Why Does Mr. Xie Favor Me? Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Broken Blade at Lantai

The Emperor’s Art of Balance

Uncle Cheng stood outside the study with his hands hanging at his sides. A thin layer of sweat on his forehead blurred the shadows cast by the lamps along the corridor. He could hear the faint sound of an inkstick rubbing against an inkstone from within—a rhythmic, steady friction that was unnervingly calm, yet more tension-inducing than any loud commotion.

Finally, the sound of grinding stopped.

Come in.

Xie Heng’s voice drifted through the door, muffled and devoid of emotion.

Uncle Cheng practically shuffled inside, not daring to look up. He kept his eyes fixed on his own cowering shadow against the blue stone floor. Master… the grain and fodder that Grand Minister of Agriculture Xu Shuhuai sent to the front lines via Black Wind Valley three days ago was intercepted by bandits halfway through.

The air suddenly froze.

Xie Heng’s hand, still holding the brush, hung suspended in mid-air. He slowly set the brush down, his fingertips icy cold.

I see. His voice remained steady, but it was an unnatural steadiness, like a string pulled to its breaking point. Were there any casualties?

There were no casualties. The bandits seized the grain carts and vanished into the deep mountains; their whereabouts are unknown. Uncle Cheng’s voice trembled. Black Wind Valley has treacherous terrain and was never meant to be a route for large grain shipments. It was Grand Minister Xu who changed the route on his own authority.

Xie Heng closed his eyes.

Wang Yu’s venomous gaze and heart-piercing words from earlier that day echoed with agonizing clarity.

What a swift blade, what a ruthless scheme. Two birds with one stone.

No, it was three birds with one stone. It destroyed the supplies for the Northern Expedition, framed Xu Shuhuai for professional negligence, and brought the fires of war right to Xie Heng’s feet. Everyone knew Xu Shuhuai had been close to him lately. Everyone knew it was Xie Heng who had pushed for the appointment of Xiao Jue and the urgent dispatch of supplies.

What is the situation on Xu Shuhuai’s end?

Master Xu… Uncle Cheng hesitated for a moment. After hearing the news, he went straight to the Ministry of Agriculture. He has gathered all the ledgers and documents and locked down the offices of all the officials involved. He hasn’t come out since.

Xu Shuhuai hadn’t panicked; he was investigating. But what he found might not be the truth—or rather, it might not be a truth that could be presented openly.

The wind picked up outside, whistling through the branches of the garden trees with a mournful sound.

The spring nights in this city of Guzang were unexpectedly cold.

Over the next few days, Guzang appeared calm on the surface, but underneath, it was a boiling cauldron.

Wang Zhaoruo remained unconscious from her severe injuries. The Wang family of Langya exhausted their clan’s resources to provide doctors and medicine. Physicians from the Imperial Academy of Medicine took turns guarding the Wang manor. Medicinal decoctions were sent in like a flowing stream, while basins of blood-stained bandages and increasingly heavy sighs were carried out.

Wang Yu took a leave of absence to care for his sister and no longer attended court. However, the will of the Wang family permeated every corner of Taiji Hall through a flurry of petitions and the frantic discussions of their allies and former students.

The spearhead of the impeachments initially targeted Xiao Jue: A commoner warrior, crude and unrestrained, who publicly assaulted and injured a noble daughter of a great clan. He has no regard for discipline and has provoked the dignity of a century-old lineage.

The censors cited classics and historical precedents, firmly labeling the incident as a collapse of rites and music.

Soon, the fire spread to Xie Heng: Xie Heng showed poor judgment in his recommendation and failed to restrain his younger sister, allowing her to associate with a newly appointed official in the gardens. This led to disaster and a loss of decorum, shaming the reputation of the scholarly elite.

As for the intercepted grain, in their mouths, it became: Shortly after taking office, he was so eager to curry favor with his superiors that he changed the transport route, causing vital national resources to fall into the hands of rebels. It must be investigated whether there was embezzlement, corruption, or collusion with foreign enemies!

For a time, the calls to severely punish Xiao Jue, hold Xie Heng accountable, and dismiss Xu Shuhuai rose like a tidal wave.

