Chapter 22

A crescent moon hung in the sky.

Zhan Jianxing stumbled along the road in a daze.

She had already left Prince Dai Manor, but it felt as though half her soul remained trapped within those towering walls.

The threat had come too suddenly—she had been completely unprepared. Even now, looking back, her mind was a blank, with no clues to grasp.

Her thoughts were a jumbled mess, crowded yet indistinct. Fighting through the headache, she strained to focus and finally pulled one thread from the tangle: Oh, the copies she’d been punished to write weren’t finished.

She hadn’t returned to the Discipline and Virtue Institute. Zhu Chengjun had told her to leave, and in the grip of terror after nearly losing her life, she had taken his words as guidance and blindly obeyed.

She understood nothing.

She didn’t even know who had tried to kill her—she had no grudge against Zhang Ji. This couldn’t have been his own doing.

What should she do now?

Her steps slowed. Should she go back to the manor immediately to investigate? She didn’t dare. The sudden, lethal danger had shaken her to the core. All she wanted now was to go home, to see her mother.

Yes, home.

Her eyes brightened slightly at the thought, and she quickened her pace—only to stop short when a chubby little girl, no more than three or four years old, appeared in front of her, blocking the way.

Only then did Zhan Jianxing realize she had wandered near a pastry shop. Warm yellow light spilled from inside. Fresh from her ordeal, she had instinctively sought the light, afraid of the dark.

A woman bustled inside the shop, turning just in time to see the little girl run to the doorway. She hurried out, scolding, “Running around at night? Watch out or the child snatchers will take you!”

The little girl’s voice was soft with curiosity. “Mama, look at that big brother. His neck has hands on it.”

The woman picked her up, swatting down the child’s insistent pointing hand with mild impatience. But she still glanced in the direction indicated—and gasped.

“Young master, what happened to you? Did you run into trouble?”

Zhan Jianxing was confused. “Huh?”

The little girl piped up again. “Brother, your neck looks funny. It has fingers—not like mine.”

“She means there are finger marks on your neck,” the woman explained, her voice laced with concern. “They’re red and swollen—that’s a nasty injury. Young master, you should hurry home. Tell your family and report this to the authorities.”

So her injuries had frightened them.

Zhan Jianxing pulled her collar tighter and murmured an acknowledgment before walking away quickly.

All she wanted now was to go home.

But as she walked, her steps gradually slowed, then stopped altogether.

How could she go home like this, with injuries that alarmed passersby?

She would scare Xu Shi to death.

It had taken immense effort to persuade Xu Shi to let her study at Prince Dai Manor. If she returned like this, Xu Shi would never dare let her go back. All her hard work would be for nothing.

She would fall back into the dust, trapped once more in the struggles with the Zhan family clan. The bleakness of that future filled her with resentment.

And why should this be? She had nearly died, yet all she could do was flee in terror.

The mastermind behind this would pay no price for their crime.

Were commoners born to be worthless?

Anger rose belatedly in her heart, and once ignited, it spread like wildfire, overwhelming her fear. Zhan Jianxing’s gaze finally focused, brightening with determination. She strode forward with large steps.

Her destination was no longer home but the prefecture government.

She was still too weak to accomplish anything within Prince Dai Manor on her own, but she could seek help elsewhere. Whether she could obtain it, she was determined to try.

**

At this hour, Luo Zhifu had already finished dinner and was enjoying a rare moment of leisure in the rear offices of the government.

He would neither accept petitions nor casually receive visitors at this time, but Zhan Jianxing’s status as a Study Companion helped her bypass the first obstacle. She managed to enter the inner hall at this unlikely hour and meet with Luo Zhifu.

During the journey, the bruising around her neck had worsened, turning a deep purplish-red against her pale skin, making the injury even more horrifyingly visible.

Standing under the bright lamplight in the hall, before she could even speak, Luo Zhifu’s gaze froze on her. He raised a hand to stop her from bowing and immediately asked, “What happened?”

