Amidst the grand city of the capital, rich folks wandered here and
there, low-ranking staffs no better than dogs, and even some princes
who did not gain the favour of the court were even more worthless
than pennies.
However, the current Emperor was an exception. From the time
since the current Emperor was still an official of the court, with only
his wife, Lai Dugu, by his side, she wasn't like other women who only
knew how to hide behind her husband for protection. Many
conquests achieved by Yang Jian were thanks to Lai Dugu's
contribution. After Yang Jian's ascension, Lai Dugu ruled by his side
and became Empress Dugu, supporting her husband behind his
back and ruled over the court together. Everyone saw her as the
second in power next to the Emperor.
Many people also deducted that, between the Emperor and the
Empress, not only were they loving, but also very in sync and helped
each other often. Between them, none could be without the other.
Because of Empress Dugu, the current Emperor's position as the
Emperor was more secure than any Emperors before him.
Additionally, the Emperor had pledged an oath that he would never
take in another wife. Thus, every current prince and princess were all
sons and daughters of the current Empress.
Princess Leping's situation was slightly unique. Not only was she the
Empress' daughter, but also her eldest, and because she
experienced a lot of things at a young age, both the Emperor and
Empress loved her dearly. They would never refuse any of her
wishes. When Princess Leping's people walked out in the streets,
everyone treated them with at least three degrees of respect. Princess Leping had a daughter with the former Emperor, Yuwen
Yun. Her daughter's name was Eying. Since she lost her father at
such a young age, she had the protection of her mother and
grandfather who did not mind the identity of her father, she was also
deeply loved. The milkmaid who took care of her had risen the ranks
due to her care, gaining some acknowledgement. Half a year ago,
the milkmaid's son got involved in a case and was held by the Jiejian
Bureau. The milkmaid pleaded Yuwen Eying, and so Yuwen Eying
went to her mother for help.
The princess only had one daughter and could not bear to see her
daughter in pain, so the princess took the lieutenant from her house
to the Jiejian Bureau and demanded them to release the milkmaid's
son.
The Jiejian Bureau had three Commanders. The First Commander
was the head of the Ministry of Justice. He did not care much for
what happened within the Jiejian Bureau. The one who held real
power over the Jiejien Bureau was its Second Commander, Feng
Xiao.
On that day, there weren't many people. Later on, someone spread
rumours that the princess had brought people to the Jiejian Bureau.
Since the princess was there, the lieutenant refused to relieve
himself of his sword despite the Blade Stone being present. The
princess also tolerated him, and then both parties quarrelled. Feng
Xiao did not say much, solely taking the lieutenant's sword and
snapping it into three pieces.
The lieutenant was shocked beyond words. Before he could even
react, he was pinned against the Blade-Relieving Stone1 with all the
three broken pieces of his sword. Thankfully, the swords only pierced
his clothing and under his thighs, holding him in place. He stood
there, stunned, too afraid to move. Everyone was shocked and stiff. Princess Leping could not believe
that someone in this world still dared to do this in her face,
humiliating her people. She complained to the Emperor. Who could
have guessed that the one who got the short end of the stick was not
the Jiejian Bureau and certainly not Feng Xiao. The Sui Emperor
only laughed and said, "Aye, this is the queer temper of the Second
Commander Feng." That lieutenant was sent out of the country, the
princess merely comforted with a few words, and everything put
behind them.
After that time, not only the Princess Leping but the other
commoners could also see that the Jiejian Bureau was no small
matter in the eyes of the Emperor. Feng Xiao so treasured as a
subordinate of the Emperor that he even made Princess Leping
unable to do anything against him.
Feng Xiao's name travelled across the capital. Even when others did
not speak of it, there was no doubt that the people from the princess'
house would know about this incident.
As a result, when this person heard 'Jiejian Bureau' and 'Feng Xiao',
his face changed immediately. All he wanted to do at that moment
was just to run away, entirely losing his previous haughty behaviour.
