Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Rise Up, Students!

The names Li Ming De spat out weren’t random. They were boys who had been there in the afternoon brawl.

Gu Nan Xi had meant to find them anyway. She nodded once. “Good. I believe you. But since your father refuses to, we’ll gather witnesses and prove your words are true.”

Li Ming De’s blood surged hot. He strode to the very front of the procession, reckless and blazing, like someone finally snapping a collar.

Young Lord Li went pale. “Marchioness, how can you let my eldest son be the spearhead? He’s throwing an egg against a rock!”

Gu Nan Xi didn’t hurry. She followed behind at an easy pace, and Lu Mei kept slipping her small pastries—one bite at a time—as if they were out strolling the market.

“Young Lord Li,” Gu Nan Xi said lightly, “if one person is an egg, then two eggs, three eggs, and more gathered together—who’s to say they’re still eggs, and not a hammer?”

Young Lord Li cursed in his heart, but his feet stayed glued to her. If this storm had to crash, he’d rather crash with allies than alone.

Li Ming De led them to the first gate and hammered on it with both fists. “Chen Yi Xuan! Open up! Don’t hide inside and pretend you’re not home!”

Inside, Chen Yi Xuan looked like he was about to cry. “That Li Ming De—ruining himself and dragging everyone down. Why didn’t he go after Jiang Guang Hai first? Why me?”

A servant boy was nearly frantic. “Young Master, Madam and Old Madam went to Da Xiang Guo Temple for vegetarian meals. They won’t be back for days. Master went out of the city with the Guanglu Qing to select ingredients and won’t return tonight either. What do we do?”

Chen Yi Xuan spun in circles. The entire household was in his hands, and he had no one to lean on.

Outside, Li Ming De’s voice rang clear. “Marchioness, Chen Yi Xuan is alone at home. He’ll open up soon enough.”

Young Lord Li hurried to explain in a low voice, trying to smooth the path before it broke underfoot. “His Majesty is frugal. Recently he ordered the Six Ministries and the Nine Courts to inspect themselves. The Director of the Court of Imperial Banquets felt the court’s spending was… excessive. So he and Assistant Minister Chen have been seeking new suppliers.”

The Court of Imperial Banquets managed provisions for court assemblies and sacrifices—fat enough to make anyone greedy. The director feared becoming the chicken used to warn the monkeys, so he was scrambling to patch holes before a blade ever touched his neck.

A clever merchant dragged over a pearwood chair from his shop and offered it to Gu Nan Xi.

Gu Nan Xi sat down as if she were back in Marquis Yong Chang Residence—one sip of tea, one bite of pastry, unhurried and perfectly composed.

Sure enough, before even half an incense stick burned down, the gate creaked open.

Chen Yi Xuan shuffled out, head lowered. “Su… Su Brother. I’m sorry.”

Su Xuan Ming waved it off quickly. “It’s fine.”

Mother had said it: among ten boys, there had to be at least one who was hurt worse than him, or she wouldn’t keep recognizing him as her son.

Chen Yi Xuan was that boy. His face looked clean, but the real injuries were hidden under his clothes.

Li Ming De surged forward, grabbing Chen Yi Xuan’s arm. “Early last year, when I rolled down that rocky hill—was it Wu Fa Tian and Li Shao Yan who pushed me?”

Chen Yi Xuan’s eyes went wide. He stumbled back, stammering. “W-what nonsense are you talking about?”

“Why are you afraid?” Li Ming De snapped. “The Marchioness will decide for us!”

Chen Yi Xuan hopped in place, panic ripping words out of him before he could swallow them. “It’s just Marquis Yong Chang Residence!”

Gu Nan Xi set her teacup down with a soft click. She turned toward the direction of the imperial palace and clasped her hands in salute. “Heaven’s net is vast, and it misses nothing. His Majesty is wise—he will not allow anyone to bully others through power, commit wrongdoing, and escape punishment.”

Young Lord Li echoed immediately, loud enough for the street to hear. “His Majesty is wise!”

Young Lord Li often drank tea with Chen Yi Xuan’s father; the households had ties. Seeing Young Lord Li stand there, Chen Yi Xuan assumed the adults had already spoken.

His shoulders collapsed.

“Yes,” he admitted hoarsely. “Last year… it was them. They pushed Li Ming De.”

The street erupted.

“Song Shan Academy is a famous private school in the capital. Everyone prides themselves on getting in. Who would’ve thought it hid filth like this?”

“They even dare bully officials’ sons—what about ordinary commoners?”

“No wonder my neighbor’s cousin’s nephew got into Song Shan Academy and his grades fell off a cliff. If you’re bullied every day, who can focus on studying?”

Someone muttered, cautious. “It’s still only their side of the story…”

Li Ming De’s first strike landed clean. Fueled by the approving look Gu Nan Xi gave him, he puffed up with fierce courage and led them onward—straight to Censor Jiang’s residence.

They hadn’t even reached the gate when they saw it: Censor Jiang’s people were already waiting outside.

Gu Nan Xi’s commotion was too large to hide. Someone had already gone ahead to warn them.

Censor Jiang had a square, stern face, with broken brows above sharp eyes that made him look all the more severe.

Young Lord Li and Li Ming De both instinctively stepped back a half-step.

Gu Nan Xi walked forward and greeted him. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Censor Jiang’s reply was hard as stone. “You sent word that my son bullied classmates at the academy. If it is true, my son is at your disposal. If it is false, then you will owe me an explanation.”

“Of course,” Gu Nan Xi said smoothly.

Her gaze shifted to Jiang Guang Hai, whose entire body stiffened as if someone poured cold water down his spine.

This Madam of Marquis Yong Chang looked like an ordinary inner-court woman, but when she struck, she chose the cruelest places—tendons, joints—where bruises didn’t show, and the pain sank deep.

Gu Nan Xi stepped closer, eyes narrowing. “Young Gentleman Jiang, speak. Did you join the beating? Did you extort him?”

“Don’t look at anyone else. Don’t think about lying. Today, I saw it with my own eyes. As for the past—ask around the tea houses and it will be clear.”

Jiang Guang Hai lowered his head, voice buzzing like a mosquito. “Yes.”

Gu Nan Xi’s voice stayed calm. “Why did you target Su Xuan Ming? Were you the instigator?”

Jiang Guang Hai shook his head violently. “Not me. It was Li Shao Yan! I don’t know why he targeted Su Xuan Ming. I didn’t dare ask. He told me to do something, I did it. If I didn’t listen, I’d suffer.”

Gu Nan Xi’s gaze slid to Li Ming De. “And before—did you ever target Li Ming De?”

Jiang Guang Hai flicked Li Ming De a quick look, then edged away from his father by instinct, as if distance could save him. “Yes.”

The crowd exploded.

“So it really happened!”