Chapter Twenty-Eight: Brother Jie, Don't!

"Eat something and get a good night's sleep."

Di Renjie walked up to Wu An and set down a bowl of noodle soup.

"The cook at the Supreme Court who knew how to make real food died the day before yesterday; there's only soup noodles tonight... Don't think about it too much."

Di Renjie originally intended to pat Wu An on the head, but after a moment's thought, his hand landed on the other man's shoulder instead.

"I still don't even know how old you are."

"Eighteen."

Di Renjie, who was about to sit down, looked back at him upon hearing this.

"Such... a young talent."

Wu An shook his head slightly, clearly not keen on continuing the topic. The two sat facing each other, and for a time, the sound of slurping noodles became quite rhythmic.

Wu An had grown accustomed to life in the military, so he never considered chewing slowly when eating. Di Renjie was much the same, suggesting that he, too, was likely long accustomed to the pressures of official business—perhaps he even had a stomach ailment?

If he were to pay a visit in the future, he might consider bringing along a prescription and some medicinal herbs for the stomach. Others would surely find it offensive, but given Di Renjie's pragmatic nature, he would likely accept them gladly.

Di Renjie set his chopsticks down gently, picked up a cloth to wipe his mouth, and looked at Wu An, waiting quietly for him to finish.

After a while, Wu An set his chopsticks down as well. Di Renjie said coolly, "That plan you mentioned earlier—I don't think it will work."

"It's not actually that difficult," Wu An said, glancing at the two empty bowls on the table with feigned indifference. "Most people like to eat, but most people don't like to wash the dishes, because even if they aren't tired, a used bowl is dirty."

"Ordinary people will eventually wash the dirty bowl clean, but those who are wealthier or more reckless might simply discard the dirty bowl and use a new one. Either way, no one keeps a bowl that has already been dirtied."

How could there be such waste in this world?

Di Renjie frowned slightly, yet he understood the meaning behind Wu An’s words—it was nothing more than a worry about being liquidated in the future.

"Do you have any idea? There are millions of subjects in this land. If they knew they could serve the Emperor, even if they knew it meant death, there would be no shortage of people willing to charge through fire and water without hesitation."

"But I have already died once in Hexi."

Wu An had no interest in debating the meaning of life with Di Renjie. He went straight to the point: "I just want to know, what is your take on what happens next?"

"Are you asking me to help you find a way out?"

Di Renjie pondered for a moment before actually answering: "Now that these two are dead, the court will be in turmoil tomorrow. The number of people submitting petitions to have you executed will be as numerous as carp crossing a river. However, quite a few of them will likely use this as an excuse to criticize the Emperor."

To criticize, in the sense of remonstrance.

The most famous remonstrating official of the previous era was Wei Zheng, whose mouth was the only thing that remained active during the latter half of his life. But that did not mean the tradition of remonstrance had ended with his death.

"But the more they do that, the easier it becomes to complicate the situation. On the surface, the fault lies with Xue and Hao. As the interrogation and sentencing proceed step by step, the outcome will likely be a dismissal from office and exile—but it will never be like what happened today."

One had merely spent two days in the Supreme Court prison, while the other was dragged to prison and strangled to death within the same day.

"The Emperor will never take a step back on this matter," Di Renjie stated. "However, once this affair is concluded, he will not keep a rebellious rogue like you around."

He had presided over ten thousand cases at the Supreme Court in the past two years, and the process was always the same: open the case, make arrests, interrogate, convict, punish, and close the case.

"But in my opinion... things are rarely just black and white. The more the Emperor dislikes you, the more he might actually appreciate you. It only depends on whether he is willing to eat off that dirty bowl again."

Di Renjie pointed to the two empty bowls in front of him, echoing Wu An’s earlier metaphor.

The more you dislike, the more you appreciate—these two things were not necessarily in conflict. Sometimes you might think your superior is a complete beast, but then you realize that if he weren't beastly enough, he might not have attained such a high position.

Wu An pondered for a moment and asked, "After all that nonsense, can you give me the result directly?"

Di Renjie took a deep breath and gave a slight nod.

"There is a way, but I fear you wouldn't dare do it."

"Tell me."

He raised his hand and pointed across the table at a certain part of Wu An’s body.

"Castrate yourself."

He added politely, "If you castrate yourself, you will have provided an answer to everyone. His Majesty and the Empress will surely put you to good use; the palace needs men of your talent."

Wu An looked at him without a word.

Stop dreaming and be realistic... Di Renjie felt that this young man had finally been broken by his words. He chuckled with a hint of dark amusement and said sarcastically, "If you don't want to cut it off, I understand. Perhaps a princess will come to the Supreme Court tomorrow in person to see you and say she wants to marry you."

"Sleep."

He stood up and patted Wu An on the shoulder. The latter countered, "Where do I sleep?"

"Together."

...

"Say that again—what princess?"

Di Renjie stood at the doorway, beginning to wonder if he was still dreaming.

Outside, it was already broad daylight. With November coming to an end, the weather was turning increasingly cold, and their breath turned into white mist as they spoke.

The official standing outside rubbed his hands, his breath forming clouds: "Lord Di, a Princess has indeed arrived outside. Everyone above the sixth rank at the Supreme Court has gone to pay their respects. You should go quickly as well."

Di Renjie’s normally sharp mind struggled to process this: "What is a Princess doing at the Supreme Court?"

