Chapter 1541: The Palace City Office in Action

He had not drawn much attention when he arrived, and he left just as quietly. Before mounting the carriage, Murong Defeng, pondering Liu Yang's mood, said in a low voice: "Your Highness, should we notify Kaifeng?"

"Notify Kaifeng for what? Seal the building? Make arrests?" Liu Yang's tone was uncharacteristically sharp.

Seeing this, Murong Defeng gave an awkward smile, though he did not feel disappointed. He knew well that the Crown Prince was not targeting him. After Liu Yang had calmed down somewhat, Murong Defeng continued: "These common rabble are truly audacious, speaking of the court with such irreverence, utterly devoid of awe. They ought to be reined in."

"If not for such people recklessly speculating and spreading rumors, the capital would be far more harmonious. Though it is said rumors cease at the wise, the guests in that establishment just happen to delight in hearing strange tales, wishing nothing more than for the court to produce more scandals for their amusement and gossip..."

Liu Yang turned to look back at the tavern. The clamor continued unabated, and just then a burst of raucous laughter erupted from within—who knew what amusing matter they had hit upon now.

"Is this situation so rare? This situation was anticipated long ago!" Liu Yang sighed: "Such talk is the most ordinary thing in the world!"

"Still, we cannot allow them to mislead the masses with rumors and disturb people's hearts!" Murong Defeng said.

Liu Yang was silent for a moment, then mounted the carriage. Only after they had set off toward the palace city did he speak to Murong Defeng, who rode with him: "I recall that back then, after Han Xizai toured the Eastern Capital, he submitted a memorial to the court, urging it to rein in public opinion. The court adopted his advice; the constables and patrol officers of Kaifeng were dispatched, and for a time the capital fell silent. Yet how long did that quiet last?"

"Stopping the people's mouths is more difficult than damming a river. Against floods we build dikes and embankments, but how can we erect walls to block the people's voices? For such matters, channeling is better than blocking!" Liu Yang said: "Let the noise be noise. Once this period passes and the impact fades, the attention of scholars and commoners alike will naturally shift!"

"What Your Highness says is reasonable. However, your servant still believes we must not simply let it be—there ought to be some restraint!" Murong Defeng did not show his disagreement, merely offering his counsel calmly.

"Then give Kaifeng a word of notice!" Liu Yang said after a moment of silence.

"Yes!" Murong Defeng smiled slightly. Though the Crown Prince had his own opinions, he had always been receptive to advice.

While Liu Yang was making his visit to the Flower-Plucking Tower, two other men were also discussing the matter of the Flower-Plucking Tower. Naturally, what they discussed had nothing to do with what Liu Yang had witnessed, but it was closely connected to the shadow that lingered over his heart.

At the Palace City Office, Zhang Dejun sat expressionless in his study, listening to the report of his fourth adopted son, Zhang Jinjie. Of the four adopted sons Zhang Dejun had taken in, each had his own traits, and this fourth one was the most vicious by nature—the sharpest and most serviceable blade in Zhang Dejun's hand.

Yet before his father, Zhang Jinjie had no choice but to sheathe his fangs, his demeanor extremely deferential, and even his perpetually sharp facial features softened somewhat.

Facing a matter that Zhang Dejun cared about, Zhang Jinjie naturally applied himself with extra diligence. Slightly bowing, speaking slowly with clear enunciation, he reported: "Your son has spent these past two days with his subordinates without rest, investigating and interrogating each person present at the Flower-Plucking Tower banquet that day. The final thread of evidence points to a failed examination candidate named Wang Song."

"This man is from Ruzhou, sociable and eloquent. After arriving in the capital, he frequently participated in gatherings of this year's examination candidates. At the banquet at the Flower-Plucking Tower that day, it was he who pointed out that Wu Jichuan had visited Academician Li."

"When your son first questioned him, he flatly denied it, claiming it was merely drunken raving from that day. But a scholar is, after all, a scholar—in the end, he opened up."

"According to his confession, it was a merchant named Zhou He, who deals in porcelain in the southern city, who gave him the suggestion. The two were fellow townsmen. Wang Song's trip to the capital for the examination was also funded by Zhou He, and their relationship was close."

"After failing the examination, Wang Song's resentment was hard to swallow. Familiar with Xu Shilian's temperament, he seized the atmosphere at the Flower-Plucking Tower, mingled in the crowd, and made provocative remarks. Originally it was merely an experiment, but who would have thought Xu Shilian would actually go strike the petition drum!"

