Chapter 83: The Official of the Eighth Rank

Upon entering the Hu residence, the servants cast strange glances at Xue Rui. Usually, they would greet him warmly, but today it was clear they were avoiding him. Xue Rui, anxious to find his master, paid little attention to their attitudes.

In the inner quarters, Hu Ying’er was already waiting at the archway adorned with hanging flowers. Seeing Xue Rui walk in unharmed, she breathed a sigh of relief and stopped him, urgently asking, “There’s talk everywhere that you forced your way into the Imperial Prison. What on earth happened?”

“You’ve all heard about it?” Xue Rui replied with a slight air of pride. He had certainly made a name for himself today—entering the Imperial Prison as if it were unguarded, rescuing his father successfully. Such a feat was likely unprecedented since the founding of the Ming dynasty and surely worthy of boasting.

Hu Ying’er noticed the smug look on his face, pinched his arm in annoyance, and said, “You’re actually proud? Everyone’s saying you killed dozens of the Embroidered Guards—that the prison was awash with blood. How can you be so nonchalant?”

Xue Rui nearly stumbled at her words. “Who told you such nonsense? When did I ever kill members of the Embroidered Guards?” he replied irritably.

Hu Ying’er, sensing he wasn’t lying, snorted, “Well, as long as you didn’t. Grandfather is waiting for you inside—go explain yourself.”

“All right. You should listen too, so I don’t waste my breath.”

Meeting Hu Zhong, Xue Rui recounted the events. “Truly, man proposes and heaven disposes. We planned everything carefully, but who could have foreseen Uncle Bai would fall ill at such a critical moment?”

Hu Zhong, after hearing him out, shook his head with a wry smile. Xue Rui was equally helpless. “I had no choice but to rescue my father early. Thankfully, he’s unharmed, otherwise I wouldn’t know how to answer to my mother.”

“Why would the Duke of England’s household help you?” Hu Ying’er asked, puzzled, as Xue Rui had never mentioned any such connection.

“That’s because my father persuaded the Duke to surrender, leading to his imprisonment. The Duchess felt guilty, and since the Duke was also killed by Wang Zhen, I took the opportunity during the purge at the Left Shun Gate to ask for her help. She agreed to send people with me to the prison.”

Xue Rui did not wish to expose his alliance with the Duke’s household, so he concealed most of the truth and fabricated a plausible explanation.

Hu Zhong looked at his disciple’s grandson thoughtfully. “Are the rumors in the capital your handiwork?”

In fact, the incident at the Left Shun Gate had no direct connection to Xue Rui’s rescue of his father from the Embroidered Guards—they were separate events. Yet someone had deliberately combined them, clearly to attract attention, and the only ones to benefit were Xue Rui and his father. If it wasn’t him, who else could it be?

Xue Rui chuckled. “Master is truly insightful. After rescuing my father, I asked the Duchess to spread word of the deed. Since my father’s imprisonment was due to the Duke’s involvement, some compensation from her was only fair!”

His fabricated story held up well enough, and the Hu family elders believed him. When Xue Rui said he wished to stay the night, Hu Ying’er sent someone to prepare a guest room.

The next day, at dawn, Xue Rui left the city. Returning to Stone Alley, he first checked on his father. Xue Yuanhao’s condition was stable; perhaps due to his weakness, he still had not awakened. With Lady Liu and her servants caring for him, Xue Rui had little to worry about. Seeing the hour was late, he hurried to the Astronomical Bureau.

At the bureau gate, Secretary Zhang was still in charge of the roll call. Even before Xue Rui drew near, Zhang stood up behind his desk and congratulated him with a smile. “Congratulations, young master Xue!”

“And what is the cause for celebration?” Xue Rui knew well enough why, but was curious about which version of the rumors Zhang had heard.

Zhang feigned indignation. “Young master, the whole bureau is abuzz. Everyone’s saying you, seizing the opportunity during the purge of traitors, single-handedly stormed the Imperial Prison and rescued your father. Those devils, upon learning you were the son of Scholar Xue, dared not stop you and watched as you freed your father. Is there any falsehood in that?”

“It’s gotten that exaggerated?” Hearing this new version, Xue Rui felt somewhat embarrassed. He owed his daring entry to the twelve guards the Wu family lent him.

Had he truly gone alone to provoke the prison, he might not even have managed a word before the Embroidered Guards seized him—how could he have rescued his father then? The rumors about his prison rescue were wildly distorted!

