Chapter 32
The "Chang Garden Case" carries profound consequences that extend far beyond the sixty-seven officials directly implicated in the crime. Even those who never set foot in Chang Garden have faced imprisonment for accepting bribes, failing to report misconduct, and actively covering up the scandal. Demotions and a range of other severe punishments have been swiftly handed out.
The fallout has hit agencies like Jinyiwei, Dali Temple (Ministry of Justice), and Shuntian Mansion hardest. It forces one to question how these officials, living in luxury, could have turned a blind eye to the rampant corruption at Chang Garden for over a decade.
Wang Manchang, the deputy commander of Jinyiwei, paid the ultimate priceâhe was executed for his role in the scandal. Even Gao Lian, the commander of Jinyiwei, was not spared for his inaction. The Emperor publicly reprimanded him in court, and although Gao Lian was eventually dismissed for dereliction of duty, his removal left the position of Jinyiwei commander vacant. In a bold move, Emperor Yuan Qing appointed Li Yong, the former commander-in-chief of the Imperial Guard, to take over.
This appointment was no small gesture. The position of commander-in-chief was a prestigious one, typically reserved for the emperorâs most trusted confidants. Similarly, the Jin Yiwei, the emperorâs elite oversight force, had always been led by his most loyal generals.
In essence, despite the fact that Emperor Yuan Qing had largely sidelined Li Yong for nearly ten months, the emperor's trust in him remained unwavering. The only change now was the opportunity for a dramatic return to power.
*
Li Yunzhu had returned to her parent's home, and while the news of Li Yong's reappointment should have been cause for widespread joy within the Li family, the shadows of the Chang Garden incident loomed large, casting a somber cloud over the atmosphere. Neither Yunzhu nor her mother, Meng Shi, could muster the enthusiasm to celebrate. The unsettling memories of the girls who had suffered in that tragic case were too fresh, dampening any festive spirit.
In the quiet serenity of the waterside pavilion, mother and daughter sat together, exchanging words. The gentle breeze and clear skies of early August in Beijing made the garden seem like a peaceful retreat, offering a calm space for reflection. As Yunzhu poured tea for her mother, she casually asked about her fatherâs well-being in Jinyiwei. Meng Shi sighed deeply, the weight of the situation evident in her voice. She shared that the Chang Garden case had deeply affected Li Yong, straining his temper and overwhelming him with the volume of cases he now had to manage. His new position within Jinyiwei had kept him consumed, leaving little room for peace.
In comparison, the role of Imperial Guard Commander was far less taxing. The responsibilities were more straightforward, focused primarily on maintaining order and tranquility. Meng Shi, who had been married to Li Yong for over two decades, knew him intimately. She was acutely aware of his noble originsâborn into privilege and having lived a life of ease, shielded from the hardships of ordinary people. But the recent hardships, particularly the turmoil surrounding the Chang Garden case, had profoundly altered him.
Twenty days later, Yunzhu finally reunited with her father. The change in him was striking. Since their last meeting at Caoâs mansion, she noticed the tan that had formed on his skin, a sign of the hard work and stress he had endured. Yet it wasn't just his complexion that had shifted. There were new, pronounced lines on his forehead, and his eyes, once clear and serene, now carried the weight of a more complex, somber gaze. It was as if a carefree man had been burdened with the suffering of the world, his innocence replaced by a weary depth.
"Father," Yunzhu said, throwing herself into her father's arms, her distress clear.
Li Yong took a moment to study his daughter, noting the tiredness in her eyes. He smiled softly, his voice calm. "Didnât you come here to congratulate me, my dear? Why the tears?"
Yunzhu responded, her concern evident, "You have so much on your plate, but just looking at you, itâs clear how exhausted you are."
Li Yong, his gaze filled with warmth, gently patted her head. "I used to live with ease, but now it feels like Iâm truly making a difference. Yes, Iâm more weary than before, but Iâm also fulfilling a greater purpose for the Emperor and the people. I shoulder this responsibility willingly, so donât worry about me, my dear. Whatâs troubling you?"
Yunzhu understood her fatherâs resolve and was touched by his drive. She smiled, attempting to ease the atmosphere. "Father, you really need to take better care of yourself. Look at these wrinkles. Youâd better be careful or Mother will have words for you."
