Chapter 30: Debate and Confrontation

Just as Xiao Muchen was about to answer, Lu Shiyi walked up to Li Linghuan, placed a hand on his shoulder, and introduced him to the gathered young gentlemen: "This is the Fourth Young Master Su I mentioned earlier, the one who can draw the likeness of the dead from their very bones—my brother! Well? Impressive, isn't he?"

"So, it’s a young master from the Su family! That is truly a rarity. The other Su sons are all like empty sacks of straw; to think one of them could be so eloquent and skilled in painting. Isn't this just empty boasting?"

"Whether it’s boasting or not, why don't you test him yourselves?" Lu Shiyi said, his eyes still heavy with drink.

"Fine! We’ve had enough poetry for now; why don't we have a discussion on the Dao?"

"This Young Master Su just spoke of the teachings of Laozi. Does he know which religion our Great Zhou currently venerates?"

"Buddhism!"

"Since you know that, and since Buddhism and Taoism have always been at odds, isn't your grand discourse on Taoism a sign of disrespect toward the Buddhism our Great Zhou holds sacred?"

Hearing this, Li Linghuan smiled. The Li Tang imperial family had long revered Taoism, claiming descent from their ancestor, Taishang Laojun. However, after Wu Zhao ascended the throne, she sought to surpass the Li Tang lineage in divine status and thus chose Buddhism—a faith inherently incompatible with Taoism.

Yet, regardless of the creed, it was merely a tool for rulers to fool the masses. Buddhism preached karma and retribution, emphasizing compassion; yet, the White Horse Temple, boasting three thousand ordained monks and eight thousand warrior monks, held over one hundred thousand acres of surrounding land.

A single White Horse Temple could consume the grain rations of three Great Zhou counties!

And the male favorite Xue Huaiyi, whom Wu Zhao had specifically commissioned to promote Buddhism, used the title of a high monk of White Horse Temple to lead his "monk brigades" in harassing the public and preying upon the people.

Reflecting on this, Li Linghuan glanced at the young man, whose face was full of indignation and mockery. "This must be Young Master Qiu, correct? I merely spoke of Laozi’s words, yet you elevate it to an act of disrespect toward our Great Zhou’s Buddhism? That truly frightens me."

"I would like to ask, why must Buddhism and Taoism be at odds?
Taoism speaks of 'Non-being,' while Buddhism speaks of 'Emptiness';
Taoism speaks of 'Being and Non-being,' while Buddhism speaks of 'Cause and Effect';
Taoism speaks of 'Returning to Simplicity,' while Buddhism speaks of 'Seeing one's true nature';
Taoism speaks of 'The Unity of Heaven and Man,' while Buddhism speaks of the 'Unity of Mind and Spirit.'
Are these not different paths leading to the same destination, with much in common?"

When he finished, Young Master Qiu was left dumbfounded and red-faced. He had only meant to find a flaw in the young man's argument to embarrass him and bolster his own reputation. He had never expected such sharp wit from this boy.

At this moment, even Xiao Muchen, who was listening from the side, changed his expression slightly, and the other scholars were filled with astonishment.

"Young Master Qiu, does the law of our Great Zhou forbid the reading of Laozi’s teachings?"

Li Linghuan countered again. Qiu Yan’s expression stiffened further, causing the gathered students to break into jeering laughter:

"True, although our Great Zhou believes in Buddhism, no law states that reading Laozi or Zhuangzi is an act of disloyalty. Young Master Qiu, aren't you being a bit too excessive in your 'testing'?"

Lu Shiyi immediately clapped and shouted, "Well said! Qiu Yan, I’ve told you not to look down on others. Just because the Third Young Master Su is a fool doesn't mean all the Su family sons are. As for you, I think your brain needs seeing to!"

The young man named Qiu Yan was furious and on the verge of attacking Lu Shiyi. The entire hall of young men was now in high spirits, but just then, a loud "bang" echoed. The gates of the Xingyun Pavilion were forced open by a powerful shove. Everyone watched in terror as a contingent of Jinwu Guards stormed in.

Leading them was the Great General of the Jinwu Guards, Qiu Shenji!

Behind him, even the Deputy Commander of the Inner Guard, Wu Lingyue, had brought several guards to the scene.

"What is the meaning of this? Why are the Jinwu Guards and the Inner Guard bursting into our Xingyun Pavilion?"

"Don't tell me you’ve come to compose poetry, too?" Lu Shiyi asked first.

Wu Lingyue’s sharp eyes locked onto Xiao Muchen, then shifted with suspicion toward Li Linghuan, who stood between Xiao and Lu.

"The Inner Guard is investigating a murder! No one is allowed to leave; everyone must submit to an inspection!"

With that, she acted decisively, pointing her sword directly at Li Linghuan.

"Who are you? Why are you with Commissioner Xiao?"

