Chapter 32: with translation of chapter title

The jade butterfly was lost, and it was Shen Ling who first discovered it.

Shen Shuangning touched the empty temples, feeling some regret; she still quite liked that jade butterfly.

The clamor of Chang'an Street gradually faded behind them, but everyone's hearts remained unsettled for a long time.

Upon arriving at the gate of the Duke's mansion and dismounting, Shen Xiuci solemnly told Shen Shuangning, 'Father is not here, so I must look after you. Xie Lin is deceitful in many ways; tonight he deliberately sent people to separate us, showing his ill intentions. Moreover, he has offended you!'

If Shen Xiuci hadn't spoken, it would have been fine, but once he did, Shen Shuangning uncontrollably recalled how, on the bridge, Xie Lin had kissed her through his mask.

Her face went 'heng' and turned red instantly.

How embarrassing—how could my elder brother have seen it too?

Yet the night was the best cover, preventing anyone from seeing the blush on the girl's face.

Perhaps to onlookers, it seemed Xie Lin had been rude and offended her.

But at that moment she could feel Xie Lin's sincere intention; even his fingers trembled slightly as they touched hers.

She could sense the youth's fervent, pure heart.

The next morning, Shen Shuangning sent someone to inquire whether anyone had been injured on Chang'an Street the previous night.

A Heng, who had just returned from inquiring, said, 'Miss, rest assured; reportedly the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrived in time, and only the rebels died—... that Zhuangyuan Bridge was blown up.'

The Embroidered Uniform Guard?

In that case, Xiao Jingyuan has already awakened?

'Wait, what did you say? Zhuangyuan Bridge was blown up?' Shen Shuangning only then reacted, involuntarily sucking in a breath of cold air.

Apart from Shen Lang being a military officer, everyone else in the Duke's mansion pursued official careers through literature, using their brushes to advance; and Shen Shuangning's elder brother, Shen Xiuci, was last year's top scholar, so she well understood how important Zhuangyuan Bridge was.

However, why would the rebels of the Holy Heaven Sect blow up that bridge?

Shen Shuangning lowered her eyes in thought, relieved that she had not lingered long on the bridge the previous night.

A Heng looked shaken: 'It was blown to pieces; when I went to look this morning, there was a crowd gathered around.'

The destruction of Zhuangyuan Bridge could be either major or minor.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was already despised; this incident would undoubtedly push it into the spotlight, not to mention the Holy Heaven Sect fanning the flames behind the scenes...

In these troubled times, it seems Xiao Jingyuan will have his hands full.

Shen Shuangning had originally planned to go today to consult him about finding a farming master, but it seems he won't have time.

Planting potatoes isn't as simple as she thought; specialties require expertise, and she doesn't want to create trouble for herself.

She could certainly find a farming master herself, but Xiao Jingyuan is overly suspicious; it would be better to use his people, which would also allay his concerns.

After last night's incident, Shen Shuangning was closely watched; she didn't go out anywhere today, staying only in the mansion.

Shen Er, however, came and went freely, and from him Shen Shuangning learned some of the outside situation.

After Zhuangyuan Bridge was destroyed last night, Xiao Jingyuan was summoned early this morning by Emperor Xuānwen into the palace.

Led by Su Ran's father, Su Shiliang, a group of civil officials spoke harshly, condemning the Embroidered Uniform Guard at morning audience for damaging the scholars' Zhuangyuan Bridge, and elevating the matter to a national fate issue.

The court was in an uproar, with heated discussions. Their true goal was only one: to force Emperor Xuānwen to curb the Embroidered Uniform Guard's powers and punish it.

One must know that the Embroidered Uniform Guard is a mad dog in Jingcheng, biting whoever it catches without reason. How many officials entering the court are truly clean-handed and incorruptible?

The Embroidered Uniform Guard needs only to grasp a hint of evidence to drag you out of bed and strip you of flesh! When Yuan Zhenfeng commanded the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he purged the court for Emperor Xuānwen, stirring up a wave of bloody terror in Jingcheng, leaving officials both fearful and hateful.

After great difficulty the Embroidered Uniform Guard collapsed, and Emperor Xuānwen ceased his torment—yet now it has quietly revived! Who would not be afraid?

If only a fire had burned the Embroidered Uniform Guard back then!

Fortunately, the heir of Prince Yan's Manor is younger than Yuan Zhenfeng, appears dignified and proper, not a mad dog like Yuan Zhenfeng.