Yet, combining what he’d learned at the Hu residence, Xue Rui realized why the Duke of England’s involvement was omitted from the stories. He guessed that Lady Wu, in spreading the tale, deliberately concealed the Duke’s aid, focusing all attention on him. This not only ensured he retained the glory, but also kept the Duke’s household out of potential trouble. Should anything go awry, the Duke would not be implicated.

Of course, these were minor details. Xue Rui’s main objective had been achieved. As for Lady Wu’s little schemes, he paid them no mind.

After exchanging pleasantries with Secretary Zhang, Xue Rui entered the bureau. Along the way, everyone who knew him highly praised his sacrifice in saving his father, as if his storming of the Imperial Prison was unquestionably righteous.

Ordinarily, such an act would be highly sensitive, its merits and faults up for debate. On the positive side, it was defiance of tyranny and risking all to rescue his father. On the negative, it was violent resistance to the law and unauthorized entry into a government stronghold. If the court pursued accountability, Xue Rui would face dire consequences. Why, then, did everyone in the bureau see his actions as just?

Fortunately, this puzzle did not last long.

When Xue Rui passed by the main hall, the bureau officials were already gathered. Seeing him approach, the secretary at the door stopped him. “Manager Xue, the lords request your presence.”

“They’re looking for me?” After such an uproar, it was certain the officials would want answers. Unafraid, Xue Rui stepped inside.

After only a few steps, Xue Rui nearly dropped his jaw in shock at the scene. There were no outsiders—only bureau officials, with his master Hu Zhong seated at the side. What astonished him was that Xu Dun and several other senior officials were all injured. Their wounds were not slight: some had bandages on their heads, others had arms wrapped in gauze.

The most dramatic was Xu Dun, whose arm was suspended in a sling around his neck, his leg apparently lame, with a crutch resting nearby. The room resembled a ward in an orthopedic hospital.

Suppressing his surprise, Xue Rui greeted the officials and asked, “Lords, what happened? Why are you all wounded?”

Despite his apparent injuries, Xu Dun’s spirits were high. He smiled, “It’s nothing serious. Yesterday, during court, Wang Zhen’s faction acted violently. In their outrage, the ministers clashed with them. To subdue the traitors, we were wounded by those villains wielding weapons, but it’s nothing.”

Looking at the other senior officials, Gao Mian and the rest wore expressions of pride.

Xue Rui then remembered that yesterday, all officials of sixth rank and above attended court, including Xu Dun and the others. He hadn’t expected them to have participated in the brawl, sustaining such serious injuries. It surprised him greatly.

With a look of admiration, Xue Rui cupped his hands and said, “Lords, your purging of traitors is exemplary. Surely the court will reward you.”

“Ahem, it’s merely our duty—no reward necessary.” Xu Dun seemed a bit embarrassed, then shifted the topic. “By the way, I heard you entered the Imperial Prison yesterday and rescued your father?”

Earlier, when Hu Zhong arrived, Xu Dun and the others had inquired, but Hu Zhong claimed not to know the details and suggested they wait for Xue Rui. Thus, all the officials awaited his explanation.

As the incident was already circulating through the city, Xue Rui did not conceal the truth and recounted the events.

Xu Dun and the others were astonished, never expecting Xue Rui could enlist the help of the Duke of England’s household, explaining how he managed to rescue his father from the prison so smoothly.

After hearing his account, Minister of Winter Gu Bin asked with concern, “How is your father? Is he able to return to duty?”

“My lord, my father caught a chill in prison. He is recuperating at home and will need ten days to half a month to recover.”

The officials were a bit disappointed—they had hoped to consult with Xue Yuanhao, but it seemed impossible.

Xu Dun pondered for a moment, then said, “I won’t hide the truth from you. The reason you were summoned today is the matter of the Chief Astronomer.”

Peng Deqing?

Xue Rui was taken aback. Since the defeat at Tumubao, Peng Deqing had vanished, along with his son Peng Ying. Now that the officials brought him up, could there be news?

“I am eager to hear more,” Xue Rui replied. Whether Peng Deqing was dead or alive affected everyone in the bureau, and Xue Rui was naturally concerned.

Xu Dun spoke gravely. “You know, when His Majesty went on campaign, the previous Chief Astronomer and Hu Gong warned of ominous celestial signs, but the Chief Astronomer dismissed their warnings as unfounded. Afterwards came the disastrous defeat at Tumubao and the emperor’s capture—proof that the celestial signs were accurate.

In recent days, I and the other lords have reviewed county records, each noting the movement of the Purple Star, confirming Peng Deqing concealed celestial warnings—a grave offense by national law. Having uncovered the truth, we must report to the court and request Prince Cheng’s judgment!”

So they aimed to settle accounts with Peng Deqing!