Those who had disagreed with Xie Heng’s political views in the past, those who secretly envied the reputation of the Xie family of Lantai, and even those noble officials who simply feared that the rise of commoners would damage their own interests—nearly all of them stood behind the Wang family.

In the imperial court, Xie Heng stood isolated and without aid. Even the few colleagues who usually remained upright chose to stay silent at this moment.

The Emperor kept those petitions in his private office without issuing a response. It was only after one court session ended that he specifically requested Xie Heng to stay behind.

The scent of ambergris in the Imperial Study was so thick it felt inseparable from the air. The Emperor leaned back in his armchair, his finger tapping rhythmically on the armrest. His gaze fell upon Xie Heng, appearing to weigh and scrutinize him.

Minister Xie, how do you view the current situation?

Xie Heng lifted his robes and knelt, touching his forehead to the ground. This subject’s recommendation was improper, and my family management was not strict, leading to today’s turmoil and disturbing Your Majesty’s peace. I deserve ten thousand deaths.

Deserve ten thousand deaths? The Emperor repeated softly and smiled, though the smile did not reach his eyes. You overstate it, Minister Xie. Lady Wang’s injuries are severe, and it is only natural for Wang Yu to speak harshly out of love for his sister. As for the grain being intercepted, that is not your responsibility either.

Every sentence offered an excuse, yet every sentence carried invisible pressure. The Emperor was waiting—waiting for his attitude, waiting for his choice.

Xie Heng straightened his back, still kneeling perfectly upright. His voice was clear and calm. Your Majesty, Xiao Jue’s reckless injury of Lady Wang was not without cause, yet the fault is undeniable and should be punished according to the law. As his recommender, I cannot escape blame and do not dare to ask for Your Majesty’s leniency. I request Your Majesty’s permission to be fined three years’ salary and to be confined to my manor for reflection, as a warning to others.

The Imperial Study fell silent for a moment. The rhythm of the Emperor’s tapping stopped.

Oh? The Emperor leaned forward slightly. Confinement for reflection? Are you planning to retreat from the spotlight, Minister Xie? And what of Xiao Jue? Currently, the entire court is waiting for me to take his head to set an example.

Your Majesty, Xie Heng raised his head, his gaze meeting the Emperor’s deep eyes without flinching. Xiao Jue is guilty, but his crime does not warrant death, nor does it warrant destabilizing the foundation of the state. The northern borders are being watched by predators, and we are at a critical time when talent is needed. Xiao Jue’s bravery and strategy are proven by his three consecutive victories. If we execute a general before the battle because of a temporary conflict, it will chill the hearts of the hundred thousand soldiers in the Northern Frontier and damage the court’s morale against the enemy. This would not be a blessing for the state.

The noble clans are clamoring, saying that commoners are unfit for service. His pace slowed, but each word carried the weight of a thousand jin. If we execute Xiao Jue today, it will signal to the world that commoners will never have a chance to rise. Hereafter, when there is trouble at the borders, who will be willing to die for Your Majesty? Clan distinctions are indeed the laws of our ancestors, but the ancestors established laws to ensure the permanence of the empire, not to cling to outdated rules, stifle talent, and destroy our own defenses.

The Emperor’s eyes flickered. He leaned back into his chair again, his fingers resuming their unconscious tapping, though the rhythm was much slower.

Xie Heng knew the moment had arrived.

He bowed his head again. This subject’s humble opinion is that Xiao Jue’s crime can be handled by allowing him to atone through service. The Northern Frontier is restless; he could be ordered to lead a small vanguard force deep behind enemy lines to scout or seek opportunities for sabotage. If he succeeds, his merit will offset his fault, showcasing Your Majesty’s wisdom in trusting subordinates and being clear in rewards and punishments. If he fails, let him die on the battlefield, his body wrapped in horsehide. This would fulfill his aspirations as a warrior and be sufficient to quiet the public outcry.

As for myself, during my period of reflection, I shall deeply examine my own faults. The great plan for the Northern Expedition, the procurement of grain, and military deployments still require the labor of Your Majesty and my colleagues. I am willing to take a step back to put the people’s minds at ease.

After this long speech, the only sounds left in the Imperial Study were the ticking of the water clock and the dull thud of the Emperor’s finger on the sandalwood.

