The Ministry of Justice conducted a routine investigation into Luo Xiu’s death.

Given the Wei Dynasty’s overall stance, and since the Wuman King had kept this person as a hostage, coupled with his unclear ties to the Southern Barbarians—with whom Wei maintained no friendly relations—the Ministry of Justice initially planned only a cursory investigation before providing an explanation to Wuman and closing the case.

However, once Yan Shang became involved, the Ministry could no longer conduct a superficial investigation.

Though Yan Shang was a Ministry of Revenue official, the department currently ignored him, leaving him with nothing to do. Somehow, he had obtained an imperial decree signed by the Secretariat, stating that Luo Xiu was involved in far-reaching matters and the case couldn’t be closed hastily.

Armed with the Secretariat’s decree requesting to investigate Luo Xiu’s death alongside Ministry of Justice officials, and since the decree involved state secrets that couldn’t be disclosed casually, the Ministry officials had no choice but to cooperate with Yan Shang.

The Ministry of Revenue, seeing Yan Shang collaborate with the Justice Ministry, was relieved to be rid of this formidable presence.

In Yan Shang’s view, Luo Xiu likely had connections to a high court official involved in treason. While in Chang’an, that official would certainly try to contact Luo Xiu. Therefore, Luo Xiu’s death was possibly orchestrated by that official. Following this logic, Yan Shang accompanied Justice Ministry officials to Minister Zhao’s private residence in Fan Valley to inquire about how Luo Xiu’s body was discovered.

Upon examining Luo Xiu’s water-bloated corpse, Yan Shang joined the Justice officials in checking for injuries, discovering traces of blood from a club strike at the crown of his head.

With this evidence, Yan Shang directly approached Lord Zhao’s mansion.

In his first collaboration with the now-influential Chief Eunuch Liu Wenqi, how could Lord Zhao have anticipated that his gesture of goodwill would encounter someone as persistent as Yan Shang?

While Justice Ministry officials might have shown leniency, Yan Shang’s tenacious pursuit left Minister Zhao in a difficult position. Privately, Minister Zhao secretly sent gifts to Yan Shang and hesitantly attempted to leverage the relationship between his daughter, Imperial Consort Zhao Ling, and Yan Shang, hoping he would drop the case.

However, this backfired.

Perhaps Yan Shang hadn’t initially suspected Lord Zhao’s deep involvement, but now he was determined to investigate Lord Zhao’s motives.

On the day of Luo Xiu’s death, Lord Zhao was at his private residence in Fan Valley, while eunuchs were hunting on South Mountain—Lord Zhao’s private residence sat at its foot. Grass residue was found in Luo Xiu’s boots, and as the General of the Right Guard, he likely participated in the hunt on South Mountain that day.

Thus, the matter involved the rivalry between the Northern and Southern Courts.

When Prince Qin’s Ministry of Justice cooperated with Yan Shang, the Prince merely took notice; when Yan Shang began questioning military personnel, Prince Qin specifically met with him to inquire about his investigation.

Subsequently, Yan Shang began investigating the eunuchs’ involvement.

In the palace, when Yan Shang obtained the list of eunuchs who participated in the hunt and began having the Ministry question them, Liu Wenqi received word.

The junior eunuch who had been sent to kill Luo Xiu knelt trembling before Liu Wenqi, ashen-faced: “Your Grace, that Second Young Master Yan is truly detestable, refusing to let this matter rest. If he continues investigating, he might trace it back to us. This servant’s death matters little, but if it affects Your Grace, it would be unforgivable.”

Liu Wenqi’s expression darkened as he drummed his fingers on the desk, feeling both troubled and hesitant.

Why did it have to be Yan Shang…?

The junior eunuch leaned close to his ear, suggesting maliciously, “Your Grace, since we’ve come this far, why not simply kill him!”

Liu Wenqi remained silent, still hesitant.

With anyone else, Liu Wenqi might have simply silenced them through murder. Only Yan Shang made him hesitate, made him reluctant to act.

