Zisui Zhi Chen

Chapter 9: TemperAs soon as Xin Yi turned out from the corridor of the side hall, he saw a servant rushing over and on seeing him, his expression immediately relaxed. He walked up and bowing respectfully, he started, “Auspicious greetings to the Hereditary Prince, this servant was ordered by His Royal Highness Prince Ping Ding to guide the Hereditary Prince to change to a clean set of clothes.” When Xin Yi heard of Bai Jiu’s denomination, his pacing slowed but he did not follow him. The servant gave another bow and said, “His Highness said the Hereditary Prince should only think of changing his clothes without paying any attention to the pests behind.”This sounds more like something Bai Jiu would say.Xin Yi smiled and turned around to follow him. The means of control within the palace is not something one can exert on the surface. Every single one of them was secretly competing against each other. They only dared use such underhanded methods while the Emperor feigned ignorance so what was there for him to be afraid of?The servant did not take him far. There were only a few places that ministers from the outside were allowed to go as they weren’t allowed to take any shortcuts. When Xin Yi entered the room, there was already a clean set of robes on the folding screen. He headed straight to the back to change without further instruction. When he walked out, he looked in the mirror and his dimples surfaced.It turned out that this robe was not made for him, but rather Bai Jiu’s size. Speaking of which, Bai Jiu was a head taller than him so the moment he let the sleeves down, he couldn't help but to laugh since it looked like he was singing in an opera. Xin Yi lifted his sleeves and turned around in front of the mirror, making him seem younger than he was. He couldn’t stop laughing to himself in front of the mirror as all his remaining grievances from earlier dispersed. After giving it another thought, he felt about the robes and lifted the sleeves for a light sniff.He didn’t know if he was thinking too much about it but he was sure he could still smell Bai Jiu’s frosty scent. As he raptly sniffed it, someone gently pushed the door open all of the sudden. Bai Jiu walked in just to see him dazedly holding his long sleeves in front of the mirror. He couldn’t help raising an eyebrow.“Does it smell nice?”Xin Yi was just like a cat that’s been poked. He swiftly hid his hands behind his back, feeling as if he had been caught doing something bad…… In addition to last night’s dream, he didn’t dare to look directly at Bai Jiu even more.Bai Jiu’s lips parted into a smile as he went over to roughly measure his chest and waist with his fingers and said, “Let Old Bai take your measurement properly once we get back since compared to when you first came, I see you’ve gotten a little rounder.”“I’ve been eating well…… So it’s normal to gain some weight.” Xin Yi looked down, putting all his attention to searching for the tip of his shoes under his robes as long as it meant not having to look up.Bai Jiu raised his hand to undo his collar, laughing as he said, “How easy to raise.”Xin Yi’s heart at that moment felt as if someone had brushed a feather against it, tingling with an itch.Bai Jiu peeled off his outer robe and without looking any further, he said frankly, “Is the robe to your liking?”Xin Yi nodded at once. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Bai Jiu after having taken off his robe hadn’t changed to a new one. Feeling something was amiss, he looked up to see Bai Jiu looking at him. He froze for a few seconds before letting out, “This robe is——” This robe was actually prepared for Bai Jiu. He turned back once more and saw another set of robes placed neatly on the daybed right beside the folding screen.“Just leave it on if you like it.” Bai Jiu narrowed his eyes slightly as he said, “There’s plenty at home so feel free to take your pick.”Xin Yi couldn’t think of anything to answer with and simply used his sleeves to hide his face. Bai Jiu who was watching suddenly raised his hand to stop him. His hand slipped through from between his sleeves and anxiously stroked his cheek and chin with his fingers. Bai Jiu’s voice was tender when he said, “Xin Wen did this?”Xin Yi shook his head quickly and answered, “It wasn’t him.”Bai Jiu didn’t ask any more, looking as if he already knew who it was. His fingers that had retracted turned back all of the sudden to caress Xin Yi’s cheek with a touch that was cold as frost. Xin Yi looked at him in surprise and his breath tightened. Bai Jiu pointed at his collar and undid the first button for him then said, “Disrobe and let me have a look.”It wasn’t only Xin Yi’s face that got red, but his whole body had probably gone red too.On returning to the banquet, Xin Yi’s heart was still beating nonstop. His face was so hot and beet red that he didn’t even hear Xie Jingsheng’s apology clearly. It wasn’t until Xie Jingsheng called yet another time that he finally came around. He only answered Xie Jingsheng with a shake of his head to tell him that it was alright.Xin Wen and Guan Si had already returned to their seats earlier. Upon seeing Xin Yi returning to his seat, Xin Wen gave him a few snickers. Xin Yi poured some wine and smiled back at him.The palace