Chapter 39 Return to the Capital

Chapter 39: Returning to the Capital

Jiang Yanzhou chose to roll over rather than lie on his back under Xiao Yunlang's gaze or try to steal glances at him.

He turned his back to Xiao Yunlang, pretending to be asleep, waiting for the Crown Prince to leave and for his own racing heart to calm down.

But lying like this, with his hair falling away, his ears, still flushed with warmth, became even more conspicuous.

The Crown Prince had a particular fondness for this color—like red plum blossoms peeking through snow, or the tenderest tips of peach blossoms in early spring. When he toyed with his jade pendant, he loved to knead and caress that hint of red within the white jade.

Over and over, until the jade took on the warmth of his palm, growing so warm it seemed almost to melt like wax.

Xiao Yunlang stared at Little Young Master Jiang's fine features, unconsciously flexing the bones of his hand, then reached for the cool jade at his waist and gave it a gentle squeeze.

Jiang Yanzhou kept his eyes closed but couldn't sleep at all. He didn't know if Xiao Yunlang was still watching him, but his body was tense, so overwhelming was Xiao Yunlang's presence.

As long as he was in this room, Jiang Yanzhou felt he had nowhere to hide. Even curled into a ball, he couldn't escape Xiao Yunlang's scorching gaze.

Jiang Yanzhou's fingers tightened on the quilt. Though his eyes were shut, his breathing clearly hitched slightly.

Until he heard the faint rustle of pages turning behind him.

...Was Xiao Yunlang flipping through the book, continuing from where he had left off earlier?

Then... he probably wasn't staring at him anymore?

Jiang Yanzhou's curled legs shifted slightly.

Once he knew Xiao Yunlang's gaze wasn't fixed directly on him, his heart began to relax. The heat in his ears lessened, and the blush slowly faded.

When Xiao Yunlang watched him, he felt tense. But as long as he wasn't paying attention, sharing a room with the Crown Prince felt exceptionally safe.

His nose seemed to catch a faint scent of cedar...

Jiang Yanzhou, who had earlier thought sleep impossible, gradually closed his eyes amidst this elusive fragrance and sank into sleep.

Xiao Yunlang's index finger rested on the page as he watched Jiang Yanzhou's tense body relax, his jade-white ear returning to normal, and his breathing steadying—that's right, he had merely flipped through the book casually, not reading a word.

His gaze had been fixed on Jiang Yanzhou the entire time.

Xiao Yunlang closed the book with one hand and sat by the bedside, keeping that careful distance. A moment later, he couldn't resist using a fingertip to lift a strand of Jiang Yanzhou's hair that had been tousled when he turned over.

Little Young Master Jiang was so clever, yet how could he be so easily fooled?

Xiao Yunlang felt the softness of the jet-black hair between his fingers, then carefully laid the strand down. He extinguished the candles in the room and slipped out silently.

Feng Lan was in the outer room, head bowed, not making a sound.

Xiao Yunlang raised the book in his hand. "He spends whatever cleverness he has on these matters. It's not your fault."

Feng Lan seemed on the verge of speaking but ultimately didn't dare say more.

He had vaguely overheard some private conversation between his masters earlier. That was nothing; after all, His Highness the Crown Prince had said plenty of treasonous things about the Emperor before.

But later... there had been a couple of sounds from the bed frame.

He didn't really want to think about what might require a bed frame to make noise.

But sometimes, the mind really is beyond control.

If the day came when Xiao Yunlang ordered them to change how they addressed Jiang Yanzhou, he'd probably be able to take it with perfect composure.

The southern courtyard fell completely silent, sinking into deep sleep. But from the prefectural yamen at the front to the residences at the back, many places still had lamps lit, bustling with activity.

Song Yicun's body couldn't be left in the prison cell. After the coroner's examination, it was prepared and buried overnight.

Being able to be buried in the Song family ancestral graves and even have a tombstone was something Song Yicun wouldn't have dared dream of in life.

Most of the key members of the Song family were still imprisoned. No one knew Song Yicun was gone. Xiao Yunlang prevented the news from spreading, so when Jiang Yanzhou arrived at the yamen the next day, he heard no discussion about Song Yicun.

The report to the court had already been sent. Now, as they organized the evidence, they were also looking to see if any items might prove useful in certain situations in the future.

Having been caught last night, Jiang Yanzhou felt a bit regretful as evening approached today, thinking he probably wouldn't be able to sneak any work tonight. Unexpectedly, Xiao Yunlang took the initiative to say that after dinner, he could stay in the duty office for an extra incense stick's worth of time.

