Chapter 33

The military examination was divided into two parts. The first was the written exam, which tested strategic proposals and required candidates to transcribe a selected passage from the Seven Military Classics. The second was the martial trials, which assessed riding, archery, and combat skills. The written questions were drafted jointly by the Minister of War and two deputies, then sealed in a bamboo tube with wax. They were only to be opened in public by the exam supervisor on the day of the test.

Which meant the person who leaked the exam was most likely one of those three.

The Ministry of War was Bu Nian’s stronghold. The minister and both deputies were people he trusted deeply. If any one of them had betrayed him, it wouldn’t shake his foundation completely, but the damage would still run deep.

He sent Song Qiao to investigate quietly, tracking the trio’s recent relationships, contacts, and movements. The minister and the left deputy were cleared. But there was a problem with the right deputy.

The man was upright and efficient. But he had one weakness. He loved drinking.

Strong liquor, mild brews… as long as it was alcohol, he drank it. He wouldn’t sit at a table without a cup.

To Bu Nian, whether a man lusted after wine or women, once an obsession took hold, it became a weak point. The right deputy was no exception.

Once he had it figured out, Bu Nian sent out invitations to the key people involved. He was setting a trap.

Official Wang followed his superior to Bu Nian’s estate, nervous the entire way. He had never stepped foot in the general’s estate before. This was his first time.

The right deputy patted his arm to reassure him. “The General may look hard to approach, but he’s actually easy to talk to. Don’t be nervous.”

Official Wang had barely taken a few steps past the main gate when sweat already started to bead on his forehead.

He kept wiping it away with his sleeve, forcing a dry laugh. “Deputy, why the sudden banquet tonight? Does the General want something from us?”

The right deputy didn’t think much of it. “No idea. Whatever the General says, we just do it. Can’t go wrong that way.”

Official Wang nodded quickly.

The servants led them to the rear courtyard. Both men found it strange that the General would host a banquet there, but before they could ask anything, they were brought into a compound.

The right deputy scratched his head. “Isn’t this the General’s study? Maybe he wants to talk business first, then treat us to dinner.”

They stepped inside. The servants stayed behind at the courtyard gate.

The wind tonight was sharp and biting. Bu Nian sat in the courtyard, draped in a white crane cloak. A pot of hot tea sat beside him, and a brazier was placed by his feet. Across from him, with only a small table between them, sat Lord Cui, the Minister of Justice.

He had been summoned without explanation and didn’t know what was going on. Since Bu Nian hadn’t brought it up, he acted as though nothing was amiss and sipped tea with him in the freezing wind.

They spoke for about the time it took to burn a stick of incense. Just as the conversation began to dry up, two more men entered through the gate. Lord Cui looked up. One was the right deputy from the Ministry of War. The other looked familiar, probably another official from the same ministry. With his years of experience in the Ministry of Justice, Lord Cui had a feeling. The real subject of tonight’s meeting had just arrived.

Official Wang already had guilt in his heart. The moment he saw the setup, he couldn’t hold it together. Panic took over, and he turned to run, only to be stopped by guards who had been waiting from the start. A blade was at his neck in an instant.

The right deputy stood frozen, looking helplessly between Bu Nian and Official Wang. “What… what’s going on?”

Bu Nian set his teacup down hard on the small table. The sharp clack of porcelain against wood rang out clearly.

“You still have the nerve to ask?”

His eyes flared. The right deputy’s heart jumped. Bu Nian could be easy to talk to when he was in a good mood. But when he lost his temper, even the emperor would steer clear.

The right deputy’s legs gave a tremble. He racked his brain but couldn’t figure out what he had done wrong. He bent low and cupped his hands. “This official… truly doesn’t know what I’ve done to offend the General.”

Bu Nian didn’t even want to speak to him. He looked like he hated him for being so useless. With a wave of his hand, he had Song Qiao explain.

Song Qiao stepped forward and pulled out a small booklet from his robe. He began to read it word for word.

“On the third day of the twelfth month, the right deputy drank at Official Wang’s residence. He did not return until midnight, had to be supported when walking, and babbled nonsense the entire time. On the fifth day of the twelfth month, the wife of the Minister of Rites held a plum blossom banquet and invited Madam Wang. She returned that afternoon carrying a box of South Sea pearls gifted by the minister’s wife…”

The right deputy loved his wine, but he wasn’t stupid. He immediately sensed something was wrong. Since when did Official Wang’s wife become close to the wife of the Minister of Rites? And South Sea pearls? A whole box of them?

A cold shiver ran down his back. He turned and glared at Official Wang. “Wang, what the hell is going on? You better explain yourself!”

Official Wang was already scared out of his mind. He dropped to his knees with a thud and scrambled forward, wailing in tears at Bu Nian’s feet.

It turned out that the wife of the Minister of Rites had somehow gotten close to Official Wang’s wife. With a few convincing words, she coaxed her into persuading her husband to find a way to get the military exam questions. She promised a handsome reward if it succeeded. Official Wang’s wife, blinded by greed, talked it over with her husband. They decided to target the right deputy, who had a well-known weakness for alcohol.

