Working for the government is like this, when things get busy, there’s no rest, not even for a night. After Commander Nan Yushu stirred up trouble, Su Xinghe rushed from the palace to handle the situation, arriving around midnight. The people who had been detained were all crammed into one cell, and everyone, whether important or not, had to be interrogated to follow procedure. By the time all the questioning was done, it was already the fourth watch of the night. At dawn, there was a court session in the palace, and Commander Nan Yushu was sure to enter the Cabinet to report back. Su Xinghe had originally planned to wait for news from the government, but for some reason, Commander Nan Yushu changed his tone and smiled, saying, “Master Su, you should accompany me into the palace. After all, the Ministry of Military Control is not solely under my control. If His Majesty questions us and I fail to answer, I hope you will help fill in the gaps.”
Su Xinghe understood immediately. Commander Nan Yushu wanted someone to share the blame if things went wrong. Despite his unyielding demeanor, he turned out to be like anyone else when faced with a major issue, ready to pull someone down.
She hesitated a bit. “It’s not that I’m unwilling to accompany you, but my current position is specifically the imperial ladies in the capital. What you’re handling, is a task assigned by His Majesty, while I’m working on a case involving Princess Xialing’s residence. If I get involved in this, it might be seen as overstepping my authority.”
Commander Nan Yushu, however, did not give up. After a brief pause, he suggested, “How about this? You can wait outside the Ministry of Military Control. If His Majesty has questions, you won’t have to waste time beating around the bush.”
She was curious to see how he would present his report inside the palace, so she pretended to agree and smiled, saying, “Alright then. The winter solstice is approaching, and many in the Eastern Palace waiting for me to handle it. I’ll go back and take care of the most urgent ones first. I won’t go to the Ministry of Military Control, though. The two senior officials in the Cabinet’s morning shift are quite formidably they don’t tolerate unrelated people. I wouldn’t want to cause any more trouble for His Majesty.”
And so, she set aside the documents she had been working on and left the yamen with Commander Nan Yushu. Having been rescued by her, Commander Nan Yushu’s attitude changed dramatically. Once she got into the sedan chair, he and several commanders mounted their horses and led the way. In the pitch-dark night, wind and snow howling all around, filled with endless gusts.
At Chongjiao Gate, they parted ways, he went to Xuande Gate to await further orders, while Su Xinghe crossed through Dongxi Gate and returned directly to the Eastern Palace.
Judging by the time, the Crown Prince should not have left for the Taiji Gate. She quickened her pace, hoping to catch him in time for a brief conversation.
The Fengxian Hall was brightly lit, with rows of palace lanterns hanging under the eaves. The dark sky and the white ground made the grand palace the only source of light in the World. From afar, palace maids and eunuchs were bustling about, preparing for the early morning court session. Despite the number of people, not a single cough could be heard. Dequan was, directing others to prepare windproof hoods and warm pouches. Upon seeing her, he looked as though he had seen his savior, his voice brimming with undisguised delight. “Ah, Master Su has returned!”
Everyone understood what that joy concealed. Master Su had spent the night in the Crown Prince’s bed-chamber, and it was no longer a hidden affair; it was an official, open secret now. Although Commander Nan Yushu’s untimely interference had disrupted things, considering the time, the matter was surely settled. No matter how bad the Crown Prince’s temper was, he would restrain, himself when facing Master Su. He could be harsh with anyone, but not with someone from his chambers. Everyone was on the edge like frogs caught in the rain due to the Crown Prince’s foul mood. But now that Master Su was back, with her gentle words and soft demeanor, the Crown Prince would gradually calm down, and for the attendants, it would be like the clouds parting and the fog lifting.
The chief eunuch was especially attentive. As soon as Su Xinghe entered the hall, he hurried over to brush the snow off her shoulders. “You’ve had a hard time, rushing about in this heavy snow… Look at all the snow on your clothes, you might catch a cold.”
She assured him it was nothing, not concerned about herself. She took the warm towel handed to her by a palace maid and presented it to the Crown Prince. He took it, roughly wiping his hands, and then glanced at her with a cold face.
He was displeased. The attendants around shrank even further as if they wished they could disappear. But she had nowhere to hide. Summoning, her courage, she addressed him, “Your Highness, I have investigated thoroughly. The neighboring mansion harbored some rogue martial artists. These men being unrestrained and full of reckless chivalry, challenged the Ministry of Military Control without knowing the full situation. Those who were apprehended are now in the dungeons. I will conduct a stricter interrogation later. Please rest assured, Your Highness. Commander Nan Yushu is currently waiting at Xuande Gate. Should His Majesty summon him, he can enter immediately to report.”
