Chapter 204: Self-reproach

Prince Wei's Mansion.

Wei Qing, living in retirement at home, heard Liu Ju's full plan and stood frozen, his eyes instantly reddening.

He slowly walked to the window, gazing toward Weiyang Palace, his voice trembling slightly from agitation and guilt.

"Your Majesty, I truly deserve death ten thousand times! I failed to see through the treacherous schemes of Chen Wenjin and his ilk, even harbored thoughts of retreat, and nearly betrayed your trust and heavy responsibility. Had it not been for your profound foresight and secret arrangements, I do not know what state this court would have been thrown into by those villains, nor how the Han realm's lands and altars would face danger. My heart is filled with guilt; I have no face to show."

Wei Qing said this, then kowtowed heavily, his forehead touching the ground, and remained there for a long time.

Meanwhile, Zhang Qian, standing nearby, likewise performed a bow, then hurriedly helped Wei Qing to his feet and said gently: "Prince Wei, please rise. Since His Majesty has devised such a meticulous plan, he will naturally not blame us; he kept it from us only lest it cause trouble. Alas, the court is full of treacherous villains who have deceived many; Prince Wei, whose heart is wholly for the nation, bears no guilt. Now that the truth is clear, His Majesty may still need you to continue serving the Han."

Wei Qing rose to his feet, tears glimmering in his eyes, he clenched his fists, his voice full of indignation: "I will surely make amends with merit. Those Chen Wenjin and his ilk, who have thrown the court into chaos and framed the loyal, are truly heinous. Now that they have been arrested, my heart feels immensely relieved! I wish I could tear them apart at once to vent my hatred."

A hint of long‑absent excitement appeared on Wei Qing's face.

Zhang Qian kept nodding, then said: "Let's go see His Majesty now."

The two then spoke and left Prince Wei's Mansion.

Likewise, the retired Tian Qianqiu, upon hearing the news that Su Wu and others had been vindicated and Chen Wenjin arrested, was leisurely strolling in his own courtyard.

Upon hearing the servant's report, the book in his hand snapped shut and fell to the ground with a 'pa' sound; he froze on the spot, his eyes full of disbelief.

"What did you say? Say it again!" Tian Qianqiu asked anxiously, his voice trembling slightly.

After the servant repeated the report, Tian Qianqiu's eye sockets reddened, and he exclaimed excitedly, gazing heavenward: "Heaven has eyes! The loyal souls like Su Wu have finally had their grievances redressed, and the villain Chen Wenjin has at last received his due."

His voice brimming with relief and delight, he continued: "Your Majesty's move also gives me, a guilty official, a chance to be pardoned."

The servant said: "Sir, whose heart is wholly for the nation, what crime could you have?"

Tian Qianqiu shook his head: "You don't know—Chen Wenjin's present status is not unrelated to the fact that he once served as chief clerk in my manor; without me, how could he have earned the emperor's favor?"

"Moreover, it was also due to my momentary womanly kindness that I failed to check their base nature in time, leading to this outcome; fortunately, the emperor is sagacious."

Only then did the servant nod in realization.

"Now that the villains have been removed, it is time for the Han to renew its vigor."

Tian Qianqiu clenched his fists, his eyes showing determination and anticipation, and said: "Although I have retired at home, my heart for the court has never changed. If His Majesty needs me, I will surely step forward again to contribute my share to the court's stability and the Han's prosperity."

Immediately he patted his forehead and said: "No, I will go to the palace at once to personally apologize to His Majesty!"

Having said that, he also left the mansion and headed for Weiyang Palace.

Wei Zifu, hearing of this earth‑shaking change in the court, the teaware she was toying with trembled slightly, and some tea spilled.

She slowly rose, her expression complex, a flash of surprise crossing her eyes before turning into deep relief.

"At last, the gloom over the court will lift. Su Wu and the like, loyal and righteous, did not deserve such injustice, while Chen Wenjin and his ilk of villains got what they deserved."

She murmured softly, her voice tinged with the feeling of having weathered great changes.

Wei Zifu well knows the cruelty of court intrigue; over the years she has seen the loyal wronged, her heart full of worry, and now that the situation has reversed, she cannot help but breathe a sigh of relief for the Han's future.

"The emperor has finally made the correct decision; I hope the court will henceforth be clear and upright, letting the people live in peace and prosperity."

She muttered to herself, gazing into the distance, as if she saw the splendid scene of the court returning to clarity.

At this moment, Liu Xijun's fingers, playing the qin, involuntarily paused on the strings, emitting a somewhat abrupt tremolo.

Liu Xijun gently set down the qin, rose and paced, her eyes full of contemplation.

"Su Wu and the others have been vindicated, the court has undergone this great change—this is good. Only, when will the court's strife truly subside?"

She frowned slightly, her heart filled with myriad feelings.

"I hope that henceforth the court will have more loyal patriots and fewer scheming factions; only then can the Han enjoy lasting peace and stability."

Before Weiyang Palace, Wei Qing, Zhang Qian, and Tian Qianqiu stood shoulder to shoulder, their faces solemn.

When Tian Qianqiu arrived, he found the two already waiting there, so he also stood quietly alongside them.

The three were filled with guilt and unease.

After a long while, Tian Qianqiu spoke: "Prince Wei, Marquis Bolang, do you think His Majesty will pardon us guilty officials?"

Wei Qing, hearing this, slightly lifted his head, his eyes full of apprehension and unease.

He clenched his fists tighter, his voice slightly trembling as he said: "Lord Tian, His Majesty is sagacious, but we have indeed committed a grave error this time. Amid the court's turmoil, I actually harbored thoughts of retreat, which was utterly wrong. Now I am full of remorse, yet I do not know whether His Majesty will forgive me. On the battlefield I have never felt such fear; now I truly do not know what to do."

After speaking, he lowered his head again, brows locked, as if constantly recalling his mistakes in his mind, his heart in turmoil.

He was once Liu Ju's most trusted man.

Wei Zifu's words also still echoed in his mind; Emperor Wu and Huo Qubing had gone far to the Western Regions, and he, Wei Qing, was the emperor's sole pillar—if……

Whenever he thought of this, Wei Qing felt guilt and remorse without end.

He had also once promised to support Liu Ju in abolishing the chancellorship, yet he never expected that a single Chen Wenjin would throw him into confusion.

Zhang Qian's expression was calm; he slightly shook his head and said softly: "Prince Wei, Lord Tian, His Majesty has always been lenient and benevolent, moreover wise and brilliant. This court upheaval is not something we could easily see through. Although we have been remiss, our loyal hearts are evident. His Majesty will surely discern that we are wholly devoted to the Han, merely deceived for a moment by villains. I believe His Majesty will certainly give us a chance to redeem ourselves through service and revive the court."

As Zhang Qian spoke, he gently stroked his beard, his eyes revealing steadiness and resolve.

As Tian Qianqiu listened to the two, the guilt in his eyes grew ever stronger.

He let out a heavy sigh, his voice slightly trembling: "Alas, having retired, I ought to enjoy my twilight years, yet when the court faces trouble I have failed to do my part. Watching villains run rampant and the loyal wronged, I truly feel guilty. If His Majesty can pardon us, I am willing to expend my last ounce of strength to toil for the court's reconstruction, to atone for my sins."

Tian Qianqiu spoke, his eye sockets slightly reddening, his body trembling slightly from inner self‑reproach, his white hair fluttering lightly in the breeze.