After ten years of accompanying me in my studies, the entire court begged me to shut up.

Chapter 106 Enemies on All Sides

Qian Xuzi sneered, his eyes filled with resentment.

"Back then, Emperor Chenghua ordered the massacre of my Jianzhou, leaving no one alive. Today, I'm killing his son. What's so hard to understand?"

Yang Shen frowned and asked, "Are you a Jurchen?"

Qian Xuzi nodded, panting heavily, and said, "I am originally from the Qitala clan of Jianzhou, which is Qian in Chinese. My father was the leader of a tribe of Jianzhou Jurchens. In the battle of the third year of Chenghua, my clan was almost completely wiped out. I was young at the time and was hidden in a dry well, thus escaping the calamity. Later, I was found by a Han Chinese medicine merchant and sold to my master. My master treated me like a son and taught me medicine, but he never knew my true identity until his death."

"After my master died, I had no more attachments. I lived in anonymity for thirty years, gradually working my way up to where I am today, hoping to settle this grudge quietly without anyone knowing. I never expected that I would end up falling into the hands of a mere child like you."

Yang Shen was silent for a moment, then asked, "So, your association with those officials and gentry was also to cover your tracks?"

Qian Xuzi said, "I have calculated the aconite in that medicine very clearly. A tiny amount each day, after only six months of taking it, will gradually cause qi and spirit to weaken. At that time, no one will be able to find anything wrong with it. It's a pity—"

His voice grew weaker and weaker, and he lowered his head as if he were asleep.

Yang Shen stepped forward: "Don't fall asleep! I haven't finished asking my questions yet!"

Qian Xuzi kept his head down and did not react.

Yang Shen knew something was wrong and quickly shouted, "He's taken poison!"

Mu Bin's expression changed, and he rushed over to lift Qian Xuzi's face.

His face was ashen white, black blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, emitting a pungent, strange odor.

Mu Bin checked his breathing; he was no longer breathing.

He pried open Qian Xuzi's mouth and saw a small black pill bitten open between his teeth; the black blood was seeping from it.

Enraged, Mu Bin kicked the chair, yelling, "That bastard! He actually hid poison in his mouth!"

Li Chun leaned over for a look, then spat, "That traitorous wretch should be executed by slow slicing! To die like this is too lenient!"

Yang Shen said, "Commander Mou, is this considered a result of the interrogation?"

Mu Bin wiped his sweat and nodded: "Yes, definitely! He has already confessed his identity and purpose, and we have a complete statement, so this case can be closed."

Yang Shen nodded and said, "Then—I'll go home?"

Mu Bin quickly said, "Yang, don't worry, I'll have someone prepare a carriage to take you."

Yang Shen pursed his lips and looked at him: "Commander Mou, you promised me."

Mu Bin was taken aback, then slapped his forehead, suddenly realizing, "Oh dear! Look at my memory! Don't worry, I've already had it prepared, it'll be delivered to your residence in a bit."

Yang Shen was finally satisfied and left the imperial prison.

A moment later, a carriage departed from the Northern Garrison Command.

Upon arriving at the Yang family residence, two captains unloaded a large box from the carriage and, under Yang Shen's direction, carried it directly to the living room before clasping their hands in farewell.

After seeing the two off, Yang Shen turned around and saw Yang Tinghe walking out from the back hall.

Yang Tinghe stared at the box, his brow furrowed slightly: "What's this?"

Yang Shen chuckled and opened the box.

Inside were stacks of gleaming silver, each ingot neatly arranged.

Yang Shen counted them; the total was eight hundred taels.

Yang Tinghe frowned even more deeply: "Who gave it to you?"

Yang Shen truthfully replied, "It was given to me by Mu Bin. I helped him with the case."

Yang Tinghe asked, "Is the trial finished?"

"Yes, the review is complete."

Yang Shen nodded and said, "Qian Xuzi has confessed. He was originally a nobleman of the Jianzhou Jurchens. When Emperor Xianzong sent troops to Jianzhou, his family was wiped out. He held a grudge and lived in hiding for thirty years. This time, he came here specifically to provoke His Majesty."

Yang Tinghe was silent for a moment, then suddenly sighed: "Sit down, I was just about to tell you about this."

Yang Shen obediently sat down, and seeing his father's solemn expression, he had a vague feeling that something was wrong.

"You've gotten yourself into big trouble!"

"This—I hope Father will enlighten me!"

Yang Tinghe sat down opposite him and slowly said, "This case is far too complicated. After Qian Xuzi came to the capital, he secretly made connections with officials and gentry, at least dozens of people. Once he gets into trouble, the number of people implicated is countless. Those in the Imperial Hospital are typical examples, but they are definitely not the only ones."

Yang Shen said, "What's wrong with me exposing Qian Xuzi's conspiracy because I was worried about His Majesty's safety?"

Yang Tinghe waved his hand: "You did nothing wrong, and I didn't say you did anything wrong either."

He paused, then said in a deep voice, "But you've offended a lot of people!"

"How much silver did Qian Xuzi give away to cover his tracks? How many officials did he befriend? Those people took his money and did his bidding. Now that his deeds have been exposed, none of them can escape. The Embroidered Uniform Guard is arresting people everywhere. It's all over the capital now. Those who have been arrested all know that you were the one who brought down Qian Xuzi!"

Yang Shen thought about it carefully, and it seemed to make sense.

Yang Tinghe continued, "Do you know how my colleagues look at me? Suspicion, alienation, even resentment! I haven't done anything, but just because I'm your father, I'm treated differently. And you, at such a young age, are already making enemies everywhere. Will you even be able to hold office in the future?"

Yang Shen thought for a moment and said, "I don't understand. Why does Qian Xuzi want to associate with powerful and influential people? His goal is to poison them, which is easy for someone of his status to do. I can understand associating with the Imperial Hospital, but what does it mean to associate with those civil and military officials?"

"His intentions are for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate; it's none of my business!"

Yang Tinghe waved his hand and continued, "However, no matter what schemes this person may have, you certainly cannot stay in the capital."

"You've offended too many people this time. After much thought, I've decided to send you back to your hometown in Xindu, Sichuan. Study hard and prepare for the next provincial examination."

Yang Shen's eyes widened: "Is it that serious?"

Yang Tinghe looked at him and said earnestly, "I know you have the Crown Prince as your backer. However, people's hearts are unpredictable. If you offend someone, you'll find it difficult to move forward. Take, for example, the duck blood soup vendor on the street. If you're on good terms with him, he'll give you extra soup. But if you offend him, and he spits in your soup, would you be able to taste it?"

Yang Shen's lips twitched, but he didn't reply.

Yang Tinghe continued, "These days, with all that biogas digester stuff, do you know you've already offended the charcoal merchants in the capital? And with that sweater business, you almost got yourself into trouble because of the fabric guild's sabotage. You've also caused chaos in Wuqing County. Those local gentry all have powerful backers; you've cut off their livelihood. If you really hand them over one day, do you think they'll treat you well?"

He sighed and continued, "Regarding the Medicine King Sect incident, I didn't say you did anything wrong. I'm just saying you've made too many enemies. Go back to your hometown and lay low for a couple of years until no one cares about you anymore, then come back."

Yang Shen remained silent.

He knew perfectly well that this was his father's painstaking effort.

He wasn't afraid of offending people, but his father was right.

If you offend a petty person, they will trip you up behind your back, making it really difficult to move forward.

After a long silence, he nodded: "Alright, I'll listen to my father!"