The Crown Prince remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a heavy sigh. “This Commander Nan Yushu, twenty years of service, all for nothing. If the Emperor asks about this, use this as an excuse. What rogue martial artists, what reckless chivalry without evidence, who allowed him to involve the Ministry of Military Control? The Emperor ordered a covert investigation to avoid causing alarm among the officials, yet Commander Nan Yushu made a spectacle out of it. I think his days as a commander are numbered.”
Su Xinghe remained calm, bowing slightly as she responded, “Your Highness, please don’t be too upset. I suggested an idea to Commander Nan Yushu…” She then explained in detail how she had addressed the matter with the Ministry of Justice’s documents and the situation involving Chen Tiao. “This way, perhaps Commander Nan Yushu might still receive some leniency.”
However, after hearing this, the Crown Prince stared at her intently for a long time, as if seeing her for the first time. She glanced up at him with an innocent expression. “Did I do something wrong?”
How could she have done something wrong? On the surface, she had indeed helped Commander Nan Yush out of a difficult situation, but in doing so, she had also subtly blamed him. No wonder they say the most ruthless heart belongs to a woman.
The Crown Prince chuckled softly, lowered his head, and slowly adjusted the fur collar around his neck. “Not only did you not do anything wrong, but you handled it beautifully. I underestimated you. In a critical moment, you showed your cleverness you’re truly a fine servant.”
His words carried weight, and she dared not respond. She knew that while her tricks might deceive others, they wouldn’t fool him. The only reason she prepared him for when he entered the Military Affairs Office was to report. If the Emperor questioned them, they could find a way to protect Commander Nan Yushu. After all, she had only just taken up her post, and it would be excessive to completely undermine her superior right away, which could easily arouse suspicion.
Though outwardly everything seemed fine, deep down, she knew the Crown Prince was upset. Later, when she tried to put his warm hat on, he turned his face away and refused. She stood awkwardly, holding the hat, unsure whether to advance or retreat. Fortunately, Dequan, with his keen sense, quickly stepped in, taking the hat from her while saying, “It’s time, Your Highness should depart now,” as he placed the ceremonial crown on the Crown Prince’s head.
As usual, she escorted him to the palace gates, where the Crown Prince boarded his sedan chair and headed towards the Taiji Gate. Su Xinghe then retreated to a side hall, sitting quietly and watching the water clock. The lotus-shaped clock ticked away steadily, from the hour of Mao to the end of Si.
The Emperor conducted his morning audience at the imperial gates, addressing the various reports from across the family background of the official matters that could be openly discussed and deliberated with the court ministers. However, the Emperor secretly ordered a thorough investigation of the family background of the officials. Commander Nan Yushu’s rash actions had stirred up a hornet’s nest. During the morning court, the Right Guard of the Golden Armor Regiment reported the disturbance at the Front Gate tower the previous night, which fell under the jurisdiction of the Privy Council. The Emperor, aware of the situation, was constrained by protocol and seethed with unspoken anger. He ordered a thorough investigation and then moved the small council to the West Warming Pavilion after the court was dismissed.
Seated on the imperial throne, the Emperor listened to a stern expression to Commander Nan Yushu, who reported the event of the previous night in detail. The damage was already done, and the entire court had been alarmed, making further investigations more difficult. The Emperor held the memorial in his hand, reading it while frowning. But when Commander Nan Yushu reached the part where he claimed to be “unaware of the reason,” the Emperor could no longer contain his fury. He abruptly stood up and, in a rage, hurled the memorial directly at Commander Nan Yushu’s head.
“Listen to this…” The Emperor pointed with one hand, sneering, “He still claims he doesn’t know the reason. When the knife is at your throat, you’ll naturally understand the reason well enough. The issue of corruption and bribery among officials is not unique to this dynasty, nor is this the first time it has been rigorously investigated. During the reign of Emperor Zhongzong, there was a similar case. The Privy Council received the imperial order, but due to leaks, those conspiring and engaging in corrupt practices were warned and formed secret alliances to resist the court’s investigations, nearly throwing the government into chaos. This was a lesson from the past, yet it’s been forgotten in just twenty years. Military Affairs Department has also received a secret order, and the problem didn’t arise with someone else, but with you, the commander. Which eye of mine should look favorably upon you? With someone like you leading the Military Affairs Department, I wouldn’t be surprised if, in a few years, the laws and regulations of the capital are turned into a tangled mess!”
The Emperor was furious, and his harsh reprimand startled everyone sitting in the warm pavilion. The officials stood with their hands at their sides, not daring to speak. They only watched coldly as Commander Nan Yushu knelt, pressing his head to the ground in supplication.
When the Emperor personally intervenes, it naturally signifies a grave offense. Cold sweat dripped from Commander Nan Yushu’s temples, forming small puddles on the golden bricks. He knocked his head against the floor, the sound echoing loudly, while he murmured, “It was my incompetence, Your Majesty. I deserve to die. However, my arrest of Fang Youlin was not a rash action. I have evidence of his crimes, but Fang Youlin, being cunning, was prepared and gathered a group of rogue martial artists to resist the court. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly.”