Controlling the emotion in her voice, Zhan Jianxing recounted the events as simply and clearly as possible, omitting Zhu Chengjun’s assistance. She only mentioned being choked unconscious for a moment and waking to find Zhang Ji collapsed on the ground. Too afraid to check his condition, she had fled immediately.

Her voice was hoarse by the time she finished. Luo Zhifu had a servant bring her a cup of water.

Zhan Jianxing thanked him and sipped carefully. Luo Zhifu asked, “Are you seriously injured? Should I summon a physician?”

Returning the cup, she bowed and said, “Thank you, Prefect. I can endure. I came only to seek justice. I cannot accept suffering this misfortune in vain. Moreover, though I escaped with my life this time, one cannot guard against a thief forever. What if there is a next time?”

Luo Zhifu seemed slightly surprised. “You’re not deterred? You still wish to continue studying at Prince Dai Manor?”

Her voice rasped, “I have no retreat.”

Turning back would only lead her into an inescapable quagmire—there was no path behind her.

Luo Zhifu nodded, his expression stern. “Very well. I will uphold justice for you.”

It was already curfew outside, but the prefect could bypass such restrictions for urgent official business. Luo Zhifu gathered yamen servants and sedan carriers who lived nearby, assembling a simple retinue of about ten men before hastening to Prince Dai Manor.

**

Under the night sky, Prince Dai Manor appeared peaceful, showing no signs of the near-fatal incident that had just occurred.

Luo Zhifu did not immediately request an audience with any of the Royal Grandsons. Instead, he asked the gatekeeper to summon Wang Changshi, the Staff Advisor, leaving most of his attendants outside. Only a trusted aide and Zhan Jianxing accompanied him inside.

As an external official, he had the authority to oversee and report on any misconduct by the local prince but could not directly interfere in the prince’s internal affairs. The only one who could facilitate this was the Staff Advisor, appointed by the imperial court.

The Wang Changshi of Prince Dai Manor was forty-five this year, but he looked at least fifty-five—he had been extremely unlucky. When the late emperor ordered the house arrest, he was confined along with them. After exhausting all efforts, he finally managed to send out a memorial pleading his innocence, but the late emperor ignored it entirely, holding him responsible for failing in his duty to advise and guide. Thus, he was trapped inside for eight long years, aging into the appearance of an old man.

With such ill fortune, Wang Changshi had become utterly disheartened. Upon hearing Luo Zhifu’s intentions, his first reaction was to shut the door: “This official has already submitted a memorial requesting retirement and is merely awaiting approval. All matters concerning the manor, I will no longer involve myself in.”

Luo Zhifu reached out and blocked the door: “The approval hasn’t come down yet, has it? Then Master Wang remains the Changshi of Prince Dai Manor. This official has something to discuss with you alone.”

Wang Changshi wore a defeated expression: “Let me advise you, Prefect. Since the Study Companion is unharmed, it’s best to let major issues dissolve into minor ones, and minor ones into nothing. As someone about to retire, I’ll speak frankly—this manor is full of strange happenings. Even if you, Prefect, fear no hardship, it’s unlikely you’ll uncover any real results.”

Zhan Jianxing stood at the foot of the steps, staring at Wang Changshi in astonishment—she had never seen an official so spineless and eager to gloss over things!

A vicious attempted murder case, in his words, was just something to be “dissolved”!

Luo Zhifu, having navigated officialdom for years, was clearly accustomed to such attitudes and remained unperturbed: “Whether we uncover anything or not, we must at least try first.”

Wang Changshi attempted to close the door again: “Then go ahead and investigate, Prefect.”

Seeing him so devoid of courage, Luo Zhifu no longer bothered with courtesy. He grabbed Wang Changshi and pulled him out directly: “I’d trouble the Changshi to accompany me.”

Caught off guard, Wang Changshi exclaimed, “Ah! Prefect Luo, how can you do this? How dare you treat this official so? Though my rank may be lower than yours, I am not under your jurisdiction!”

