Chapter Fourteen: Chao Ge (IV)

“Then you just seized your cousin’s farmland? And you ignored his safety?”
Chen Xiaoliu could hold back no longer. He stepped forward, grabbed Feng Dequan by the collar, and demanded angrily.
“Sir, please, don’t get upset,” Feng Dequan pleaded, terrified.
Li Kuo gently nudged Chen Xiaoliu’s back with his elbow, signaling him not to reveal his emotions.
Chen Xiaoliu grunted in frustration and shook him hard. Feng Dequan fell backward onto the stone pavement, crying out in pain.
Nan Jiyun couldn’t stand such weakness. He waved his hand impatiently. “Enough. Since you know those involved in this matter, you’d better keep your mouth shut. Otherwise, when trouble arises, the minister won’t protect you.”
Feng Dequan, already terrified, nodded repeatedly.
Seeing he couldn’t get any more information, Nan Jiyun and Li Kuo along with the other youths mounted their horses and rode away in a cloud of dust.
Although he had already learned from Sun Shuzhi that this case was related to the current crown prince, hearing it confirmed from Feng Dequan still weighed heavily on Li Kuo’s mind. The governor of Jingzhao, the right chancellor, the crown prince, the emperor—what these connections meant was obvious. Li Kuo couldn’t understand how Dezi, who had always been honest and upright, could get involved in the political struggles of the court. When the powerful fought, it was always the common people like them who suffered. His grandfather’s wrongful accusation was the best example. Ever since he could remember, his grandfather would take him to Leyouyuan to enjoy the autumn scenery or to Qujiang to enjoy the spring. Along the way, his grandfather would often talk to him about the ills of government, and from his tone, Li Kuo could sense a hint of helplessness. Even with his high status as the left chancellor of the Tang Dynasty, his grandfather was treated like straw in the treacherous political battles, let alone ordinary people like them. His childhood experience of family decline had left an indelible shadow in his heart, causing pain whenever he thought about it. From then on, he instinctively wanted to stay away from political strife and power struggles. He thought this would protect him and his family. But gradually, he realized that ordinary people had their own hardships. At least the powerful still had a chance to choose sides, while they, the common people, were merely pawns, discarded once their usefulness wore off.
At that moment, the young man felt dizzy. He didn’t know where the path lay, nor what awaited him on the road he had chosen.
“Brother Kuo.”

Zhang Yanji urged his horse forward by half a body length and stepped up in front of Li Kuo, saying loudly, “Are you still worried about Brother Dezi’s matter? It’s indeed complicated, but through our investigation, we’ve at least figured out the origin of the case. As for the specific details, I believe hard work pays off—we will definitely figure it out!”
“Mm.”
Li Kuo felt warmth in his heart. Yes, no matter how difficult the road ahead was, with so many loyal brothers by his side, what was there to fear? Life itself was a battle; you never knew what would happen next until the very end. Since they were already on the journey, there was no reason to give up easily.
Smiling gently at Zhang Yanji, Li Kuo said softly, “Yanji, thank you. There are many frightening things in the world. I only hope that no matter what happens, we brothers can always stand together.”
Some things don’t need words—just a glance is enough.
By the time they rode back to the Kelong Teahouse, it was already evening, with the sun setting and casting long shadows.
Du Jingtian had been waiting anxiously for a long time. Seeing them return, she hurried over to greet them.
“You little rascal! Why did it take you so long? You made me wait until I was dying of worry!”
“I just wanted to learn more about the situation and completely forgot the time.”
Li Kuo feared Du Jingtian the most—once she got her way, not even eight oxen could pull her back.
“Haha, Brother Kuo is also trying to resolve the case as soon as possible. I say, Miss Jingtian, stop teasing him.”
Nan Jiyun stepped in to defuse the situation, fearing that Li Kuo would be taken advantage of by this girl.
“Hmph, I’m ignoring you. By the way, how did the investigation go?”
Du Jingtian pouted and asked.
“It’s a serious matter. Let’s go inside and talk.”
With that, Li Kuo led the way into the teahouse.
Once everyone was seated, Nan Jiyun cleared his throat and said, “Today, we disguised ourselves as envoys of the Minister of Works and went to Feng Dezi’s family. After some coercion, we finally forced them to reveal a shocking secret.”
Looking around to ensure no one else was nearby, Nan Jiyun lowered his voice, “This matter is related to the current Crown Prince. It seems Brother Dezi did something on behalf of the Crown Prince, and the prefect of Jingzhao is using this to shift blame onto the Eastern Palace.”
Du Jingtian exclaimed anxiously, “What exactly is it? How could it involve such high-ranking officials? If we don’t uncover the truth soon, I’m afraid Dezi will have to live under its shadow for the rest of his life.”
Nan Jiyun tapped his right index finger on the table and sighed, “We still haven’t figured out exactly what it is, but there must be a big secret behind this. Otherwise, Wang Xuan wouldn’t have clung to it so tightly.”