As the saying goes, 'Persimmons are picked for their softness'; they dare to besiege him in court because they do not fear Xiao Jingyuan. His silence led the civil officials to be even more certain he was a soft persimmon, and they launched a barrage of verbal attacks against him.

Shen Er shifted his tone and added, 'That Grand Secretary Song is quite broad-minded; when Xiao Jingyuan was impeached, he not only refrained from pursuing the matter but also sang a contrary tune among the officials, saying the Embroidered Uniform Guard damaged Zhuangyuan Bridge only to save innocent lives—since a bridge is lifeless, how could it compare to a human life? He even urged the emperor to commend the Embroidered Uniform Guard.'

As everyone knows, Zhuangyuan Bridge was built by the Song family; if he does not pursue it, others intervening would inevitably risk being seen as meddlesome.

Moreover, Song Zhang's stature and seniority are such that when he speaks, the officials fall silent.

Finally, Emperor Xuānwen gave the Embroidered Uniform Guard a mild punishment, ordering Xiao Jingyuan to receive ten heavy board strikes from the Office of Punishments; the matter was thus considered settled.

'Isn't the Song family supposed to marry into Prince Yan's Manor? Song Zhang helping his future son-in-law out of a predicament is quite natural.' Shen Er chuckled, 'But the infamy still falls on the Embroidered Uniform Guard, while the glory goes to the Song clan.'

All scholars and literati sympathized with the Song family; some even took the lead in donating money to rebuild Zhuangyuan Bridge, yet in the end the Song family contributed neither a coin nor any effort, becoming the biggest beneficiaries.

At this moment Shen Shuangning was playing pitch-pot, and her arrow landed squarely in the pot.

She offered no comment, only thinking: Song Zhang truly is old and crafty, able to seize every opportunity to climb upward.

It's just unclear what attitude Prince Yan's Manor holds toward his scheming against Xiao Jingyuan.

At this moment, the atmosphere in Prince Yan's Manor is solemn.

Su Chen snapped a branch in his hand and gave a cold laugh: 'Song Zhang rising from a petty seventh-rank official to Grand Secretary is no small feat, but I never expected him, knowing you command the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to scheme against you like this—does he not care for his own granddaughter's happiness?'

Su Chen had anticipated that Song Zhang would defend the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but he did not expect Song Zhang to seize the opportunity to kick it while down, stirring up those outside scholars to expand the Song clan's prestige.

Song Zhang's maneuver was covert; others might not notice, but Su Chen, the strategist, could not fail to see it.

Now that Xiao Jingyuan commands the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the literati who vilify the Guard also heap abuse on Prince Yan's Manor.

Even some busybodies have dug up Yuan Zhenfeng's background and launched lengthy tirades against him.

Su Chen knows that Yuan Zhenfeng is Xiao Jingyuan's reverse scale; were it not for his maternal uncle, Xiao Jingyuan would likely not have taken on the hot potato of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Su Chen fears Xiao Jingyuan might act impulsively, so he stays by his side, watching closely, lest he fly into a rage and cut that man down.

'I have checked; that Liu Shu took the imperial examination six times, failing each time, his mind somewhat twisted, and on the sixth attempt he ran to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's exterior to cause a disturbance, shouting that someone had cheated in the exams and demanding the Guard investigate thoroughly.'

'This matter falls outside the Embroidered Uniform Guard's jurisdiction, so naturally no one paid him heed; perhaps that is when his resentment began.'

Su Chen saw Xiao Jingyuan's arrow hit the bullseye and inwardly thought he must be extremely displeased at that moment.

He then advised, 'Liu Shu is a reckless fool; just treat him as a fart. Whether someone behind the scenes is instigating this is still uncertain, but if you provoke him, you will surely invite even more trouble.'

Xiao Jingyuan lowered his hand and gave a cold snort: 'I know.'

Su Chen was just about to relax when Xiao Jingyuan's face filled with killing intent as he said, 'But I will certainly not let him go.'

Su Chen: "Fine, fine, fine—wait until the wind dies down, then settling the score with him is not too late."

"Too late."

"What's too late?"

"It was Qingfeng who walked over."

"His face grim, he said: 'Liu Shu is already dead.'"

"Su Chen's face changed: 'Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on him? How did he die? Who did it?!'"

