The imperial palace remained brightly lit long after nightfall. Inside the imperial study, the Marquis of Yong’an stood before the emperor with his hands folded inside his sleeves. His expression was calm, but the tension in his shoulders betrayed his unease. He had been summoned without explanation. However, the moment he saw the evidence pouch on the emperor’s desk, he understood. The jade pendant. “Marquis of Yong’an,” Emperor Xiao Jingyuan said, his voice cold and even. “Do you recognize this?” Eunuch Wei opened the pouch and placed the jade pendant on the desk. The marquis’s gaze fell upon it. His expression changed subtly. The pendant was carved from pale jade, bearing the insignia of his household. Along its edge, two small characters had been engraved. Shen Estate. “It carries my household’s insignia,” the marquis answered carefully. “But I cannot confirm how it came into the assassin’s possession.” “Your household tokens are not distributed carelessly.” “Even the most carefully guarded possessions can be stolen, Your Majesty.” Xiao Jingyuan leaned back in his chair. “Stolen?” “It is possible that someone with access to the estate took it without permission.” “Then you will investigate.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” The emperor’s gaze remained fixed on him. “Do you know what the captured assassins said?” “They mentioned the Black River Alliance.” “They also mentioned the northern campaign seven years ago.” The marquis’s expression grew more serious. The northern campaign had been a subject of silence for years. The army had suffered a devastating defeat, military provisions had disappeared, and several officers had been executed. Yet the truth behind the disaster had never been fully uncovered. “What connection does Your Majesty suspect between my household and that campaign?” the marquis asked. “I am asking you a question, not presenting a suspicion.” The marquis lowered his head. “Your Majesty, during that period, I supervised the transportation of provisions through several prefectures. The Ministry of Revenue and military supply offices handled the final distribution.” “Were you involved in the supply records?” “I reviewed some of them.” “Were any records altered?” “Not to my knowledge.” “Not to your knowledge,” Xiao Jingyuan repeated. The emperor’s voice was quiet, but the words carried a sharp edge. “Seven years ago, grain disappeared, soldiers’ salaries were claimed under false names, and entire military units appeared to exist only on paper. Someone profited from the army’s defeat.” The marquis remained silent. Xiao Jingyuan picked up another document. “Where were you on the night the northern supply route was abandoned?” “In the capital.” “Who can verify that?” “My household steward and several officials who visited my residence that evening.” “Give Eunuch Wei their names.” The marquis listed them. Eunuch Wei recorded every name. When he finished, the emperor said, “Those men will be questioned.” The marquis’s expression remained composed, but his heart sank. The emperor was not merely investigating the Black River Alliance. He was reopening the northern campaign. And this time, he intended to follow every trail, no matter how powerful the people connected to it might be. “Your Majesty,” the marquis said, “may I ask about my seventh son?” Xiao Jingyuan’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Shen Rui?” “Yes. He has already been involved in several dangerous incidents. If the investigation concerns my household, I believe he should return home.” “He will not.” The marquis looked up. “Your Majesty?” “Your son discovered the hidden grain stores in Qinghe Village. He identified irregularities in the records and helped expose infiltrators within the convoy.” The marquis’s brows drew together. “Rui’er has never been particularly capable.” Xiao Jingyuan studied him. “Is that your assessment of him?” “My son has always been careless and uninterested in serious matters.” “Yet he has noticed what experienced officials overlooked.” The marquis had no immediate answer. Xiao Jingyuan placed the document aside. “Where is he now?” “The convoy should be approaching the capital.” “Once he arrives, he will report directly to the palace.” The marquis’s expression tightened. “Your Majesty, he is only fourteen.” “He is also a witness.” “He has already endured several attacks.” “That is precisely why he cannot be allowed to return to an unguarded household.” The emperor’s tone became firm. “Until this investigation is complete, Shen Rui will remain under imperial protection.” The marquis bowed his head. “As Your Majesty commands.” “Search your estate,” Xiao Jingyuan continued. “Inspect the old warehouses, archives, and private storehouses. Determine whether any household tokens are missing.” “Yes.” “Then provide me with a list of everyone who had access to your household seal seven years ago.” “I will do so.” “And, Marquis…” The