Chapter 3

Pei Yanzhao returned, and the soldiers instinctively made way for him.

Near the stone lions at the gate, a few Dali Temple bailiffs stood trembling under their umbrellas, all looking down at their shoes, not daring to raise their heads. Only Xie Lan remained under the gate tower, avoiding the rain, completely ignoring the angry glares of the Shadow Guard soldiers.

 

His umbrella was folded and slung over his back, tucked into a leather belt, resembling a sword in the dim light and rain. From his demeanor, it was clear he had some martial training.

But that wasn’t surprising. During Elder Feng’s twenty-plus years in charge of the Dali Temple, he had implemented numerous reforms, transforming the Dali Temple into a new institution. Any Dali Temple official qualified to handle cases had to have some martial skills, capable of both adjudicating in court and apprehending criminals on the spot.

For convenience, even the official uniforms were modified to be form-fitting and efficient, almost like those of military officers. Seven years had passed, and although the position of Dali Temple Minister had changed hands several times, these reforms remained.

 

“Who sent you here?” Pei Yanzhao rode forward, scrutinizing Xie Lan, confirming he hadn’t seen him before.

Xie Lan bowed, “It was Registrar Chen.”

 

Pei Yanzhao vaguely remembered the name, “He sent you to block our gate?”

 

“I’m just avoiding the rain, sir. I wouldn’t dare block the gate.” Xie Lan looked fearful but didn’t move an inch, “If you hand over the suspects, I’ll leave immediately.”

Pei Yanzhao showed no expression, too lazy to speak further. He ordered Ling Tao, “Take the Sui siblings down and wake them up in the cell.” He dismounted and walked into the gate, intending to leave the Dali Temple people in the rain, “Since you’re avoiding the rain, stay here until it stops. Don’t go anywhere!”

He spoke to the Dali Temple, but the Shadow Guard responded with a resounding “Yes!”

The Dali Temple bailiffs shivered even more.

Pei Yanzhao stepped past Xie Lan, crossing the threshold.

 

Xie Lan turned to face his back, raising his voice, “Sir, it’s inappropriate for the Shadow Guard to take over a Dali Temple case in public, isn’t it?”

“What did you say?” Pei Yanzhao stopped. He thought this newcomer was just following orders and didn’t want to argue, but he dared to persist?

“Nonsense, who took your case?” Ling Tao stepped forward, fists clenched, ready to strike Xie Lan. Being accused of case-stealing at their gate could lead to impeachment by the censors. They had stolen many cases and been impeached many times, but this time they had a legitimate reason and wouldn’t accept such slander. “Miss Liao was murdered, and Assistant Minister Liao reported it to the Shadow Guard. We were the first to arrive. According to the Great Wei Code, who else should handle it?”

“So the Shadow Guard follows the law? That’s excellent.” Xie Lan smiled in relief, reaching behind his back for a letter, “Isn’t there also a provision that prioritizes voluntary surrenders?”

Ling Tao was momentarily stunned, recalling that such a rule existed. In the capital, unless it involved treason or royal relatives, suspects who voluntarily surrendered to a trusted authority before being caught were handled by that authority. This encouraged suspects to turn themselves in, with other relevant authorities overseeing to prevent favoritism.

“You arrived at the teahouse to arrest Sui Ying and Sui Siyuan at the second watch of the Xu hour.” Xie Lan raised the letter for all to see, “We received this confession letter at the first watch of the Xu hour, two hours earlier.”

“Sui Ying surrendered first?” Ling Tao couldn’t process it, staring at the letter in Xie Lan’s fingers. According to the commander, Sui Ying wasn’t innocent. But Sui Ying was knocked out by the killer and hadn’t woken up yet. When did she write a confession?

 

The scene seemed frozen, and the Dali Temple bailiffs finally lifted their heads slightly.

 

“So that’s her plan.” Pei Yanzhao crossed the threshold again, returning to the gate tower. The handwriting on the envelope was unmistakably Feng Jiayou’s. A clever idea, having Sui Ying and Sui Siyuan confess, get taken by the Dali Temple, and then retract their confessions, only suffering some corporal punishment. Both siblings were martial artists and could handle it.

Pei Yanzhao sneered, “Can someone confess on behalf of another in our laws?”

Xie Lan acted as if he didn’t hear, not responding to the question.

 

Pei Yanzhao followed his gaze and saw Feng Jiayou approaching through the crowd.

Since remembering who Xie Lan was, Feng Jiayou had quickened her pace, her eyes fixed on him. But through the thick rain, she couldn’t clearly see his face, only noting his pale complexion compared to the surrounding officers.

Is this the future prime minister?