Jiang Yanzhou blinked in surprise.

Xiao Yunlang: "If you take this extra incense stick's time, you must go to bed on time when you return. Otherwise..." Xiao Yunlang paused. "Otherwise, Feng Lan, overwhelmed with guilt, will kneel and beg for punishment."

Feng Lan cooperated perfectly, his face grave, immediately looking as if he were about to drop to his knees right then.

Jiang Yanzhou hurriedly stopped him, nodding repeatedly to show he absolutely would not secretly read books under the covers and would definitely sleep properly.

Xiao Yunlang allowing him an extra incense stick's time was already an unexpected favor. After all, using brush and ink on the bed wasn't as convenient as sitting at a desk.

They were still bent over their desks, writing swiftly. Several days later, the first report from Congzhou finally arrived in the capital.

Even Emperor Yonghe himself assumed the news brought would only concern the examination fraud case.

But as he opened the document, the veins on his forehead throbbed more and more violently.

The aged veins bulged fiercely, his entire face flushing purplish-red, eyes wide with rage. The paper rustled in his trembling grip, each line of text fueling his anger further.

He snatched the letters serving as evidence and tore them open. Before that, part of him still couldn't believe it.

But the facts left him no choice.

Splendid! Just splendid!

Zhong Qingfu, what a Zhong Qingfu!

An official he had personally promoted to curb the influence of the great families had long since betrayed him, colluding with the Jiang family, greedily filling his own pockets with wealth from Daqi's lands!

The document mentioned a tentative calculation of the sums involved—and this was just tentative!

Emperor Yonghe was so furious he felt dizzy, clutching his throbbing, stabbing head. His breathing grew so rapid it seemed it might stop at any moment, frightening Chief Eunuch Shuang Quan into immediately trying to soothe him.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please take care of your imperial health! Don't work yourself into a state!"

Shuang Quan patted his back, rubbed his chest, fanned him, and bustled about to fetch ginseng tea. Emperor Yonghe was so angry he could barely hold the teacup steady. He managed a sip and only recovered after a long while.

Though Emperor Yonghe was nearly enraged to the point of fainting, fortunately, he hadn't lost his wits.

He had recently reactivated the Imperial Guards. These days, palace security, both inside and out, alternated between the Imperial Guards and the Forbidden Army. Today, the personal guards on duty were Imperial Guards. Perfect.

Emperor Yonghe immediately issued an edict, summoning all Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat, saying news of the Congzhou examination fraud case had arrived and they were to convene for discussion.

Once everyone had assembled, catching them completely off guard, Emperor Yonghe flung the memorial directly into Jiang Linque's face.

The list of crimes pointed squarely at the Jiang family. After a brief moment of shock, Wei Chengsi was overcome with wild joy.

Smuggling tea—this is a crime punishable by death!

Jiang Linque was seized without any warning by the Imperial Guard and cast into the imperial prison. In the inner palace, Empress Jiang was placed under house arrest.

Meanwhile, Wei Chengsi joined forces with his aristocratic faction in the court to denounce the Jiang family, determined to crush his lifelong rival, with whom he had been locked in struggle for decades since the previous dynasty.

Officials of humble origin also sided with the Wei family. As the saying goes, when a wall is about to collapse, everyone gives it a push. Overnight, memorials of impeachment poured in like snowflakes—some well-reasoned and substantiated, others merely echoing the censors’ accusations—creating a great stir.

Those in the court with old ties to the Jiang family trembled with fear, treading on thin ice, terrified of being implicated. The more astute among them had already taken gifts to seek favor with the Wei family.

These days, Wei Chengsi was finally able to hold his head high. The position of the foremost aristocratic family should rightfully belong to the Wei family now.

The Jiang family manor was sealed off, and Emperor Yonghe ordered a thorough search. Strangely, however, he spared Jiang Yinhan, the eldest son of the Jiang family, and did not even suspend him from his duties temporarily, stating only that he would be tried after the imperial envoys returned from Congzhou.

After spending two days in the imperial prison, Jiang Linque was transferred to the dungeons of the Ministry of Justice. Jiang Yinhan, frantic with worry outside, managed with great difficulty to pull strings and visit Jiang Linque in prison.

Stripped of his official robes and dressed in plain clothes, the former Grand Secretary Jiang appeared calm and showed no signs of having been tortured. He had already passed through the most unbearable, shocking, and furious stages—those intense emotions had burned out in the imperial prison.

