Book One, Chapter 59: Nocturne

Yuan Liu met a brusque end in prison, and Chen Yang oversaw his final affairs. On Xiao Chi’ye’s instructions, he set up a new house for Yuan Liu’s wife in Dan city, and hired a good teacher for his son. Xiao Chi’ye’s illness lingered until the season of snowmelt was upon Qu Capital. When heContinue reading “Book One, Chapter 59: Nocturne”

Book One, Chapter 58: Heavy Snow

Snow fell for days on end. The assassination inquest was hastily wrapped up, and all its strife and tumult vanished beneath a flurry of wind and snow, turning into a vast, glittering whiteness that stretched as far as the eye could see. It was at this time that Li Jianheng heard the news: Xiao Chi’yeContinue reading “Book One, Chapter 58: Heavy Snow”

Book One, Chapter 56: Fanning the Flames

The lamps in the Imperial Guard’s operational headquarters remained lit until daybreak. Heads spinning from the figures, the accountants from the Ministry of Revenue finally collected every questionable record into a booklet, and handed this in to Fu Linye. Shen Zechuan read through them all. Fu Linye briskly appended his own report, and sent theContinue reading “Book One, Chapter 56: Fanning the Flames”

Book One, Chapter 54: Onslaught

The accompanying censor’s name was Yu Xiaozai. He was of no high station, simply an Investigative Censor of the upper seventh grade. His position, like the Chief Supervising Secretaries of the Six Offices of Scrutiny, was one of low rank, but very high authority, as it gave him the power to regulate and supervise. Therefore,Continue reading “Book One, Chapter 54: Onslaught”

Book One, Chapter 53: Inspection

There was grave silence in the hall. One could have heard a pin drop. As the light in Xiao Chi’ye’s eyes slowly dimmed, he removed his own waist-badge. Li Jianheng’s chest heaved forcefully as he said, “Governor-General of the Imperial Guard, Xiao Chi’ye, has been suspended from duty pending investigation, and is confined to hisContinue reading “Book One, Chapter 53: Inspection”