Chapter 59

Chapter 59: Fifty-Ninth Chapter

Having settled on a schedule for teaching and tutoring, Lian Cheng felt only a slight mental exhaustion that night. Because he was busy the next day, he forgot about it entirely.

The next day, Qin Tianzhu came alone to speak with Lian Cheng. He asked Lian Cheng whether Lian Xiusheng had carried many chests from the prince’s mansion’s western courtyard back to the Lian residence, all bearing official seals.

Lian Cheng said there was no such thing.

Qin Tianzhu smiled without sincerity, "Commissioner Lian is lying through his teeth, isn’t he? Those things were dug up by our office. How can you say there’s no such thing?"

"...Is that so?" Lian Cheng touched the waist knife at his side. "Then how did they end up at the Lian residence?"

Qin Tianzhu walked around a pillar to stand before Lian Cheng, gesturing and plotting in a low voice, "The Ministry of Works is in charge of the prince’s mansion’s repairs, while the Embroidered Uniform Guard is responsible for investigating the cause of the fire. Who knows if those treasures weren’t what sparked it? But Vice Minister Lian claimed everything above and below ground falls under the Ministry of Works’ jurisdiction, and had those things carried away right from under our noses on the spot. Today, he even lodged an accusation against the Commander, saying he neglected his duties in favor of personal gain, and handed over what was dug up from the prince’s mansion."

Lian Cheng remained impassive, "Since it’s already been handed over, why are you still asking?"

"So Vice Minister Lian is truly upright and aboveboard, hiding nothing?" Qin Tianzhu asked obliquely.

"Commissioner Qin, are you criticizing my sixth brother to my face, hoping I’ll agree with you?" Lian Cheng narrowed his eyes, displeased.

Qin Tianzhu hastily apologized and left. The guard following him walked a good distance before saying, "Why didn’t the Commander come himself to ask? Since you’re equal in rank to Commissioner Lian, how could you get an answer from him?"

"The Commander couldn’t get an answer either. If he could, why would he send me?" Qin Tianzhu said.

"Both you and the Commander truly believe Vice Minister Lian hid something?"

"Men are not saints; who doesn't hide something?" Qin Tianzhu walked with his hands on his leather belt, swaying left and right. "But since he says there’s nothing, then there’s nothing. Can we go search his rooms? If we actually found something, there’d still be Prince Hui’s side to deal with."

"Then why did you come?"

"The Commander’s orders; how could I refuse? Besides, if Vice Minister Lian had a guilty conscience and slipped up, you and I might gain some gold and silver, no?" Qin Tianzhu thought this, but got nothing, and could only sigh regretfully. "Times are hard these days. In terms of birth, we can’t compare to people like Commissioner Lian. In terms of methods, our office never lacks for that..."

The guard smiled ingratiatingly, "Look at you, you are the Commissioner!"

Qin Tianzhu tugged at his belt. Before he could modestly respond, seven or eight guards surged into the dim corridor. They stood in two rows, clearing a path. Then Eunuch Cui arrived, smiling. He walked up to Qin Tianzhu, gave a salute, and then conveyed the emperor's verbal command: arrest the Commissioner and take him to the Imperial Prison.

Qin Tianzhu cried out, but was firmly pressed to the ground by the shoulders. He shouted that he demanded to know the charges before dying.

Eunuch Cui tucked his hands into his sleeves, chin slightly raised, eyes vacant, detached and cold, yet a smile tugged at his lips—eerie. He said in a thin voice, "Some of those things dug up from Prince Hui’s mansion recently were beloved items of the Former Crown Prince. Did you know?"

"I didn't know! I didn't know!" Qin Tianzhu was terrified out of his wits.

"Yesterday, in front of the western courtyard worksite of the prince’s mansion, dare I ask if the Commissioner had a dispute with the Ministry of Works over the ownership of the treasures?" Eunuch Cui asked again.

"Yes, yes, but it was just a few words of quarrel, no physical altercation..."

"Mm~" Eunuch Cui shook his head, his coral cap ring swaying. He said, "So the current emperor had men search the homes of all the Embroidered Uniform Guard officers present yesterday. Everyone else was fine, but why was the *Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River* found in the Commissioner's residence?"

Qin Tianzhu’s heart burned like fire, his body turned to ash. He shouted, "Injustice! I know nothing about any *Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River*! I..."