Yet Liu Wenqi knew well that while he harbored softness for Yan Shang, should Yan Shang discover his involvement, Yan would show no such mercy. Though Second Young Master Yan appeared good-natured, wearing his heart on his sleeve for friends, that was only until his principles were challenged. And those principles…

Liu Wenqi muttered, “Why is he investigating Luo Xiu’s death? Could he know about the leaked intelligence?”

Liu Wenqi grew alarmed!

If this matter were exposed, it would be treason. He absolutely couldn’t let Yan Shang discover he was behind it!

But Liu Wenqi didn’t want to kill Yan Shang.

Liu Wenqi instructed quietly, “Recently, Second Young Master Yan has become entangled in the Yizhou disaster case, with people from both the Ministry of Revenue and the Crown Prince’s faction targeting him. Find time for me to meet with Lord Zhao—he’s served in court many years and should know quite a few officials in the Censorate. Have the Censorate’s people start impeaching Young Master Yan as well… We must ensure he’s too overwhelmed to continue his investigation.”

The eunuch’s eyes brightened, and he immediately complied.

Court matters ultimately return to politics, and this was the smartest political move—

In the Ministry of Revenue, Mu Wanyao had been deliberately suppressing the memorials impeaching Yan Shang.

Having made an agreement with Yan Shang, and knowing she was in the wrong for not letting him continue his investigation, she naturally couldn’t let Ministry officials destroy him, beyond providing compensation.

But suddenly, the Censorate began impeaching Yan Shang. Unable to find fault with his official conduct, they began digging into his morality. Finding nothing there, they started accusing him of seeking fame and questioned his unauthorized day-long departure from the capital… Memorials flew toward the Secretariat like scattered papers, and Yan Shang became everyone’s target.

Mu Wanyao immediately questioned the Censorate and managed to suppress their memorials. But from the Crown Prince’s side, the Vice Minister of Revenue came to ask Mu Wanyao: “If Second Young Master Yan becomes overwhelmed and lacks the energy to contend with us, this Yizhou matter will remain in our control. Why stop the Censorate?”

Mu Wanyao’s expression turned ugly, and after a long moment she forced out: “Because the Censorate impeached him for leaving the capital without cause that day—he was coming to see me. Ask my brother if he wants to bring me down along with Yan Shang?”

The Vice Minister was startled and dared not continue on this topic.

Watching the Princess storm out, the Vice Minister hesitated before following: “Your Highness… Your Highness, I know you don’t wish for Second Young Master Yan to be harmed in this incident.”

Mu Wanyao stood behind flowers outside the hall, turning to look at him with a cold expression.

The Vice Minister smiled bitterly: “I was first promoted by the late Empress, and have since served as Your Highness’s advisor. I can somewhat understand Your Highness’s thoughts. Rest assured, Your Highness doesn’t want mutual destruction, and neither does the Ministry. I will do my best to prevent the case from spreading too wide.”

He hesitated before adding: “Provided that Second Young Master Yan stops expanding this case.”

Mu Wanyao said, “He promised me he wouldn’t investigate the Yizhou matter further.”

The Vice Minister’s long eyebrows relaxed: “That’s good then, I can rest easy.”

Mu Wanyao turned to look at this middle-aged man. His younger brother was currently detained by the Ministry of Justice, with the court determining his punishment, and the Vice Minister must be under pressure from his clan, feeling quite uncomfortable. Mu Wanyao sighed, her tone much gentler: “Don’t worry, as long as we provide compensation, I can protect you.”

The Vice Minister asked in return: “Your Highness, may I ask something presumptuous? Currently, the Ministry of Revenue has sidelined Second Young Master Yan, leaving him with nothing to do, and unable to access anything. He’s merely a seventh-rank official—we can easily marginalize him. Why is Your Highness still so wary of him?”

Mu Wanyao sighed softly.

She said quietly: “Yan Shang is too clever; we can’t give him any opportunities. I’ve known him for several years—his ability to break through situations is truly formidable… He’s only inactive now because we agreed on terms. We can’t push him into a corner. I dare not underestimate him or believe he’s truly as helpless as he claims… It’s better to remain cautious of him.”

