Chapter 387: Taici Ancha

The wheels crushed stones, sound sharp as rain.

"Young Master, they're chasing us!"

Bao Yue said nothing, eyes lowered, motionless as a statue.

"Young Master!" the guard called again.

Bao Yue's eyelashes trembled; her jade-white fingers suddenly clenched, gripping the sleeve.

One breath.

Two breaths.

Three breaths—

Bao Yue released her grip, raised her head, her gaze cold and resolute:

Change course. Head to the Department of State Affairs (Lower Division).

My lord, they're heading to the Department of State Affairs (Lower Division)!

Shen Qu Qu Yuan did not stop walking, did not turn his head; he pulled his official seal from his sleeve and tossed it into the subordinate's arms:

"Take my seal. Return swiftly to the Taici Temple. Gather more men. Tell them: there is a case—a major case!"

Within the palace, the Three Provinces—Minister, Zhongshu, and Menxia—each had upper and lower divisions.

The upper division served as the office; the lower division was for lodging, also called the lower quarters.

(Scholars often confuse the distinction between upper and lower divisions: some believe both are administrative, others think certain Minister bureaus are located in the lower division. This is incorrect. The lower division was exclusively for lodging officials and their families; even key clerks were forbidden to sleep outside, even with special permission from the Eight Seats of Minister—they were required to stay in the lower quarters. Such restrictions typically applied to lower-ranking officials. High officials had residences both inside and outside the palace, allowing them to live in either. Yet the lower quarters were not entirely disconnected from administration. In my view, two connections existed: first, all night watches occurred in the lower quarters; second, certain official documents were stored there, called "warehouses.")

At this moment, outside the Jianli Gate of the Department of State Affairs (Lower Division), a splendid carriage arrived. (See Figure b)

Figure b. That smiling face is the Jianli Gate; the arrow line is Bao Yue's route. The closest exit from the palace was the Nan Ye Gate, but now that it was closed, she changed course to Jianli.

The gate guards were about to step forward to block them when the Marquis's guards shouted:

"Don't you recognize the West Chang Marquis's carriage?!"

The gate guards truly did not recognize it.

Xiao Luan, though high in rank and power, lived plainly and never rode such a luxurious carriage. Bao Yue acted in direct opposition to her father and never came to the Department of State Affairs (Lower Division). The carriage was opulent yet bore no clan emblem, so the guards did not know it. But under such circumstances, no one dared to challenge or verify; they could only stare, hoping to memorize it better.

(This relates both to the West Chang Marquis's status and to the Department of State Affairs (Lower Division)'s regulations. The West Chang Marquis held the post of Minister Puye; Bao Yue, as the Puye's daughter, had the right to enter and even reside in the lower quarters. As a residential zone, the lower quarters had far lighter guard than the upper quarters. Though Bao Yue was noble, she could not enter the upper quarters.)

The gate guards had just been taught one lesson, and now they were being taught another.

"Who comes—"

"Taici Taici Ancha!"

"Even Taici doesn't matter—what are you doing?!"

Two lines of legal officers swiftly surged forward, pushing and blocking the gate guards; the rest filed in, steps swift, faces grim:

"Taici Taici Ancha! Unrelated persons, stand aside!"

"Taici Taici Ancha! Unrelated persons, stand aside!"

The shouts echoed with each advancing step, overwhelming in momentum.

Only Shen Qu Qu Yuan moved leisurely, steps unhurried, bringing up the rear, as if entering his own office.

The Censorate ruled over all bureaus, towered over the Six Ministries; to break down a gate at night like this would have paralyzed any other ministry!

But here, it did not work.

Though only a few officials stood in the courtyard, none yielded; seeing this scene, they hurried forward to shout orders:

"Stop right there! This is the Taici's sacred ground—who dares intrude?!"

"Be silent! All of you, be silent! To conduct Taici Ancha here is absurd! Where are the gatekeepers?!"

"Who is your supervisor? Who authorized your entry?!"

