Chapter 90: Right and Wrong (2/2)
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The imperial city of Xudu was far smaller and less grand than those of Luoyang and Chang’an. Its area was limited, and the palace itself rather modest. Though its layout mirrored that of Luoyang’s imperial city, it appeared somewhat stingy in comparison.
Within the Palace of Eternal Joy, the Empress of the Great Han Empire sat quietly, engrossed in a book.
At twenty-nine, she possessed the beauty of a blooming flower and the grace of the moon, gentle and dignified. Clad in a deep crimson robe that concealed her supple figure, she exuded a solemn and noble air. Her black hair, smooth as satin, was coiled into an elegant bun fashioned into a falling horsehair style, adding to her mature charm.
The palace was silent; the Empress held a scroll of the Classic of Poetry, her gaze distant and dreamy.
Her name was Fu Shou, the eighth-generation granddaughter of Fu Zhan, the Grand Minister of the Eastern Han, styled Guimei. Her father was Fu Wan, Marquis Buqi and General Who Assists the State. Yet her elevation to Empress was due primarily to her mother, Princess Yang’an of the Great Han, Liu Hua—daughter of Emperor Huan and sister to Emperor Ling. Thus, in terms of rank, Fu Shou was a peer of the Han Emperor.
In the first year of the Chuping era, after Dong Zhuo relocated the capital to Chang’an, Fu Wan entered the palace, appointed as a noble consort at the tender age of twelve. By the second year of Xingping, Fu Shou had become Empress.
Setting aside the scroll, Fu Shou sighed softly.
To outsiders, she was a queen of a nation, dazzling and enviable. Yet who could fathom the bitterness and sorrow she harbored within?
Confined within the palace all day, she felt like a bird trapped in a cage.
Though titled Emperor, the Han sovereign held no real power.
In truth, Xudu was no different from Chang’an. If anything, Cao Cao treated the Emperor with more deference than Dong Zhuo had.
Fu Shou bore little affection for the Emperor.
At first, she pitied him, but later…
After the Grand Minister Wang Yun’s stratagem to slay Dong Zhuo failed, and Li Jue and Guo Si’s forces stormed Chang’an, Wang Yun met his demise by suicide.
The Emperor had shown himself weak and unnervingly cold during those events.
This bred in Fu Shou a deep resentment toward Emperor Liu Xie. Regardless of Wang Yun’s motives—be they for power or otherwise—he had remained loyal to the Han dynasty. But after Wang Yun’s death, the Emperor callously shifted all blame to the Grand Minister, a coldness Fu Shou found incredulous.
Mean-spirited and ungrateful.
It was from that moment that Fu Shou’s dissatisfaction with Emperor Liu Xie grew.
Alas, she was Empress and daughter of Fu Wan.
From birth, her life had been shaped by her father’s will; all decisions were made for her…
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty!”
A palace maid hurried in, panic etched across her face.
Fu Shou furrowed her delicate brows, whispering softly, “Did I not instruct that when I am reading, no one should disturb me?”
“Your Majesty, it is your father-in-law. He requests an audience.”
Hearing this, Fu Shou smiled bitterly.
“Then let him come in.”
She was a dutiful daughter, uncertain how to refuse her father.
Since arriving in Xudu, Fu Wan seemed transformed. In Chang’an, he had been cautious and timid; here, he appeared emboldened.
Her husband was an ambitious man; so too was her father.
Caught between them, Fu Wan often felt weary, unsure how to find relief.
Soon after, the maid escorted Fu Wan into the Palace of Eternal Joy.
Though past forty, Fu Wan was dignified in appearance, showing no signs of age. It made sense—had he been ugly, Princess Yang’an would not have favored him. Approaching the palace with due respect, he greeted the Empress: “Father, what brings you here?”
“Empress, I have a matter to discuss on behalf of your humble servant.”
Then Fu Wan broke down in tears.
“Father, what has happened?”
“Empress, Fu Jun—he has been beaten.”
“What?”
Fu Shou’s face paled in shock.