"Perhaps there is a mistake. Since this is the Jiejian Bureau, I will not
interfere in your investigations, please!" The person laughed
unpleasantly; his tone quietened down a bit.
Nonetheless, it was not easy to get rid of the Second Commander of
the Jiejian Bureau. He raised his hands and gestured an order,
turning to Magistrate Zhao, "These people are related to the case.
Bring them all back for questioning."
Magistrate Zhao, "This…" Feng Xiao did not wait for him to finish talking before immediately
getting up on his horse, bringing Wen Liang and the rest of the
people who were involved away.
The people from the princess' house were not willing, but they could
not do anything as they were taken away, glaring at Feng Xiao with
an angry look as they obeyed. Even if they were in the capital, and if
Princess Leping came herself, she would not be able to do anything
as well, never mind in a place such as this, yet if Feng Xiao killed
him right here, he could still walk away as if nothing happened.
Feng Xiao did not question Wen Liang himself; instead, he handed
over the case to Magistrate Zhao.
During this one month, one thing after the other happened in the City
of Six Crafts, and so, Magistrate Zhao could feel his headache
getting more and more severe. He could only give it his full attention,
fearing Feng Xiao's fury if he did his job nonchalantly. He did not
dare to question the men of Princess Leping's house too much, yet
he managed to get the information from the sister. Swiftly, he found
the answer.
A few decades ago, there were two families involved. One was the
Ying family, and the other was the Wen family. They were both
businessmen of many generations, and their relationship was great.
In the beginning, there was nothing much about them. They were
around the same level and were purely trivial merchants. However,
because the Wen family conducted business honestly, they quickly
gained many networks and business allies; and in the end, became
wealthy and powerful. On the other hand, the Ying family had no
such luck. Thus, as they bore greed in their hearts and schemed with
thieves, when the Wen family's father and his eldest son went out on
an expedition, they were both murdered in cold blood. Since the
Wen family only left behind children and women, the Ying family took
their business and became wealthy themselves. The second little Lord of the Wen family, sickly and ill since he was
young, lived with his grandfather to be taken care of. Hearing this
story, he grew suspicious and investigated in secrecy, finding the
answer in the end. Wen Liang knew that during that time, he could
not do anything to the Ying family because of their wealth and power,
so he left home and founded a business on his own, getting to know
many rich and powerful people, and also got involved in the Linlang
Guild, finding more and more about his father and brother's death.
At the same time, a new Minister of Justice was appointed. Wen
Liang took all the evidence he gathered towards the Ying family and
went to him, from the thieves to the schemes, he showed them
everything. Immediately, the Ying family was under house arrest and
investigation. All their riches and wealth were confiscated, and the
Ying's father was sent out to the outskirts of the country. He died on
his journey there.
The young Ying siblings escaped their fates as they were still young.
However, they grew to hate Wen Liang, and they knew that, for who
Wen Liang was now, it was difficult to plot anything against him.
Since they could not kill him, they thought of a method that would
bring both of them down at once. Ying Wuqiu drank some poison at
first then tried to fight with Wen Liang in a public place. He allowed
himself to be injured by Wen Liang, the poison took effect, and he
died on the spot. Wen Liang, naturally, could not escape a murder
charge.
This case was incredibly complicated, but Magistrate Zhao saw the
way Feng Xiao treated the princess' people and was afraid a small
magistrate like him held no value at all, so he worked day and night
non-stop; investigating everything and anything. Finally, they found
the poison within Ying Wuqiu's body and proved that Wen Liang was
innocent.
The Ying family schemed against the Wen family first, and the Wen
family repaid in kind. Wen Liang told Feng Xiao that he did not know the Ying sibling, obviously lying to his face; however, the relationship
between the Ying and Wen family was too complicated. When
Magistrate Zhao finally reported it to Feng Xiao, a long time had
passed.
But Feng Xiao was not very interested in the case. His attention was
on Wen Liang himself.