Though few in number and not in official robes, their presence was formidable, showing no fear.

"I authorized it."

The officials parted; Shen Qu Qu Yuan stepped forward with a smile.

The Minister officials recognized Shen Qu Qu Yuan; their Qishi instantly faded, and they all bowed in greeting:

"Master Shen."

Shen Qu Qu Yuan smiled and waved his hand, instructing his subordinates:

"Continue."

The officers were about to advance when a Minister official straightened and said:

"Wait."

Shen Qu Qu Yuan smiled:

"What advice does this lord offer?"

The man bowed:

"I dare not offer advice. But the Taici receives the Son of Heaven's orders and oversees all affairs under heaven; it cannot be intruded upon by mere Censorate inspectors.

Though the lower quarters are not the formal office, they house the Eight Seats and hundreds of officials, store documents and records, serve as auxiliary command centers, and host night watches.

Moreover, they connect directly to the upper quarters, with strict entry controls—this is a defense of the state. How can one trespass so arbitrarily?

If the Middle Cheng carries an imperial edict, please read it aloud.

If you hold a Taici warrant, please show it to all present. (The Taici warrant is equivalent to a decree from the State Council.)

If you possess either, we shall gladly welcome you.

If you possess neither—"

He swept his sleeve, extending his palm:

"Leave."

Shen Qu Qu Yuan's smile was bright:

"Clear reasoning, excellent! This lord looks somewhat familiar—what clan are you from? What is your post?"

"I am Fan Zhen of Shunyang, serving as Minister Dianzhong Lang." (A sixth-rank official, equal in rank to Shen Qu Qu Yuan's Zhishu Shi Yushi, but higher in precedence—a mid-level official in the State Council.)

Shen Qu Qu Yuan's eyes lit up, as if delighted:

"Ah! Brother Fan Yun—the one who wrote 'The Annihilation of the Spirit'!"

"That is I."

Shen Qu Qu Yuan cheerfully patted Fan Zhen's shoulder, ignoring his frown, and said warmly:

"I knew it! So you're Fan Zizhen! Your essay was brilliant! 'The spirit is the body; the body is the spirit. Thus, when the body exists, the spirit exists; when the body perishes, the spirit perishes!'—so direct! I never believed in karma and retribution! Someone should have refuted them long ago! Let's have a deep talk one day—you can't refuse! But not today. Today I'm here for her—"

Shen Qu Qu Yuan pointed to Xiao Bao Yue, leaning against her carriage, watching the scene with amusement:

"Someone has accused Lady Xiao and the eunuch Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Qian Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Qian Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Qian Sima Sima Sima Sima Qian Sima Sima Sima Qian Sima Qian Ruoer of secretly exchanging letters and colluding between inside and outside the palace. As Censorate Middle Cheng, I cannot ignore this. How I handle it depends on you. If you can persuade her to leave, I'll leave immediately. If you cannot, I'll handle it right here. Of course, she is the daughter of the Minister Puye; if you wish to flatter or protect her, I understand—it's natural. We needn't make this tense. The choice is yours. How will you decide?"

Fan Zhen, unaware of the truth, was unsettled by Shen Qu Qu Yuan's confident tone. Then, as this seasoned courtier turned the question back on him, he felt like a general outmaneuvered—suddenly unsure how to respond.

Bao Yue had her carriage move forward slightly and smiled:

"Middle Cheng, you've chased me all the way here—are you prepared to use force?"

Shen Qu Qu Yuan waved his hands rapidly:

"No, no! The Tingwei and Taichang forces will arrive any moment."

Bao Yue smiled:

"Again, 'any moment'?"

"This time, truly any moment!"

Shen Qu Qu Yuan cleared his throat and called out loudly:

"Tingwei officials! Taichang officials! Shen Qu Qu Yuan has been waiting for you!"

"Coming! Coming! Coming! Coming!... came... came... came..."