As a manor official, the Changshi was typically appointed by the emperor’s approval and had the right to memorialize directly to the throne. Luo Zhifu, as a local official, indeed had no authority over him.

But for someone like Wang Changshi, whose political career was already in ruins, Luo Zhifu had no reservations. Instead, he laughed: “Master Wang, now you’re no longer mentioning your retirement request?”

Helpless, Wang Changshi could only be dragged along while making one last attempt to persuade: “Prefect Luo, I truly speak for your benefit. If you stir up a storm and find nothing, you’ll only unsettle everyone.”

Luo Zhifu replied, “As the local official, if I turn a blind eye to this, it will only sow unrest throughout Datong!”

The Changshi Office was located in the western section of the manor. Unlike other manor offices, it occupied an entire independent courtyard. While their argument inside the courtyard was inconsequential, once they stepped outside, their tugging and pulling inevitably drew attention.

Wang Changshi, after all, still cared a little for his dignity and sighed, “Fine, fine, I’ll go with you. What kind of spectacle is this?”

Only then did Luo Zhifu release him, smiling warmly: “Master Wang, my apologies. This official had no choice. The Study Companion I carefully selected by imperial decree had only been studying with the Royal Grandsons for half a month before nearly being strangled to death for no reason. If I don’t get to the bottom of this, how will I answer to His Majesty in the future?”

Wang Changshi smiled bitterly: “Indeed. The Prefect is in his prime, unlike this withered old man. Naturally, you still aspire to rise higher.”

Magistrate Luo smiled slightly, ignoring the deeper implications in his words, and instead said, “Hanlin Academician Chu must be informed of this matter. We should invite him to witness it together.”

Wang Changshi, eager to involve more people to dilute his own responsibility, readily agreed, “Exactly.”

Under Wang Changshi’s lead, they arrived at the Discipline and Virtue Institute located in the eastern section without alerting anyone.

Both Hanlin Academician Chu’s room and the adjacent study room were lit. The door to the second room was slightly ajar, and the first thing that caught their eyes was Zhu Chengjun’s hunched back as he bent over his desk.

Zhan Jianxing halted in surprise—he had actually returned and was dutifully copying here!

Hanlin Academician Chu was just stepping out of his room with a teacup when he saw the sudden appearance of this group. He looked surprised, “Wang Changshi, Brother Zhengqing, what brings you here so late?”

Magistrate Luo turned his head, signaling Zhan Jianxing to follow, then led her to the well-lit area in front of the room. Pointing at her neck, he said, “Take a look, Qiande.”

Hanlin Academician Chu focused his gaze and immediately gasped—such severe strangulation marks couldn’t possibly be from mere rough play; this was an attempt on her life!

Recovering, he pulled Zhan Jianxing all the way into the room to where Zhu Chengjun sat—the lamp on his desk provided the brightest light, leaving no room for doubt. Hanlin Academician Chu urgently asked, “What happened? Earlier, when I came by and didn’t see you, I asked Jiu Lang, but he didn’t know where you’d gone. Then I asked others, and the gatekeeper said he saw you leave the residence. I thought you had urgent family matters and didn’t press further—but how did this happen?!”

Zhan Jianxing’s throat was injured, making it difficult for her to speak. Magistrate Luo briefly explained the situation on her behalf. Hanlin Academician Chu frowned upon hearing it, “Zhang Ji?”

He turned to Zhu Chengjun, who was still slowly copying, “Jiu Lang, it was your eunuch who came to fetch Zhan Jianxing. How could you tell me you didn’t know?”

Zhu Chengjun didn’t look up, replying, “He didn’t tell me he came to fetch her again. How would I know?”