Li Yong chuckled, glancing over at his wife. "Iâm forty now, wrinkles are part of the deal. Your mother will have to get used to them."
Meng Shi shot a sharp look at both of them.
That evening, Li Yao arrived home unusually early, and the family gathered together for dinner.
Li Yong turned to his daughter. "Has Fushan been busy lately? Did you tell him youâd be staying here for dinner tonight?"
Yunzhu nodded. "I did. He said a colleague is hosting a banquet tonight, and he'll come pick me up afterward."
Li Yong frowned slightly, his thoughts turning to his son-in-lawâs stern ways. "Youâre not a little girl anymore, Yunzhu. You need to be more careful with how you act around Fushan. Heâs not like us; he wonât tolerate the same behavior."
Yunzhu raised an eyebrow and interrupted her father, clearly irritated. "Why the sudden lecture? Did he say something to you about me?"
Li Yong quickly corrected himself. "No, no. Fushan would never say anything like that. I just worry about you, my dear. He might not pamper you like we do, and I donât want you to feel hurt."
Li Yao, ever protective of his sister, added, "Itâs a blessing for him to have my sister as his wife. If he dares to make her feel wronged, weâll bring her back home, no questions asked."
Yunzhu smiled at her brother and served him some food.
Li Yong watched the exchange in silence, his heart full, while Meng Shi observed with a knowing smile. Meanwhile, the young Li Xian had long grown accustomed to such moments within the family.
*
Dingguo Manor lay in a calm silence, its stillness broken only by the absence of its two central figures. With them gone, Pan Shi made her way early to her son's eastern courtyard.
Cao Shao, having left the Hanlin Academy, headed straight home. Clad in a blue official robe, his stature exuded authority, his every movement betraying the dignity of his position. Once vibrant and full of youthful energy, a trace of sorrow now seemed permanently etched into his brow. His composure, though admirable, carried an unmistakable weight.
Seeing her son in this state tugged at Pan Shi's heart. As a mother, it pained her to witness the transformation.
"Mother's here," she said softly, her voice tinged with a touch of concern. "Is there something you wish to talk about?"
They shared a meal together, and as they finished, Pan Shi chuckled bitterly to herself. "I used to believe Duke Ningguo had fallen out of favor with the Emperor... Now, with his rise back to favor, do you resent me, Shao'er?"
Her words were a confession, tinged with regret. She had sabotaged her son's engagement to Yunzhu, masking her interference as care for his future. But now, with time passed, the facade had crumbled, leaving her vulnerable to the possibility of his resentment.
Cao Shao lowered his gaze, his tone soft but resolute. "Itâs all in the past, Mother. There's no need to revisit it. Perhaps it was never meant to be."
Whether or not he harbored bitterness or sorrow, the truth remained that Yunzhu was now married to his elder brother. The chance for anything between them was lost forever.
*
After Cao Xun and his companions finished their meal, they mounted their horses and headed straight for Duke Ningguo's mansion to collect the young lady. Meanwhile, in the grand hall, Yunzhu's family of five sat in quiet contemplation.
Li Yong watched his two sons deeply absorbed in their chess game, while Yunzhu and her mother sat off to the side, engaged in a conversation that covered the fate of over fifty girls caught up in the Chang Garden case.
Meng Shi, Yunzhuâs mother, spoke with authority, "Those girls with families to return to will be escorted back to their homes by the Emperor, each receiving ten acres of arable land nearby as compensation. For those without a place to go, they will be taken in by the almshouse the imperial court has set up, with ten acres of farmland awaiting them once they come of age. These lands and their deeds will be recorded in their names, ensuring that not even their own parents can claim ownership. If these lands are lost or improperly transferred, the government will take them back."
Yunzhu, listening intently, nodded in agreement, "Itâs a thorough approach. At the very least, it guarantees theyâll never have to worry about where their next meal will come from."
However, there was a lingering concern: the children might face harsh judgment and exploitation from the surrounding community or their own families. With the land tied to their names, relatives and acquaintances would be forced to look after them if they hoped to gain any benefit from it.
Meng Shi continued, "Your father told me that these plans were proposed by Gu Shoufu to the Emperor. In his boundless generosity, the Emperor has dispatched two senior palace maids to guide these childrenâone to educate them, the other to teach them proper manners. Itâs vital that they safeguard their lands and return to their homes in a month, prepared to face whatever challenges lie ahead."
