MFURCC -Chapter 74 The Voice in Prince Su’s Heart

Su Heng returned to the prince’s residence. He had just changed out of his night attire when he sensed movement outside.

He lightened his steps and walked over, spotting a figure behind the curtain.

The concealed weapon in his hand was about to fly when the person behind the curtain stepped out.

It was Pei Yunlian—his closest confidant aside from Shen He’an.

Pei Yunlian was the Minister of Justice, also known as the Grand Minister of Justice (Da Sikou).

He was the youngest Grand Minister of Justice since the founding of Great Jin.

The reason he had achieved that position at such a young age was not only due to his extraordinary talent, but also because of Su Heng’s support and assistance behind the scenes.

On the surface, he and Su Heng appeared to have no dealings whatsoever, but in truth, they were intimate friends.

In fact, there were things Su Heng had never told Shen He’an, yet would confide in Pei Yunlian.

First, because they had known each other longer. Second, because Pei Yunlian was more steady in temperament.

“You could’ve let me know before coming,” Su Heng said, putting away his concealed weapon. “Aren’t you afraid I might hurt you?”

Pei Yunlian sat down at the tea table.

“Have you forgotten? All your concealed weapons were made by me.”

“Then shall we test whether your own weapons can wound you?”

“I’ll pass.”

Pei Yunlian waved a hand.

Su Heng was a monster when it came to martial arts. Unless by ambush, no one could defeat him in a fair one-on-one fight.

Moreover, Pei Yunlian only crafted concealed weapons and mechanical devices. His body had been frail since childhood; he possessed little physical strength.

“I’m not here to spar with you. I came today to tell you something.”

Su Heng had no intention of fighting him anyway.

This man had a brilliant mind, but his health had always been poor. Su Heng sometimes felt a strong gust of wind could knock him over.

He poured a cup of hot tea.

“The wind is strong at night. Have some tea to soothe your throat before you speak.”

Pei Yunlian did not stand on ceremony. After taking a couple of sips, he said, “Do you have a subordinate heading to West Mountain to suppress bandits?”

“That’s right. His name is Fu Yunsheng. What about him?”

“Send word that there’s no need to rush to West Mountain. The bandits heard the court was sending troops and have already fled. Some of them slipped into the capital yesterday. I plan to report this to His Majesty first thing tomorrow.”

Su Heng frowned slightly.

“I already know about this.”

Pei Yunlian was surprised.

“They came in disguised. If my men hadn’t, by sheer chance, captured one of them and forced out information about his accomplices, even I wouldn’t have known. Has your intelligence network become this formidable?”

Su Heng hesitated briefly before replying, “Liuzheng told me.”

“The Zhaoyong General?”

“Yes.”

Pei Yunlian sighed with admiration. “The female Zhaoyong General truly lives up to her name—no less than any man. No wonder you’ve been unable to forget her even after returning from the border for so long.”

“…”

Su Heng’s expression turned awkward.

Before Shen He’an, he could still put on an act.

But Pei Yunlian knew everything—he had told him everything. There was no denying his feelings for Liuzheng.

He changed the subject. “Don’t report the bandits to the throne. I have other plans.”

“What plans?”

“You’ll know when the time comes.”

“Very well. I’ll burn the memorial when I get back… cough, cough—”

Pei Yunlian suddenly broke into a violent coughing fit.

Su Heng quickly refilled his cup.

“Drink this. It’s honeysuckle tea—good for the lungs and cough.”

Pei Yunlian drained the cup and finally managed to suppress the coughing.

Su Heng asked with concern, “You usually only start coughing in autumn. Why is it happening now when summer has just begun?”

“Perhaps I’m getting old.”

“You’re a year younger than me. Are you saying I’m old too?”

“You are indeed old.”

“…”

“If you don’t marry soon, I fear that when you grow older, you may not even be able to father a son. What use will the empire be to you then?”

“I’m not that old! Besides, you haven’t married either.”

Pei Yunlian smiled faintly. “With this body of mine, who knows when I might collapse? If I marry, would I make her spend a lifetime guarding an empty room?”

In Great Jin, a woman who had been married once could rarely remarry. Otherwise, she would be condemned by public scorn.

“Don’t curse yourself like that! There’s been news about the Divine Physician Wang Pei. Once we find him, the toxins in your body can be removed.”

“I heard the Divine Physician Wang is already dead.”

“That’s just a rumor!”

Pei Yunlian tugged at his lips and did not argue further, returning instead to the topic of Liuzheng.

“She’s been back in the capital for half a month now, hasn’t she? How are things progressing between you?”

Su Heng turned his face slightly away.

“I haven’t told her that I’m Xiao Hengzi.”

“You still haven’t told her?”

“That matter involves too much. If she knows, the harm will outweigh the good. It may even endanger her life.”

“True. If she learns of the implications, the Empress Dowager would be the first to refuse to tolerate her.”

After a pause, Pei Yunlian continued, “But even if you don’t say you’re Xiao Hengzi, she may already suspect it. The day you ‘burned to death,’ she cried as if her heart had been torn apart.”

On the day Su Heng staged his death, it had been Pei Yunlian who came to retrieve him.

He had seen everything clearly.

If he hadn’t knocked Su Heng unconscious and forcibly dragged him away, seeing Liuzheng cry like that, Su Heng would have rushed back to her.

