PCA Chapter 180

Zhang He was taken aback, then frowned at Su Cen. “Since I can already sleep, do I still need to tell you the reason for my insomnia?”

 

Su Cen lightly shook his head, “Treating the symptoms but not the root cause is a major taboo in medicine, especially for psychological issues. What one thinks during the day, one dreams at night. Lord Zhang’s nightmares are actually reflections of your daytime thoughts. If I hastily prescribe medicine while melancholy is suppressed in your heart with no outlet, it will only get worse. In severe cases, it could even affect your life.”

 

Zhang He’s worries remained, and he frowned in silence. Su Cen had already stood up on his own, quietly gathering his things to leave. As he was about to go, he said: “Even if it means gaining a reputation for incompetence, I cannot risk someone’s life. Since Lord Zhang doesn’t want to speak, I won’t force you. I only hope you will take care of yourself.”

 

After speaking, Su Cen cupped his hands in farewell and left. Just as he stepped out of the door, he heard a heavy sigh from the room: “I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you! Isn’t that good enough?”

 

Su Cen’s lips curved slightly as he unhurriedly turned back. “Has Lord Zhang thought it through?”

 

“It’s Tian Pingzhi,” as soon as the words came out, the pent-up feeling in Zhang He’s heart suddenly relaxed. “Every night when I dream now, it’s Tian Pingzhi.”

 

Su Cen narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking to himself that it was indeed as he suspected. He stepped back, casually took a seat, and gestured for Zhang He to continue.

 

Zhang He tilted his head to look at Su Cen: “What you said that day, that Tian Pingzhi was still alive when I buried him, is that true?”

 

Su Cen nodded.

 

Zhang He lay back on the bed and sighed again, “I didn’t know. I thought he was dead. I really didn’t know he was still alive then. I had already forgotten what Tian Pingzhi looked like, but ever since I heard what you said that day, now every night when I close my eyes, I see that face, lying in the soil, staring at me! I… oh my, I just got rid of the rat spirit, and now comes Tian Pingzhi. What sin have I committed?”

 

In his heart, Su Cen coldly thought: “You buried someone alive, and you don’t consider that a sin?”

 

Su Cen asked: “You mean that when you buried Tian Pingzhi alive, he was already dying and unconscious?”

 

“Yes,” Zhang He scrambled up, his mind suddenly clear: “He was harmed by someone else, it had nothing to do with me. If he’s going to haunt someone, it shouldn’t be me.”

 

An idea slowly formed in Su Cen’s mind. After confirming it, he looked up and tentatively said: “Perhaps he doesn’t know who really harmed him.”

 

Zhang He indeed took the bait, following Su Cen’s lead: “I know who did it.”

 

Su Cen suddenly raised his head: “?!”

 

Zhang He instantly realized his slip of the tongue and immediately covered his mouth with his hand. However, it was too late. Su Cen’s bright eyes were fixed on him, gleaming like stars, making him inexplicably uneasy.

 

“Who was it?”

 

“I… I was just talking nonsense…” Zhang He inexplicably shuddered, averting his gaze as if hiding. “How would I know who it was?”

 

“You just said you knew,” Su Cen stared at him, enunciating each word. “Who was it?”

 

Zhang He’s expression hardened as he finally realized: “You didn’t come to treat my illness at all. You came to investigate! Someone, someone! Get him out of here!”

 

“No need for Lord Zhang to trouble yourself,” Su Cen calmly stood up and adjusted his clothes. “What punishment does Lord Zhang think court officials should receive for consorting with courtesans?”

 

“Consorting with courtesans?” Zhang He immediately fell silent. “What courtesans?”

 

“Lord Zhang may not know, but that Miss Little Butterfly who recently came to your residence is actually Qingchen, a famous courtesan from Yangzhou. When I was in Yangzhou, I had the privilege of seeing Miss Qingchen’s face. Her elegant demeanor is exceptional, truly unforgettable.”

 

“Impossible!” Zhang He insisted adamantly. When Little Butterfly entered his household, he had sent people to investigate her background, and she was indeed a girl from a respectable family. But looking at Su Cen’s calm expression, it didn’t seem like he was lying. After all, whether this was a false accusation could be easily verified. He felt Su Cen had no reason to deceive him about such a matter, and his heart began to waver.

 

Su Cen stood tall and composed, saying: “If Lord Zhang doesn’t believe me, just call Miss Little Butterfly over and ask her.”

 

Since it wasn’t a difficult matter either way, Zhang He immediately sent someone to call Little Butterfly.

 

When she arrived, before Zhang He could ask anything, Su Cen had already spoken: “Miss Qingchen, how have you been?”

 

Qingchen, who had been packing her things, was suddenly summoned. She thought Su Cen had finally betrayed her and came over in a state of anxiety. But seeing no soldiers or servants present, it didn’t seem like they intended to arrest her. She could only look at Su Cen suspiciously, waiting to see what he was up to.

