The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 115 At Thirty, One Stands Firm
In the stillness of the deep night, Cui Xiao anxiously lowered his head and softly finished speaking. He waited for a long time but saw no reaction from Tang Shen. Cautiously, he raised his eyes, only to see Tang Jingze’s sharp, discerning gaze under the flickering candlelight, his expression as cold as jade. Cui Xiao’s heart jumped. Despite being much older than Tang Shen, he felt an inexplicable pressure that made it hard to breathe.
Tang Shen sneered, “So, Cui daren, you’ve come tonight to ask me to bend the law for personal interest?”
Cui Xiao immediately replied, “I wouldn’t dare.”
Tang Shen’s eyes widened, and he scolded sternly, “Wouldn’t dare? Then why are you here tonight? As you said, I did meet Liang Bowen, the renowned scholar, a few times and received some of his guidance. But what of it? Liang daren has been dead for years. What does his matter have to do with me? Do you even know my current position?”
Having been worn down by his personal troubles for days and exhausted from his long journey from Jinling to Shengjing, Cui Xiao—who held a humble rank—had little knowledge of current political shifts. He looked at Tang Shen with growing unease until he heard Tang Shen coldly declare, “I am now a Censorate official at the Imperial Censorate!”
Cui Xiao was struck as if by lightning, standing there frozen in shock.
The Imperial Censorate, overseeing all officials, was akin to a sword hanging over the heads of court ministers. By coming to Tang Shen with his crime, Cui Xiao had essentially delivered himself into the jaws of a lion. Desperate, he raised his voice, “Tang daren, I was once acquainted with Liang daren and even helped him with official matters. You can’t do this!”
Tang Shen cast him a cold glance, silencing Cui Xiao with a chill. He called for Yao San, instructing him to have Cui Xiao taken to the Court of Judicial Review. Though Cui Xiao, as a cavalry officer, attempted to resist, he was too worn down by recent events to offer much of a fight. Strong and well-trained, Yao San subdued him with ease.
Eyes reddened, Cui Xiao cried out, “Tang daren, you’re burning bridges after crossing them!”
Tang Shen turned to Yao San and ordered, “Take him to the Court of Judicial Review.” After a brief pause, he added, “I will accompany you.”
That night, Tang Shen personally escorted Cui Xiao to the Court of Judicial Review.
The officials on duty at the Court of Judicial Review promptly came to greet Tang Shen upon hearing of the situation. After locking Cui Xiao up, Tang Shen sternly instructed them, “This man is a criminal under the jurisdiction of the Censorate. From this moment on, ensure he is strictly guarded. Unless I personally come to question him, no one is to see him. This is a grave matter. Can you handle it?”
The Court of Judicial Review official quickly responded, “This lower official will follow your orders.”
Tang Shen gave Cui Xiao, who now wore an expression of utter terror, one last glance before turning and leaving.
Back home, Tang Shen turned to Yao San and said, “Take my official token and head south to Jinling Prefecture at dawn. I need you to investigate something for me.”
Still processing the night’s events, Yao San was momentarily stunned. Curiosity piqued, he asked, “What would you have me look into, little boss?”
Tang Shen explained, “The prisoner in the Court of Judicial Review is Cui Xiao, a cavalry officer from Jinling Prefecture. I want you to investigate what crime he has committed. Find out the truth and report back to me promptly.”
“Yes.” Yao San turned to leave.
“Wait.”
Yao San stopped and looked back at Tang Shen.
Tang Shen considered for a moment before adding, “I have no acquaintances among the officials in Jinling Prefecture, so simply presenting my token may not be enough. If you encounter difficulties, go to the Wang clan in Langya and seek their assistance. But remember, only resort to that as a last measure.”
Yao San nodded solemnly. “Understood, little boss. Rest assured.”
With Yao San dispatched to Jinling and Cui Xiao locked in the dungeon, Tang Shen finally felt some relief.
Cui Xiao’s sudden arrival was too coincidental. Liang Song had passed away five years ago, and no one had mentioned him to Tang Shen since. Cui Xiao’s abrupt appearance forced Tang Shen to remain on guard. He wasn’t sure if Cui Xiao was truly a cavalry officer from Jinling Prefecture or how much he knew about Tang Shen’s past with Liang Song.
Liang Song had once been Tang Shen’s mentor, a fact that was no secret—Zhao Fu was well aware of it, though he had never mentioned it. However, Tang Shen had since distanced himself from Liang Song by becoming a disciple of Fu Wei, thus severing ties with his former teacher. Thirty-one years ago, Liang Song had been associated with the Songqing Party, a group Zhao Fu despised. But despite this, Zhao Fu had not persecuted every member of the faction. Liang Song and the former Grand Secretary Yang had remained in office until their suicides five years ago.
