Chapter 17#
Reunion (Part 1)#
While Le Wuya watched their lifespans drop sharply with a heart full of worry, the Sixth Prince said softly, “Rise and speak; the ground is cold.”
Le Wuya did not move from his kneeling position: “This humble official is guilty and dares not rise.”
The Seventh Prince bent down and supported him by the arm.
At this, Le Wuya could no longer remain kneeling and had to rise with the momentum.
He heard the Seventh Prince whisper intimately, with a hint of mockery, in a voice only the two of them could hear: “What are you pretending for?”
Le Wuya: “…” You little bastard. Teacher says you can fold another stick of incense off your life.
He obediently rose and stood with his hands clasped, respectfully.
Xiang Zhijie: “What crime have you committed?”
Le Wuya said respectfully, “I knew a noble had arrived in Nanting, but I had no one at hand. I wanted to use the noble’s influence to remove this long-standing tumor from Nanting.”
Jiang He stepped out from the shadows and stared fixedly at him.
Ordinary people, under such a cold and expressionless gaze from someone like him, would surely have their legs go weak.
But Le Wuya was familiar with him and knew that his direct stare was a sign of confusion.
“When this gentleman was standing far away, I saw that his bearing was different from others, so I specifically called him into the hall. When I spoke with him, I could tell he had an accent from the capital. When he held the skull, I could see thin calluses on his fingers, caused by years of archery practice. His back was straight, his legs slightly apart, a common stance for garrison soldiers. Although his waist pouch was ordinary, the drawstring at its mouth was made of silk. According to our dynasty’s regulations on attire and vehicles, merchants are not permitted to use silk.”
Jiang He: “…”
He lowered his head expressionlessly, slightly blushing.
How could there be so many flaws?
Le Wuya: “A military officer from the capital arrives here but does not reveal his identity, hearing cases in plain clothes—there must be a reason. Fortunately, this humble official’s wild guess came true, and I have troubled this lord…”
He indicated with his eyes.
Jiang He lowered his gaze: “Jinwu Guard Jiang He.”
Le Wuya sincerely apologized: “Lord Jiang put himself in danger; it is my fault.”
The Seventh Prince said, “You took a false banner and turned it into a real tiger’s skin—truly fine tactics.”
The Sixth Prince said quietly with a smile, “You are very good.”
Le Wuya: “I dare to ask the identities of the two nobles?”
The Sixth Prince’s voice was calm: “To go on an imperial inspection tour and investigate administrative affairs.”
Although these eight words were spoken lightly, each one carried immense weight, enough to make even nobles and petty officials tremble with fear.
But Le Wuya was neither panicked nor overjoyed.
He maintained a calm and composed demeanor, adjusted his robes, and knelt again: “This humble official pays respects to the Imperial Envoys. May I ask the Imperial Envoys: I have withstood heavy pressure to conclude this case and restore Ming Xiangzhao’s innocence. Although it is my duty, can it be considered a merit? I have one request, and I hope the Imperial Envoys will hear me out.”
The two young Imperial Envoys: “…”
They had never seen anyone skip the procedures and brazenly ask for reward like this.
The Seventh Prince: “Let’s hear it.”
Le Wuya bowed his head and knocked it: “I hope to preserve Ming Xiangzhao’s academic title and allow him to continue taking the imperial examinations.”
Both of them raised their eyebrows.
Since the founding emperor of the Great Yu, whenever a scholar was involved in a rebellion case, once the case was filed and reported, even if the matter was unclear, the court would immediately strip him of his academic title to facilitate the use of torture and interrogation for accomplices.
Even if later proven false and exonerated, the title was often not restored.
After all, the will of Heaven is clear—how could it be revoked on a whim?
Surviving scholars were mostly traumatized by the ordeal. To have escaped with their lives was already lucky; they dared not ask for their titles back, preferring to keep their heads down and avoid standing out.
Fortunately, Wenren Yue had previously resisted the pressure from above to rush the case, insisting on a thorough investigation. Therefore, the case file had not yet been submitted, and Ming Xiangzhao’s “xiucai” title remained intact.
The two knew that his request was reasonable.
Many stubborn and pedantic officials in the government would think that once a scholar was involved in a rebellion case, even if exonerated, he was still “tainted.”
If he could go through the proper channels and obtain the Imperial Envoy’s golden words, Ming Xiangzhao’s future official career would be smooth and unimpeded.
