PC Chapter 56

Kofi thanks to: Silverosprey

 

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After releasing himself, Su Cen drifted into sleep almost instantly, slipping into a rare, restful slumber after several restless days. The world outside faded, and for once, dreams came peacefully.

 

About an hour later, he woke to bright daylight flooding the room. Squinting, he glanced around the bed—no one in sight. But by the window, silhouetted against the light, stood someone getting dressed with the help of a servant. From his vantage point, the figure seemed even taller and more imposing.

 

Seeing Su Cen awake, Li Shi dismissed the maids with a wave and sat by the bed. He reached over, pinching Su Cen’s chin gently. “Exhausted from last night? Rest a bit longer.”

 

Su Cen’s ears flushed red in an instant. As if he doesn’t know why I’m tired. Who wouldn’t be worn out after being pushed to the limit for half an hour?

 

He tugged the blanket over half his face, peeking over at Li Shi again. Noticing his court robes, Su Cen asked, “Are you heading to court?”

 

Li Shi casually adjusted his sleeve. “Now that the external threats are dealt with, it’s time to close the door and address some internal issues.”

 

Su Cen frowned slightly. “Can you manage with your injury?”

 

Li Shi arched a brow with a teasing smile. “You don’t know if I can or not?”

 

Su Cen yanked the blanket over his head in frustration.

 

Li Shi chuckled, pulling the blanket down just enough to expose a narrow gap. “Don’t smother yourself. My people have been wronged, and I need to get justice for you.”

 

At those words, Su Cen remembered something. He poked his head halfway out from under the blanket. “How am I suddenly ‘your person’?”

 

The moment Li Shi had made that claim, Su Cen had wanted to ask, but the situation then hadn’t been ideal. Now that it came up again, he felt the need to clarify. How exactly did he count as one of his people?

 

Instead of answering, Li Shi asked back, “What do you think?”

 

Su Cen smiled playfully. “Do I get a say in this? If everyone who enters Xingqing Palace counts as yours, it’ll take me ten days just to name them all.”

 

Li Shi shook his head. “No need. It starts with you. You’re the first.”

 

Su Cen mulled that over for a moment, then laughed. “Well, that doesn’t guarantee there won’t be a second or third.”

 

Li Shi grinned. “Zixu, with someone as capable as you, where would I find time for a second or third?”

 

Su Cen scowled. This man never has anything decent to say.

 

As Li Shi prepared to leave, Su Cen gently tugged on his sleeve. “On a serious note, don’t always argue with those stubborn old officials. They’re the kind to take pride in getting scolded or beaten. Your wound hasn’t healed yet, and it’s not worth harming yourself over.”

 

Li Shi narrowed his eyes slightly. “Is that the only reason you’re worried?”

 

Su Cen sighed, knowing his true thoughts wouldn’t escape Li Shi’s notice. His expression softened, and with a trace of a smile, he said, “Just… come back early, okay? I’ll be waiting.”

 

Li Shi laughed heartily, adjusting his sleeves as he stood. “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

 

After Li Shi left, Su Cen found himself unable to fall back asleep. His body ached from last night’s exertions, and hunger gnawed at him. Deciding not to waste any more time in bed, he dressed and went out in search of something to eat.

 

During the time Su Cen had stayed in Xingqing Palace, he had thoroughly familiarized himself with its layout. He made his way effortlessly to the kitchen, where he surprisingly found the same chef he had tormented to the point of wailing previously. Not only did the chef recognize him, but he had also been promoted to oversee the palace’s cuisine.

 

A rumor had since spread through the palace kitchens: mastering Su cuisine was a fast track to promotion. This sparked a craze, with every chef scrambling to perfect at least two signature Su dishes.

 

Su Cen looked at the group of eager chefs, both amused and regretful. I was really reckless back then. Look at what I’ve put these poor northern chefs through.

 

After casually ordering two dishes to be delivered to the pavilion by the lake, Su Cen made a quick escape, fearing a knife fight might break out among the chefs over the task.

 

Since there was still some time before the food would be ready, Su Cen wandered toward the lake pavilion, leisurely taking in the sights along the way. As he strolled, he couldn’t help but marvel at the grandeur of Xingqing Palace. Just last night, the place had been in chaos, but today, it was as if nothing had happened.