The Vice Minister hesitated before nodding: “If Your Highness says so, I’ll believe it.”

Looking at the Princess’s profile, he noticed that in just a few days, she seemed to have lost weight, her complexion much paler. He knew that given her relationship with Second Young Master Yan, the Princess must be suffering greatly in this situation. Being caught in the middle was surely the most difficult for her.

Just for a young lady…

The Vice Minister felt sympathy and volunteered: “Your Highness could host a banquet, invite me and Second Young Master Yan, allowing us to formally reconcile and clear the air. What does Your Highness think?”

Mu Wanyao was momentarily tempted, but looking at the Vice Minister, she shook her head: “Better not provoke him. I fear your presence would remind him of the Yizhou Governor, and he might renege on our agreement. Let’s just let both sides proceed according to their abilities and wait for this case to conclude.”

The investigation into Luo Xiu’s death stalled temporarily, as Yan Shang had to cooperate with investigations into the various impeachments against him.

The Yizhou Governor’s case, however, faced no obstacles to conclusion.

All parties needed the Yizhou Governor to take responsibility for this disaster, and the Governor himself didn’t dispute the charges, quickly signing his confession. Within just days, the verdict was delivered—the court sentenced the Yizhou Governor to exile in Lingnan, never to return to the Central Plains.

The guilt by association affected five clans, not nine.

Therefore, the Vice Minister of Revenue was only fined his salary and wasn’t implicated further.

On the day the Yizhou Governor was paraded through Chang’an before his exile to Lingnan, Yan Shang went to watch. Among the crowd of onlookers, he confirmed it was indeed the Yizhou Governor—the court hadn’t substituted a death row prisoner—before feeling somewhat relieved.

Yet he still felt unsettled.

After months of disaster in Yizhou, only the Governor’s family faced exile.

It felt deeply unfair.

However… Yan Shang knew he could probably only achieve this much. If he investigated further, those Chang’an officials would unite against him, and without backing, he would only be swallowed up, dying an unclear death.

After all, even Mu Wanyao stood on a different ground from him.

Regarding the issues between him and Mu Wanyao… Yan Shang didn’t know how to resolve them, could only think that when spring plowing came, he and Mu Wanyao would leave Chang’an together, and perhaps her attitude would change once she saw things with her own eyes.

More importantly, now, Yan Shang wanted to uncover how Luo Xiu died. He had traced it to palace eunuchs and needed to find evidence… but right at this moment, the Censorate began impeaching him. Yan Shang couldn’t help but suspect the eunuch he was investigating held considerable power.

The most powerful eunuch in Chang’an now… was Liu Wenqi.

Yan Shang was stunned, truly unwilling for Liu Wenqi to be his opponent this time.

Just as Yan Shang hesitated, news came from outside—”The Yizhou Governor is dead!”

When the news arrived, Yan Shang was killing time at the Ministry of Revenue. Though physically present, his mind was on Luo Xiu’s case. When officials outside discussed the Governor’s death, Yan Shang opened the door to go out. Seeing him, those officials’ expressions turned cold, and they immediately dispersed, saying no more.

Even though Yan Shang was ever so refined, when positions differed, everything else became illusory.

Yan Shang maintained his usual expression, not taking others’ avoidance and coldness to heart. He caught one official he had often helped before, first bowing, then asking: “How did the Yizhou Governor die?”

The official hesitated, thinking of Second Young Master Yan’s past kindness, and briefly explained: “While the guards were escorting the Yizhou Governor to Lingnan, just outside Chang’an, they were attacked by a masked wandering warrior. The guards were tense, thinking the warrior had come to rescue the Yizhou Governor. Even the Governor himself probably thought he must have done some good deed in the past for this warrior to descend from heaven to save him.

“When the warrior caught the Yizhou Governor, as the Governor was saying something like ‘Great hero, save me,’ the warrior turned and struck him with one sword blow, then fled.

“The guards were all dumbfounded, taking a while to think of chasing the warrior. But when they looked back, they found the Yizhou Governor was already dead.

