Chapter 83 Part 2

As he boarded the sedan, Liu Yuanxun mulled over Xiao Jinye’s motives. By the time they neared the Embroidered Uniform Guard Commandant Office, his thoughts had inevitably drifted to Gu Lianzhao.

He didn’t expect to encounter him, though. Given Gu Lianzhao’s temperament, after such a grave offense, he would almost certainly avoid him.

In many people’s eyes, Gu Lianzhao was a ruthless climber, willing to do anything for power.

But had he ever actually done anything truly despicable? Not really. Everything he had gained, he had earned.

Gu Mingyuan accused him of unscrupulous tactics, but Gu Lianzhao had merely reclaimed what was rightfully his. Others whispered that he had secured his post as North Pacification Commander by cozying up to Liu Xun. Yet with Gu Lianzhao’s talents, even without Liu Xun, he would have carved out his own path eventually.

People, however, preferred to believe that rapid success stemmed from underhanded tricks rather than sheer ability.

From Gu Mingyuan’s barbs and Hong Fu’s demeanor, Liu Yuanxun could sense it: they looked down on Gu Lianzhao.

Gu Lianzhao might not care what others thought, but Liu Yuanxun realized he himself might harbor the same disdain.

A person who had endured too much suffering in life would inevitably find existence a grueling ordeal. The more arduous their life became, the more they would subconsciously feel inferior to others, unworthy of happiness, inherently more vicious than everyone else from the moment of their birth. But that wasn’t true at all. Most people, when pushed to the brink, had no choice in the matter.

He could sense Gu Lianzhao’s unusual obsession with power, but power itself meant nothing. Those who reveled in it truly savored only what it brought them.

Some delighted in the thrill of controlling others, while others craved power simply to escape the fate of being controlled themselves.

On their wedding night, Gu Lianzhao had resisted with desperate fury. At the time, he had thought it was a fight for his own chastity. But as he came to understand Gu Lianzhao better, he realized that Gu Lianzhao would never struggle so fiercely for mere purity. No, what had ignited that resistance—and fueled his hatred—was the humiliation of being manipulated, treated as a mere plaything.

Gu Lianzhao valued his dignity more than his chastity, for it was the only thing he had left. Thus, after the misunderstandings of the past few days, Gu Lianzhao would almost certainly avoid seeing him again.

And indeed, when he arrived at the Embroidered Uniform Guard Commandant Office, things unfolded exactly as expected. Gu Lianzhao was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a stranger escorted him to the Imperial Prison.

An Embroidered Uniform Guard raised his hand in invitation. “Prince, this way, please.”

Liu Yuanxun nodded politely. “Thank you for your trouble.”

The guard demurred with several hasty “Not at all”s and accompanied him at a leisurely pace into the Imperial Prison.

Unlike his first visit, when the stench of blood had caught him utterly off guard, Liu Yuanxun had come prepared this time. He took out a handkerchief and pressed it over his mouth and nose. With the odor muffled, he felt far more at ease.

Moreover, unlike the dim gloom of before, someone had made preparations ahead. Fresh candles now flickered on the long-vacant stands lining both sides of the passage, their steady glow illuminating the bloodstained path. Liu Yuanxun kept his gaze fixed straight ahead, concentrating on the ground beneath his feet.

When they reached the Interrogation Room, he saw Xiao Jinye already waiting there.

Liu Yuanxun might not have noticed, but Xiao Jinye knew the room had been thoroughly cleaned. Most of the torture instruments had been removed, and even a chair had been placed beneath him.

Liu Yuanxun sat down gently. “Lord Xiao.”

Xiao Jinye smiled. “Prince, it’s been a long time.”

Liu Yuanxun then turned to the Embroidered Uniform Guard behind him. “You may go.”

The guard had apparently received prior instructions. Though leaving Liu Yuanxun alone with a prisoner posed considerable risk, he obeyed without hesitation and departed with quick strides.

It had been many years since Xiao Jinye had last experienced the sensation of sitting in a chair. He rested his left hand on the armrest, his withered fingers tracing the carved patterns inch by inch as he spoke. “I hear the Prince is heading to Jiangnan on the second day of the new year?”

Liu Yuanxun inclined his head slightly. “Does Lord Xiao have any advice?”

Xiao Jinye replied, “Advice might be too strong a word. I only ask that you take great care.”

Liu Yuanxun nodded and waited patiently for him to continue.

“To be frank, I never expected you to actually agree to go to Jiangnan.”

Liu Yuanxun regarded him steadily. “Is that your goal? Or the choice you hoped to see me make?”

“Something like that,” Xiao Jinye said in a low voice. “Truth be told, the most crucial pieces are already in your hands. Once you make your choice, you can follow the path laid out before you. My role isn’t merely to await your arrival—it’s also to serve as a restraint.”

Liu Yuanxun asked, “A restraint on whom?”

