A Bitter Heart (Part 8)

Duan Muxun had specifically chosen this quiet, late hour to visit. Wei Ming was too lazy for pleasantries and got straight to the point, "There is no third person here besides you and me. General Duan Muxun, if you have something to say, you might as well speak directly."

Chi Lian, who was hidden and sitting behind the screen: "..."

'He couldn't help but feel that these words weren't meant for Duan Muxun, but were intentionally said to tease him.'

Previously, during the Ran Dragon Case, the Jinwu Guard had helped pursue Chou Xinwei and had also secretly handled the aftermath of Empress Zheng's death. In truth, they had already crossed paths with Wei Ming and Chi Lian. Later, when dealing with the remains of the Daoists from Chunling Temple at the Longshan Imperial Palace, Duan Muxun finally met Wei Ming formally. After that, when Wei Ming traveled to Liang Continent, he was also escorted and protected by the Jinwu Guard. It could be said that the two sides had deep-seated connections. Moreover, due to the constant threat of demons in the palace, Duan Muxun had grown familiar with the situation. He had indeed followed the path of a powerful courtier that Wei Ming had once mentioned, becoming a trusted inner guard who specialized in handling matters for the Emperor that could not see the light of day. Under his leadership, the Jinwu Guard showed faint signs of rising to prominence.

With this relationship in place, coupled with the fact that Duan Muxun had personally witnessed Wei Ming and Chi Lian in action, their perception of each other was quite delicate. Chi Lian even had a vague premonition that Duan Muxun's visit this time might become a crucial turning point. That towering city gate that had been blocking their path was finally about to open a crack for Wei Ming.

Duan Muxun seemed to have made a great resolution to be able to sit steadily across from Wei Ming. After deliberating his words for a moment, he began, "This subordinate has taken the liberty of visiting regarding the case of the West Sea Governor-General, Fang Tianchong, which the Prince is presiding over."

Wei Ming said, "I wish to hear the details."

Duan Muxun said, "This subordinate would first like to ask the Prince, what stage has Fang Tianchong's case reached? Has he confessed his guilt, and is there any room for leeway?"

Wei Ming raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a note of warning, "A confidential case, and General Duan Muxun dares to ask this Prince so directly to my face. Do you know what the consequences would be if word of this got out?"

Duan Muxun held up three fingers to the heavens and swore, "This subordinate swears on my life and family that I will never divulge this. If I break this oath, may heaven and earth strike me down."

He already knew that gods and ghosts existed in the world, yet he still dared to make such an oath. His determination was evident. Wei Ming glanced at him and replied, "The Dali Temple has already taken the confessions and testimonies of Fang Tianchong and his accomplices. He has confessed to everything regarding the West Sea Case. Barring any surprises, the closing documents will be stamped by the Three Judicial Offices and presented to His Majesty in the coming days."

Duan Muxun asked, "In the contents of his confession, was there anything about past events concerning the North Land Army?"

Wei Ming said, "This case took place in the Three Continents of the West Sea and has no connection to the North Land Army. Although Fang Tianchong once served in the North Land Army, this was not investigated in detail during the questioning. For General Duan Muxun to ask this, do you feel there is an oversight in this case?"

Duan Muxun said in a low voice, "That's right. I dare not hide it from the Prince, this subordinate was also once a soldier in the North Land Army. I served as a personal guard to the late Great General Shenwu, Wei Chenwu. At that time, Fang Tianchong was one of General Wei's trusted adjutants. We worked together for several years. In the twenty-second year of Qiansheng, General Wei suddenly passed away from a severe illness at Dingfang Pass. I had just been transferred back to the Capital not long before, and when I suddenly heard the terrible news, I found it utterly unbelievable."

"I had followed the General since I joined the army, serving him for over ten years. I couldn't be more clear about General Wei's physical condition. I cannot imagine what kind of severe illness could take his life so suddenly. I wrote letters to more than a dozen old acquaintances in the army, but they all said the matter involved confidential military intelligence and that Fang Tianchong and others had sealed off the news. By the time the news of the General's death reached the Capital, his body was so decomposed that the cause of death could not be recognized, and he could only be buried in a hurry."

"And after General Wei's death, some of his former confidants and subordinates were transferred, some were demoted, and some died on the battlefield not long after. The Wei Clan was also stripped of its property and exiled. Those who died, died; those who scattered, scattered. Today, no one in the Capital brings it up anymore."