“Just one day out of Chang’an, they had to return to report. What a pity.”

Yan Shang pondered this and bowed again in thanks for the answer. As he turned to leave, the other called out to him, slightly hesitant: “Young Master Yan, listen to my advice—now that the Yizhou Governor is dead, go apologize to the Crown Prince or the Vice Minister, and let this matter end here.”

“Someone of your talent shouldn’t be sidelined like this.”

Yan Shang bowed politely: “Thank you for your concern, sir.”

That evening, Yan Shang returned to his mansion.

As usual, he first went to the washroom to clean up. Still unable to understand who had killed the Yizhou Governor, he continued pondering this question as he entered.

The candlelight flickered slightly on the window.

Yan Shang fixed his gaze on that momentary flicker, and in the next instant, he immediately dodged sideways while pushing over a nearby stand. As he expected, a cold blade emerged silently through the curtains, thrusting toward him with incredible speed. The fallen stand briefly impeded the sword’s momentum, revealing its wielder.

Yan Shang’s eyes narrowed: “Han Shuxing!”

Han Shuxing remained silent. Having waited here for Yan Shang’s return, his first strike missed, and his sword swept toward Yan Shang again. As a civil official, Yan Shang’s martial skills were merely passable, clearly insufficient against such a warrior. Yet Yan Shang’s composure allowed him to handle Han Shuxing’s assassination attempt—though awkwardly, he avoided being struck down immediately.

Continuously knocking over vases and boxes, using curtains as barriers. Amid the clattering chaos, the entire washroom became a mess.

To Han Shuxing’s eyes, Yan Shang’s movements were extremely slow, completely lacking technique, yet somehow each of Yan Shang’s actions managed to block Han Shuxing’s sword, intensifying his killing intent.

Han Shuxing gave a cold laugh, immediately accelerating his movements, sweeping toward Yan Shang like a whirlwind. As Yan Shang turned his shoulder, the cold blade sliced through his hair by his ear, grazing his cheek. This time, Han Shuxing’s sword pressed against Yan Shang’s throat, preventing any further movement.

Simultaneously, Yun Shu called from outside: “Young Master, is everything alright?”

Han Shuxing was startled, meeting Yan Shang’s calm gaze, finally understanding that Yan Shang’s continuous toppling of antique stands and vases had been to alert the servants outside.

With his sword at Yan Shang’s throat, preventing movement, Yan Shang still managed a slight smile, speaking softly: “This is my territory. Never mind the mansion guards—next door is the Princess’s residence, with even more private soldiers. Your sword is quick, but I suspect my voice isn’t too slow either. Even if I die, you won’t escape death.

“Are you truly willing to die with me?”

Han Shuxing’s expression remained completely blank.

Yan Shang gazed at him, continuing softly: “I don’t know what misunderstanding has led you to want to kill me. Why don’t we sit down and clarify things? I’ll have the servants outside withdraw, and you can lower your sword. You’re confident in your martial skills—surely you believe that as long as I’m here, you can kill me anytime?

“Han Shuxing, let’s talk.”

Han Shuxing stared at him.

He stared at this elegant gentleman, as refined as a cool breeze and bright moon, then thought of his brothers who died on the mountain.

Han Shuxing’s eyes burned red as he lowered his sword.

He spoke hoarsely: “I killed the Yizhou Governor.”

Yan Shang nodded: “When you came to assassinate me, I realized that wandering warrior must have been you. Yet while the court is hunting for you, you didn’t flee but dared return to Chang’an, risking death to kill me. May I ask what unforgivable act I committed to earn such deep hatred?”

Han Shuxing: “Those brothers on the mountain, all seventy-two of them, you met them all. You promised to save them, to restore their commoner status. But they’re all dead.”

Yan Shang’s expression went blank, the polite, courteous smile instantly vanishing from his face.

He stared at Han Shuxing in shock, watching as Han Shuxing suddenly threw down his sword and collapsed to the ground—

The room fell silent, snow falling outside.

