Chapter 16: Redemption Beneath the Vineyard Trellis
Yang Xuan killed a man in public, and did so right in front of the Five Cities Garrison—a blatant act of provocation.
“Seize him. Take him away!”
A glimmer appeared in Yang Xuan’s eyes. Zhao Sanfu, still reeling from shock, hurriedly intervened. He pressed a hand on Yang Xuan’s shoulder. “You must not act. If you resist, He Huan will be ecstatic… and immediately order your death, making you the scapegoat for everything that happened tonight…”
Yang Xuan saw He Huan’s lips indeed curl into a slight smile. He then dropped his dagger and was swiftly bound and dragged away.
Yan Cheng’s expression was icy. “I shall keep watch. Should this boy come to any harm while imprisoned, even if it costs me my life before His Majesty, I will see you all pay the price.”
Tonight, the Five Cities Garrison had cooperated with He Huan. If an investigation followed, someone would inevitably be sacrificed. The best solution was to find a scapegoat—and Yang Xuan, with neither connections nor background, was the ideal candidate. But Yan Cheng, that stubborn old man, had spoken.
He Huan looked gloomily at Yan Cheng. “If he lives, none of us will know peace!”
Those around glanced at the man lying on the ground, a touch of sorrow in their eyes—a kinship born of shared misfortune. “That boy deserves to die!”
He Huan turned away, gazing up at the crescent moon in the night sky, and whispered, “Then let him die.”
News that Yan Cheng had survived the ambush spread through Chang’an’s circles of power before dawn. Many shattered their wine cups; many sneered coldly.
“He won’t escape this time.”
At home, He Jincheng sought to console his son. He Huan knelt before him, head bowed. “After all, he serves the Emperor.”
He Jincheng’s smile was laced with a peculiar disdain. “The Emperor likes to fish. Have you ever seen a fisherman pity the bait?”
He Huan shook his head. “He’ll simply find another.”
He Jincheng nodded, his gaze heavy, then smiled faintly. “Some say the Hes are nothing more than the Yangs’ watchdogs.”
A flicker of anger appeared in He Huan’s eyes. He Jincheng shook his head. “You must decide what you want—wealth and splendor, or ambition. Whatever you desire, you must pay the price. Had I followed the rules, I’d be nothing more than a minor provincial magistrate. Yet now I am Deputy Minister at the Secretariat. One more step, and I could glimpse the highest office in the land. And all it cost me were a few barbs and sneers. Do you think it was worth it?”
He Huan looked up, a defiant light in his eyes, then sighed. “It was worth it.”
He Jincheng nodded approvingly. “The young are brave and full of blood, eager to make their own way. But unless you’re truly extraordinary, when old age comes, you’ll only lament your ill fortune.”
He leaned forward, tapping lightly on the table; He Huan leaned in as well, their two shadows merging in the candlelight.
“If you wish to escape fame and fortune, you can scoff at those in power. But if you long for ambition, for riches and glory, then cast aside your so-called pride and dignity. That is what makes a real man!”
“Yes, Father.”
Their shadows separated.
A burst of laughter rang out.
...
Yang Xuan was thrown into the prison cell, where several burly men eyed him with malicious intent, waiting for the guards’ signal.
For a newcomer, whether you suffered a beating or found protection depended on a single word from the guards. Sometimes, a new arrival could even be killed, and no one would care.
The guard, recalling his instructions from above, said, “Don’t let anyone die.”
Yan Cheng’s warning had instilled caution in the Five Cities Garrison.
The burly men’s eyes gleamed. The guard looked at Yang Xuan and said sinisterly, “You’ll have to fend for yourself.”
As long as no one died, Yan Cheng could only protest in vain. As for violence… Yang Xuan wore heavy shackles around his ankles, making movement difficult—he was a perfect target.
These inmates had countless ways to torture a man, enough to make one regret being born.
The guard turned to leave, and the burly men surrounded Yang Xuan with cold smiles.
“Keep it quiet, and gag him,” the guard yawned, then left the cell.
Outside, a squad waited, accompanied by a man in black. The squad captain asked, “How did it go?”
The guard grinned. “All set.”
The captain turned to the man in black. “He won’t die, but he’ll wish he had.”
The man in black nodded coolly. “The He clan never forgets its own.”
The captain was secretly delighted. “Shall we have a drink and then go see?”
They retreated to a small room, and after several rounds of wine, entered the prison, slightly drunk.
...
“This way,” the guard said obsequiously, leading the two down the corridor. He pointed to Yang Xuan’s cell, but was taken aback by the astonishment on their faces. He turned slowly to look…
Inside, several burly men lay sprawled across the floor, while Yang Xuan sat atop one of them, calmly munching on a piece of flatbread.
The aroma was tantalizing.
The captain roared in anger, “Open the door!”
Just then, another guard ran in breathlessly. “Someone from the Mirror Terrace has arrived!”
Xin Quan stood outside, sighing. “I never interfere in such matters, but tonight I was dragged into this affair by a youngster—what can I do?”
The captain and the guards stepped outside. Xin Quan stood in the courtyard, arms crossed, and spoke coldly. “I know well the methods used in this prison. Let me say this: if any such methods are used on that boy tonight, I will take it as your doing.”
A guard, thinking this bold talk, demanded, “And who are you?”
Xin Quan turned to them, nostalgia in his eyes for the days on the northern frontier. He answered softly, “I am Xin Quan.”
The captain trembled. “Yes, sir.”
After Xin Quan left, a guard asked in confusion, “Is he truly so formidable?”
The captain, still shaken, replied, “He was a spy chief on the northern frontier, said to have killed countless men. Rumor has it that when he was once besieged on a barren mountain with no food, he survived by eating two human legs.”
“Ugh!”