 

Su Cen smiled at her, “I told Lord Zhang that you are Qingchen, the famous courtesan from Yangzhou, but Lord Zhang doesn’t believe me. He insisted on calling you over to ask in person. Why don’t you tell Lord Zhang yourself who you really are?”

 

Qingchen immediately understood. She had just promised Su Cen a favor, and now it seemed Su Cen was asking for her help.

 

She gave Su Cen a cold glare, then turned to look at Zhang He. With a gentle smile like a blooming red lotus, captivating the soul, she said: “This humble Qingchen greets Your Lordship.”

 

“You… you…” Zhang He’s fingertips trembled several times, and he almost couldn’t catch his breath.

 

Su Cen nodded to her, and Qingchen slowly withdrew. After she left, Su Cen closed the door and said to Zhang He: “According to the current criminal code, officials who consort with courtesans receive fifty strokes of the cane, are stripped of their position, and are permanently barred from holding office. I know Lord Zhang naturally doesn’t care about this small punishment, but one’s reputation is like another face in this world. Surely Lord Zhang doesn’t want his reputation ruined in his twilight years?”

 

“You’re threatening me?” These words struck Zhang He’s weak spot. Throughout his life, he had valued his reputation the most, having diligently accumulated this bit of prestige over a lifetime. He never imagined that one day it would be ruined by such a young upstart.

 

“Speak, what do you want?” Zhang He finally surrendered. “You want to know who harmed Tian Pingzhi? If I tell you, do you promise it won’t implicate me?”

 

Su Cen replied calmly: “I will bring the real culprit to justice.”

 

Zhang He pressed his lips together, conflicted, before finally speaking: “It was Liu Cheng.”

 

“Prime Minister Liu?” Su Cen was surprised. “How so?”

 

“You know that examination year, before the exams even began, there were rumors in town that the top two positions had already been claimed by two people, with no one in the current generation able to surpass their scholarship.”

 

Su Cen: “Tian Pingzhi and Liu Cheng?”

 

Zhang He nodded, “But these once-in-a-generation talents, neither of them made it onto the list that year. Tian Pingzhi died in the examination hall, as we know, while Liu Cheng left early and submitted a blank paper!”

 

“A blank paper?” Su Cen was shocked on the spot and took a while to recover, as he heard Zhang He continue: “Liu Cheng and Tian Pingzhi were good friends. It must have been Liu Cheng who poisoned Tian Pingzhi, but afterwards, he was too nervous to write anything himself and could only leave in dejection.”

 

Su Cen asked: “Then how did Liu Cheng become the top scholar?”

 

“That year’s examination was full of twists and turns, and the court situation was chaotic.” Zhang He narrowed his eyes, recalling the past, and sighed deeply. “At that time, Emperor Taizong was critically ill, the borders were in turmoil, and the former emperor was acting as regent. He adopted a system of recommending worthy talents, no longer adhering strictly to the examination format. Any worthy person could be recommended. Liu Cheng’s top scholar position that year was recommended and personally approved by the former emperor.”

 

“Recommending worthy talents?” Su Cen frowned. “How come I’ve never heard of this?”

 

“In the end, everyone recommended people who were already known, so there wasn’t much difference between those employed and those on the official list. It could be considered a palace examination in itself. Only Liu Cheng was an exception, but by then, the former emperor was in power. When His Majesty specifically named someone, we didn’t dare say much.” Zhang He sighed and shook his head. “Later, the former emperor continued to entrust Liu Cheng with important responsibilities. No one dared to offend him, so no one mentioned the matter again.”

 

Su Cen remembered that Lord Chen had also mentioned that when he investigated Tian Pingzhi’s case and it led to Liu Cheng, it was the former emperor who stepped in to stop it. He was even willing to sacrifice Lord Chen to protect Liu Cheng. What outstanding talent did Liu Cheng possess that made the former emperor value him so highly?

 

“I’ve told you everything I know,” Zhang He spread his hands toward Su Cen and said coldly, “Whether you investigate Tian Pingzhi or Liu Cheng, it has nothing to do with me. My place is small and humble, not fit for an important figure like Minister Su. In the future, please don’t visit unless it’s necessary.”

 

Su Cen had gotten what he wanted and had no intention of lingering further. He stood up to take his leave, but before going, he remembered something. He took out half a jin of aged tea roots from his pocket and placed them on the table, saying, “This is the medicine for insomnia. Just brew it with hot water before bed each day.”

 

Zhang He’s eyes brightened, and as soon as Su Cen left, he carefully stored it away.

 

Catching this in his peripheral vision, Su Cen couldn’t help but find it amusing. A half bowl of strong tea before bed each night—it would be a miracle if he could sleep.

 

 

---

 

 (advanced chapters available on kofi)