Chapter 388: Xiao Luan

The Minister Tai oversees all affairs of the realm, and the Eight Seats govern the Minister Tai; among the Eight Seats, the Minister Ling and the Left and Right Puye are the most esteemed, also known as Chancellors. The man on this balcony who silenced the entire court and brought all to bow was the current Right Puye (Member of the Standing Committee of the State Council, Vice Premier), the Emperor's younger brother, and Marquis of Marquis Marquis Xichang—Xiao Luan.

"Continue."

Xiao Luan stood with elegant bearing, arms resting on the railing, watching the courtyard below with casual interest, his voice light and unhurried.

"Go on—I'm waiting to see."

No one dared respond; all remained in salute.

Only Shen Qu Qu Yuan raised his voice to reply:

"Your humble servant obeys your Marquis's command!"

He straightened his posture, about to give orders, when the pavilion doors suddenly flew open. A man in court robes and a military cap (worn exclusively by imperial attendants and military officers, distinct from the civil officials' jinxian cap), accompanied by a group, emerged in procession, carrying four large chests that they set down with a thud right between the two factions.

The man in the military cap waved his hand—the chests opened in unison, revealing a glint of cold steel: every inch filled with swords and knives.

The crowd paled. Xiao Luan leaned on the railing:

"What's there to fight without weapons? Now distribute arms—each man take one. If you can wield two swords or two knives, take two. Choose."

No one moved.

No one dared move.

Even the brazen "troublemaker" Shen Qu Qu Yuan showed no sign of stirring.

"All so reserved? Then let the Minister Tai set the example—you go first."

Xiao Luan turned to the officials of the Minister Province.

The officials exchanged uneasy glances, unsure what to do.

Only River River Jiang Jiao spoke calmly:

"I have my own sword."

He extended his hand, and his attendant immediately handed him a fine blade.

Xiao Luan said:

"If you have a sword or knife, don't take one. Only those without may take."

The courtyard remained utterly silent.

Xiao Luan snapped coldly:

"Now!"

The two words were quiet, yet carried the force of thunder, jolting every heart. The Minister Province officials dared not defy him; one by one, they stepped forward, took weapons, and returned to their places. No one spoke. Only the faint clink of metal echoed clearly in the stillness.

Seeing the Minister officials now armed, the Censorate members could not help but feel fear.

After the Minister Tai had taken their weapons, Xiao Luan said:

"Now the Censorate may choose."

One Censorate official, whether intimidated by the Chancellor's command or seeking a weapon for protection, involuntarily stepped forward—only to be seized by the collar by Shen Qu Qu Yuan, yanked backward, and hissed at:

"Are you mad?"

This was the Minister Province grounds! Only Censorate personnel themselves could use weapons to defend their own office in emergencies—the Censorate had no such right! This was intimidation, a trap, a blatant stratagem. Take a weapon and you're done for; don't take one and you lack the strength to oppose the Minister—your morale collapses, and you'll never find the person you're searching for...

Xiao Luan urged:

"Shen Qu Qu Yuan, lead the way. Decide—sword or knife?"

Shen Qu Qu Yuan bowed deeply to Xiao Luan:

"Thank you, Marquis, for your kindness. The Censorate's authority is limited to oversight and impeachment; the law alone suffices—we need no weapons."

Xiao Luan frowned:

"No weapons? That makes no sense. How can you storm the Minister Tai without weapons? You won't take it without them!"

Shen Qu Qu Yuan replied firmly:

"Your humble servant has no intention of offending the Minister Province! In truth—"

"You've already offended beyond bounds, yet still claim no offense? Shen Qu Qu Yuan, you're just not straightforward."

Xiao Luan's lips curled into a faint sneer—if Wang Yang were here, he'd remark how eerily similar this expression was to Bao Yue's mocking smile!

Shen Qu Qu Yuan prided himself on his candor; to be publicly called out like this, he choked on his words, unable to refute, so he bypassed the topic entirely and pressed Xiao Luan directly:

"Your humble servant has long heard of your fairness and integrity! You govern without favoritism, and are universally praised by court and realm! Hence I dare speak plainly: I come because someone has accused your daughter of secretly exchanging confidential letters with 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, colluding between inner and outer courts—"

Shen Qu Qu Yuan had prepared a full speech to publicly pressure Xiao Luan into "upholding justice and condemning his own kin"—but Xiao Luan cut him off with a sharp, furious declaration:

"Before national law, who cares about kinship? Collusion between inner and outer courts is a grave crime! Even if it were my own daughter, let alone an Imperial Prince, if she breaks this law, she must be punished severely! Where are the Tingwei officials? Send men immediately! Arrest my daughter and throw her in prison!"

All were stunned.

Even Shen Qu Qu Yuan froze for a moment.

Only Bao Yue idly toyed with her fingernails, as if utterly uninvolved.

