CUI YONG DIDN'T HEAR Cui-jiuniang's question, nor did he hear Feng Xiao's response. At that moment he was solely focused on the disaster unfolding in front of him.
He'd thought Cui Buqu would at most go public with his story, or that he might find an opportunity to approach the commandery governor and apply to him for justice. Either way, Cui Yong had been confident the Cui family could handle it. Cui Buqu was only one man, after all, and one man up against the entire Cui family was like an egg striking a stone—the egg would end up smashed, and the stone unmoved. As long as Cui Buqu understood that, Cui Yong was prepared to be magnanimous. He'd let him study with Cui Pei, or perhaps give him one of the Cui family shops to manage. With a judicious application of carrot and stick, Cui Yong would soon force his surrender.
In this world, one's parents were one's greatest source of support. Some might be able to rely on their wife's family, but Cui Buqu had no parents, and was sickly to boot—how could he have a wife, let alone in-laws willing to back him? Merely surviving this long had been hard enough. If the Cui family was willing to relent and let him stay, that was more than generous. They owed him nothing further.
What was more, if Cui Buqu had returned to squeeze what he could out of the Cui clan, then exposing his own sordid background wouldn't help him. As long as Cui Buqu had half a brain, he wouldn't do anything so foolish.
Cui Yong had never expected Cui Buqu would instead target Cui-dalang.
The Zuoyue guards, clad in black and carrying long sabers, were an imposing sight, yet they knelt to Cui Buqu. Cui Yong could no longer deceive himself. The Cui Buqu of the present was not the sickly, helpless child of the past. This was not a man the Cui family could walk all over, or treat however they wished.
For the first time in his life, Cui Yong understood what it was to be at a complete loss. He couldn't question his eldest son in public, lest Cui-dalang incriminate himself further. He bit the inside of his cheek and squashed down his fury. "If Cui Xu has committed some crime, the commandery governor is the one with the prerogative to arrest and interrogate him, not you." Useless as it was, he moved to stand between his eldest son and Cui Buqu.
"This is a case of great importance," Cui Buqu said coldly. "Special circumstances call for special measures—there is no need to follow the common procedure. Take him away!"
"Wait a minute!"
Cui-dalang was silent, his face the color of ash, but Cui Yong continued to struggle futilely. "On what basis do you make this arrest?! You speak of evidence, but you haven't provided any. You can't expect us to simply accept it! Our Cui family has hundreds of years of history, not because of an emperor's favor, but thanks to our integrity and reputation! If you arrest my son today, you will lose the trust of every noble clan across the land. We shall request an audience with the emperor and demand justice!"
There were many nobles present, all of them from influential clans. Cui Yong's interests aligned with their own, and he had indeed raised some concerning points. Many began to raise their voices in pleas for mercy.
The county magistrate spoke up as well. "Today is a grand occasion. Even if there is merit to these accusations, can we not wait until the literary festival is over before taking anyone into custody?"
Everyone nodded in agreement. Some even asked Commandery Governor Yuan to step forward. But the newly promoted Governor Yuan didn't side with the people as they expected. He showed none of his previous geniality but remained silent, watching from the sidelines.
Cui Buqu looked at Cui Yong and saw the threat lurking in his eyes. Today, Cui Buqu had witnessed just how far a noble family's influence could stretch. If he detained Cui-dalang now, within a few days, the emperor's desk would be piled with countless memorials requesting Cui Buqu's impeachment. The common wisdom that aristocratic families stuck together was perfectly true, and the Cui family of Boling was using those connections to the fullest.
Unfortunately, the person they were up against was Cui Buqu.
Cui Buqu didn't even blink. He raised his hand and twitched his fingers in a signal, and the Zuoyue guards, heedless of anyone else, dragged Cui Xu away.
"Cui Xu is engaged in traitorous dealings with a foreign nation," Cui Buqu said. "The evidence is conclusive. He will be taken back to the capital and handed over to the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, the Censorate, and the Zuoyue Bureau for a joint trial. If you have any objections, you may go to the capital yourself and file a complaint. But if I discover anyone here is an accomplice, I fear your complaint will come to nothing; instead you'll find yourself accompanying Cui Xu. This is what we call sharing life and death, a loyalty that reaches beyond the clouds."