Eunuch Cui simply refused to let him finish. He interrupted again, "Commissioner, when you worked with Commander Meng in the past, you adhered to the ways of a subordinate. When Commander Meng rode, you cleared the path; when Commander Meng drank tea, you boiled water. How could you not know that the current emperor treasures brotherly love above all? These years, the current emperor has searched everywhere for his elder brother’s old possessions but found none, truly heart-wrenching, with tears at every sight."

"Yet, Prince Hui aside, what exactly does the Commissioner mean by this? This act leaves me deeply puzzled, pondering day and night," Eunuch Cui said with operatic cadence, sighing deeply at the end. "After the morning court, when I was serving the current emperor at his desk in the Qianqing Palace, thanks to Vice Minister Lian’s hint, it became clear. The Commissioner actually harbored improper intentions toward the Former Crown Prince."

Qin Tianzhu was horrified, his spirit shaken, "Nonsense! Nonsense! My wife, children, and entire family of thirty or forty people, I..."

"Among the common folk, there are many who favor male beauty. It’s not so strange. I intended to speak on your behalf, Commissioner. But who would have thought that this time you truly angered the current emperor? His Majesty became furious and specially ordered me to arrest the Commissioner."

Eunuch Cui stepped forward. He was tall, so he had to lower his head slightly to speak to the guard beside him. After lowering his head, he ordered in a volume Qin Tianzhu could hear, "Cut out his tongue. Say that the Commissioner, fearing punishment, tried to commit suicide but was saved by you."

Qin Tianzhu then knew this was a complete setup. He stretched his neck, wanting to curse loudly, but the young guard covered his mouth. The guard crouched down and whispered in his ear, "We’ve been waiting for this day too, for a long time." The other person wasn't an Embroidered Uniform Guard officer; he was a eunuch from the palace.

Lian Cheng stood silently in a corner not far away, with Ji Xing and Qiao Yuer behind him. The two had seen many storms over the years—arrests among their own ranks happened every year. But just now, they not only saw and heard it, but also knew clearly that this was a complete setup.

After everyone in the corridor had left, Lian Cheng stepped out. He didn’t forget to warn the two behind him, "Commissioner Qin was the Commander’s man. If he’s brought down, it means the Commander no longer intends to protect him. You two better keep your mouths tightly shut, or you’ll bring trouble on yourselves."

Ji Xing quickly said, "Rest assured, Commissioner. We’re small fry. We wouldn’t dare report even this kind of thing!"

-

As soon as Qin Tianzhu was locked up, the prison began torturing him. Lian Cheng secretly went to watch. The man was beaten half to death. Two guards, one holding a tray and the other a small knife, were cutting off Qin Tianzhu's genitals at the root, leaving a bloody cavity.

They happened to bump into Lian Cheng. Seeing his pale face, they said expressionlessly that this was the current emperor’s command. Lian Cheng's face stiffened, he suppressed his nausea, and left.

Returning home in the evening, he practiced his sword for a while. When he returned to Penglai Pavilion, Lian Xiusheng handed him several scrolls of calligraphy and painting—rewards obtained from the current emperor.

Lian Cheng glanced at the paintings halfway, and the nausea that had built up over half a day burst forth. He rushed into the yard and vomited violently. He thought, if he were truly an ancient man, he would love living the good life with high rank and riches. But unfortunately, he was not. He didn’t miss home; he longed for socialism.

Lian Xiusheng handed him tea to rinse his mouth, then looked up at the frantic Huqiu behind him, "What did he eat for dinner at home?"

"Just the usual. Tonight we added an extra bowl of pumpkin flower meat wontons. The young master has had them before without issue." Huqiu asked if they should call a medical officer or a doctor.

Lian Cheng waved his hand, saying no, then turned to look at Lian Xiusheng, "Your elder brother is just having a psychosomatic reaction. It’s nothing serious. But since I was traumatized by what I saw in the prison, I won’t be able to teach you your skills for a while."

Lian Xiusheng frowned, "What does third brother mean?"

This guy is really hungry to learn, Lian Cheng thought. He wiped his mouth and stood up, "Don’t say any more. I feel sick right now."

Lian Xiusheng stood alone under the eaves with the teacup. He could only send Man Cai to ride a mule to ask Ji Xing what had happened at the Embroidered Uniform Guard office today. Man Cai said the mule had diarrhea today; could he ride a donkey? Lian Xiusheng was silent for a moment, then said, suit yourself, you can ride Jin Cai too. Man Cai grinned and left.

