Chapter 36

Chapter 36

The men were brought in, their faces contorted with fury, demanding answers:

"Who are you? Why have you seized us?"

"Gentlemen, if there's a misunderstanding, let's discuss it calmly. There's no need for drawn swords; it's quite alarming."

"We are candidates for this year's imperial examination. How dare you arbitrarily arrest us? Aren't you afraid we'll report you to the authorities?"

Behind them, the Tianxuan Guard remained silent, ushering them into a private room.

"My Lord, the men have been brought."

Their hands bound, the three men struggled fiercely, their faces reddening with effort, but they couldn't break free.

Seeing several unfamiliar faces in the room, their anger intensified:

"Who are you people? Do you know where this is? Release us at once, or I'll raise the alarm!"

"We have no grievance with you. Why are you arresting us?"

Lin Ting nearly choked on his tea. No grievance? He glanced at Pei Xingjian, who remained impassive, as if the insults hadn't been directed at him.

To maintain such composure after being publicly reviled—Lin Ting couldn't help but admire it.

They say practice makes perfect; perhaps he was often cursed at before.

Pei Xingjian rested his chin on his hand, a casual posture. "Oh? Then by all means, go report us."

Their faces instantly changed. The scholar on the right, named Wang Ya, pointed at him: "You—"

"Put your hand down." Zhao Dehai glared fiercely. A scholar, indeed, yet so ill-mannered.

Wang Ya flinched, instinctively retracting his hand.

"This is the capital! How dare you brazenly abduct imperial examination candidates? My classmates have already gone to report this. When the yamen officials arrive, we'll see what you have to say!"

Pei Xingjian tilted his head. Zhuo stepped forward and said, "The tavern's entrances and exits are secured."

Their hearts sank at these words.

Pei Xingjian, however, lazily pointed at Wang Ya. "Repeat what you just said."

Wang Ya's face instantly turned ashen. These days, the tavern was filled with scholars from across the land, gathered for the examinations. After a few drinks, it was inevitable that discussions would turn to matters of state. In the few years since the new emperor's ascension, his reputation for tyranny had grown. Countless ministers had been executed, including renowned scholars. As men soon to enter officialdom, they naturally harbored discontent toward the 'tyrant's' actions and often grumbled privately.

But such talk had always remained among themselves. Today, in his drunken state, he had blurted it out publicly—and they had overheard him.

Coming from the provinces, they rarely encountered officials back home. But in the capital, a falling brick could hit a fourth-rank official or higher.

These young gentlemen, accompanied by guards, were likely the sons of some influential figure.

"Those were just drunken ramblings, Your Excellency," Wang Ya said.

"No, you were right." Pei Xingjian's lips curved slightly. "The world says the current Emperor is cruel and inhumane, a bloodthirsty killer with thousands of lives on his hands, destined for hell after death."

Lin Ting flinched. While not entirely untrue, did he have to disparage himself so much?

Wang Ya was bewildered. "Ah?" His heart fluttered slightly. Assuming the young master's family had also suffered under the Emperor's oppression, he said with a touch of shared misery, "So, you also believe that?"

So, they weren't here to settle scores?

Wang Ya immediately stepped forward, trying to grasp Pei Xingjian's sleeve, but was blocked by Zhao Dehai.

"Young master, I felt an instant kinship with you! Your family must also serve in court, right?"

Pei Xingjian gave a slight nod. "Rise."

The three men stood, and Zhao Dehai brought them stools.

Wang Ya, relieved after the scare, poured out his woes like a torrent: "I've toiled over my studies for more than a decade, dreaming since childhood of serving the people in court. But the current Emperor—" He spread his hands, his face etched with sorrow.

"If I enter court only to die within a few years, what's the point of the imperial examination?"

His companions nodded vigorously in agreement.

Pei Xingjian raised an eyebrow. "How do you know you'd die within a few years?"