"After this incident, only Fang Tianchong rose rapidly through the ranks. He was transferred to Liang Continent to oversee coastal defense and became the West Sea Governor-General within a few years. Now that his crimes have been exposed, I recall these old matters and feel more and more that General Wei's death was suspicious. That is why I took the liberty of visiting tonight, to ask the Prince to use this opportunity during the investigation to find out the truth of General Wei's death, so that the deceased may rest in peace."

The room was utterly silent, with only the sound of a candlewick sputtering.

After a long while, Wei Ming finally said, "Where is the evidence?"

Duan Muxun: "What?"

"Since you find General Wei's death suspicious and you suspect Fang Tianchong, you must have some evidence to prove that Fang Tianchong is worthy of suspicion," Wei Ming said. "To conclude that he has a malicious heart based solely on his rapid promotions is too far-fetched a reason. Haven't you also become a General of the Jinwu Guard?"

Duan Muxun lowered his head in shame. "I... This subordinate has no evidence."

Wei Ming: "..."

'Just why had he given up a warm bed and the Grand Preceptor to sit here in the middle of the night listening to a fool tell stories?'

It was probably Duan Muxun's first time visiting someone to ask for a favor, especially for something so uncertain and ethereal. He respected Wei Chenwu and his heart was filled with grief and indignation, so he was unwilling to let go of even the slightest possibility. But his grief was worthless in the eyes of others. Even the matter itself had long been buried in old archives, with no need to be brought up again.

To put it bluntly, General Wei had been dead for six years. Even his family and relatives had never cried out for justice. For Wei Ming to bring up this case again for no reason would be a waste of manpower and effort, throwing the Imperial Court into turmoil. Even if it was proven in the end that Fang Tianchong did it, so what? He was already condemned to die; could he be made to die a second time?

"This subordinate only found out a few days ago that my transfer from the North Land Army back to the Capital was not because someone in my family pulled strings... but because General Wei had secretly written a letter of request, asking an old friend of his to arrange for me to enter the Jinwu Guard."

The dignified General of the Jinwu Guard was like a dejected puppy, the corners of his eyes and brows drooping as he said sullenly, "When I recall my last days by General Wei's side, I can't help but feel that he had already foreseen what was going to happen. That's why he sent me back to the Capital ahead of time... He even told me to focus on training in the Imperial Guard and not get involved in the affairs of the frontier army, saying the waters there were too deep."

Wei Ming frowned slightly. "What affairs of the frontier army? You were in the army for a long time; it's impossible you heard nothing at all."

Duan Muxun gave a bitter smile. "The affairs of the army are nothing more than a few things—battles, personnel, and provisions. I heard that General Wei was on very bad terms with the Ministry of War over matters of rations and weaponry. The North Land Army was stationed at the northern border, and for those few years, their provisions and salaries were never fully disbursed. The swords, spears, bows, and arrows were all second-rate, not to mention things like cotton-padded clothes and armor. The promotions of officers in the North Land Army were also repeatedly thwarted."

Hearing this, a thought suddenly struck Wei Ming, and he interrupted him, "Wait a moment. I remember that Fang Tianchong was transferred to Liang Continent on the recommendation of the Minister of War. Weren't their relations poor? Who was the Minister of War at that time?"

Just as Duan Muxun was about to say the name, the words caught in his throat, and he suddenly froze.

Wei Ming was still trying to recall it himself. "The current Minister of War, Xia Yong, was just promoted two years ago. Before him, it was..."

"Wu Fuyong."

Wei Ming also froze for a moment.

The former Minister of War, and the current Minister of Revenue, Wu Fuyong, was none other than Noble Consort Wu's father and Prince Kang's maternal grandfather.

"General Duan Muxun," Wei Ming sighed, "no wonder General Wei didn't want you getting involved in the affairs of the frontier army. You've really brought this Prince a huge mess."

Duan Muxun: "..."

If it were just a matter of adding another charge to Fang Tianchong's name, it would be troublesome but not entirely impossible. However, once this matter implicated Wu Fuyong, it was no longer just about the frontier army, but a blatant struggle for the throne.

"Prince, this subordinate absolutely has no other intentions!" Duan Muxun rose solemnly and bowed low to him. "I just want to know the true cause of General Wei's death... I'm afraid that if Fang Tianchong dies, there will be no one left in the world who can clarify the truth..."

