Chapter 47: Heavy Crime

Chapter 47: Heavy Crime

"Yun Se, do you think this is true or not?"

Du Yunse shook his head slightly, "I don't know either."

Qiu Huanian was not asking about the truth of whether Bai Yuchuan's father was highly regarded by a prince in the capital. As he had just explained to Jiu Jiu, if Bai Yuchuan's father was really that powerful, why would Zhuang Widow, her mother, still be living her current life in Du Village?

But Bai Yuchuan wouldn't mention "the prince in the capital" for no reason. She must have heard something related from her father to use it as a threat to show off.

Zhuang Widow said her son-in-law came to Zhang County to do business and incidentally brought his family back to visit relatives. What kind of business in Zhang County would necessitate a special trip?

It's no wonder Qiu Huanian thought more about it. After Sixteen, the Crown Prince's personal guard, suddenly came to live in Du Village for several days, he realized that even though his family lived in the countryside, they were still affected by the capital's unpredictable politics.

Du Yunse pondered for a moment, "If the capital's forces are intervening in Liaozhou, it should be for the border issues with the Tatars."

"Wu Shen mentioned in his letter that the Tatar army is equipped with many new weapons of unknown origin, and their provisions are much more abundant than in previous years?" Qiu Huanian recalled this.

"The Tatar army's sudden attack on Jingshan Guard was intended to tear open a gap and plunder the cities behind, but they were unexpectedly blocked by Wu Shen. The changes in their military were also revealed to the Yu Dynasty."

Du Yunse looked at the obscure sky outside the window, "The imperial court has always been controlling the flow of provisions and ironware into the grasslands. After Wu Shen's battle report was sent back to the capital, the court and the public would surely be shaken, and people would be sent to the border for strict investigation. Such a significant event would not go unnoticed by those in the capital."

"Even the imprisoned Crown Prince... Sixteen's earlier visit to Jingshan Guard wasn't merely to deliver medicinal supplies from the Crown Prince to his 'cousin'."

"Those behind the scenes aim to covertly erase evidence; those vying for power seek to exploit the situation to topple their rivals."

Qiu Huanian shook his head, got up and closed the door of the main room. The wind had picked up in the courtyard, and the strong wind rolled up sand, stones, and grass leaves, raging and swirling in the air.

"Liaozhou, Xiangping Prefecture... chaos is coming."

Originally, with Zhao and others being driven away, the troubles in their lives had almost disappeared. In less than a month, the first crop of cotton could also be harvested. Qiu Huanian had gradually gotten used to a peaceful life, focusing entirely on daily necessities and the cotton in the fields.

But now, he suddenly realized that the looming threat from the Yu Dynasty's power center was unstoppable. Even if it was just the aftermath, it would cause irreparable damage to the happy life he cherished so much.

Although Du Yunse was still insignificant in the eyes of those big figures, a single misstep could still attract attention and prematurely involve him in a complex political conspiracy that he could not protect himself from.

Moreover, the emperor has always had a hold over Du Yunse. If the border situation develops to a certain extent, when necessary, the Yuanhua Emperor might not hesitate to manipulate this hidden connection.

Du Yunse pulled Qiu Huanian into his arms, gently stroking his thin and beautiful back, "Brother Hua, I will definitely protect you all."

Through the thin summer fabric, the warmth and tremor from Du Yunse's palm spread freely onto Qiu Huanian's skin. Qiu Huanian raised his hands and also tightly hugged the person in front of him.

"...Du Yunse, don't be afraid, I will always stand by your side."

The abnormal gust of wind slapped against the window paper, the sun had already set, and darkness was gradually eroding the last bit of light between heaven and earth. In this rural home, bracing for the storm, they clung tightly to each other.

...

There was little fresh news in the countryside. Zhuang Widow's daughter, who had married far away, returned to her hometown with two children to visit relatives, and the news quickly spread throughout Du Village.

