Chapter 084: Gifts Like Mountains

Ever since the court was dismissed yesterday, the capital was gripped by a sense of dread, as if danger lurked around every corner. The ministers, aside from impeaching the remnants of Wang Zhen's faction, began holding accountable the civil and military officials involved in the defeat at Tumubao. With so many officials having fled back to the city, anxiety permeated their ranks.

Under immense pressure, Prince Cheng first ordered Wang Zhen’s nephew, Wang Shan, to be taken to the western market for execution by slow slicing, and all Wang Zhen’s family members were brought to the capital and put to death—children included. According to the officials’ reports, after confiscating Wang Zhen’s properties in the capital, they found over sixty vaults of gold and silver, more than a hundred jade dishes, over twenty coral branches each taller than seven feet, and countless other rare antiques, land deeds, and house contracts.

There were also rumors that Wang Zhen owned vast estates in his hometown of Weizhou—over a thousand acres. It was said that the day Wang Zhen abruptly changed his route back to the capital, it was because he feared trampling the crops on his own land and thus ordered a detour. If that were true, the irony would be laughable.

Besides Wang Zhen and his cronies, the returning military supervisor Guo Jing and Marquis Zhenyuan Gu Xingzu, along with other civil and military officials, were impeached. Even General Yang Hong of Xuanfu and General Liu An of Datong were not spared. Some went so far as to drag out the corpses of the deceased Duke of England Zhang Fu and Duke of Cheng Zhu Yong for posthumous censure, arguing that as distinguished nobles, their lack of contribution in the battle led to the emperor’s capture by the enemy, and thus the court should pursue their responsibility.

Fortunately, Prince Cheng Zhu Qiyu was wise. After consulting the ministers, he only ordered those directly responsible for the defeat, such as Guo Jing and Gu Xingzu, to be imprisoned and scheduled for execution. As for others, their responsibility would be discussed after the defeat of the Oirat.

As the officials were about to end their shift, the Astronomical Office was shaken by an explosive piece of news. This morning, after Xu Dun and others jointly submitted a memorial impeaching Supervisor Peng Deqing, Minister Chen Xun personally supplemented several charges against him.

Chen Xun’s supplementary charges were twofold: first, Peng Deqing failed to select a strategic location for the army, leading to the enemy’s intrusion, the emperor’s capture, and countless deaths among the accompanying officials and soldiers. Second, Peng Deqing flattered the corrupt Wang Zhen, framed Hanlin official Liu Qiu, causing his death and desecrating his corpse by burying it under the prison’s threshold, allowing it to be trampled—a crime beyond forgiveness.

The supervisors’ impeachment cited Peng Deqing’s concealment of celestial omens, collusion with Wang Zhen, and the wrongful imprisonment of the loyal Xue Yuanhao, resulting in numerous injustices.

With these four charges, no matter how Peng Deqing argued, he was doomed beyond redemption. Prince Cheng immediately ordered Peng Deqing dismissed as Supervisor, commanded officials to arrest him, sentence him to be beheaded, exile his son Peng Ying to Liaodong, and confiscate his family’s property.

The only regret among the office scholars was that Peng Deqing’s whereabouts were unknown, and they did not know if they would witness his execution.

Previously, when Xue Yuanhao was imprisoned, Fan Yan and others had mentioned Liu Qiu’s case. At that time, the Tumubao disaster had not yet occurred, and when Xue Rui asked Hu Zhong about it, Hu Zhong, afraid he would get into trouble, kept silent. Hearing of Liu Qiu’s wrongful death now, Xue Rui went to ask Fan Yan for details.

With Wang Zhen dead and his faction purged, Fan Yan, with nothing to fear, recounted what he had heard. It turned out that when the court decided to campaign against Luchuan, Liu Qiu’s disagreement with Wang Zhen made him an enemy. After Peng Deqing became Supervisor, Wang Zhen, eager to curry favor with the emperor, had Peng conceal ominous celestial signs.

Peng Deqing flattered Wang Zhen and obeyed his every word, becoming his confidant. With Wang Zhen’s backing, Peng Deqing built connections in court, and many sought his favor and sent gifts privately.

Liu Qiu, a Hanlin official and Peng Deqing’s fellow townsman, despised Peng’s sycophancy and refused his invitation to banquets, publicly denouncing his misdeeds and causing Peng to lose face. To retaliate, Peng quoted phrases from Liu Qiu’s memorial, hinting to Wang Zhen that they alluded to him. Old grudges compounded with new, Wang Zhen became furious, ordered Ma Shun to imprison Liu Qiu, had him killed and dismembered, burying him under the prison threshold to be trampled.

