After seeing off Uncle Chu, Shen Shaoguang pulled out the books Young Master Lin had sent her. As old memories surged in her mind, tears fell onto the yellowed pages, spreading into stains.
Perhaps because she had received both the body and memories, and inherited her fate of suffering in the Imperial Female Academy, Shen Shaoguang had never been able to separate herself from the original Aji. Sometimes in the half-asleep state of dawn, she would occasionally experience something like Zhuangzi’s butterfly dream, unsure whether she was truly Aji, the daughter of a Tang Dynasty criminal minister, or the 21st-century Shen Shaoguang.
Shen Shaoguang let out a soft sigh.
“Knock! Knock!”
Shen Shaoguang wiped her face and looked up – it was Yu San.
“Hmm?” Shen Shaoguang was surprised. After working all morning, why wasn’t he taking this chance to rest?
Yu San came and sat down opposite Shen Shaoguang at the go board. Looking at the box of books in front of her, he hesitated before asking, “Are you the daughter of former Vice Minister Shen of the Ministry of Rites?”
Shen Shaoguang nodded, raising an eyebrow at him.
“My former master was Li Xu, the fourth son of Prince Wu.”
Shen Shaoguang was stunned, not expecting such a connection.
“In winter, when Master Li and Young Master Lin were discussing old matters, you seemed unsettled then, but I didn’t think much of it. When Master Chu came this time and you called him Uncle, I finally guessed.”
Shen Shaoguang nodded.
“The Fourth Young Master was slightly older than you. When Prince Wu’s incident occurred, he hadn’t yet reached sixteen and should have been exiled. I heard that because of your Shen family’s affair, there was much debate at court, and the former emperor finally showed leniency, directly demoting him and the Fifth Young Master to commoner status.” With his delicate constitution… he likely wouldn’t have survived exile, so the Shen family was effectively his savior.
“Though reduced to commoner status, initially there was still court supervision, and of course support from Prince Wu’s old associates. Later, as time passed, supervision relaxed. After the current emperor ascended the throne, we moved and changed locations – he also no longer wished to receive care from old associates.”
Yu San recalled his master’s beautiful peach blossom eyes narrowing as he smiled self-consciously: “Whenever they met, they would talk about old times in the prince’s mansion, speak of vindication, and urge advancement… As if I could take the imperial examinations?” At the time, Yu San had empathized, but now he couldn’t help thinking that if it were the young miss, she probably wouldn’t have resigned herself to drifting along so passively – by now she might even be buying large ships for a shipping business.
Yu San pulled back his thoughts and told Shen Shaoguang: “He was very grateful to Vice Minister Shen.”
Shen Shaoguang smiled slightly. Grateful or not, what did it matter? It wasn’t important to her father, and even less important to herself.
Shen Shaoguang was puzzled though. Yu San was young, yet knew these matters so clearly – he must have been very close to this Fourth Young Master. How had he ended up being sold? Were there other changes? Recalling what he had said about being exchanged for a table of fish dishes, Shen Shaoguang hesitated before finally asking, “Was this Fourth Young Master really – as unrestrained as you said?”
Yu San knew what she was asking. After a long silence, he said: “He didn’t trade me for fish dishes.” Rather – he had simply given him away.
Seeing his expression, Shen Shaoguang didn’t ask further.
As Shen Shaoguang tidied the books, Yu San helped her. When they finished, Yu San finally asked: “Because of Prince Wu’s affair, your family was destroyed. Do you hate them?”
Young Master Lin had asked a similar question, except one asked if she resented her father, while the other asked if she resented Prince Wu. Shen Shaoguang’s answer was the same for both.
Yu San seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
Shen Shaoguang patted his sleeve and smiled: “Even if I did hate Prince Wu, it would have nothing to do with you.”
Yu San glared at her and picked up the box: “Where should I put this?”
“With Young Master Lin’s screen.”
Hearing the words “Young Master Lin,” Yu San opened his mouth as if to ask something, but ultimately didn’t, simply carrying the box away.
When Lin Yan returned from the Prefecture Office, the gate guard told him that a Master Chu had come and been received by Manager Zhou in the outer study with tea.
Earlier that morning, Lin Yan had sent his calling card to this Master of West Willow, delivering it to the Li residence where he was staying. He had hoped to inquire about former Minister Shen and Prince Wu’s affair under the pretext of discussing scholarship. He hadn’t expected him to come directly.
The key to Minister Shen’s case lay with Prince Wu, but the files of such a major treason case involving imperial family members couldn’t be accessed. Master West Willow, formerly Vice Minister of Justice, should know the case in detail – unless his ties to Prince Wu had been too deep, requiring his recusal during the investigation.
Lin Yan walked quickly to the outer study.
“Master Chu, forgive my late return.” Lin Yan bowed with clasped hands.
Looking at Lin Yan’s respectful bow, Chu Di smiled: “Young Master Lin has shown such courtesy both times we’ve met, I truly don’t deserve it.”
Chu Di imagined that if Shen Wu’s tragedy hadn’t occurred, at this time when seeking a match for Aji, even if this young man had been more respectful, he would still have had to help scrutinize his character, perhaps even have someone investigate his background…
Seeing the master return, Manager Zhou bowed and withdrew. A maid served tea and also quietly withdrew.
Lin and Chu sat facing each other.
Lin Yan got straight to the point: “I wish to ask Master about some past events.”
Chu Di smiled: “Please speak, Young Master.”
“Regarding the case of Minister Shen’s treason from over a decade ago, who lived in this residence – does Master still remember?”
