[UTP] Chapter 132

When the white deer arrived in the capital, the Emperor was very happy. 

Because of this, Hu Zongxian has gained the Emperor’s favour, which means Hu Zongxian’s position will remain his for a little longer. Lu Yi no longer has to worry about him. 

***

When Jinxia left home, spring was starting, now it’s already the beginning of summer. Flowers have fully bloomed, making the city very colourful. She walked down this beautiful path, yet her heart is cold. 

“Mother, I’m home.” She pushed the door open, and saw Yuan Chenshi grinding the tofu mill. 

Yuan Chenshi turned her head, and quickly rushed to Jinxia, looked her up and down, spun her around, then asked: “Are you hurt? Did you get in trouble? Did they cut off your salary?”

Jinxia shook her head: “Not at all.”

“Why is your head—?”

“Be careful, don’t touch it. I’m fine.”

Yuan Chenshi finally relaxed, then continued to question her: “You still remember this house? You still remember to come home? You went out for months.”

“It’s my job, I don’t have a choice.”

Jinxia handed her mother the money that she just received from LiuShanmen. As soon as Yuan Chenshi received the money, she calmed down for a moment, then immediately thought of something: “That’s right — Your marriage with the Yi family. Since you’re home, let’s do it as soon as possible.”

“Mother, I don’t want to. I want to work hard and earn a promotion for the next two years. I don’t have any intention to have children or get married.” Jinxia continued, “After the promotion, the salary will be four silver each month.”

“No, we can’t push it back any longer.” Even the sound of money didn’t change Yuan Chenshi’s mind, “Being able to find someone like the Yi family is not easy, and I think the Yi family’s third son actually likes you—”

“Mother!”

Jinxia cut her off, her voice sounded annoyed. 

Yuan Chenshi was stunned: “What is it?”

Realizing that she had lost control, Jinxia was stunned for a moment, then said: “Anyway, before I become the Chief of LiuShanmen, I won’t think about anything else. Don’t need to talk about it anymore.”

“This child—Marriage is such a big deal, I can’t make decisions for you anymore, huh?” Yuan Chenshi raised her voice, then went back to grind her tofu: “There’s pancakes for you in the kitchen, hurry up and eat.”

Jinxia’s voice was heard from her room: “That’s for little brother, I don’t want it.”

“If I tell you to eat, then just eat! You’re already so thin.” Yuan Chensi continued to nag, “You said ‘before I become the Chief of LiuShanmen, I won’t think of anything else’, yet you’re already so stubborn, just wait until you get promoted, you’re gonna be a hard head.” 

Jinxia was changing her clothes, her hand accidentally touched the marriage stone, she couldn’t help but stare at it for a while, then put it back in her pocket. 

***

After finishing all his businesses in Zhe provinces, Lu Yi quickly returned to the Capital. 

Before he arrived in the Capital, he heard a major news — Zou Yinglong reported Yan Shifan, petitioning to kill him — ‘The Executive Deputy of the Employment Department, Yan Shifan relies on his father’s power, monopolizing without limits. Yan Song is an official yet his son repeatedly steals from others, and uses his father as a shield. The Yan family arrogantly and openly bought a luxurious residence in Nanjing. We are asking Yan Shifan to be beheaded and hanged in front of the city to shame him for his disloyalty to the Emperor and his people! If anything I said is false, I will use my life to beg for forgiveness’. 

This report included everything in detail, which made the Emperor very angry and ordered Yan Shifan to be arrested immediately. 

Upon hearing this news, Lu Yi was not happy at all, because he felt like this was just the beginning. Zou Yinglong, without any proper reason, why would he report Yan Shifan at this time, he must have someone backing him up, and whoever it is, they have drawn the sword, but it won’t be good if Yan Shifan remains alive after this. 

Lu Yi returned home. After talking to Cen Fu, he knew that his father was in the yard, so he quickly went to greet him. From a distance, among the flowers, grass and trees, the figure of his father could vaguely be seen, he was wearing a thick coat, for some reason his heart ached a little. 

It is only the beginning of May, but his father is already wearing a coat. Could it be true that he doesn’t feel well?

Walking forward, Lu Yi saw Lu Bing cutting leaves and branches. He seemed very focused. As of this moment, Lu Bing appeared like any scholar in the mountain, not a terrifying and frightening leader of JinYiWei. 

“Father, I’m home.” He said lightly.

Lu Bing raised his eyes to look at him, then back at his trees: “Why are you home so late? This year these trees bloom very nicely, you missed it.”

Lu Yi was a little amazed. This camellia tree was brought from Dali which is thousands of miles away, and it’s not suitable for the climate here. After three to four years, they’ve finally bloomed. 

After cutting off the last dead leaf, Lu Bing handed the shears to the housekeeper beside him, then waved his hand signaling him to leave.

“Father, is your body unhealthy? Did someone invite the physician over to check on you?” Lu Yi poured a cup of warm tea, then respectfully handed to him, “Do you sleep well at night?”

Lu Bing didn’t really care about it: “I’m fine. The white deer was such a good gift. Hu Zongxian looks like he can keep his spot warm for a few more years. Did you give him that idea?”

Lu Yi laughed: “Nothing can go past your eyes.”

Upon hearing his words, Lu Yi carefully looked at him. It seems like he sensed something different about Lu Yi, but then he lowered his head to drink his tea. 

“That’s right, Zou Yinglong’s report against Yan Shifan, why so suddenly? Who is behind him?” Lu Yi asked. 

Lu Bing is JinYiWei’s leader, not a single piece of grass can escape his observation, let alone this big news. 