 

The bloodstains had long been scrubbed away, and all the garden plants had been replaced with fresh flowers. Any slashes on the corridor pillars had either been repaired or, if irreparable, swapped with identical replacements. If matching materials weren’t available, the entire structure was rebuilt.

 

He spotted a minor official repainting one of the pillars and approached him to strike up a conversation. The official turned out to be quite talkative and, in no time, had shared all the palace gossip with Su Cen.

 

Getting to the point, Su Cen asked, “Did you see the fight last night?”

 

The official chuckled sheepishly. “That was real combat with swords and everything. I’m just a craftsman from the Office of Works—of course they didn’t bring me along.”

 

Sensing Su Cen’s waning interest, the official quickly added, “But even if I didn’t see it, I heard it! It was pure carnage—the sound of clashing blades was like a blacksmith’s forge. And those assassins, oh my, the way they wailed sounded like the gates of hell had opened. Think about it—so much blood was spilled that the Dragon Pool turned red. How many people do you think died?”

 

Su Cen felt a wave of nausea wash over him. I really shouldn’t have asked them to deliver food to the lake pavilion.

 

Trying to keep the conversation going, Su Cen asked, “Do you know how many attackers there were?”

 

The official shook his head. “That, I’m not sure about. But the guards who fought said not a single one made it out alive.”

 

“Not one?” Su Cen asked, incredulous. “It was that well executed?”

 

“Absolutely! Did you hear the cannon blast last night? That was just the start. The armory reported that over a thousand arrows were fired. Even a sparrow couldn’t escape, let alone a human being! And do you know who was stationed at the front gate?”

 

Su Cen feigned curiosity, indulging the official’s dramatic pause. Pleased, the official finally answered, “It was Lord Qi! And they say he had perfect coordination with a strange, agile girl—so flawless that the assassins preferred scaling walls lined with archers rather than escaping through the gate. Only those in a hurry to meet the King of Hell dared try the main exit.”

 

Su Cen broke into a cold sweat. It’s not surprising that someone mistook Qu Ling’er for a girl in the dark. But since when has he been working so seamlessly with Qi Lin?

 

It seemed clear now that the whole thing had been a trap orchestrated by Li Shi, a one-sided massacre. Su Cen couldn’t help but pity the assassins. Of all the people they could have provoked, they chose Li Shi—a man who exacted retribution tenfold. One arrow wound from them, and Li Shi would repay it with a hundred.

 

After bidding farewell to the official, Su Cen slowly strolled toward the lake pavilion. Seeing the clear, blue-tinged water, he finally felt a sense of relief.

 

‘They said the Dragon Pool had turned red with blood—just more exaggerated rumors.’

 

Then again, knowing Li Shi’s meticulous nature, it wouldn’t be entirely surprising if he had the entire pool drained and refilled overnight…

 

Either way, the lake now sparkled like jade under the autumn sunlight. The season’s chill had arrived, with the lotus pods standing proudly, evoking a poetic mood: “Autumn clouds linger as frost falls late; the sound of rain on withered lotuses remains.”

 

Su Cen wandered along the shore, savoring the changing scenery. Fresh lotus blooms had their youthful charm, while withered ones carried a mature elegance. The summer’s growth had culminated in fruitful harvests—an ending both complete and satisfying.

 

Looking up, he saw the lake pavilion just ahead. A familiar figure was already seated inside, upright and poised, the hem of his robes fluttering gently in the breeze.

 

Quickening his pace, Su Cen approached with a grin. “I told you to come back early, but you really took it to heart. Is the morning court already over?”

 

Li Shi picked up a piece of greens with his chopsticks, his tone casual. “You told me to come back early, so I took a leave and came right back. Not sure if they’ve finished bickering yet.”

 

A bad feeling rose in Su Cen’s chest. “What kind of leave did you take?”

 

Li Shi pointed to his chest. “Medical leave.”

 

It was well-known that Prince Ning had been injured, and important memorials from across the empire had piled up at the Ministry of Affairs, waiting for his judgment. Everyone had been hoping he would return to settle the backlog, but on his first day back at court, he had taken leave instead. The ministers probably wanted to bury him alive under those memorials.