The official’s gaze bypassed Di Renjie and landed behind him, where he could see a heroic-looking young man in the room, yawning while putting on his clothes. Faint, jagged scars were visible on his muscular frame.

The official looked at him, then at the expressionless Di Renjie.

"She said that the Emperor has bestowed some imperial gifts upon Military Commandant Wu, and that the Commandant must come out immediately to receive the decree."

"What did the Emperor bestow?"

Wu An walked over after getting dressed, but the official seemed afraid to say too much. He simply urged him to hurry over and then beat a hasty retreat.

"You should go first," Di Renjie said beside him.

"Can't. After sleeping all night, my mouth tastes bad. I need to wash up first." Wu An rubbed his hands and asked, "Where is the water?"

Di Renjie watched as Wu An brushed his teeth and washed his face with efficient movements, silently contemplating the purpose of the Princess's visit. Finally, he couldn't help but say, "That's enough. Don't keep Her Highness waiting. I just don't know what she intends by coming here so early."

Even though he didn't know which Princess it was, she was, in the end, of imperial blood. And coming here to "bestow gifts" on behalf of the Emperor—the implication was all too clear.

A flash of insight crossed Di Renjie's eyes. If he followed this detail to its logical conclusion, it meant the Emperor did not want to blow this matter out of proportion.

There were still several days until the next morning court session. In those days, once many officials learned of this, they would certainly weigh their options.

After all, except for those with thick skulls or those looking to make a name for themselves as remonstrators, most officials would not rashly choose to go against the Emperor.

Thinking of this, if the reaction of the court officials was not enough to make the Emperor extremely angry, then when he was in a good mood, he might raise his hand and spare Wu An for the sake of the Wu family.

"You are quite lucky."

Thinking of this, Di Renjie couldn't help but shake his head, his understanding of the world becoming a bit clearer.

Wu An finished adjusting his clothes and crown and nodded slightly at him: "Good people's luck is never too bad."

Di Renjie: "???"

"Heh, just worry about how to make Her Highness leave happily."

Di Renjie shook his head and sighed: "It’s impossible that she actually came here to marry you. Stop dreaming."

Having slept in the same room the night before, their relationship had grown closer, and their speech was no longer as formal as before. Di Renjie in his red robes and Wu An in his blue attire walked out of the courtyard while talking.

As he walked, Di Renjie wondered if the Princess also carried a message from the Empress for him.

That was not impossible.

In the main hall of the front office.

The officials of the Supreme Court were not required to kneel to listen to instructions, but each one wore a look of polite eagerness. Their eyes reflected a young girl in palace attire sitting behind a desk.

The girl had an oval face, large and clear eyes, and skin as fine as carved jade. She wore a bright yellow narrow-sleeved blouse with a red skirt embroidered with gold clouds; the color of the trousers underneath could not be seen.

Her shoulders were draped in a white fox fur, layered with a green silk scarf, her posture dignified.

When facing external officials, her face lost its casual air and took on a natural, noble aura. But if one looked closely, one could still see a hint of deliberate tension.

"Imperial Censor Di Renjie and Military Commandant Wu An request an audience with Her Highness."

The palace attendants standing at the door began to announce them.

"Let them enter."

She set down her teacup, her voice crisp.

The Princess didn't pay much attention to Di Renjie. When Wu An entered the room, she was slightly surprised; she hadn't expected him to be the same person she had met before.

As soon as Wu An entered, he saw the young Princess sitting behind the desk. His gaze first fell on the luxurious gold ornaments in her hair, then on her face, and finally, slowly downward.

Confirmed by the look in her eyes: You are Princess Taiping.

We have met once before.

The latter also noticed his gaze and, after lingering on him for a moment, looked away.

"Everyone else may withdraw. The Imperial Censor and the Military Commandant shall remain," she said clearly.

The officials of the Supreme Court, who had no desire to serve the Princess here, bowed and retreated, returning to their posts to continue idling.

The hall returned to silence.

The young Princess looked at Wu An with interest, her red lips parting:

"Before speaking of His Majesty's verbal decree, I must ask a question... Military Commandant Wu, have you already promised yourself to another, or have you already taken a wife?"

Di Renjie, standing to the side, was stunned. He began to truly wonder if he had slept through the night and was actually still dreaming.

Wu An glanced at Di Renjie and said earnestly:

"Your servant has not taken a wife, nor have I promised myself to anyone."

The young Princess nodded, imitating the tone of her mother, the Empress, as she said with feigned indifference:

"Then, you may begin to consider it now."

Di Renjie stood to the side, his mouth twitching slightly.

The young Princess noticed him then, gave a soft "oh," and after a moment of silence, said with some embarrassment: "It is my fault. I have been negligent toward Lord Di."

Di Renjie straightened his posture, about to respond, only to hear the girl continue even more apologetically: "This is my first time leaving the palace to convey a decree. My handling of things is a bit clumsy. Please, Lord Di, step outside."

She pointed to the heroic young man.

"I have some words to speak with him in private."

Di Renjie took a deep breath, bowed, and said, "Your servant will withdraw."

He and Wu An exchanged a glance, only to find the other man's look filled with mockery.

Don't.

Wu An shouted in his heart. Although the young Princess was very beautiful, he did not want any complications at this moment. With Di Renjie there to back him up, he could have been much more at ease.