Hu Qiuyan visited Qiu Huanian's home for a chat, sewing clothes as she spoke, "When I first married into Du Village, Zirong was still in the village. Back then, Zhuang Widow's husband had already passed away, and as a widow raising a daughter alone, life was very tough. My mother-in-law often had me assist them."

"Zhuang Widow is a good person, but Zirong..."

Hu Qiuyan fell silent and shook her head, not gossiping about the trivial unpleasantries of the past, only mentioning things that most people in the village knew.

"About eleven or twelve years ago, Zirong went to town to sell eggs and returned with a man dressed in silk from out of town, determined to marry him. Zhuang Widow only had this one daughter, how could she bear to marry her off to someone of unknown background? Seeing her mother's refusal, Zirong cried and made a big scene."

"I was still a new bride at the time and not very familiar with the villagers. Somehow Zhuang Widow suddenly relented later. The man set up a few tables of feasts in the village and took Zirong away, never to return. Every year, he only sent a message via someone. Since Zhuang Widow couldn't read, she had to ask the clan head's family to read it for her."

"Some say Zirong is living in luxury away from home and has long forgotten her elderly mother; others say something must have happened to Zirong, which is why she hasn't returned. Her sudden return with two children this time came as a real surprise."

After Jiu Jiu finished repeating what Yuchuan had said, Qiu Huanian had been preoccupied with the new arrivals at their neighbor, the widow Zhuang's house. He casually asked Hu Qiuyan, "What was the background of that man back then? Did no one in the village know him?"

Hu Qiuyan said uncertainly, "He seemed to be a businessman from the capital area. I only saw him from afar once, so I don't know the details."

Yun Kang was studying in the study with Qiu Huanian's two children and Chi Qinghe. Du Yunse had them recite what they had learned. Hearing her son's clear reading voice, Hu Qiuyan couldn't help but smile.

"Brother Hua, I've heard back from my relative. He said the border situation is a little tense this year. With the autumn harvest approaching, the government has already called for labor twice, both for reinforcing city walls and transporting provisions. He'll do his best to find ginseng seeds for you, but this year's harvest might be slim."

Qiu Huanian still had the medicine that sixteen had sent, so he wasn't in urgent need of ginseng seeds. He nodded upon hearing this but was more concerned about another matter, "Has the border started drafting labor?"

"Yes, the letter said that every household in their counties has been conscripted once. Except for those with official titles or households with just one man, no one has been spared."

The Yu Dynasty prioritizes letting the people farm and recover. In previous years, apart from the unavoidable summer river dredging, the government would only conscript labor from a few villages after the autumn harvest.

For several counties to draft every household, as Hu Qiuyan mentioned, the last time this happened was nearly twenty years ago, when border enemies were still strong, before the emperor personally led a campaign.

Hu Qiuyan also seemed worried, "Our Zhang County is pretty close to the border. If they're still short on people, they might draft from Du Village."

"Ordinary conscription is one thing, but this time it's for the border..."

Hu Qiuyan's son Yun Kang is just seven, under the Yu Dynasty's draft age, so the only grown man in her family, Baoshan, doesn't have to serve. Qiu Huanian's son Chun Sheng is still a kid, and Du Yunse has a scholar's title, so he wouldn't be drafted either.

But most other families in Du Village fit the draft criteria. If the government's order comes down, many familiar faces won't be able to avoid this. For instance, at least one of the clan leader's three sons would have to go, and if there's a second round, another one would be called up.

This time, with every household being drafted, it's tough to pay someone to take your place.

Qiu Huanian comforted, "For now, it's just those counties near the border. It's still a ways off from reaching Zhang County. Maybe by then, they'll have all the people they need."

"Let's hope so," Hu Qiuyan sighed.

Just then, Hu Qiuyan heard a loud noise coming from Qiu Huanian's courtyard wall, interrupting the reading in the study.

Qiu Huanian also heard it and got up to check. Du Yunse came out of the study as well. They walked to the base of the western wall and found a deflated ball lying there quietly. The noise must have come from the ball.

"Bang bang bang! Bang bang bang!"

The courtyard door was knocked urgently. Du Yunse frowned slightly and stopped Qiu Huanian, going to open the door himself.

