Chapter 102 — Closing The Net

Edited by DancingDolphinsYo

Yan Wenxin kept feeling a sense of unease.

During the morning court, the Emperor seemed to have been staring at him openly numerous times, yet he did not have any doubts towards his memorial presentation. Just like usual, the Emperor only asked a couple of questions, then moved on to the next official. However, a few minutes later, the Emperor once again glanced over at him.

Yan Wenxin felt as though he could hear the puzzlement of the entire court. There were some who could not help but sneak looks at him, and this happened so often that Yan Wenxin felt as though he was sitting on pins and needles. On the surface, he still looked completely unbothered, and with his face looking down on the ground, he seemed to not have noticed anything.

Finally, he managed to endure until the end of the session. After answering a few enquiries from some of his faction, Yan Wenxin was about to return to his residence, planning on deliberating over the Emperor’s attitude. Unexpectedly, he was called to a halt by someone.

“Lord Yan, his Majesty wishes to meet you.” The one calling out to him was a close attendant of the Emperor. His old, wrinkled face was beaming, and despite Yan Wenxin being able to read people well, he had never been able to see through this old eunuch who had attended to two emperors.

“Eunuch Chun.” Yan Wenxin cupped his hands towards him. He wanted to probe the old man, but thinking about it, the Emperor’s actions this morning did mean something. If he were to probe too deeply, it would make it seem as though he was feeling guilty. As such, he just quietly followed behind Eunuch Chun.

Yan Wenxin had originally thought that the Emperor would meet him in the royal study, but surprisingly, Eunuch Chun led him to the gardens.

In the current season, the lotuses in the pond had already wilted, and the servants had already been tasked to clean it up. As such, the pond was a little bleak looking. The curtains around the white jade pavilion in the center of the pond had been pulled down halfway, only allowing half the light to shine in. A bright yellow figure could be seen indistinctly within, leaning lazily against the seat, sipping tea.

The Emperor of Great Xia was no longer young. In another three months, it would be his Imperial Birthday. By then, the Emperor would be fifty-five years old. Despite this, his appearance did not reflect his age. His long, thin eyes were always lazily half-hidden by his lowered lids, his nose handsome, and his brows were sharp and defined. There was not a single wrinkle on his snow-white skin, and only when he smiled, did crinkles appear on the corners of his eyes.

From afar, the Emperor had already seen Yan Wenxin. Lifting his arm, he waved him over. Eunuch Chun immediately hastened, walking forward quickly. As a literary man, Yan Wenxin had a bit of a hard time catching up with him, and after bowing and showing his courtesies, the man could not help but pant a little.

“Beloved Minister, have a seat. Here’s some tea.” The long seat of the Emperor was covered with a soft cushion as well as a pillow. The Emperor half-reclined on it in content, not carrying any airs on him at all.

Having long been used to how casual the Emperor was in private, Yan Wenxin voiced his gratitude, sitting uprightly on the stool across the Emperor. Raising up the cup of tea Eunuch Chun handed to him, he took a sip, heaping praise on the tea thereafter.

“If you like it, I shall let Chun Si prepare some leaves and let you bring it back with you.” The Emperor carried a memorium with one hand, a smile on his face. However, Yan Wenxin felt an inexplicable clench in his heart, and the hair on the back of his neck stood up on ends.

“Thank you, your Majesty, for the gift.” Yan Wenxin wanted to stand up and show his thanks, but the Emperor acted first, waving at him, indicating that there was no need for the courtesy. The Emperor then instructed Eunuch Chun to serve the snacks.

Not tasting anything, Yan Wenxin had a piece of phoenix-eye cake. He did not dare to relax at all, as he contemplated what exactly did the Emperor have in mind.

He felt that recently, he had not made any mistakes. At the very most, about half a month ago, he had schemed against Guan Shanjin. His actions in this matter could be considered flawless. As long as Bai Shaochang was able to keep his mouth shut, no matter how things dragged on, the blame would never fall on him. Considering how much affection Bai Shaochang held for him, and how deep his love was, it was likely that even if Bai Shaochang’s life was on the line, he would still not betray him.

It was difficult to ascertain the Emperor’s attitude, and Yan Wenxin could only temporarily hold back for now.