His voice was gentle, but as his gaze raked over the crowd, no one dared to meet his eyes.
Despair surged over Cui Yong. It seemed no one would be willing to fight Cui Buqu for the Cui family.
"Father, save me! Save me!" Cui-dalang shouted. His voice gradually faded into the distance.
That was his son—his own flesh and blood. Cui Yong's heart ached; he couldn't take it anymore. He dragged his elderly body forward and stumbled. Only Cui Pei's quick action saved him from a fall as he caught his father and held him up.
"You…you're using your office to satisfy your personal grudges!" Cui Yong's eyes were bloodshot and staring as he snarled at Cui Buqu.
Cui Buqu raised an eyebrow. "You jest. What grudge could I possibly have against the Cui family!"
"You clearly hold a grudge over your mother's death!" blurted Cui Yong. "Ever since you were young—"
"Father!" Cui Pei's voice brought Cui Yong back to his senses. He abruptly fell silent, his lips trembling. What could he say? Should he reveal Lady Yu's identity and Cui Buqu's parentage? It would only invite further humiliation.
Cui Buqu smiled at him, as if certain he wouldn't dare. The smile struck Cui Yong like a blow. His chest tightened, and he couldn't breathe.
Zuoyue Bureau, Zuoyue chief.
Who could have imagined that after many years of drifting, Cui Jie had not only ended up living well, but had amassed authority and status far beyond that of the ordinary man? Had he been merely a common official—a county magistrate or commandery governor—the Cui family would have no cause to fear him. But Cui Buqu had soared straight to the heavens: He was still young, yet he was already the chief of the Zuoyue Bureau. In comparison, despite being a few years older, Cui Yong's eldest grandson was but a scholar of small renown.
Cui Yong burned with regret. If only he'd relented last night and promised Cui Pei he'd allow Cui Jie into the genealogy. Perhaps then this all could have been avoided. But what good was "if only"? Just as when Doctor Sun had falsely claimed Cui Jie to be dead—if only they had made certain. But no one had doubted him or sought to investigate. Because back then, they'd thought nothing of Cui Jie.
Cui Pei was even more conflicted than Cui Yong. He was weighed down by guilt. He couldn't muster any words of remonstrance, but neither could he merely watch as his elder brother was hauled away. "Cui…Chief Cui," he pleaded. "My father's birthday is in half a month. Can't you please show my brother some clemency and carry out the arrest after that?"
Cui Buqu looked at him quizzically. "Why not ask me to wait until his birthday next year? Or the year after that?"
It was a clear rejection. Cui Pei was filled with anguish.
Bad luck came in threes, and it seemed that today the heavens were determined to throw misfortune after misfortune at the Cui family.
Moments after Cui-dalang had been taken away, the assistant county magistrate and a group of constables arrived with news of an incident at the Cui family's pharmacy at Baoning Hall. Doctor Sun had prescribed a patient the wrong medicine, killing them. He'd been arrested, but everyone who'd been present on the day the medicine was prescribed had to be taken for questioning, including Cui-san and the pharmacy staff.
The staff had already been rounded up, but as Cui-san was at the Cui residence, the assistant county magistrate had shown up on his doorstep with the constables to fetch him.
The county magistrate knew the Boling Cui clan was powerful, and today was the day of their literary festival. He didn't expect things to go smoothly and had planned to wait until the festival's conclusion to privately discuss the matter with the county magistrate. But then Cui Buqu had surprised everyone by arresting Cui-dalang, and the assistant county magistrate had realized this was a prime opportunity. He summoned his men and made his approach.
When it rained, it poured. Cui Yong's hoary head seemed to go whiter still. He spared not a glance for the county magistrate with his troubled expression but pointed at Cui Buqu and said in a trembling voice, "All right, all right, you've won!"
Cui Buqu didn't bother trying to explain that this new disturbance had nothing to do with him. He turned to the county magistrate. "Since there has been a death, you should make your arrest. However, I'd like to come with you to observe the case. May I?"
Governor Yuan, who so far had remained silent, spoke up as well. "I'll also take a look."
The great and mighty gods had spoken, and the county magistrate dared not refuse. "This way, please!"