The guards finally understood the captain’s fear. Men like Xin Quan were far beyond their station—cross him, and who knew if they’d end up as provisions?
The captain retched and whispered, “Tell that man we can’t interfere with this matter—unless… they can kill Xin Quan.”
The guard’s eyes flickered. The captain knew the man in black had likely promised rewards to encourage him. But this was out of his hands—if Xin Quan sought revenge, he would know exactly whom to blame.
The captain gazed up at the sky and sighed, mourning briefly for the boy.
...
As head of the Mirror Terrace, no one dared touch Xin Quan. He strolled home at a leisurely pace, and halfway there encountered Zhao Sanfu.
Zhao Sanfu stood in the middle of the road and bowed. “Thank you.”
Xin Quan looked down at him. “That boy is under your watch. You claim he’s close to the Wang family—why haven’t they intervened? If they did, even the Hes would not dare act so ruthlessly.”
Zhao Sanfu forced a bitter smile. Xin Quan sighed. “Tonight, I broke my own rules for once—tomorrow I’ll have to make amends, or there will be trouble at the Gatekeeper’s office. You…” He noticed Zhao Sanfu’s black attire and smiled helplessly. “I know I can’t dissuade you. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have followed me from the northern front to the Mirror Terrace on nothing but youthful passion. Still… the Five Great Clans are like gods, while we are but ants. Ants should not challenge the gods…”
The sound of hooves faded into the night as Xin Quan hummed a strange tune and walked away.
Zhao Sanfu stood lost in thought.
The power of the Five Great Clans was enormous, enough to make even the Emperor wary, using every means to win their favor and keep the balance. In truth, the Five Great Clans were a second throne.
Such men truly deserved to be called gods, while Zhao Sanfu and Yang Xuan were nothing more than ants.
Zhao Sanfu looked up and cursed, “Even an ant can trip a god!”
Later, he slipped quietly into a local ruffian’s house.
The ruffian, a loner, woke with a start and was about to scream for help when a blade pressed cold against his neck. A chilling voice whispered, “You can choose between your information and your life—but not both.”
Panting, the ruffian knelt on the bed. “Ask away.”
The eerie voice continued, “You have the best sources. Tell me, does Han Chun, the deputy warden of the Jinwu Guard’s prison, have any dirt that could get him dismissed, exiled, or even executed? The more, the better for your safety. I see your eyes darting—what do you think would happen if my blade moved just a little?”
The ruffian’s heart skipped; as he tried to protest, the blade pressed harder. He quickly looked up to explain.
Moonlight spilled through the half-open door, and the figure by the bed stood with his back to the light, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
“I’ll talk…”
...
The latter part of the night is when people sleep most deeply.
In the bedchamber, snores thundered.
Han Chun was also fast asleep. His wife, broad and heavy, forced him to the very edge of the bed, half his body dangling off.
Creak…
The door opened softly, the sound barely audible over his wife’s snores. Han Chun’s eyes flew open, and he reached for the blade by his bedside.
A voice whispered outside the door, “Come out and speak.”
Han Chun rose quietly, donned his robe, and took his blade as he stepped out.
Moonlight bathed the courtyard. He shivered and saw the visitor standing in the deep shadow beneath the eaves. In a low voice, he asked, “Why are you here?”
If the other had wished to kill, he would have done so already; this must be a matter best kept secret. Han Chun smirked inwardly, ready to call for help.
The shadow beneath the eaves laughed softly. “Your wife’s family has helped you greatly—your career has flourished these past years. But with such help, doesn’t the grape arbor in your backyard seem unsteady? It’s said your wife is fierce, and you fail to keep her in line. What would she do if she learned you were keeping another woman outside?”
This was Han Chun’s deepest secret. He never expected anyone to know. He took two steps forward. “Nonsense.”
He was a handsome man, which was why his wife had chosen him. Her family’s influence had paved his way, but all gains came with a price: after marriage, his wife grew obese and ever more suspicious, often accusing him of keeping a mistress. If she ever found out…
I’m finished! Han Chun shivered.
The shadow under the eaves sneered, “Wang.”
It was the surname of that other woman. Han Chun jolted. “What do you want?”
The shadow replied coolly, “Release the boy arrested tonight, and let the matter vanish.”
Han Chun started, recalling the report from the previous night—He’s ambush on Yan Cheng, foiled by a youth now locked in the Jinwu Guard’s prison. He had thought the impulsive boy would likely die in custody.
“You…”
Han Chun looked up, but the shadows beneath the eaves were already empty.
...
In the Jinwu Guard’s prison, two guards stood grimly outside the cell door. One unlocked it, while the other stood ready with a blade.
When the door opened, the first guard called, “Summoned for questioning. Get up.”
Shackles clanking, Yang Xuan followed them to the main hall.
A stern-faced officer sat at the bench. “You killed a man in the street. Thirty lashes before we ask questions.”
Outside, the man in black, who had found more help, sneered. “I told you he wouldn’t live past midnight.”
“Do it!” came the sharp order within.
Suddenly, the sound of galloping hooves thundered outside.
Voices called out in greeting.
“Greetings, Deputy Han!”
“Greetings, Deputy Han!”
Everyone turned to see Han Chun enter, his face grim.
“Greetings, Deputy Han.” The officer in the hall rose to greet him, pointing at Yang Xuan. “This man killed someone in broad daylight. I was about to have him flogged for questioning.”
Han Chun’s wife’s family was powerful, so the man in black outside smiled. “Well, then. No need for the Hes to act—Yang Xuan is as good as dead.”
Inside, Han Chun suddenly raised his hand.
Smack!
The officer held his face, stunned. “Deputy Han…”
Han Chun turned, his voice gentle as he addressed Yang Xuan. “It’s been many years since I’ve seen such righteous courage in a youth…”