Soon, rain began to fall outside, pattering, scattering pearls in the garden, mist floating, an ethereal scene. Man Cai returned soaking wet. He reported, "A Commissioner surnamed Qin from the office was taken into the prison and tortured immediately. He was castrated. Third Brother, who enjoys a good spectacle, happened to witness it and was probably disgusted."

Lian Xiusheng stopped drinking his tea, "It’s my fault."

Man Cai was puzzled, "Did you cut out Commissioner Qin, young master?"

"No, but I orchestrated his arrest." Lian Xiusheng finished speaking, then glanced lightly at Man Cai, "You haven't been as quick-witted lately. Keep your distance from Jin Cai."

Man Cai acknowledged, watched his young master take an umbrella, and leave Yiqiu, heading toward Penglai Pavilion.

The courtyard was cool, flowers and trees dripping with rain. Lian Xiusheng walked into the inner courtyard of Penglai Pavilion and saw several maids chatting by the corridor beside the pear tree. They weren’t Tong Xue or Qiong Hua. When he reached the tree, the maids quickly bowed and saluted, asking if Sixth Brother was here to see Third Brother, and saying that Fifth Miss was inside.

Lian Xiusheng nodded, closed his umbrella, and handed it to Huqiu. Inside the room, Lian Yu was fanning herself and talking about marriage, "Fourth Madam wants to arrange a match with the eldest son of the Zeng family’s second branch, but Mother wants to propose second sister-in-law's younger brother. She says the Fu family is higher in status, and it would be marrying within the family."

Lian Cheng, wearing a net cap, lay lazily on a beauty couch, cracking melon seeds, and said lazily, "Master Zeng is Ruzhuo and Miaozhen's grandfather. If you go there, it’s also marrying within the family."

Lian Yu sighed, "But the Zeng family has a grudge against us. What good will come of me going there?"

"That’s true," Lian Cheng nodded. "What do you think?"

Lian Yu naturally wanted to choose the Fu family. "But Fourth Madam will definitely be angry with me."

It was a matter between mother and daughter; Lian Cheng didn't think he should offer further opinion. Just then he saw Lian Xiusheng enter. He beckoned for him to come sit. Lian Xiusheng first greeted Lian Yu, calling her Fifth Sister, then sat at Lian Cheng’s feet. Nonchalantly, he reached under Lian Cheng's robe and took hold of his foot.

"Third brother, let me warm my hands. It’s raining outside and very cold," Lian Xiusheng murmured. Lian Cheng’s face had already flushed. He kicked a few times but couldn't get loose. In front of Lian Yu, he couldn’t very well leap up.

Lian Yu hid her smile behind her fan and laughed softly, "Third brother and sixth brother have the best relationship now."

She didn’t stay long before taking leave, leaving behind several boxes of homemade pastries.

When the room was empty, Lian Cheng sat up, trying to pull his foot back, but Lian Xiusheng let go first.

"Third Brother, Qin Tianzhu's suffering is his just deserts. You don't need to feel sorry for him. Tomorrow, I will personally administer punishment in the Imperial Prison; the Emperor has already approved it. I ask that you remember to stay clear," Lian Xiusheng said, his hand gripping the edge of the beauty couch as if fearing his third brother might flee.

Lian Cheng was startled and asked, "How do you know?"

"Third Brother has a merciful heart; I figured as much."

Lian Cheng spat at Lian Xiusheng. "You must have asked my guards, Ji Xing or Qiao Yuer?"

Lian Xiusheng smiled, then suddenly used his fingers to pinch his third brother's right earlobe. "Third Brother has a mole here, too."

Lian Cheng turned his head away. "You touched my foot just now."

"Third Brother, why are you so disgusted with your own body?"

Lian Cheng rolled his eyes. "You don't disdain it? Then why don't you eat your own foot?"

Lian Xiusheng shook his head. "The position is too awkward. If I were to eat, I'd rather eat yours, Third Brother."

Lian Cheng sucked in a sharp breath, swiftly got off the couch, and hurriedly slipped into his clogs.

Lian Xiusheng's expression was indifferent, as if he didn't understand why his third brother was flustered. Still seated, he said, "'Apply fragrance and spare the lotus steps'—beautiful feet rival the zither of Boya and the music of Shi Kuang. Third Brother..."

Lian Cheng turned back, covered Lian Xiusheng's mouth with his hand, and squinted in threat. "If you argue any further, I'll shove a worn sock into your mouth and see what heavenly taste you can make out."