Chapter 191: 130. Chapter 129: The Full Story, by Chance and Contrivance

130. Chapter 129: The Full Story, by Chance and Contrivance

Perhaps because it was August, this day passed with unusual slowness.

Outside the Provincial Governor's Prefectural Yamen, Governor Liang Liang Menglong and a host of officials waited for the Emperor's imperial decree.

The Three Judicial Offices, nearby, hurried over as well.

Liang Liang Menglong asked quietly to his aides: "Have they sent for Prince Wu'gang?"

Among the Huguang imperial clansmen, most were under indictment.

To restore order, the Chu princely house must cooperate.

Moreover, there is the matter of tainting the imperial bloodline—someone from the Chu house must come to receive the decree and understand the Emperor's will.

His aides quickly smiled and replied: "They say they've finished purifying themselves with incense, bath, and fresh robes, and are on the way—any moment now!"

Liang Liang Menglong frowned in displeasure.

Changing clothes was one thing—but incense and bath? This isn't a sacrificial rite. Who is he putting on a show for?

No wonder these imperial clansmen are so easily crushed.

Don't they fear delaying the reception of the decree?

Liang Liang Menglong, thinking of this, seemed to recall something.

He glanced curiously into the Prefectural Yamen again—what was Feng Feng Shiyu still dawdling over inside?

…

Outside, noise and clamor filled the air; inside the Provincial Governor's hall, silence reigned.

Feng Feng Shiyu, whom Liang Liang Menglong had just been muttering about, sat motionless, locked in wordless confrontation with Li Li Zaiting.

Since Li Li Zaiting had asked, "Do you harbor resentment toward His Majesty?", the atmosphere had frozen.

Li Li Zaiting did not press further; he simply watched Feng Feng Shiyu, waiting for an answer.

Feng Feng Shiyu turned his face away, pretending not to hear.

Long moments passed.

Until the noise outside grew louder.

Feng Feng Shiyu finally spoke.

He still avoided looking at Li Li Zaiting, his gaze fixed elsewhere: "At that time, I submitted a memorial to His Majesty, pleading for clemency, saying…"

"Corrupt officials are merely demoted or questioned, yet censors who dare to submit memorials for the state's sake are punished with death or exile the moment they rouse the Emperor's anger—this is deemed a crime of reckless audacity, heavier than corruption itself. I beg mercy for Hu Xiao and others."

Feng Feng Shiyu's words answered Li Li Zaiting's earlier question—whether Feng Hua bore resentment toward the Emperor.

This matter tied back to last year's fire at Ciqing Palace, the execution of Hu Xiao, and the exile of Shen Shen Yiguan.

Many censors had petitioned for Hu Xiao's pardon, and Feng Feng Shiyu was among them.

Corruption merited only demotion—yet defiance of the Emperor brought death or exile. What was the true measure of guilt?

And these were censors who spoke on hearsay, their intent mostly for the state's good—on what grounds were they punished so harshly?

Feng Feng Shiyu continued: "After I submitted the memorial, His Majesty wrote eight red characters in the margin: 'For the state's sake, they must die.'"

"After the memorial reached the Grand Secretariat, Grand Secretary Lu Lu Diaoyang personally met me and comforted me, saying: 'Endure for the sake of the state.'"

"What followed, Yingfeng, you know: Hu Xiao was executed, and I was soon exiled to Huguang."

Li Li Zaiting listened silently, saying nothing—he knew the full story well, for the uproar last year had been immense.

Others petitioning for Hu Xiao was one thing.

But Feng Feng Shiyu, as a native of Suzhou, was naturally seen by the Emperor as part of the Southern Zhili faction.

Yet after the affair, he had not aligned himself with Shen Shen Shixing, the Emperor's loyalist faction, nor offered support for the Emperor's or the Grand Secretariat's policies.

Political silence was treated as opposition—his demotion to the provinces was only logical.

Li Li Zaiting's expression grew complex as he looked at Feng Feng Shiyu: "So you harbor resentment toward His Majesty?"

Since even the Min Prince had sensed that someone was stoking the unrest in Huguang, the imperial envoys on the scene could hardly be blind to it.

In fact, after the third son of the Chu house inexplicably knelt before them, Zhu Zhu Xizhong immediately informed Hai Rui and Li Li Zaiting.

Any matter, if investigated with intent, leaves traces.

Hearing Li Li Zaiting's words, Feng Feng Shiyu laughed as if hearing a joke: "My character is not so petty that I would resent Heaven and blame others over a posting to the provinces."

He turned to Li Li Zaiting, his tone serious: "Yes, I told Zhang Chucheng about the possibility that the Chu Prince's posthumous sons were not truly his blood. I also lured him to investigate."

Li Li Zaiting nodded without expression.

Though he had suspected this before arriving, hearing it confirmed from Feng Feng Shiyu's lips changed everything.

Feng Feng Shiyu's eyes grew distant as he continued: "After arriving in Huguang, I cared for nothing else—only one question gnawed at me."