“Shen Wu was my closest friend, how could I not remember? However – why does Young Master ask about this case? Is it curiosity from living in his former residence? I’ve heard that Young Master once worked to save Minister Cui, so perhaps you empathize with Shen Wu and wish to understand more clearly?”
“Neither. It’s for a friend.”
“A friend? Male or female?” Chu Di raised an eyebrow.
Lin Yan looked at Chu Di. This Master Chu had keen eyes – it seemed he had already recognized Aji, and even knew of his feelings for her. Master West Willow’s reputation was well-deserved – and his willingness to visit must also be for her sake.
Lin Yan’s expression warmed: “Please wait a moment, Master.”
Lin Yan went out and instructed Liu Chang to fetch the case files box from the inner study. Shortly after, it was brought. Lin Yan placed the box before Chu Di: “These are the files from Minister Shen’s case.”
Chu Di’s expression relaxed somewhat – this showed some consideration.
“Master has come from Shen’s Tavern?”
Chu Di didn’t beat around the bush: “How did Young Master know that the young lady of Shen’s Tavern is Shen Rangzhi’s daughter? She surely didn’t tell you herself?”
“When she left the palace, I was at Anfu Gate and checked her travel permit.”
Chu Di: “…” I hadn’t misjudged you! Heh, checking travel permits…
Lin Yan himself felt somewhat embarrassed. He pressed his lips together and bowed again: “Please help, Master.”
Looking at Lin Yan’s slightly embarrassed yet very serious expression, and the forceful bow just now, Chu Di suddenly found this Young Master quite interesting, unlike his cold and serious exterior.
Chu Di lowered his head and picked up the case files to read. His earlier relaxed expression faded, replaced by sorrow in his eyes and brows.
“At the time, someone secretly reported Prince Wu’s rebellion. The former emperor, without going through the Three Judicial Offices, directly sent imperial guards to search Prince Wu’s mansion and detain everyone there. Though the investigation wasn’t conducted by the Ministry of Justice or the Court of Judicial Review, we had our sources of information. There were indeed items in Prince Wu’s mansion that violated imperial restrictions, but truthfully, which prince’s mansion didn’t have restricted items from the palace? At the time, we estimated that Prince Wu would likely face only a reprimand and fine, certainly not lose his title. Who could have imagined the emperor would want to execute him?”
“I used some personal connections to investigate and learned that the Great Virtuous Pure Wonderful Assistant Primary True Person by the emperor’s side had observed the heavens at night and seen a rebellious star, which he calculated to be connected to Prince Wu.”
“Most court officials advised against it at the time, especially those like Shen Wu who strongly remonstrated before the throne, but the former emperor was determined to act alone…” The court was in chaos then, with the emperor believing in Daoists, taking elixirs, and becoming erratic in temperament. While there were steadfast officials at court, there were also many who tried to benefit from the chaos, flattered sycophantically, or even harbored ill intentions. If the former emperor hadn’t died from taking those medicines, perhaps the country would have fallen into ruin by now.
Though Lin Yan had entered official service late and started in low positions, he had experienced the former emperor’s reign and knew of the chaos then.
“Though the Ministry of Justice was involved in the later stages of Prince Wu’s case, I was removed early due to my association with him. As for what motives that Daoist had, whether others were behind him, or if there were other participants – these behind-the-scenes mysteries remain unknown.” Chu Di patted the files in his hand. “Even these, I’m seeing for the first time.”
Though clues could be found by carefully searching these files, they were only the “treason case” documents, with many unclear points. With just this material, and time having passed – some participants dead, others scattered – crucially, with the current emperor still suppressing the matter, finding concrete evidence for an appeal would be difficult.
Lin Yan nodded: “Thank you, Master Chu, for sharing about the past events.”
“Young Master Lin comes from an established family and already wears crimson robes. If Shen Wu’s case cannot be appealed, what are your plans?” Chu Di remembered his purpose for this visit.
“Aji is still Aji.”
Chu Di was caught off guard but smiled, then after a while said: “Young Master has a caring heart.”
“I only fear Miss Shen has too many concerns.”
Chu Di nodded. She indeed had many concerns and was stubborn in temperament – you’ll have your work cut out for you.
After these years, Chu Di had come to view many things more lightly. Even if the case were appealed, it couldn’t bring the three Shen family members back to life. As long as Aji lived well, that was enough. Though this Young Master Lin appeared somewhat cold in temperament, he was reliable in his actions and seemed sincere. At this point, Chu Di felt it wasn’t such a bad thing for Aji to continue running her small tavern here. Ah, these young people…
The evening drums sounded outside. Chu Di stood up: “Thank you for Young Master’s hospitality. Meeting Young Master today and hearing your words has brought me much comfort.”
Lin Yan quickly bowed: “I thank Master for your guidance.”
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Chu Di walked out. Lin Yan hesitated before saying, “Master, I have one more question—”
Chu Di turned his head: “Please speak.”
“I still don’t know Miss Shen’s given name.”
Chu Di’s steps faltered. Blockhead! Shouldn’t you ask Aji about this yourself? What a waste of that handsome, intelligent face!
“I forgot to tell Young Master – the young lady said that she is too casual and you too serious; your temperaments are incompatible.”
Lin Yan: “…Thank you for telling me, Master.”
Author’s Note: Regarding the absence of women’s names on Tang Dynasty travel permits, let’s consider it artistic license, as I couldn’t find historical sources.
Young Master Lin: I was just trying to take a shortcut… It seems I’ll have to rely on my looks after all.