Chapter Seventeen: (This World Is Not Quite the Same) (1)

Loyal Prince Shun raised his brows slightly and turned to look at the emperor.

Emperor Qiande set down his imperial brush, his dragon-like brows drawing together as he stared intently. “Marquis Zhongjing, the law demands execution for this crime. Are you certain of your decision?”

Shi Ding was momentarily stunned by these words, his brows knotted tightly.

Shi Yi’s face flushed, then turned pale, and he could not help but speak out loudly, “Your Majesty, I beg your pardon! May I ask what crime I am accused of? Even if I must die, I wish to understand why.”

“Insolence!”

“Silence!”

Two voices thundered through the hall at once—one belonged to Loyal Prince Shun, the other to Shi Ding.

Shi Yi’s heart pounded wildly, cold sweat beading at his temples from nerves, but the words had already spilled forth.

Ignoring the shouts to stop, he pressed on boldly, “Your Majesty, I beseech you to let me die knowing my crime!”

The hall fell deathly silent.

To everyone’s surprise, Emperor Qiande did not grow angry. Instead, he smiled unexpectedly and said, “Very well, I permit you. Zhang Changlin, bring forth the damaged tribute and let this young man see it for himself. I want him to be fully convinced.”

Zhang Changlin, who had remained silent until now, answered promptly and left. Only then did Shi Yi realize there had been someone standing quietly beside him all along.

Soon after, Zhang Changlin returned—this time, he held two objects in his hands.

Emperor Qiande instructed, “Take them over and let him examine them closely.”

In a panic, Shi Ding pleaded, “Your Majesty, my son is ignorant of proper etiquette and meant no disrespect. I beg Your Majesty’s mercy! As the saying goes: ‘A son’s faults reflect the father’s failing.’ I cannot shirk responsibility. I beg to share in his punishment. Yet if so, I could no longer serve Your Majesty or the court with loyalty.”

At these words,

Emperor Qiande frowned and set down his memorial, replying coolly, “I have always said: we must never wrong those who have rendered service, nor let corrupt officials go unpunished. The court is in need of your talents; you shall be spared capital punishment, but not penalty. Let your son be confined to quarters for half a year.”

Shi Ding cupped his hands in gratitude, his voice trembling with emotion. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy! I shall devote myself wholly to serving the throne and the empire.”

Shi Yi, forehead to the ground, knelt in a daze. Was it really settled so easily?

He had thought that, if he’d truly caused offense by damaging the tribute, with the vast store of knowledge accumulated over thousands of years, he might still be able to repair it—so long as it wasn’t something highly technical. In his previous life, he had worked in military scientific research; simple repairs were well within his capabilities. After all, there was no advanced technology in this era.

But… wasn’t the emperor being a little too casual? A few words and he changed his mind?

No, something was off!

Shi Yi turned this over in his mind and suddenly, he had a vague inkling. From the moment he entered the palace, he’d felt things were amiss, and now this whole good cop, bad cop routine only made it more theatrical. If the emperor truly intended to kill him, a single word would suffice—there was no need for all this fuss. The Secret Investigation Bureau could have arrested him at home; why the grand show of summoning them to the palace for judgment?

Clearly, he was being toyed with.

More accurately, perhaps this was all a performance. Shi Yi hesitated, glancing at his “cheap” father beside him.

Shi Ding glared back, confirming his suspicions.

He risked a sidelong glance at Loyal Prince Shun, whose expression hovered between a smile and a smirk.

If he still didn’t understand by now, he’d be a fool.

It turned out, after all these twists and turns, he alone had been kept in the dark.

Emperor Qiande rose to his feet. “You may rise. Follow me,” he said coldly, and strode off through the left partition, hands clasped behind his back.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Only then did Shi Ding shakily get to his feet.

Shi Yi tried to push himself up, but a large hand pressed down on his shoulder, keeping him rooted to the spot.

He looked up and met Shi Ding’s stern, angry glare. Shi Yi pursed his lips and had no choice but to continue kneeling.

