“Your statements are inconsistent. If she hasn’t had contact with the Su family for ten years, how did Censor Su learn of her father’s death in time?” Zhu Zhaowei said. “Thirteenth Brother, you’re very close to Censor Su and desperate to save him—this prince understands. But you can’t give false testimony just to save someone. Considering your injuries haven’t healed, this elder brother won’t hold it against you for now. But if you continue to make trouble unreasonably, don’t blame this elder brother for punishing you along with him.”
Zhu Nanxian said, “Imperial Brother believes this prince is giving false testimony because this case hasn’t yet been fully resolved. Though this prince is a military man, I know that to adjudicate a case and determine guilt requires both witnesses and physical evidence. Right now, Su Wan and Assistant Director Qiu of the Court of the Imperial Stud are still on their way to the capital. For Imperial Brother to severely punish a fourth-rank censor based solely on a few items presented by the Office of Transmission—I fear that doesn’t conform to reason.”
Having said this, he paused slightly, then suddenly clasped his hands and bowed to Zhu Zhaowei: “Why doesn’t Imperial Brother wait a few more days? Once Su Wan and Assistant Director Qiu arrive in the capital, if it’s still proven that Censor Su is guilty of instigation and indulgence, this younger brother is willing to accept punishment together with him.”
As dusk fell at the hour of Xu, the great hall was dim. Zhu Zhaowei looked at Zhu Nanxian through the murky lamplight and after a moment merely said, “Someone, light several more lamps for this prince.”
When scholars part for three days, they should look at each other with new eyes.
Zhu Zhaowei actually knew that this Thirteenth Brother of his was more perceptive and clear-minded than others, but he had been excessively spoiled since childhood. Though sincere and forthright, he was unwilling to directly face the darkness and shadows behind the brilliant imperial power.
They say the rigid break easily. Zhu Zhaowei had originally thought that after this great calamity, even if Zhu Nanxian didn’t collapse completely, it would take at least half a year to recover. He hadn’t expected that in just over a month, this Thirteenth Brother who had always been single-minded had not only developed such cunning schemes but could even forcibly suppress his hatred for him and become capable of bending and adapting.
Was it because of this Su Shiyu?
Zhu Zhaowei thought, if Thirteenth Brother were still the Thirteenth Brother of before, sparing his life for now would be harmless. But since he now calculated and schemed, he had become a formidable enemy, an opponent—someone who, for his own sake, absolutely had to be killed.
The cinnabar between his brows emitted a bloodthirsty gleam. Zhu Zhaowei’s expression turned stern: “Sophistry. This case has wide implications—the Minister of the Court of the Imperial Stud and officials from the Ministry of War can all testify. How can you say there are no witnesses? Do you know that the two Court of the Imperial Stud officials framed by Su Jin are to be exiled to Longxi tomorrow? You want this prince to wait—wait for what? Wait for Su Shiyu to frame those who should be framed, save those who should be saved, then fabricate evidence to come before this prince to prove his innocence?”
Having said this, Zhu Zhaowei no longer looked at Zhu Nanxian and ordered loudly, “Someone! Take Vice Censor-in-Chief Su Jin and the Thirteenth Prince Zhu Nanxian who covered up his crimes, both—”
Before he could finish speaking, the doors of Fengtian Hall were suddenly pushed open.
As the sun set in the west, Liu Chaoming stood in the last ray of twilight, his gaze sweeping through the hall as he said coolly, “This official heard that the Seventh Prince has taken one of my Imperial Censorate people. I came especially to ask Your Highness what crime this person has committed?”
Zhu Zhaowei’s expression grew increasingly gloomy: “When the Ministry of Justice arrested the person, Minister Liu was also present. Don’t you know that Su Jin used his official position for personal gain, framing two innocent officials from the Court of the Imperial Stud to exonerate his sister Su Wan’s savior?”
“If the Su Wan Your Highness speaks of is Su Wan from the Su family of Jizhou,” Liu Chaoming crossed the threshold and stepped into the hall, “this official can testify that Censor Su was unaware of his younger sister coming to the capital.”
As he spoke, he called out, “Yan Xiu.”
Shortly after, Yan Xiu came from outside Fengtian Hall bearing a tray. On the tray, besides several old letters, was also a written statement.
Liu Chaoming said, “The old master of the Su family in Jizhou was an old friend of Marquis Wenyuan. Over these years, he maintained correspondence with Marquis Wenyuan. If the Seventh Prince reads these letters, you’ll know that since Censor Su left home ten years ago, he truly hasn’t contacted anyone from the Su household. Even news of Censor Su’s recent circumstances reached Old Master Su through Marquis Wenyuan.
“Last autumn, Old Master Su’s final letter stated that his health was declining daily and his time of great departure was not far off. When Marquis Wenyuan received this letter, he entrusted this official to inquire, and only then learned that Old Master Su had passed away in early winter. Afterward, this official informed Censor Su of this matter, and only then did he write a letter home to express condolences. In ten years’ time, he doesn’t know how the Su household has changed, how many people have been added or lost—so based solely on one letter sent to the Su household, does the Seventh Prince wish to accuse my Imperial Censorate official of abusing authority for personal gain?”