Just like this, the Emperor and his minister ate and drank, chatting about certain romantic affairs that had become fairly well known in the capital. Unknowingly, they started talking about trivial matters of home. Having been an official for decades, Yan Wenxin naturally knew how to hold a delicate balance about his personal affairs in front of the Emperor. This was to both express his loyalty, as well as to protect himself.

As Yan Wenxin spoke about planning to let his foster son, Huaixiu, marry his youngest daughter, the Emperor did not respond. His brows knitting slightly, the Emperor fell silent for a moment. Yan Wenxin’s heart jolted, a speculation arising within him then.

“Does your Majesty think that it’s unsuitable?” Yan Wenxin probed.

“Zaizong, you’ve helped share my burdens for about twenty years already, haven’t you?” The Emperor signalled at Eunuch Chun to help him up. Looking at Yan Wenxin, he sighed. “I’ve always trusted you deeply, and you’ve also helped me settle quite a number of issues. All these things, I’ve always remembered them well. I know very well what sort of person you are.”

“Your Majesty is overly praising me.” Yan Wenxin drew his brows together, bowing his head. Overwhelmed with fear, he fell to his knees. “It’s my duty to share your Majesty’s burdens and I dare not have any other thoughts than that. Please, your Majesty, you need not worry.”

“Stand up, stand up. I know that you care about Great Xia and you’re loyal to me. Naturally, I do not worry.” The Emperor waved, indicating for Yan Wenxin to get up. Without waiting for him to steady himself, he sighed again. “Thinking about it, you also know that I’ve been troubled by that kid from the Guan family. I’ve seen Haiwang grow up, and although he has always been a little arrogant, he’s not a child who cannot tell right from wrong. It’s even harder to imagine him colluding with the southern barbarians. Ai, because of this, I haven’t even been sleeping well recently.”

“Your Majesty, the Lord Protector and his family had always been loyal ministers of the court. The son has laid his life for Great Xia for over a dozen years, and it is definitely impossible for him to collude with the southern barbarians, betraying the country. Perhaps, someone is framing him?” Right now, Yan Wenxin decided to make concessions, in order to be able to continue holding an advantage. He had always been smart, and he understood that the Emperor had definitely gotten hold of evidence that would allow Guan Shanjin to be freed from jail.

“Then, who does Zaizong think is framing Haiwang?” The Emperor seemed to be waiting for this very sentence from Yan Wenxin. There was no trace of his previous languidness in his tone. Instead, the Emperor had become very aggressive.

“Uhh… In my opinion, the one who had the most enmity with the Lord Protector’s estate is probably myself.” Despite his wariness, Yan Wenxin did not expose himself at all. Right now, at this very moment, rather than stating his innocence, he would try doing the exact opposite.

“Hahaha, Zaizong is very honest! You’ve only met the Guan family’s kid a few times, why are the two of you as incompatible as fire and water?” The Emperor clapped, laughing.

Giving a couple of wry laughs, Yan Wenxin gave no other response.

Very quickly, the Emperor’s laugh ended and he remarked sincerely, “Zaizong, you’re a very sensible person. Although you have a conflict with the Lord Protector, over the years, you’ve never hindered or troubled him. This, I can see. However, there are some people by your side, who have been thinking too much about this. It’s hard to say if they’ve done anything behind your back. That youngest daughter of yours is the apple of your eye, don’t let her marry a wrong person.”

“Your Majesty means…” Yan Wenxin revealed an alarmed expression, which quickly turned into shame and anger. “Your minister understands! About this matter, I’ll give you an answer tomorrow.”

“It’s good that you understand. You’re my right hand man, while Haiwang is Great Xia’s blade. I do not wish for either of you to be injured at all. Those unnecessary people around you, it’s best that you get rid of them if needed. I will not fault you for your responsibility in not watching your people closely, and I’ll only withhold your salary of half a year. In the future, you must be cautious.” What the Emperor meant was that he wanted to minimise the impact of this incident, as well as letting it serve as a reminder to Yan Wenxin.

On the surface, Yan Wenxin naturally was full of thanks and gratitude. He vowed solemnly that once he was home, he would tie up his foster son, the suspect, and send him to the Court of Judicial Review.

Upon receiving this promise, the Emperor seemed very satisfied. After a few sentences of comfort, he then let Eunuch Chun send the man out of the palace.