Listening to Zhang Jinjie's report, Zhang Dejun's face showed little expression throughout. He asked directly: "And this porcelain merchant, Zhou He—what is his story?"

"When your son first learned of this man, he too was puzzled—how could a mere merchant be involved in matters of the examination system!" Zhang Jinjie's brows carried a hint of excitement as he said: "Upon your son's detention and questioning, this man also denied everything!"

"However, in the subsequent investigation, your son discovered that this man, in his porcelain trade, had established a relationship with a steward of the Prince of Qin's household, with frequent dealings. Your son then bluffed him with this, and he indeed fell for it, confessing that his actions were carried out at the instigation of the Prince of Qin's household..."

Hearing this, Zhang Dejun's expression shifted slightly. He could no longer remain seated and stood up directly, his voice tinged with surprise: "Behind it all is a Prince?"

"That can be affirmed with near certainty!" Zhang Jinjie's eyes and brows showed a touch of elation.

Seeing this, Zhang Dejun immediately rebuked him: "And you still have the nerve to be excited!"

At this, Zhang Jinjie was somewhat bewildered, and asked in confusion: "Now that the mastermind behind it has been uncovered, Father can report to His Majesty and complete the assignment!"

"If the trail leads to the Prince of Qin, am I to go claim merit, or confess guilt?" Zhang Dejun scolded: "What you have said—do you have evidence? What can mere confessions from these people prove? If word gets out, would it not make it seem we are framing His Highness the Prince of Qin?"

Facing this barrage of reproach, Zhang Jinjie barely managed to collect himself, and said with some grievance: "But based on your son's investigation, it truly does point to the Prince of Qin's household!"

This time, Zhang Jinjie had not cut any corners. Though the Palace City Office always resorted to unscrupulous means in its secret investigations, this time Zhang Jinjie could pound his chest and swear that everything had proceeded along the threads of evidence.

Seeing this, Zhang Dejun also calmed himself, pacing a few steps, but soon grew agitated again. He had some political foresight and naturally knew that behind the petition drum case, several of the imperial princes were likely implicated. But when the trail truly led to the Prince of Qin, his heart could not help but pound with unease.

After some deliberation, Zhang Dejun asked: "You didn't go and arrest that steward of the Prince of Qin's household, did you?"

Hearing the question, Zhang Jinjie hastily shook his head: "Without Father's orders, how would your son dare!"

"At least you still have some reverence!" Zhang Dejun unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.

Though the Palace City Office acted with audacity and recklessness, when it came to the imperial family, it did not dare act rashly. Even with the Emperor's orders this time, one could not be certain what attitude Emperor Liu would take when it involved his own sons.

After all, Emperor Liu had always shown the Prince of Qin great favor and trust. Moreover, as the Emperor's household servants and claws, how could they dare lightly offend the imperial house? Emperor Liu cared deeply about imperial authority and the dignity of the royal family.

Therefore, when he received the investigation order, Zhang Dejun's heart was filled with contradiction—on one hand fearing what the investigation might uncover, on the other fearing that if nothing was found, he could not complete his assignment.

"And the merchant?" Zhang Dejun pondered for a moment, then asked.

Zhang Jinjie seemed infected by Zhang Dejun's gravity and hastily said: "He is temporarily detained at the office!"

"You! Always so eager for quick results. I repeatedly instructed you—investigate in secret, be cautious and careful—it seems you took none of it to heart!" Zhang Dejun could not help but lecture: "Since you found this man, why not keep him under secret surveillance? Why rush to detain and interrogate him? By now, the Prince of Qin's household has likely been alerted!"

"Your son has failed in his duty; please punish me, Father!" Zhang Jinjie could already sense Zhang Dejun's concerns and dared not make excuses. He immediately admitted his error.

"If punishing you could resolve the present trouble, then I would indeed have to think carefully about how to deal with you!" Zhang Dejun said this, which instead made Zhang Jinjie secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

Looking up to see Zhang Dejun frowning in deep worry, he could not help but quietly ask for instructions: "Since things have come to this, how should we proceed?"

"What else can we do? Since it has been uncovered, we can only report it truthfully!" Zhang Dejun sighed: "This time, we have offended His Highness the Prince of Qin!"

Though he spoke thus, Zhang Dejun still adhered to his basic principles—he would rather offend the Prince of Qin than cut corners before Emperor Liu.

"Summon that merchant surnamed Zhou. I will question him personally!" Zhang Dejun, still not fully reassured, gave another order.

"Yes!"

"And you—reflect carefully on your conduct. Do not be so eager for results in your actions, or misfortune may be hard to predict!"