Yunzhu acknowledged the effort with a thoughtful nod, "Mr. Gu is clearly very thoughtful. It's no wonder he commands such respect."
"Indeed," Meng Shi agreed, her tone warm, "The Emperor must be wise to listen to such counsel."
She paused for a moment before continuing, "A sagacious king and wise ministers are essential. Without them, even the best ministers are useless under the rule of a foolish king."
Just then, a servant entered, announcing, "My lord, madam, Duke Ningguo has arrived."
With a serene smile, Meng Shi gently patted Yunzhuâs hand, signaling the end of their conversation.
Brothers Li Yao and Li Xian quickly rushed to greet Cao Xun as he arrived at the door.
Entering the hall, Cao Xun appeared remarkably composed despite just returning from a banquet. There was no trace of alcohol on him, nor any lingering scent of perfume, making it clear he had remained perfectly dignified.
With a respectful gesture, he saluted his father-in-law and mother-in-law. Meng Shi, smiling warmly, remarked, "Had I known about the gathering, I would have had Yunzhu return on her own. There was no need for you to make such a late trip."
Cao Xun, glancing at Yunzhu, responded smoothly, "Itâs been some time since Yunzhu saw my father-in-law. It would be lovely for her to spend more time with him."
Li Yong, ever the considerate host, interjected, "Well, it's getting late. Donât feel you need to stay. Weâll have a meal together another time when itâs more convenient."
Yunzhu, bidding farewell to her parents, joined Cao Xun as they made their way toward the waiting carriage, the soft glow from within casting a serene light on them both.
As the carriage rolled forward, Cao Xun observed the relaxation in Yunzhuâs expression and said, "Looks like my father-in-law has settled well into his position with Jinyiwei?"
Yunzhuâs brow furrowed ever so slightly. "He must be tired. There are lines of weariness between his brows," she murmured.
Cao Xun smiled, noting how deeply Yunzhu was affected by the smallest signs of distress from her father. Despite her being grown, she still carried a sense of responsibility for himâa reflection of the peaceful, sheltered life she had led.
Later, back in the Duke's Mansion, the couple took turns bathing before retreating to the Babu bed for the night.
As the dim light softened the room, Cao Xun approached from behind, his strong arms wrapping around Yunzhu, his warm breath tickling her neck, his intentions clear.
She nudged him gently with her elbow, whispering, "Letâs sleep."
For a moment, Cao Xun was silent. Then, his voice softened, "Itâs been a long time. We need to live life to its fullest."
He knew that the trauma from the Chang Garden case weighed heavily on Yunzhuâshe was too young and too sheltered to simply shrug it off. But even with understanding, he couldn't let it remain unresolved forever.
Yunzhu knew Cao Xun had done nothing wrong, but she couldnât stop thinking about the suffering of those children. The thought of it stirred a deep unease within her, causing her to instinctively tense and pull away.
"I just donât want to," she whispered, her voice tired and heavy with emotion.
Her response was followed by a long, exhausted breath, and her disappointment was unmistakable.
Just as Yunzhu feared Cao Xun might press further, he released his grip on her shoulders and lay back in silence. She let out a quiet sigh of relief, mixed with guilt. After all, he had been patient, enduring the consequences of a harsh injustice, and she hadnât been able to reciprocate.
She lay there, lost in her thoughts, until sleep finally overtook her.
She was jolted awake, her senses overwhelmed by Cao Xunâs fiery kiss.
He was as intense as a blazing inferno, hotter even than their wedding night. The heat wrapped around her, mixing with her lingering drowsiness, leaving Yunzhu lightheaded and lost in the moment. Before she could fully gather her thoughts, that familiar, powerful force swept through her, and she had already fallen prey to him.
âNot feeling well?â he murmured, his body still, his gaze intense.
Yunzhu bit her lip, her nerves kicking in, and shook her head, her truth slipping out in a breathless admission. Of course, he knew the perfect moment to strikeâCao Xun had always been a master in the art of battle, and this was no different.
He pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, his touch gentle but his words smooth. âGood,â he whispered, as his arms enveloped her, the air thick with his lustful presence.