 

Feng Jiayou didn’t know what position Xie Lan would hold in the future. Her prophetic dream was vague, with no clear images, only a voice narrating the story. Xie Lan’s name appeared repeatedly, but she could only recall three keywords: first-rank official, power over the court, and peace across the land.

 

A first-rank official was a high but mostly honorary title in this dynasty, possibly a metaphor. In civil service, it could be the Grand Secretary; in the military, the Grand Marshal. Since Xie Lan could fill a vacancy at the Dali Temple, he was likely a scholar, possibly the Grand Secretary, a figure who would bring peace and leave a legacy.

Xie Lan’s position allowed him to see Feng Jiayou clearly. Initially, he only glanced at her, but her intense gaze made him think she was worried about his actions endangering the Sui siblings. He smiled slightly, indicating he had a plan to reassure her.

Feng Jiayou guessed his smile’s meaning and responded with a slight smile, unable to hide their familiarity.

It felt like a reunion of old friends, confusing Xie Lan.

“Registrar Xie,” Pei Yanzhao’s face was icy, “I asked you a question.”

Xie Lan snapped back to reality, apologizing, “What did you ask, sir?”

Pei Yanzhao didn’t speak, glaring coldly. His aura had completely changed.

The Dali Temple officials couldn’t sense it, but Ling Tao and the others, who had served under Pei Yanzhao for years, felt their hair stand on end, sensing imminent bloodshed.

This was the main gate of the capital, where even a seventh-rank official held some authority.

Ling Tao stepped forward, “Sir…”

 

Pei Yanzhao spoke heavily, “Registrar Xie is new and unaware. Let me teach you today: there’s no provision for confessing on behalf of another in our laws. This confession letter is evidence of Sui Ying’s crime!”

 

Xie Lan asked, “Have you read the confession letter, sir? Who told you Feng Jiayou confessed on behalf of another?”

“She didn’t…?” Pei Yanzhao was momentarily stunned, sensing trouble. He snatched the letter from Xie Lan’s fingers, reading it with an increasingly grim expression.

As he read, Feng Jiayou stepped forward through the wind and rain, “This confession letter is mine.”

Everyone was shocked.

 

“The grudge between Liao Zhenzhen and me is well-known.” She gritted her teeth in anger, “Liao Zhenzhen stole my love and publicly humiliated me. I harbored hatred and, with Sui Ying, sneaked into Assistant Minister Liao’s residence and killed Liao Zhenzhen! When we were about to leave, the barely alive Liao Zhenzhen suddenly attacked, knocking out Sui Ying. I had to carry Sui Ying out of the Liao residence.”

She paused, adding details not in the confession, “Sui Siyuan, young and inexperienced, was waiting outside. Seeing Sui Ying unconscious, he grabbed a carriage from a nearby alley and took us to the teahouse. On the way, I regretted my impulsive actions and wrote the confession, paying a beggar to deliver it to the Dali Temple.”

Her dramatic storytelling made Xie Lan raise his eyebrows, and the Shadow Guard soldiers turned green with anger.

Her story was full of holes, leaving them unsure where to start refuting.

 

Ling Tao laughed angrily, restrained by Shen Shixing’s presence, “Miss Feng, you’re making baseless claims and mocking the law. Aren’t you afraid of punishment?”

Even if the Dali Temple showed leniency, an unmarried woman receiving corporal punishment would ruin her reputation.

She was really risking it all.

 

Feng Jiayou said, “So I wouldn’t dare lie. Every word is true.”

 

Ling Tao snapped, “Fine, then explain how a delicate woman like you carried an adult out of the heavily guarded Assistant Minister’s residence?”

 

“Why not? I’ve trained in martial arts since childhood, mastering all eighteen weapons. I’ve even sparred with Commander Pei.” She glanced at Pei Yanzhao, “Commander Pei should know my skills well.”

If anything was absurd, this statement was the most absurd. Everyone turned to Pei Yanzhao.

Pei Yanzhao’s lips tightened, his face darkening.

 

Feng Jiayou remained calm, though her hand gripping the umbrella was sticky with cold sweat.

Causing such a scene at the Shadow Guard’s main gate, if Pei Yanzhao insisted, the faction supporting the Duke of Zhen would surely impeach Shen Qiu.

Anyone else would consult Shen Qiu, but Pei Yanzhao didn’t need to.

He was weighing the pros and cons, and Feng Jiayou couldn’t give him the chance.

 

Xie Lan’s gaze shifted between Pei Yanzhao and Feng Jiayou, a slight smile forming as he addressed Ling Tao, “Commander Ling, the suspect’s martial skills should be investigated by the Dali Temple. No need for your concern.”