With that, Loyal Prince Shun and Shi Ding, in a practiced and conspiratorial manner, slipped away to a side chamber.

Judging by how smoothly they moved, it was hardly their first time at this.

If that was the case, then what was the point of acting out that previous scene? It was like taking off one’s pants only to fart—completely unnecessary.

At this moment, Zhang Changlin stepped forward and said quietly, “Come on, boy, get up! It’s time we left.”

Shi Yi looked up at the elderly scholar in his official robe. After a moment’s hesitation, he pushed himself to his feet—his legs numb from kneeling so long, he struggled for balance.

Zhang Changlin moved to help, but Shi Yi smiled and politely declined, “Thank you, sir, but I can manage.”

Stroking his beard, Zhang Changlin laughed, “I suppose I was overcautious. Young people are sturdy, after all.”

With that, he opened the door and stepped out. Shi Yi hurried after him—he was unfamiliar with the many winding corridors of the palace.

Passing through the Gate of Heavenly Purity, the two of them—one old, one young—walked side by side beneath vermillion walls and yellow tiles. The cold wind whistled, and the winter sun cast faint shadows against the high walls.

Zhang Changlin glanced at Shi Yi with a smile. “Young master Shi, you nearly scared your father out of his wits just now.”

Shi Yi chuckled, “Wasn’t the whole thing arranged beforehand?”

“Arranged?” Zhang Changlin looked puzzled, then caught the knowing look in Shi Yi’s eyes.

He snorted, “Boy, do you really think Prince Shun was putting on a show just to amuse himself at your expense?”

“Prince Shun?” Shi Yi was momentarily taken aback, then frowned. “Wasn’t he?”

Seeing his confusion, Zhang Changlin laughed heartily and said in a low voice, “Remember this, boy: before His Majesty, there is no true or false, no right or wrong. You have only to accept what comes.”

This old man… answered a question with a riddle!

Shi Yi was taken aback, then lapsed into thoughtful silence.

Zhang Changlin let out a long laugh. “A clever lad! You’ll have plenty of time to ponder such things in the days to come.”

Only then did Shi Yi study him closely. The man wore a crimson robe with a crane insignia—first rank official attire. He must have some friendship with his “cheap” father, or he wouldn’t have bothered to speak at such length.

Curious, he ventured, “May I ask, sir, your esteemed surname?”

Zhang Changlin halted, turned, and glared, “Is this how your father taught you?”

Shi Yi was surprised by the old man’s shifting moods.

Seeing his bafflement, Zhang Changlin sighed, shook his head, and swept away in a flurry of official sleeves.

Shi Yi thought for a moment, then hurried after him, smiling. “Elder, I just wish to know how to address you.”

Zhang Changlin shot him a glance and grumbled, “There’s no need—just address me as you have.”

Shi Yi nodded with a smile. He noticed that when Zhang Changlin left the Hall of Heavenly Purity, he carried a stick wrapped in red cloth, looking much like a fire poker.

Thinking to make conversation, he asked, “Elder, I’ve noticed you’ve been holding that rod wrapped in red cloth. May I ask what it’s for?”

Zhang Changlin stopped, visibly agitated. “You rascal, are you trying to provoke me?”

Shi Yi replied with a laugh, “I’m just curious, sir. If my words have offended, I beg your pardon.”

Zhang Changlin’s expression softened a little. He snorted, “This is not something a little brat like you should concern yourself with. Be quiet and walk faster!” With that, he quickened his pace.

The more Shi Yi looked at the rod in his hand, the more familiar it seemed.

His eyes sparkled with an idea, and he caught up, saying, “Elder, even if you don’t tell me, I think I can guess what you’re holding. Would you like to hear it?”

“Boy, stop your nonsense—hurry up!” Zhang Changlin paid him no mind.

Clearly, he thought nothing of it, and they were almost at the Xihua Gate.

Shi Yi pressed on, “Elder, I wager what you’re carrying is a firearm.”

Zhang Changlin stopped short at once. Shi Yi was delighted—he’d guessed right.