"The Wen Family, except for Wen Liang, was there no one left?" He
asked.
Magistrate Zhao shook his head, "Wen Liang still has a mother who
is sick for many years. He is very obedient towards his mother. His
mother is a Buddhist and was not permitted to use such cruel
methods. So during that time, Wen Liang only targeted the father of
the Ying family and allowed the young siblings to live. I've sent men
to question his mother; it seems everything fits in just right. The
physician also said that Wen Liang's mother is very anaemic, even
medicine ceased to work for her. She might not live for long."
He held intentions to get close to Feng Xiao, but he was also afraid.
Since he had nothing more to say, he quickly excused himself,
imagining how he would ask Feng Xiao's servants and the people
around him what he liked, so he could send some gifts and earn his
favour. If he could get the great and mighty Second Commander to
his side and speak a few good words for him before the Emperor,
then he indeed didn't need to worry for his future.
Once Magistrate Zhao left, Pei Jingzhe said, "My Lord, that Wen
Liang is indeed suspicious!"
Feng Xiao could not deny it, so he responded with an 'En'. His voice
was soft and gentle, enough to cause one's heart to quiver
involuntarily. Some people are beautiful on certain features, but Feng Xiao was
the type of beauty that was exquisite in every angle.
But of course, he was sharp, beautiful, and powerful. Such beauty
was indeed rare in this world. When others gazed upon him, they
could only bow down in admiration and envy.
Pei Jingzhe was lost in his thoughts for a few moments. He was
wondering if Feng Xiao's parents knew what their son would become
when he grew into an adult, which was why they gave him such an
odd and ethereal name. After a while, Feng Xiao clicked his tongue
impatiently. Pei Jingzhe quickly gathered his thoughts.
"That Jade of Heaven's Lake could make one immortal according to
the legends, or even bring one back to life. Wen Liang's mother is
incurable, and he is incredibly filial to his mother. Since his mother
spoke up, he let the Ying siblings go free, only so they could return
now for vengeance. If he is so loyal to his mother, then there is his
motive."
Feng Xiao, "Continue."
Pei Jingzhe, "Today outside Linlang Guild's hall, if it hadn't been for
you, Wen Liang would have died without a doubt. Perhaps it is
because he was exposed and that his accomplices were afraid he
would expose them, so they took action first."
"Also, in a place like the City of Six Crafts, it was never an essential
branch for the Linlang Guild. All the auctions that were done in the
past were never done in a place so far out like this. It could be
because it is more convenient for them to go unnoticed here."
"A few people were involved in this altogether. In my opinion, Wen
Liang is more or less related to the Khotan murder case and is
definitely linked to the Jade of Heaven's Lake." Feng Xiao listened, but said, "Do you not feel this is too much a
coincidence?"
Pei Jingzhe looked surprised, "Your meaning is?"
Feng Xiao, "We are investigating Linlang Guild, but Wen Liang came
to us himself. It is as if someone brings a pillow just as you want to
fall asleep. I cannot help but be suspicious that someone is giving us
a smokescreen."
Pei Jingzhe blinked. He felt that Feng Xiao might be thinking too
much into it.
"I will order men to keep an eye on Wen Liang to gather more
information from his side."
Feng Xiao turned and suddenly he asked about Cui Buqu, "Have you
used the Naihe Xiang drug? How was the effect?"
Pei Jingzhe answered with a strange look on his face.
"I did, but…"
He wasn't able to finish his sentence.
Only when Pei Jingzhe went to take a look, was he surprised that
there still existed someone in this world who could be immune to the
Naihe Xiang drug.
======
[1] Blade-Relieving Stone: This is an indication that anyone who isn't
a member of the Jiejian Bureau would have to disarm themselves
before entering the bureau. It's a sign of respect as it is considered
rude to bring weapons into the territory of a well-respected host. It's
also a sign of how important the Jiejian Bureau was to the Emperor.