banquet was nearing its end and the Emperor looked as if he already had his fill of conversations. Xin Yi took this time to take a good look at the Emperor. He was an old man of sixty-eight or nine, looking completely decrepit once he’s tired. Xin Yi lowered his eyes and took a sip of wine without looking any longer.Everyone’s conversations were not as what they were so it seemed like a good time to break it up. The Emperor cleared his throat and Kang Fu who was by his side hurriedly bowed and extended his hand over to help the Emperor up. All below quietened down and the Emperor said with a smile, “Tonight has been truly enjoyable.” From these words alone, there was bound to be a continuation until the capital’s military guard came rushing in from outside the hall. The Emperor asked with a frown, “What is it?”The military guard got down on one knee and hesitated for a moment before he said, “Reporting to His Majesty. According to procedures, The Military Guards of the Capital1 conducted a patrol tonight and Officer He from the Imperial Clan Court was discovered, drowned in Bailu Lake in the side hall.”The instant this was said aloud, everyone fell into shock. Even He Anchang who had dozed off unfurled in slight disbelief. Xie Jingsheng’s expression hardened and they both unconsciously exchanged looks just to see confusion in each other’s eyes. The Imperial Clan Court was not affiliated with the Central Secretariat so they weren’t part of the Left Faction nor under Bai Jiu. They were under Prince Qin, Xin Zhenghong, a nonmilitant division of the Capital with little to no influence. Since the one who died was an ordinary fifth rank officer, it was inevitable for everyone to first suspect if it was any among them who was deliberately splashing dirty water3.Prince Qin rose to his feet and said with graveness, “Drowned in the lake? How can one alive and well suddenly drown in the lake!”With a somber look, the Emperor said to the military guard, “Continue your report in detail.”“According to procedures, this official’s main duty tonight is to patrol the Taihe Hall. It was after the hour of the pig2 that the patrol of Taihe Hall would take place. But during the hour of the pig, there were noises coming from the side hall. This official dared not stall and led people there to investigate. When light was shone on the lake, Officer He was discovered to have drowned.” The military guard straightened himself to a kowtow and said, “This official has seen Officer He’s corpse and found there to be something suspicious. Daring not to mislead His Majesty therehence, I have braved the offense in coming forward to report the truth.”“Suspicious?” The Emperor slapped his armrest and said, “Out with it! What was suspicious about it?”“To answer Your Majesty,” This commander of the military guards had to brace himself before he dared to continue, “This official found that Officer He was first strangled to death by someone before he was thrown to drown in the lake.”The moment Xin Yi raised his eyes that had been downcast all this while, Xin Wen dropped his knees to the floor of the banquet with a thud. He said to the Emperor in a panic, “Your Majesty! How could this be!”“And what matters do you have?!” The Emperor pointed at Xin Wen and scolded, “You’re born a dignified hereditary prince of Prince Qin, a direct descendant of the imperial family, what are you doing getting so frantic for?!”“I, I……” Xin Wen’s eyes drifted towards Xin Yi before quickly averting back to say, “Earlier when me and Hereditary Prince Yi were helping Official Guan for a change of clothes, we first saw Officer He at the side hall, resting inside the room. He was still very much well and alive. A while later, Official Guan invited me and Hereditary Prince Yi to go back together. Hereditary Prince Yi refused and didn’t tag along. I assumed Hereditary Prince Yi had a little too much to drink and thought that since Officer He was in the hall, nothing could go wrong. I didn’t expect Officer He to be met with such an accident.” He kowtowed a few times as he exclaimed, “I have committed a crime, we should’ve come back together with Officer He!”“And what’s your crime?” The Emperor reproved, turning to Xin Yi. Whether his gaze at that moment was filled with loathe or fear, it had flashed by too quickly for Xin Yi to catch it. He listened as the Emperor said sternly, “What did you do at the side wing?”It was indeed a good question, leaving him with not as much as a nought to refute and at point blank, deciding that it was him who met Officer He and also stayed until the end. Everyone was aware of who the Emperor was thinking about.An officer from the Imperial Clan Court with a humble official position. Based on past experience, if it was a grandson whom the Emperor heavily favored, the Emperor would've given a short earful, sent him back to reflect and the matter would've ended with a word of apology. Looking at how Xin Wen was running amok these few years, these types of cases where human lives were involved might not have been frequent but it was still common. Now that it was Xin Yi’s turn today, those in the palace would’ve also given no thought in letting him go without any punishment even if it had been an ant that died in the side hall — not to mention a person's life that just coincidentally appeared out of nowhere. It was true that Xin Yi went to the side hall. It was also true that he came back late. Only the three of them knew best what happened at the side hall. But looking at how Xin Wen was acting, this case might’ve been deliberate.Xin Yi was a mute so naturally, he could not answer. Feeling wronged about being in the hall, he kneeled down and pointed to his robes, indicating that he was merely there to change his clothes.