A record, like settled dust, once it was firm, no one would try to take it back or change anything.
Mei Fengchen led Chu Xinian upstairs. The wooden staircase had been neglected for years, it emitted creaking noises, no longer capable of supporting heavy loads. He waved his sleeve to disperse the dust in the air, and seemed to sigh, “No one has been here for a long time; these are all ancient scrolls.”
After speaking, he searched the neatly arranged shelves and finally pointed to a corner, saying, “All the unsolved murder cases in the Capital over the years are here. If you want to take a look, feel free to do so. No one cares about them anyway. I’ll do you a favor. If you encounter any difficulties in future investigations, you must not refuse my help.”
The last sentence carried a hint of a joke.
Chu Xinian thanked him and said, “I dare not refuse. How about this: you inspect the corpses downstairs, and I will examine the records upstairs. If we find any questions or unresolved issues, we can ask each other.”
Mei Fengchen nodded with a smile, and even his usually serious and stern face softened a little, “Sounds good to me; I was thinking the same thing.”
Thus, one of them did the autopsy downstairs while the other searched upstairs.
The Xie Family committed the crime of rebellion, so their record would not be mixed up with unsolved cases. Chu Xinian’s gaze swept over rows of shelves, finally settling on a row of red-sealed files, among which was a document wrapped in cowhide with the character “Xie” faded on the spine.
Chu Xinian’s heart stilled for a moment. He slowly pulled out the sealed document, feeling it inexplicably heavy. In the gloom and half-shadow, the dust also stirred.
He blew the accumulated dust off the top and extracted the scattered papers inside. On them were written the results of the execution of the Xie Family, briefly and clearly.
The traitor Xie Bi, after returning to the Capital from the northwest with a restless mind, concealed treacherous ambitions. Later, he led troops to the Palace, attempting to revolt, and was captured and killed in front of the Throne Hall…
As ordered by the Emperor, all direct descendants of the Xie Family were executed. However, his wife, Madam Wang, and his only son, Xie Lanting, fled with hundreds of family members to the outskirts, vowing not to confess guilt, and were executed on the spot…
As for the collateral male descendants, all those over the age of eighteen were sent to the remote north as exiles, while the female descendants over the age of eighteen were reduced to slavery, without pardon for three generations…
After reading the record, there seemed to be no loopholes, but Chu Xinian frowned, sensing that something was wrong. He stared at the words for quite a while until he finally noticed two words that seemed strangely familiar.
“His wife, Madam Wang… and his only son, Xie Lanting…”
Xie Lanting…
Xie Lanting…?
Chu Xinian’s pupils constricted slightly as he unconsciously touched the jade pendant around his neck, suddenly realizing something. Weren’t the characters “Xie Lanting” engraved on the jade pendant that Xie Jingyuan had given him?
Could it be that Xie Jingyuan’s true identity was…?
This thought suddenly popped into Chu Xinian’s mind, making him feel somewhat absurd. But upon further consideration, if it were true, then everything that seemed unreasonable would have a logical explanation.
Why did Xie Jingyuan rebel? Why did he hate the Emperor so much? Why was Xie Jingyuan’s face half-ruined? Why did Xie Jingyuan, as a collateral descendant, know so much about the family’s hidden secrets?
It was all because of his identity.
He was not Xie Jingyuan at all, but the legitimate son of the Xie Family, Xie Lanting.
General Xie Bi had been stationed in the northwest for many years and had not returned to the Capital. Xie Lanting had also been born in the northwest, so few people had seen him. Only the Crown Prince paid his respects to General Xie Bi and learned martial arts from him, and he had seen him on several occasions.
After the revolt in the northwest was suppressed, General Xie Bi took his family back to the Capital to report his duty. However, for some unknown reason, he suddenly led his troops through the Taian Gate and charged into the Palace, only to be captured and killed on the spot for the crime of rebellion.
Upon hearing the news, Xie Bi’s wife fled with their only son and hundreds of relatives, but they were eventually overtaken by the Imperial Army and executed on the outskirts.
The once-prosperous Xie Family had fallen from grace in an instant. The extent of their prosperity was indescribable. Overnight, it collapsed, and only collateral descendants under the age of eighteen barely survived the catastrophe.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Xie Bi’s wife had somehow managed to save her son’s life, allowing him to survive under the identity of “Xie Jingyuan”, a collateral descendant.
Vevvfcis ecvfgrajcvlcu jii atf rlucr, Jte Wlcljc rageuuifv ab gfujlc tlr mbwqbregf obg delaf j ktlif. Lf rajgfv ja atf atlc qlfmf bo qjqfg lc tlr tjcv, rffwlcuis agslcu ab rff atgbeut atf ageat bo atf Wlf Mjwlis’r glrf jcv ojii lc atf qjra jcv ktja Wlf Alcusejc tjv fzqfglfcmfv…
Until Mei Fengchen’s voice came from below, rousing him from his thoughts.