Zhao Fu’s desire for a good reputation prevented him from launching a full-scale purge. He had only targeted the faction’s leader, Zhong Taisheng, while dealing carefully with others, such as “exiling” Liang Song to Gusu, far from the center of power, to live out his later years in peace.
Tang Shen’s decision to dissociate from Liang Song and his youth at the time he became his pupil spared him from any repercussions. Yet the sudden emergence of Cui Xiao left Tang Shen cold with fear.
Before long, Yao San set off for Jinling Prefecture.
Meanwhile, Tang Shen visited Wang Zhen’s residence, bringing a box of mooncakes as a gift. With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, he used the pretext of delivering the gift to spend the entire day at the Minister Residence. He accompanied Wang Zhen in various leisure activities—feeding birds, appreciating flowers, grinding ink while Wang Zhen wrote, and listening as Wang Zhen played the zither.
After finishing a piece, Wang Zhen stilled the vibrating strings with his hands and turned to Tang Shen. In a soft voice, he asked, “Why does little Junior Brother have such refined taste today, listening to me play the zither?”
Tang Shen replied, “I’ve always enjoyed listening to your music, Senior Brother. You mustn’t misunderstand me. That piece you just played was elegant and enduring; it enchanted me completely.”
Wang Zhen raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, “Is that so? Then you must truly be a kindred spirit. If so, do you know the name of the piece I just played?”
Tang Shen was momentarily startled but quickly recalled that Wang Zhen had lingered over an ancient melody in a zither score four hours earlier. He answered with confidence, “The lyrics go: ‘Soft are the rush leaves, bright are the apricot blossoms; a painted boat drifts gently. Twin mandarin ducks bathe at the green bank, and the sound of rowing songs fills the air. The spring water is calm, the spring weather half rain and half sunshine. Fair maidens accompany each other at the southern shore, glancing tenderly…’ Senior Brother played ‘The Crane Ascends to the Sky.’ Did I get it right?”
Having an excellent memory, Tang Shen recited the lyrics with such certainty that it seemed as if he genuinely understood the music.
Wang Zhen gave him a meaningful look. “Correct. You truly understand this piece?”
Tang Shen replied confidently, “I even recited the lyrics. How could I not know?”
Wang Zhen smiled faintly. “Very well, then. I suppose you do.”
During dinner, Tang Shen brought up Gusu Prefecture, saying, “I haven’t returned to Gusu in two years. I find myself missing home. Senior Brother, do you miss the Wang clan in Langya or Jinling Prefecture? You’ve been away for quite some time; surely you’d find things have changed upon your return.”
Wang Zhen paused momentarily before responding, studying Tang Shen’s face as if searching for a clue. But as he wasn’t a mind reader, he could only laugh and say, “I visited Jinling Prefecture during the last New Year. Perhaps next year, we can return to Jiangnan together for the celebrations?”
Tang Shen smiled warmly. “That would be wonderful. I visited the Wang clan in Langya once years ago. Its vast estate and rich heritage left an indelible impression on me.”
After dinner, Tang Shen took his leave, and the two agreed to reunite at the Minister Residence for moon-viewing during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Upon leaving the manor, Tang Shen’s expression turned serious, and he concluded, “Wang Zifeng knows nothing about Cui Xiao’s matter!”
Since Jinling Prefecture was the Wang clan’s ancestral home and essentially Wang Zhen’s territory, if Cui Xiao truly had ulterior motives, the Wang clan would have been aware and informed Wang Zhen. However, Wang Zhen’s ignorance suggested that Cui Xiao had genuinely come to seek help for personal troubles, rather than harboring any ill intent.
Though Tang Shen felt more certain, he still kept Cui Xiao imprisoned and waited for Yao San’s return.
On August 12th, before Yao San could return from Jinling, the Empress Dowager’s memorial feast took precedence.
Ten days prior to the Empress Dowager’s memorial, Zhao Fu tasked his three sons with preparing the banquet. It was their first major assignment, and the fact that it was given to all three simultaneously was significant. Each prince spared no effort to ensure success. Though the task wasn’t difficult, they divided responsibilities meticulously and handled everything flawlessly.
However, an interesting incident occurred during this period, which Wang Zhen later recounted to Tang Shen while casually feeding his pet bird.