Before Xiao Muchen could answer, Lu Shiyi interjected, "What is wrong with your eyes? He isn't 'with' Commissioner Xiao; this Fourth Young Master Su has been with me all day. He's my new apprentice at the Ministry of Justice, here to learn investigation and drawing. What of it? Don't tell me you've taken a liking to Fourth Young Master Su, Lady Sheyue?"

***

Facing Lu Shiyi's teasing, Wu Lingyue barked, "Shut up! The Inner Guard and the Jinwu Guards are here to apprehend a murderer; don't you dare joke around!"

"Oh, what kind of assassin requires both the Jinwu Guards and the Inner Guard to mobilize? Was someone important killed?"

"Minister Zhou Xing of the Ministry of Justice!" Wu Lingyue replied.

"What? I didn't hear you, speak up!"

Wu Lingyue raised her voice: "A third-rank official of our Great Zhou, Minister Zhou Xing!"

"Hahaha..." Lu Shiyi couldn't help but burst into laughter upon hearing this. "Lady Sheyue is truly kind to me. Knowing that I, Lu Xun, have dreamed of killing that bastard, you bring me such wonderful news. Thank you, thank you!"

Wu Lingyue gritted her teeth in anger. Seeing Lu Shiyi, who could barely stand and was talking nonsense, she grabbed a teacup from a table and splashed the contents onto his face.

Lu Shiyi sneezed violently. Just as he was about to curse, he looked up and saw the cold, intimidating figure of Wu Lingyue in her official uniform. He quickly apologized with a smile, "What’s this? Deputy Commander Wu Lingyue of the Inner Guard? Why has Lady Sheyue come here? This is a place where scholars of Great Zhou gather to compose poetry. Does the Lady have such refined interests that she’s come to compete as well?"

"Shut up! Lu Xun, are you sober now?"

"Minister Zhou Xing was assassinated an hour ago. The killer escaped into this Xiuwen Ward. Everyone here must be inspected!"

With that, she ordered the Inner Guards to search the premises.

"I ask you, has any suspicious person come here just now?"

Zhou Xing was really killed?

Lu Shiyi was stunned for a moment, then his mouth curled into a wild grin. He feigned a search of the surroundings, glanced at Xiao Muchen and Li Linghuan, and then at a woman wearing a veil standing beside Xiao Muchen. He shook his head. "Haven't seen anyone. If you want to know who is most suspicious here, I’d say it’s only Commissioner Xiao! He arrived not long ago. Are you going to arrest him?"

Wu Lingyue’s expression flickered; when she looked at Xiao Muchen, there was a hint of evasion and apology.

Xiao Muchen’s identity as the Grand Pavilion Leader of the Inner Guard was a secret kept by the Emperor. He was not usually responsible for arrests, but he held power over the private lives of all court officials. As his direct subordinate, Wu Lingyue held a measure of awe and fear toward him.

Just as Wu Lingyue hesitated, Xiao Muchen stood up, placed his hands behind his back, and looked at her. "That’s right, I only just arrived. So, do you suspect I am the killer? Are you here to arrest me?"

Wu Lingyue immediately cupped her hands. "I would not dare. However, as a precaution, I must ask Commissioner Xiao to allow me to inspect the arm of this Fourth Young Master Su."

Xiao Muchen frowned slightly. *As I thought, Wu Lingyue returned specifically because she was suspicious, especially regarding the 'woman' by my side.*

He knew that the eyes Wu Zhao had placed around him were never to be underestimated. He had to admire the woman's meticulous nature at times. But he had not expected her to suspect the daughter of Su Minghe—who was still dressed in men's clothing—so quickly.

At this moment, the veiled woman standing behind Xiao Muchen stepped forward gracefully. She lifted her veil, revealing a bright, charming face, and leaned against Xiao Muchen, saying softly, "Master Xiao, was it this Lady Sheyue who barged into our villa just now? This Lady Wu is so fierce; she frightened me!"

As she spoke, she intentionally or unintentionally draped her arm over Xiao Muchen’s shoulder. A wide sleeve slipped down, allowing Wu Lingyue to see a patch of crimson finger marks on her arm.

Wu Lingyue’s face flushed slightly, and she quickly averted her gaze, looking at the woman.

"Are you Lady Zhu the Seventh, from the Baihua Pavilion in Sigong Ward?"

The woman looked at Wu Lingyue with a charming smile. "So, Lady Sheyue knows me, Lady Zhu the Seventh?"

Who wouldn't know the top courtesan of the Baihua Pavilion?

However, she hadn't expected that a man as self-disciplined as Xiao Muchen would actually entertain a famous courtesan in public. Still, better to entertain a courtesan than to marry a wife or take a concubine!

Wu Lingyue sighed inwardly and turned her gaze toward Lady Zhu and the Li Linghuan standing beside her, thinking, *Could I really be overly suspicious?*

At this moment, Li Linghuan also asked with a smile, "Does Lady Sheyue still wish to inspect my arm?" He then moved to lift his sleeve.