“Sigh, after all this time, we still don’t know. In my opinion, it’s that old bastard Li Linfu and the Crown Prince fighting for power. The Crown Prince tried to seek outside help but was caught off guard by that old man. Dezi is probably just a messenger acting as a liaison for the Crown Prince, but that old scoundrel Wang Xuan exploits him like a treasure.”
“A Tian makes a good point. But we need to think this through carefully. I guess we’ll have to get the truth from Dezi himself, as no one knows the whole story better than him.”
Li Kuo nodded slightly and said softly, “Let’s not talk about this for now. Little Seventh Brother, after you guys left, an official surnamed Gao came to the shop looking for you. Since you weren’t there, he left a letter. Come and take a look quickly.”
Du Jingtian tapped her forehead and said loudly.
Li Kuo picked up the letter on the table and read it silently. After a long while, he put the letter down and sighed, “Uncle Gao and Vice Minister Wang jointly recommend me to study at the Imperial Academy so I can take the imperial examinations next year.”
“Brother Kuo, that’s great news! You already have the title of a tribute student, so you can definitely take the exams next year. Studying at the Imperial Academy for half a year will surely be of great benefit to you.”
Zhang Yanji waved his fist excitedly, genuinely happy for his friend.
“Hmm, but over the years I’ve been traveling around to make a living, and I’ve completely neglected my studies. I’m afraid…”
Li Kuo rubbed his forehead and said solemnly.
“What are you afraid of, Brother Kuo? Your talent is the best among us. If it weren’t for your grandfather being framed by villains and you having to worry about making a living, you might already have passed the imperial examinations. Besides, a real man should strive to achieve something great in life!”
Seeing Li Kuo seem somewhat self-doubtful, Zhang Yanji encouraged him loudly.
“Hmm, I still need to discuss this with my mother. After all, studying at the Imperial Academy requires a lot of money. Although tribute students get free accommodation and meals plus a monthly allowance of one or two taels of silver, they still need to buy writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. My mother isn’t in good health right now, and the family is in need of money…”
Li Kuo counted on his fingers; after calculating all the expenses, they indeed were short of funds.

Nan Jiyun gently patted Li Kuo’s still somewhat youthful shoulders and said in a harmonious tone, “Young brother Kuo, I’m but a rough man who doesn’t understand the ways of the scholars’ imperial examinations. Yet I also think what younger brother Yan Ji said makes sense. As men, we should either wield a sword to defend our country or use the ways of the sages to bring peace and prosperity to the people. If we’re stuck in trivial daily matters, wouldn’t that be a waste of our parents’ kindness in raising us? Besides, your father was wronged by villains—how can you clear his name if you don’t become an official? Trust me, go ahead and study at that so-called Imperial Academy. Your mother will be taken care of by your elder brother, me, and the other brothers; you needn’t worry.”
“Thank you all.”
Li Kuo nodded to each of them in gratitude. “Li Kuo won’t disappoint you. I must make a name for myself and clear my grandfather’s name!”
“Haha, that’s my good brother!”
Nan Jiyun punched Li Kuo on the chest and laughed heartily.
After some playful bantering, they had dinner at the Kelong Teahouse. When the moon hung high in the sky and the stars shone, everyone felt extremely tired and began to head home one after another.
After the young men left, Du Jingtian quietly returned to the inner hall. He closed the door softly, lit an oil lamp, and the young woman sat down beside the embroidered bed. In the dim light of the candle, she picked up scissors and, following the measurements she had noted earlier, silently began cutting clothes for Li Kuo.
For some reason, the young woman felt a sense of loss. Young Seventh Brother would be leaving the teahouse in a few days to study at the Imperial Academy. I won’t be able to stay by his side every day for him to knit grasshoppers for me anymore… She cut the sleeve with a slight force and sighed softly. Du Jingtian, Du Jingtian… Young Seventh Brother is going to learn new skills—it’s a good thing. How can you be so selfish as to drag him down and distract him? But… I really won’t be able to see him anymore. That silly Seventh Brother probably won’t come even once in half a year! Ugh, it’s so annoying! With a bit more force, she ended up tearing a wound as wide as a bowl in her chest.
Oh no, what should I do? This is the first piece of clothing I made for Young Seventh Brother, and I ruined it. That silly Seventh Brother will laugh at me again for being clumsy!
As she was frustrated, she suddenly smelled the fragrance of azaleas drifting into the room. Refreshed by the sweet scent, Du Jingtian had an idea. She quickly picked up a thimble, unwound a strand of thin red thread, and, following the pattern on the embroidered cloth, began stitching a blooming azalea onto the wound in her chest, stitch by stitch.

The bright moon hung high, and a gentle breeze blew. Looking out from inside the house, through a layer of thin paper, one could see a young woman carefully crafting a set of dark-colored garments. As the candlelight flickered, the scene was serene and beautiful, filled with endless tenderness.