Cui Buqu and Governor Yuan departed, leaving the guests to stare at each other. No one had the heart to continue reciting poetry; one after another, they rose and made their farewells. Cui Yong was in no mood to see them off. He left that duty to Cui Pei and the steward, while the servants supported him back to his study to sit down.
Upon hearing the news, the women of the Cui family rushed over to beg Cui Yong to save the men. But Cui Yong knew—even if he managed to extricate Cui-san from his difficulties, there was no hope of escape for Cui-dalang.
Only one person could have saved him, but that man was only too eager to see the Cui family humiliated. He had no reason to help them.
Cui Pei had bidden farewell to the last of the guests, and now pushed open the door and entered the study. His heart ached when he saw Cui Yong, who seemed to have aged years in an instant.
His father raised his head and asked heavily, "If I personally knelt before him and begged, do you think he'd show us mercy?"
Cui Pei knew at once whom he meant. After a moment's silence, he answered truthfully. "I fear he would not."
Cui Yong closed his eyes. "The fault is mine—I was indecisive. Either do it or don't. I wavered, and thus sowed the seeds of our destruction."
"Father!" exclaimed Cui Pei in shock. What Cui Yong regretted was not how reprehensibly he'd treated Cui Buqu, but that he hadn't pulled the weed up by its roots and finished him off when he'd had the chance.
"In truth, of all my sons, you're the one I value the most," said Cui Yong dully. "Your wisdom and cleverness far surpass those of your brothers. Your only shortcoming is that you're too soft-hearted. An unfortunate weakness."
Cui Pei went quiet. "Did Dage really collude with the Southern dynasty?"
Cui Yong smiled wryly. "Dalang is diligent, but lacking in talent. He's always been that way. As his father, I coddled him, afraid he wouldn't be able to shoulder his duties. How could I have guessed he'd take such a risk to prove himself…"
"Just now, Cui… He said the accusations against Dage will need to pass four rounds of joint review. There's a chance yet for us to salvage this. But the incident at Baoning Hall must be taken care of today. Doctor Sun has saved countless of our people. How could he write the wrong prescription and kill someone? There must be more to this. Father, please think of a way to save him."
"You needn't worry." Cui Yong's voice was cold. "If Sun Jimin hadn't helped him, how could that bastard have faked his death and escaped? If that man has a shred of conscience, he'll find a way to absolve Sun Jimin of his crime."
Cui Pei was stunned. He looked upon his father as if seeing a stranger.
A knock at the door broke the stifling silence. Cui-jiuniang's voice came from beyond the door. "Grandfather! I must speak to you!"
Cui Pei took a deep breath and reordered his spiraling thoughts. He opened the door and whispered, "Jiuniang, go and rest, we're…"
"Fourth Uncle, listen to me," she cut in. "The man accompanying the Zuoyue chief is the deputy chief of the Jiejian Bureau, Feng Xiao. I've heard the Jiejian and Zuoyue Bureaus are independent organizations—they each hold their own authority and neither is subordinate to the other. If you can get Feng-gongzi to put in a good word for us, maybe we can save First Uncle and Father!"
Cui Pei was taken aback. "Is this true?"
Cui Jiuniang nodded repeatedly. "I entered the city with them. Feng-gongzi really doesn't act like he's Cui-gongzi's subordinate. They bickered the entire way here; they don't seem to be friends."
Cui Pei looked back at Cui Yong.
"Has he left?" asked Cui Yong.
"I pleaded with him to stay. He's remaining here a little longer."
Cui Yong pondered a moment. "Jiuniang…no, Silang. You go with Jiuniang and invite him here."
Feng Xiao was indeed still there.
He hadn't left the festival with Cui Buqu. Instead he'd strolled the length of the garden with Jiuniang at his side, admiring the colorful blooms. He was content and carefree, a stark contrast to the anxiety suffocating the Cui family. When Cui-jiuniang returned with Cui Pei to invite him inside, he smiled but did not look surprised. "I thought Duke Cui would come himself."
Solemnly, Cui Pei cupped his hands. "My father has just suffered a great shock and is feeling unwell. Merely walking is difficult for him at the moment. I can only ask Feng-gongzi to deign to visit him. We beg your forgiveness."