He stood in stark contrast to the eldest son of the Jiang family, who, though still in official attire, looked haggard and anxious.

Jiang Linque drank the wine Jiang Yinhan had brought, took a few bites of the dishes, then set down his chopsticks. His demeanor was surprisingly less intimidating than it had been outside the prison. He asked softly, “Do you know why His Majesty has spared you for now?”

Jiang Yinhan’s anxious gaze froze.

He knew, but he did not want to say it, nor did he want to admit it.

Seeing his silence, Jiang Linque looked at him meaningfully. “Can you lead the Jiang family?”

—Emperor Yonghe believed he could not lead the Jiang family. To prevent the Wei family from rapidly growing into the next Jiang family, he had temporarily spared Jiang Yinhan.

Jiang Yinhan’s hands slowly clenched into fists beneath his sleeves.

Jiang Linque poured a cup of wine, the sound clear and crisp. Suddenly, he said, “Yu’er is a good child. His future achievements will far surpass yours.”

Jiang Yinhan’s hand, which had been serving his father, trembled, and his chopsticks clattered to the ground. He looked up in horror, meeting Jiang Linque’s eyes.

Those eyes were so calm that they terrified him, making him tremble uncontrollably.

Because he understood what Jiang Linque meant.

Yu’er was Jiang Yinhan’s child, now four years old, precocious and exceptionally bright.

And Jiang Linque continued, “Among the collateral branches in Ningzhou, the thirteenth young master is also an outstanding child. His reputation as a prodigy rivals that of Liu Hexuan in his time. Given time, he will achieve great things. With them, the Jiang family still has a future.”

Jiang Yinhan’s breathing grew rapid. “Father, I… I…”

Jiang Linque handed the cup of wine he had just poured to Jiang Yinhan. “I groomed you myself. Given another ten or twenty years, you could lead the Jiang family. But as you are now, you are not yet capable.”

Jiang Yinhan’s eyes instantly reddened. Holding the cup of wine, he trembled uncontrollably.

He was not yet capable now. So then—was he to die in Jiang Linque’s place?

Was he to take the blame for the Congzhou affair and all other charges, absolving Jiang Linque completely, performing his filial duty to his father and demonstrating his loyalty to the family, and then die?

Emperor Yonghe had targeted the Shangguan family during the disaster relief efforts but had not meddled with the land taxes in Cangzhou. Now, with the Jiang family, he would not meddle with the land taxes in Ningzhou either.

Because the other aristocratic families still held power. Meddling with land taxes would threaten the survival of all aristocratic families, forcing the clans to band together and end their internal strife.

As long as Jiang Linque lived, even if stripped of his official position, he had the potential to rise again.

As for the eldest son of the Jiang family… he fell short.

That cup of plain wine became a deadly poison. Jiang Yinhan held it in his hand, but his throat felt as if it had already been burned and poisoned.

“The Jiang family must endure, my son,” Jiang Linque said. “The time has come for you to make a choice.”

Jiang Yinhan did not know how he managed to drink that cup of wine. Perhaps it was the fear of his father’s authority instilled in him since childhood, a mountain he could never overcome.

Watching him drink the wine, Jiang Linque’s expression softened, revealing a rare paternal warmth, much like when he had sent Jiang Yanzhou off to be married.

“When Jiang Yanzhou returns to the capital, have him come to see me.”

Still immersed in shock and fear, Jiang Yinhan looked up in confusion.

Sitting upright on the straw mat, Jiang Linque’s eyes still gleamed with sharpness. “He went to the Crown Prince’s residence, and the grain exchange was exposed. He went to Congzhou, and the smuggling of tea was discovered.”

“The memorial His Majesty threw in my face stated that Zhong Qingfu was implicated in the examination fraud case, detained, and during the investigation, the illegal tea trade and collusion with the Jiang family were uncovered.”

Jiang Linque laughed at this absurd explanation. “If they hadn’t been prepared in advance, how could they have linked the examination fraud case to Zhong Qingfu? The Crown Prince clearly knew long ago! The operation itself didn't go wrong, so where is the problem? The spy we still haven’t found—where is he?”

Jiang Yinhan was completely stunned.

Was Jiang Yanzhou the one who leaked the information?

But how was that possible? He clearly knew nothing. After the age of ten, he hadn’t even set foot in Jiang Linque’s study again!

How could he have accomplished it, and how could he have dared to sell out the Jiang family to the Crown Prince!

Jiang Linque sighed for the first time that day. “We all misjudged him.”