“Young Master Chu, the art of examining corpses is mysterious. I wonder why foam came out of the mouth and nose of the drowned woman. I know the fact but not the reason behind it.”
Chu Xinian hesitated for a moment, then carefully put away the records and regained his composure. He explained to Mei Fengchen in simple terms, “A drowning person will struggle and inhale water, which naturally leads to foaming in the airway and throat.”
“But if a corpse is thrown into a lake, there will be no struggle and no breathing, so little or no foam will come out of the mouth and nose.”
Mei Fengchen nodded, “I see. If it were not for you, Young Master Chu, to dispel my doubts, I fear they would have misled me.”
Chu Xinian descended the stairs slowly, his gaze resting on the pale, bloated female corpse that had been submerged in water. He couldn’t help but think of the Xie Family case and asked thoughtfully, “Lord Mei, I have looked at countless records and seen countless cases of death. Are there many unjust cases? What about cases of murder?”
Mei Fengchen looked at him, “However many unjust cases there are, there are just as many lives lost. This attic alone cannot contain them all, and neither can the Ministry of Justice nor the entire realm of Great Yan for that matter.”
Chu Xinian did not expect Mei Fengchen’s reply, “I thought you would consider the Yan Dynasty as a place with clear skies and clear waters, devoid of unjust cases.”
“Clear skies and clear waters?” Mei Fengchen let out a light laugh at his words, repeatedly shaking his head, “If the waters are too clear, there are no fish. Though I intend to wash away the injustices of the world, I am still powerless when confronted with the records you have just seen, let alone other cases.”
Chu Xinian felt that Mei Fengchen’s words hinted at something, but he was not entirely sure. It was not wise to delve into it; otherwise, he might feel exposed for snooping around. However, he was sure that Mei Fengchen had not noticed his actions.
He smiled and pretended to know nothing, “Lord Mei is one of the few loyal ministers whose eyes are clear and impartial.”
“You are wrong, I am not.” Mei Fengchen stood up with his hands behind his back and spoke with great seriousness, “Although I wish to have clear and impartial eyes, I have accumulated too much sand in my eyes over the years. My wishes remain as mere wishes. There are still many unjust cases unresolved in this world, and I am well aware of it. But I am powerless to reveal them; I can only leave it to the younger generation to deal with it.”
“You are still young, full of vitality. There is no need for such gloomy words.” Chu Xinian slowly pulled out a stack of papers from his sleeve. They contained some forensic techniques from the future. He placed them gently on the nearby low table, causing the candle flame to flicker slightly, “Today, I have pestered you for a long time. I feel indebted. I offer this to you as a gift, hoping you will not refuse.”
Mei Fengchen was surprised by Chu Xinian’s words. He took the papers and flipped through some pages, about to ask a question, but when he looked up, he saw that Chu Xinian had already left.
At that moment, Xie Jingyuan was in his mansion examining the information sent by the Crown Prince. Before Prince Jin returned to the Capital, Emperor Yan had intended to transfer the military power held by Xie Jingyuan to him. However, after the quelling of the revolt in Shuofang, Prince Jin’s reputation in the army rose, and suddenly there were no more moves on the part of Emperor Yan.
The Yan Emperor had developed a feeling of wariness towards Prince Jin, which was undoubtedly good news for the Crown Prince and Xie Jingyuan.
Xie Jingyuan carefully sorted out the confidential information and burned it on the heater. He wondered if the trick played by Chu Xinian’s acquaintance Xuan Yeping, could work. After all, Prince Jin was no fool.
But Chu Xinian had always handled things flawlessly, so Xie Jingyuan had no choice but to believe him.
After eating, Xie Jingyuan lay down on the sofa where Chu Xinian used to read his books and casually picked up some books he often read. It was then that he discovered how seriously Chu Xinian read, with annotations on every line and page. He could not understand how Chu Xinian was rumored to be ignorant.
As he read, a shadow suddenly fell in front of him, and he heard Chu Xinian’s familiar voice next to his ear, “Why do you have time to read books today?”
Xie Jingyuan had noticed his presence long ago and tossed the book aside upon hearing his words, “Well, have you finally decided to return?”
Chu Xinian picked up the book, placed it neatly on the shelf, then leaned over and kissed Xie Jingyuan on both sides of his face, whispering, “En, I just had a talk with Lord Mei and came back.”
Xie Jingyuan felt a little tickled by the kiss and turned his head slightly, “Are you sure you didn’t do any autopsy?”