The Tingwei Supervisor Zhen Bei stammered:

"Marquis, please calm yourself! This matter is still under investigation. The Censorate has only just submitted the accusation—there is no concrete evidence yet; it is far from sufficient for conviction or imprisonment..."

"Huh? No evidence?"

Xiao Luan's gaze fixed on Zhen Bei, as if hearing something utterly unbelievable.

Zhen Bei, under that stare, nearly lost his strength; his face twisted into a crumpled, forced smile, like a crumpled paper ball:

"Indeed... there is none..."

Shen Qu Qu Yuan declared loudly:

"Your Marquis, your wisdom! Your humble servant does not act without basis! I witnessed this myself! As Censor-in-Chief, I am legally empowered to join the Two Temples in searching the imperial clan—"

"Where are the Two Temples?" Xiao Luan asked.

Shen Qu Qu Yuan stood tall:

"Supervisor Zhen is here, and the Grand Sacrificer—wait????"

Dao Dao Xingsi was gone!

Shen Qu Qu Yuan frantically scanned the courtyard—Dao Dao Xingsi was nowhere to be seen!

Earlier, when Dao Dao Xingsi saw the two sides about to clash, he had slipped away in the chaos. Xiao Luan, standing on the balcony, had seen it clearly; Shen Qu Qu Yuan, lacking that vantage, naturally remained clueless, assuming Dao Dao Xingsi had been carried into the courtyard and stayed put. Just as he was about to question his subordinates about Dao's whereabouts, Xiao Luan let out a light laugh:

"The Three Offices are not assembled, yet you dare search the imperial clan? You oversee the Lan Terrace, entrusted with moral oversight—this is how you handle cases?"

His gaze fell sideways, as if looking at a child.

Shen Qu Qu Yuan felt deeply humiliated; his expression tightened, and he pointed to the entrance:

"Just now, the Grand Sacrificer—"

Xiao Luan cut him off before he could finish, his voice darkening, his gaze icy, his edge sharpening:

"You think having all three offices present lets you storm the Minister Province? Where is the Left Secretary of the Minister?"

The man who had led the group in military cap stepped forward:

"Your humble servant is here!"

This man was the Left Secretary of the Minister and Huang Menlang Kong Kong Zhigui (Director of the Supervision Office of the State Council Secretariat and Consultant of the Central Policy Research Office).

The Left Secretary ranked below the Eight Seats but above the Minister Lang; officials of the Lang rank addressed him as "Left Jun." The Huang Menlang belonged to the Menxia Province, serving as a close attendant of the Emperor. Formerly, imperial attendants bore protective duties and were tied to military affairs, hence the military cap. Though no longer carrying actual armed guard duties, the symbolic meaning remains. Thus, in the "Memorial on Departing for War," "attendant ministers" refers precisely to such officials.

Xiao Luan asked Kong Kong Zhigui:

"You oversee imperial prohibitions and manage accusations—tell me, does the Censorate have authority to enter the Minister Province and enforce law?"

Kong Kong Zhigui replied solemnly:

"In accordance with the Jianyuan Year One edict, the Censorate may not enter the Minister Province. Internal discipline is under the exclusive authority of the Left Secretary. If the Censorate receives information, it must first submit a formal petition and obtain authorization before acting. Entering without authorization constitutes an intrusion into the province."

Shen Qu Qu Yuan's expression shifted slightly. These early, minute regulations were established at the dynasty's founding, when new offices competed for power and incidents were frequent—hence the proliferation of prohibitions: "not allowed," "forbidden." The bureaucracy was so convoluted, it numbered in the hundreds.

Once the system stabilized and operations matured, these outdated rules were mostly shelved, treated as empty texts, rarely consulted. But Kong Kong Zhigui, currently participating in the revision of the penal code (as mentioned in Chapter 44: "Since last year, the court has been revising the legal statutes"), was intimately familiar with these archaic provisions.

As head of the Censorate, Shen Qu Qu Yuan wielded great power and had long acted with impunity—he was the one who lectured others on law, not the other way around. Minor deviations were acceptable as long as the core principles weren't violated. "Emergency demands flexibility," he reasoned—if one followed every rule rigidly, how could cases ever be resolved? Today's matter: if he could surround Xiao Baoyue and complete the search, it would be over. Later, if anyone cited "no petition" or "old regulations," he didn't care. First, this was a lower office, not a higher one. Second, if he couldn't handle even this, the Censorate might as well shut down. Even if the matter reached the Emperor, the Son of Heaven would not punish him severely—perhaps a mild reprimand, nothing more. Otherwise, who would dare enforce law against the powerful?

That was why he had the nerve to storm the Minister Province. But now the situation had changed. He had found no one, held no evidence, and the Grand Sacrificer had fled—three offices incomplete. Xiao Luan had seized the opening and summoned the Left Secretary! This was an official with authority to supervise the Censor-in-Chief. The tide had turned...

