Volume One, Chapter 15: The Truth Revealed

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Wei Xuanming had long returned to the residence of the Southern Army commander within the palace to rest. As usual, he placed the jade pendant under the candleholder to examine it, but soon noticed that something seemed different from before.

He quickly sat upright, brightened the wick a little, and took a closer look. Only then did he realize that the originally loose and aged “Thousand Blessings” knot on the double-fish pendant had somehow been restored, the knot now tight and clear, evidently just retied by someone recently.

His gaze lingered on the newly tied “Thousand Blessings” knot, his expression slightly dazed.

This style of knotting had long been lost to time, yet coincidentally, his mother had been one of the few who knew this technique. Since the death of Wei Xuanming’s birth mother, the pendant had weathered the years, and the red cord had gradually corroded. No matter how many craftsmen he consulted, they all shook their heads, claiming never to have seen such a knot.

Could it be, then, as Manager Li said, that it was tied by the palace maid who was found?

There was no time to ponder further; he rose immediately, eager to meet that person.

Inside the palace prison, Zhang Zhiqiu signaled with her eyes that she was unharmed, and Lou Hongling finally exhaled in relief. However, the eunuch was not so fortunate.

Sensing the unfavorable situation, sweat beaded on his forehead. The case had always been riddled with doubts. The eunuch had intended only a hasty resolution; after all, this was not a major case, and Zhang Zhiqiu’s life was unlikely to be at stake. Why then would these two imposing officials be present to observe? Trembling, he stammered:

“Your Majesty, this—this is a report that the palace maid stole the jade pendant. There are witnesses and evidence, so she was taken into custody.”

Xu Qing frowned, fixing the eunuch with a sharp gaze:

“Who are these witnesses? And where is the evidence?”

The eunuch hurriedly dispatched someone to fetch them. Soon after, Manager Li and Hu Rui knelt before them.

The eunuch pointed at Hu Rui, who immediately nodded and kowtowed, saying:

“Your Excellency, I am the witness, and this jade pendant is the evidence.”

Zhang Zhiqiu grew angry at his arrival and shouted loudly:

“Your Majesty, he is the villain who cried wolf! I never stole the jade pendant. He wanted to keep it for himself, and when I tried to stop him, he slandered me.”

Xu Qing turned to Hu Rui, who panicked and scrambled to defend himself:

“Your Excellency, the palace maid said she wanted to sell the jade pendant with me, but I refused. She tried to snatch it and pushed me—someone saw it happen.”

Deng Chumo detected the flaws in his story and sneered:

“You say someone saw it—who is this witness?”

Hu Rui, hearing this, grew flustered and stammered incoherently.

Lou Hongling, sensing the right moment, stirred the pot:

“Your Majesty, there must be something suspicious here. We cannot convict Zhiqiu based solely on one person's words.”

Deng Chumo nodded in agreement:

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“This matter indeed has doubts. Your Majesty should not hastily pass judgment.”

Xu Qing pondered for a moment, then instructed the eunuch:

“Take the witness and the evidence back to the Imperial Household Department for thorough investigation. We must not wrong the innocent.”

The eunuch hastily agreed.

At that moment, Wei Xuanming happened to enter, pausing in surprise at the bustling scene.

“Your Majesty, Crown Prince.”

Wei Xuanming bowed his head in greeting.

Xu Qing, seeing his timely arrival, asked curiously:

“What brings you here?”

Wei Xuanming handed over the double-fish jade pendant and truthfully explained his purpose.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhiqiu straightened her back and looked up at him:

“My father used to be the Director of the Court of Rites, in charge of many ancient texts and rituals. I have read ancient books about this knotting method. If I truly wanted to sell it secretly, I would have simply untied the knot and discarded it. Why would I bother to retie it neatly for you?”

Others might not understand, but Wei Xuanming was well aware of how he had sought the knotting technique of the “Thousand Blessings” knot for many years without success.

He acknowledged Zhang Zhiqiu’s words and had already formed his judgment. Turning to Xu Qing, he said:

“Your Majesty, I believe her words. There may indeed be something amiss in this matter.”

By now, the truth of the case was beginning to surface.

Hu Rui initially remained defiant, but faced with overwhelming evidence, he finally confessed.

He had intended to sell the jade pendant outside the palace for money. When Zhang Zhiqiu refused to cooperate and they were discovered, fearing exposure, he framed her.

“It was my failure to supervise!” Manager Li hurriedly took responsibility, seeking forgiveness. Seeing that Hu Rui had not implicated him in bribery, he was about to plead on his behalf. Before Xu Qing could decide, Deng Chumo arrogantly interrupted:

“Hmph, full of lies! Then drag this little eunuch out and beat him to death with sticks.”

Hu Rui’s face instantly turned deathly pale, and he collapsed on the floor, terrified:

“Crown Prince, have mercy!”

Xu Qing’s expression flickered as he was about to express displeasure, but Zhang Zhiqiu quickly interrupted:

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“Wait…”

Her words drew the eyes of all present. She grew nervous for a moment but swallowed hard and continued slowly:

“I still have nothing against him. There is no need to take his life…”

Since she had spoken thus, Lou Hongling supported her, addressing Xu Qing:

“Zhiqiu’s reasoning is sound. I hope Your Majesty will judge fairly.”

Xu Qing nodded in agreement:

“Then let Hu Rui be sentenced to one month of labor as a light punishment and a grave warning.”

Seeing this, Deng Chumo naturally had no further objections. Closing his eyes, he rubbed his forehead and shook his head, thinking how soft-hearted these women were.

At this moment, Hu Rui treated Zhang Zhiqiu as if she were his savior, kowtowing repeatedly:

“Madam, I will repay you in my next life as a beast of burden.”

Zhang Zhiqiu curled her lip and waved him off, signaling she did not want to hear any more.

Those involved in the punishment carried out their duties, and those fearing entanglement quickly took their leave, and the matter quietly came to an end. Deng Chumo, feeling somewhat bored, suddenly grew interested as he passed by her. He leaned down and loudly teased Lou Hongling:

“Miss Lou, until we meet again.”

Lou Hongling dared not openly retort and could only roll her eyes silently, bowing low in respect:

“Crown Prince, please take care.”

When Deng Chumo was about to pass Xu Qing, he lazily bowed:

“I take my leave.”

Without waiting for a reply, he strode out.

Xu Qing’s gaze followed Deng Chumo, his eyes cold. For some reason, seeing him so close to Lou Hongling stirred a sudden, inexplicable jealousy within him.

Without a word, he swept his robe and left the dungeon.

Lou Hongling stared blankly at Xu Qing’s retreating figure, somewhat stunned.

Is he… angry?