Leaving the palace, Yan Wenxin immediately rushed home. Who would have thought that just as he entered his residence, his youngest daughter would lunge over, grabbing his hand and saying, “Father, something has happened! A number of people, dressed in the uniform of imperial guards, have captured Huaixiu-dage!”

“Imperial guards?” Yan Wenxin’s heart pounded, a deep frown appearing on his face. He patted his daughter’s arm in consolation. “Don’t panic, go back to your room and wait there. I’ll deal with this matter.”

“But Father, why do the imperial guards want to capture Huaixiu-dage?” Yan Caijun was extremely anxious. She tightened her grip on her father’s hand, like a drowning man clutching at straw. She was close to Huaixiu, and she did have some feelings for this foster brother of hers. Seeing how he was caught by the savage and fierce-looking imperial guards, she was naturally frightened to the point of losing her wits. Finally, her father had now returned, and her heart, originally caught at her throat, could settle back to where it was supposed to be.

“You don’t have to think about this matter. Go back to your room.” At this moment, Yan Wenxin was not in the mood to comfort his daughter as well. Freeing himself from the young girl’s grip, he let the steward lead her away, before hurrying to his study.

The doors to his study were wide open. Outside stood two imperial guards dressed in the dark attire of officials, swords hanging by their waist. Inside, someone could be heard speaking indistinctly, and Yan Wenxin was unable to determine if that was Huaixiu.

Seeing him walking over, the two imperial guards by the door cupped their hands together towards him, then held their hands out towards the doors, gesturing an invitation. They were expressionless, and nothing could be read from their faces. Yan Wenxin hesitated for a moment, and they did not urge him on. In fact, they did not even look at him. Yan Wenxin could not help but sneer internally at how they were basically inviting him to a trap of his own making. Straightening his robes, he entered his study, looking as unbothered as usual.

There were a total of four people in the study. Yan Huaixiu was held down to the ground by one of them, a bleeding wound on his forehead. With how dishevelled he looked, he appeared to be in a predicament, yet he still stubbornly glared at the other two people rummaging through the study.

“Lord Yan.” Upon seeing the entrance of Yan Wenxin, the three people cupped their hands at him.

“May I dare ask the Vice Commander, what is the meaning of this?” Yan Wenxin suppressed his anger. Ever since he had become an official, he had never experienced such humiliation. Even though he understood that the imperial guards were only following the order of the Emperor, he still felt as though he had received a series of tight slaps, his cheeks burning in pain.

“This is the Emperor’s order.” The leader of the imperial guards could be considered someone Yan Wenxin was long familiar with. As the vice commander of the imperial guards, he was deeply trusted by the Emperor. The guard smiled, breaking the seal of the book, investigating it page by page.

Yan Wenxin choked. He finally lost his unconcerned expression, anger gathering upon his face. “Has the Emperor suggested that the vice commander destroy every single one of my books?”

“Naturally not.” The eyes of the vice commander crinkled in a smile. “It’s just that every piece of paper has to be unsealed and investigated, so as to be able to return Lord Yan your innocence. After all, your foster son was captured here, and we’re only afraid that he’s trying to frame you as well.”

“I had thought that the Emperor had wanted me to settle this matter myself.” Yan Wenxin glanced at Huaixiu, who was bowing his head. The older man had already made his decision.

It seemed like Guan Shanjin’s men had already gotten their hands on evidence that proved that Huaixiu was liaising with the southern barbarians. Fortunately, Ping Yifan had long left the capital, returning to the southern borders. Yan Wenxin did not believe that Guan Shanjin would be able to capture Ping Yifan as well. Otherwise, how could the Emperor only summon him over, telling him those things? There were countless ties between Ping Yifan and Huaixiu, and if he had been caught, there was completely no need for them to be rummaging for evidence here.

However, it was likely that Huaixiu would have to be sacrificed. Although this was basically cutting off his right hand, Yan Wenxin had no choice but to grit his teeth and bear through the pain.

Huaixiu had followed Yan Wenxin for so many years, and he was his close confidant. Naturally, he understood what the subtle changes in Yan Wenxin’s expressions meant. Catching sight of Yan Wenxin’s dark eyes, his heart ached slightly, but Huaixiu quickly became firm again.

His foster father was planning on sacrificing him to survive.

Huaixiu no longer struggled. He understood that this was the last bit of use he could be to his foster father, and he could not make a single mistake.

