In Laiwang County

In Magistrate Cheng’s study, he and his advisor were deep in discussion.

The advisor was quite worried: “My lord, are you sure there won’t be any issues with going after General Qin? The prefect is already aware of this matter, and I’m concerned…

Besides, General Qin is the student of Minister Du. If something happens to Qin Fang, Minister Du won’t let it go easily. And now, Tu Qiang has already used General Qin’s name to injure someone. This situation is bound to escalate.”

Magistrate Cheng sighed.

Although he appeared confident in front of Master Liu that day, in reality, he wasn’t so sure himself: “I don’t have much choice in this. If those above want to act against Qin Fang, how can I refuse? But fortunately, their real goal isn’t to harm Qin Fang. They’ve instructed us to be polite to him, drag this case out for a few months, and then clear his name.”

The advisor still didn’t understand: “Why are they doing this?”

Magistrate Cheng replied, “How would I know? Prepare yourself; tomorrow, I will personally visit the general’s residence and ask him to clarify this matter.”

Although Qin Fang’s rank was higher, Cheng was still the magistrate of Laiwang County and had the authority to summon Qin Fang to cooperate with the investigation.

Cheng didn’t know why those above wanted things to play out this way, but there were people in the capital who did.

At the Wei Residence

Wei Hong sat in the kitchen, facing his son, Wei Ting, who looked livid.

Wei Hong’s own expression wasn’t much better.

It was the first time his son had yelled at him. Yet, Wei Ting was the future head of the family, and being ruthless was necessary. “Wei Ting, the decision has already been made. Even if you want to stop it, it’s too late.”

Wei Ting was disappointed.

He knew all too well about the Yang family’s situation, and though he hadn’t tried to stop it, he understood his father’s helpless position.

But now, their family was in the emperor’s inner circle, and had become his trusted allies.

Why was his father still taking this risk?

“Father, Qin Fang is Minister Du’s student. In the imperial library, it was the emperor himself who ordered Minister Du to take Qin Fang as a student.

That shows how much the emperor values him. If you let Magistrate Cheng act against Qin Fang, it’s like slapping both the emperor and Minister Du in the face.

After the Yang family incident, our family might still be considered one of the top families in the capital, but our position is precarious. If Minister Du finds out about this, he won’t let it go in court.”

Wei Hong scoffed, “He’s just a student. Does Du Ke really hold him in such high regard?”

“Father…” Wei Ting had witnessed Du Ke’s relationship with Qin Fang firsthand.

He had never seen the ever-meticulous Minister Du smile so warmly toward anyone.

Not even his own son. “This isn’t just about being a student. Qin Fang is the emperor’s gift to Minister Du. You’ve always been a measured person. Why are you being so reckless this time? Is it because Lady Bingyun refused to become the adopted daughter of the Wei family?”

Wei Hong shook his head. “Do you think I’d jeopardize Du Ke’s student over something so trivial? Rest assured, nothing will happen to Qin Fang.

His name will be cleared, and both the emperor and Du Ke’s favorites will remain untouched.

All this is just to create a minor inconvenience for Qin Fang and move him somewhere else.

Yunxiang County isn’t a place he should stay. Once he’s removed from his position, he can return to his official duties elsewhere, just not in Yunxiang County.”

Wei Ting narrowed his eyes, quickly realizing something: “This isn’t about targeting Qin Fang himself, but rather his position.

But what’s so special about being the defense general of Yunxiang County? It’s a remote backwater.

The most valuable thing there now is that the Qin family has become an imperial grain supplier.

But that’s not enough to justify going after someone the emperor and Du Ke value. And it’s not because of Lady Bingyun either. Then… the most valuable secret in Yunxiang County must be the ore deposits…”

As he spoke, Wei Ting’s eyes widened in realization. “Father, is it because of gunpowder?!”

Though phrased as a question, his voice was firm.

Wei Hong gazed at his eldest son.

Wei Ting was exceptional, far more capable than his second son.

That’s why Wei Hong would share some decisions with Wei Ting but not the younger one.

Yet in this moment, he regretted how astute his eldest had become.

From his father’s expression, Wei Ting knew he had hit the mark.

A chilling suspicion gnawed at his heart as he stood abruptly, stepping closer to Wei Hong. “Father, only a few people know about the gunpowder. The ores and the gunpowder project are now under Qin Fang’s control, essentially in the emperor’s hands.

Even if outsiders know about the nitre and sulfur, they don’t know about the emperor’s gunpowder plan.

Gunpowder is vital to the nation, and the emperor controls it tightly. But you’re going after Qin Fang, which means you don’t want gunpowder in the emperor’s hands.

Father… I have a bold guess. If you haven’t betrayed the nation, then you’ve chosen a side. Which prince are you supporting?

Has one of the princes learned about the gunpowder and is targeting Qin Fang’s position in Yunxiang County?

But because of Du Ke, they won’t actually harm Qin Fang, is that it?”

“Shut up!” Wei Hong roared.

Wei Ting’s eyes were filled with disappointment. “After the public learned about making ice with saltpeter, everyone thought I took the Ministry of Works to Yunxiang County for mining.

