But after the horse had run only a few steps, she suddenly sensed something wasn’t quite right. She immediately pulled on the reins. The horse’s hooves rose high as it paced in place for a few steps. Su Jin turned her head and asked the patrol censor, “Only seven days late in departing?”

The censor replied, “Yes. Though only seven days late, the prince still feared delaying his return to the capital, so he only brought four men, saying they would travel day and night. The remaining troops would follow later.”

Su Jin asked again, “How do you know all this?”

When Su Jin questioned him, that censor seemed to also realize something. After a moment of stunned silence he said, “Reporting to my lord, this official heard it from the Military Commissioner’s office.”

So the most crucial question had been overlooked by her all along—Zhu Nanxian’s return to the capital was only delayed by seven days of departure, yet why did everyone know about it?

Unless he deliberately released this information for interested parties to hear.

Su Jin suddenly turned her horse around and walked to the front of Zhengyang Gate. She said to a gate guard, “The other day it was you who told this official that the Thirteenth Prince would return to the capital a few days late. How did you know?”

This guard was precisely the one who had taken Su Jin up to the gate tower that day.

He immediately knelt and said, “Reporting to my lord, last month when the Left General of the Golden Guard left the city, he mentioned it to us subordinates and instructed us to be more alert when the time came.”

Zuo Qian?

Why would Zuo Qian, a dignified third-rank Commander, make idle conversation with gate guards?

Moreover, when the princes returned to the capital, the guards would only man the city gates. What extraordinary vigilance could they possibly demonstrate?

It seemed this was truly done with deliberate intent.

Thinking of this, Su Jin suddenly remembered that on her journey to Guangxi, when she passed through Jiangxi, she heard the local supervising censor mention that over the past year, the Thirteenth Prince had been assassinated two or three times. However, there were always close calls without real danger, and the news was never transmitted to the palace—it was all suppressed.

This matter sounded strange, but stepping outside the box to think about it—who else under heaven would dare to harm the Thirteenth Prince or want to harm him?

Every prince in the palace was exceedingly calculating. Back when the Seventh Prince set his trap, it was layer upon layer. To do something as foolish as attempting assassination in someone else’s domain—probably only Zhu Shisi would be capable of that.

Su Jin slowly set her mind at ease and asked the guard again, “Do you still have the court gazettes from the past two months here?”

There were still a few copies remaining, but most had been burned as firewood on cold nights.

Seeing the guard hesitate without speaking, the patrol censor beside her said, “Lord Su, this official has read through all those court gazettes. Though this official has limited talent, I possess some ability for photographic memory. Whatever my lord wishes to know, you may freely ask this official.”

Su Jin nodded slightly and said, “Court gazettes usually also record military movements. The Thirteenth Prince departed seven days late with his troops following later—did the court gazette mention these troops that followed later?”

The patrol censor replied, “It did not.”

Su Jin raised her eyebrows, “Are you certain?”

The censor said, “Certain. When this official was reviewing the court gazettes, I also found this suspicious and searched back and forth twice.”

So it seemed that even the troops following later was false.

Perhaps on the very day Zhu Nanxian received the decree to return to the capital, he had already dispatched his household troops, and his men and forces should have long since been near the capital.

Su Jin lowered her eyes. In that fleeting moment, a faint smile actually appeared at the corners of her lips.

She smiled extremely rarely. Unfortunately, this smile was too faint and immersed in the deep night, making it impossible to see clearly.

She rode back into the city as the patrol censor behind her bowed respectfully in farewell.

Su Jin thought for a moment, reined her horse around, and let her gaze fall upon this censor.

He appeared very young, with regular features, except for a small indentation above his right eyebrow.

Su Jin said slowly, “This official remembers your surname is Zhai. What is your given name?”

That censor bowed even more deeply, “Reporting to Lord Su, this official is called Zhai Di.”

“Do you have a courtesy name?”

“My courtesy name is Qiguang.”

Su Jin nodded slightly, “You are excellent. This official will remember you.” With that, she spurred her horse toward the palace.

Zhai Di looked up in astonishment. In the deep night he couldn’t even make out Su Jin’s departing figure, yet he still stood properly at his post and bowed solemnly, “This official thanks Lord Su.”

At morning court that day, aside from the assembled officials, all the imperial princes were also present. Besides discussing the case of the Petition Drum, Emperor Jingyuan also inquired about the year-end tax grain records from the Ministry of Finance, ordered the Ministry of Rites to expedite preparations for New Year affairs, and finally returned to the topic of the Petition Drum case. Just as he was about to order officials of fourth rank and above from the Three Judicial Offices to remain for continued discussion, a eunuch suddenly ran in from outside the hall and joyfully announced, “Your Majesty, the Thirteenth Prince has returned—”

On Emperor Jingyuan’s face, which never showed emotion, a trace of rare pleasure actually appeared, “Truly?”

The eunuch kowtowed and said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, he has already reached the outside of Chengtian Gate.”

Emperor Jingyuan nodded slightly and said to the group of princes on his left, “He toiled hard for over a year yet achieved meritorious results. This character of doing whatever he says he will do—you should all learn from him well.” Having spoken, he rose and with a grand wave of his hand said, “Zhen’s thirteenth son has returned. All beloved ministers should accompany Zhen to welcome him.”

In the early spring of the twenty-third year of Jingyuan, amid fine drizzling rain, the day Zhu Nanxian returned to the palace from the Northwest, he entered Chengtian Gate alone accompanied only by Zheng Yunjin, with only Zhu Minda and Shen Jing and Shen Xi coming to welcome him.

Until the early winter of the twenty-fourth year of Jingyuan, when the old emperor finally showed some fatherly sentiment and specially permitted him to bring his own household guards, entering through Fengtian Gate on horseback.

On this day the weather was clear, the firmament so clean there wasn’t even a trace of cloud.

Fengtian Gate suddenly opened. The Tiger Guard troops lined on both sides all bowed in unison. Zhu Nanxian sat tall upon his horse, slowly entering. He wore moon-white python robes covered by a dark-colored cloak. His star-studded eyes were bright as ever, the slightly upturned corners of his mouth carried some unrestrained air, and sunlight rested upon his brow.

Su Jin raised her eyes to look and suddenly felt as if the firmament seemed to have sunlight lavishly cascading down like an overturning mountain or pouring sea, forcing her to look away. Yet from that dark place she was silently startled—

**Author’s Note:**

A note about the volume titles:

The first volume’s title comes from the online original song “Moon Flower Sinks into Dreams.” The original lyrics are “My heart is like the moon, brushing past the long night without sound.”

The second volume’s title comes from “Burning Snow” (from Different World Ballad). The volume title is the original lyrics.

I have something going on tonight, so I adjusted the timing and updated a bit earlier today. Tomorrow’s update will probably still be in the evening.

Little angels who only come to check for updates at a certain time in the evening, don’t forget to read yesterday’s chapter.