Zhen Bei, the Tingwei Wang Wang Jian (fourth-in-command of the Tingwei, deputy director of the High Court), sprinted over, panting, sweat beading on his brow, not bothering to wipe it; upon arrival, he bowed to all directions, not distinguishing anyone:

"S-sorry... sorry... official duties... were... too... busy... late..."

Shen Qu Qu Yuan smiled indulgently:

"Director Zhen, diligent and tireless, 'never pausing'—truly hardworking."

Director Zhen wiped his sweat and smiled apologetically:

"It's my duty, my duty. Middle Cheng, please forgive me."

"Then Director Dao must be even more exhausted—he hasn't arrived yet."

Director Zhen hurried to explain:

"Director Dao is right behind us—he twisted his ankle, he'll be here any moment!"

He thought: Old Dao is truly shrewd. Pretending to rush, then suddenly stumbling—brilliant idea!

He wanted to imitate it, but first, the other man had twisted his ankle first; one man stumbling was plausible, two would look staged. Second, though his Zhongshan Zhen clan was an old central family, it had fallen to humble status; compared to the Peng Cheng Dao clan, he lacked the courage to fake such an injury...

Speaking of Director Dao, here came Director Dao.

Dao Dao Xingsi, the Taichang Cheng (second-in-command of the Taichang Temple, deputy minister—this ministry's weight was far less than those under Minister), limped painfully to the Jianli Gate, dragging his "injured foot." Seeing the scene inside, he cursed inwardly, then leaned against the wall and cried out:

"I can't! I can't! It hurts more and more! I can't walk! Send for a physician! My leg's ruined!"

For the search, the Tingwei side had it easy—only required to supervise. But his side was the one who had to physically search palace women, record everything, and submit reports to both the Censorate and the Tingwei! Worse, they might later question Xiao Luan's household discipline! This damn—

And now they've dragged it into the Minister Province! This is trying to kill me—

I won't go in. Not going in. Absolutely not.

Shen Qu Qu Yuan called out:

"Director Dao, don't move! Don't move at all! The more you move, the worse it gets! Someone, carry Director Dao inside to rest!"

Dao Dao Xingsi's fleshy face trembled in alarm:

"No, no! I just need to see a physician! Just take a look—hey, what are you doing! No, my foot's broken! It's really broken!"

The four legal clerks ignored his protests and lifted Dao Dao Xingsi away.

Dao Dao Xingsi flew into a rage, about to lash out, when a cold voice rang out from the courtyard:

"Has the Ministry of Personnel become a marketplace?"

There stood River River Jiang Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie in the corridor, Minister of the Department of Justice (overseeing four bureaus: criminal penalties, merit evaluations, etc., a full minister), also Commander of the Gallant Cavalry (one of the three elite guards—Gallant Cavalry, Elite Troops, and Artillery—all commanded imperial guards, stationed outside the city, while their offices lay within the palace, sharing duties with the Four Armies and Five Guards, collectively known as the Western Ministry, opposite the Eastern Ministry of the Mounted Gentlemen; see Figure B, to be mentioned again later), his temples white as snow, his face pale as frost, his bearing divine, his presence awe-inspiring!

River River Jiang Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie of the River River Jiang family of Jiyang, a first-rank aristocratic clan, father and son both imperial sons-in-law (from the previous dynasty), his status exalted. At his single utterance, the entire courtyard fell silent. Fan Zhen and the others bowed in formal respect upon seeing River River Jiang Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie.

Shen Qu Qu Yuan quickly smiled, first bowed to River River Jiang Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie, then warmly exchanged pleasantries.

River River Jiang Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie returned the Li with polite grace:

"The imperial offices are solemn and quiet; this is no place for a Censor-in-Chief to stand. Please return."

Shen Qu Qu Yuan pulled out the same tactic he'd used on Fan Zhen:

"Minister River River Jiang, you are unaware: someone has accused Lady Xiao and the eunuch—"

"Please return."