Huaixiu was an orphan. His earliest memories were of him roaming about the streets, homeless. Before he reached the age of five, there was an old granny beggar taking care of him. Every day, he would just about be able to receive a somewhat spoilt bun to fill his tummy. All he wanted was to hurry and grow up, so that he would be able to find things to eat himself, as well as take care of that granny instead.

Unfortunately, he did not have a chance to fulfil this wish. When he was five, tension was tight at the borders of Great Xia. During the war between the south and the northwest, they faced countless defeats. Even an uneasy fear permeated the capital, spreading through the streets. That year, the Lord Protector’s son stepped onto the battlefield, and the Emperor took the lead in economising food and clothes. As such, it was very difficult for the beggars in the capital to receive any food. Although the welfare organisations would regularly prepare porridge, offering it to them, children like Huaixiu, as well as the thin, weak old granny would not be able to receive much in the fight for the food. Winter had only just begun, and the old granny beggar froze to death. All alone, Huaixiu huddled in a corner, his little body almost concealed by the snow.

It was right then when Yan Wenxin had walked past, incidentally picking him up and bringing him home. From then on, Huaixiu had a home that gave him shelter, he had a soft and warm jacket, and every day, he was able to fill his tummy with tasty food until it bulged out… From a little beggar that was about to die, he had become Yan Wenxin’s foster child.

Yan Wenxin was very good to him. Not only did he foster him, he even taught him how to read. Lady Yan was graceful and kind-hearted, and she never doubted her husband’s actions. Naturally, towards this young foster son, she also had a lot of tender affections. Even though she later on gave birth to her own children, whether it was Yan Wenxin or Lady Yan, their warm and familial attitude never changed, and never had there ever been even a trace of annoyance.

At that time, Huaixiu had thought, this was definitely because the old granny beggar had specially brought him to pray to Buddha before winter, asking Buddha to assure his safety, and that was why such a good thing would happen to him. Towards Yan Wenxin, he naturally held great respect and admiration, viewing the man as his everything. No matter how dirty, how awful the tasks were, Huaixiu was more than willing to do it for his foster father. All he wished for was to become the shadow next to his foster father, as well as his last defense, and guarantee everlasting peace and prosperity to the Yan family.

And right now, it was time for him to sacrifice himself for the Yan family.

At last, the imperial guards had not managed to find anything unpresentable in the study. With a few words of insincere apologies, they wanted to take Huaixiu along with them.

“Wait a moment, may I speak some words to Huaixiu?”

“Please, go ahead.” The vice commander did not mind at all, generously letting his subordinates remove the ribbon of cloth wrapped around Huaixiu’s mouth.

“Yifu…” Having his mouth obstructed for a long period of time, Huaixiu’s voice was very hoarse and unpleasant sounding. However, it carried with it a heavy sense of filial piety and respect, as well as a sentiment that was hard to define.

“Huaxiu, over the past many years, I have treated you so well, showing you even more concern than I had towards my own biological children. You should be well aware of that.” Yan Wenxin stooped down, brushing away the dirt on Huaixiu’s face tenderly. With tears in his eyes, it seemed as though he was extremely reluctant, his heart hurting badly. It was like he could not understand why this child, on whom he had spent so much effort raising and teaching, had ended up taking this path of no return.

“Huaixiu understands….” In a daze, Huaixiu stared at the tears in Yan Wenxin’s eyes. He struggled a little, seemingly wanting to free his hands to wipe away the wetness in his foster father’s eyes. What was he, to let his foster father feel such sorrow for him? “Huaixiu has let Yifu down…”

“Ai, one should not continue walking down the wrong path. I hope that you can understand this.” Yan Wenxin sighed in disappointment. As though he could no longer bear it, he stood up, turning around. “I’ll visit you.”

Huaixiu stared fixedly at Yan Wenxin, looking at that grieving figure of his. The older man seemed to even be wiping at his eyes. Huaixiu’s heart ached horribly, and his decision was even more strengthened. No matter how cruel the interrogation or punishment he would be facing, Huaixiu would endure it all for his foster father and maintain the glory of the Yan family!

Not too long after Yan Wenxin’s foster son was hauled off to jail, news of the Lord Protector’s son having been cleared of his crimes, and thus released from jail, spread like wildfire through the capital.