"Feeling unwell?" Feng Xiao smiled impishly. "Cui Buqu suffers from both asthma and an affliction of the heart. Surely he's been feeling unwell since birth."
Cui Pei smiled wryly. "Are you trying to defend Cui…gongzi? It seems Father's plea is hopeless indeed."
"How do you know there's no hope before your father has spoken to me?" said Feng Xiao. "Maybe he can offer something that will satisfy me." He raised his fan, a refined gesture that revealed his own high status. "Lead the way."
Cui Pei's heart was a tangle of emotions. Halfway back to the study, he couldn't resist asking, low-voiced, "Has Cui Jie fared well these years?"
"Who is Cui Jie?"
"A slip of the tongue," said Cui Pei dully. "Indeed, no one would want such a name."
Feng Xiao smiled. "Every one of his subordinates treats him like a priceless treasure. They're terrified of him encountering the slightest hardship and would die for him in an instant. What do you think? Is he faring well?"
"Of course, he's faring very well," Cui Pei said hoarsely.
"If you left the Cui family, you'd lose at least half of your value. He, on the other hand, doesn't need the Cui name to be Cui Buqu."
Cui-jiuniang only followed half of the winding implications of this exchange; her face showed puzzlement. Cui Pei fell silent, unwilling to embarrass himself further.
Father really did commit a great wrong, he thought. Not because he'd failed to kill Cui Buqu and silence him, but because he'd allowed him to be born yet never showed him any love. If he had, would he now be worrying about his lack of worthy successors?
At last, Cui Yong saw Feng Xiao arrive. To him, those fifteen minutes he'd waited seemed to have lasted half a lifetime.
He waved Cui Pei and Cui-jiuniang out, then stumbled to his feet and knelt before Feng Xiao. "I plead with Feng-gongzi to save Cui Xu's life."
Feng Xiao's mouth curved with interest. "Why should I save him?"
He didn't urge Cui Yong to stand, so Cui Yong endured the pain in his knees as he prostrated himself. "The Jiejian Bureau was personally established by the emperor. You have an immense authority not inferior to the Zuoyue Bureau. Out of everyone in Boling, you're the only one who can save Dalang's life. I understand that Feng-gongzi is a man of sophisticated tastes and that ordinary objects hold no interest for you. I am willing to gift you Yuyin, as well as Emperor Wu of Han's beloved vessel of white nephrite jade."
Feng Xiao smiled. "Didn't Duke Cui disparage my poem today? You said if you gave me Yuyin, everyone would think I'm your grandson."
Cui Yong bowed his head. "I was too blind to recognize greatness and spoke out of ignorance. I beg Feng-gongzi's forgiveness."
"In that case, does Duke Cui think my poem was good?"
Cui Yong had never lowered himself to plead like this before. But for the sake of his eldest son's life, he had no choice. He mentally held his nose and lied. "Your lordship's poetry is refreshing and refined. It carries the flair of the Wei and Jin dynasties and is unparalleled in your generation. Though it at first appeared vulgar, it is in fact elegant. This old fool has poor eyesight and failed to give it due consideration before speaking recklessly. I slandered your lordship and misunderstood your painstaking efforts. I shall write something to clear your good name in the future."
He forced this flowery praise through his teeth with a deadened expression, feeling nauseated.
But Feng Xiao seemed enormously pleased. He said gleefully, "It appears Duke Cui isn't very happy to accept me as your grandson."
Cui Yong made himself smile. "How could I deserve something like that? Your lordship is a magnanimous man; I beg your lenience."
Feng Xiao shook his head. "So the eldest son of the Cui family is only worth a zither and a jade bottle. Isn't that a bit too cheap?"
So he wanted to haggle. Cui Yong ground his molars, but there was nothing he could do. "I have four granddaughters. Of the four, Jiuniang is the prettiest. She's also well-learned and well-mannered. If your lordship is amenable, I can offer her as your wife."
"As a wife? Then I'd really become your grandson-in-law."
Cui Yong closed his eyes, hopelessness welling up in his heart. But since he'd already come this far, there was no room for regrets.
"As a wife, or as a concubine. Whatever your lordship wishes."