A corpse was dragged out of the Crown Prince’s residence.
Within moments, this news spread through the imperial palace, where eyes and ears were everywhere, quickly reaching the ears of certain people.
Incense burned slowly in the warm pavilion.
On the wooden table not far away was a stuck needle. Luan Qingan was no longer here. When the eunuchs had dragged him away earlier, they’d opened the door, and some cold air had rushed into the warm pavilion.
Tian Nan retrieved the needle. Lian Shenwei glanced at it and put down his teacup, saying, “It’s stained with blood.”
Ying Jingjue replied, “Perhaps I’m not quite proficient yet and my hand shook a bit. I’ve disappointed Teacher.”
Lian Shenwei stood up and smiled. “Your Highness has already done very well. This minister still has matters at his manor, so I’ll take my leave first.”
Ying Jingjue nodded, his words full of concern. “Teacher, please go slowly. Little Zhizi, take those two century-old ginseng roots and Frost-Fallen Flowers from this Prince’s storehouse and give them to Teacher. Teacher has just come out of the imperial prison—he must nourish his body properly.”
Little Zhizi acknowledged and hurried off.
Lian Shenwei smiled and took his leave, departing the Eastern Palace with Tian Nan.
The moment Lian Shenwei’s front foot left, the First Prince arrived on his heels.
He stared at Ying Jingjue, his eyes clearly gloating with schadenfreude, yet the words from his mouth were false and pretentious.
“The frontier is stable. Calculating the time, the Young Marquis should return to the capital soon to receive his title. Imperial Brother, since you and he are as close as brothers, you must be sure to slowly tell him about Lord Luan’s matter.”
Ying Jingjue concealed his expression. “Imperial Elder Brother’s information is quite well-informed.”
“I’m only concerned about you, Imperial Brother.”
The First Prince suddenly sighed. “Imperial Brother, you were already weak in power at court. The Young Marquis commands military authority and is on good terms with you—at least that made things somewhat better for you. Now that you’ve killed his uncle by marriage, when he returns, will he still be as close to you as before? I’m afraid Third Brother will be gloating in front of you again.”
The current emperor didn’t have many offspring—only the First Prince, the Second Princess, the Third Prince, and Ying Jingjue who ranked fourth.
All three princes had grown up. There weren’t many imperial consorts in the harem, and with the current emperor’s poor health, the struggle for the throne was becoming increasingly intense.
The First Prince’s birth mother was Noble Consort Shu, while the Third Prince’s birth mother was Imperial Noble Consort. The maternal clan forces of both were evenly matched. However, because the Imperial Noble Consort was more favored by His Majesty, the current emperor was more lenient toward the Third Prince, and many ministers at court supported him.
Ying Jingjue was merely raised at the Empress’s knee and wasn’t close to her. Aside from his legitimate son status, he held no advantage in the struggle for the throne.
The First Prince’s words were full of provocations both overtly and covertly. Ying Jingjue deflected them lightly, and the First Prince, finding his efforts wasted, said a few more words before finally leaving.
The hall suddenly became quiet.
Ying Jingjue took a deep breath and sat on the couch, covering his face somewhat wearily. After a long while, he said hoarsely, “…Teacher… Lian Shenwei.”
“Little Zhizi, can power truly change a person so thoroughly in just a few short years?”
When he was six years old, he had fallen seriously ill and couldn’t remember anything from before. It happened to coincide with his father’s ascension to the throne. He was bewilderedly established as Crown Prince and lived each day in fear amid his father’s harsh demands and the schemes of those around him.
When he was nine, he and Li Ningfeng had secretly snuck out to play. From atop the Yongning Tower, they watched the new top scholar parade through the streets on horseback.
The young man wore a black gauze hat with double wings and a crimson brocade robe that made his skin appear fair. His naturally refined and gentle temperament attracted the eyes of countless noble young ladies.
Though it was clearly a joyous occasion, his expression was indifferent, without any genuine happiness.
It wasn’t until the young man inadvertently looked up and saw him curiously peering down from the tower. He froze for a moment before showing his first smile.
Stones piled like jade, rows of pines like emerald.
Amid the reserved and bashful low cries of the young ladies, Lian Shenwei was pelted with countless sachets, unable to dodge them all, looking quite disheveled.
Ying Jingjue also laughed foolishly along with him, inexplicably feeling a sense of closeness in his heart.
Not long after the Qionglin Banquet, that new top scholar, in addition to serving in the Hanlin Academy, was simultaneously appointed by his father to be his teacher, though strangely without any official title.
Lian Shenwei wasn’t his only teacher—he had other grand tutors who taught him history and classics. But among everyone, he was most willing to be close to Lian Shenwei.
However, as he gradually grew up and Lian Shenwei’s power increased, the friendship and relationship between them remained only superficially harmonious.
