Chapter Thirty-Six: Hope

Su Zhiyi’s heart gave a violent jolt. What was Hao Mengye implying?

Those present with quick wits glanced at Shen Zhiyuan, then at the pair of Shen and Rujian, and began to harbor divergent thoughts. In this scenario, Shen Zhiyuan was equivalent to the Young Prince Kong, and Su Dingqin was like the beaten Yu Shengsheng. Even after being beaten so severely, Yu Shengsheng refused to admit anything, and under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she had indeed had no contact with Shen Zhiyuan. Rujian, however, was a guard for Lady Rongyang; since Shen Zhiyuan and Lady Rongyang had a long-standing marriage contract, seeing each other occasionally was not a breach of propriety. Su Dingqin had insisted it was Yu Shengsheng, just as Hao Mengye was now insisting it was Su Dingqin.

Su Yanshu’s gaze deepened. Following this line of reasoning, he looked toward Su Zhiyi with a hint of inquiry.

Beads of sweat appeared on Su Dingqin’s forehead as he argued, "Commander Hao, I have been in the capital, over a thousand miles away from Shunchang. Zou Zhiliang is in Shunchang, right on the doorstep—how could it be easy for him to act? How can this be blamed on me?"

Hao Mengye sighed lightly. "I, too, wish to know. However, rest assured, evidence will be found, and justice will be served for you." He waved his hand slightly. "Men, invite the Young General Su to return with us for questioning."

Su Dingqin felt a chill run through his body, as if falling into an abyss. "It wasn't me! It truly wasn't me!"

The Matriarch grabbed Su Dingqin. "Commander Hao, I beg you to investigate clearly. My son leads troops at the border, and my grandson Dingqin has earned military merit. The Su family has served the country faithfully and never had a shred of disloyalty."

"Matriarch, if it weren't for those merits, I would not be standing here speaking so politely with you." Hao Mengye’s tone was gentle. "Don't worry, the Red Dragon Guard is a reasonable body. Once things are clarified, all will be well. Many of the people we have apprehended initially claimed to be meritorious officials as well."

As Su Dingqin tried to speak further, Hao Mengye looked around. "Oh, it seems you still have unfinished business here. Then why not come along and speak? Our headquarters is a place of good geomancy; things get resolved there much faster."

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhiyuan’s hair stood on end. "I... I have nothing to say. I was a victim today as well."

Hao Mengye did not even glance at him, turning instead to Yu Shengsheng. "Can you walk?"

Yu Shengsheng was slightly startled, then nodded slowly. She had understood Hao Mengye’s earlier words. Of course, she knew Su Dingqin would not have harmed Kong Dezhao; Su Dingqin had no idea that Kong Dezhao was even coming to the capital. So, what was the meaning behind Hao Mengye’s analogy? Was it for her?

Even Yu Shengsheng felt this idea was too absurd. The Red Dragon Guard, an entity that even the Crown Prince had to defer to, why would they act for her? Yet, what was the meaning of asking if she could walk?

A flicker of hope, like grass meeting the spring breeze, sprouted in Yu Shengsheng’s heart and could not be suppressed. What if? Regardless of the reason, she had to try. If she could even touch the periphery of the Red Dragon Guard—or even just make others believe she had—perhaps that would be a major step toward leaving the Su family.

Yu Shengsheng bowed. "Thank you."

Hao Mengye’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he looked away. "Take them back to the Suppression Tower."

With that order, the pleas and cries of the Su family were in vain. The moment the chains locked around Su Dingqin, the Matriarch clutched her chest and nearly fainted. Madame Su screamed until her voice turned hoarse: "My son is innocent! My son is innocent!"

Seeing her cries went unheeded, she turned to Yu Shengsheng and lunged at her, grabbing her arm. "Your eldest brother is innocent! When you arrive at the Suppression Tower, you must plead with Commander Hao! Don't let your brother suffer torture; he has never endured such things..."

Yu Shengsheng’s arm ached from her grip, and her own wounds were seeping blood. She turned pale and could not speak.

"Did you hear what I said!" Madame Su’s eyes were bloodshot as she glared at her. "Today’s events were caused by you! If it weren't for you, there wouldn't be so much trouble!"

Yu Shengsheng looked at her with dark, steady eyes. At this moment, Madame Su was like a lioness protecting her cub, baring her fangs. Yu Shengsheng suddenly understood: it was not that Madame Su lacked motherly love or was only capable of weakness; it was simply that she did not love her enough.

Jin Baobao slapped Madame Su’s hand away. "Let go! Can’t you see the young lady is already injured like this? When he was beating the young lady, why didn't you ask if she could endure it?"

Madame Su reached for Jin Baobao. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Hao Mengye turned back and asked coldly, "Madame Su, do you wish to accompany the Young General?"

Madame Su immediately stepped forward, patting her chest. "Commander Hao, I—I will go. I will go in my son’s place, will that work?"

"Does Madame Su think the Suppression Tower is a vegetable market? Stand back!"

Without further ado, the group was taken away. Yu Shengsheng was draped in Jin Baobao’s outer garment, Su Dingqin was in chains, and Shen Zhiyuan and Rujian were still wrapped in only half a sheet. After being paraded through the streets under the gaze and pointing fingers of the crowd, they finally returned to the Suppression Tower.

This building, four stories high, was the tallest on the street. Its structure was black, with a roof shaped like a sword hilt, making the entire building resemble a black sword firmly driven into the ground. On the plaque above the door, the three gilded characters were written in the Emperor’s own hand.

The four were brought inside and detained separately: Su Dingqin in one room, and Rujian and Shen Zhiyuan in another. Yu Shengsheng assumed she would be locked up as well, but Hao Mengye turned to look at her. "Miss Yu, treat your wounds first."

Yu Shengsheng pursed her lips and bowed. "Commander Hao, may I ask, why?"

Hao Mengye pondered for a moment. "I thought you already understood when you said 'thank you' back at the Su residence. Miss Yu, you made good use of the situation, going with the flow to make people believe I was acting on your behalf."

Yu Shengsheng’s pale face flushed; she had indeed intended exactly that. "I... please forgive me, Commander Hao. I did indeed use you."

"That is the first time," Hao Mengye said in a flat tone. "Miss Yu, may I ask, where did you live before coming to the capital, and what was your livelihood?"

"I lived in Yu Village, Songlai County. In the countryside, I wouldn't call it a livelihood; I was just trying to survive, occasionally hunting in the mountains."

"Did you ever save anyone?"

Yu Shengsheng’s heart skipped a beat. She recalled an afternoon several years ago when she was hunting and encountered an injured man. Just as she was about to check if he was still alive, the man suddenly opened his eyes and threw a concealed weapon at her. He had been extremely weak at the time; had he been in slightly better condition, she likely would have died on the spot. Even so, the weapon was incredibly sharp, and she still bore the scar to this day.

"How does Commander Hao know?"

"Just answer whether you did or not."

"I did. He was a young man, in his twenties, very handsome." Yu Shengsheng pointed to the corner of her right eye. "He had a mole here."

Commander Hao nodded. "That is the one. You saved our Commandery Commander."

Yu Shengsheng’s heart hammered against her chest, and her eyes brightened. In that case, Hao Mengye really had gone to the Su residence for her sake. The goal she had strived for so long was finally within reach!

Hao Mengye observed her reaction, let out a silent, cold laugh, and continued to speak.