Fu Wan had six children: five sons and one daughter. The eldest, Fu De, served in the Emperor’s palace as a servant and was killed by Yang Feng after fleeing with the Emperor post-Dong Zhuo’s demise. The second son, Fu Ya, died tragically in the palace during battles among generals in Xiliang, leaving no remains. Next came Fu Shou herself, followed by Fu Jun, her eldest younger brother and Fu Wan’s third son. Though Fu Wan had two other sons, Fu Zun and Fu Lang, Fu Jun was Fu Shou’s favorite, incomparable to the others.
The reason was simple.
Fu Jun was born before Fu Shou’s marriage; they had grown up together.
In contrast, Fu Zun and Fu Lang were born after Fu Shou’s marriage into the palace, leaving little opportunity for contact.
Fu Shou hurriedly asked, “Who harmed Jun? How severe are his injuries?”
“My son’s leg… it’s broken.”
Fu Wan wept bitterly.
Fu Shou felt her heart wrenching painfully. Rising swiftly, she demanded, “Who did this?”
“Dian Man and Xu Yi, with Cao Zhen and others assisting their villainy.”
“Hm?”
Fu Shou narrowed her phoenix-like eyes, then sat again.
“Why did this conflict arise?”
“Well… Dian Man and Xu Yi were recklessly riding horses through the streets of Xiliang, injuring passersby. Fu Jun intervened to stop them, so they struck him.”
Fu Shou regarded her father silently for a long moment before sighing. “Father, you know well that deceiving me is also an act of rebellion.”
“Ah?”
“You know Jun’s character. I might believe he was reckless on the street, but the idea he acted righteously is hard to accept. Besides, Jun is always protected by others; how could he have been so easily injured by Dian Man and Xu Yi?”
No one knows a brother like a sister.
Fu Shou’s love for Fu Jun did not blind her judgment.
“Father, please tell me the truth, or I shall not intervene further. You know well that His Majesty owes his safety to Minister Cao. If you seek to stir trouble over this, it may bring calamity, and I shall be unable to defend you.”
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Fu Wan stifled his sobs.
He knew his daughter was no fool.
To survive the intrigues of the harem and rise to its pinnacle required exceptional insight.
After a moment’s hesitation, he mournfully said, “In truth, it’s not so simple. Fu Jun collided with an old beggar woman on the road. Dian Man and Xu Yi have long harbored resentment toward the royal family, so they seized the opportunity to attack. Worse still, Dian Wei came later and killed three of my household guards. Guimei, you remember Fu Qiu, whose ancestors have served our family for three generations? He did much to aid His Majesty’s escape from Chang’an and was slain by Dian Wei as well. Xun Wen not only failed to punish the culprits but imprisoned Fu Jun too.”
Fu Shou fell silent.
She believed the matter was far more complicated than her father described.
Yet Fu Jun was her brother, and she could not bear to see him suffer.
“Father,” Fu Shou suddenly called, stepping down to support him onto a seat, “I am already aware of this. I only wish to say that the imperial house is in turmoil; Xudu is no place for us to settle permanently. The times are unstable, and we have no military power. We must rely on Minister Cao to restore the realm and rebuild the Han dynasty. So please, do not incite further trouble.”
“And Fu Jun?”
“I shall attend to Fu Jun’s matter myself. Minister Xun is an upright man and would not act unjustly. I will send someone to plead for leniency, but Father, please do not cause more strife.”
“Well…”
“Father, do you wish to force Minister Xun to act harshly as well?”
Fu Shou’s tone turned stern, her slender frame radiating an invisible authority.
To command the harem was no easy task; even as a woman, the Empress commanded respect befitting the mother of the realm.
Though reluctant, Fu Wan could only grit his teeth and whisper, “Your servant obeys.”
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The tragic drama in the Palace of Eternal Joy continued to unfold.
Meanwhile, at Xun Yu’s residence, matters were no easier.
Cao Peng, Dian Man, and their cohorts had assaulted over thirty household servants, killing six and maiming seventeen, with the rest wounded to varying degrees.
Forty or fifty men had attacked a handful of youths, leaving them in such a state.
Within a day, the incident spread throughout Xudu, and a steady stream of visitors came to the minister’s residence, seeking explanations.
Some demanded severe punishment for Cao Peng and the others; some pleaded for leniency toward Fu Jun and his companions.