Official Wang, as the deputy’s subordinate, knew that once the man got drunk, he tended to ramble nonsense. So he invited the right deputy to drink at his home. Once he was drunk, they baited him into talking. Bit by bit, the military exam questions were pulled from him.

He had thought about the consequences. If the truth came out, he might lose his head. But in the end, greed clouded his judgment. He chose to chase fortune through risk.

“This official deserve to die. I saw the money and lost my mind.” Official Wang slapped himself again and again without holding back. His face was soon swollen. “Please, General, have mercy. Spare my life.”

Lord Cui hadn’t expected to witness such a spectacle. He held his teacup in front of him, so stunned he forgot to drink.

The right deputy realized he had caused a major disaster. He stood there pale and shaken, his mind blank.

He dropped to his knees and gave Bu Nian a deep bow. Unlike Official Wang, who was wailing and pleading, his tone was calm and steady. He at least had the dignity to take responsibility.

“This official leaked the questions first, and then failed to manage my subordinates. The mistake is mine. I accept whatever punishment the General sees fit.”

Bu Nian had nothing but contempt for Official Wang. He kicked him aside and ordered the guards to hold him down. Then he turned to Lord Cui.

“You’ve heard everything, my lord. The right deputy leaked the exam questions. Official Wang took bribes. The Minister of Rites is also involved. I ask that you handle this matter fairly. No leniency.”

Lord Cui understood what he meant. This was the kind of move where one sacrifices eight hundred to hurt the enemy a thousand. It was self-destructive, but meant to drag the Regent down with him.

Official Wang, held in place by the guards, knew he wasn’t going to make it out alive. He began shouting like a madman, lashing out with curses.

“Bu Nian, what right do you have to arrest me? On what grounds?” he screamed, struggling. “Bu Nian, you’re a traitor. You’re trying to seize the throne. You’re rebelling!”

Song Qiao couldn’t bear to hear another word. He stepped forward and slapped him hard enough to knock out two of his teeth.

Lord Cui stared at the bloody teeth on the ground. After a long pause, he cupped his hands to Bu Nian.

“I understand what the General means. Rest assured. This matter… I will give you a proper resolution.”

Then he left, dragging the blood-soaked Official Wang behind him. The right deputy followed, shoulders slumped, head down. The three left together.

Once they were gone, the study door opened quietly. Lian Ai stepped out.

He walked around the two teeth on the ground and came to Bu Nian’s side. “General, what do we do next?”

Bu Nian looked up at him, the weariness still not gone from his face.

After a moment of thought, he said, “If you want to strike someone, best give them a sweet date afterward.”

The next day, the Ministry of Justice made its move. They uncovered the biggest cheating scandal since the young emperor had taken the throne. Both the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Rites had deputies involved. Several people were thrown into prison. The military exam was postponed, and the test questions were redrawn.

Gan Yan’s face twisted in rage. He slammed his arm across the desk and sent everything crashing to the floor.

“Unbelievable. Unacceptable.”

This time, he had lost men and gained nothing. Worse, the Minister of Rites had been dismissed and replaced with someone neutral from the Ministry of Personnel.

“Damn Bu Nian. Damn the Ministry of Justice.” Gan Yan felt the violent rage boiling in his chest. He could barely breathe.

Zuo Lingxue stared coldly at Lian Ai, who knelt before her.

“Bu Nian plans to strike the Qian family?”

Lian Ai lowered his eyes. “That’s what I heard.”

The Qian family wasn’t part of the bureaucracy, and they had no ties to the royal bloodline. They were just a well-known martial family from Liangzhou, skilled in the Wind and Thunder Palm.

They were close with the Zuo family, so naturally they stood on Gan Yan’s side. But the people in that family had a problem. They were greedy by nature. Back when Gan Yan hadn’t taken full control, they kept themselves in check and didn’t dare act out. But once he became Prince Regent, they grew arrogant and started acting like kings in Liangzhou.

—

Lian Ai had just stepped out of her room and was about to breathe a sigh of relief when a guard came over and said the Prince was asking for him. The heart he had just managed to settle instantly jumped back into his throat.

Gan Yan always gave him a bad feeling. No matter how gentle his smile looked, it felt like being stared at by a venomous snake.

Lian Ai followed the guard to where Gan Yan was waiting. The man stood with his back to him, so he called out softly.

“Your Highness…”

Gan Yan turned abruptly the moment he heard his voice. That sudden flash of cold, cruel energy in his eyes made Lian Ai instinctively take a step back. For a moment, he nearly turned and ran.

Maybe his fear was too obvious, because Gan Yan quickly adjusted his expression and replaced it with a warm, friendly smile.

“Come here. I have something for you.” He pulled a small, delicate jade ring from his robe and offered it to Lian Ai. “I saw this while I was out and thought it suited you.”