Another man said, "Look at how officials have come and gone in recent years. Today's appointment is tomorrow's execution."

"Such insolence! His Majesty only executes corrupt officials!" Zhao Dehai said sternly.

"His Majesty?" The three men exclaimed in alarm, looking from Pei Xingjian to Zhao Dehai. With a thud, they all dropped to their knees.

"Mercy, Your Majesty!"

Lin Ting closed his eyes. Alas, truly, the tongue brings ruin!

Pei Xingjian stepped before them, looking down. "Do you know what crime you have committed?"

The three men lay prostrate, their hearts filled with despair.

Behind them, Zhao Dehai cleared his throat and declared loudly, "Slandering the Emperor! You have committed a grave offense!"

Pei Xingjian said coolly, "According to the laws of Great Yong, you will be imprisoned, stripped of your examination qualifications, and forbidden from entering officialdom for life."

His understated words struck like a bolt from the blue. The three men began to sob.

Then Wang Ya lifted his head, stating firmly, "Those words were spoken by me alone. They had nothing to do with it. I will bear all consequences; please spare them, Your Majesty."

Lin Ting gave him an approving glance. At least the man had some backbone.

"Oh? Why should We spare them?"

The other two turned ashen, wishing they could simply die on the spot.

"We confess our guilt."

They understood this was the best possible outcome—at least their lives were spared.

Lin Ting felt a pang of sympathy. While these scholars had spoken disrespectfully, there was truth in their words. It was merely a disparity in information, so they couldn't be entirely blamed.

Wishing to leave a good impression of Pei Xingjian on these scholars, he approached Pei Xingjian and whispered, "Your Majesty, I believe they could be pardoned this once."

Pei Xingjian's brow furrowed, but he remained silent.

Lin Ting continued, "You see, what they said wasn't entirely wrong." Noticing Pei Xingjian's brow deepen further, he quickly amended, "There was some exaggeration, but the court is in dire need of talent now. If they are punished for this, wouldn't it deter those who genuinely wish to serve, turning away future pillars of the state? After all, who wants to work with a sword hanging over their neck?"

He vaguely remembered the name Wang Ya. During the foreign invasion, there seemed to have been such a figure—on their own side—who, unable to endure the tyrant's actions, had taken his own life before the city gates.

A tyrant's reputation isn't easily changed; it must be done bit by bit.

A silence fell.

Lin Ting's heart pounded nervously, unsure if Pei Xingjian had taken his words to heart.

Suddenly, a voice from above said, "Does Minister Lin also think this way?"

Lin Ting: "Huh?" What did this have to do with him?

"Minister Lin has accepted gifts from court officials—are you planning to gather the pillars of the court into your own pocket?"

What kind of nonsense was this? Lin Ting was momentarily bewildered. He had accepted those gifts for two reasons: first, to provide leverage for the Emperor, and second, as a startup fund for when his mission was complete and he retired.

Valuable things—who would turn down valuable gifts?

"This subject is merely helping Your Majesty keep tabs on their misdeeds."

He had described currying favor with officials in such an elegant way.

Pei Xingjian rubbed his temples, his anger mostly dissipated. He turned to the scholars and said:

"Since you have admitted your guilt, return home and reflect carefully. If there is a next time, We shall show no leniency."

The three men, who had been weeping uncontrollably, suddenly choked on their sobs.

Huh? Go... go home and reflect? Had they heard correctly?

Seeing them still frozen, Lin Ting immediately urged, "What are you standing around for? Do you think the punishment is too light? Get out!"

Belatedly, the three realized the Emperor was letting them off. Overjoyed, they kowtowed three times in quick succession.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!" Supporting each other, they stumbled away.

Just then, the server presented their dishes. "Honored guests, please enjoy your meal."

Lin Ting had been hungry for a long time. The scent made his eyes light up, but remembering that he couldn't start eating before the Emperor, he blinked expectantly at Pei Xingjian.

