Hot flashes

Xiao Jue galloped wildly, and Zhou Heng was practically dragged along on the horse's back. All he could hear was the whistling wind and the rapid sound of hooves.

Uncle Chen led the way, the three of them on two horses, traveling day and night. When they were tired, they would take a nap by the roadside; when they were hungry, they would eat a few bites of dry rations, and when they woke up, they would continue on their way. Xiao Jue hardly spoke.

Zhou Heng looked at his back, which was taut like a fully drawn bow, ready to snap at any moment.

On the seventh day at dusk, they arrived in the territory of the capital.

Uncle Chen slowed his horse, signaling them to follow. The three of them bypassed the main road and entered the outskirts of the city via a secluded path. It was already dark, and the outline of the capital city in the distance was hidden in the twilight, a hazy gray.

Xiao Jue reined in his horse and looked at the city.

Zhou Heng dismounted from behind him, his legs feeling a little weak. He steadied himself by holding onto the saddle.

Uncle Chen rode over, his face grim.

"Young master, I'll go inquire about it. You all wait here."

Xiao Jue remained silent.

Uncle Chen glanced at Zhou Heng, who nodded back. Uncle Chen spurred his horse and disappeared into the twilight.

waited for so long.

It was so long that Zhou Heng's legs went numb before the sound of horses' hooves finally came from afar.

Uncle Chen is back.

He dismounted and walked over, his steps much heavier than when he left.

Xiao Jue finally moved. He dismounted and stood in front of Uncle Chen.

"Speak."

Uncle Chen opened his mouth, as if something was stuck in his throat. He lowered his head, his voice hoarse like sandpaper scraping against iron.

"Second Young Master...it's too late."

Xiao Jue stood there, motionless.

Uncle Chen continued speaking, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth.

"The Marquis of Zhenbei and his family arrived in the capital, but only three days later... he was imprisoned. The charge was that he held considerable military power and intended to rebel. Yesterday... yesterday at noon, his entire family..."

He couldn't continue.

Xiao Jue's face was as white as paper in the moonlight.

"General Huo pleaded for him, which angered the emperor, and he was... dismissed from his post and ordered to retire to his hometown. General Huo refused to leave and knelt outside the Meridian Gate for a whole day before he was finally carried away..."

Uncle Chen's voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible.

Xiao Jue's hand trembled slightly.

Then he turned around and rushed towards the capital.

Zhou Heng grabbed him.

Xiao Jue struggled, his strength was terrifying, and Zhou Heng was almost knocked down by him.

"Xiao Jue!"

Xiao Jue struggled forward with all his might, his eyes fixed on the city in the night.

Zhou Heng couldn't hold him and was dragged several steps. He turned back and shouted to Uncle Chen, "Hurry!"

Uncle Chen was stunned for a moment, then rushed forward, raised his hand, and struck Xiao Jue on the back of the neck with a palm strike.

Xiao Jue's body went limp.

Zhou Heng hugged him, and the two of them fell to the ground together.

Zhou Heng sat on the ground, holding Xiao Jue in his arms, panting heavily. Xiao Jue's face was buried in his chest, his eyes closed, motionless. His lips were chapped and bloodless.

Uncle Chen stood to the side, head down, without saying a word.

After catching his breath, Zhou Heng suddenly raised his head and looked at Uncle Chen.

"How could it be so fast?"

His voice was hoarse, as if something was stuck in his throat.

Uncle Chen did not look up.

Zhou Heng looked at him and asked, word by word, "It's only been a few days? From the time the Marquis arrived in the capital until now, all told... shouldn't the imperial prison be investigated? Where's the evidence? Where's the joint trial by the three judicial departments? Where have all those procedures gone?"

His voice grew faster and faster, more and more urgent, until it was almost an interrogation.

Uncle Chen finally raised his head and looked at him.

Under the moonlight, that face looked much older, with sunken eye sockets and lines at the corners of its mouth that looked like they had been carved with a knife.

"Young master," Uncle Chen's voice was hoarse.

"There was nothing," Uncle Chen said. "The man was imprisoned and convicted on the third day. There was no joint trial, no confrontation, no witnesses... even the confession was prepared beforehand; all that was needed was a fingerprint."

Zhou Heng opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn't say anything.

The crime of treason requires a joint trial by the three judicial authorities, conclusive evidence, and the defendant's personal confession and signature before a verdict can be reached. These rules are clearly stated.

After a long while, Zhou Heng spoke.

"Walk."

Uncle Chen raised his head.

Zhou Heng helped Xiao Jue up and put his arm around his shoulder.

"Let's find a place to settle down first."

Uncle Chen nodded and came over to help Xiao Jue onto his horse.

The three men, on two horses, disappeared into the night.

Uncle Chen found an abandoned farmhouse outside the city.

The house was small, with mud walls and a thatched roof, quite dilapidated, but at least it provided shelter from the wind. He tied the horse to a tree behind the house, went inside to tidy up, swept out a clean area, and laid out dry hay.

Zhou Heng helped Xiao Jue inside and laid him down on the dry grass.

Uncle Chen stood at the door.

"I'll go get something to eat," he said.

Zhou Heng nodded.

Uncle Chen turned and left.

The room fell silent.

Zhou Heng sat next to Xiao Jue.

His face was still frighteningly pale. His brows were furrowed, as if he were having a nightmare. His lips were chapped, with several thin cuts of blood. His hands were clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white.

Zhou Heng reached out, wanting to touch his face, but his fingers paused in mid-air before he withdrew them.

After an unknown amount of time, Xiao Jue's eyelashes twitched.

Slowly opened his eyes.

Those eyes were fixed on the thatched roof above.

Zhou Heng felt as if something had squeezed his heart tightly.

"Xiao Jue..." he began, his voice trembling slightly.

Xiao Jue remained silent.

A tear rolled down his cheek.

The tear slid down her cheek and into her hair.

He didn't cry out loud, he just lay there with his eyes open, letting the tears fall drop by drop.

Zhou Heng's eyes also reddened.

He bent down and pulled Xiao Jue into his arms.

Xiao Jue buried his face in his chest, and his shoulders began to tremble. At first, it was just a slight tremor, but then it became more and more violent.

Xiao Jue's body convulsed violently, and he suddenly burst into tears.

It was like the howl of a wild beast being torn apart alive, emanating from the deepest part of its chest. The sound wasn't loud, but it was muffled and pressed against Zhou Heng's chest, yet it was filled with blood.

Zhou Heng held him, his hand resting on Xiao Jue's back, stroking it gently. Xiao Jue's back was trembling violently, every muscle twitching.

He didn't know what to say.

It's no use saying anything.

He simply held him, listening to the muffled sobs that echoed in his chest, feeling the tears soaking his clothes.