Qiu Guo, who had been dozing bored in the corner, hurried forward and said, “Sir, when Zhang Ji came the second time, our master was being reprimanded by First Master. I went to fetch some snacks for him and wasn’t here either. To be honest, Zhang Ji has only been with our master for about half a month. I’m the one who usually serves him. The master rarely gives Zhang Ji orders, and even if he did, Zhang Ji probably wouldn’t obey.”

Magistrate Luo paid little attention to Qiu Guo, casting a skeptical glance at Zhu Chengjun’s hunched back.

Though their statuses were vastly different, Zhan Jianxing and Zhu Chengjun were familiar with each other from daily interactions. How could he remain so calm and indifferent after such a major incident?

Hanlin Academician Chu noticed this and murmured, “That’s just how Jiu Lang is.”

As for “how,” he couldn’t quite explain. The temperaments of Zhan Xu and Zhu Chengke were clear enough, but this student assigned to him by imperial decree seemed to possess an almost detached demeanor, as if he were an outsider even in his own home.

Magistrate Luo set this aside for the moment and asked Zhu Chengjun and Qiu Guo, “Then do you know where Zhang Ji is now?”

Qiu Guo looked blank, “I don’t know. After I brought the snacks, I stayed here with the master. I haven’t seen Zhang Ji since.”

Hanlin Academician Chu suggested, “Could he have sneaked back to his quarters? As a eunuch, he has nowhere else to go.”

Luo Zhifu pondered, “That would only be the case if he’s still alive. Zhan Jianxing said she didn’t know what happened at the time. When she opened her eyes, she only saw Zhang Ji lying on the ground, unsure whether he was dead or alive. If he had already died, his body might still be in the same place.”

He turned to Zhan Jianxing and asked, “Where did he lure you to before attacking? Can you lead us there to take a look?”

Zhan Jianxing hesitated and shook her head. “After escaping with my life, I fled in panic, only heading toward the well-lit and open paths. I was fortunate to make it out. Trying to go back now would probably be difficult.”

This was half the truth. After Zhu Chengjun warned her, he turned and left. She instinctively followed him for a while before spotting the main path in the middle. Zhu Chengjun turned back and pointed. In the suffocating darkness, his silent figure was like a beacon of salvation. With his gesture, she obeyed and parted ways with him, eventually making her way out of the estate.

Looking back now, that journey was like walking through a fog. The fear of surviving a near-death experience had blurred her memory.

“Then let’s first go see Ninth Young Master,” Luo Zhifu said decisively, turning to Qiu Guo. “Young Eunuch, could you lead the way? It would be best if Ninth Young Master accompanies us. Additionally, since Zhang Ji claimed to be acting on First Master’s orders when he lured Zhan Jianxing away, whether true or false, we should meet First Master to verify this. If Zhang Ji hasn’t returned to his quarters and we need to search the estate, we’ll require First Master’s permission.”

As he said this, he glanced at Wang Changshi. Knowing he couldn’t avoid responsibility, Wang sighed and said, “Understood. But investigating cases isn’t my expertise. When we meet First Master, I won’t interfere with how you handle it, Prefect.”

Luo Zhifu didn’t press him further and nodded.

Zhu Chengjun, however, voiced his objection. He finally straightened up, turned his head, still clutching his brush. “I’m not going. I haven’t finished writing yet.”

Plop.

A large drop of ink fell from the tip of his brush, quickly spreading into a blot on the half-filled sheet of xuan paper before him.

Zhu Chengjun noticed and looked down: “…”

He seemed to freeze, his expression turning somewhat frightening.

Chu Hanlin was both amused and exasperated. “Jiu Lang, I’ve told you several times not to dip the brush too heavily just to save effort. It easily ruins the paper and wastes all your previous work.”

Luo Zhifu smoothed things over. “Never mind, it’s our fault for disturbing Ninth Young Master.” He then said to Chu Hanlin, “Qiande, let me plead on Ninth Young Master’s behalf. Let him skip the remaining copying. The fact that he persisted this long shows he has already corrected his mistake, despite his earlier fault.”

