Even though Lord Yao had laid everything bare, Vice-Prefect Pang’s expression only flickered slightly before returning to normal. It was clear he would not yield, nor did he seem concerned about being silenced.
“Prefect Pang, do you not even care about your three children? I heard your eldest son is preparing for the autumn imperial examinations,” Lord Yao said sternly. Although Prefect Zhang had committed suicide, as Vice-Prefect Pang was the only one in the study and they had argued, the situation was complicated.
Prefect Zhang still clutched a sapphire blue tassel, which had been torn from the jade pendant on Vice-Prefect Pang’s waist. Therefore, while his life might be spared, he would not escape punishment. At the very least, Vice-Prefect Pang would be sentenced to exile.
As the sons of a criminal official, the Pang family’s sons had their prospects for the imperial examinations completely extinguished. Their eldest daughter’s engagement had also become precarious. Given that Vice-Prefect Pang’s verdict had not yet been handed down, it was only a matter of time before the fiancé broke off the engagement.
“Does a dignified second-rank Provincial Administration Commissioner resort to such base methods to extract confessions?” a mocking voice rang out. Vice-Prefect Pang shed his earlier deference to Lord Yao, his eyes darkening ominously. “This subordinate is of low rank and humble speech, but I still have several in-laws and old friends who I believe can protect the Pang family’s descendants. However, if something were to happen to you, Lord Yao, I wonder what the fate of your descendants would be?”
His in-laws and old friends would likely avoid him like the plague and would not look after Vice-Prefect Pang’s two sons and daughter. However, his patron, even for the sake of appearances, would intervene, which was why Vice-Prefect Pang felt he had leverage.
Lord Yao, however, was different. Like Scholar Gu, he was a trusted confidant of the Emperor and a solitary official. But Lord Yao hailed from a humble background, and the entire Yao family depended on his official position. If anything were to happen to Lord Yao, it would surely be a case of everyone kicking him while he was down.
Before Lord Yao could speak, Vice-Prefect Pang’s gaze suddenly fell upon Zhan Feiyu, who stood at the prison gate. He maintained his usual amiable and plump demeanor. “Miss Zhan is exceptionally intelligent. I believe you should also consider your own future. After all, Scholar Gu is already of advanced age, and you must understand the principle of ‘when the influential person leaves, the influence wanes.’”
Zhan Feiyu rolled her eyes in boredom. “彼方忧自固；何暇来耶 (The other side is worried about its own security; why bother with us?). Prefect Pang, you can barely protect yourself, why concern yourself with such trivial matters?”
Laughter followed, and Vice-Prefect Pang shook his head, continuing earnestly, “Miss Zhan only knows that Scholar Gu is a first-rank Grand Scholar and a Grand Secretary. You do not know that several princes in the palace harbor resentment towards Scholar Gu. As the saying goes, ‘a new emperor, new officials.’ No matter which prince ascends the throne in the future, Scholar Gu’s fate is predictable. It’s just that by then, Scholar Gu will be old and gray. Death is death, but it is a pity for Miss Zhan’s prime years.”
“So, should Scholar Gu and I not leave ourselves a way out?” Zhan Feiyu looked at Vice-Prefect Pang, who was trying to sow discord. Seeing him smile without speaking, she continued, “If Scholar Gu and I let Vice-Prefect Pang go today, I believe Vice-Prefect Pang will remember this favor and ensure our safety in the future.”
From the palace’s perspective, Vice-Prefect Pang was a discarded piece. Fortunately, the problem was not significant. If Lord Yao showed leniency and ruled Prefect Zhang’s death as accidental, Vice-Prefect Pang would only receive a minor sentence.
In the future, if the prince behind Vice-Prefect Pang ascended the throne, he would be considered a meritorious official. It would be impossible for him to protect Lord Yao, but during the subsequent purges, he could show leniency to the Yao family’s descendants.
As for Zhan Feiyu, being a young lady, she would likely be married by then. The saying goes that a married woman is not implicated in her family’s crimes, so it was not impossible for Vice-Prefect Pang to offer some care.
Unfortunately, despite Vice-Prefect Pang’s eloquent persuasion, Lord Yao remained unmoved. Without such fortitude, Lord Yao would never have climbed from humble origins to the position of second-rank Provincial Administration Commissioner.
As for Zhan Feiyu, Vice-Prefect Pang glanced at her again. The young girl’s eyes were smiling; far from being moved, she clearly looked like she was watching a show.
“Prefect Pang, are you certain the master behind you can ascend the throne?” Zhan Feiyu’s careless words caused Lord Yao to cough twice again, casting a warning glance.
“Repeatedly erring,” Zhan Feiyu smiled sheepishly. Besides the three of them, only He Sheng, He Nuan, and Xiao Zimo were outside the prison. Otherwise, speaking of succession so carelessly would land Zhan Feiyu in serious trouble.
Vice-Prefect Pang’s triumphant expression stiffened slightly. The Emperor’s intentions were unpredictable, and he was actually not certain. However, he had no turning back and could only press on.
As for the deceased Prefect Zhang, it was precisely because he refused to take sides that he chose to give up his old life.
“I heard Miss Zhan has a photographic memory. I wonder if you recall…” Before Vice-Prefect Pang could finish speaking, Zhan Feiyu had already understood.
King Chu Gong doted on his sons, but the position of heir apparent was undecided. Qu Jian once said, "Chu will surely be chaotic. If one rabbit runs in the street, ten thousand people chase it; if one person catches it, ten thousand will not chase again. When the division is not settled, a single rabbit runs, causing ten thousand to be disturbed; when the division is settled, even greedy men know to stop. Now Chu has many doted-upon sons, and the position of heir is vacant, chaos will naturally arise. The heir apparent is the foundation of the state and the hope of the people; if the state has no foundation and disappoints the people, it severs its roots. When the roots are severed, it leads to chaos, just like a running rabbit." King Gong heard this and established Prince Kang as the crown prince, yet later there were still rebellions by Ling Yin Wei and Gongzi Qiji.
Chapter 378