Wei Ming quickly raised a hand to support him, not letting him actually kneel. "There's no need for this. General Duan Muxun and General Wei had a deep bond. It's only human to lose one's composure when faced with such a matter; there is nothing to criticize. Besides, this is just our casual speculation. It's not necessarily related to Minister Wu, so you don't need to overthink it."

Duan Muxun said in a low voice, "I have troubled the Prince. If you are unwilling to get involved, just pretend this subordinate never came today."

Wei Ming patted his arm comfortingly. "This matter can't be sorted out in a short time. Allow this Prince to consider it. Besides, Fang Tianchong won't be heading to the execution ground so quickly; there's still room for further questioning. It's getting late. General Duan Muxun, you should go back and rest first."

He was so direct in seeing him out, but Duan Muxun did not take the hint and leave. Instead, he bowed deeply to him and said with a serious expression, "Last time at the Longshan Imperial Palace, the Prince said that the most important thing is not to complete the imperial decree and report back, but to let the innocent who died unjustly rest in peace. It is precisely because of these words that this subordinate dares today to entrust my years of doubt to the Prince."

"Regardless of whether this matter succeeds or fails, this subordinate only seeks a clear conscience and will never harbor hatred or resentment. Please rest assured, Prince."

Wei Ming gave a faint smile and did not accept his flattery. "Those are just pretty words anyone with a mouth can say. If this Prince truly possessed that kind of magnanimity, it should be me sitting on the altar in a temple."

After Duan Muxun took his leave, Chi Lian emerged from behind the screen, only to be pounced on by Wei Ming, who fell against him like a collapsing jade mountain. "His Highness?"

"I'm dead tired." Wei Ming rested his head on his shoulder and let out a sigh, complaining, "Dealing with people like them is so exhausting."

It was rare for Chi Lian to see him so soft. He raised a hand to stroke his back and said with a smile, "Isn't this very good? General Duan Muxun was moved by His Highness's noble sentiments, so he came to ask for your help. Now you have leverage over Prince Kang, and the allegiance of the Imperial Guard."

Wei Ming scoffed, "I have leverage, but the allegiance is still hanging in the air. The mountain won't come to me; it's waiting for me to go to the mountain."

Chi Lian: "What do you mean by that?"

Wei Ming said, "Duan Muxun is in command of the Jinwu Guard and is the Emperor's confidant. If he came up and said, 'I've gotten hold of leverage against Prince Kang and I'm here specifically to offer it to you,' that would be a blatant declaration of taking a side. Didn't he just repeatedly say that he had no such intention? It was all to leave himself some leeway, for fear that I might extort him."

Chi Lian asked, "So, will His Highness get involved in this matter or not?"

"Duan Muxun may seem like a man without schemes, but his words just now were a series of carefully laid-out steps. He definitely knows more than we do; he's just deliberately being vague to lure someone into digging deeper." Wei Ming straightened up and put an arm around him, walking towards the inner courtyard. "Whether we can get involved, and how to get involved, we'll only know after questioning Fang Tianchong. In any case, we can't deal with it tonight. Even if the Heavenly King himself came, he'd have to wait until I've had my sleep."

The two returned to the bedroom and washed up briefly. Just as Chi Lian was about to open the Secret Realm, Wei Ming suddenly grabbed his hand from behind.

"His Highness?"

Wei Ming stood in the flickering candlelight and suggested seriously, "Why must we sneak back into the Secret Realm, making it seem like a clandestine affair? Can't we just sleep here?"

"..."

Chi Lian turned to look at him helplessly. "I think sleeping here feels more like a clandestine affair."

In the Secret Realm, it was spring all year round, and all things moved at will. It was certainly convenient and effortless. But the flavor of the Mortal Realm was different, after all. On a chilly autumn night at the time of White Dew, snuggling under a warm quilt with one's beloved, listening to the chirping of crickets outside while falling asleep—this simple act of leaning against each other was enough to surpass a thousand passionate words of love.

Wei Ming lowered his head and planted a kiss on the peak of his lip. He smoothly helped him remove the outer robe draped over his shoulders and said softly with a smile, "Then let's just treat it as a clandestine affair. Being in the Secret Realm always feels like meeting an immortal in a dream. Grand Preceptor, how about you condescend to this mortal just once?"