The prison was cold and damp, the chill seeping into the bones like a clinging curse, threatening to swallow all those trembling with fear inside.

The eldest son of the Jiang family stumbled out of the prison cell in a daze, unsteady on his feet, his face deathly pale. After walking some distance, he suddenly bent over and vomited.

His stomach convulsed with pain, expelling the little wine he had just drunk, burning his heart and lungs once more.

When Jiang Yinhan lifted his head in agony, tears streamed down his face as he gazed at the daylight.

His name, “Yin,” meant humility, patience, insight, and waiting for the right opportunity.

He had followed Jiang Linque diligently in everything he learned. Was he truly incapable of leading the entire Jiang family now?

The emperor saw him as no threat, and his own father believed that, for the sake of the Jiang family’s survival, he could go to his death.

But as he recalled the dark prison cell and looked at the light within reach before him—

Was he truly incapable? Was he really?

Why should he be the one to die? Why?

He wanted to live. Jiang Yinhan thought in agony: I want to live!

Was he to spend his entire life in his father’s shadow, like that useless Jiang Yanzhou, discarded like weeds, crushed to death like dust?

Trembling, Jiang Yinhan slowly clenched his fists. The fear in his eyes did not vanish, but a fierce, ruthless determination began to emerge alongside it.

Jiang Linque had given him a choice. Then… no matter how he chose, his father would surely support him, wouldn’t he?

A fierce resolve hardened in his eyes as he forcefully told himself: He wanted to live.

*

A few days into Jiang Linque's imprisonment, an imperial edict arrived in Congzhou.

The Emperor urgently summoned the envoys and their party to return to the capital immediately with the witnesses and evidence. Just from the urgent tone of the edict, one could imagine Emperor Yonghe's fury, wishing he could tear the guilty ministers limb from limb.

Given the time lost to this back-and-forth, Jiang Yanzhou and the others had already stayed in Congzhou for over ten days. Such was the nature of ancient communication: delays on the road were lengthy.

Xiao Yunlang needed to escort Zhong Qingfu and the others back as quickly as possible, requiring a fast march. Therefore, on the return journey, he couldn't travel inconspicuously alongside Jiang Yanzhou as he had on the way here.

Jiang Yanzhou's body still couldn't withstand a rapid journey. However, this return trip didn't need to be rushed. They could take their time and go slowly, to avoid falling ill again from the fatigue of travel.

Xiao Yunlang still left a hundred troops for Jiang Yanzhou. Jiang Yanzhou clearly felt the carriage was slower than on the way here, and the jolting was lighter.

But sitting in the carriage for too long would still get stuffy and uncomfortable.

On the way to Congzhou, he had hardly appreciated the scenery along the route. On the return trip, he could finally take a look. Jiang Yanzhou pushed open the window, his gaze shifting from the flowers, plants, and trees along the road to the horses accompanying the carriage nearby.

The horses chosen for this hundred elite soldiers were all fine steeds, with glossy coats and elegant muscle lines that clearly indicated great explosive power.

As Jiang Yanzhou watched, an idea popped into his head.

Since there was no need to hurry, then...

When the procession stopped for a break, Feng Lan was taken aback. "You said you want to learn to ride a horse?"

Jiang Yanzhou, sitting on a small wooden chair brought out from the carriage train, nodded like a chick pecking at rice.

Learning more practical things in ancient times was always good; it might come in handy. Also, it should help exercise his body, right?

With the fine weather, it seemed like a good time to try.

Feng Lan put down his bowl. "If you don't mind, I can lead the horse for you."

To 'lead the horse' was essentially to teach him. Jiang Yanzhou certainly didn't mind; on the contrary, he was overjoyed. Feng Lan's horsemanship was excellent; he had fully witnessed it on the journey here.

Feng Lan selected a gentle horse and helped Jiang Yanzhou mount. Only then did Jiang Yanzhou realize that watching others ride looked simple, but sitting up here revealed there was much more to it.

Apart from the reins in his hands, there was no other support around. When the horse moved, everything in his vision swayed, and his body easily rocked along. Although he needed to look ahead, a novice couldn't help but stare at the horse's head, afraid of being shaken off.

Fortunately, someone was leading it in front, so walking a few steps wasn't a problem.

Feng Lan led the horse ahead, with someone else following beside to prevent Jiang Yanzhou from falling. Little Young Master Jiang nervously gripped the reins tightly, but his clear, cool eyes showed not a hint of retreat.

Except for matters concerning Xiao Yunlang and the Qi Dynasty, Little Young Master Jiang had never shown fear in anything else.

