Chapter 5
Our investigation showed that the Left Chancellor’s third son was both stupid and overconfident—a perfect fall guy in the making.
The plan proceeded remarkably smoothly.
After being bottled up for half a month, the Censor finally found an outlet. He was terrifyingly powerful.
What else could one expect from a man who had once placed first in all three levels of the imperial examinations? He could curse a man without uttering a single vulgar word.
“A rat has skin; how can a man have no decorum? If a man has no decorum, why does he not die?
“I once heard that the Left Chancellor possessed such magnificent bearing, he might soar fifty thousand miles higher than the great roc itself!
“I know one creature that is a dog yet does not know it. Left Chancellor, why not use your own piss as a mirror?
“A man ignorant of past and present is but an ox or horse in robes; a scholar without shame is a dog or pig in cap and gown!
“Don’t overthink it, Left Chancellor. I mean you!”
The Censor cursed from dawn until noon with no sign of stopping. The other officials were so hungry their stomachs had nearly fused to their spines, and the resentment in their eyes whenever they looked at the Left Chancellor only deepened.
At last, Chu Yunmo waved a hand and ordered the imperial kitchens to prepare food. They could eat, then begin the next round.
After all, this had to be sustainable. We could hardly starve the Censor.
During the meal, Xu Wanying volunteered her services. From a great distance, she and her father gazed at each other through tear-filled eyes. Then she let one tear fall, turned away, and departed with tragic resolve.
The fire Censor Xu had only just banked flared back to life.
In the second half, he abandoned all decorum and unleashed his ultimate attack.
“Damn it! What the hell is this?
“You old bastard, you—”
What a gloriously unrestrained battle of insults.
Chu Yunmo: That was close. At least he isn’t cursing me.
After that clash, the entire court fell silent.
The officials became cautious to the point of terror, walking as if over thin ice, afraid that one wrong move would expose them to the Censor’s indiscriminate fire.
The Left Chancellor’s faction, however, clearly had no intention of stopping.
The Imperial Preceptor, who lived year-round in the Star-Plucking Pavilion, issued a prophecy: “A divine maiden shall descend, born with the destiny of the phoenix. She shall wed the Son of Heaven and bring blessings upon the land.”
He further announced that he would personally emerge at the sacrificial ceremony one month later and divine the maiden’s location.
“Three years ago, a terrible drought struck Chu. The people were displaced, popular support crumbled, and although Father ordered disaster relief, it accomplished little.
“The Imperial Preceptor appeared then and successfully prayed for rain. Ever since, the people have revered him.”
Chu Yunmo frowned and continued.
“But my investigation shows that he has always communicated with Prince Yong’an in secret. This has to be a trap. For all I know, they mean to force some woman on me, then produce a random child and use it as an excuse to drive me from the throne!”
When Chu Yunmo finished his analysis, he looked at me hopefully.
Ever since I became Imperial Tutor, Chu Yunmo had either been complaining to me or on his way to complain.
One day the Grand Commandant had shoved him around; the next, Chu Yunmo was digging up some ancient grudge and demanding that I settle it.
Not a trace remained of the cold, vicious wolf cub I had encountered upon my return. He had been completely transformed into a cheerful, outgoing young man.
I took a delicate sip of tea and slowly spoke.
“You really are useless.”
Chu Yunmo paid the insult no mind. He took two quick steps toward me, smiling with shameless flattery.
“Sister Ruo, a teacher for a day is a father for life. I’ve already lost one father. You can’t abandon me too!”
By the end, even his eyes had reddened slightly as he gazed at me through a sheen of tears.
I said, “…Impressive.”