“Peng Deqing truly deserves a thousand deaths!” Xue Rui, after hearing this, was both enraged and fearful—thankful that Wang Zhen had been too busy traveling with the emperor to plot against his own father, or else his father’s grave grass would already be a foot tall.

Peng Deqing’s imprisonment was good news for the Xue family. After work, Xue Rui hurried back to Shitou Alley to share the news with Madam Liu.

Entering the courtyard, Xue Rui was startled by the scene, thinking he had come to the wrong place. He stepped out to double-check, and once sure it was his own yard, he entered again.

For some reason, around the stone mill in the yard, there was a mountain of items. Most were ornate brocade boxes, along with many bolts of silk and various pastries and preserved fruits. There were more than a hundred kinds, all clearly valuable, creating a striking contrast with the humble courtyard.

Just then, Madam Liu came out of the kitchen with water. Seeing Xue Rui dazed in the yard, she exclaimed with joy, “Rui’er, you’re back! Go see your father, he’s awake!”

“He’s awake?”

Xue Rui’s heart leapt for joy, but then he hesitated. Since arriving in this world, it had taken him a month to dispel Madam Liu’s doubts and convince her he’d truly changed. But Xue Yuanhao was no simple woman; who knew if he’d see through the act upon meeting him? Xue Rui pondered for a moment, recalling his father’s character, and finally entered the sickroom under Madam Liu’s urging.

Xue Yuanhao, thirty-two years old, had a square face, bright eyes, and a short beard on his chin. Though his illness had left him pale, his dignified demeanor was undiminished, resembling a scholar.

When Xue Rui entered, Xue Yuanhao was half-reclined on the bed, reading a stack of papers.

“Father, you’re finally awake!” Xue Rui called from the doorway, feigning delight.

At his words, Xue Yuanhao trembled and looked up. Though they had only been apart a month, Xue Yuanhao felt something odd—the son before him was utterly different in temperament from the one he remembered, as if he were another person.

After waking, and hearing Madam Liu recount recent events, he’d been thinking the same—the son she described was nothing like the one in his memory.

“You… are you really my son?” For some reason, Xue Yuanhao was nervous, blurting out the question that lingered in his heart.

Xue Rui’s heart tightened, fearing he’d exposed himself. He opened his mouth several times but couldn’t find the words to answer.

Their exchange made Madam Liu, eavesdropping outside, furious. She stormed in, pulled Xue Rui aside, and shouted, “What do you mean by that, Xue? Do you think I cheated on you and, in a mere month, gave birth to a son this old?”

Her outburst startled Xue Yuanhao, his face flushing and paling in turn. After a moment, he said, embarrassed, “What nonsense! I just find it hard to believe our son suddenly became so accomplished. There's nothing wrong with you, and our son is right here!”

“Oh, now you admit he’s your son? Didn’t you just doubt it?” Madam Liu said sarcastically.

“You… I’m not arguing with you!” Xue Yuanhao protested weakly, turning away in a huff.

Thanks to Madam Liu’s intervention, Xue Rui relaxed and hurried to smooth things over. “Mother, Father has just woken up. Don’t upset him.”

“Hmph, for our son’s sake, I’ll let it go. But if you keep running your mouth, I’ll take Rui’er and go back to my family, leaving you to fend for yourself!”

Despite her tough words, Madam Liu softened, seeing her husband short of breath. Afraid of another argument, Xue Rui quickly interjected, “Father, how are you feeling?”

“Much better.” Xue Yuanhao smiled with relief. “Your mother told me all you’ve done these days. If not for your efforts, I would have died in prison.”

“It was nothing—it’s what I should do. I couldn’t just watch as you were destroyed by villains,” Xue Rui replied.

Xue Yuanhao was deeply ashamed. “It’s all my fault. I listened to Censor Chen and rashly went to the Duke of England’s residence, never guessing the consequences. I’ve lived so many years, yet made such a foolish mistake, almost dragging you both down—this is all on me.”

“Now you regret it. If Rui’er hadn’t supported me, I’d be dead. If you ever act so recklessly again, I’ll have Rui’er disown you!” Madam Liu’s eyes reddened, but she was proud—her son was so accomplished now she wanted to boast to the world, and with her husband home she couldn’t help but show off.