Qiu Huanian tilted his head slightly, his gaze brushing past Du Yunse's back. Through the half-opened door, he saw an eight or nine-year-old boy with a round head, a chubby belly, and his chin held high.

"My ball fell into your yard. Give it back to me quickly!"

Hu Qiuyan tugged at Qiu Huanian, mouthing, "Zirong's son, this is too..."

She didn't finish, but the implication was clear: Zirong had married well to an out-of-town merchant and lived a good life, but how could her child be worse than her own Yun Kang, who had grown up in the village?

Throwing a ball into someone else's yard and coming to retrieve it without even an apology or a kind word!

Qiu Huanian picked up the ball and walked to the door, "Is this it?"

Seeing the ball, the boy's mouth instantly turned down, "How did my ball get deflated? It was fine just now. This was a gift from my dad. You owe me a ball!"

Qiu Huanian found his anger amusing. Although he knew an adult shouldn't argue much with a child, some brats are just too annoying.

"So you admit this is your ball?"

Seeing the boy nod, Qiu Huanian shook the ball in his hand, "Good. Your ball just disturbed my children's study. Go call your parents to come and apologize, or I won't return this ball to you."

"You—you—" The boy stammered, then turned and ran away, "I won’t! Just you wait, I’ll get my sister to come and give you a piece of her mind!"

The noise at the door was too much, and the children from the study also came out. Chun Sheng yelled after the boy, "Come on then, who's afraid of you! My sister’s way tougher than yours!"

"..."

Qiu Huanian couldn’t help but laugh, while Du Yunse's face darkened, "Chun Sheng, it's study time now, did I allow you to leave the study?"

Chun Sheng’s bravado from a moment ago instantly vanished, and he slunk back into the study to get back to his books. Jiu Jiu also wanted to laugh but held it in by pinching her hand.

Qiu Huanian, of course, wasn’t about to wait around for Yuchuan to come and pick a fight. He shut the gate, tossed the ball into the yard, and went back inside to keep chatting.

That evening, Chi Qinghe was getting ready to leave. The coachman brought the carriage around to the front gate, and Jiu Jiu accompanied her to the door.

"Tomorrow is the day for learning the qin. I’ll be expecting you at my place."

"Are we starting a new piece tomorrow? I’ll go over the qin score again tonight," Jiu Jiu said with sparkling eyes.

Chi Qinghe smiled lightly, "You’re picking it up fast enough as it is. Between studying, learning the qin, embroidery, and helping out at home, you should give yourself a break."

Jiu Jiu just smiled without saying a word. A lot of people were worried she was pushing herself too hard, but in truth, this constant learning gave her real joy and a sense of security.

Jiu Jiu watched Chi Qinghe’s carriage pull away, then she turned her head and noticed Widow Zhuang’s door was slightly open, with Yuchuan standing inside, glaring at her with a dark look.

Their eyes met, and Yuchuan’s face twisted into a scowl. Jiu Jiu gave her a slight nod, her eyes just as icy.

As Jiu Jiu disappeared behind the fancy new Ruyi gate, Yuchuan stamped her foot and muttered angrily, "Just some village girl from a scholar’s family—what’s she got to be so proud about? Back in the capital, she wouldn’t even be good enough to shine my shoes!"

Yuchuan thought of the jade bracelet on Jiu Jiu's wrist, which had a good color, and looked at her own bare, fair wrist, feeling both angry and aggrieved.

Her original bracelet was much better than this little village girl's. Unfortunately, when she left the capital, all her jewelry had been taken by the maids sent by her stepmother and stepsister, and not a single good piece of clothing was left in her luggage. Now she could only wear shabby cloth clothes.

"Yuchuan, come help grandma scoop some water," Widow Zhuang's voice came from the yard.

Yuchuan rolled her eyes, barely holding back a retort. She was just an ignorant village woman who couldn't even read, yet she had the nerve to act like a grandmother and order her around.

Back at home, she was a proper young lady with maids to serve her. Now she had sunk to doing menial, dirty work in the village.