Understanding the urgency of the situation, Chu Hanlin agreed. “Very well, we’ll let it go this time. But Jiu Lang, if there’s a next time, the punishment will be doubled.”

Zhu Chengjun swiftly tossed his brush aside and replied plainly, “Yes.”

Chu Hanlin then turned to Zhan Jianxing with some remorse. “I shouldn’t have kept you here with him. I knew you wouldn’t join Jiu Lang in his mischief—he must have coerced you.”

Because he had sensed this, he hadn’t pressed the matter when he noticed Zhan Jianxing was missing. Though he hadn’t said it outright, his actions had shown bias—only this bias had inadvertently harmed his diligent and beloved student.

Zhan Jianxing quickly bowed. “It was wrong of me to help Ninth Young Master in this matter. Your punishment was justified.”

Without further delay, Luo Zhifu gathered his team, and the group followed Wang Changshi as they headed out.

Zhan Jianxing, being of the lowest status, was initially walking at the back when she suddenly felt Qiu Guo sidle up to her, subtly tugging at her sleeve. Understanding the hint, she slowed her pace further, falling to the very rear.

“You’ve got quite the nerve,” Qiu Guo whispered. “You ran away, yet still went to report to the authorities?”

Zhan Jianxing barely moved her lips. “I nearly got killed. Why wouldn’t I?” She glanced sideways. “You knew about this? Did the Ninth Master tell you?”

Qiu Guo’s tone suggested she wasn’t just hearing this for the first time, hence the question.

Qiu Guo replied, “It wasn’t the master who told me—I told him. When I came back with the pastries, I saw you leaving with Zhang Ji. I thought it was odd, so I mentioned it when the master returned. He immediately sensed something was wrong and went after you.”

Only then did Zhan Jianxing realize how Zhu Chengjun had suddenly appeared. She murmured, “Thank you.”

But belatedly, she found it strange. Why would Zhu Chengjun bring a stick with him unless he had anticipated danger?

“Did the Ninth Master know Zhang Ji was going to kill me?”

“Not exactly,” Qiu Guo said. “But in this manor, human life is cheap. You and Xu Study Companion came at a good time—the Emperor sent Hanlin Academician Chu, so the Second Prince of Commandery and the First Master have been much quieter, eyeing the princely title dangling before them. You have no idea what it was like before.”

Zhan Jianxing fell silent. The strife within Prince Dai Manor had revealed itself the very day she arrived—that maid likely hadn’t seduced Zhu Chengchang at all. He had simply sacrificed her innocence to fabricate his own filial reputation. And in Qiu Guo’s eyes, this was already “much quieter” compared to before.

So for Zhu Chengjun, any unexpected turn of events likely meant real danger for those involved. It made sense that he would bring something for self-defense.

Such incidents were probably all too familiar to him, hence the habit—what kind of life was this?

Zhan Jianxing turned her head to glance at Zhu Chengjun walking ahead, her heart filled with indescribable emotions.

He had still come to save her. He could have easily feigned ignorance and stayed away.

“Don’t worry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mention the Ninth Master.”

Qiu Guo nodded. “I heard. But you’re too bold. Reporting to the authorities won’t do much. You think Magistrate Luo holds great power, but he can’t touch the masters in this manor.”

Zhan Jianxing’s eyes burned with determination. “Even if it’s useless, I have to try. Any trouble I can cause for the murderer is worth it.”

She couldn’t let those who harmed her walk away unscathed. That wasn’t how the world should work.

**

The news of Magistrate Luo’s sudden visit in the evening couldn’t be kept secret. By then, Zhu Xunshuo and Zhu Chengchang had already been informed.

Zhu Xunshuo had already gone to bed, while Zhu Chengchang was still awake. After a brief moment to straighten their clothes, they both set out for the front of the manor.

Author’s Note:

Take a guess—is the real culprit the one who went to bed or the one who stayed awake?

~~

Posting a little early to wish everyone a happy National Day. One more update coming later after I polish it up.