Not only Fu Jun, but also Dong Yue, son of Dong Cheng—the former Imperial General of the Carriage Guards and father of the late Empress—and Zhong Ping, son of Captain Zhong Ji, among other Han officials’ offspring, had been imprisoned by Xun Yu. Fu Jun’s condition was the worst; his thigh bone was shattered beyond repair after being trampled by a horse.
Though Xiao Kun’s medical skills were excellent, as he had said, his specialty was gynecology; he was helpless against such external injuries.
Xun Yu felt troubled.
The facts were clear: Fu Jun and others had ridden recklessly through the market, injuring Zhang’s wife, who had just left the clinic. Wang Mai and Deng Fan intervened and refused to yield, blocking Fu Jun’s party. Fu Jun, arrogant and accustomed to getting his way, ordered his men to attack. Wang Mai resisted, and a brawl ensued.
Dian Man and Cao Peng were not present at the outset; they arrived later, but the situation was already out of control.
In fact, Cao Peng and his men were not at fault; they were victims too. Yet their ruthlessness was undeniable, having injured over thirty people and caused death. Even worse, Cao Peng maimed eight men, with limbs severed and strewn across the street, terrifying the populace. This was no mere child’s mischief—it was outright brutality.
Now Cao Zhen and others were implicated as well.
Cao Zhen, a relative of Cao Cao, had grown up fighting alongside him and held the rank of Yamen General under Deputy General Xu Huang.
Xu Huang had already sent envoys demanding Xun Yu release Cao Zhen, Zhu Zan, and Cao Zun, threatening conflict if refused.
Xun Yu did not fear Xu Huang’s threats.
But… these men were truly troublemakers.
“Master, someone from the palace requests an audience outside, claiming urgent business.”
Someone from the palace?
Xun Yu’s head ached at the news.
From the moment Fu Jun was detained, he had anticipated this outcome.
What surprised him was how swiftly the palace responded. In less than half a day, they had come knocking, leaving Xun Yu deeply troubled.
“Who is it?”
“Zhong Changshi, Leng Fei.”
Xun Yu stood abruptly, eyes wide.
“Leng Fei, here in person?”
“Indeed.”
“Show him in.”
Xun Yu sighed; what was destined to come would come.
He rubbed his face gently, then sipped a bowl of mung bean soup prepared by the servants, feeling somewhat revived.
Leng Fei was an old friend.
His father had once taught at the Yingchuan Academy and had been Xun Yu’s mentor.
After his father’s death, Leng Fei went to Luoyang and somehow became a palace attendant to then Prince of Chenliu, now Emperor Liu Xie.
With Liu Xie’s ascension, Leng Fei’s fortunes rose accordingly, following the Emperor from Luoyang to Chang’an, then Xudu, never abandoning him.
Though years had passed since their last meeting, Xun Yu still cared deeply for his friend.
Yet now, he truly dreaded facing Leng Fei…
Led by servants, Leng Fei entered the reception hall.
He was about three or four years older than Xun Yu, tall and somewhat stout, with a well-built frame.
His face was pale and clean-shaven.
His thick eyebrows and large eyes, along with a pronounced nose, marked him as a man of striking appearance.
Xun Yu still could not fathom how Leng Fei had become a palace insider.
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But that was of little consequence; the key was what he had to say.
“Brother Xuezi, I trust you are well.”
Leng Fei greeted Xun Yu with a respectful bow. “Wenruo, you look well too…”
After some polite exchanges, they sat. Yet Xun Yu found that before Leng Fei’s arrival, he had a mind full of words, but now, facing his old friend, he was at a loss.
Leng Fei smiled. “Wenruo, let us speak plainly. You understand why I am here.”
Xun Yu nodded silently.
“Xudu is the Emperor’s capital; such an incident shocks His Majesty. Yet the Emperor trusts that Minister Xun will handle it justly, correct?”
“Of course.”
“Cao Gong is campaigning afar. Xudu cannot afford chaos. His Majesty wishes this matter resolved swiftly, to avoid scandal. I trust, Wenruo, you have discerned the truth behind this.”
Between the lines lay a subtle challenge.
Xun Yu was no fool; he caught the implication.