“Why don’t you ask about the accusation made against you and who was behind it?” Lu Yi remained quiet, and Lu Bing continued: “You already knew who it was, didn’t you? If he dares to step on me, I won’t let it slide.”

Lu Yi was a little surprised, he had no idea that the person behind Zou Yinglong was his father.

“Father….” He frowned, “What I’m worried about is, the Yan family is very powerful, it’s impossible to clean up everything all at once. If he comes back, he will definitely bite us.” 

A gust of wind blew past, Lu Bing couldn’t help but cough several times, his body swayed a little. Seeing this, Lu Yi rushed forward to support him. 

Lu Bing tapped his hands.

“Don’t worry, I won’t dare to act recklessly. I want to rest, you go back first.”

Seeing his father’s pale complexion, Lu Yi didn’t dare to discuss this topic further and left. 

***

LiuShanmen Department.

“What is it? Why is everyone here?” Jinxia looked at the room filled with constables, “We don’t need to patrol anymore?” One of the LiuShanmen pushed the cloth to her, then continued: “Superior said, before you leave today, everything must be clean. That’s right, you must sweep the yard as well, hurry up!”

“It’s not New Year, why are we cleaning already? This master caught a lot of thieves on my trip.” Jinxia said, feeling dissatisfied. 

“The superior has already said that Young Master Yan will come soon, so he told us to clean up the place. Young Master Yan doesn’t like dirty places.”

“Wait!” Jinxia was surprised, “Which one is Young Master Yan?”

“What other Young Master Yan is there? Of course it’s Yan Shifan!”

“Didn’t the Emperor order him to be arrested? What happened?” Jinxia was confused. 

“What do you mean arrested and went to jail? He was at home and was invited to LiuShanmen. The Minister of Punishment personally greeted him as soon as he returned to the Capital. We will have to serve him good food and wine. I heard that Yan Shifan suggested visiting our prison himself, he said since the Emperor had given the order, he didn’t dare to go against it, otherwise why would our Superiors tell us to clean up.”

“This is considered going to jail?”

Jinxia was so annoyed and was about to continue, until YangYue walked up to her. 

“Shush! Don’t talk recklessly!” He pulled Jinxia to the side room and said, “I know you’re not in a good mood, so go home.”

“I don’t want to! I want to see how our court respects its prisoners.” Jinxia was irritated, she slammed her dagger on the table, “The palace doesn’t care, the Punishment department doesn’t dare, even our chiefs and superiors don’t care, hundreds of officials don’t care! What’s the point of us being constables, why do we even arrest people?”

YangYue hurriedly said: “Master Xia, I know you’re mad but this is not the right time. Listen to me, go home and rest for a few days—”

YangYue’s words were interrupted by the commotion outside. The voice was the constable ordering Jinxia earlier. 

“Stand up, stand up, quickly stand up! Young Master Yan will be here very soon! Stand up properly.”

Hearing that, Jinxia became more mad, she angrily stomped on YangYue’s foot and quickly left the room, but was caught by YangYue immediately. 

“Master Xia, you still have enough time to leave. You just stay here, don’t move! Don’t force me to tie you up.” YangYue warned her, “This is not the time to act according to your emotions.”

Jinxia angrily pulled out a chair and sat down, emotions are emotions, because she fully knows she won’t have the power to complicate the situation. 

Suddenly, it became very quiet. 

Silence didn’t last long. Laughs were heard, followed by the voice of the Minister of Punishment Department.

“Young Master Yan, look around, this place isn’t worth it for you to stay here. In my opinion, it’s best for you to go home.”

Jinxia leaned against the window with YangYue and looked outside. In the midst of the crowd of officials, Yan Shifan continued to fan himself. In the front yard, Yan Shifan stared up at the large tree. 

During this summer, the trees have grown bigger. The wind blew past and the leaves slowly fell down, one by one. 

A yellow leaf happened to fall onto Yan Shifan’s shoulder, he picked it up, after observing it for a while, he laughed and said: “It’s not fall, yet there’s already a yellow leaf. Summer with a gloomy fall mood, LiuShanmen is indeed LiuShanmen, very different from other departments.”

All the officials immediately whispered something in Kou Shangshu’s ear. 

Kou Shangshu let out a laugh, trying to earn Yan Shifan’s favour: “It’s almost time to eat, there’s a good restaurant nearby and the food is really good, how about we go eat first?”

Yan Shifan waved his hand: “I like this yard. How about we arrange a table and some chairs and just eat here.”

“Here?” Kou Shangshu, the Minister of the Punishment Department felt awkward, “LiuShanmen’s front yard…Outsiders will be passing by.”

“Just put up a divider.” Yan Shifan didn’t care, then pointed at the group of the LiuShanmen who were standing nearby, “They would be good to use.”

Superior felt slightly uncomfortable using LiuShanmen’s people as a room divider. Women have been used as a room divider in Yan Shifan’s home, but the officials of LiuShanmen are still palace officials, so it seems absurd to use them as a room divider here. 

The Minister of Punishment Department was dumbfounded but didn’t care about what the LiuShanmen’s superior thought, he continued to laugh: “Indeed, Young Master Yan is brilliant. Let’s go, you guys hurry up and get in position. Young Master Yan, let’s go inside for tea first, once they are done, then we will come back out.”

Yan Shifan smiled as he nodded, continued to fan himself and followed after the Minister of Punishment Department. 

In the side room, Jinxia gritted her teeth as she looked at him. YangYue also frowned.  

*****