“If it was for a change of robes then you could’ve just changed at the same time as Official Guan. Why stay behind?” Prince Qin eyed him and taking a step forward, he said, “Few days have passed since Your Highness came to the Capital. Are you still not educated about the rules? Such an absurd reason will not convince anyone. The officers of the Imperial Clan Court may not be a figure of greatness but as officials of the same court serving the same sovereign, what resentment could there be that was so intolerable?!”“You’ve only been in the Capital for a few days and you’re already making enemies with others? By means of such underhanded methods no less!” The Emperor pushed aside Kang Fu who was supporting him, walked up to Xin Yi and said with somber, “There are three hundred thousand of Bei Yang’s army stationed at the border. If I were to entrust it to someone with such vile thoughts and knows naught of rules and etiquettes, how will my Dalan prosper? Xin Yi, I had thought highly of your father’s loyalty but you actually dare harbor such thoughts!”Xin Yi lowered his head and kept quiet.All of the sudden, He Anchang got up to kneel at the side and said, “Your Majesty, please cease your anger. This official thinks it’s still too early to conclude this matter!”Xin Wen immediately voiced out, “I think so too! Hereditary Prince Yi is frail and gentle in nature and with Officer He dying of strangulation no less, it’s impossible for him to have done such a thing!” He said with eagerness while turning to Guan Si, “Official Guan must’ve thought so too, right?”This is bad, Guan Si muttered to himself. He knew that Xin Wen wanted him to push Xin Yi to his demise by exposing the matter. Now, it wasn’t only Xin Yi who was making him break out in cold sweat but Bai Jiu who was quietly smiling from above! Not to mention He Anchang from the Left Faction who also said his piece to explicate that the Left Faction would not accept an unjust case. In court, both of these factions were honest and upright. If he told them, Xin Yi getting splashed with dirty water would only be a trifle matter but if the slightest splash got on the Left Faction or even if a drop got on Bai Jiu himself, it would be the end of him!Guan Si’s expression changed all of the sudden and he eventually knelt down, proceeding hesitantly, “This official thinks that…… This case should be investigated thoroughly. Officer He himself is a pacifist and as such, it’s only right if there’s an, there’s an explanation.”Xin Wen said, “While I believe that Hereditary Prince Xin Yi is not one to commit evil as he pleases, it’s better to conduct a thorough investigation on this case now that there’s a call for justice. At the same time, we’ll be able to clear Hereditary Prince Yi’s name as well. What does Hereditary Prince Yi think?” As he spoke, he shifted a little to the side, appearing as if he genuinely wanted to help Xin Yi up when he’d actually wanted to lift up his sleeves to reveal his injuries.Xie Jingsheng suddenly wedged himself to kneel between both of them and flashed Xin Wen a smile, looking as if he had sober up as his smile exuded a tad of wickedness. He put Xin Wen’s hand back to the side of Xin Wen’s body and said, “I absolutely, absolutely, absolutely vehemently agree with Hereditary Prince Wen’s words. It would however, be best to leave matters of the court in the hands of courtiers themselves. As a courtier, it is my duty to share worries with the sovereign. There is no need for Hereditary Prince Wen to bother himself with this.” He then said to the Emperor, “How about this? Since this official has returned to the Capital, it wouldn’t be proper to spend these few days in leisure. Seeing as this case has come up by happenstance, could this official request of His Majesty in allowing this official to handle the investigation?”“You, investigate?” The Emperor said with a scornful smile, “He’s the one you escorted all the way back to the Capital so it would be indispensable for you to show some leniency.”