Chapter Fifty: The Return of Zhao Pu

Sun Jingli led Shen Jifeng to a side chamber within the West Capital Government Office, then bowed and quietly withdrew.

The carved wooden window was half-open, allowing a breeze to carry the scent of gardenias from the courtyard inside. Yet, no gust could dispel the heaviness pressing on Shen Jifeng’s heart.

The slanting rays of the setting sun filtered through the intricate lattice, and her eyes immediately caught sight of a tall, slender figure standing by the window. The man faced away from her, his jade-colored brocade robe outlined with a golden edge by the sunlight, while the gilded twin rings hanging at his waist reflected scattered beams of light.

Her breath caught.

He slowly turned around, his brows and eyes unchanged, lips curling into a smile more pleasant than the spring breeze. “Sister, why are you only now coming? I’ve been waiting a long time.”

Shen Jifeng fixed her gaze on him, her eyes tracing from his unscathed right leg up to the face free of any illness.

The heavy stone pressing on her chest vanished without a trace, replaced by a surge of anger that struck her mind like lightning. She grabbed a wooden stick from the window frame and swung it hard at Zhao Pu’s right leg.

“I let you deceive me! I let you deceive me!”

Zhao Pu took several blows before he began to dodge. “Sister, I was wrong. Please spare me just this once. For coming to help you, can’t you forgive me?”

Gradually, Shen Jifeng’s scattered thoughts gathered, and she finally recalled the reason she had come—she was here to meet the envoy from the Ministry of Justice.

“The Ministry of Justice? You? What a joke.”

Zhao Pu rubbed the flesh on his thigh, bruised purple from her heavy strikes. Carefully, he took the wooden stick from her hand and, with a servile air, helped her to a chair.

“I took over the interrogation of the silver miners of West Capital,” Zhao Pu said, licking his lips and leaning close to Shen Jifeng with an expression begging for praise.

At the hour of the dog the day before, a letter from Li Leqi was delivered to the Han Prince’s Mansion. Zhao Zhen had always fulfilled every request from his beloved niece. During the morning court assembly, in front of all the ministers, he inquired about the Ministry of Justice’s interrogation of the West Capital miners.

Minister of Justice Kong Sheng was well-prepared. Calmly, he explained, “We dispatched men five days ago, but unfortunately, they were caught in rain all day en route, developed a sudden chill, became delirious, fell from their horse, and broke a leg.”

“I see,” Zhao Zhen expressed regret, “Which official of the Ministry of Justice was so unlucky? When I have time, I shall pay him a visit.”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness,” Kong Sheng bowed. The Han Prince’s kindness was feigned; he merely wished to advance the interrogation. No words spoken in the grand hall came without purpose.

“Originally, we should have sent replacements immediately, but with over two hundred prisoners from the Caoxian iron mine still in custody, all our chief officials and clerks are fully occupied with interrogations. We simply cannot spare any more men. However, I have informed the clerk Cai Xin, who remains in West Capital, to continue the investigations.”

“Your Majesty, since the Ministry cannot spare men, I’m willing to take on the task,” came a clear voice echoing through the hall. Zhao Pu strode in from outside, his jade crown neatly bound, wearing his heavy court robe with an effortless grace.

Chu Wang Zhao Jian stared intently at the approaching Zhao Pu, waves of turmoil crashing in his heart. The reports had clearly said the mission was accomplished, so how could Zhao Pu stand here unscathed?

Zhao Zhen grinned broadly upon seeing Zhao Pu, revealing a row of teeth.

Emperor Yuanchang, looking down at his grandson after days apart, showed his joy without hesitation. “Pu’er, when did you arrive in the capital?”

Zhao Pu knelt and saluted. “Grandfather, I arrived last night. Since the palace gates were locked, I did not come to pay my respects immediately.”

Yuanchang stroked his beard, eyes scanning Zhao Pu twice. “Come here, let your grandfather see if you’ve lost weight.”

Zhao Jian smiled at the two, performing the tender grandfather-grandson act, but inside his heart bled. After all the scheming, Zhao Pu remained without a scratch—a truly troublesome pawn.

Zhao Pu ascended the steps beside Emperor Yuanchang, casting a seemingly casual glance at his second uncle below, relishing the elevated position.

“You just returned from the south, weary from the journey. Why not rest a few days?”

Zhao Pu clasped his hands. “Grandfather, I have two reasons for wanting to go to West Capital. First, this case involves remnants of the former dynasty, and I wish to find the true culprit for my late father to bring him peace in the afterlife. Since the Ministry of Justice is concentrating all manpower on the Caoxian iron mine, I might as well go to West Capital myself.”

Yuanchang nodded gently. “And the other reason?”

Zhao Pu scratched his head. “Grandfather, I have been away from home three months and deeply miss my sister. I want to visit her.”

It was well known throughout court that the young prince and princess of Qi Wang’s household had lived relying on each other for many years, their sibling bond strong.

Zhao Jian’s heart trembled. This was bad. If Zhao Pu went to West Capital, this move would be ruined. He stepped forward. “Father, Zhao Pu has done well on his southern tour and has worked hard these months. The interrogation is tedious and exhausting. Why not let someone else take over and let him rest a while?”

Minister of Justice Kong Sheng nodded in agreement. “Old servant believes the young prince lacks experience in interrogations. This case is critical and should be handled by the Ministry’s own officials. The clerk Cai Xin, who remains in West Capital, is mature and reliable and suitable for the task.”

Emperor Yuanchang cast a cold glance at Kong Sheng, then at Zhao Jian, and said in a deep voice, “I herded cattle at five, raised armies at twenty-seven, and ascended the throne at forty-two. Which of these did I have prior experience in?”

Kong Sheng raised his protective shield higher and lowered his head further.

“However, Minister Kong’s point has merit. Pu’er indeed lacks experience in interrogations. Then let your clerk—what was his name?”

Yuanchang had forgotten. Lin Ping’an promptly reminded him, “Cai Xin, Clerk Cai.”

“Let him be Pu’er’s deputy, to investigate together whether the West Capital miners have links to the remnants of the former dynasty.”

The voice rang through the hall, decisive and final.

After hearing the full account, Shen Jifeng felt no relief; instead, worry clouded her heart. “The Ministry of Justice is deliberately delaying because of Second Uncle. He doesn’t want me to refine the silver on schedule?”

Zhao Pu said nothing.

“Why? What harm is there in me refining my silver?”

“Perhaps he doesn’t want his sister to become wealthy, for silver can accomplish many things.”

The faint thread she had been sensing finally became clear. She had never thought the throne would fall to Zhao Pu. Traditionally, the throne passed from father to son; skipping generations would be unthinkable to the court. Yet, clearly, her Second Uncle thought otherwise.

“But you’re only a prince, a generation below him. Grandfather surely wouldn’t cast his thoughts on you.”

Zhao Pu chuckled softly. “Sister, whether Grandfather has such thoughts is irrelevant. What matters is that Second Uncle already regards me as a rival.”

A commoner is innocent, but possessing treasure invites blame. Ambitious or not, within the royal family, from birth one is branded as either winner or loser, with no choice.

“Pu,” Shen Jifeng said, eyes full of worry, “If possible, I wish you could just live a life of wealth and leisure.”

Zhao Pu met her anxious gaze and was deeply comforted. He spoke slowly, “I’m afraid that’s impossible. He has already made his move against me.”