"His Majesty speaks of 'the state's sake,' the Grand Secretariat preaches 'endure for the state.' As a man of Southern Zhili, I couldn't help wondering: how much of their 'great plan' is truly for the state, and how much is for the Zhu family?"

"That's why I privately informed Zhang Chucheng of the Chu house's tainting of the imperial bloodline."

"I wanted to see whether this, too, would be 'for the state's sake—must die.'"

"Or whether it would be handled like the case under Emperor Xianzong—royal clansmen breaking the law, merely given a light reprimand."

Li Li Zaiting's expression remained unchanged throughout Feng Feng Shiyu's heartfelt speech—calm, gentle, unmoved.

This was vastly different from his earlier outbursts of anger, whether in Beijing or upon first arriving in Huguang.

The greatest lesson from this Huguang journey: always hold back from any colleague, whether fellow graduate, mentor, or superior.

He would never again make the mistake of revealing his likes and dislikes so carelessly.

Affairs refine the mind; in turn, one sees affairs more clearly.

Feng Hua's words now were far more seasoned than when he was still in Beijing.

His unspoken implications and self-exculpation lay entirely between the lines.

Feng Hua had not submitted a formal memorial—he had instead lured the imperial envoy into secret investigation.

This was surely because a public memorial through the Provincial Administration Office would leave no room for the Emperor to conceal the matter.

But Zhang Chucheng, as the Emperor's trusted envoy, would report directly to the throne.

If the Emperor wished, he could not only ignore the precedent of Emperor Xianzong's handling of the Min house—he could even spare the Chu house the need for any self-reproach.

In short, this was a deliberate provocation to coax the Emperor into covering it up.

Feng Feng Shiyu claimed he wanted to test whether the Emperor's "great plan" served the state or the Zhu family—but in truth, he likely longed to see the Emperor's private bias.

And that meant, if the Emperor truly favored the imperial clansmen, Feng Feng Shiyu had more cards waiting.

To read the Emperor's mind, to manipulate him—this was disloyal, unfilial!

Yet Feng Feng Shiyu was playing small against great.

He appeared to lay everything bare, yet subtly shielded himself.

After all, to test the Emperor, Zhang Chucheng had to expose the matter to the throne—only then could Feng Feng Shiyu observe the Emperor's reaction.

By that logic, he should have wished Zhang Chucheng to return safely to Beijing.

Thus, Zhang Chucheng's murder had nothing to do with him.

He adopted a posture of humility, yet cleanly severed himself from the deadly consequences.

"So you secretly warned Prince Dong'an that Zhang Chucheng was investigating, spurring him to kill?"

Li Li Zaiting, as if he hadn't grasped Feng Feng Shiyu's meaning, continued probing with deliberate malice.

Feng Feng Shiyu's eyelid twitched.

He gave a bitter smile: "Yingfeng, since His Majesty sees me as a fellow clansman, how could a man like me, guilty of factionalism, betray a fellow graduate and ally?"

"Moreover, if I wished the Emperor to learn of this, why would I help Prince Dong'an conceal it?"

"It was likely Zhang Chucheng's carelessness—he left traces, and never imagined Prince Dong'an would be so heartless."

Li Li Zaiting said nothing.

Since his demotion to the provinces, Feng Feng Shiyu had made great strides—not only in governing, but in the art of bureaucratic pretense.

If Feng Hua could truly absolve himself so cleanly, then when the imperial envoys first arrived in Huguang, he should have revealed this as a clue—not feigned innocence by the river, drinking with me, testing me.

So he was given opportunity—both by His Majesty then, and by me now—and he failed to seize it.

Li Li Zaiting sighed inwardly.

He finally ceased his questioning and spoke on his own: "At that time, you sought to test His Majesty, certain he would favor the imperial clansmen and suppress the matter."

"So you prepared in advance, planning to use this to humiliate His Majesty."

"But you refused to appear openly, fearing his enmity—so you colluded with Prince Wu'gang, using his dispute with Prince Dong'an over control of the Chu house as pretext, ready to expose the matter and 'accidentally' reveal the Emperor's secret bias to all."

"Yet Prince Wu'gang had his own agenda—he secretly informed Prince Dong'an of Zhang Chucheng's investigation."

"That is why events spiraled beyond your control."

His eyes locked on Feng Feng Shiyu, each word deliberate: "Feng Feng Shiyu—is what I've said correct?"

Li Li Zaiting's words combined confirmed facts with deductions drawn from Feng Feng Shiyu's own testimony.

They rang with certainty, as if he had witnessed it all.

Prince Wu'gang had remained invisible throughout this Huguang affair—no one would naturally suspect him.

Yet politics always leaves traces—who benefits most, that one bears the greatest suspicion.

So who gained from provoking Prince Dong'an into this folly?

Of course, one piece of evidence is insufficient.

But the hand behind this Huguang affair was far too obvious.

Prince Wu'gang's heir's denunciation, the third son of the Chu house being manipulated to betray at a critical moment.