“Don’t worry, I’ll work quietly at the Astronomical Office and never get involved in official affairs again,” Xue Yuanhao promised.

Xue Rui thought of the office’s news and sighed, “Father, you may not have a choice.”

“What… what’s wrong?” Madam Liu was startled, fearing more trouble, and Xue Yuanhao grew tense.

Seeing their fear, Xue Rui quickly reassured them with a smile, “It’s good news! Today, the office supervisors unanimously agreed to recommend you for promotion to the position of Chief of the Five Officials. You’ll officially have a rank!”

“Chief of the Five Officials?” Xue Yuanhao and Madam Liu looked at each other, unable to hide their shock.

Madam Liu was amazed—her husband was just an astronomy student, and coming out of prison alive seemed a miracle. She’d always thought that even if he were lucky enough to be appointed as a junior official, it would be a blessing for the family. But now, her son said he would be promoted to a higher rank—it was almost unbelievable.

Xue Yuanhao, however, worried about something else. He asked anxiously, “If I’m to fill that position, did something happen to your master?”

“Father really is honest,” Xue Rui thought. Most would be overjoyed at such news, but Xue Yuanhao didn’t care, worrying first about his teacher’s safety—a testament to his sincere character.

Madam Liu realized and asked, “Yes, that position belongs to your master. Why would he give it up? Is he alright?”

“He’s fine—his illness has improved, and he’s enjoying time at home with Brother Hu. He used the commotion we caused to negotiate with the office, requesting retirement, which allowed them to agree to Father’s promotion. I think he truly wants to spend his remaining years in peace,” Xue Rui explained.

Hearing Hu Zhong was well, the couple sighed in relief.

After a moment, Xue Yuanhao said, “It’s good. Your master is old and plagued by illness—it’s time to rest.”

“Your master has been kind to our family. We must always look after him, so he won’t think us ungrateful,” Madam Liu reminded.

“Of course,” father and son agreed wholeheartedly.

A little later, Su Su entered to ask how the gifts in the yard should be handled. Xue Rui asked, “Mother, who sent all those things? They look quite expensive.”

Madam Liu was delighted. “Many acquaintances came to see your father after hearing he’d been released. I never knew he had such good connections.”

“Don’t talk nonsense—most of the names on the gift list I’ve never heard. It’s not about connections,” Xue Yuanhao said with a wry smile.

Xue Rui glanced at the gift list—half were from colleagues at the Astronomical Office, mostly practical items like silk and food. The Duke of England’s residence and Miss Zhao, who visited yesterday, also sent a steward with ginseng, polygonum, and fine silks of the latest Suzhou fashion.

The rest of the list included many unfamiliar names, but all left addresses. It seemed they had sent gifts after hearing of Xue family’s ordeal.

The strangest was someone who sent only a letter containing a bank draft for one hundred taels, with no information left.

Xue Rui frowned at the draft. “Sending money but not a name—what’s the meaning of this? Could it be trouble?”

“This draft must be from Censor Chen Yi,” Xue Yuanhao concluded after eliminating other possibilities.

Xue Rui pondered, “Father, the Censor you mentioned must be Chen Yi—the one who urged you to visit the Duke of England?”

“Yes. After work, Chen Yi invited me to Taibai Tower, asking me to persuade Duke Zhang Fu to submit a memorial. He promised to recommend me for office if it succeeded. I wanted to consult your master, but he didn’t see me, so I made my own decision and met the Duke. Somehow the secret police found out and arrested me,” Xue Yuanhao shook his head, deeply regretting his rashness.

Madam Liu was furious. “That Chen almost destroyed our family, and now he thinks a hundred taels can make up for it—how insulting!”

“Exactly! We can’t accept this draft—I’ll return it immediately. We don’t need his dirty money,” Xue Rui said angrily. When his father was in prison, Chen Yi was nowhere to be seen; now, after his father’s survival, he should at least visit, not just throw money at them.

Seeing Xue Rui rise, Madam Liu changed her mind, quickly urging, “Let it be—a hundred taels is a hundred taels. I was just venting; don’t take it seriously.”

Xue Yuanhao nodded. “Your mother is right. Chen Yi is the chief censor—we shouldn’t offend him. His compensation is at least a gesture.”

“Sigh, very well. Times are troubled—it’s best not to stir up more issues. But one day, I’d like to ask Chen Yi face to face whether a hundred taels can ever repay the suffering my father endured!” Xue Rui slapped the draft on the bed, still fuming.