Chu Xinian smiled and showed him his open palm, “Of course not, otherwise how else could I hug you, General?”
Xie Jingyuan could not help but admire Chu Xinian’s serious demeanor, even though he often used vulgar language himself, which he strangely enjoyed. He hooked his hand around Chu Xinian’s neck, then slowly tightened his grip, pressing his right cheek, which bore a hidden and untouchable scar, against his. He rubbed lazily and said, “Chu Xinian…”
Like a ferocious beast withdrawing its sharp claws, he became calm and docile.
This action softened Chu Xinian’s heart. He gently caressed Xie Jingyuan’s face, then kissed his slightly cold lips, parting them and intertwining their tongues, invading that familiar territory.
Xie Jingyuan followed Chu Xinian’s example and laid down. He clung tightly to his body, reciprocating the kisses, which were different from the kisses they exchanged when they first met.
He still remembered that when Chu Xinian first entered the mansion, Concubine Mei sent maids to watch over them during their intimate moments. Xie Jingyuan felt humiliated and resentful. But now, his mood was different, his feelings were different too.
He even wished Chu Xinian could be closer to him, a little more…
Oblivious to Xie Jingyuan’s thoughts, Chu Xinian suddenly lifted him off the sofa and carried him into the inner room.
Xie Jingyuan looked at the bright sky outside the window, leaned on Chu Xinian’s shoulder, and asked with a smirk, “Master Chu, what do you want to do under the clear sky and in broad daylight?”
Chu Xinian lowered him onto the bed, looking at Xie Jingyuan from a higher position. Apart from slightly swollen lips, he still had that otherworldly look. As their breaths intertwined, the cold aura of his clothes gradually became ambiguous.
“General, what do you think I want to do?”
Xie Jingyuan’s heart was beating wildly as he was about to say something, but Chu Xinian’s slender fingers moved slightly and unbuckled his belt.
“Chu Xinian.”
Xie Jingyuan’s voice inexplicably tensed, wondering why Chu Xinian was acting so recklessly. If they were going to do such things, it should be at night, not in broad daylight when anyone passing by could hear.
“General, don’t worry.” Chu Xinian seemed to understand his thoughts and gently kissed his eyebrows and eyes, “I just want to hold you…”
Hugging each other without barriers, doing nothing.
Xie Jingyuan clicked his tongue, “What is there to look at?”
Chu Xinian laughed softly, took off his clothes and together they rolled on the bed, entangled in each other like never before.
The moment their clothes fell to the floor, they were tightly pressed together. Xie Jingyuan didn’t know why, but for the first time, he felt slightly embarrassed. He snuggled against Chu Xinian’s chest and saw his jade pendant in front of him. Out of habit, he reached out and touched it.
Chu Xinian noticed his movement and looked down, “Today, I went to the Ministry of Justice…”
Xie Jingyuan replied, “I know.”
Chu Xinian continued, “I checked the records, including those related to the Xie Family.”
At those words, Xie Jingyuan’s body momentarily stiffened, and he remained motionless for a while. After a moment, he looked at Chu Xinian, wanting to say something, but not knowing what to say. His fingertips tensed unconsciously.
Chu Xinian pulled him closer, and the jade pendant hidden between them, warmed by the heat of their bodies, almost melting into their skin. Chu Xinian’s voice deepened, “Will you blame me, General?”
Xie Jingyuan was silent momentarily, then let out an indifferent grimace, “Blame you for what? You figured it out on your own, saving me the effort of explaining it to you.”
He showed no anger or resentment, he seemed calm as if it were a small matter.
Chu Xinian, “But there is still one thing I don’t understand.”
“Ask.” Xie Jingyuan’s gaze fixed on the jade pendant hanging around Chu Xinian’s neck, “What do you want to know? I’ll tell you…”
For some reason, Chu Xinian felt that there was a deep sense of despair emanating from Xie Jingyuan. After a long silence, he finally uttered, “Did the Xie Family rebel back then?”
At those words, Xie Jingyuan could not contain himself and burst out laughing, as if he had heard the biggest joke. He lowered his head and his expression was confused. After a while, he stifled his laughter and gasped, “Do you know how powerful the Xie Family was in the army at that time? They commanded troops without needing imperial orders. If they wanted to rebel, do you think the hundreds of thousands of Imperial Guards in the Capital would have been able to stop them? The whole dynasty would have been overthrown.”
He squeezed Chu Xinian’s shoulder hard, covering his reddened eyes.
“I only resent my Father for being foolish. He only knew how to strategize on the battlefield, but he did not understand the treacherous politics of the Court. He did not know the unpredictable mind of the Emperor and was lured to the Palace by a letter about the Emperor’s rescue, never to return.”