"Xiao Jingyuan also looked over."

"Qingfeng lowered his head: 'I, your subordinate, am incompetent; I failed to keep watch on him. Please punish me, Heir Apparent!'"

"Who would have thought Liu Shu was so unlucky, slipped and fell into his own latrine, and was choked to death."

"Xiao Jingyuan didn't believe it was an accident; he glanced at Su Chen's grim face and said mockingly: 'You told me to endure and stay silent; I endured—what's the result?'"

"There are plenty of people unwilling to let him go."

"If that's the case, there's no need to endure any longer."

"\"Qingfeng, bring the ledger left by my uncle. \""

"Let him think—who should he strike first?"

"The blade tip slowly traced the names on the list."

Most of the people listed there are officials of the Ministry of Rites, and many of them are disciples of Song Zhang; they are either corrupt or engage in graft and favoritism—in short, none of them are clean.

Xiao Jingyuan's blade tip hovered above Wei Fuguo, and he said in a low voice, 'Pass on my order: all the Black Armor Guards, take your weapons and go pay a visit to Commander Wei!'

Su Chen's eyelid twitched, he opened his mouth, and in the end it was him who went.

Although Shen Shuangning did not leave the mansion, she kept constant watch on the outside situation.

When she learned that Xiao Jingyuan, far from keeping a low profile in this situation, personally led the Embroidered Uniform Guard in a 'kill' into the mansions of court officials, she was not at all surprised.

She still knew him too well—Xiao Jingyuan is not the type to swallow his anger. But by doing this, he is likely to provoke public outrage.

But she wouldn't worry about him; she only worried whether her own business could proceed smoothly.

The area around Chang'an Street is the most prosperous part of Jingcheng, and every prominent clan living there is noble, yet the Embroidered Uniform Guard paid no heed to rank—it visited every official, great or small, one by one.

Such 'mad dog' conduct was even crazier than before, putting all of Jingcheng on edge, fearing that this basin of dog's blood might be splashed on their own doorsteps.

The next day, as Shen Shuangning had expected, Xiao Jingyuan was impeached again, though Emperor Xuānwén's punishment remained a mere slap on the wrist.

After court, Crown Prince Xiao received his punishment, then personally led the Embroidered Uniform Guard to 'comfort' several officials, uncovering over ten thousand taels of silver of unknown origin in the Salt Transport Commissioner's residence, which he turned over to the state treasury, thereby earning a great merit.

On the third day at court, no one dared to utter even half a word of criticism against the Embroidered Uniform Guard, for even a simple visit for tea would delay many affairs; yet Xiao Jingyuan did not stop there.

On the fourth day, some even began to fawn over the Embroidered Uniform Guard, because those who could read the emperor's mind knew that opposing the Guard was tantamount to opposing Emperor Xuānwén.

By the fifth day, they finally realized that Xiao Jingyuan was far more ruthless than Yuan Zhenfeng; even Su Shiliang, upon seeing Xiao Jingyuan, would think twice before speaking.

On the sixth day, the scholars and literati who had previously criticized the Embroidered Uniform Guard had long since kept quiet; whenever the Guard took a stroll down the street, the whole street would empty out.

During these days, Shen Shuangning stayed quietly at home, and in the Embroidered Uniform Guard's operation to rectify court discipline, the Duke of Rong's mansion was not affected.

The second branch had been anxious for a long time; Shen Wei even feigned illness to avoid court, fearing notice, and when the Embroidered Uniform Guard finally settled down, his hanging heart finally fell.

As for the main branch of the ducal mansion, they had no such worries; despite outside turmoil, Shen Shuangning's orchid garden remained tranquil.

Prince Yan's mansion.

Xiao Jingyuan returned, dragging his weary body, and as he passed through the courtyards, he inexplicably stopped.

He gazed at the courtyard, unchanged from before, yet felt that something was missing.

It was as if someone ought to have been here, a lamp lit, waiting for him.

His heart felt as if a part of it had been emptied.

Xiao Jingyuan pressed his lips, went straight back to his room, and before bathing, he felt a hard object beneath his clothing, as if recalling something.

He then took out the jade butterfly from his bosom.

After gazing at it for a while, a flicker of emotion seemed to pass through his eyes.

He then shook his head and gave a wry laugh.

He never imagined he would be affected by a dream.

Xiao Jingyuan casually placed it on the desk, then rose to bathe.