Chapter Sixty-Two: Nighttime Conversation in the Prison Cell (2)

Seeing Kong Shengping dismiss his personal maid, Red Cotton, the astute Yang Xueruo immediately understood the gravity of what Kong Sheng was about to say—matters of such importance could not tolerate a third party's presence.

"Kong Lang, please speak your mind. I am listening," Yang Xueruo said softly.

Kong Sheng gave a light sigh. "Xueruo, I once wrote a petition urging the court to move the capital to Jinling. Some time ago, Red Cotton brought a draft back to your family estate and was discovered by your father. Are you aware of this?"

Yang Xueruo nodded. "I know about it. At the time, my father summoned you to the manor, likely to discuss that very petition, correct?"

"Exactly. Your father was furious over that petition, and I had to make up excuses on the spot. I won’t hide this from you: I wrote it on a moment’s impulse and entrusted it to my mentor, Sima, to be delivered through Guo Ziyi to the court. And to be honest, my real intention in writing it was not to urge the court to relocate the capital, but to attract His Majesty’s attention as a stepping stone for advancement."

"In the past days, the petition has spread throughout the land and is now making its way back south. Your father has heard the news… I don’t think I need to say more." Kong Sheng recounted the matter plainly, hiding nothing from Yang Xueruo.

"Kong Lang, I have never read this petition, but I don’t believe Father would punish you solely for its contents; there must be more to it. Please, tell me the whole truth!" Yang Xueruo’s eyes were solemn, her face turning pale.

She had some inkling, but dared not let her thoughts wander further.

Kong Sheng sighed. "Xueruo, your father’s wrath is not directed at my petition, but at the very idea of moving the capital to Jinling. He fears even more that the court might heed my suggestion and actually relocate the capital."

Here, Kong Sheng paused. He knew Yang Xueruo was exceptionally intelligent; with just a hint, she would grasp the full picture.

Yang Xueruo’s fair face suddenly turned deathly pale, her frail body trembling so much she could barely stand. She covered her face with her hand, her shoulders shaking, showing just how shaken she was at heart.

A long silence followed.

Yang Xueruo’s lips quivered as she was about to speak, but Kong Sheng gently put a finger to his lips and softly said, "Xueruo, be careful what you say. It is enough that you understand; there’s no need to voice it aloud."

Yang Xueruo gazed at Kong Sheng, dazed, and sighed faintly. "Kong Lang, what are we to do?"

"Xueruo, though chaos reigns and the rebel armies seem unstoppable, it won’t be long before the court quells the revolt. If one cannot see the situation clearly, or acts rashly, one will become the enemy of all, the target of every arrow," Kong Sheng said in a low voice. "Xueruo, return home as soon as you can. If the opportunity arises, try to persuade your father to be prudent and know when to advance or retreat, lest he not only fail but bring disaster upon your family, lose his reputation, and be cursed for generations."

Yang Xueruo’s shoulders trembled once more. She agreed with Kong Sheng’s analysis of the times. Yet at this moment, her mind was in such turmoil she could not think straight. She had never imagined her father harbored such ambition, but recalling his many secretive actions over the years, she knew now that Kong Sheng’s words were no idle warning.

"Xueruo, hurry back home. Don’t worry about me—I’ll be fine. I promise you, no matter how your father treats me, I won’t bear a grudge." Kong Sheng had said all that needed saying. Deeply moved, Yang Xueruo cast him a lingering look, then covered her face and hurried away.

Kong Sheng sighed again, slowly sitting cross-legged on the ground. Letting his thoughts drift, he gradually closed his eyes to meditate anew, practicing the inner cultivation technique Sima Chengzhen had taught him.

He had never truly feared for his own safety. He guessed that Yang Qi would not go so far as to harm him; imprisoning him was simply an outlet for his anger and unease. In a few days, he would be released—at least, not until clear word came from the court would Yang Qi dare make a move.

Perhaps soon, fortune would turn in his favor. When that day arrived, Yang Qi would no longer be able to control his fate. The thought stirred a faint excitement in Kong Sheng’s heart.

Yang Xueruo, upon returning to the Yang estate, lay awake through the night, anxious and restless. She longed to confront her father and urge him to turn back before it was too late, but, wise as she was, she knew that to speak bluntly would bring her father’s wrath—trivial compared to the greater risk of him turning murderous toward Kong Sheng.

The matter was grave, and she could not discuss it with anyone—not even her mother, Lady Zheng. The weight upon her was suffocating. Lady Zheng came to check on her, saw her daughter’s pallor and fatigue, and assumed her worry was for Kong Sheng’s safety. Gently, she comforted her, "My dear, your father is angry now, but once he calms down, I’ll plead for you and have that young servant released. Don’t let yourself fall ill from worry!"

Yang Xueruo only sighed faintly and turned away, not responding to her mother’s words.

Her father was a man of deep calculation and caution; he would never let his wife catch wind of such matters. Even if she confessed everything now, Lady Zheng could not accept it—she might not even believe her, and a storm would erupt. Should even a whisper leak out, the Yang family would be doomed.

Lady Zheng, unaware, offered a few more words of comfort. Seeing her daughter distracted, she assumed she was tired and left, instructing Red Cotton to take special care of her, warning that if any harm came to Yang Xueruo, every maid in the courtyard would be punished—including the newly arrived Liu Xinru and Tian’er.

At that moment, Liu Xinru and Tian’er were kneeling on the carpet behind Yang Xueruo. When Lady Zheng entered, they dared not lift their eyes, remaining prostrate until she left.

Only then did Red Cotton notice them, and she gave a wry smile. "Sister Xinru, Sister Tian’er, the lady is gone; you may rise now, don’t kneel yourselves sick!"

Liu Xinru tugged at Tian’er’s sleeve, and the two rose together, the fear on their faces slowly easing. New to such a grand and strict household, they knew well that any misstep could cost their lives. Thus, Liu Xinru had been on edge these past days, quiet and cautious, never daring to speak or act out of turn.

Yang Xueruo glanced at Liu Xinru and Tian’er, shaking her head. With troubles pressing on her heart and no one to confide in, she lacked even the energy to care about their unease.

"Red Cotton, go instruct the guards at the holding cell to bring Kong Lang some food, and warn them that if he suffers in their care, I will not forgive them!" Yang Xueruo waved her hand, then, exhausted, collapsed onto the soft couch. Tian’er hurried forward to gently tuck a warm blanket around her.