Shen Rui stared at the jade pendant in Minister Han’s hand. The insignia carved into its surface was unmistakable. A soaring eagle surrounded by clouds. The emblem of the Marquis of Yong’an. His family. For several seconds, nobody spoke. Then Shen Rui reached out. “Let me see that.” Minister Han hesitated before handing it over. The pendant was warm from the attacker’s body. Its surface was smooth, polished, and expensive. On the back, beneath the eagle emblem, were two tiny characters. Shen Estate. Shen Rui’s expression remained calm. Inside, however, his thoughts were rapidly becoming unpleasant. No. He turned the pendant over. Absolutely not. He examined the clasp, the carving, and the thin scratch along its edge. There are thousands of jade pendants in the world. This one could belong to anyone. He looked at Minister Han. “Could it be fake?” “It could.” “Then it is fake.” Minister Han stared at him. “You reached that conclusion rather quickly.” “I’m an optimist.” If I refuse to acknowledge a problem, perhaps it will politely disappear. Unfortunately, the pendant remained in his hand. Minister Han took it back. “Bring the prisoners to the farmhouse. I will question them personally.” Shen Rui immediately stepped backward. “I’ll return to my room.” “You will stay.” Shen Rui’s shoulders dropped. I knew it. The moment I became useful, my peaceful life ended. The three captured men were tied to wooden chairs inside the farmhouse’s main room. The villagers had been moved to a neighboring building for safety. Two guards stood at the entrance, while another four surrounded the house. Minister Han placed the jade pendant on the table. “Who gave you this?” The first prisoner kept his head lowered. The second spat blood onto the floor. The third, a thin man with a scar across his eyebrow, smiled. “You already know where it came from.” Minister Han’s voice hardened. “Answer the question.” “It came from the Marquis of Yong’an.” The room fell silent. Shen Rui sat in the corner, holding a cup of tea. The tea was terrible. Even the tea tastes guilty. The scarred man glanced toward him. “So the useless seventh son is here too.” Shen Rui slowly raised his eyes. “Useless?” The man smirked. “That is what people call you.” Shen Rui lowered his cup. I’m beginning to dislike this man personally. Minister Han leaned forward. “Explain the pendant.” “It was given to us as payment.” “By whom?” The prisoner laughed. “You think I would reveal that?” Minister Han signaled to the guards. One of them stepped forward and placed a dagger on the table. The prisoner’s smile faded. Shen Rui glanced at the weapon. Threats rarely work on loyal people. They work on frightened people. The question is which one he is. Minister Han leaned closer. “Your companions are dead. Your escape route has been destroyed. The Night Pavilion will not rescue you.” The prisoner’s eyes flickered. There. Fear. Shen Rui noticed it immediately. The prisoner wasn’t afraid of the guards. He was afraid of the Night Pavilion. Minister Han noticed the change as well. “Who ordered the attack?” The prisoner remained silent. Shen Rui set his cup down. “Ask him what the pendant was meant to open.” Minister Han looked at him. The prisoner’s head snapped up. A small reaction. But enough. Shen Rui leaned back. Found it. Minister Han turned to the prisoner. “What does the pendant open?” “Nothing.” Shen Rui shrugged. “Then you won’t mind if we throw it into the fire.” He reached for the pendant. The prisoner suddenly strained against his restraints. “Don’t!” The word escaped before he could stop it. Shen Rui’s hand paused. Minister Han’s eyes narrowed. Shen Rui smiled. “Interesting.” The prisoner cursed under his breath. Minister Han picked up the pendant and examined it again. “Where is the lock?” The prisoner pressed his lips together. Shen Rui looked toward the window. There must be a hidden storehouse, a vault, or a passage. Something important enough to protect with a family insignia. His thoughts continued without restraint. And if my family gave them this pendant, then either someone in the Shen household is involved, or someone is using our name. Minister Han’s fingers tightened around the jade. He had heard the thought. So had the guards. But Shen Rui only took another sip of tea. The interrogation continued for nearly an hour. The prisoners refused to reveal the identity of their employer. However, they admitted that the grain shipments were being redirected toward the northern border, where they were transferred to another organization. The organization had a name. The Black River Alliance. Minister Han had never heard of it. But the scarred prisoner claimed that several military officers and wealthy families supported the alliance. “The grain was never meant for the villages,” the prisoner said. “It was payment.” “Payment for what?” Minister Han demanded. The man smiled. “For soldiers who never existed.” Shen Rui’s expression sharpened. The prisoner continued, “Names were added to military registers. Salaries were collected for dead men. Grain was delivered to empty camps. Everyone received their share.” Minister Han’s face grew grim. “And the northern campaign?” The prisoner looked toward the door. His voice dropped. “The defeat was arranged.” The room became completely silent. Shen Rui placed his cup on the table. Arranged? The prisoner looked at Minister Han. “Seven years ago, someone wanted the northern army weakened. The grain was withheld, the supply routes were altered, and the commander was