"Minister River River Jiang, just let me finish—"

"Please return."

Again, those two words.

Shen Qu Qu Yuan's tone turned stern:

"The Censorate's mandate—"

"Will the Censor-in-Chief not return?"

Shen Qu Qu Yuan hardened his stance:

"I won't leave until I've cleared this case!"

River River Jiang Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie turned his head slightly to his attendant:

"Issue the order: all current clerks and officials within the Ministry, report to the front courtyard immediately."

His subordinates bowed and departed.

Shen Qu Qu Yuan stared in shock:

"Are you going to use force?"

"When courtesy fails, law must enforce."

Shen Qu Qu Yuan laughed:

"You're shielding lawbreakers, yet you speak of enforcing law?"

River River Jiang Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie remained calm:

"The law of the Ministry is not within the Censorate's understanding."

Shen Qu Qu Yuan laughed harder, his interest now fully piqued:

"Then today, I insist you teach me, Minister River River Jiang! Just what exactly is the law of the Ministry!"

DENG DENG DENG DENG!

A flurry of rapid footsteps approached!

From the inner courtyard of the Ministry, a flood of figures surged forth—like water spilling from a tipped basin!

The black-robed clerks of the Censorate, seeing this display, involuntarily stepped back.

Shen Qu Qu Yuan's smile froze.

Just for a moment.

Then a roar erupted behind him!

A dense tide of black-robed clerks poured in!

Seeing his reinforcements arrive, Shen Qu Qu Yuan's smile widened, his arrogance reignited—he bellowed:

"Anyone who dares obstruct my investigation today shall be treated as an accomplice!"

River River Jiang Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie glanced at Shen Qu Qu Yuan with contempt and said lightly:

"Remove every last one from the Censorate."

The two sides surged forward, about to clash—when a sharp CRACK rang out—

A sword, still in its scabbard, fell from the air and slammed onto the ground!

Everyone startled, raising their heads in alarm!

On the eastern pavilion stood a middle-aged man, elbows resting on the balustrade, leaning slightly forward, gazing down at them with the casual ease of one admiring a landscape.

All officials in the courtyard, regardless of department, rank, or office, immediately bowed their heads in solemn reverence, speaking as one:

"Right Vice-Premier!"

——————

Note: ①《 Nanshi · Wudibenji 》: "In the first month of the seventh year, on Bingwu, Marshal Liu Liu Liu Shilong was appointed Left Vice-Premier, and Prince of Marquis Marquis Xichang Xiao Luan was appointed Right Vice-Premier." (Liu Liu Liu Shilong had already resigned and returned home; Xiao Luan remained.)

②《 Nanshi · Jiangxiaochuan 》: "Previously, the Secretary of the Central Secretariat Ji Senzhen enjoyed the Emperor's favor, rose through military ranks, and possessed the bearing of a scholar. He said to the Emperor: 'I am a commoner... I beg Your Majesty to grant me the status of a scholar-official.' The Emperor replied: 'This is beyond my authority—it depends on River River Jiang Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie and Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Yue. Go to them yourself.'" (Ji Senzhen wished to elevate his clan to aristocratic status; the Emperor said he could not decide—River River Jiang Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie and Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Yue must approve; Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Yue was Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Xing's uncle.)

《 Nanqishu · Jiangxiaochuan 》: "In the seventh year, he was transferred to Minister of the Palace Secretariat, then appointed Minister of the Department of Justice, commanding the Gallant Cavalry."

Future notes on characters' appointments and years will be omitted unless absolutely necessary, as such details will recur too frequently. Just remember: official posts are tightly bound to dates. Like Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Qian Qiang from earlier chapters—he was a Rear Palace Secretary when he opened Yunlong Gate, but that was in Yongyuan Third Year, eleven years later; do not misattribute it to the current Yongming Eighth Year. The same applies to personnel. Beyond temporal shifts, the butterfly effect grows ever stronger—trying to carve your mark on a moving boat will not retrieve your sword.