However, the strange thing was that this county magistrate, so young and only in office for half a year, could think so thoroughly.
The Sixth Prince pondered for a moment: “I can grant your request. But please answer me one question.”
Le Wuya, still in a kneeling posture but with a straight back, said graciously: “Thank you, Imperial Envoy. Please ask.”
The Sixth Prince asked: “Are you doing well here?”
Le Wuya: “?”
This time, he didn’t know how to answer.
He was best at reading between the lines and discerning hidden meanings, but this question was too direct, making it even more meaningful.
While Le Wuya was pondering, the Seventh Prince cleverly took over: “My brother isn’t very good with words. What he means is, do you think Nanting County, as small as a sparrow, can accommodate your talent like a giant roc?”
Le Wuya immediately relaxed.
This kind of question he knew how to answer.
Le Wuya said calmly: “A sparrow may be small, but it has its advantages. Observing its inner organs is like seeing the world; one can discern the laws.”
This meant he did not wish to be transferred and wanted to stay in Nanting.
Le Wuya had already made his own plans.
Once this matter was over, Wenren Yue would return to his own body, and he would go back to the underworld to rest. As for Scholar Ming, it would be as if he had experienced great sorrow and joy, his body could not hold up, and he passed away.
If his scholar title was preserved, even if he died, his mother could receive support. With Wenren Yue’s help, her future life wouldn’t be too difficult.
With Wenren Yue’s current abilities, although he had the quality of uncut jade, he still needed more training to achieve great things.
If he presumptuously took on important tasks for him, but his abilities fell short, then he would only make a fool of himself on a grand stage.
The Seventh Prince looked him up and down: “You are a juren graduate. It is good to have ambition to advance step by step on your own, but aren’t you afraid of limited prospects and wasting time?”
Le Wuya lowered his eyes: “‘To pursue the infinite with the finite is exhausting.’”
The Seventh Prince was startled, then laughed: “As an official, you take the Zhuangzi as your way of life?”
“To answer the Imperial Envoy, the various schools of thought each have their own path.”
“Having a cluttered mind is not good, I’m afraid.”
This question was difficult to answer, but Le Wuya remained neither humble nor arrogant: “Imperial Envoy, this humble official often holds a thought in his heart, but it is a bit presumptuous. I hope the Imperial Envoy will forgive me if I am guilty.”
The Seventh Prince: “Speak it.”
He deliberately made it difficult for him, just to test the depth of this minor official.
Who would have thought that Le Wuya would utter such treasonous words: “Confucianism, Legalism, Buddhism, Daoism, Mohism—no matter which school, they all discuss the art of the Great Dao. To study them all, to be greedy for more, is indeed not proper. However, the Nine Provinces are vast and hard to measure. Imperial power does not reach below the county and township level. Although the Great Dao is wonderful, it is ultimately difficult to reach.”
Fortunately, Assistant Magistrate Sun was not here. If he had heard Le Wuya’s wild theory about “imperial power not reaching below the county and township,” he would probably have fainted from fright.
The Seventh Prince nodded: “Hmm, indeed it is rebellious. The Son of Heaven owns all within the four seas; how dare you say that?”
Le Wuya did not dodge and said directly: “Answering the Imperial Envoy, allow me to give an example.”
“To be honest with the two lords, tonight’s matter, I have long planned. To completely overthrow the entrenched local gentry forces in Nanting County, absolute secrecy was necessary, and I had to strike for sure. But I am new here, with little influence and shallow roots, unable to rely on anyone. To suppress these local bullies, I had no choice but to go in person, risking my life, to seek justice for everyone. Without the Imperial Envoys’ presence and Lord Jiang’s assistance, Xiaofu Coal Mine would not have so readily handed over the miners.”
Jiang He nodded slightly beside him.
He had witnessed the danger at Xiaofu Coal Mine tonight.
He believed that with the ferocity of the thugs in the mine, even if Magistrate Wenren had gone in person, he would have suffered losses.
The Seventh Prince was speechless.
This example, he indeed could not refute.
Le Wuya said: “I am from a tribute student background, not good at studying. I can only draw on the strengths of various schools of thought from the Great Dao, and finally obtained two words…”
“‘For the people’—that is the path I seek.”