The Crown Prince, standing to the side, looked at him with some pity. Having attended the Emperor since the early morning court, he hadn’t had the chance to speak with him. Not presenting the evidence might have been to his advantage; once it was revealed, he would fall into Su Xinghe’s trap.
In desperation, to extricate himself, Commander Nan Yushu became flustered and started speaking without caution. The Crown Prince watched as Commander Nan Yushu accused Fang Youlin of “turning every word into gold,” embezzling funds allocated by the court for prisons. He could almost predict what would happen next, how the Emperor’s face darkened with displeasure upon receiving the evidence. The Crown Prince knew that the Emperor’s concern wasn’t just about the change from thin to emaciated in the documents, but also about the source of the two pieces of evidence.
The Emperor pointed to a mark in the lower left corner, a secret notation only recognized by officials of the Inner Cabinet, and questioned, “How did a copy of the Inner Cabinet’s transcription end up in your hands? Commander Nan Yushu, stealing a memorial is an even greater crime than your midnight disturbance at the residence of a court official. Do you understand that?”
Commander Nan Yushu was stunned turning in panic to look at the Crown Prince, his dark face suddenly turning deathly pale.
Not just him, but everyone in the warm pavilion directed their gaze toward the Crown Prince. Finally, Prince Jianping spoke from beside the window, his voice calm, “The Military Affairs Department falls under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Palace, which has always been known for its strict discipline. For Commander Nan Yushu to commit such a grave mistake is truly perplexing. Please, Father, restrain your anger. There must be hidden circumstances here. I suggest ordering a thorough investigation of Su Xinghe, as I believe the Crown Prince is likely unaware of the situation.”
Playing the role of the good guy in this manner was even more than kicking someone when they were down. The Crown Prince had always known his brother’s nature. He turned to look at him, meeting a pair of eyes that seemed to mock him as if his brother thought this was his chance to step on him.
Although the Emperor was partial to the Crown Prince, he couldn’t avoid questioning him. Commander Nan Yushu, partly to save himself and partly to the Crown Prince, confessed who had given him the document, pointing directly at Su Xinghe.
With this confession, the warm pavilion fell into silence. Prince Minxing hesitated and then said to Prince Jianping, “Su Xinghe? That name sounds familiar…”
Prince Jianping smiled slightly, “Isn’t that the female secretary from the Eastern Palace? If it can be proven that Su Xinghe indeed stole the memorial, she should be severely punished. There are strict rules in the Imperial Secretariat; even the morning scribes have to state their duties before entering, let alone someone handling such confidential documents.”
The Crown Prince pondered silently. Prince Jianping’s willingness to escalate the situation, even at the expense of their people, was telling. If Su Xinghe heard this, he wondered how she would feel.
As for himself, he was ultimately sentimental. Although he would summon her later for questioning, he was confident she could talk her way out of it. But in such cold weather, he thought he could avoid making her leave her warm place.
“The duties of the female secretary are well-known to everyone here. Not only does she handle all the documents from various departments within the Eastern Palace, but even the memorials submitted by the Spring Chambers on both sides have to pass through her hands. Just a few days ago, Su Xinghe received an imperial decree, appointing her as the head of the Ministry of Military Control. Naturally, she should manage her responsibilities accordingly. She is handling two roles simultaneously, so it makes sense that she would integrate them. Why be so rigid in executing duties?” After saying this, he bowed to the Emperor. “Father, please note that although the secret notation on the memorial has been revealed, it hasn’t yet been formally copied. At most, it was a document sent to the Eastern Palace and does not yet constitute a ‘confidential’ matter. Last night’s disturbance at the official’s residence was merely an oversight on Commander Nan Yushu’s part, due to his eagerness to complete the task. However, this incident has revealed a talent. Su Xinghe is indeed skilled in handling cases, as she was the one who noticed the discrepancy and reported it to me.”
This statement implied that the Crown Prince was aware of the situation beforehand. By taking full responsibility, he effectively shielded his subordinates from blame.
However, Prince Minxing was not convinced. “Second Brother, your words suggest a bias towards your subordinates.”
The Crown Prince ignored him, but then the fourteen-year-old Prince Xin spoke up, “Regardless, the accusation against Fang Youlin for embezzling public funds is solid. Father always intended to send a warning, it’s just a matter of whether it’s done sooner or later. Third Brother’s words are quite interesting too. Everyone knows that Su Xinghe is the Second Brother’s concubine; even Father. If he doesn’t side with his own, is he supposed to side with Fang Youlin instead? Let’s stop the idle chatter. It’s so cold outlets send the officials home to enjoy a warm meal instead of dragging this on endlessly.”