Little Zhizi couldn’t offer any words of comfort.
He had grown up alongside the Crown Prince and had watched with his own eyes as His Highness and the Regent Prince had reached this point.
Pushing aside those memories from his mind, Ying Jingjue hardened his heart. “Deal cleanly with the person who tortured Teacher in the imperial prison. Even if Teacher suspects I had a hand in this matter, he must not be able to prove it.”
“The person who carried out the torture was sent in by Third Imperial Brother, so naturally he should bear the consequences.”
However, although Lian Shenwei had been tortured in the imperial prison, he hadn’t shown any signs of weakness. Even if there was a bloody smell, it had been covered up by the bloody smell from Luan Qingan’s body.
To find out the extent of Lian Shenwei’s injuries, he still needed to send someone to question the Prison Warden.
“Have the people outside the Regent Prince’s manor pay close attention and see if anyone from the manor has gone out recently to procure medicine. Find out what medicines they’re purchasing as well.”
Little Zhizi replied, “Yes. And what about the Young Marquis…?”
Li Ningfeng, the Young Marquis of the Loyal Righteousness Marquis Manor, had a bold and unrestrained personality. He was Ying Jingjue’s childhood playmate and currently his only sworn brother.
Ying Jingjue pressed his lips together. After a long while, looking at his own hands, he said, “I’ve wronged him. When he returns from the frontier, I’ll personally tell him about Lord Luan’s matter. At that time, I’ll accept whatever punishment he deems fit without a word of protest.”
–
After leaving the cold imperial prison and entering the Crown Prince’s warm pavilion, he was once again exposed to the cold wind on the road.
Occasional suppressed light coughs came from inside the carriage heading toward the Regent Prince’s manor. Tian Nan quickened the pace and asked through the curtain, “Master, are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Just return to the manor. Don’t let Feng Ke know.”
His voice also sounded lighter than usual.
Tian Nan worried secretly, especially when Lian Shenwei descended from the carriage and he caught a glimpse of his somewhat sickly complexion.
His heart tightened, and he turned to quietly go to the separate courtyard in the manor to fetch Physician Feng, who resided there permanently.
The Regent Prince’s manor occupied considerable land with elegant and grand scenery. There weren’t many servants, but guards were posted both openly and covertly. The vast majority were carefully selected trusted confidants.
Lian Shenwei returned to his study and sat at the desk, picking up the accumulated official documents to review.
After not looking at them for two or three days, many had already piled up.
They were all concerning the cheating incident in the Nan’an provincial examinations. The matter implicated a wide range, including the Nan’an Governor-General, Provincial Governor, Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, Education Commissioner, and a whole group of officials.
The Great Sheng Dynasty’s provincial examinations were held in August, and the cheating scandal was exposed at the end of December. Most of the Nan’an examinees had already come to the capital to prepare for the metropolitan examinations. Whether they had cheated or not, all were currently detained in the government office, anxious and fearful.
Not only Nan’an examinees, but scholars from other regions who had traveled to the capital were also afraid of being implicated and having their futures completely ruined.
A moment later, he frowned slightly, closed the documents, and pressed his temples, applying firm pressure.
He had only been tortured for half a day in the imperial prison before being hastily stopped by the arriving Prison Warden.
His wounds had been treated. The Prison Warden didn’t dare be negligent and used the finest wound medicine. Aside from a dull ache, the wounds were no longer bleeding.
However, the cold and soreness deep in his bones, along with the lingering fatigue, were like fine, soft needles constantly asserting their presence.
The young servant guarding the door knocked and said respectfully, “Master, Miss Ye requests an audience.”
Lian Shenwei replied, “Enter.”
A young woman dressed as a scholar with bright, clear eyes walked in. She bowed to Lian Shenwei, her every movement exceptionally steady. “Sworn Elder Brother.”
“Did the people in the imperial prison make things difficult for you, Elder Brother?”
The Great Sheng Dynasty didn’t permit women to participate in the imperial examinations, but it did have female officials. However, their positions were generally not high and were all posts managing the inner court. Women were also allowed to be teachers.
To advance further required real, tangible achievements.
Lian Shenwei didn’t answer but asked, “I remember you told me you wanted to become an official.”
Ye Mingqin said earnestly, “Yes. Being a boudoir lady waiting to be married is naturally good, but Mingqin’s aspirations don’t lie there. Before Sworn Elder Brother took me in, I was merely a beggar. Later, after studying, I understood how much the common people suffer. I want to help them.”
“I secured a position for you in the imperial prison—one of the Prison Warden’s deputies. It’s a minor official post, but if you can handle it well, steadily rising through the ranks won’t be a problem,” Lian Shenwei said gently. “However, once you go there, you’ll be operating under my name. Others will only think of you as someone I’ve planted.”