“My ability is insufficient. I do not seek the Great Dao, only to have no shame before my conscience.”
At the end, he did not forget to add a self-serving note: “Those who hold high office in the court worry about distant places. I believe His Majesty and I share this same heart.”
The Seventh Prince: “…”
He opened his mouth, feeling that this experience of being left speechless by someone was strangely familiar.
During the trial, he was sharp-tongued and full of tricks.
When answering questions, however, he was methodical, orderly, and conservative, not forgetting to bring up His Majesty to back him up.
Clearly, this was a very cunning fox.
Seeing the two of them on the verge of confrontation, no one dared to speak nearby.
For a moment, it was cold and snowy, and all was silent.
The Sixth Prince spoke gracefully and warmly, breaking the tense silence: “Magistrate Wenren.”
Le Wuya: “I am here.”
Sixth Prince: “Your socks are a bit thin. If snow gets in, it won’t be good.”
Le Wuya: “…”
How was he supposed to answer that?
Le Wuya: “…Thank you for your concern, Imperial Envoy.”
The Seventh Prince also regained his usual playful demeanor: “My sixth brother means, you may rise.”
The sound of the night watch came from afar.
“It’s late. You’ve been hearing cases for so long. Rest early. Don’t spread the news of our arrival. We’ll come back tomorrow morning…”
The Seventh Prince’s gaze returned to Le Wuya, and he swallowed the last two words without saying them.
…to see you.
He had always been good at controlling his emotions.
If he uttered those two words, it would be crossing the line.
Le Wuya was indeed tired and didn’t try to stop them: “I will escort the Imperial Envoys to the guesthouse.”
The Sixth Prince: “The snow is beautiful. We’ll walk back. No need to see us off. Rest early.”
Le Wuya lowered his head: “This humble official bids the Imperial Envoys farewell.”
After saying this, the two princes walked out. When the Seventh Prince was about a hundred paces away, he turned back and saw Le Wuya, who should have been standing respectfully at the door, turn around, rub his hands, and hop back inside.
The Seventh Prince laughed out loud: “Truly audacious beyond measure.”
The Sixth Prince: “He is still young.”
The Seventh Prince: “If the information is correct, he is two years older than us.”
The Sixth Prince did not answer but just looked up at the sky with his hands in his sleeves.
The Seventh Prince: “Sixth brother, have you stopped hating snow?”
The Sixth Prince reached out his hand, and two or three snowflakes fell into his palm, each a beautiful hexagon.
The Sixth Prince said, “I have never hated snow.”
After the two had walked far away, Le Wuya let loose.
At the yamen gate, two night duty constables had listened to the entire exchange, kneeling and not daring to breathe too loudly.
Le Wuya passed by them without saying a word but patted each of them lightly on the shoulder, making them both shiver.
After exploiting the authority of the fox, he walked with his hands behind his back towards the inner hall, swaying his head and wagging his tail, looking quite cheerful.
Before leaving, he still had many preparations to make.
About an hour later, when the time arrow was engulfed in the bronze water clock, Le Wuya put down his brush.
Just as he stretched, a tea servant cautiously knocked on the window to report: “Your Honor, someone is looking for you.”
Le Wuya felt a premonition and lifted the door curtain.
In the heavy snow, he saw Wenren Yue standing on the other side of the courtyard.
He had come in a hurry, without an umbrella, his brows and hair all white with snow, yet there was fire and light in his eyes.
Le Wuya gave him a handsome wink, signaling him to come inside.
The tea servant had heard about tonight’s events and dared not say a word, pretending to be blind and deaf, slipping away quietly along the wall.
Wenren Yue, bringing in a gust of frost and snow, stepped into the central hall.
On his way here, his chest felt full, with thousands of words to say. But when he stood before him, he couldn’t utter a single word, only wanting to smile.
Le Wuya: “Is Ming’s mother settled?”
“Yes.” Wenren Yue nodded, “She couldn’t believe it. She cried at home, took some medicine, and was coaxed to sleep. After confirming she was fine, I came to find Brother Gu.”
Le Wuya: “That’s best.”
Wenren Yue: “How did Brother Gu manage it?”
“Don’t ask; I’ve written it all down for you.” Le Wuya waved a thick stack of letters in his hand, a little proud. “A long night brings many dreams. After we switch back, you can figure it out yourself.”
Wenren Yue was puzzled: “…Switch back?”