Xiao Luan did not waste words with Shen Qu Qu Yuan; he turned directly to Kong Kong Zhigui:

"The Censor-in-Chief impeaches all officials. But if the Censor-in-Chief commits a crime—who impeaches him?"

Kong Kong Zhigui replied:

"Your humble servant impeaches him."

Xiao Luan asked again:

"What is the penalty for intruding into the province?"

"Twenty strokes of the cane."

"What is the penalty for leading a force to storm the Minister Province?"

"Treason."

"Take my seal, summon the Left Guard Army here immediately to quell the disturbance!" (See the diagram in the previous chapter to understand why the Left Guard, not the Right, is summoned—also, Xiao Luan previously served as Left Guard General, making him their former commander.)

All Censorate officials trembled in terror, faces ashen!

Shen Qu Qu Yuan, though high-ranking and experienced, remained outwardly composed despite his inner weakness. He knew these fabricated charges could not stand—this could never be proven as treason. But he was already at a disadvantage; with the Left Guard Army arriving, his dignity would be shattered. Moreover, he had no evidence and had violated regulations—once the matter escalated, he would suffer grievously; dismissal was possible. A true man adapts to circumstances—know when to yield:

Shen Qu Qu Yuan instantly knelt!

"Your humble servant acted in haste, upon suspicion, and entered without following procedure—this was a grave oversight! I had no intention of violating court protocol or disturbing the Minister Province! I beg Your Marquis, as this is my first offense, to show mercy!"

Xiao Luan remained silent, cold-eyed.

No one knew his intent. Kong Kong Zhigui, sensing the Censorate had yielded, thought it best to end it there—and did not move. But Xiao Luan said:

"Didn't you hear me? Go summon the Left Guard Army."

Kong Kong Zhigui reluctantly ascended the stairs to retrieve the Puye's seal.

The Minister Tai was thrown into alarm!

The Censorate is terrified!

In his panic, Shen Qu Qu Yuan swept his eyes across the courtyard—and suddenly understood!

"This isn't right! This isn't right!!"

Shen Qu Qu Yuan suddenly pointed at the Bao Yue carriage and shouted in alarm!

"Lady Xiao's carriage has a red canopy! Not a black one! Didn't I tell you to find the black-canopied carriage?! How did you end up with a red one?! Can't you tell red from black?!"

All the officials bowed their heads, listening to the reprimand.

Shen Qu Qu Yuan bowed again to Xiao Luan in apology, his demeanor even more humble:

"Your Lordship, forgive me! This officer failed to observe properly and mistook the carriage! I am utterly ashamed!"

Xiao Luan finally spoke:

"Are you certain it was gray? Don't make a mistake."

Shen Qu Qu Yuan swore solemnly:

"Absolutely gray! I saw it clearly!" Then he turned to the officials:

"Was it gray?"

The officials nodded frantically:

"It was gray! It was gray!!"

Shen Qu Qu Yuan immediately bowed to Xiao Luan, his expression stern and upright:

"Though I have committed a grave error, my duty is to investigate and impeach; I dare not let my personal fault undermine the weight of public affairs. That gray-canopied carriage's whereabouts are unknown—if my delay causes us to miss the opportunity and allows the guilty to escape, then my sin grows greater! I humbly beg Your Lordship to grant me a brief reprieve, allowing me to pursue this critical case first, and then I shall return to beg your pardon!"

Xiao Luan replied coolly:

"Since it is your duty, then go."

"Thank you, Your Lordship! This officer takes his leave!"

Shen Qu Qu Yuan quickly led the officials away, fleeing clean and fast.

Xiao Luan turned to the officials of the Ministry of Personnel:

"Put the weapons back. Dismissed."

Then his gaze fell on Bao Yue:

"Come with me."

——————

Note: ①《Southern History·Biography of Dao Qia》: "According to old regulations, the Censor-in-Chief was not permitted to enter the quarters of the Ministry of Personnel. Dao Qia's elder brother, Dao Gai, served as Left Minister of the Department of Household Affairs (i. e., Left Min, the Southern History was written during the Tang dynasty, avoiding the character 'min' by substituting 'hu'); Dao Qia argued that familial kinship should not be an obstacle and petitioned the Ministry for a ruling."

②《Southern Nan Qi Shu·Biography of Dao Hui》: "...... He was transferred to Censor-in-Chief. When the Emperor visited Dan Yang County for a banquet, Hui, relying on his seniority, became drunk and mocked his colleagues, laughing and jesting excessively; he was impeached by Left Vice Minister Yu Gaosuo and fined."

③《Taiping Taiping Yulan·Laws and Edicts, Part II》: "The Nan Qi Shu says: Originally, Jiangzuo used the twenty-scroll law code of Zhang and Du from the Jin era; Kong Kong Zhigui revised and annotated it......"