CH 32

Beijing in February was still chilly, but early spring was near. A few days ago, it even seemed sunny but it was followed by a sudden downpour of heavy snow again with the wind howling once more, making everyone cold. So much so that people just wanted to stay at home with their families and their warm beds, not wanting to take a single step outside.

The situation in the imperial court was treacherous, just like the recent weather it was completely unpredictable.

However, Xu manor was still full of warmth.

Four charcoal basins were placed in each corner of the room. Xu Jie was wearing a mink coat, sat on a wooden armchair. In the one hand he was holding some travel notes, whilst his other hand was lightly placed on the arm of the chair. Next to him there was also another small heater.

The maidservant was making tea.

Guo Po entered and saw this scene.

“Huating-xiong1 still has the mood to be so carefree and idle. It’s a complete mess out there, and you’re still in here twiddling your thumbs!” said Guo Po, treading into the room bringing with him the snow from outside.

“Oh Zhifu2, you’ve come, take a seat!” Xu Jie said smiling whilst greeting his guest. He sighed: “I’m only taking a day’s rest, how am I twiddling my thumbs!”

Guo Po shook his head, he couldn’t tell if the other didn’t know or if he was putting on a show.

“It’s much better here than outside. In the last few days, people have been panicking. There have been incidents where multiple juren have been arrested. Gao Gong and Chen Yiqin are stuck at home, you are not present in the Grand Secretariat, so who would feel like doing any work?”

Xu Jie said lightly: “Isn’t there still Yuan Weng? With him there, that’s enough.”

Guo Po sneered: “Huating-xiong, there’s no need for empty words between us, the people out there don’t know, but how could I not know? Yan Song is old, Yan Shifan relies on bullying others, over the last few years if it wasn’t for you propping up the Grand Secretariat, it would have fallen into chaos long ago!”

Xu Jie sighed: “Zhifu, speak carefully!”

“What is there to be afraid of! The righteous are not afraid of the shadows, push has already come to shove, it’ll get worse if we do nothing!” Guo Pu sneered, “Who doesn’t know what Yan Shifan is up to, using Zhao Su to get rid of all the people in his way, in one fell swoop. Things are really getting out of control!”

The more he spoke the angrier he got, making his face turn red and his chest heave up and down. Xu Jie shook his head, immediately pouring a cup of tea and handing it to him.

“Relax, I’m not even angry so why are you!” After being comforted by Xu Jie, he couldn’t get angry again so instead Guo Po just rolled his eyes: “Are you afraid I’m anxious for nothing?”

“You are too impulsive, which is why Yan Shifan dislikes you. This time it’s me that he’s trying to take down. Save your energy, and don’t get yourself pulled into this.” Xu Jie said sincerely in a bitter but heartfelt way.

Guo Po was moved after hearing this, over the years many people came and went from the Grand Secretariat. Those who opposed the Yan faction had long ago been expelled, or they had allied with Yan Song and his son, the remaining members did not dare to speak out. Although Xu Jie had never gone against Yan Song in public but he had protected quite a few people in secret. Guo Po had also been saved by Xu Jie and that was why he had been able to stay in the Grand Secretariat.

“Huating-xiong, I know that you have great self-restraint but after so many years, how much longer do you have to endure it? Not to mention that this time, that Zhao Su is just a front, the person he really wants to deal with is the Prince of Yu and you!”

Zhang Juzheng sighed: “Looking at the state of the Grand Secretariat, aside from Guo Pu who has the ability to insist on his own views. Yu Zi still does not dare to speak up. If teacher wants to find another ally, I’m afraid it’s going to be quite difficult!”

Xu Jie smiled slightly and looked at his proud disciple: “Do you think it depends on the Grand Secretariat to get things done? Yongle Emperor built the Grand Secretariat with the intention of assisting the Emperor. But throughout his reign, his Majesty has only been interested in cultivating immortality and has a total disregard for political affairs. The power of the Grand Secretariat has only increased. But however big it gets, it can never surpass the heavens.”

He originally thought that during the three years he had spent as the County Magistrate of Guangling, he had already seen enough hardships, but in the end, he realised it was far from enough.

What kind of place was the Embroidered Guard prison. It was a place that swallows people up without spitting out their bones. He did not even want to think about what Zhao Su would have to endure in that kind of place.

Yuan Shu clenched his fist tightly, so tightly that his nails pierced into his flesh bringing with it a painful sensation.

————

Zhao Su didn’t know how much time had passed.

He discovered that since he had been there, there was not much difference between night and day.

“It hurts, doesn’t it? It’s said that our ten fingers are connected to the heart, so it must be very painful. As long as you are willing to confess, if you get medical help within twelve hours, you’ll still be able to move your hand freely in the future.”

The interrogator paused for a moment, “Moreover, Yan Shifan said, if you are willing to identify Gao Gong and the others and their participation in cheating, not only do you not have to be caned, but we can also arrange for you to be released. Anyway, you are originally a scholar, you’re already qualified enough to be an official. Why be so stubborn when glory and wealth are just around the corner?”

It really was painful.

This pain was different from the previous whipping. It was like having something engraved into his bones. Followed by his heart pumping uncontrollably and huge drops of cold sweat coming out. Zhao Su clenched his teeth but still could not resist a moan from coming out of his mouth.

How about confessing, it’s been so long, and the people who could have saved him will certainly not come. With the status of little shixiong now, even if he had the heart to help, he was utterly powerless. Plus, Xu Jie and others would definitely not plead with the Emperor for him. Instead of suffering for them in vain, was it better to confess……

You can’t confess, Zhao Su, once you comply with their terms, then everything that you have worked so hard for will be completely meaningless!

You will lose your dignity and it can never be restored!

He kept hearing two voices in his head. Zhao Su drifted in a trance, his consciousness drifting quite far back. As if he had gone back to the day that he bid farewell to his teacher, and the words that his teacher had imparted on him that day.

To do something you know you can’t possibly achieve demonstrates great foolishness, but also great courage.

It was indeed difficult to be a great and brave hero – so difficult. Yang Jisheng…… no wonder there has only been one Yang Jisheng in a thousand years.

Zhao Su twitched the corners of his mouth slightly, his dry and cracked lips moved and spat out the words with difficulty: “…… I have nothing to confess.”

Just as his words came out. Another snap, his right ring finger was also broken.

The other party laughed: “I’ve been mistaken, so it turns out you’re not just a weak scholar but you’ve also got hard bones. Why don’t we try something more exciting? Have you ever heard of ‘Combing’4?”

Zhao Su’s eyelids twitched slightly.

Palace of Eternal Longevity.

Jiajing looked at the two figures before him, one large and one small, but he didn’t say anything.

The Prince of Yu had been waiting outside for half a day. He originally thought that he’d have to return without success, but in the end his old dad was actually surprisingly willing to see them. This really was a miracle. He trembled as he walked in slowly, in his heart, he tried to prepare the words that he wanted to say. But in front of Jiajing’s cold and indifferent expression, he could not manage to say one word.

After thinking for a long while, he finally managed to mumble: “Ha….has Father 5 eaten yet?”