Xue Rui understood: Peng Deqing had held the chief position for years, clinging to power and leaving deputy posts vacant, never offering others a chance, breeding resentment among the officials. Now, after his disappearance and with solid evidence of his wrongdoing, they saw the opportunity to tie his fate to the disaster at Tumubao.

With Peng Deqing gone, among the four senior officials, Xu Dun was the obvious successor as Chief Astronomer, and the other three could be promoted to deputies. Thus, they were all invested in this plan.

Xue Rui fully supported their move against Peng Deqing. Once this was done, the bureau would see a reshuffling, opening positions his father could fill—a rare opportunity.

However, he wondered why Xu Dun and the others wanted to consult him and his father. He asked, “My lord, how may I be of service?”

The officials exchanged glances, and Gao Mian explained, “Although we know Peng Deqing concealed celestial signs—a serious offense—he might claim mere oversight, which would lessen his punishment if the court believed him. Therefore, we must list multiple charges to prevent his escape.

Your father’s unjust imprisonment was due to Peng Deqing informing Wang Zhen, leading to your father’s arrest. If you join us in a joint petition, enumerating Peng Deqing’s collusion with traitors, he will have no defense. That is the safest approach!”

Though the explanation was lengthy, Xue Rui understood perfectly. Xu Dun and the others wanted to use Xue Yuanhao’s case to implicate Peng Deqing in collusion with traitors. The court was currently purging traitors; being caught up in that would be a death sentence for Peng Deqing.

The only difficulty was that Xu Dun and the others lacked concrete evidence of Peng Deqing’s collusion, so they hoped to use Xue Yuanhao’s imprisonment by Wang Zhen as leverage. This would ensure Peng Deqing’s fate.

To be honest, Xue Rui had no desire to participate in their scheme. After rescuing his father and with Lady Wu’s help spreading their story, their deeds were already famous throughout the capital. Their goal of gaining reputation had been achieved—they could now await the benefits.

The officials’ impeachment of Peng Deqing, using his father’s case to define him as a traitor, might carry risks that Xue Rui could not predict. The safest course was to remain uninvolved.

As he was about to decline politely, Hu Zhong spoke up. “Lord Xu, I am elderly and lacking in vigor. I fear I can no longer fulfill the duties of Chief Recorder. In the coming days, I plan to submit my resignation. What are your thoughts on a successor?”

Xue Rui was surprised—his master had not mentioned resigning yesterday, but his expression showed he was not joking.

While Xue Rui was still confused, Xu Dun sighed. “Hu Gong is advanced in years and ailing. We cannot bear to burden him further, but the Chief Recorder’s post is crucial and cannot remain vacant. As for a successor, I believe Xue Yuanhao is most suitable!”

Minister of Spring Wei Bin agreed. “Xue Yuanhao studied under the Chief Recorder and surely has mastered the craft. He has handled affairs on behalf of the Chief Recorder for several years without a single error, proving his capability. I believe he is the best candidate.”

“I concur,” Gao Mian said solemnly. “Since Hu Gong has made up his mind, we cannot force him to stay. When the time is right, we will jointly recommend Xue Yuanhao’s promotion to Chief Recorder.”

The remaining officials voiced their assent, making it feel like an election.

As he watched everyone nod in agreement, Xue Rui realized Hu Zhong’s resignation at this critical moment was meant to pave the way for his father to take up the Chief Recorder’s post.

Under normal circumstances, vacancies in the bureau were filled step by step. To become an official, an astronomer would have to start as a ninth-rank candidate—positions such as Assistant Recorder or Assistant Astrologer. The Chief Recorder was a full eighth-rank position, usually selected from skilled ninth-rank officials. By recommending Xue Yuanhao directly to Chief Recorder, he would skip two ranks in one leap.

In the Astronomical Bureau, attaining an eighth-rank official post was extremely rare. Many astronomers spent their whole lives without even reaching ninth-rank. For Xue Yuanhao to become Chief Recorder was truly a meteoric rise.

After hearing the officials, Hu Zhong remained calm, nodding. “Since you all wish to purge traitors for the country, Xue Rui and his father should do their part. I will answer for them.”

“In that case, let us submit the petition immediately!” With Hu Zhong’s agreement, Xu Dun could not restrain his joy. He called for paper and brush, drafted the impeachment against Chief Astronomer Peng Deqing, and had everyone present sign it.

Only after leaving the main hall did Xue Rui realize that, under the officials’ influence, purging traitors had become a matter of political correctness in the bureau, explaining why the astronomers all approved of his daring rescue at the Imperial Prison.