Her father had just been momentarily swayed by her stepmother's instigation. As long as her younger brother was still around, the three of them would eventually return to the capital. When that time came, she would make sure those who had kicked her while she was down would pay!

But for now, she had to deal with the scholar's family next door to make her already difficult life a bit more bearable...

Yuchuan narrowed her eyes, her faded red nails digging into her palm.

...

The next morning, before the sun had fully risen, Qiaoyin, Chi Qinghe's maid, arrived in a carriage to pick up Jiu Jiu. By now, the people of Du Village had grown accustomed to the carriage from Song Juren's residence. Seeing Jiu Jiu dressed in silk and adorned with gold, they marveled at how the little village girl was almost turning into a young lady.

Cun Lan, clutching a handful of wildflowers, hid in the shadows until the Song family's carriage had gone far away before she listlessly emerged.

She carried a bamboo basket on her back, filled with pigweed she had gathered early in the morning from the back hill, hurrying home to feed the livestock.

Cun Lan walked a few steps with her head down when suddenly a pair of new cloth shoes appeared in her line of sight, their owner blocking her path.

Cun Lan looked up and saw the granddaughter of Widow Zhuang, who had been the talk of the village lately. Cun Lan had heard she had a bad temper and didn't want to get entangled with her, but the other girl spoke first, "You used to be quite close with Du Jiu Jiu, didn't you?"

"I heard her family used to be very poor, relying on you to play with her. But now that her brother has passed the scholar exam, their family has built a big house, and she's befriended the daughter of a Juren, she doesn't want anything to do with you anymore."

"Look at her, wearing jewelry and silk, yet she doesn't share any with you. To those who know, you're supposed to be like sisters, but to those who don't, they'd think you're her maid!"

"If I were you, I wouldn't let Jiu Jiu stay so smug! Her brother is a scholar, but your grandfather is the clan leader. If you need help, come to me anytime, and I'll give you some ideas to teach her family a lesson."

"..."

After Yuchuan finished her long speech, she walked away without another word. Cun Lan stood there with her head down, tears suddenly falling to the ground, wetting the soil and vanishing almost instantly.

She dropped the crumpled wildflowers, wiped her tears, and ran home with her head bowed.

Ye Taohong was working at home and was startled to see Cun Lan running back in tears, "What's wrong with our Lan? She went out to cut grass just fine, why is she crying now?"

Cun Lan bit her lip and shook her head without speaking. Ye Taohong came over, took the basket off her shoulder, and led her to feed the livestock.

"If you don't want to tell me, that's alright. When Jiu Jiu comes to play with you, I'm sure you'll tell her eventually."

Ye Taohong spoke to her daughter while feeding the mule and the pig.

"Speaking of which, the flower pattern Jiu Jiu gave you last time is still on the cabinet. You should finish looking at it and return it soon. That thing isn't cheap, probably worth a qian of silver. Even if Jiu Jiu didn't ask for it back, it's not right for us to keep it indefinitely."

"Also, Jiu Jiu is so busy every day. Don't just wait for her to come to you; you should visit her too. Brother Hua mentioned last time that he wanted to invite you to play mahjong together!"

"..."

Cun Lan sniffled and let a few more tears fall. She squatted down to help her mother feed the livestock, not saying a word.

...

Thousands of miles away, in the majestic imperial city, the guards around the Chunhe Hall were still extremely strict. Under the scorching sun, the grand and beautiful palace gave off a sense of desolation.

Sixteen knelt quietly in the side hall, waiting for the person ahead to examine what he had brought back.

After a long while, Crown Prince Jia Hongyuan finally put down the letter and held it to the candle flame, burning it to ashes. The black ashes drifted gently to the ground, crumbling into dust.

"How is Wu Shen's injury?"

"General Wu injured his forearm. I've seen it; it won't cause any lasting harm."

Sixteen answered methodically, "General Wu asked me to tell Your Highness to take care of your health and not overthink things."