marquis stopped before leaving. “If anyone from your household attempts to interfere with Shen Rui’s return, I will regard it as obstruction of an imperial investigation.” The marquis’s face paled slightly. He bowed deeply. “I understand, Your Majesty.” “Leave.” The marquis turned and walked out of the imperial study. As the doors closed behind him, Xiao Jingyuan picked up the jade pendant again. His gaze rested on the household insignia. The Shen family had existed for generations. Its influence reached into the military, the Ministry of Revenue, and several noble families. If the pendant had been planted, someone wanted suspicion to fall upon the marquis. If it had been genuinely used, then someone within the Shen household might have been involved. Either possibility required investigation. “Your Majesty,” Eunuch Wei said quietly, “should we send someone to inspect the Shen Estate immediately?” “Have the Black Guard begin discreetly.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” “And keep Shen Rui under observation when he arrives.” Eunuch Wei hesitated. “Do you suspect the young master?” Xiao Jingyuan looked toward the dark palace windows. “I suspect everyone connected to this matter.” He paused. “Even those who appear harmless.” Several hours later, the convoy finally reached the outskirts of the capital. Shen Rui sat inside the carriage with his blanket wrapped around his shoulders. His hair was slightly disheveled, and his eyes were heavy with exhaustion. The journey had been miserable. The food had been worse. And the number of people attempting to kill him had far exceeded what he considered reasonable. At last. The capital. A bed. A bath. A proper meal. If anyone asks me to investigate another warehouse tonight, I’m going to fake my own death. He shifted against the carriage wall. His body might have belonged to a fourteen-year-old boy, but his instincts remained those of an assassin. He had noticed the guards changing positions, the soldiers watching the surrounding roads, and the messenger who had ridden ahead toward the capital. Something was happening. Unfortunately, Shen Rui had no desire to discover what it was. I should have stayed in bed on the first day. If I had pretended to be stupid a little more convincingly, perhaps everyone would have left me alone. Across from him, Minister Han examined the sealed evidence box. “Seventh Young Master.” Shen Rui opened one eye. “Yes?” “His Majesty may question you personally when we arrive.” Shen Rui stared at him. “Tonight?” “Most likely.” The emperor has no sense of timing. Does he think people don’t need sleep? Even criminals are allowed to rest between crimes. Minister Han’s mouth twitched, though he quickly hid the reaction. Shen Rui narrowed his eyes. “Why are you smiling?” “I am not.” He’s lying. Everyone has become suspiciously bad at lying lately. The carriage slowed as the capital gates came into view. The guards at the entrance recognized the imperial banners and immediately cleared the way. Beyond the gates, the streets were quieter than usual, with lanterns glowing along the stone roads. Shen Rui lifted the curtain slightly. The sight of the capital should have brought relief. Instead, he felt a terrible sense of foreboding. Why do I feel like I’m walking into a tiger’s den carrying a plate of meat? The convoy entered the city. Before they could proceed far, an imperial messenger approached on horseback. He dismounted and presented a scroll sealed with red wax. “By imperial order!” The convoy stopped. Minister Han stepped down from his carriage and accepted the scroll. After reading it, he turned toward Shen Rui. “His Majesty commands Shen Rui, seventh son of the Marquis of Yong’an, to report directly to the imperial palace.” Shen Rui slowly lowered the curtain. He remained silent for several seconds. Then he pulled the blanket over his head. I knew it. I knew returning alive was a trap. Minister Han stood beside the carriage. “Seventh Young Master, we must leave for the palace immediately.” A muffled voice came from beneath the blanket. “Tell His Majesty I’m unconscious.” “You are speaking.” “Then tell him I’m unconscious but exceptionally talented at speaking in my sleep.” Minister Han sighed. Outside the carriage, the imperial messenger waited patiently. Shen Rui tightened his grip on the blanket. Fine. I’ll go. But if the emperor asks me to solve another murder, I’m charging him for my time. The carriage turned toward the imperial palace. Far away, in the imperial study, Xiao Jingyuan received word that the convoy had entered the capital. He set down his brush. “Bring Shen Rui to me when he arrives.” And as the carriage rolled deeper into the sleeping city, Shen Rui had no idea that the emperor was waiting—not only to question him about the investigation, but to uncover the truth behind the strange changes in the seventh son of the Marquis.

The Marquis’s Hidden Past