Dragon Boat Race Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Chapter Three: The Hidden Arrow

Epigraph: An open spear is easy to dodge, but a hidden arrow wounds. The imperial court is always a field of conflict. It is not a lack of strategy that causes defeat, but the unpredictability of the human heart, which is sharper than any blade.

The news of the Vice Minister of Personnel’s downfall was like a giant stone thrown into a calm lake, causing a huge uproar in the court. Everyone could see that this was the Marquis of Zhenbei’s open provocation against the Empress Dowager’s faction.

However, the real storm often lurked beneath the surface of calm.

Early this morning, Qin Gong arrived at the Ministry of War as usual. As soon as he entered his office, he sensed that the atmosphere was wrong. When his subordinates saw him enter, they instinctively avoided eye contact, looking flustered.

“What happened?” Qin Gong asked the clerk.

The clerk stammered, “N-nothing…”

Qin Gong did not press further and walked straight to his desk. On the table lay an unsigned letter. He opened it, and his expression immediately changed.

The letter contained only a few words: “If you want no one to know, you must not do it. The fireflies on the riverbank, the private meeting at the Marquis’s residence—every single detail is known.”

This was clearly a threat! Qin Gong immediately held the letter to the candle flame and burned it, but a tempest raged in his heart. The other party not only knew about his relationship with Wu Ge but was also privy to details like the fireflies on the riverbank. They had clearly been monitoring them for a long time.

“Vice Minister,” the clerk announced from the doorway, “Minister Li requests your presence.”

Qin Gong composed himself, straightened his official robes, and headed to the Minister’s office.

Li Zhen’s face was grim. Seeing him enter, he threw a memorial onto the desk. “See for yourself.”

This was an anonymous impeachment memorial. The content was identical to the letter, though the wording was more malicious. The memorial not only accused him of having an illicit affair with Wu Ge but also claimed he was using this relationship to form cliques and eliminate rivals within the Ministry of War.

“Minister, these are baseless accusations,” Qin Gong said, maintaining his composure.

Li Zhen sighed. “Vice Minister Qin, I naturally believe you. However… if this memorial reaches His Majesty’s ears, I fear…”

“I understand.” Qin Gong bowed. “I will handle this appropriately.”

Returning to his office, Qin Gong immediately wrote a secret letter and sent a trusted aide to the Marquis’s residence. However, half an hour later, the aide returned in a panic:

“Sir, the letter… the letter was intercepted!”

“What?”

“I hadn’t gone far from the yamen when I was stopped by a group of masked men who snatched the letter!”

Qin Gong’s heart sank. The other party intended to cut off his communication with Wu Ge.

At the same time, the Marquis of Zhenbei’s residence was also facing trouble.

Wu Ge was preparing to leave for court when the steward rushed in to report: “Marquis, several censors have arrived at the gate, saying they want to audit the residence’s accounts.”

“Audit the accounts?” Wu Ge frowned. “Under what pretext?”

“They claim to have received a report suspecting the Marquis of embezzling military funds…”

Wu Ge sneered. “Let them audit!”

He strode out of the gate and indeed saw several censors waiting outside with accountants.

“Marquis,” the leading censor bowed, “We are here by order…”

“No need for formalities.” Wu Ge interrupted him. “If you want to check, check. My actions are open and above board; I am not afraid of your investigation.”

However, while the accountants were checking the books, another group of people quietly slipped into the back courtyard of the residence, searching through Wu Ge’s study.

Zhao Wan saw all of this.

“Madam, should we stop them?” her personal maid whispered.

Zhao Wan shook her head. “Let them search. There is nothing shameful in the Marquis’s study.”

She thought for a moment and then instructed, “Go to Vice Minister Qin’s residence and inform him of the situation here. Remember to be careful and avoid being followed.”

The maid accepted the order and left. Zhao Wan straightened her attire and walked toward the front courtyard.

“How is the investigation going, gentlemen?” she asked with a gentle smile.

The censors were surprised by her sudden appearance and looked somewhat awkward. “Reporting to Madam, we are still investigating…”

“Then take your time.” Zhao Wan sat down in the main seat and instructed the maidservants, “Serve the gentlemen some tea.”

Her composure, in turn, made the censors feel uneasy.

Meanwhile, Qin Gong also ran into trouble.

As he walked out of the Ministry of War yamen, he was blocked by several officials.

“Vice Minister Qin, hold on.” The speaker was the new Vice Minister of Personnel, a key figure in the Empress Dowager’s faction. “I have a few questions I’d like to ask the Vice Minister.”

Qin Gong knew the visitor meant trouble but remained outwardly calm. “Please speak, Sir.”

“I hear the Vice Minister has an unusual relationship with the Marquis of Zhenbei. Is this true?”

“The Marquis and I both serve in the military, so naturally, we know each other.”