And his reputation in the capital was known to all.
If Ye Mingqin did things under his name, no matter what she did, the slightest misstep would be blown out of proportion.
Ye Mingqin replied, “Sworn Elder Brother, it’s already difficult for women to become officials. If I can’t even withstand these things, I might as well give up early.”
Lian Shenwei asked, “You’ve decided to go?”
Ye Mingqin patted her scholar’s hat, a bit embarrassed. “Why wouldn’t I change hats for this? I can even earn money.”
Lian Shenwei nodded. “I’ll have people secretly watch over you.”
Outside the door came the sound of a servant trying to block someone, then the study door was forcefully pushed open. Someone rushed in frantically, cursing.
“—Look, look, look at who? Lord Regent Prince, tell me, is there something wrong with your brain? Why did you insist on suffering in the imperial prison? Can you please stop wasting this young master’s medicinal ingredients?”
Despite the bitter cold, the visitor fanned himself flamboyantly with a folding fan. Feng Ke was about to curse more when he noticed Ye Mingqin was also there and immediately said awkwardly, “Sorry, sorry, Miss Mingqin.”
“It’s fine,” Ye Mingqin glanced at her sworn brother’s slightly stiff expression and found it rather amusing. “Mingqin will go prepare for her new position. I’ll take my leave first.”
Only the two of them remained in the study.
Lian Shenwei asked, “Tian Nan went to find you. You know everything?”
“Did your subordinates go bankrupt or something? Why so idle lately? Haven’t taken any jobs?”
Feng Ke was too lazy to engage with his attempt to change the subject. He walked over, snapped his fan shut, and casually sat down. “Extend your hand.”
As he spoke, he unrolled his silver needle case and picked out the only crimson-colored needle.
Lian Shenwei paused, considering. “I think I’m fine.”
Feng Ke narrowed his eyes. After a moment, he smiled. “Lian Shenwei, don’t make me take action. You’re not like before now—you can’t beat me.”
How could he not see this fellow was secretly trying to avoid him? Clearly someone who wasn’t afraid of pain, unafraid of torture needles, yet singularly afraid of the silver needles used for medical treatment.
He’d known Lian Shenwei since they were one or two years old. Now over twenty years had passed, and this fear of needles hadn’t changed one bit.
The dignified Regent Prince—how embarrassing.
After a brief standoff, Lian Shenwei finally extended his hand.
Feng Ke’s personality had always been unrestrained. If he really had to use force, that would truly be humiliating.
The crimson needle pierced Lian Shenwei’s fingertip. Feng Ke twisted it gently, sensing the vast and profound internal energy within Lian Shenwei’s body. While marveling at it, he couldn’t help but feel regret.
The crimson needle was withdrawn. A drop of dark red blood beaded on the fingertip. Feng Ke pulled out a jade vial and tilted it slightly. A transparent venomous insect crawled out from inside.
The insect absorbed the blood from Lian Shenwei’s fingertip. Before long, it changed from transparent to an eerie purple, even faintly turning black.
Feng Ke put it away and looked up, his expression grim. “It’s gotten worse again. You shouldn’t have come to the capital. Every day here is filled with schemes and plots—it doesn’t allow you to properly recuperate. Given Emperor Jingcheng’s current condition, he can’t last more than a few years. Even considering the young Crown Prince, why must you…”
Lian Shenwei pinched his fingertip as more blood welled up. “It’s not just for him, but more for myself.”
“I want to seek my own release.”
Feng Ke waved his hand dismissively. “Forget it, forget it. I’ll go prepare the medicine. The medicinal ingredients from outside can’t compare to what I have here.”
“The jianghu has its own pleasures, and the capital has its advantages too. At least here, it’s all scheming with brains—no need to fight.”
Who knew who had just been bad-mouthing the capital moments ago.
Completely unaware he’d contradicted himself, Feng Ke earnestly instructed, “Remember what I said—unless you’re in a desperate situation, no matter what happens, don’t use your internal energy. Once you exceed three times, even immortals descending from heaven can’t save you.”
Lian Shenwei lowered his eyes. “I understand.”
***
Author’s Note:
Lord Gong: This must all be arranged without missing a beat ()
——
The martial power level settings in this world adopt the ranking system of the Chinese Wushu Association. Because there are too many levels, not all were adopted—only a few names were extracted.
The bracketed explanations are my own settings, from lowest to highest:
Mortal Realm (pure martial artists without internal energy)
Yinyuan Realm (can scale walls and roofs)
Kaiyang Realm (internal energy at minor achievement)
Tianheng Realm
Tianquan Realm
Tianshu Realm
You don’t need to memorize these to enjoy the story~
***
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wannaberecluse On SRTT Chapter 50.1