Yan Shang sat by the brazier, listening to Han Shuxing’s story—

“…I went to challenge those bandits, to avenge my brothers. When I was about to kill the last one, probably fearing death, he told me it was the officials who ordered all the restored commoners to be killed. They had made a deal with the officials.

“I said it was impossible—the Yizhou Governor had been arrested and taken to the capital, and all Yizhou officials’ actions were being monitored, how could they dare issue such orders? But that bandit said it was the new court official sent to Yizhou who made the deal with them.

“Second Young Master Yan, right after you left, the official who replaced you ordered the massacre. You had just promised not to treat restored commoners as bandits, yet the next moment you killed them like this. If you had decided from the start to deny us a way to live, why put on an act in between, why restore their commoner status? Was it just to build your reputation?”

Yan Shang’s face grew slightly pale.

His elbow resting on the table trembled slightly.

He asked: “Which official issued the order, do you know?”

Han Shuxing countered: “How would I know? Wasn’t it all of you? Didn’t all of you know in your hearts? You conspired together, none of you ever believed that those who were once bandits would behave and obey after having their commoner status restored.

“Isn’t this how you’ve always been? Always deceiving us with grand words, always making fine promises. But you don’t even believe the words you speak, do you? You officials… what do you see us as? Are we just numbers? Just entries in your political achievements?”

Han Shuxing’s eyes reddened: “You were suppressing bandits, weren’t you? You were righteous, weren’t you?”

Yan Shang’s mind was chaos as he struggled to explain: “Han Shuxing, it’s different from what you think. I didn’t know about this… If I had known, I would never have left Yizhou… If I had known… This wasn’t reported to the court… I… I… It must have been internal strife here in Chang’an, you must understand, that officials aren’t all the same person, our orders differ, and it might not have been the same person who issued the order…”

Han Shuxing said: “I don’t understand all this. You mean some officials in Chang’an thought differently from you—you wanted to save people, they wanted to kill. Your internal strife sacrificed us?”

Yan Shang couldn’t speak a word.

Han Shuxing smiled bitterly.

He sat on the ground, silent for a long time. Staring at the burning candle, he muttered: “Actually, I believed in you, I believed you were a good person. If you had intended to kill us from the start, why put on an act in between? But I still blame you, why did you give people hope? If you hadn’t said we could restore our commoner status, how would they have come down from the mountain?

“They trusted you, trusted me, that’s why they came down. It was misplacing their trust in me, in you, that got them killed.

“I’ve wandered for years, from Wuman to Wei, Wuman didn’t treat me as one of their own, Wei saw me as an outsider. You made me a slave, sold back and forth in your markets. No one trusted me, I didn’t even know what people I belonged to anymore.

“I couldn’t find belonging in Chang’an. But the longer I stayed in your Wei, learning your culture, the more I wanted to belong. The Wuman people questioned why I helped your Wei, while no matter what I did, you Wei people would never trust an outsider. The more I understood your culture, the less acceptance I found. I don’t know why I came here, don’t know where I should go. I’m not Wuman, not Wei. What am I?”

His eyes glistened with unshed tears.

Han Shuxing spoke softly: “That day you let me go, told me to do what I wanted. I, a person without roots or belonging, didn’t know what I could do. Until I met those brothers… They needed my help and depended on my aid. They called me Second Chief, and I seemed to suddenly find meaning in my existence.”

He raised his eyes to look at Yan Shang, smiling tragically.

“Second Young Master, you fulfilled me, then destroyed me.”

Yan Shang’s expression changed as he suddenly stood up, then crouched down, gripping Han Shuxing’s shoulders. He stared at this haggard, unshaven man, saw the hollow bloodshot eyes, as if through them he could see those seventy-two lives.

Each one stared at him, each one asking why.

Yan Shang, enduring the immense pain and hatred in his heart, said softly: “I was wrong… Trust me once more, watch me, I won’t let them die in vain.”

Han Shuxing looked at him, suddenly collapsing to the ground in bitter tears. The large man’s shoulders shook, his hands trembling, his sobs hoarse and hopeless. The deaths weighed like an abyss between them—who could easily bridge such a gap?