He opened his umbrella and stepped into the rain, telling the onlooking bailiffs, “Get to work!”

The bailiffs moved but were intimidated by the Shadow Guard’s glares and retreated.

Seeing another standoff, Pei Yanzhao tersely ordered, “Hand over Sui Ying and Sui Siyuan to the Dali Temple!” and walked into the headquarters without looking back.

 

Ling Tao gritted his teeth, shouting “Move!” The Shadow Guard soldiers reluctantly entered the headquarters, leaving the carriage with the Sui siblings behind.

Watching the Dali Temple take the carriage, Feng Jiayou felt drained, stumbling back into Coral’s arms.

 

Coral touched her wrist, finding it burning, “Miss, you seem to have a fever.” Already ill, the cold weather and rain would likely worsen her condition.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine!” Feng Jiayou’s words were true. Her unexplained illness had tormented her, but now, with the rain clearing, she felt much better.

Especially after getting the upper hand over Pei Yanzhao, she felt elated!

 

She owed it to Xie Lan. His courage to confront the Shadow Guard made this possible. Truly a future powerful figure.

“Registrar Xie?” Feng Jiayou looked for Xie Lan to thank him, only to find he had already left.

 

A bailiff approached, unsure how to “escort” her.

Feng Jiayou decided herself, getting into Sui Ying’s carriage with Coral.

 

After a quick check, Sui Ying was still unconscious, but Sui Siyuan seemed close to waking.

 

Initially, she thought hitting Sui Siyuan hard enough would counter his misfortune. But she decided to send him to the Dali Temple’s cell for now.

The carriage sped up, slowing as they neared Xie Lan.

 

Feng Jiayou heard Xie Lan say, “You go back to the office. I have other matters to attend to.”

The driver replied, “Yes, sir.”

 

Unable to resist, Feng Jiayou lifted the curtain to get a closer look at Xie Lan. Her curiosity had grown, wanting to see the future prime minister up close.

Xie Lan stepped aside, and in a fleeting glance, Feng Jiayou only had time to admire his clear eyes.

 

Perhaps relieved after a narrow escape, she playfully leaned out, smiling like a girl chasing butterflies in spring, “Registrar Xie, seeing you is truly better than hearing about you.”

Xie Lan watched her, puzzled.

…

Meanwhile, Pei Yanzhao entered the main gate, immediately sending someone to the archives to inquire about “Xie Lan.”

 

The Shadow Guard’s archives, established by the founding emperor, held records of major cases and secrets. The Shadow Guard had grown around these archives, becoming a powerful force, with the archives expanding to include detailed files on officials, more comprehensive than the Ministry of Personnel.

This was why officials across the country feared the Shadow Guard.

 

The archivist quickly returned, “This Xie Lan is from Baoning Prefecture in Western Shu, from a military family. His ancestors served as guards for the Prince of Shu, giving him a martial foundation. He passed the provincial exam at sixteen, ranking high, but on his way to the capital for the imperial exam, he intervened in a robbery and injured his right wrist. He could still write but couldn’t produce good calligraphy, ending his hopes for the imperial exam.”

“Two years ago, on his second attempt, he intervened in a brawl between merchants, further injuring his wrist. Recovery would take five to six years.”

Fortunately, in this dynasty, provincial graduates could still become officials, though they often waited years and were sent to remote, poor areas.

 

“Xie Lan was lucky. Vice Minister Cui took a liking to him and brought him into the Dali Temple.”

Pei Yanzhao frowned. He had thought Xie Lan was a hidden expert, unfazed by his presence, but he was just a fool.

 

His expression softened until he remembered Feng Jiayou’s gaze at Xie Lan, “Has he been to the capital before?”

“No, Western Shu is far from the capital, and he has no connections here.”

“Any ties between his family and Elder Feng?”

 

“Elder Feng’s family is from Jiangnan, while Xie’s family is a common military household in Western Shu. There’s no connection.”

“Understood. You may go.” Pei Yanzhao thought for a moment, then called him back, “Wait, do something for me.”

 

The carriage carrying the “suspects” arrived at the Dali Temple before Xie Lan. Registrar Chen personally escorted them to specially prepared cells.

With injuries and illness, they didn’t follow the usual procedure and called a doctor, who was already there for Registrar Chen’s injuries.

After settling them, Registrar Chen went to the main hall to wait for Xie Lan.

After a quarter of an hour, Xie Lan arrived.

Registrar Chen scolded, “I ordered you to escort the suspects back. Where did you go?”

Xie Lan quickly explained, “I suddenly remembered the confession letter was still with Commander Pei and went back for it.”