“Just acquaintance?” The Vice Minister of Personnel smiled meaningfully. “Then why did someone see the Vice Minister entering and leaving the Marquis’s residence late at night? And after the Marquis’s wedding?”

At these words, the surrounding officials adopted expressions of anticipation.

Just as Qin Gong was about to refute, a clear voice suddenly rang out:

“So, this is where you gentlemen are.”

Everyone turned around and saw Zhao Wan’s carriage parked by the roadside. Zhao Wan stepped down, supported by her maid, her smile appropriate and graceful.

“I was just about to find Vice Minister Qin to discuss Ministry of War affairs, but I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

She walked to Qin Gong’s side and naturally took his arm. “Didn’t the Vice Minister say he would accompany me to the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility to pay respects to the Empress Dowager? We will be late if we don’t leave now.”

This action stunned everyone. The Marquis’s wife was openly intimate with Vice Minister Qin—she was clearly coming to his rescue!

The Vice Minister of Personnel’s face changed several times, but he finally bowed. “I was unaware of your appointment with the Madam and the Vice Minister. Please forgive the interruption.”

Watching them retreat in embarrassment, Qin Gong whispered, “Thank you for the rescue, Madam.”

Zhao Wan released his arm, her smile unchanged. “A small matter. However… this is likely just the beginning.”

She glanced at the Ministry of War yamen. “This is not the place to talk. May the Vice Minister spare a moment?”

The two went to a private room in a nearby tavern. Zhao Wan dismissed the attendants, her expression serious.

“I’ve uncovered something. The operation targeting you two is not solely orchestrated by the Empress Dowager’s faction.”

“Who else?”

“The Empress.” Zhao Wan lowered her voice. “The Empress and the Empress Dowager have always been at odds. This time, she wants to use the opportunity to strike at the Empress Dowager’s influence and, incidentally… eliminate you two hidden threats.”

Qin Gong’s heart tightened. If even the Empress was involved, the situation was far more complicated.

“Furthermore,” Zhao Wan continued, “I suspect someone in the military has also been bribed.”

“How can you tell?”

“Something is missing from the Marquis’s study.” Zhao Wan looked at him. “The dagger you gave him.”

Qin Gong’s face instantly changed. That dagger was a relic left by Wu Ge’s father. Wu Ge had given it to him, and he had used it for self-defense during operations behind enemy lines before returning it to Wu Ge. This dagger held immense significance for them. If it fell into the hands of those with ill intent…

“We must find it quickly!”

“I have already sent people to investigate,” Zhao Wan said. “The immediate priority is for you two to temporarily avoid suspicion.”

She took out a list. “This is the list of personnel confirmed to have been bribed so far. Until these spies are cleared out, you had best not meet.”

Qin Gong took the list, his heart heavy. To be so close yet unable to meet—this feeling was harder to endure than facing a thousand troops.

“I understand,” he said softly. “Please, Madam… take good care of the Marquis.”

Zhao Wan looked deeply at him. “Rest assured.”

Shortly after the two parted, Wu Ge also received news.

“Marquis, we found out.” The trusted aide reported in a low voice. “It was Vice General Wang and his men… they were bribed by the Vice Minister of Personnel.”

Wu Ge’s face was grim. Vice General Wang had been his subordinate for many years; he never expected such betrayal.

“Also…” The aide hesitated. “Someone is spreading rumors in the military that the Marquis and Vice Minister Qin… are violating moral principles.”

“Bang!” Wu Ge slammed his fist on the table. “Outrageous!”

“Marquis, calm your anger.” Zhao Wan had entered unnoticed. “Anger won’t solve the problem.”

She dismissed the aide and closed the door. “I have already contacted Vice Minister Qin. We both agree that it is unwise for you two to meet for the time being.”

Wu Ge stood up abruptly. “Just because of these rumors, I have to draw a line between us?”

“It’s not drawing a line; it’s retreating to advance,” Zhao Wan said calmly. “How many pairs of eyes are watching you in court right now? A slight misstep could lead to utter ruin.”

She walked up to Wu Ge, her tone softening. “I know you don’t care about your own safety, but what about Vice Minister Qin? His foundation in court is shallow. If he is implicated…”

This struck Wu Ge’s weak spot. He could disregard his own safety, but he could not drag Qin Gong down.

“Then… what should we do now?”

“Wait,” Zhao Wan said. “Wait for the opponent to make the next move.”

This waiting lasted half a month.

During this time, Qin Gong claimed illness and stayed home, refusing visitors. Wu Ge also kept a low profile, only leaving the Marquis’s residence for court. On the surface, the two seemed to have genuinely distanced themselves.

However, the secret investigation never stopped.

One day, Zhao Wan suddenly visited the Qin residence.

