007【The Tip of the Iceberg】

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Chen Quan’s expectations were destined to be dashed. Xue Huai was not as fiery as the original host, but he was not so easily intimidated by such a scene either.

Thanks to ample experience in officialdom from a previous life, he had long cultivated a calm demeanor in the face of crisis. Moreover, Liu Huaide had provided plenty of information along the way, mentally preparing him for the current situation.

He seemed to ignore Chen Quan’s scornful words, continuing to look at Liu Pingshun and said, “Liu, the petty clerk, could you describe my attire on that day?”

Liu Pingshun hesitated and said, “On the day the compiler was on duty, he would definitely have worn a blue official robe, but because it rained lightly around noon, the compiler specially changed from black boots to a pair of leather boots. I couldn’t help but envy them.”

Xue Huai neither confirmed nor denied, and pressed on, “The bundle I was carrying that day was made from pale moonlit blue satin, correct?”

Liu Pingshun quickly shook his head, affirming, “The compiler is mistaken. The archives have always been wrapped in indigo coarse hemp cloth. You left that day holding such a bundle.”

Xue Huai paused briefly, fixing his gaze on the middle-aged man before him, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips.

His smile sent a chill down Liu Pingshun’s spine. Why was this young man so different from before? In the past, he would have already lost his composure in anger.

“Liu, petty clerk,” Xue Huai said calmly, “one last question: at what time did I leave the Kuiwen Pavilion that day?”

“Around the third quarter of the dusk hour!”

Liu Pingshun answered confidently, then turned to Lin Miao and said, “Master of the academy, I remember clearly because I finish duty every day at the end of the dusk hour. Not long after Compiler Xue left that day, it was time for me to end my shift.”

Lin Miao remained silent, his gaze fixed on Xue Huai’s face.

At this moment, he had already confirmed in his heart that this troublesome subordinate had undergone a significant change; he could never have been so composed before.

Xue Huai seemed unaware of Lin Miao’s scrutiny. He stepped forward toward Liu Pingshun and said deliberately, “According to you, around the third quarter of the dusk hour four days ago, I, dressed in an official robe and leather boots, fled hurriedly into the Kuiwen Pavilion, packed those files in a bundle made of indigo coarse hemp cloth, then rushed away anxiously. Is that correct?”

Liu Pingshun’s anxiety deepened. He lowered his head and said, “I dare not lie before the Master of the academy. If I have offended, I beg the compiler’s forgiveness.”

“That’s hardly an offense,” Xue Huai smiled, “I just admire your memory. It’s a waste to have such a good memory as a mere petty clerk.”

Naturally, Liu Pingshun dared not respond.

Meanwhile, Lin Miao cleared his throat and asked Xue Huai, “What is your explanation?”

Xue Huai shook his head. “Master of the academy, I have no explanation. Liu the petty clerk’s account is so vivid that even I am compelled to believe him. Perhaps I really did go to the Kuiwen Pavilion that day.”

Liu Huaide felt anxious and couldn’t help but remind him, “Compiler Xue, I know you are diligent. Did you go to the Kuiwen Pavilion that day to look for classics, then take advantage of the recent days off to study diligently at home?”

No matter how good Liu Pingshun’s memory was, he had no authority to search Xue Huai’s bundle, so Xue Huai could simply deny that the bundle contained the missing files.

Before Xue Huai could respond, Chen Quan coldly said, “This is simple. Just check the Kuiwen Pavilion’s collection. If, after excluding the books borrowed by others, there are no missing volumes, then the volumes Compiler Xue took away must be the missing files.”

Undoubtedly, he had considered this angle long ago.

Lin Miao sighed regretfully and said, “Xue Huai, since you cannot explain and refuse to hand over those files, I cannot cover for you either. You... should take care of yourself.”

“Please wait, Master of the academy.”

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Xue Huai’s expression turned cold. He turned and looked straight at Liu Pingshun, speaking each word clearly: “Liu, do you know what the punishment is for slandering an imperial official?”

Liu Pingshun froze.

Chen Quan immediately stood up angrily, “Xue Huai, as a member of the Hanlin Academy, you commit such acts of favoritism and now openly intimidate others? Do you have no regard for the law?”

“Who dares to slander an imperial official? Scholar Chen should be well aware!”

Xue Huai suddenly raised his voice, pointing at Liu Pingshun and scolding, “This man’s memory is so good that even if he really saw me at the Kuiwen Pavilion that day, it would have been a mere passing glance. Yet he remembers clearly that I wore leather boots, not black boots, recalls the color and texture of my bundle, and the exact time I left.”

“So what?” Chen Quan retorted decisively, “There are many talented and strange people in this world. Besides, Liu is merely good at remembering things. Don’t make such a fuss.”

Xue Huai sneered sarcastically, “Yes, he has a good memory and remembers so many details—but he can’t even remember which day it was!”

At these words, Chen Quan was stunned, and the hall fell into complete silence.

After a moment, Lin Miao looked at Xue Huai and asked, “What do you mean?”

Xue Huai said solemnly, “Master of the academy, I mentioned ‘four days ago’ to Liu twice before, and he showed no reaction. If his memory were truly that good, wouldn’t he have thought about exactly how many days ago it was?”

Liu Pingshun stammered, “I… it was four days…”

Xue Huai turned to him, his expression stern: “I now tell you, the day I took leave was October 23rd, not four days ago, but five days ago! You can recount every tiny detail from that day perfectly, yet you get the date wrong? I suspect you are being directed by someone to slander and frame an imperial official. Tell me, do you think that deserves the death penalty?”