 

Su Cen was still processing this when he asked in disbelief, “The emperor approved it?”

 

Li Shi replied calmly, “I have the authority to act as regent. I approved it myself.”

 

Su Cen: “…”

 

Wiping his mouth with a handkerchief, Li Shi added, “Wang Yan has been pushing for the young emperor to govern independently, hasn’t he? Let’s give him the chance. The rebellion in Liangzhou isn’t over, the salt merchants in Yangzhou are stirring up trouble, and I have no idea what’s going on with the fields in the southwest. It’s giving me a headache—he can deal with it himself.”

 

Su Cen sighed, already picturing the emperor sobbing over the mountain of memorials.

 

Li Shi smiled and waved him over. “Weren’t you hungry? Come, let’s eat.”

 

Court politics were beyond Su Cen’s control, and after all the years Li Shi had spent working tirelessly for the Great Zhou, a little rest seemed well deserved. Su Cen smiled back and obediently sat down, picking up his chopsticks to eat in earnest.

 

He had to admit, the palace chefs had truly improved. The Su-style dishes were now almost authentic, far better than the unrecognizable attempts he had tasted before.

 

“Slow down,” Li Shi chided gently.

 

“I’m starving,” Su Cen muttered, glaring briefly before burying his head in the food again. Between bites, he added, “You should reward these chefs properly—their skills have improved so fast.”

 

Li Shi gave a meaningful smile. “As you wish. They’ll be rewarded.”

 

At least reward them with the freedom from having to measure out vinegar and sugar every day, Su Cen thought to himself with amusement.

 

Halfway through the meal, a thought suddenly crossed Su Cen’s mind. He looked up and asked, “Has the order for Xiao Yan’s execution come through? How did they handle it?”

 

Li Shi immediately saw through Su Cen’s little thoughts. His expression darkened as he answered firmly, “This is something you don’t need to worry about.”

 

Su Cen felt a coldness gradually seep into his heart. He knew deep down that Xiao Yan’s crime of treason was unforgivable. Not only had he committed rebellion, but he also colluded with enemy forces, secretly let the enemy troops enter the pass. No matter the reasons behind his actions, death was likely inevitable.

 

“I understand,” Su Cen said quietly, then asked, “What about Xiao Yuancheng?”

 

“His body was sent back to Northern Liang, where he will be given an honorable burial with the rites of a young heir.”

 

Su Cen nodded and returned to his meal in silence.

 

No wonder Li Shi had struck so mercilessly last night—it was all likely intended to pave the way for the Xiao family’s downfall with blood. Xiao Yan had spent his entire life leading armies on the battlefield, slaying countless enemies and earning a reputation as a hero. But to meet such a tragic end—it was hard not to feel some sorrow.

 

Speaking of Xiao Yuancheng, Li Shi suddenly asked, “Did the Dali Temple really find that bloody footprint?”

 

Su Cen looked up and smiled. “I lied to him. I was too busy saving you that day—how could I have had time to check the Temple?”

 

“That black-robed strategist deliberately chose to capture me at the Eastern Market Gate, close to Xingqing Palace, in front of many witnesses. It was all to lure you into a trap. After tying me up, he even gagged me to prevent me from saying anything that might shake Xiao Yan’s resolve. This shows how meticulous he was, always controlling the situation from every angle. That’s why killing Xiao Yuancheng was the critical starting point of the entire plan—the success or failure of everything hinged on it. I’m certain the strategist would have carried it out himself and stayed to watch Xiao Yuancheng take his last breath. As for the bloody footprint, it was just a ruse to coax a confession. Whether it exists or not, Xiao Yuancheng was undoubtedly killed by him.”

 

Li Shi chuckled and placed a piece of shrimp into Su Cen’s bowl. “You’re still sharper than the rest, Zixu.”

 

“You figured it out long ago, didn’t you?” Su Cen asked, eating the shrimp without hesitation. “You had Xie Chong inspect the shoes just in case there wasn’t any blood on them—so you could take some from the fresh blood on his armor and smear it on the shoes.”

 

“That wasn’t the reason,” Li Shi said seriously. “I just knew that Qi Lin would refuse to do the task if it involved taking off someone’s shoes.”

 

Su Cen: “…”

 

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