blamed.” “Who?” Minister Han asked. The prisoner laughed softly. “You still don’t understand. The commander was only one piece of the plan.” “Then who was the target?” The prisoner’s eyes moved toward Shen Rui. For a moment, his expression changed. Then he smiled. “The emperor.” Shen Rui’s fingers tightened around the cup. The prisoner suddenly jerked forward. A thin metal blade slid from beneath his sleeve. Before he could use it, Shen Rui threw his teacup. The cup struck the man’s wrist. The blade clattered to the floor. The guards rushed forward and restrained him. Shen Rui looked at the broken cup. That was the only decent thing in this room. Minister Han turned toward him. “You could have warned us.” “I did.” “You threw a cup.” “It was a very clear warning.” The minister looked as though he had developed a headache. Later that night, Shen Rui stood outside the farmhouse, looking up at the sky. The moon was partially hidden behind clouds. The village had grown quiet, but the guards remained on alert. Minister Han approached him. “You should sleep.” Shen Rui glanced at him. “Those are beautiful words. Please say them again.” “Go to sleep.” “Thank you.” He began walking away. “Shen Rui.” He stopped. Minister Han’s voice was serious. “Your family’s insignia was found on an assassin. You heard what the prisoner said. You must be careful about what you reveal.” Shen Rui turned around. “Are you warning me?” “Yes.” “Because you think my family is involved?” Minister Han was silent. Shen Rui studied him. He doesn’t know either. That was more troubling than a direct accusation. If Minister Han had proof, he would have confronted him. If he believed Shen Rui was guilty, he would not have allowed him to wander around freely. Which meant the minister was uncertain. And uncertainty in court politics was dangerous. Shen Rui lowered his voice. “Minister, if someone uses my family’s name to commit crimes, does that make my family guilty?” “Not necessarily.” “Then investigate the person who used it.” Minister Han looked at him carefully. “You speak as though you have nothing to fear.” Shen Rui smiled faintly. “I fear many things.” “Such as?” “Early mornings. Bad food. Uncomfortable chairs.” Minister Han almost smiled. “And assassins?” Shen Rui’s expression became serious. “Assassins are easier to understand.” The minister’s smile disappeared. Shen Rui turned away. At least assassins usually have the decency to announce their intentions with a weapon. In the capital, the imperial palace remained awake. Xiao Jingyuan stood in the imperial study as Minister Han’s first report was read aloud by a messenger. “The convoy was attacked at the stone bridge. Three infiltrators were captured near the farming settlement. A jade pendant bearing the Marquis of Yong’an’s insignia was found on one of them.” The emperor’s expression did not change. “Continue.” “The prisoners mentioned the Black River Alliance. They also claimed that the northern campaign seven years ago was deliberately sabotaged.” Xiao Jingyuan’s hand rested on the desk. “Anything else?” The messenger lowered his head. “One prisoner stated that the operation was intended to weaken Your Majesty.” Silence filled the study. Xiao Jingyuan looked toward the candle flame. Seven years ago, the northern army had suffered a devastating defeat. The supply commander had been executed, and several noble families had quietly gained influence afterward. At the time, the evidence had been insufficient to prove a conspiracy. Now, someone was digging it out of the ashes. “Where is Shen Rui?” the emperor asked. “Still with Minister Han.” “Is he injured?” “No, Your Majesty.” “Has he seen the pendant?” “Yes.” Xiao Jingyuan’s gaze sharpened. “And his reaction?” The messenger hesitated. “He appeared calm.” The emperor gave a quiet, humorless laugh. “Calm?” “Yes, Your Majesty.” Xiao Jingyuan looked down at the report concerning Shen Rui. The boy had been called useless for years. Yet he had survived two ambushes, identified hidden traps, and reacted to danger with instincts that did not belong to an ordinary fourteen-year-old noble. The emperor closed the report. “Bring the Marquis of Yong’an to the palace.” The messenger bowed. “And Young Master Shen?” Xiao Jingyuan’s voice became colder. “Make sure he reaches the capital alive.” Before dawn, Shen Rui was dragged from his bedroll by a guard. “Young Master, we’re leaving.” Shen Rui opened one eye. “What time is it?” “Almost sunrise.” He closed his eye again. “Then I’m still asleep.” The guard stared at him. Minister Han’s voice came from outside. “Shen Rui!” Shen Rui slowly sat up. One day, I will conquer the world. My first decree will ban morning travel. He put on his robe and stepped outside. The convoy was already prepared. The evidence box had been placed under heavy guard, and the prisoners were secured in separate wagons. The jade pendant was sealed inside a small evidence pouch. Shen Rui looked toward the road. In the distance, the capital lay beyond the hills. Home was waiting. Unfortunately, so were his father, the emperor, and whatever secrets the Marquis of Yong’an had buried seven years ago. Shen Rui climbed into the carriage. I only wanted to become a salted fish. He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. Why does everyone keep trying to turn me into bait? Far away, inside the imperial palace, Xiao Jingyuan received a final message. The Marquis of Yong’an had arrived at the palace gates. And he had requested an immediate private audience.

The Marquis’s Seal