Registrar Chen’s eyes widened, “You dared to go back?”

Xie Lan complained, “They wouldn’t open the door.”

Registrar Chen trembled with anger, “Who told you to block the Shadow Guard’s gate and use my name? You’re just a provincial graduate with no future. Are you trying to drag me down with you?”

Xie Lan protested, “I just didn’t understand why we had to go all the way to the south of the city when we’re only two streets away from the Shadow Guard.”

“You…!”

Xie Lan sneezed, “If you have more to say, can I change out of these wet clothes first?”

His umbrella was old and leaky, soaking his official robes.

Registrar Chen cursed inwardly, “No need. With this case in our hands, many eyes are watching. Though there’s no official directive, you should lead a team to Assistant Minister Liao’s residence.”

“Can’t it wait until I…”

“Wait for what? The Vice Minister might come by. Do you want him to wait?”

Just as he finished, a bailiff ran in, “Sirs, the Shadow Guard sent word that Assistant Minister Liao is too grief-stricken to be disturbed tonight. They’re preparing the case files and estimate they’ll be ready by the third watch. They request Registrar Xie to collect them personally.”

The bailiff looked worriedly at Xie Lan. The Shadow Guard was known for their speed in preparing case files. This was clearly a setup for revenge.

If he went, who knew what they would do to him? But if he didn’t, the Shadow Guard would likely retaliate even more against the Dali Temple.

“That makes things easier.” Xie Lan seemed pleased, “Sir, may I change now?”

“Go, go.” Registrar Chen looked at him like a fool, thinking he might disappear from the capital’s treacherous waters on his own.

“Thank you, sir.” Xie Lan bowed and retreated.

Once out of sight, his subservient smile vanished.

Returning to his temporary quarters, Xie Lan immediately stripped off his wet robes.

It wasn’t just discomfort; he found them repulsive.

“Young Master,” Song Yan greeted him, “I heard you faced off with Pei Yanzhao tonight?”

“Fetch water.”

“Already prepared.” Song Yan pointed to the bath.

Since arriving in the capital, even in winter, the young master insisted on bathing. Wearing those official robes in the Dali Temple felt like being in a pigsty, stinking every day.

He even used cold water, saying the steam would make the stench worse.

Xie Lan recounted his day’s events while walking to the bath, untying his hair and shaking out the wet strands, “The rain in the capital is heavy, like pouring beans.”

“Indeed, the capital has heavy rain, many people, and diverse food.” Song Yan sighed, “But I still prefer our northern land, with bright stars, a full moon, and less corruption.”

Xie Lan added, “And fewer corrupt officials.”

Song Yan thought: Don’t forget you’re an official now, even if a fake one.

Xie Lan entered the cold water without flinching, “Once this is over, the first thing I’ll do is kill Registrar Chen!”

That Chen had taken bribes and sold the registrar position, only to lose it and end up harassing him.

Song Yan nodded repeatedly. The young master was a force in the north, never bowing to anyone. When had he ever endured such humiliation?

“Soon.” Xie Lan reassured himself.

After two months, he finally had a chance to approach the archives.

Tonight, knowing he had to retrieve the confession letter from Pei Yanzhao, he had secretly influenced Registrar Chen to send him.

Blocking the Shadow Guard’s gate and “forgetting” the confession letter were all part of his plan.

His goal was to provoke the Shadow Guard into making him retrieve the documents, likely hidden in a vast storage area.

“The Shadow Guard’s ‘sea’ should be near the archives.” Xie Lan planned to scout the area tonight.

“Be careful of Pei Yanzhao. They say not even a hundred men can take him down in the training ground.”

“Don’t nag.” Xie Lan was always cautious, hence his roundabout methods.

But given the chance, he’d love to challenge Pei Yanzhao.

Song Yan knew his master’s skills and wasn’t too worried but still advised with the usual caution, “Actually, if your father didn’t want you to know about that matter, he must have had his reasons. Why take the risk to investigate…”

Xie Lan shot him a sharp look.

 

Song Yan dared not continue. The young master’s stubbornness sometimes surpassed even his father’s. Apart from his second uncle, no one could persuade him.

“Don’t bother me.” Xie Lan closed his eyes, preparing for the upcoming mission.

A bailiff ran to the east wing, announcing from outside the door, “Registrar Xie, Miss Feng has a high fever.”

“Didn’t Registrar Chen call a doctor?”

“He did. The doctor prescribed medicine, which she took.”

Xie Lan suppressed his irritation, “Then why are you looking for me?”

The bailiff replied, “Miss Feng is delirious and keeps calling your name. We thought she might have important information for you.”