Liu Pingshun immediately panicked, his face pale, his body trembling uncontrollably.

Xue Huai took a step toward him, his gaze sharp as a blade, radiating an oppressive aura like a gathering storm. His voice was cold: “Liu Pingshun, did you truly see me enter the Kuiwen Pavilion that day, or were you ordered to deliberately slander me?”

“I... I…”

Liu Pingshun swallowed nervously and instinctively stepped back.

Xue Huai advanced further, locking eyes with him: “My late father was praised by court and country as a loyal minister. My mentor was renowned for his integrity. I have always taken them as examples, never daring to err or tolerate slander! And yet, you, a mere petty clerk, dare to fabricate lies before the Master of the academy! Liu Pingshun, do you really think imperial law is a mere ornament?”

At this furious outburst, Liu Pingshun collapsed, unable to utter a word despite moving his lips.

Xue Huai gave him no chance to stall and pressed on, “Speak. Who instructed you to do this? If you don’t tell me, I will have the officials of the Ministry of Punishments come question you thoroughly!”

“I know nothing…” Liu Pingshun looked fearfully at someone nearby. Whoever it was, he refused to confess.

Regardless of his silence, everyone present could at least confirm one thing: his earlier accusations against Xue Huai were false.

Xue Huai composed himself, turned to Lin Miao and bowed slightly. “Master of the academy, I did not go to the Kuiwen Pavilion that day to steal anything, and the so-called bundle is nonsense. Liu Pingshun’s behavior shows he memorized fabricated details and framed me before you. Normally, people do not remember so many irrelevant details about people and events. Liu Pingshun clearly did this deliberately. There must be something suspicious behind this. I ask your permission to send Liu Pingshun to the Ministry of Punishments for a thorough investigation!”

Lin Miao’s face betrayed no emotion; he merely nodded slightly. “Reasonable.”

Seeing the Master of the academy’s change of attitude, Chen Quan grew anxious and said, “Compiler Xue, you are twisting words! The so-called date error is clearly your deliberate deception. Liu is just a petty clerk; how could he outwit you?”

Xue Huai did not respond but calmly dusted off his sleeve as if brushing off dirt.

He was not incapable of patience, but this case was truly dangerous.

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If Xue Mingzhang’s corruption charges were confirmed, not only would he find it difficult to continue serving at court, but even escaping safely would be nearly impossible.

After all, serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; who could say the palace lord would not sacrifice the two of them to quell public opinion?

Therefore, he must not let matters spiral beyond control.

Liu Huaide looked at him with relief, then said to Lin Miao, “Master of the academy, Liu Pingshun is indeed suspicious. Compared to him, I trust Compiler Xue more. Over the past two years, he has cared little for personal gain, tirelessly petitioning on behalf of the common people. How could such a man steal files from the academy?”

Lin Miao pondered, “Brother Xiwen’s words are very true. Xue Huai’s character is upright; he should not be involved in such misdeeds.”

Seeing the Master of the academy’s change of stance, Chen Quan anxiously said, “Compiler Xue, even if you are eloquent, you cannot explain this: in the past two years, you never took leave. Yet, when corruption was discovered at the Ministry of Works, you suddenly disappeared for several days. Is this mere coincidence?”

Xue Huai replied calmly, “To be honest, I have been troubled emotionally and physically unwell lately, so I took leave to recuperate at home for several days. What’s wrong with that? Does Scholar Chen begrudge my recovery?”

“You’re lying!”

Chen Quan, in a moment of panic, blurted out, “After you left the Hanlin Academy that day, you didn’t return home but instead wandered mindlessly to the banks of the Nine-Bend River and finally tried to drown yourself! Had it not been for the princess’s guards nearby who found and saved you, you would have died! If you had a clean conscience, why would you try to end your life?”

Xue Huai’s pupils contracted sharply as he glanced coldly at his accuser.

Thanks to this professor’s reckless words, a thick fog before him was finally lifted slightly.

Faced with Xue Huai’s icy glare, Chen Quan shivered and suddenly realized the flaw in his own claim.

He looked aside and saw Liu Huaide’s grim expression and Lin Miao’s thoughtful one. Hastily, he explained, “Master of the academy, my brother-in-law is friendly with a guard from a princess’s household. From him, I learned this matter and treated it as tavern talk. I only found out about Compiler Xue’s suicide attempt yesterday.”

This explanation was weak and unconvincing. Chen Quan was inwardly frustrated. Why had he lost his composure so badly?

Perhaps it was because Xue Huai was unusually calm today, completely defying his expectations.

Had Xue Huai been as fierce and rash as before, he would have long been trapped in self-incrimination, unable to speak clearly.

Elsewhere, Xue Huai withdrew his gaze.

A hypothesis formed in his mind.

On October 23rd, the original host may have learned from Chen Quan about his late father’s involvement in the corruption case and seen some ambiguous evidence, which deeply shocked him. Coupled with his increasingly difficult situation, the pressure in his heart had already stretched taut like a bowstring.

When the string snapped, the original host lost the will to live.

Xue Huai took a slow breath; his eyes grew resolute and clear.

...

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(Heartfelt thanks to the esteemed “Xiye Elf” for the guild leader’s generous reward! More updates will follow. The new book will update steadily—please forgive the pace!)

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