Jia Hongyuan smiled. He remembered the first time Wu Shen returned to the capital to see him, coinciding with Jia Hongyuan's illness, which left the usually bold young man pale with fear. Since then, Wu Shen's first question upon meeting him was always, "How is Your Highness's health today?"

"Do you think Wu Shen holds any resentment?"

Sixteen calmly replied, "The young general isn't concerned with rewards; he just wants to return to the battlefield as soon as he can."

"That's true. Having grown up in the general's mansion, he's seen all the luxuries, so naturally, he doesn't care for such things."

Jia Hongyuan's mouth still curved upward, but his eyes were filled with coldness. Wu Shen might not care, but as his cousin, Jia Hongyuan couldn't ignore it. In this world, there were very few who genuinely cared about Jia Hongyuan as a person.

Jia Hongyuan turned to look behind him. Sixteen's body blended into the dim shadows, almost indistinguishable from the darkness.

"Sixteen, come closer." Jia Hongyuan moved the candle closer.

Sixteen didn't understand why, but in front of Jia Hongyuan, he always obeyed without hesitation. Even if the Crown Prince smiled and said, "Sixteen, go die," he would instinctively slit his own throat without a second thought.

Jia Hongyuan used the candlelight to scrutinize Sixteen closely, from his brow to his fingertips, taking in every detail of his thin frame. Sixteen remained still, his eyes downcast and vacant, his face devoid of expression.

"You've lost a lot of weight since you've been away. Rest well these days and have meals with me."

Sixteen nodded. Jia Hongyuan covered his mouth and coughed a few times, then looked at his left arm, "Where is your sword? It's gone."

Sixteen was puzzled. "Your Highness, I never carry weapons when I come to see you. It's the rule."

Jia Hongyuan shook his head. "If you had removed the hidden sword outside the hall, there would be traces on your sleeve, but now there are none."

The crown prince of a nation, yet he remembered the details of a mere bodyguard so clearly. If the person before Jia Hongyuan was not Sixteen, they would probably be either moved to tears or terrified out of their wits.

But Sixteen just calmly said, "I gave it away."

"Gave it away?" Jia Hongyuan raised an eyebrow slightly but did not press further.

Looking at Sixteen's lowered eyes, he suddenly asked, "Sixteen, no matter what I say or want, will you always agree?"

Sixteen remained motionless. "My loyalty to Your Highness is as clear as the heavens and the earth."

"Loyalty... yes, loyalty." Jia Hongyuan coughed, his face pale, and waved his hand. "You may go and rest now."

Sixteen obeyed and silently stood up. As he was about to exit the side hall, Jia Hongyuan suddenly spoke, "Sixteen, are you still looking for your family?"

Sixteen was momentarily stunned. "I... am not looking anymore."

Jia Hongyuan nodded slightly. "Nineteen years ago, the Mei clan of Guzhu was sentenced to a heavy crime for failing to defend the city. All adult males within the five degrees of kinship were exiled to Lingnan, and their families were all taken into the palace. But the main branch of the Mei clan had already perished defending the city, leaving only a young boy who was protected under layers of his family's corpses."

"..."

Sixteen stood at the boundary of light and shadow, his back stiff as a straight line.

Of course, His Highness knew his past, just as one must know the weight and length of a weapon. But why say it out loud? He was already just a shadow named Sixteen.

Jia Hongyuan saw the confusion on Sixteen's stern face and felt a sudden softness in his heart. He sighed, "If you really find them, do not acknowledge them. As long as the Mei clan's crime is not cleared, being known would only result in exile to the border or being taken into the palace."

Sixteen's lips moved, but for the first time, no sound came out. "I understand."

Of course, he understood everything His Highness said, but having it said so directly to his face was like tearing open a bloody scar. The pain made him tremble.

He had long been trained to almost lose his sense of pain.

Jia Hongyuan's fingers twitched. He wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing. A semi-deposed crown prince under house arrest in the Eastern Palace, his every word and action were not his own.

"Sixteen, you were chosen for me by the Empress."

"Sixteen... go, go and rest. After resting, return to my side quickly."