“She couldn’t possibly have no suspicions.”

Su Heng looked out the long stretch of sky beyond the window.

“She has tested me several times. She even asked whether I have a twin brother.”

“But in front of her, I deliberately changed many of my old habits.”

“And my attitude toward her has been harsh. Xiao Hengzi would never treat her that way.”

Pei Yunlian nodded in understanding.

“You must be suppressing yourself painfully. Don’t suffocate yourself in the process.”

“It’s not that serious.”

“But aren’t you afraid that by treating her this way now, when your grand undertaking succeeds and she learns you’re Xiao Hengzi, she won’t forgive what you’re doing now?”

“I’m merely treating her as a subordinate. I’m not abusing her. You’re overthinking.”

“Then you truly don’t understand women.”

“And you do?”

Pei Yunlian shrugged. “Everyone in the Ministry of Justice except me is married. In their spare time, they often talk about their wives. Even if I’ve never eaten pork, haven’t I seen pigs run?”

“…”

“I advise you to know your limits, lest you regret it in the future.”

“I know what I’m doing.”

“As long as you do. It’s late. I should head back. I’m curious to see what you plan to do with those bandits.”

“I’ll see you out.”

“I’m not so useless that I can’t return on my own.”

Pei Yunlian left without waiting for an escort.

His steps appeared light enough, but Su Heng was still uneasy.

“Commander He!”

He Leyi quickly entered.

“What are your orders, Your Highness?”

“Escort the Grand Minister of Justice home.”

“Yes!”

Soon, the two figures disappeared from view.

Su Heng then called Liu Yun inside.

“Send more men to continue searching for the Divine Physician Wang. No matter the cost in manpower or resources, he must be found.”

“Yes!”

After Liu Yun left, Su Heng looked at the cup Pei Yunlian had used and sighed softly.

Yunlian, you must hold on until the day we find the Divine Physician Wang.

…

The next day arrived in the blink of an eye.

Liuzheng had been busy for nearly half the night, but had slept unusually well, dreamless.

After washing up, she was preparing to go to the Old Madam for breakfast when Pan Zhan returned.

“Miss, everything has been handled according to your instructions.”

Liuzheng nodded. “Good. You’ve worked all night. Go and rest.”

In another hour, the Old Madam would be heading to Changlong Temple. If Pan Zhan didn’t rest now, he would have to accompany her again.

Pan Zhan said, “This subordinate isn’t tired. I’ve been so idle lately I’m about to grow moss. It’s rare to have an assignment—I don’t find it hard at all.”

Liuzheng smiled. “Even so, you must rest. That’s a military order.”

Pan Zhan had no choice but to comply.

Nanny Jiang asked curiously, “Miss, what did Vice General Zhan go to do?”

Liuzheng beckoned her closer and whispered in her ear.

After hearing it, Nanny Jiang’s brows knitted tightly.

“The First Madam is simply… vicious to the extreme! To use such a despicable method against you!”

Liuzheng replied calmly, “It’s not a despicable method. If it succeeds, it will greatly benefit her. She might even drive me out in one stroke.”

“The Old Madam won’t fall for it.”

“The Old Madam might not—but my father certainly will.”

Nanny Jiang nodded. “That’s true… Fortunately, you were prepared.”

“It was Pan Zhan who was sharp enough to gather the news for me.”

Nanny Jiang felt fortunate that the young lady had so many capable people around her.

Then she couldn’t help but feel heartache.

“I truly don’t understand. With a daughter like you, what more could the First Madam possibly want?”

“Some people are born never knowing contentment. Besides, she hates that I stole Ruan Changzheng’s credit. The higher I stand, the more she resents me.”

“But…”

“That’s enough. Speaking of her first thing in the morning is unlucky. Let’s go to Grandmother’s.”

“Yes.”

Mistress and servant soon arrived at the Old Madam’s courtyard.

Liuzheng had just stepped inside and hadn’t even reached the inner room when she heard the First Madam’s voice from within.

“Is Liuzheng going to Changlong Temple?”

“She replied last night that she is, though she’ll depart later. She has matters to attend to.”

“What could be more important than offering incense to the Bodhisattva?”

“Important matters, naturally. She’s a court official, not like us, whose only concern is tending our little patch of household affairs.”

The Old Madam defended Liuzheng throughout.

The First Madam fell silent.

Liuzheng entered at that moment.

“Grandmother.”

Then she looked at the First Madam with apparent surprise, as if only now noticing her presence.

“Mother, you’ve come for breakfast as well?”

“Mm…” The First Madam could barely conceal the disgust in her eyes, but with the Old Madam present, she forced out a smile. “Come, taste these. I brought some side dishes from my courtyard—they’re all your favorites.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

Liuzheng took a seat.

Before she could lift her chopsticks, the First Madam asked, “What urgent matter do you have to handle?”

“It’s nothing urgent. I had previously arranged to have tea with Sister Yuan today. It wouldn’t be right to break my word, so I’ll stop by her residence for a cup of tea before heading to the temple.”

Finding no fault in her words, the First Madam changed the subject to Madam Yuan.

“You seem quite close with that Madam Yuan. But don’t blame me for reminding you—she’s barren. She’s been married for years without bearing a child. Be careful you don’t catch it from her.”