"I say, knock on the door!"
A reprimand echoed again from the unremarkable ox cart, its tone not loud but commanding enough to brook no defiance.
"Yes, sir!"
The old servant acknowledged, then strode towards the Cai family's gate. With a palpable effort, he reached out and forcefully knocked on the bronze ring attached to the door.
"Dong—dong—dong—"
"Dong—dong—dong—"
In the silent, rain-swept night, the sound of the bronze ring striking the wooden door was jarring.
"Who is it? Isn't the door open?"
After a considerable delay, a Cai family servant, his waist cinched with a white cloth, hurried over, his face etched with confusion.
"My master has come to bid farewell to Master Cai on his final journey!"
As he spoke, the old servant retrieved a visiting card from his embrace.
Upon seeing the card, the Cai family servant visibly stiffened.
In such dire circumstances, anyone audacious enough to openly present a visiting card was truly a rarity.
However, the very demeanor of the servant prevented the Cai family retainer from showing any disrespect.
"The estate is currently in mourning. I trouble you and your esteemed master to wait. I shall go and announce your arrival immediately!"
After offering a respectful bow, the servant quickly scurried into the main hall.
"Don't you know what time it is? Rushing about like this, what sort of decorum is that?"
As the servant entered, Fan Shiyong's brow furrowed immediately.
Cai Tao had completely lost his composure and his senses. All affairs of the Cai mansion now rested solely on Fan Shiyong's shoulders.
Among Cai Jing's sons, with the exception of the驸马都尉 Cai Tiao, none were currently in Bianliang city.
Although Cai Tiao had visited several times, Fan Shiyong had rebuffed him on each occasion.
He understood Cai Jing's intentions better than anyone and was unwilling to let Cai Tiao return to the Cai family to observe mourning rites at this juncture.
"Someone has just delivered a visiting card, stating they have come to bid farewell to Master on his final journey. They are currently waiting outside the gate. What do you think?"
After being chastised, the somewhat impetuous gatekeeper lowered his head and quickly replied.
"Where is the visiting card?"
"Here! Here!"
Prompted by Fan Shiyong, the gatekeeper hastily presented a visiting card with both hands.
"Scholar! Prime Minister Yu has arrived! Quickly, get up and let us go out to welcome him!"
With just a cursory glance at the visiting card, Fan Shiyong's entire body jolted.
Hadn't Yu Shen been the last person Cai Jing visited before his death?
Moreover, he had reminded people more than once that after his passing, Yu Shen would undoubtedly succeed him.
Although the imperial decree had not yet been issued, who in Bianliang dared to look down upon Yu Shen at this moment?
"Ah?"
It wasn't until Fan Shiyong reached out to pull Cai Tao that Cai Tao suddenly came to his senses, looking at Fan Shiyong with a bewildered expression.
"Scholar, Prime Minister Yu has arrived. We must go out to greet him!"
"Yu Shen?"
"Indeed!"
Fan Shiyong spoke as he hurried to support Cai Tao, leading him towards the gate.
Though uncertain of Yu Shen's purpose here, Fan Shiyong harbored a distinct feeling that the survival of the entire Cai family might hinge on Yu Shen's decision.
"Cai Tao pays his respects to Uncle!"
As the two arrived outside the mansion gate, Cai Tao, disregarding his umbrella, quickened his pace and arrived at Yu Shen's ox cart.
"If only you had shown more diligence in the past, your father would not have ended up in such a predicament..."
Hearing Cai Tao's voice, Yu Shen reached out, pushed open the ox cart door, and alighted with Cai Tao's support.
"Uncle's admonishment is just. This child has been too reckless in the past, to the extent that I have implicated my father..."
As Cai Tao spoke, his voice began to choke with emotion.
At this moment, he truly understood what the Cai family would be like without Cai Jing.
"Yu Shen went to the Cai residence?"
Less than half an hour after Yu Shen entered the Cai mansion, Zhao Ji, his face grim, frowned again.
"Your Majesty, is something amiss? Shall I send someone..."
Liang Shicheng spoke, gesturing a throat-slitting motion.
"Forget it. After all, we were once acquaintances. Why bother with such matters?"
With a sigh, Zhao Ji sadly waved his hand at Liang Shicheng.
At this moment, the imperial court had become polarized. The former stalwarts of the Cai faction had now transformed into informants.
Each one vied to expose Cai Jing's true nature, and the revelations they brought forth grew more sensational by the moment.
Had it not been for the Emperor and Liang Shicheng's intention to protect, the Cai family would have already been imprisoned by now.
"Then these..."
Liang Shicheng spoke, pointing with a wry smile at the memorials beside Zhao Ji.
Gazing at the thick stack, which nearly reached his own height, Zhao Ji finally let out a long sigh.
"All to be retained."
After a moment of silence, Zhao Ji finally spoke.
"Old Yuan was very fond of this when he was alive. He asked me for it several times, but I was reluctant to part with it. You personally go to the Cai residence and give this to Cai Tao. Tell him it is my accompanying burial gift for Old Yuan."
After a long period of silence, Zhao Ji suddenly reached for a jade pendant at his waist and handed it directly to Liang Shicheng.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After a slight pause, Liang Shicheng understood. It seemed the Emperor still intended to protect Cai Jing.
However, Liang Shicheng also realized that if Cai Jing were to be protected, Tong Guan would truly be in for a terrible ordeal.
Many of Cai Jing's actions would likely be attributed to him in the end...
Although he and Tong Guan had been rivals for a lifetime, seeing Tong Guan about to suffer such misfortune, Liang Shicheng suddenly felt a sense of commiseration, like a fox mourning for a rabbit.
"Your Majesty..."
Seeing Zhao Ji's low spirits, Liang Shicheng instinctively wanted to offer some words of comfort.
However, just as he was about to speak, Zhao Ji turned away impatiently and waved him off, signaling him to leave immediately...
After bowing again to Zhao Ji, Liang Shicheng, holding the jade pendant, swaggered out of the imperial palace.
To ensure this matter was widely known, he even brought out his full ceremonial retinue.
Before he even reached the Cai residence, the various dignitaries throughout the city had already received word...