"No need!" Wu Lingyue said, turning to Qiu Shenji. "The killer is not here. General Qiu, let us return to the Zhou residence at once. We will have the Ministry of Justice inspect the scene for traces and then report the case to the Emperor!"

Wu Lingyue turned to leave, but Lu Shiyi dashed in front of her. "Take me, take me! I’m with the Ministry of Justice! Investigating scenes and chasing killers is my specialty!"

He then asked excitedly, "Oh, by the way, how does Zhou Xing look? Is it a good sight?"

Wu Lingyue gave him a speechless, scathing glare, raised her sword, and strode away. Lu Shiyi followed behind, skipping along.

***

"I can't miss this! I have to see it! Sister Yue, wait for me!"

...

The disturbance at the Xingyun Pavilion soon subsided, but the night would not remain peaceful. The death of Zhou Xing quickly drew the attention of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Justice (Xingbu), and the Censorate.

The bustling Zhou residence, once filled with endless music and song, had now become a gloomy "ghost house" where even the birds had fled, becoming yet another crime scene for the Ministry of Justice to investigate.

The residence was quickly cordoned off; bailiffs and officers patrolled back and forth, and soldiers gathered in force.

Li Linghuan left the Xingyun Pavilion and quietly returned to the Su family mansion with Ashu. Xiao Muchen was worried and had dispatched several guards to follow them in secret, only turning back once the two had safely entered the courtyard.

"Well? Is she alright?" Seeing Xuan Yu return, Xiao Muchen asked impatiently.

"Rest easy, my lord. What could happen to her? In my opinion, that young lady is as fierce as a tiger. If anyone runs into her, they’ll be the ones in trouble, not her!"

Xuan Yu laughed, then asked, "By the way, my lord, when she lunged at you, you could have easily resisted. Why did you willingly let her bite you? Don't tell me you have... some sort of masochistic tendency?"

Xiao Muchen glared at Xuan Yu, who felt a chill run down his spine and immediately slapped himself.

"Yes! Forgive this subordinate’s loose tongue!"

Xiao Muchen then said seriously, "Regarding Zhou Xing’s death, Prince Wei Wu Chengsi will not let this rest. He will inevitably try to implicate others. We must prepare sufficient evidence to seal the verdict on this case and ensure he cannot turn the tables, or countless others will be dragged into the ruin."

"Understood!"

...

That night, news of Zhou Xing’s death had not yet reached the Su residence, but Old Madam Su had been restless and unable to sleep for the entire day.

"Tell me, will that girl cause any more trouble for our Su family?"

"Oh, Mother, set your heart at ease. I went to the Ministry of Justice today, and Assistant Minister Lu only had her paint a few pictures. Nothing else happened. And didn't the Third Young Master return as well?"

Mentioning the Third Young Master, Old Madam Su sighed again. The Third Young Master hadn't been much better since his return; he was silent, listless, as if he had lost his soul, and would say nothing when asked.

"No, that girl cannot stay in the Su family. I must find a way to make her leave the family properly."

Qin Shi replied, "Mother, the daughter of the Second Uncle should be of age for her coming-of-age ceremony now, right? The young girls of our Su family have already begun discussing marriages..."

Old Madam Su’s eyes lit up. "That’s right, how could I have forgotten she’s come of age? Yes, fifteen years old, she can be married off. Yes, I must find her a good family. Once she is married, the source of misfortune will be diverted; whatever happens after that will no longer be the Su family’s concern!"

"Mother, what are you saying! Today, Ah Huan appeared before Assistant Minister Lu and the others in the guise of a young master. If you marry her off, wouldn't that expose the fact that our Su family has been hiding her identity?"

Su Qing was helpless and frustrated. After a moment, he mused, "I have decided. Let her do as my second brother did—enroll in the Imperial Academy. Since our Su family is destined to have no talented sons, we might as well try to nurture a young lady!"

Old Madam Su felt as if she had been struck by lightning. She flew into a rage: "You! What nonsense are you spouting? Do you think our Su family isn't already fallen and unlucky enough? Do you want to see our clan exterminated before you're satisfied?"

"Mother, what are you talking about? As long as you don't cause trouble, the Su family will be fine!"

Su Qing left her with that helpless remark and turned to walk out of the hall, just as a servant hurried in, panicked: "Old Madam! Lights have appeared in the Wisteria Court to the north. It seems someone has gone inside!"

"Someone went inside? Who?"

"Could it be that girl has returned? When did she return? How?"

...

How she returned was a mystery to everyone in the Su family, but to Ashu, it was nothing out of the ordinary.

Her Princess never used the front gate; she loved climbing walls, and she did so without leaving a trace, invisible to everyone.

After returning to the Wisteria Court, Li Linghuan’s energy seemed to be entirely spent. She collapsed onto the bed, ready to sleep, but before she drifted off, she wrote a scroll of silk and handed it to Ashu.

"The trap is set, and I have killed the person for her. Give this to Murong Huan and tell her that everything from here on depends on her!"