General Xie Bi had guarded the northwest for many years, treated his soldiers like sons, and enjoyed unparalleled respect in the army. At that time, Qin Daoyan was serving as General of the Right Guard, and both were military commanders. Qin Daoyan felt jealous and repeatedly spoke privately to Emperor Yan, claiming that Xie Bi harbored intentions of rebellion.
Just as the revolt in the northwest was put down, Emperor Yan summoned Xie Bi back to the Capital. However, before he could enter the Palace to meet the Emperor, he received a secret letter from the Empress informing him that the Commander of the Imperial Guard, Zhou Wenchen, had intentions of rebellion. The Emperor was under confinement, and Xie Bi was urgently requested to bring troops to the Palace to rescue him.
General Xie Bi had an outspoken personality and had been marginalized in Court. Fortunately, the Empress was virtuous and had spoken up for him several times. When he received the secret letter from the Empress, he immediately mobilized the troops and set out to enter the Palace to rescue the Emperor together with Qin Daoyan.
However, no one knew that it was a play staged by the Emperor and Qin Daoyan, including the Empress, who was kept in the dark.
Qin Daoyan tricked Xie Bi into entering the Palace through the Taian Gate, unaware that he had already been ambushed. The Imperial Guards were lurking on the ramparts, and fired countless arrows, killing Xie Bi directly in front of the Throne Hall, accusing him of treason.
Recalling the events of that year, Xie Jingyuan mumbled, “Emperor Yan has always been wary. Not only did he suspect that the Xie Family intended to rebel, but he also suspected that my Father was having an affair with the Empress…”
“After my Father’s death, he strangled the Empress, claiming that she died of a sudden illness, and then issued an edict to punish the entire Xie Family.”
“The Crown Prince witnessed all this from outside the hall. He immediately sent a message to my Mother, asking us to leave the Capital and flee for our lives. However, as soon as we reached the outskirts of the city, the Imperial Guards caught up with us…”
Xie Jingyuan paused at this point, his throat felt as if he had something stuck, making it difficult for him to utter words. After a while, he continued, “The commander leading the chase was once favored by my Father. He said he could spare my life, so my Mother personally scarred my face with a hairpin, making me disguise myself as a distant relative of the Xie Family, never revealing my true appearance to anyone.”
He touched the uneven scars on his right cheek and smiled at Chu Xinian with teary eyes, “She inflicted these wounds on me with her hairpin, crying as she did so, telling me to stay away from the Capital, never to return, never to hold any official position and never to enter the Court…”
“I dared not avoid her or turn her away. I only remember the pain in my face, as if I were being torn apart until I could no longer feel anything…”
“Later, my mother also died. She committed suicide, together with her loyal servants, buried in the outskirts…”
Xie Jingyuan exhaled slowly.
“I grew up in the northwest, never set foot in the Capital. The only people who recognized me were my Father’s trusted aides. After the rebellion incident, most of those involved died, and with my appearance destroyed, no one could recognize me. So I joined the army and made my way here today.”
As he spoke, he still unconsciously covered his face tightly with his hands, as if he could feel the excruciating pain of those years again.
Xie Jingyuan, the son of the Great General, was once handsome and talented, proficient in various arts. After arriving in the Capital, he could have been the most respected offspring of a prestigious family. Overnight, he fell into disgrace, tainted by filth, eventually becoming the dreaded ghost-faced Yama, shunned by all.
His glorious past associated with the Xie Family had been destroyed. Whether it was his appearance, his name, or his identity, all vanished like smoke after the collapse of the Xie Family years ago.
The Crown Prince called him Xie Jingyuan, and others did the same.
Except for that jade pendant, no one remembered him as Xie Lanting.
And even he was about to forget it.
The air sank into silence, and even the cicadas outside the window stopped chirping. Chu Xinian moved his lips, wanting to say something, but he felt that any words would be weak and useless.
Even though he had been the one who had written the story, it turned out that perhaps he didn’t fully comprehend it.
“Zhou Wenchen.”
And…
“Emperor Yan…”
Chu Xinian used his fingertips to gently trace Xie Jingyuan’s face full of tenderness, and then whispered in his ear, “When the General wants to kill his enemies in the future, I will accompany him in the killing. Whoever the General wants to get rid of, I will help him.”
If Chu Xinian continues to walk into this black-bellied gong path, I’d definitely celebrate. I said what I said 乁( •_• )ㄏ
They remind me of the couple in Married Thrice to a Salted Fish. Couples that murder together become stronger. 😂
God I love this pair!! 😭💖💖
Poor Xie Jingyuan😭