He narrowed his eyes, studying Leng Fei. For some unknown reason, the friend seated before him now seemed a stranger.
Once, Leng Fei had been a righteous man, hating the abuses of power by the noble scions.
Who would have thought…
“I have discerned it,” Xun Yu said firmly. “Fu Jun, son of General Who Assists the State Fu Wan, caused a disturbance, riding recklessly, injuring others. Afterward, he ordered his servants to assault them. Dian Man and Xu Yi intervened to uphold justice and were thus entangled.”
Leng Fei’s gaze suddenly grew cold.
Xun Yu met his stare unflinchingly. “Brother Xuezi, I am open-hearted and upright, witness to heaven and earth. Do not look at me so. Right is right, wrong is wrong; justice is clear to all. If His Majesty is dissatisfied with my judgment, he may await Cao Gong’s return for review. But if I am to decide, Fu Jun’s punishment is deserved. According to Han law, rioting and assault merit twenty strokes and banishment to the frontier.”
Leng Fei clenched his fists instinctively, staring hard at Xun Yu.
“Wenruo, is this truly your conclusion?”
“Absolutely.”
After a long pause, Leng Fei sighed.
“Wenruo, you remain as stubborn as ever.”
“Xun Yu is still Xun Yu, but Leng Fei is no longer the man from Yingchuan Academy.”
Xun Yu stood, facing Leng Fei squarely. “Had you been the Leng Fei of old, you would never have spoken thus.”
“You…”
Leng Fei’s face twitched sharply, glaring at Xun Yu.
Suddenly, he laughed. “The Leng Xuezi of old is gone, but Leng Fei is glad that Xun Wenruo remains unchanged.”
He bowed deeply.
“Still, I come by imperial command. Wenruo need not rush to judgment. Youths must endure trials—it is for their good. As for Fu Jun… you know he is the Empress’s brother. She has always cherished him and is heartbroken to hear of his injuries. His wounds and the harsh prison conditions are dire. Could you not show some leniency and allow Fu Jun to receive treatment? His guilt can be addressed once he recovers.”
Xun Yu fell silent.
At his core, he was loyal to the Han dynasty and the Emperor.
Yet he also knew that only Cao Cao could uphold the Han.
His position within Cao’s camp, and the esteem he enjoyed, rested on his impartiality—handling matters without bias and seeking justice. If he released Fu Jun, what of Dian Man and the others? Everyone knew Fu Jun had started this trouble, yet Xun Yu had to consider the Han dynasty’s dignity and the sentiments of loyal officials. Would they accept his decision?
“When a prince commits a crime, commoners share his guilt.”
This phrase came from the Records of the Grand Historian, the biography of Shang Jun.
But what fate befell Shang Jun himself? Xun Yu, a scholar of the sages, knew well.
Easier said than done. The complexities of human relationships were headache-inducing…
If he freed Fu Jun, the Han officials might be silent, preserving the dynasty’s face. But how would Dian Wei and his men be appeased? Xun Yu knew Dian Wei well; angering him was no small matter. He would neither listen to reason nor care about appearances—things could only worsen.
No. Fu Jun must not be freed…
Firm in his decision, Xun Yu said in a low voice, “Please inform His Majesty that Xun Yu is incapable of resolving this and requests Cao Gong’s return to adjudicate. As for Fu Jun… forgive me, but I cannot show partiality. If the Empress worries about his health, I can arrange special care, even allow imperial physicians into the prison. But until this case concludes, Fu Jun shall not be released.”
Leng Fei’s expression darkened considerably.
He glared coldly at Xun Yu, then after a moment bowed. “Since Wenruo has decided, I will take my leave.”
“No need to see me out.”
Xun Yu swept his sleeve and turned away.
Old friends had become strangers over divergent convictions.
He glanced at the ‘Nine Virtues’ plaque hanging in the hall, hearing Leng Fei’s footsteps fade away, and an overwhelming sadness rose within him.
Brother Xuezi, had you stood where I stand today, you would likely make the same choice.
His eyes grew moist; the smile upon his lips was tinged with melancholy.
Nine Virtues…
Do you still remember those words you inscribed for me at parting?
Two silent tears slipped down his cheeks…