Le Wuya, holding the letters, froze: “…”
He was stunned for a moment: “Otherwise? I’ve already finished the matter for you.”
The two bewildered people looked at each other for a long moment before confirming each other’s intentions.
They spoke at the same time:
“You’re leaving?”
“You’re not coming back?”
Wenren Yue blinked.
After confirming Ming Xiangzhao’s innocence, he had already envisioned everything: they would just let things be as they were, each in their original positions—that would be most secure.
Before coming, his heart was full of guilt, feeling that his humble background as a minor official and his difficult future would be an injustice to Brother Gu.
But he never expected that “Brother Gu” had no intention of staying at all.
Wenren Yue said softly, “Brother Gu, I know my background is poor. Your talents are outstanding. It would be an injustice to you to use my identity.”
Le Wuya: “No.”
…It wasn’t that it was bad—it was too good.
A clean background, a spotless official reputation, a blank slate.
That was what the Le Wuya of his previous life had desperately sought.
And precisely because of that, he shouldn’t take it.
Hearing that he didn’t despise him, Wenren Yue became a bit confused: “Then… shall we not switch back?”
Le Wuya grabbed his collar and simply started being stubborn: “No. You have to switch back with me.”
Pulled down by this, Wenren Yue was forced to lower his head.
Seeing his own face showing such a lively and unfamiliar expression, he carefully wet his lips: “Why?”
Le Wuya: “I’ve already done what I needed to do. Keeping me here is useless to you.”
Wenren Yue: “…”
He felt that his brother Gu’s words were strange, as if he took it for granted that he was a convenient tool.
“It’s not that I want you to stay because you are useful.” Wenren Yue asked, “Brother Gu, if I go back, what will happen to Scholar Ming?”
Le Wuya said confidently: “Scholar Ming was originally going to die!”
Wenren Yue: …That’s true.
Even if they hadn’t switched bodies, Ming Xiangzhao wouldn’t have survived the night they went to find him.
Wenren Yue sighed softly: “But he still has an elderly mother to support. He can’t just die.”
“When we switch back, won’t you still have a chance to take care of his mother?” Le Wuya felt he was quite reasonable. “I promised Scholar Ming that after death, Wenren Yue would take care of his mother. I didn’t specify which Wenren Yue!”
Wenren Yue: “…” From that moment, had he never planned to stay?
Le Wuya didn’t want to argue with him anymore and stood up to leave.
Wenren Yue: “…Brother Gu, what are you doing?”
Le Wuya said calmly: “I’m going to die. Remember to come and collect my body.”
Upon hearing this, Wenren Yue was greatly alarmed and rushed over, wrapping his arms around his waist from behind: “Brother Gu! No!”
Ming Xiangzhao was tall and long-limbed. Although a scholar, he often worked outside to supplement the family income, so he had considerable strength. He held Le Wuya tightly in his arms.
Le Wuya struggled in his arms for a while but failed.
This body of Wenren Yue’s was a frail scholar, barely able to draw the lightest bow. Against this brute strength, he was no match. Moreover, the other party exerted all his strength to stop him, and Le Wuya, who had neglected his training for years, couldn’t even use the skills he learned in his youth.
Le Wuya was out of breath: “What exactly are you trying to do?”
Wenren Yue didn’t answer, afraid of losing his grip.
Le Wuya said aggrievedly: “I’m already dead! Why can’t I go back?”
Wenren Yue still didn’t speak.
Le Wuya: “…”
Bad luck on him, ending up in this stubborn mule.
He surrendered and went limp in his arms: “Go ahead, strangle me. Kill me and be done with it.”
Sensing that he had stopped struggling, Wenren Yue thought about letting him go. But based on his shallow understanding of this Brother Gu, he was a cunning one—what if he was faking it?
So, he picked Le Wuya up horizontally, kicked the door shut with his foot, then placed him on the bed. He sat down beside him and stared straight at him.
Le Wuya, stared at so directly, was almost furious: “Those big eyes staring straight at me—what are you plotting?”
Wenren Yue said sincerely: “I’m thinking whether it would be improper to tie you up.”
Le Wuya said seriously: “It’s not just improper, it’s biting the hand that feeds you. I’ll bite you to death.”
Wenren Yue couldn’t help but smile: “Brother Gu, let’s discuss this properly, shall we?”