The candlelight wavered gently on the window, suddenly flaring before settling back into quiet stillness—

Late that night, Yan Shang arranged for Han Shuxing to hide in his mansion. He instructed Yun Shu to regularly bring food and drink, ensuring no one discovered that a wanted criminal was hiding with them.

The next day, braving the snow, Yan Shang left home.

Though he should have gone to work at the Ministry of Revenue, Yan Shang stood for a long time before the Department of State Affairs, reluctant to enter. He turned away, heading to the Secretariat instead. When his mind was troubled, he wanted to see his teacher, to seek guidance.

When Yan Shang was led to the inner chambers, Minister Liu was busy. Too many officials came daily to see the Prime Minister and seek his counsel—even as Minister Liu’s student, Yan Shang had to wait in line.

Minister Liu was currently smashing a memorial against an official’s head, his voice powerful as he berated him: “Seeing small profit and forgetting duty, undertaking great matters while sparing oneself! How do you conduct affairs? Go back and reflect on your walls—don’t report to the Secretariat for the next half year!”

That official, thoroughly chastised like a grandson, fled in shame.

Yan Shang stood stunned, listening to Minister Liu instructing others.

Seeing small profit and forgetting duty.

Undertaking great matters while sparing oneself.

Applied to him, how could this be wrong?

If one would undertake great matters, why spare oneself?

If one’s heart has already decided, why still hesitate and struggle? How could one abandon the greater good for personal concerns, how could private feelings obstruct great affairs?

Yan Shang stood silently for half a day, then suddenly turned and lifted the door curtain, walking out. He no longer needed to ask his teacher—his heart already had the answer—

Small profit must not make him forget duty!

But great matters must not make him spare himself!—

Minister Liu took a sip of tea, hearing from a minor official that Second Young Master Yan had come and gone. Minister Liu was surprised for a moment and sighed, but didn’t ask further.

A fellow minister beside him said: “Your student is having a difficult time lately, probably came to seek your guidance. Won’t you look after him more?”

Minister Liu leisurely poured himself a cup of hot wine, casually saying: “His path, he must walk it himself.”

That minister asked with a smile: “Not afraid he’ll cause enormous trouble?”

Minister Liu turned his head, gazing at the falling snow outside.

Draining his wine cup in one gulp, he declared boldly: “How can talented youth fear causing trouble!”—

After returning, Yan Shang first went to the Northern Quarter to ask Chun Niang: “How are things with Zhang Eleventh Young Master?”

Chun Niang quickly replied: “Just as you predicted, Young Master, the Eleventh Young Master admires me. I’ve been engaging with him…”

Yan Shang interrupted: “No need to engage further. Follow my instructions, do this…”

After giving detailed instructions, he left the Northern Quarter, then sent a servant to invite Prince Qin for drinks, and had Yun Shu prepare horses, saying he wanted to find Mu Wanyao outside the city.

Everything’s pace began to quicken, all shadows began to retreat. The snow from the sky caught on Yan Shang’s robes, cold and silent, reflecting the young gentleman’s refined features.

With the horses ready, Yun Shu jogged after Yan Shang, seeing his master’s calm profile, he couldn’t help feeling apprehensive, asking quietly: “Young Master, are you going to take action? Wasn’t it said that without evidence, you couldn’t possibly bring down those high officials in the Ministry of Revenue?”

Yan Shang spoke gravely: “I don’t have evidence. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have methods.

“I was merely hesitating, merely misled by personal feelings…”

Snowflakes landed on his eyelashes as he gazed at the vast snowy landscape, speaking softly: “Now, I know I was wrong. Even if I die in the process, I cannot stand idly by.

“Seventy-two lives… It’s more than seventy-two. The common people of the realm need someone to go against the current, to seek justice for them. I only regret awakening so late.”

Yun Shu: “Then Her Highness…”

Yan Shang closed his eyes and spoke softly: “…Call it breaking my word, call it letting her down.

“…But I have no regrets!”