act40side

You sure are lucky.

All my years at the Judicial Review Office, and you are the first I have seen who has the chance to get out of this damn prison alive.

I myself never expected it to turn out this way.

Hmph. That's what's wrong with all you clerical types. Always living for the day, never thinking about the consequences.

All that time spent researching, all those years of blood, sweat and tears, all for a dish at the Feast and one very angry Lung.

You caused quite the ruckus and ended up in here. Are you happy?

It is as you say...

But my deeds were loyal and just. This, I know. My conscience is clear.

Those who peer into finponds to find omens will see omens... So, what comes next in your plans?

The order to transfer has already been issued. I will be joining the diplomatic mission to Victoria in three days.

After all that happened, I can no longer stay in Baizao. These arrangements are the fruit of Minister Ning's efforts.

Victoria? How are you supposed to get to Victoria with a body like yours?

To be favored with a pardon is all I need ask for.

Besides, I can consider going to Victoria returning home...

Can you really? I remember you saying your wife and child already passed away, no?

Yes... It has been many years since that day.

...Even if I did believe you, do you think other people will?

If you can remember things that happened back then, so can others.

Do you know how many eyes will be watching you when you return?

What am I to do...? Please, speak plainly.

Lend me your life, my friend.

That unvarnished truth you crave? I will give it to you.

The first time I came to Baizao to further my studies left a deep impression on me. Skyscrapers that blotted out the heavens, an unending sea of brilliant lights.

And in the center of all those lights was the Forbidden City.

A thousand feet it teetered, its lofty heights unseen from the ground.

My teacher said this was where every policy was decided, where every decree was handed down, each one affecting the lives of untold commoners. A duty heavier than mountains.

And thus it is here that every student can put to use all they have learned.

To serve the lands and the people.

But when I stood here, in the flesh, facing that palace of edifice and high walls—

I felt a chill sap away my breath.

You have arrived early, Mr. Liang.

Miss Ning...?

Hmm? You seem surprised. Do you not wish to see me?

Hardly.

I simply had not heard you would also be attending the Feast of a Hundred Delicacies, Miss Ning.

Minister Ning is ill, so for this year's Feast, the Ministry of Rites had no choice but to send me to attend in his stead.

It was a rather last-minute decision, so I did not have the time to tell you, my Lord.

I suppose that leaves us equals in silence, since it seems you never planned to tell me you were attending either.

I am merely here as part of my work. I did not wish to bother you, Miss Ning.

Hmm...

I am suddenly reminded of how, aside from Shangshu, we have not met for the better part of a year. Several of my letters to you during that time received no answer.

It can be hard to put words to paper, and I find myself often mired in official business. I have been negligent in maintaining my side of the conversation.

I cannot deny your blame, Miss Ning.

Where have I mentioned blaming you, my Lord?

During your time as magistrate, even the smallest needs of your hometown never left your thoughts. Now with expanded duties? The concerns have only increased.

But for some reason, after only six short months, I feel as though we have become estranged.

As if there are some things... we cannot say to the other.

Putting that aside for the moment, this is the first time you are attending the Feast, yes?

Yes. My early years were spent in Shangshu, so I had little opportunity to take part in government events such as this.

Major topics are often deliberated upon during these Feasts.

The question this year is, what decision will His Majesty make in regards to this war?

I dare not make any sort of wild conjecture on His Majesty's thoughts.

But you are a clever man, Mr. Liang. Your conjectures are always correct.

You did in fact have something on your mind the other day, and you wanted to discuss it with Grandfather, did you not?

I dare not lie to you, Miss Ning.

Phrase it how you will. I am always happy to hear that you wish to see me.

But I am afraid that for you, I have never been someone to be trusted, or to entrust things with.

I believe there may have been a misunderstanding, Miss Ning...

I do not mean to blame you.

Who among us did not detest the murky secrets of the bureaucracy when these red robes were first draped over us? But now, we must navigate all this wheeling and dealing, like it or not.

I may not be close to the center of the court, but there is one thing even I know.

It is difficult to speak the truth, and even more difficult to make others believe you are speaking the truth.

Once you enter the palace walls, the word 'sincerity' means less than nothing.

But all I have ever shown you is sincerity, Miss Ning.

No matter what may come, I have always hoped you would remember—

We should take our seats now, Mr. Liang. Let us head inside.

Come on, step on it! Check over your ingredients one last time when you're done! The guests are already seated! We need to start serving as soon as the order comes in!

Inspect ALL your ingredients! Check on the stews and soups while you're at it!

The Bliss Soup on stove number ninety... I don't know how, but the color seems to be a bit off.

What?! How many times did I say to cut the ingredients into finger-width cubes! No more, no less! And it's supposed to be on the fire for twenty hours! No breaks! Someone must have screwed something up!

*sigh*...! Alright, move aside, I'll come have a look!

(Quietly) Hey... Over here!

Why're you still wearing those clothes?! Scared people <i>won't</i> notice you or something?

Formal dress for formal occasions. I had kept these clothes at home just in case.

But this is the <i>kitchen</i>! Don't you have anything more... suitable to put on?

No.

You—

Hey!

Is disguising yourself <i>not</i> something natural for Judicial Officers?

What nonsense are you talking about? Deputy Minister at the Judicial Review Office is not some undercover ghost—

Though I <i>have</i> found myself sneaking around a lot lately for some reason...

Alright, enough muttering, change into these clothes. You follow the army of waiters into the banquet area as they're serving up the dishes, then change back into your fancy robe when you can.

Fine...

Hah... This kind of infiltration really does make me a little nervous...

You said you were going to stand up to see justice restored, so if you make the True Lung mad, is he just going to arrest you right away, or is he going to...

There is a tradition of remonstration during the Feast of a Hundred Delicacies. Besides, we're just going to request a reopening of an old case due to inconclusive evidence. Why would the True Lung be mad at me?

Although there is one thing...

Which is?

Have you ever thought about... What if...

What if the truth we manage to dig up on this case turned out to be the complete opposite of what we thought...

What if... you found out everything around you was one big lie...

What are you talking about?

Didn't we do all this to get to the truth in the first place? If it's a lie, we'll smash it to pieces! Why the hesitation?!

We've come this far already. What choice do we even have?

Okay.

Blaze... I think... Your father, he... He was likely a good man.

Huh? Why this all of a sudden?

Promise me this. If something unexpected happens, you <i>must</i> take care of yourself fir—

Shh! Someone's coming, hide! Under the stove!

Is everything ready?