“We found it,” she stated directly. “That dagger is in the hands of the Empress’s nephew.”

Qin Gong’s heart tightened. “How could he…”

“Vice General Wang stole it and presented it to the Vice Minister of Personnel, who then gifted it to the Empress’s nephew,” Zhao Wan explained. “They plan to use it to make a public accusation at tomorrow’s palace banquet.”

“How will they accuse us?”

“The Empress’s nephew will display the dagger at the banquet, claiming it is a token of affection between you and the Marquis,” Zhao Wan said, her expression grave. “At that point, under the scrutiny of everyone, you will be unable to defend yourselves.”

Qin Gong gasped. This move was indeed vicious. To expose them at the palace banquet in front of the Emperor and the entire court would leave them no room for maneuver.

“We must retrieve the dagger before then!”

“I have already made arrangements.” A sharp glint flashed in Zhao Wan’s eyes. “Tonight, at midnight, someone will infiltrate the State Uncle’s residence to steal the dagger.”

“That’s too dangerous! If they are discovered…”

“That’s why I need your cooperation.” Zhao Wan produced an invitation card. “You must attend tomorrow’s palace banquet on time. And you must… act as if you are strangers to the Marquis.”

Qin Gong immediately understood her plan. This was a feint—to pretend to repair the plank road while secretly crossing the river.

At midnight that night, a dark shadow silently slipped into the State Uncle’s residence. At the same time, Qin Gong and Wu Ge were in their respective residences, sleepless throughout the night.

The atmosphere at the palace banquet the next day was unusually subtle.

Qin Gong and Wu Ge sat on opposite sides of the hall, not looking at each other once. Zhao Wan, however, conversed cheerfully with Qin Gong, drawing many side glances.

After several rounds of wine, the Empress’s nephew indeed stood up:

“Your Majesty, I recently acquired a treasure and would like to invite everyone to admire it.”

He took out a brocade box and opened it. Inside was the dagger!

“This dagger looks ordinary, but it has a great history,” the Empress’s nephew said, looking meaningfully at Qin Gong. “It is said to be a token of affection between a certain official and… a certain Marquis.”

The hall immediately erupted in murmurs.

The Emperor’s face darkened. “Is this true?”

“Absolutely true,” the Empress’s nephew said triumphantly. “I have witnesses and physical evidence…”

Just then, a guard rushed in to report: “Your Majesty, the State Uncle’s residence has been robbed, and an important treasure was stolen!”

The Empress’s nephew’s face paled. “What?”

Zhao Wan seized the moment, feigning surprise. “Oh! This dagger… isn’t this the one I lost a few days ago?”

All eyes focused on her.

Zhao Wan calmly said, “This dagger was part of my dowry. I accidentally lost it a few days ago. I didn’t expect the State Uncle to find it. But… why would the State Uncle claim it is a token of affection?”

The Empress’s nephew was speechless. “This… this is clearly yours…”

“The State Uncle must be mistaken,” Zhao Wan smiled. “This dagger is an heirloom of my Zhao family and has nothing to do with anyone else.”

She walked to the center of the hall and bowed to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, please observe. The hilt of this dagger is engraved with the Zhao family crest. It can be verified immediately.”

A eunuch immediately stepped forward to examine it and indeed found the Zhao family mark on the hilt.

The Emperor’s expression softened slightly. “If that is the case, return the item to its rightful owner.”

Zhao Wan accepted the dagger, thanked the Emperor, and returned to her seat. As she passed Qin Gong, she subtly winked.

A huge weight lifted from Qin Gong’s heart. This crisis had been safely navigated.

After the banquet ended, as Qin Gong was about to leave, Zhao Wan’s maid quietly slipped him a note:

“Midnight tonight, meet at the usual place.”

That night, the three met again in the private room of the tea house.

“We owe this to the Madam,” Qin Gong sincerely thanked her.

Zhao Wan waved her hand. “A small effort. However… after this incident, the Empress’s faction will likely not give up.”

Wu Ge snorted. “Let them try whatever tricks they have!”

“The Marquis must not be careless,” Zhao Wan said seriously. “I received news that things are also unstable in the Northern Di region recently.”

“Northern Di?” Qin Gong asked alertly. “What happened?”

“The Northern Di Khan is gravely ill, and several princes are vying for the throne,” Zhao Wan said. “One of the princes, the Third Prince, has close ties with certain officials in our court…”

This made both Wu Ge and Qin Gong frown. If the Northern Di internal conflict spilled over to the border, war would inevitably break out. And certain people in the court might be looking to exploit the situation.

“It seems,” Qin Gong sighed softly, “the capital is becoming increasingly turbulent.”

Outside the window, the night was deep. In this imperial city, interwoven with power and conspiracy, the destinies of the three were tightly bound. The road ahead was perilous, but they were ready to fight side by side.