"Your body needs to be straighter. Don't tense your legs too much; otherwise, the horse might feel uncomfortable from the force and become difficult to control..."

Feng Lan corrected Jiang Yanzhou's posture bit by bit. Seeing that Jiang Yanzhou's gaze still instinctively darted to the horse's back, he thought for a moment and said, "If His Highness were to instruct you, he would undoubtedly be a better teacher. His Highness's horsemanship was already unmatched on the frontier."

Jiang Yanzhou's attention was indeed drawn, and he looked ahead. "He's so busy. I couldn't possibly bother him with this."

Jiang Yanzhou couldn't help but picture Xiao Yunlang during the spring hunt, controlling the steed without reins, using only his waist and abdomen to draw the bow and shoot an arrow. His tense shoulders relaxed slightly as he said softly, "His horsemanship is naturally excellent."

Feng Lan thought to himself, *I believe His Highness wouldn't consider teaching you a waste of time. On the contrary, he might prefer to do it himself.*

Being able to relax on horseback was already mastering a major point. Since it was his first time, Feng Lan didn't let him ride long before saying, "Young Master, that's enough for today. Otherwise, your legs might get chafed since they're not used to it."

Is that so?

Although Jiang Yanzhou didn't feel anything yet, he listened to the advice and obediently dismounted.

He learned slowly, bit by bit, on the journey back to the capital. When sitting in the carriage, he also practiced calligraphy, working very hard.

When they were about two days away from reaching the capital, a pigeon delivered a letter.

Feng Lan took it, opened it to read, and his expression changed dramatically. Holding the letter, he hurriedly presented it to Jiang Yanzhou.

Jiang Yanzhou opened it and was also taken aback for a moment.

The letter from the capital said that Jiang Yinhan had turned against his own family for the sake of righteousness. Before the Emperor, he wept bitterly, listing ten major crimes of Jiang Linque, stating that loyalty and filial piety were difficult to balance, but as a minister of the Great Qi Dynasty, state affairs must come first.

He also produced evidence, claiming to have found it by searching all possible hiding places of Jiang Linque. Even before the stage of confiscating family property, he had already donated part of the family wealth.

With such impartiality and integrity, the Emperor held him up as an example, praising him repeatedly.

Both the Jiang clans in the capital and Ningzhou were in an uproar. Among the capital Jiang clan, two of the senior elders immediately fell ill and were bedridden.

According to reports from covert surveillance, among the remaining people, someone suggested that perhaps they could wait for the Crown Princess Consort to return to the capital and see if there was still a glimmer of hope.

Jiang Yanzhou, who had personally created the current situation and pushed the Jiang family to this step: "..."

It was evident they were desperately grasping at straws, actually thinking of seeking help from him, the mastermind behind it all.

Speaking of which, did these senior elders not know about Jiang Linque poisoning him?

And Jiang Yinhan—in the official historical records at the time of the Jiang family's downfall, Jiang Yinhan was imprisoned along with them. Now, with the timing different, Emperor Yonghe had temporarily spared him.

But everyone truly hadn't expected Jiang Yinhan to go this far, directly disowning his own family.

This couldn't be Jiang Linque's idea, because given his character, he should have wanted Jiang Yinhan to die for him.

But since Jiang Yinhan had done this, Jiang Linque, knowing the situation was beyond recovery, would probably admit to everything and truly sever ties with Jiang Yinhan.

Jiang Yanzhou put away the letter, his eyes unreadable.

Feng Lan asked, "Young Master, do we need to return to the capital as soon as possible?"

Jiang Yanzhou shook his head.

The Jiang family elders wanted to see him, but he had no desire to see them. There was no hurry even to return after everything was settled.

The Jiang family had nothing to do with him from beginning to end.

Jiang Yinhan was not Jiang Linque. When the high tower collapsed, he didn't possess such great capability. The days of mutual scheming between the Jiang family and Jiang Yanzhou had come to an end.

But finally, thinking of something, Jiang Yanzhou changed his mind and nodded.

Their pace these past few days had been exceptionally slow, almost like an outing, and they had indeed spent too much time.

Calculating, it had been a long time since leaving the capital, and many days had passed since parting with Xiao Yunlang.

Jiang Yanzhou suddenly felt a bit of longing too... He blinked, the image of Xiao Yunlang in his mind not yet faded, but in the beat of his heart, he silently thought: *He missed the little tit in Yan Gui Xuan, yes.*

He wondered if the little tit would still recognize him.

Better to go back and see as soon as possible.