The ring was a soft, translucent green. The material was unknown, but it glowed with a cold luster. Lian Ai felt a wave of dread rise in his chest. He didn’t dare accept it.

“This is too precious. This slave doesn’t dare accept it.”

The look in Gan Yan’s eyes faded slightly, but his smile didn’t change. “You’ve done things for me. Giving you a reward is only right. If you won’t take it… I might get angry.”

Lian Ai knew he couldn’t refuse again. He stepped forward and raised both hands to accept it.

Just then, Gan Yan suddenly let go.

The jade ring slipped past his fingers and hit the ground, shattering into pieces.

Lian Ai’s face went pale. He had no idea how it had happened. His knees gave out and he dropped to the floor.

“Your Highness, please forgive this slave.”

Gan Yan was still smiling, but the smile had already changed.

“Oh dear. I picked this out just for you. I meant to reward you, and now it’s broken like this. What a pity.”

Lian Ai’s body started to tremble. The tone in his voice didn’t sound like this was going to end peacefully.

“Your Highness, this slave didn’t do it on purpose. Please forgive me.”

All of this had been carefully planned by Gan Yan. There was no chance he would let it go just because of a few words of pleading. In fact, the more Lian Ai begged, the more excited he became.

Lian Ai was still kneeling on the ground when a punishment ruler appeared before his eyes. He didn’t know what kind of person it had been used on before, but old, dried blood still clung to the pale yellow wood, dark and crusted, horrifying to look at.

“Take off your clothes. I’m going to discipline you.” The ruler tapped lightly against the front of Lian Ai’s robe. Gan Yan spoke softly, almost gently.

Cold sweat broke out on Lian Ai’s palms. “Your Highness, this slave belongs to the Helian family…”

The ruler tapped lightly against his cheek, cutting him off.

Gan Yan said casually, “Your father and brother are just two dogs following me. What, a master isn’t allowed to discipline his own dog?”

Lian Ai’s hand curled into a tight fist beneath his sleeve. “Yes. Your Highness is like the heavens. You can do whatever you wish. This slave misspoke.”

His fingers touched the belt at his waist. Slowly, he began to untie it. Like peeling back the petals of a flower, he stripped off his robes one layer at a time, until his upper body was bare.

Gan Yan stared at his chest without blinking. The nipple chain was still in place, the pale skin beneath setting off the white and gold in sharp contrast. The sight was decadent to the bone.

“No wonder Bu Nian favors you.” Holding the punishment ruler, Gan Yan circled around him once and made his comment. “You really are born to seduce.”

Lian Ai bit his lip in silence. He had already made up his mind. No matter what happened, he had to endure.

“I’m curious. How exactly did you explain our relationship to Bu Nian?” Gan Yan suddenly crouched down and stared directly into his eyes, not allowing him to look away. “Does he trust you that much? Does he hide nothing from you?”

Lian Ai knew this was the moment his life hung in the balance. If he showed even the slightest crack, he wouldn’t live past today.

“I told him… this slave is loyal only to him. That to be with him, I would turn my back on my father and brother. That whatever happened between me and Your Highness was nothing but empty pretense.”

Gan Yan let out a drawn-out hum. He stood back up, his voice coming from above Lian Ai’s head. “But didn’t you once say you were loyal to me? Were you lying then?”

Terror twisted in Lian Ai’s gut, but he forced himself to stay calm. He reached out and grabbed the hem of Gan Yan’s robe. Tilting his face up, he showed a look of grievance and urgency.

“This slave wouldn’t dare deceive Your Highness. This slave still depends on the Princess Consort’s antidote to survive each month. How could I ever risk doing something so reckless?”

Gan Yan realized he truly enjoyed seeing him like this, small and frightened and low. He raised the punishment ruler high and struck him across the back.

Lian Ai let out a pained cry and clung tightly to the hem of Gan Yan’s robe, refusing to let go. He kept begging between gasps. “Your Highness, have mercy. Please forgive this slave.”

The more Lian Ai trembled, and the more broken his voice became, the more pleased Gan Yan felt. He kept striking him again and again, completely absorbed.

By the time Lian Ai’s voice was gone and Gan Yan’s body was slick with sweat, he finally stopped, but his expression showed he wasn’t finished at all.

Lian Ai no longer had the strength to hold on. The moment his body shifted, he collapsed sideways.

His forehead was drenched with sweat. His back was covered in bruises, streaked in shades of purple and red. Against his pale skin, it looked both pitiful and obscene.

Gan Yan panted heavily. His eyes were like a wolf’s. He grabbed Lian Ai’s chin and said, “Pity you’re a man. That hole is filthy. Otherwise, you would’ve tasted even better.”

Lian Ai’s eyes shimmered with tears, making it hard to see the look on Gan Yan’s face. But his words alone made Lian Ai’s body tremble again.

Gan Yan let go and gave a low laugh. “You broke the jade ring, and I punished you. We’re even for now. Be more careful next time.”

Lian Ai lowered himself to the floor. “Thank you, Your Highness… for the punishment.”