Chapter 314

Leaving the military camp granted them much more freedom of movement, and naturally, they had greater access to news from the outside world. After returning to the capital, Manager Wang heard about Wang Xiujin’s ambush and rushed over immediately. Unexpectedly, upon arrival, he found no sign of Wang Xiujin and had to wait in the city. Finally, when Wang Xiujin emerged from the camp unharmed with his family, Manager Wang breathed a sigh of relief.

When Wang Xiujin saw Manager Wang, he initially thought something had gone wrong with his shops in the capital. After learning that Manager Wang was worried about him, he expressed his gratitude and urged Manager Wang to return to the capital promptly, fearing that some envious individuals might seize the opportunity while he was trapped here. He was not concerned about his shops and workshops but about those who coveted his wealth.

Manager Wang agreed at once, disregarding the hour, packed his belongings, and left the city for the capital. Li Linshan, wary that some people might still harbor ill intentions, dispatched a squad to escort Manager Wang safely back.

With the Fourth Prince stationed here, the city guards acted with remarkable speed. However, after a fruitless search, the messenger who returned to report to the prince was so ashamed that his face turned bright red. Meanwhile, the local magistrate’s office had sent people to search every household without exception—whether residents or passersby—leaving no stone unturned. The captured informant was interrogated repeatedly, but as he was on the verge of death, no useful information was extracted.

When the magistrate arrived, he brought no useful news but offered a theory: those who wished to harm Wang Huangshang might have fled after their agents were caught. The city guards immediately refuted this, insisting that suspicious individuals could not have passed through their tight checks.

“What if the mastermind never entered the city? What if they’re hiding in a nearby village?” Li Linshan glanced at the city guards and the magistrate.

The Fourth Prince’s wide-eyed gaze fell on the two men. Though he said nothing, the weight of his look nearly brought them to their knees. Neither dared to delay and set out once more to search. Li Linshan and Wang Xiujin suspected the mastermind had long fled—there was no way they could be waiting around for a chance. In an era when information was scarce and communication slow, finding a single person was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Even posting wanted posters would be futile; if the person altered their appearance, who would recognize them?

Thus, the case became an unresolved mystery. Hearing Li Linshan’s words about the difficulty of capturing the true culprit, the Fourth Prince felt a heavy frustration within. Li Linshan and Wang Xiujin had done so much to help him, yet now they faced trouble without apprehending the real wrongdoer. The prince’s heart was heavy with guilt, an unpleasant feeling. But recalling Wang Xiujin’s earlier theory, he felt restless, torn inside.

“That person must have endured quite a lot. It’s best to find a safe place to hide and return to the capital as soon as possible,” Wang Xiujin thought of the label attached to that man. He wanted to unearth him to prevent future troubles, but reality forbade it. If the man truly intended to usurp imperial power as Wang suspected, he could no longer be spared. His students, too, would have to be purged. The court would likely face a sweeping change.

After a long silence, the Fourth Prince sighed deeply, steadied himself, and bowed slightly to the two men. Startled, Li Linshan and Wang Xiujin quickly stepped aside. The prince spoke, “I have wronged you both. Once this matter is settled, no matter how difficult it is, I will find that man.” With that, he ordered preparations to depart for the capital the next day.

Back in their rooms, Wang Xiujin and Li Linshan did not discuss the day’s events. Both understood the importance of the greater good—if the court descended into chaos, their status and wealth would amount to nothing.

Their return to the capital was swift, arriving just shortly after Manager Wang. The Fourth Prince’s eldest son and Yachang bid farewell with great reluctance, holding Yachang’s hand tightly, tears welling up. Had the prince not considered that Li Linshan and Wang Xiujin had only this one child and felt guilty for failing to catch the culprit, he might have even suggested that Yachang enter the palace to accompany his son.

Once back at their residence, Wang Xiujin exhaled in relief. Thankfully, the Fourth Prince had not made such a request; otherwise, he would have risked defying the prince to refuse. Watching his son imitate the little prince’s serious demeanor, Wang Xiujin couldn’t help but laugh and want to gently tap the boy’s head, but seeing his earnest expression, he restrained himself and only smiled.

Yachang resolved to keep his distance from that little imperial grandson in the future. He had no desire to go to the palace as a companion reader and lose his freedom. He hoped the little prince’s memory would soon fade and forget him altogether.

The Fourth Prince hurried back to the palace to relay Wang Xiujin’s suspicions. The emperor’s face darkened. He summoned Minister Wang immediately and ordered a thorough investigation of key officials. Any sign of irregularity, and the culprit was to be arrested without hesitation. The emperor preferred to be remembered as a tyrant rather than allow his authority to be undermined.