It was said that the day after the three princes accepted their assignment, the Second Prince Zhao Shang went to Qinzheng Hall to meet with Meng Lang, the Minister of Rites.
Meng Lang was startled to see such an esteemed guest.
Zhao Shang explained his purpose directly: “Last year, it was you, Minister Meng, who managed the arrangements for Grandmother Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet. Now that I have taken on this task, I feel inadequate and inexperienced. I fear offending some taboos or overlooking important traditions. I lack deep knowledge of the rites and only understand a fraction of their meaning, so I have come to seek your guidance.”
Meng Lang breathed a sigh of relief. “So that’s the matter. As the Minister of Rites, it is my duty to assist Your Highness.”
In truth, Zhao Shang had already handled everything properly and didn’t need Meng Lang’s assistance. Nevertheless, by making this visit, he demonstrated humility and tact, which helped strengthen his relationship with the minister. He had worked with Meng Lang before during the negotiations with the Liao envoy last year, but now, by being the only prince to proactively seek Meng Lang’s counsel, he drew closer to him.
Meanwhile, Wang Zhen scattered bird feed for his pet oriole, his voice calm and clear: “Little Junior Brother, what do you think of the Second Prince now?”
Tang Shen was stunned. “It seems I underestimated him.”
Wang Zhen reached out and lightly tapped Tang Shen’s forehead, prompting him to touch the spot in confusion.
Wang Zhen said, “All people have private ambitions. Acting out of self-interest always involves some ulterior motive. Meng Lang is no exception, and neither is Zhao Shang.”
Tang Shen asked curiously, “Does Senior Brother also have private ambitions?”
Wang Zhen paused, then smiled serenely. “Naturally.”
Tang Shen grew more curious. “What is your ambition, Senior Brother?”
Wang Zhen replied with a faint smile, “There is an old saying: ‘At thirty, a man stands firm.’ Next year, I will turn thirty.”
Tang Shen was baffled. “...?” What?
Wang Zhen merely smiled and said no more.
The phrase “At thirty, a man stands firm” traditionally implies that a man should first establish a family and then build a career. Wang Zhen felt a deep sense of regret about this. Though he had dedicated twenty years to his studies, honoring heaven and his sovereign, he realized he had neglected the teachings of his ancestors by pursuing a career before starting a family. Wang Zhen, being a man who adhered strictly to propriety, knew he had to correct this deviation, and it wasn’t too late to do so.
On August 12, the day of the Empress Dowager’s memorial, Zhao Fu donned a ceremonial robe and led the court officials to Dingguo Temple to offer prayers and sacrifices for the Empress Dowager.
As Court Gentleman Consultant, Tang Shen stood near the front of the officials, while those ranked fourth and below knelt in rows behind him, forming a dense mass of black-robed figures. During the ceremony, even Zhao Fu had to kneel. Clad in a heavy, elaborate ceremonial garment, Zhao Fu took measured steps toward the altar. Upon gazing at the Empress Dowager’s memorial tablet, he was overcome with emotion, and tears welled up in his eyes as he knelt and prayed for her blessing.
When the Son of Heaven knelt, all officials bowed their heads in obeisance.
Hundreds of people filled the grand temple, yet it was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
At that moment, a soft chanting voice rose, resonating like a divine hymn from the Western Pure Land. The sound silenced the birds and insects alike. The man’s voice, reciting sutras with each turn of his sandalwood prayer beads, was solemn and serene, offering prayers for the Empress Dowager. When he finished reciting the entire Sutra of the Fundamental Vows of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva, Zhao Fu rose from his prayer mat, and the officials finally lifted their heads.
Tang Shen fixed his gaze on the figure and finally saw him clearly.
On the altar, the Chief Astronomer knelt to the emperor’s left, while a monk stood on his right. The monk had a round face, benevolent brows, and kind eyes, exuding a serene and ethereal aura that immediately calmed anyone who looked at him.
Tang Shen stared in a daze, and a name suddenly flashed in his mind.
This was the renowned monk, Master Shanting.
After the prayers at Dingguo Temple concluded, the officials followed the emperor back to the palace to attend the memorial banquet.
As the crowd left the temple, a figure dressed in a Taoist robe stealthily approached the carriage of a second-rank official. Li Xiaoren had been waiting for a long time, and when he finally saw Wang Zhen, his eyes lit up. He hurried over and called out, “Wang daren!”
Wang Zhen turned, saw that it was Li Xiaoren, and responded with a gentle smile, his refined features exuding warmth. “Ah, it’s Li daren.”