“Exactly so.” Zhu Nanxian said. “After Censor Su gave me the letter, he also stated clearly that he didn’t know how many people currently resided in the Su household and asked that this prince’s personal guard help him inquire carefully. This prince conveyed these words exactly as they were to that personal guard. Since Imperial Brother obtained Censor Su’s letter, presumably this prince’s personal guard is also on his way back to the capital. Once Imperial Brother waits for his return and has him questioned, the truth will be known.”
Zhu Nanxian knew that since Zhu Zhaowei had obtained Su Jin’s letter, the personal guard who delivered it must have already met with misfortune. But precisely because of this, Zhu Zhaowei’s plot to frame Su Jin had a flaw.
Zhu Nanxian continued, “This prince has seen Censor Su’s letter—it only mentioned Old Master Su alone. As for this young lady of the Su family, since she received Censor Su’s letter and decided to come to the capital, she must have met this prince’s personal guard and inquired about Censor Su’s recent circumstances. Her testimony alone ultimately cannot be counted as evidence. Imperial Brother can wait until this prince’s personal guard returns to the capital, then have the two confront each other to see whether Censor Su truly instigated and indulged, or whether this whole matter is simply a misunderstanding—the young lady of the Su family mentioned Censor Su’s name in desperation and was taken advantage of by someone with ulterior motives.”
Liu Chaoming finally said, “If the Seventh Prince doesn’t trust this official and the Thirteenth Prince, that’s fine. There’s also written testimony here personally written by Marquis Wenyuan—surely the Seventh Prince shouldn’t distrust Marquis Wenyuan.”
Though Qi Boyuan had long since retired, he was the only one still living among the three advisors who had once been at Zhu Jingyuan’s side. His status was incomparable to ordinary people. No matter how much power Zhu Zhaowei wielded, he didn’t dare refuse to give Qi Boyuan this face.
Having reached this point, it seemed that today he could only let Su Jin go.
Zhu Zhaowei’s gaze swept through the hall, from Zhu Nanxian to Liu Chaoming and finally resting on Su Jin.
He absolutely didn’t believe Su Jin was merely a foster son of the Su family in Jizhou. He had long ago seen portraits of Old Master Su’s other two sons—they bore no resemblance to Su Jin whatsoever. Moreover, those two were not accomplished in letters and hadn’t even passed the provincial examinations—how could they possibly have such a brilliantly talented brother? If they did, why would the Su household have driven Su Jin away?
He had always felt Su Jin’s identity was suspicious but had never been able to investigate anything. However, after today’s case, his doubts had deepened.
Never mind Zhu Nanxian and Liu Chaoming—those two had looked after Su Jin since he entered officialdom.
But what kind of person was this Su Shiyu? To receive such attention simultaneously from Old Censor Meng and Marquis Wenyuan?
Zhu Zhaowei suddenly felt he had touched the edge of an enormous secret. He only needed to follow the trail, investigate deeply along Su Jin’s connections with Meng Liang and Qi Boyuan, and he could grasp a fatal weakness—one sufficient to take Su Jin’s life, take Zhu Nanxian’s life, and perhaps even severely damage Liu Chaoming.
Thinking of this, Zhu Zhaowei suddenly wasn’t angry at all. He smiled and said warmly, “Setting aside Marquis Wenyuan, with both Thirteenth Brother and Minister Liu vouching for Censor Su this time, how could this prince not trust him? It seems this prince was indeed too hasty in this case. Censor Su, you may rise.”
Su Jin had just had her fingers pressed in the torture device. Though there was some relief now, the piercing pain in her ten fingers hadn’t yet subsided.
Supporting herself with the heel of her palm against the floor, she slowly stood up, her forehead already drenched in sweat. But before she could catch her breath, she heard Zhu Zhaowei say again, “Your crime of abusing authority for personal gain is indeed a misunderstanding, so this prince won’t pursue it. However, the horses lost by the court are definitely connected to you. If this were an ordinary time, it would be one thing, but right now war is about to break out on the northern frontier, there are also disturbances in the northwest and Lingnan—it’s precisely a time when horses are needed.
“Censor Su has always been diligent. This prince doesn’t wish to punish you with a fine to compensate for the loss, and moreover, a fine won’t solve the urgent need caused by the lost horses. Censor Su is resourceful and clever—why don’t you think of a solution for this prince? What method could quickly replenish the horses lost by the Northern Encampment?”
In the hall, aside from Zhu Zhaowei’s faction, only three people stood: Su Jin, Zhu Nanxian, and Liu Chaoming.
Great Sui’s civilian and official horses were all recorded—they couldn’t be easily redistributed. And Zhu Zhaowei wouldn’t let Su Jin compensate for the mistake with her salary. Therefore, these words could only be directed at one person.
After a moment of silence, Zhu Nanxian said, “How many horses were lost?”
Zhu Zhaowei said, “The Ministry of War reported nineteen horses, but it’s unknown how many were injured. Thirteenth Brother, you’ve led troops—you know that for wartime use, horses with disabilities or ailments cannot be taken, otherwise delaying military operations wouldn’t that be counterproductive? Therefore, the hundred-plus military horses requisitioned from Guangxi this time probably cannot all be used.”
Zhu Nanxian said indifferently, “Then please ask Imperial Brother to state a specific number. The lost horses will all be compensated by my Nanchang Prefecture.”