But they don’t know the real reason I went was because of the gunpowder incident. I came back with news of the successful research, and you know about this as well.

So it was truly because of the gunpowder—because you aligned yourself with a prince’s faction?

Father, how could you be so foolish? The Emperor is not even thirty yet. He still has a long time to rule.”

Wei Ting closed his eyes in frustration. “What do you know? You’re also aware of the current situation with the Wei family. Back when the Emperor was still Prince Yuan, though I was one of his trusted men, he didn’t truly favor me.

His favorite was Du Ke. When the fight for the throne began, Prince Yuan and Grand Tutor Yang’s faction were locked in a fierce struggle.

I suggested to Prince Yuan that we arrange a marriage between Wei Wu and a daughter of the Yang family, to extract information from their faction. Prince Yuan neither agreed nor objected.

“But I knew that his silence meant consent.”

“However, Wei Ting, I made a two-sided plan back then. If Grand Tutor Yang’s faction had succeeded, our Wei family would have been secure through the marriage ties.

Later, when I saw that Yang’s faction was no match for Prince Yuan, I revealed their plans to him.

I thought this would win me favor with the Emperor, but who would’ve guessed that his most trusted was still Du Ke?”

Wei Ting disagreed. “But the Emperor entrusted me with the gunpowder project. Isn’t that enough to show that he values our family?

Father, which prince have you sided with? Let me guess… it’s the Imperial Noble Consort, isn’t it?

Even though the Emperor hasn’t made her Empress, everyone knows that the court ministers favor the Crown Prince the most.

After all, the Imperial Noble Consort was once the Prince Yuan’s official wife, and the Crown Prince is her legitimate eldest son.”

Wei Hong replied, “That’s why what the Emperor did was improper.”

Wei Ting argued, “Whether the Emperor was proper or not has nothing to do with us. Father, what did the Imperial Noble Consort promise you?”

Wei Hong didn’t answer and instead changed the subject. “You don’t need to concern yourself with this matter. It has nothing to do with you.

No one knows about my connection to County Magistrate Cheng in Laiwang County, so even if something happens to him, it won’t implicate us.”

Wei Ting pressed on. “How are you planning to handle this situation? You’re using that servant’s son-in-law to question Qin Fang’s character and integrity, then proposing to suspend his official duties, hoping to clear his name after a new official is appointed?

Is your strategy based on Du Ke’s absence from court, giving you the confidence to act against Qin Fang?

But, Father, even though Du Ke isn’t present, his people and connections are still in the court. His students and supporters won’t let you get away with this.”

Wei Hong responded calmly, “That’s why we haven’t made a move, haven’t we? It’s just a suspension from office. Don’t worry, the rest of the situation will resolve itself without our intervention.”

Although Wei Ting still disapproved, he knew his father had already committed to siding with the Imperial Noble Consort’s faction.

What could he do?

He felt conflicted and troubled.

Fortunately, this plan wouldn’t harm Qin Fang directly; otherwise, cleaning up the aftermath would be even more difficult.

Still, Wei Ting couldn’t shake his unease.

Meanwhile, Qin Fang left Yunxiang County, instructing his two guards, “You two go to Laiwang County and secretly monitor Magistrate Cheng’s every move. I’m going to the capital alone.”

The guards were shocked. “But, General, what about your safety?”

Qin Fang replied, “Don’t worry. Your horses can’t keep up with Wu Shuai’s speed, and I need to get there quickly. And make sure to keep this from Lady Yang when I return. Understood?”

The guards nodded. “Yes, General.”

After parting ways with the guards, Qin Fang mounted his horse, Wu Shuai. “Let’s pick up the pace, Wu Shuai. We can’t let anything tarnish your reputation as a noble steed.”

The people behind the Wei family didn’t intend to seriously harm Qin Fang, and Magistrate Cheng hadn’t anticipated that he would secretly leave Yunxiang County.

As a city guard general, it was illegal for Qin Fang to leave the county without permission; at best, he would face a minor punishment, but at worst, he could lose his position or even be charged with a crime.

In truth, even Du Ke wouldn’t have expected Qin Fang to leave Yunxiang County.

But Qin Fang did so without hesitation, riding Wu Shuai day and night.

After two days and one night, he arrived at the capital in the afternoon.

Upon reaching the capital, identification papers were required.

Since Qin Fang knew someone in the capital was plotting against him, he naturally didn’t reveal his own documents.

But he also didn’t have forged ones.

Fortunately, the gate captain wasn’t just anyone—it was Young Master Du, Du Ke’s second son.

Young Master Du was in his office on the city wall, enjoying some snacks when he heard that someone was looking for him. “Who’s asking for me? What do they want?” he asked.

The guard replied, “The person says he’s a friend of Tao Shan. Tao Shan asked him to bring something from Yunxiang County as thanks for your help the other day.”

Young Master Du perked up at the mention of Tao Shan. “What did he bring? A watermelon?”

He immediately stood up. “Come on, let’s go take a look.”

Ever since he’d tasted watermelon, his life revolved around food, but unfortunately, watermelons were scarce, and he couldn’t find any in the capital.

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