“This official would also like to make a request.” He Anchang said with composure, “Officer He and I have crossed paths several times and can be regarded as acquaintances. This official would not feel at ease if an investigation is not carried out for this case. If Official Xie is the only one to investigate this case, it would be inevitable for people to talk about it. As such, this official is willing to supervise this investigation in order to strive for justice.”He Anchang was well known in court for his unwavering equitability. Since he had made such a statement, it wouldn’t be right for the Emperor to refuse him. But to merely let Xin Yi go like this didn’t satiate his anger at all. In the midst of a stalemate, he heard a light knocking of a wine cup from above.Bai Jiu laughed, “A case of a court official's murder should be the work of the Court of Judicial Review’s Official Zuo. Why is everyone else exerting themselves as well?”The Court of Judicial Review is in charge of preceding criminal cases and Minister Zuo Kai of the Court of Judicial Review is known for his clean-cut investigation regardless of the case as well as his ferocious tenacity of being fearless. In the past few years of him sending petitions to the throne, many of those were memorials about Xin Wen and whenever he met Bai Jiu, he bluntly spoke without any reservations as well. If it was him who would preside over the case, everyone would be able to put their mind at ease.Zhang Taiyan while combing his beard said with a wide grin, “What Prince Ping Ding said do not fall short. Why don’t His Majesty proceed with it this way — Official Zuo will preside over this case with Official Xie and Ruxu to investigate and supervise the trial together under His Majesty’s orders. This way, we’ll be able to draw a clean and clear conclusion and not only will it give justice to Officer He but also illustrate the benevolence of His Majesty.”It sounded fair and reasonable enough after both of them spoke up. Also, if he continues to drag it on any longer, it would be inevitable for others to be disenchanted.The Emperor thought about it for a while and eventually agreed to it. This incident only wore him out even more and the Emperor, no longer able to continue to sit any longer, left to return to his room. Xin Wen got up in a hurry once he heard that the Emperor had already reached the entrance of the hall. Just as he got up from the floor, pain shot down his back and he fell flat to the ground from a kick. Prince Qin’s expression changed and he said in alarm, “Prince Ping Ding! What’s the meaning of this?!”Bai Jiu did not pay any attention to Prince Qin and said to Xin Wen with a smile, “Did the fall hurt?”All the ministers who were about to withdraw suddenly fell dead silent and stopped at their tracks. They knew that Yama’s temper was unpredictable but they didn’t know why it was Hereditary Prince Wen who was unlucky enough to get on the nerves of the omnipotent. The more gentle of a smile they saw Bai Jiu had, the more chilling it was.This time, Xin Wen fell hard on his knees but his father who was right in front did not even dare to give Bai Jiu a piece of his mind so how could he dare to cry out in pain? He could only cupped his knee; expression livid as he said with struggle, “It doesn’t hurt.” No one at the side dared to help him up. Even the servants outside had stepped further away in fear of being inflicted. Xin Wen cursed on the inside and was about to get up by himself until Bai Jiu kicked him on the shoulder this time without any warning, verily knocking him down to the floor.“The fall this time must’ve hurt.” Bai Jiu took a cup of wine into his hand while smiling, then leaned down until he was in front of Xin Wen and said softly, “I know Your Highness has a good ruler in hand. But an object like this is supposed to be carried by a tutor. Since Your Highness has yet to be crowned, I don’t think it’s mannerly to bring such a thing into the palace. How about giving it to me?”As soon as Xin Wen heard these words, he knew this man was finding trouble with him because of Xin Yi. His face was ashen by morose from the anger boiling up inside him. He took the ruler out from his sleeve and before he could offer it up, a kick landed right at the center of his chest, making him fall over along with the ruler. A wine cup shattered right beside his head the very next moment and shards flew by his cheek, brushing across with a fine line of blood. Xin Wen didn’t think that this man was brave enough to act in such a way inside the palace, more so in treating him like this. Not only was he startled to death from the shattered cup but he was also burning with rage.Bai Jiu looked down at him disdainfully and said benignly, “How are you this undiscerning in such wise? Prince Qin, it’s a trivial matter if this cup is broken in front of me but if it were to break right in front of His Majesty just now, your precious Hereditary Prince will have to crawl his way out of Taihe Hall tonight.” He reached his hands out to pull Xin Wen up by the collars and said while looking at the blood on his cheek, “Look. Once I’m not happy, don’t things get bloody? The man in the lake from just now hasn’t dried up yet so why is His Highness in such a rush? What’s so important about this lake? How about I send Your Highness there tomorrow?”Xin Wen saw an entanglement of malice and warmth in this beautifully woven face of his. In his eyes, it looked as if there were glaciers of ice that he had been suppressing for almost an eternity. It was so biting cold that his hands and feet trembled, his mouth open then shut and his throat as if suffocated, could not let out even a single word.-Notes:1. 京卫司 was used in the original text, presumably derived from 京衛門, a military division whose main duty is to protect the Capital and to guard the palace ⤴2. 亥时 (haishi) was the word used. Haishi is the Hour of the Pig, which is 9-11pm ⤴3. Pouring or splashing dirty water is a figurative speech meaning to defame someone ⤴