Especially since no one had uncovered the Chu house's substitution of heirs—until the Hu family themselves exposed it!

With the Chu Prince's seat vacant and the legitimacy of his sons in doubt, who would inherit the princedom? The question now hung in the air.

Compared side by side, apart from the Prince of Prince Wugang, there is no other possibility.

Upon hearing the name "Prince of Prince Wugang," Feng Feng Shiyu's eyebrows twitched, and he sank back into silence.

Just as Li Li Zaiting thought he would have to wait another long while.

Feng Feng Shiyu sighed, his expression one of defeat: "Ah…"

"I've had too little contact with these imperial clansmen—their minds truly cannot be judged by ordinary reasoning."

"The Prince of Prince Wugang, seeking to undermine the Prince of Dong'an, secretly leaked to the Prince of Dong'an the fact that I had been investigating Zhang Chucheng, watching passively as he committed this foolish act."

"When I learned of it, I was stunned and furious—it was already too late to regret!"

According to imperial clan norms, this was merely sexual misconduct among relatives; it might not warrant real punishment.

The Prince of Prince Wugang, aiming to completely destroy the Prince of Dong'an, let the matter escalate naturally.

Moreover, he could use this momentum to expose the "substitute prince" scandal in an even more repulsive light, and weigh it properly before all.

Not only would this secure his control over the princely household, but even the succession to the Prince of Chu's title would have to be reconsidered.

In fact, the Prince of Prince Wugang merely stoked the flames—even if discovered, he had nothing to fear.

This is why Feng Feng Shiyu used the word 'undermine'—the true culprit was the Prince of Dong'an; the Prince of Prince Wugang merely allowed him to commit the crime.

By the same logic, what Feng Feng Shiyu did cannot be called a crime; at most, it was a breach of taboo—leaking information to censors who reported on hearsay was, after all, part of his duty.

At worst, he might incur the Emperor's displeasure—but he was already in the Emperor's disfavor.

Thus, Feng Feng Shiyu made almost no struggle, and ultimately admitted to the matter.

He looked at Li Li Zaiting, who showed no intention of letting it go, and could not help but urge: "Yingfeng, the imperial edict has already arrived outside; the matter in Huguang is settled."

"If your anger remains unquenched and you wish to punish the Prince of Prince Wugang, wait until we return to the capital and plan carefully."

The court always operates by rules.

Since everyone has been reassured, we cannot stir up new turmoil and cause the bureaucracy to live in fear.

Moreover, what crime has the Prince of Prince Wugang committed?

Leaking a single piece of information does not even amount to incitement.

Even if we grant the utmost latitude, the imperial edict has already arrived—how else can this matter be resolved?

Li Li Zaiting looked up at the sky, his eyes seemingly reflecting the faces of his deceased classmates.

He murmured: "It is no different from stabbing a man to death and saying, 'It wasn't me—it was the weapon.'"

…

Outside the Provincial Governor's Prefectural Yamen.

After burning incense, bathing, and changing his robes, the Prince of Prince Wugang arrived slowly in his sedan chair before the Provincial Governor's gate.

"Your Highness."

"Governor Liang."

The Prince of Prince Wugang smiled amiably as he bowed to Governor Liang Liang Menglong and the officials of the Three Departments.

He then stood shoulder to shoulder with Liang Liang Menglong, flanking him on either side.

The Prince of Prince Wugang glanced around, taking in all the officials present.

Then, with a look of curiosity, he asked: "Governor Liang, why has no one from the Bureau of Civil Administration come today?"

It was unclear whom he was looking at.

Liang Liang Menglong politely explained: "Recently, an earthquake struck Jingzhou; Governor Xu and Deputy Commissioner Zheng went personally to lead relief efforts; today, Commissioner Feng has come to receive the edict."

Though he had been forced to accompany Hai Rui, proper face must still be given in public.

The Prince of Prince Wugang nodded in understanding, "Oh," and looked around again.

Liang Liang Menglong suddenly remembered something.

He quickly ordered his attendants: "Quickly, go inside and summon Commissioner Feng to receive the edict—the imperial envoy has arrived."

The attendants bowed and obeyed.

The Prince of Prince Wugang watched, silently nodding, then stood with the others at the gate, waiting with anticipation.

Not long after.

The imperial envoy's figure finally appeared at the end of the street.

Crowds surged.

Banners, eunuchs, and ceremonial regalia emerged before the crowd.

The officials and imperial clansmen hurriedly straightened their robes.

As the Prince of Prince Wugang adjusted his attire, he could not help but glance once more into the Provincial Governor's Prefectural Yamen.

At that very moment, Feng Feng Shiyu arrived late, stepping out from within.

Both men raised their heads simultaneously, their gazes meeting.

The Prince of Prince Wugang cast him a questioning look.

Feng Feng Shiyu quickly averted his gaze and walked out, expressionless.

Only when Feng Feng Shiyu passed beside the Prince of Prince Wugang did the latter hear a cold snort: "You brought this upon yourself—you cannot escape your fate."