Pei Xingjian caught that hopeful gaze and picked up his chopsticks with a slight movement of his fingers.

Relieved, Lin Ting dug in enthusiastically.

After the meal, they prepared to depart.

On the first floor, they encountered the three scholars once more.

Upon seeing them, the three bowed respectfully and watched as they left.

The Emperor's carriage stopped in front of the Lin residence. Lin Ting lifted the curtain and alighted.

Standing beside the carriage, he thought for a moment before speaking toward the window: "My gratitude for Your Majesty's escort."

The carriage curtain was pulled aside, revealing Pei Xingjian half-hidden in shadow. "No need. Do not be late for court tomorrow."

Lin Ting retorted impulsively, "Your servant has never been late."

Pei Xingjian fixed him with a pointed glance, then let the curtain fall and ordered the carriage to move on.

Zhang Ji came out to greet Lin Ting and observed him murmuring under his breath as he walked. Curious, he asked, "Lord Lin, what are you saying?"

Lin Ting asked him, "I haven't been late to court these past few days, have I?"

Zhang Ji thought back. Aside from the times the Emperor had specifically excused Lord Lin from morning court, he confirmed, "No, you haven't."

"Oh." Lin Ting relaxed, puzzled as to how he had given Pei Xingjian the impression that he was prone to tardiness.

"Then it's fine. Rouse me a bit later tomorrow."

Zhang Ji agreed, silently marveling at how deeply favored their Lord Lin was by His Majesty.

-

The next day, when Lin Ting arrived at the palace, he didn’t see Pei Xingjian. Qingzi, who was guarding Chonghua Palace, said, "His Majesty is still in morning court and hasn't returned yet."

So he requested a writing desk be brought, along with brushes, ink, and paper. Since the Emperor hadn't arrived, he would practice his calligraphy while waiting. Once His Majesty returned, he could present today's exercises.

He had just finished writing a single character when Qingzi called out from outside: "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has arrived!"

His brush skidded abruptly across the paper. Lin Ting hurriedly set aside his implements and stood to greet the unexpected arrival of Empress Dowager Xie.

Empress Dowager Xie paused in surprise upon seeing him, then quickly regained her composure. "The Emperor hasn't returned yet?"

Lin Ting admired her composure. He knew it was the Empress Dowager who had poisoned him, and she knew that he knew—yet she remained expressionless. Truly the victor of the last imperial consort rivalry.

"Not yet," he replied, discreetly inching closer to the palace doors. With Pei Xingjian absent, the Empress Dowager wielded supreme authority here. If she intended to do anything to him, he was ready to flee.

Qingzi mustered a smile and said, "His Majesty is still in the front court at the moment. Perhaps Her Majesty might return first? Once His Majesty is back, this humble servant shall promptly notify him."

The Empress Dowager snorted coldly. "Will he come to see me? This aged one will wait right here for him."

"This—" Qingzi hesitated. "His Majesty forbids unsanctioned entry into the palace."

Empress Dowager Xie pointed at Lin Ting. "What, is he allowed to stay, but this aged one isn't?"

Qingzi had no choice but to withdraw wordlessly.

...

The dawn audience at last concluded. Pei Xingjian rubbed his tired temples as he stepped down from the throne.

Zhao Dehai hurried after him. "Would Your Majesty require this aged servant to massage them for you?"

Pei Xingjian shook his head. "No need."

He entered his sedan chair to return to Chonghua Palace when, from a distance, he saw Qingshan hastening toward him.

"What is it?"

Qingshan reported, "Lord Lin arrived at Chonghua Palace at the hour of Chen."

Zhao Dehai remarked with a smile, "Lord Lin arrived with such punctuality today?"

Then Qingshan added, "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager had likewise come to Chonghua Palace."

Zhao Dehai’s ceremonial whisk trembled in his hand as he turned to the Emperor. "This—"

Pei Xingjian’s expression darkened. "Make for Chonghua Palace."