Xiao Jinye shook his head with a faint smile. “I cannot say.”

Liu Yuanxun did not press him but changed the subject instead. “A restraint with what? The roster?”

There was no surprise on Xiao Jinye’s face, as if he had long known Liu Yuanxun possessed the ledger. He admitted candidly, “The roster is indeed in my possession, hidden in my family estate. Only I know its exact location.”

Liu Yuanxun listened quietly, offering no further comment.

“Once you’re in Jiangnan, someone will seek you out.” Xiao Jinye seemed entranced by the chair beneath him, his fingers exploring every detail with meticulous care. “Jiangnan is the root of this affair. When you arrive there, someone will guide you to uncover it layer by layer. As long as you do not falter or flee, the truth will emerge swiftly.”

He spoke more plainly than ever before, giving Liu Yuanxun a solid foundation to build upon. He nodded again. “I understand.”

Xiao Jinye slowly raised his head. “Prince, this Criminal Minister has one final request.”

Liu Yuanxun met his gaze evenly. “Speak it.”

Xiao Jinye’s voice was soft. “When you return from Jiangnan, would you pluck a willow leaf from the tree at the city gate on my behalf?”

At first, Liu Yuanxun thought it might be some veiled hint. But on second thought, if it were a signal, Xiao Jinye would hardly ask him to do it upon his return to the city. By then, everything might already be settled, and plucking a willow leaf would have nothing to do with the matter.

Puzzled, Liu Yuanxun agreed nonetheless. “Jiangnan is quite a distance from the capital. Preserving a fresh willow leaf on the journey back would require considerable effort. If Lord Xiao doesn’t mind, might I pluck it upon my return and bring it straight to you?”

“Of course,” Xiao Jinye replied, his eyes mild. “This Criminal Minister only wants a willow leaf from outside the city gate. Whether it’s withered or fresh makes no difference to me.”

Liu Yuanxun asked no more. Seeing that Xiao Jinye had nothing else to say, he took the initiative. “Does Lord Xiao know a man named Liu San?”

Xiao Jinye no longer hid anything. He nodded and posed an odd question in return. “But which ‘Liu San’ do you mean?”

Liu Yuanxun frowned slightly. “Are you saying there are many?”

“Indeed.” Xiao Jinye nodded. “There are many Liu Sans. I know many Liu Sans, and so do you. But I don’t know which Liu San you’re referring to, nor do I know if the Liu Sans I know are the same as yours.”

The words sounded like they were circling around the point, but the somber weight in Xiao Jinye’s tone lent them an unexpected gravity.

Liu Yuanxun spoke softly. “He lives at the West Market End. He’s skilled at appraising writing and artwork. Tall and sturdy, around thirty years old, he’s spent half his life traveling far and wide. He got engaged just three months ago. Do you know that Liu San?”

Xiao Jinye thought for a moment and shook his head. “I don’t know that Liu San.”

Liu Yuanxun felt a slight relief, but then Xiao Jinye continued. “However, if he’s connected to these events—and if he’s already dead—then he must be one of the Liu Sans I mentioned.”

Liu Yuanxun’s expression shifted subtly. He knew what that implied: the Liu San who had drawn him into this web might not have died by accident, but as part of a premeditated plan.

He couldn’t help asking Xiao Jinye, “What about Liu San’s death? Was that part of their scheme too?”

It wasn’t mere speculation on Liu Yuanxun’s part. Liu San’s death had been the key that pulled him into the game. Without that zither score alone, he never would have thrown his ailing body into the fray.

“That, I truly do not know.” Xiao Jinye looked at Liu Yuanxun, his expression complex—mingled pity, helplessness, and a deeper melancholy of being ensnared in the chessboard. “I only know that every ‘Liu San’ acts with purpose. They’ve even calculated their own lives: when to die, how to die, and how to make their death most valuable—all planned with utmost clarity.”

Xiao Jinye added at the end, “In Jiangnan, you may encounter even more ‘Liu Sans.’ When you find the final one, the truth will come to light. At that point, you can decide: proclaim it to the world or bury it forever.”

Liu Yuanxun pressed on. “What truth do you mean? About you? Feng Yuanyuan? And who else? Meng Qian’an? Grand Secretary Meng? Or someone even higher up?”

Xiao Jinye shook his head and offered no answer. “You’ll find out in time—and soon enough at that. I’m tired, Prince. Please call them to take me back.”

Liu Yuanxun knew he would get nothing more. He rose and pushed open the door to the Interrogation Room, then said to the Embroidered Uniform Guard stationed outside, “Please escort Lord Xiao back.”

The guard nodded and moved to support Xiao Jinye. It was then that Liu Yuanxun finally understood why Xiao Jinye needed assistance to enter: not only had he lost his right arm, but both legs had been amputated below the knees…

No wonder he had never seen Xiao Jinye stand.