Chapter 87: Sun Fuping's Curtain Call

When He Chunhua arrived with his men, He Lingchuan had already jumped onto the bird's back and was carried away against his will, missing the chance to witness the end of the renowned former Imperial Advisor. It was He Chunhua who had the final encounter with Sun Fuping. Ever since He Lingchuan saw He Chunhua produce Sun Fuping's personal record, he had been curious about what he had missed.

"Imperial Advisor Sun was truly no easy foe. Despite his magic being depleted and his cultivation reportedly suppressed by the illusion, he still managed to kill seven of our men," Zeng Feixiong said, his voice tinged with sadness as he spoke of his fallen comrades. "If it weren't for the fierce spirits of the Great Gale Army, we really couldn't have killed him."

"I heard the Great Gale Army also suffered losses."

"Yes, they threw themselves into battle without a thought for their lives, unlike us living beings who weigh gains and losses. In just a quarter of an hour of fighting Imperial Advisor Sun, they lost... they lost..."

Zeng Feixiong started slurring his words. He Lingchuan grabbed a segment of motherwort fruit and popped it into his mouth. This fruit, known locally as motherwort fruit, was actually a lemon. Zeng Feixiong chewed on the lemon, and a sour jolt shot straight to his forehead, leaving his entire jaw numb. But the effect was surprisingly good; he jolted, becoming a little more sober.

"How many of the Great Gale Army died?"

"Thirty or forty? They rushed forward fearlessly, catching Imperial Advisor Sun off guard," Zeng Feixiong recalled. "In the end, the commander stabbed Imperial Advisor Sun through the throat with a spear. But he had profound cultivation and didn't die immediately; he even, he even said a few words to the Prefect."

This was the important part. He Lingchuan pressed, "Did you hear?"

"Ah, the voice was very faint, but I was protecting the Prefect when he walked over."

Walked over? Dad actually approached the dying Sun Fuping? How could such a shrewd man not know that a venomous snake's dying strike is the fiercest? What if Sun Fuping had another trick up his sleeve? So, what could have been so important that it had to be said before he died?

"Imperial Advisor Sun said..." (Sun Fuping had actually been stripped of his title after his rebellion, but Zeng Feixiong, dulled by alcohol, couldn't help using the familiar address.) "Uh, anyway, he said his rebellion was justified, and he wouldn't regret it even in death. That's pretty much what he meant."

Sun Fuping had said a lot then, but he couldn't remember it all. He Lingchuan thought, "..." He'd given him too much to drink.

"He said everything he did was for the good of the Great Yuan Kingdom, and then he spoke a lot of ill of the monarch." Even half-drunk, Zeng Feixiong refrained from repeating the exact treasonous words. He Lingchuan didn't really want to hear it; he was just reminded of what He Yue had said. Could this country ever improve? How? Was it appropriate to use the most extreme methods, like the Grand Marshal and Sun Fuping? He then shook his head. Let the ambitious and knowledgeable people worry about such things. What did it have to do with him?

"That's it?" He Lingchuan was a little disappointed.

"Oh, and he asked Prefect He, 'Your whole family was killed by the old tyrannical emperor, why are you still risking your life for the imperial family?'" Zeng Feixiong recalled, frowning. "Before the Prefect could answer, he added, 'Unless you have other motives!'"

He Lingchuan raised an eyebrow: "What did Dad say?"

"The Prefect cursed Imperial Advisor Sun, calling his words nonsense. He said Sun wasn't so selfless either, and that his visit to Dragon Coil City this time also had other motives, not just to help the Grand Marshal."

"Then the Prefect leaned in and whispered something to Sun Fuping. I didn't hear what it was, but right after, Sun Fuping started laughing, blood gurgling from his neck, and he couldn't stop."

"He told the Prefect, 'It's useless. What's done cannot be undone, or you will suffer a backlash and your family will be ruined.' He also said something about 'reaping what you sow' and 'every cause has its effect.'" Zeng Feixiong grumbled, "I don't know why he was laughing so happily, but he died halfway through his laugh."

"After that, the Prefect searched his body, took everything, and then hurried back to the South City Gate to find you."

So that was it. He Lingchuan asked no further questions, joining Zeng Feixiong in eating and drinking until he was half-drunk himself. Only then did he pay someone to send Zeng Feixiong home.

Uncle Hao was sitting in the lobby downstairs. Seeing He Lingchuan emerge, he escorted him back to the He residence. On his way back to his quarters, He Lingchuan unexpectedly encountered He Chunhua. It was late at night. The Prefect was still wearing the clothes he had left in that morning, seemingly having just returned home, yet he looked remarkably energetic, a stark contrast to his eldest son's disheveled state.

"What a mess! You don't do anything proper all day!" He Chunhua asked, pinching his nose. "Where have you been?"

He Lingchuan just chuckled.

Uncle Hao replied, "Young Master and Liu Baobao, along with Zeng Feixiong, went to the Acacia Pavilion and consumed seven jars of aged wine."

He Lingchuan suddenly interjected, "Dad, have you ever done anything to wrong us?"

He Chunhua frowned, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Do I have any lost siblings out there? No, preferably a sister!"

He Chunhua's face was stern, but he didn't argue with a drunk man. He turned to Uncle Hao and said, "Take him back. Give him two bowls of hangover soup before bed, or he'll have a headache tomorrow."

"Yes, sir."

Uncle Hao helped He Lingchuan away. He Chunhua watched their retreating figures, then suddenly let out a long sigh, his back appearing less rigid. He Lingchuan was genuinely a bit tipsy. After drinking the hangover soup, he collapsed onto his bed and fell asleep without another thought. He slept soundly until noon the next day. He had a dreamless night and slept very well. He Lingchuan patted the broken saber on the wall. The saber hadn't taken the opportunity to cause trouble for him last night; it had been very well-behaved.

That evening, he happened to meet He Yue. "Have you heard of Du Feng, the Vice Minister of the Imperial Treasury?"

He Yue was in a hurry to use the restroom, but He Lingchuan blocked his way, making it impossible for him to get around. "You haven't heard of him? He's to assist the Minister of the Imperial Treasury, in charge of treasury storage, disbursements, and the markets of the Capital and Shizhuan City. His rank isn't high, but his power is considerable."

"I heard he's an old acquaintance of our family?"

"A family friend," He Yue said faintly. "Father occasionally communicates with him; I've even written letters on his behalf."

He Lingchuan let out a long "Oh." This implied quite a bit of information: that He Chunhua and Du Feng did still have some connection, though it was now very faint. It wasn't necessarily a change of heart or a reflection of the world's coldness; the He family had been ordered to be executed by the old emperor, and the Du family was eager to prove their innocence. How could they dare to associate too closely with He Chunhua, the sole survivor of his line?

"Having correspondence is already quite good," he said, patting He Yue's shoulder. The kid was only fourteen; no matter how smart, he lacked social experience. "With Vice Minister Du's position, one must be cautious in all dealings."

"Yes, one must be cautious..." He Yue finally couldn't bear it anymore. "Can you please move?"

He Lingchuan pretended not to hear. "Then do you know who the matriarch of the Du manor is, meaning Du Feng's grandmother?"

He Yue spoke quickly, "Matriarch He Suqiong. She has extensive connections in the Capital and is said to be charitable. She enjoys listening to operas and music and hosting garden parties and gatherings."

"Go on," He Lingchuan said, seeing He Yue's face turn green. Only then did he step aside. He Yue darted away like a rabbit.