After a long time, the Emperor spoke slowly, his voice unreadable. Minister Xie’s considerations are thorough, and you prioritize state affairs in all things. It is rare. He paused. However, you are taking this step back quite willingly. The century-old reputation of the Xie family of Lantai is now tarnished because of you. How can the elders of your clan agree to this?

Thunder and rain are both the Emperor’s grace. Xie Heng’s voice lacked any fluctuation. The honor of a house is tied to the fate of the nation. If Your Majesty’s empire is stable, and the nobles and commoners each find their place to strive for governance, then my personal gains and losses, and the temporary setbacks of my house, are not worth mentioning.

The Emperor stared at him, seemingly trying to find even a hint of pretense or resentment on his calm face. But all he saw was a pool of water so deep the bottom could not be seen, reflecting the candlelight, cold and resolute.

The Emperor waved his hand. I understand. Return to your manor and await the decree.

This subject thanks Your Majesty.

Xie Heng exited the Imperial Study with a straight back and steady steps. It wasn’t until he left the palace gates and sat in his family’s ox-cart, with the curtain falling to shut out the world, that he allowed himself to lean against the carriage wall. He slowly exhaled the turbid air trapped in his chest; cold sweat had long since soaked his inner robes.

He knew he had gambled correctly. The Emperor needed a blade to strike at the increasingly arrogant noble clans, and he also needed a breakthrough to try and shatter the monopoly of the great families.

Xiao Jue was that blade, and Xie Heng had personally handed over the hilt, while also volunteering to be the breakthrough point that would absorb the first wave of backlash. The Emperor had simply followed the current, fulfilling the imperial art of balance while preserving a glimmer of hope for the Northern Expedition.

But what was the price of this step back?

The Xie family’s reputation was damaged, his sister’s name was compromised, Xu Shuhuai was mired in suspicions of corruption, and Xiao Jue was carrying a criminal record onto a journey where life and death were uncertain. The road ahead was vast and filled with thorns.

The ox-cart traveled through the silent streets, its wheels grinding against the blue stone slabs with a monotonous rumble. Xie Heng lifted a corner of the curtain and looked out at the heavy night. The lights of Guzang were still brilliant, but beneath that brilliance, how many undercurrents surged, and how many schemes clashed?

He dropped the curtain and closed his eyes.

Three days later, the imperial decree was issued.

General of Northern Peace Xiao Jue has behaved improperly and caused a disturbance, for which he should be severely punished. Considering his past minor merits and the need for talent in the Northern Frontier, he is specially permitted to atone for his crimes through service. He is to lead three thousand elite cavalry immediately to patrol the borders, scout enemy movements, and seek opportunities to strike the enemy, pending further evaluation.

Vice Director of the Left Xie Heng showed poor judgment in recommendation and failed to maintain strict discipline. He is fined three years’ salary and is to be confined to his manor for reflection starting today. He is not to participate in court affairs without a summons.

Grand Minister of Agriculture Xu Shuhuai failed in his duty to oversee the transport of grain. He is suspended pending investigation, and the three judicial offices are to thoroughly investigate the grain theft at Black Wind Valley.

As the decree spread, reactions across the court and the city varied. Although the nobles did not see Xiao Jue’s head fall, Xie Heng’s fine and confinement, Xu Shuhuai’s suspension, and Xiao Jue’s assignment to a near-suicidal mission constituted a major victory for the Wang family. It was enough to temporarily appease the boiling resentment and re-establish the boundaries of the rules.

The commoner officials and the soldiers in the army, amidst a heavy silence, read a different meaning into it. The man had been saved, after all, even if it was in such a humiliating and dangerous fashion.

Hope was not yet extinguished; the spark remained.

When Xiao Jue received the decree, he knelt for a long time before the gates of the Xie manor, his forehead pressed against the cold stone steps. Finally, he performed three heavy kowtows toward the closed doors of the Xie residence, then flipped onto his horse and never looked back.

Xie Heng stood behind the window of his study, watching the figure disappear at the end of the long street. His hand inside his sleeve slowly tightened, then powerlessly relaxed.

For several days, the manor gates remained tightly shut, but the image of Xiao Jue kowtowing and departing that day would not leave his mind.