Minister Wang arrived swiftly. Before he could kneel or salute, the emperor granted him a seat and began to speak rapidly, stringing pearls of words one after another. After listening for a while, Minister Wang understood that the prince’s son had returned without proper formalities and immediately caused trouble. However, Minister Wang found the prince’s son’s theory somewhat implausible.

“Your Majesty, my son’s conjecture is mere speculation and should not be taken seriously. If those officials truly sought to usurp imperial power, once their plan succeeded, the mastermind would not be allowed into court or hold office. What benefit would that bring him?”

“If one person ascended the throne, wouldn’t that person become Grand Tutor?” the emperor inquired.

“Your Majesty, that is mistaken. Those officials are all civil servants. They may govern, but they cannot found or sustain a country without military power. No matter how high they jump, without control of the army, what can they do?” Minister Wang bowed again. “My son lacks political insight and, frightened by villains, overreacted and exaggerated. His words are alarmist.”

The emperor found the reasoning sound and laughed heartily. “I too was startled by the prince’s son’s anxious tone and overlooked these facts. Thanks to Minister Wang’s careful consideration. Nevertheless, those officials must be investigated. I will not tolerate anyone undermining my realm.”

Ultimately, the emperor feared his kingdom being coveted. Minister Wang humbly agreed but inwardly marveled at the emperor’s suspicion. After leaving the palace, Minister Wang ordered his servant to summon his son home. He needed to lecture him properly. His son’s careless speculation had cost several lives.

At this moment, Wang Xiujin was at the Wang residence, learning that his mother had no idea he had been in danger. A smile spread across his face as he greeted her and shared news from Wang Village—the births, marriages, and deaths within families. Lady Wang listened attentively, recalling the proper order of kinship despite rarely venturing outside the village. Upon hearing that the elderly of the family once embroiled in conflict had passed away, she sighed softly, “Though the person is gone, we shouldn’t dwell on their faults. Should we burn some paper offerings?”

“I went to the old ancestral hall to burn the paper offerings. I didn’t let Li Linshan or Yachang go,” Wang Xiujin replied. He felt the two families weren’t close enough to warrant involving their entire households in paying respects.

Lady Wang nodded silently. Later, Wang Xiujin recounted some amusing incidents, and Lady Wang laughed heartily at the entertaining parts. As they chatted, a servant announced that the master had returned. Lady Wang was surprised, “Why did you come back so early today? Did you know I was here?”

Minister Wang entered, noticing his youngest son sitting beside his wife and seeing her radiant smile, he suppressed his anger.

“What’s the matter? Who upset you?” Lady Wang asked teasingly, her mood lifted by her son’s presence despite her husband’s grim expression.

“Some people speak without thinking. It angered me,” Minister Wang said, sitting down and lifting his cup without glancing at his son.

Wang Xiujin blinked, sensing his father’s words were directed at him. Lady Wang looked at her husband, feeling there was more beneath his words.

“Mother, may I speak with Father?” sensing the tense atmosphere and suspecting his father had something to say, Wang Xiujin broke the silence.

Lady Wang glanced between her son and her husband but said nothing more, assuming Minister Wang was upset over the magistrate’s affairs. “Very well. Try to reason with your father. I’ll have the kitchen prepare some chicken soup for you. Drink it before you leave.”

She rose and patted her son’s hand before leaving the room. After she departed, Minister Wang slammed his teacup on the table and commanded, “Kneel!”

Though uncertain of his offense, Wang Xiujin obeyed. His father then recounted what he heard upon entering the palace and how he responded. The conversation soon shifted, and Minister Wang’s reproach fell upon his son.

Wang Xiujin was startled by his father’s handling of the emperor’s words and smiled wryly to himself. After twenty years in this era, he still hadn’t adapted to the rigid social hierarchy that sharply divided civil and military affairs. “I know my mistake, Father.”

“I have always considered you the most composed, yet you made such a basic error. Fortunately, few know of this incident; otherwise, someone might accuse you of spreading falsehoods and involving others for personal gain.” Minister Wang sighed deeply. “How long can I protect you?”

From his father’s sigh, Wang Xiujin detected layers of emotion. “I know my mistake,” he repeated, this time with more feeling than before.

“All right. Just be cautious in the future.” Seeing his son’s expression, Minister Wang stifled further words and helped him up. Though Wang Xiujin was the child he trusted most, ironically, he worried about him more than his eldest son.