"What conspiracy and trap are you talking about? Why can't Gu understand what Elder Xie is saying?" The Crown Prince twirled the fan in his hand and pointed to a chair nearby, "A thousand mountains and rivers are filled with affection. I have always respected the elderly and cared for the young. Please have a seat and let's talk."
Without waiting for Elder Xie to respond, someone pulled him and made him sit on the chair. Faced with Xie Shizi's incredulous and pained gaze, Elder Xie uncomfortably averted his eyes.
"Uncle, why?" Xie Shizi, who had been well-protected by Princess Leyang since childhood, had developed a kind and innocent character. He couldn't accept the sudden transformation of his usually upright Uncle Xie into a greedy and ambitious person, just like how he couldn't accept his second sister poisoning his eldest sister and plotting to assassinate the Crown Prince.
His beautiful life suddenly had a massive crack torn open by the people around him, revealing the dirty ambitions and desires of his loved ones.
He couldn't understand. The Xie family was a renowned scholarly family in the south. They didn't lack food, clothing, or books to read. His mother was even granted the title of Royal Princess by the Emperor. What was the meaning behind their actions?
Elder Xie avoided Xie Shizi's gaze and remained silent.
"Because human desires are boundless. Greed can make people lose their true nature and become monsters controlled by ambition," the Crown Prince said, looking at Elder Xie, "Your Xie family has a heritage of six or seven generations. Your ancestors include great literati who have left their names in history. Yet, you, the later generations, are..."
He shook his head and sighed, "Gu wonders if the ancestors of the Xie family, who are resting in peace, would be furious enough to crawl out of the earth?"
"There are millions of scholars in the world, but how many of them truly leave their mark in history?" When the Crown Prince mentioned the glory of their ancestors, Elder Xie seemed to be deeply simulated, "Every descendant of our Xie family starts learning to read and write from a young age. But no matter how hard we try, people always mention the exceptional ancestors of the past."
"So you developed twisted ambitions and wanted to use the opportunity of modifying the conventions of Great Jin to make the Xie family renowned once again?" The smile on the Crown Prince's face faded, "For the sake of these empty accolades, you were willing to collude with other countries and maintain a private army of loyal soldiers?"
With their deeds exposed, Elder Xie no longer struggled futilely. Expressionless, he said, "Your Royal Highness has His Majesty as your father and outstanding brothers standing behind you. Once you ascend the throne as the Emperor, you will understand the taste of it all."
Where are these outstanding brothers?
The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow. Did he have a brother he hadn't met?
"But what use are these empty accolades?" Xie Shizi's emotions began to crumble, "Why can't we simply live a good life? These things don't bring life into the world, they also won't accompany us in death. Isn't it important to live well?"
"How naive!" Elder Xie sneered, "After years of diligent study, aren't we pursuing a place in history and the admiration of future generations?"
Tears welled up in Xie Shizi's eyes, "But can those things you proposed truly make future generations look up to you?"
"People's hearts change," Elder Xie said unwillingly, "As long as His Majesty is willing to support our Xie family's proposal for the reform of the conventions, even if there are oppositions for a time, who will complain a hundred years from now? What they will remember is our Xie family's contribution to these matters."
In Xie Shizi's memory, even though Uncle Xie was strict with the younger generation, he was someone who didn't place much importance on material possessions. Now, looking at the endless ambition on his face, Xie Shizi suddenly realized that everything around him was false.
When the Crown Prince brought him here, he had been praying in his heart that no one from the Xie family would come, that there would definitely be no one from the Xie family.
But the moment the door was pushed open, he was disappointed.
The Crown Prince was right. The Xie family had long been consumed by desires. All the elegance and refinement were merely a superficial facade.
He looked at Elder Xie, suddenly losing the strength to speak. He stood up in a daze and walked out, one step at a time.
"Xie Shizi," The shopkeeper waiting outside smiled and said, "Are you ready to leave?"
"I want to see my second sister, is it possible?" Even though he was born naive, he had guessed that these matters couldn't be accomplished by Elder Xie alone. Perhaps his father was also involved.
No wonder his mother sent him to the Empress Dowager, leaving him in the palace to study. She was probably worried that if their deeds were exposed, he would be implicated.
"Of course, you can," the shopkeeper smiled, "A member of the Imperial Guard will escort you to the prison of the Ministry of Justice. Please wait a moment."
Xie Shizi thought the shopkeeper would refuse, but he didn't expect it to be so easy, "Thank you."
After learning the truth, Xie Shizi felt perplexed. He didn't know whom he should confront. Perhaps his parents had done wrong, but they had always treated him as a precious treasure. But if he ignored their actions, he couldn't reconcile with his conscience.
He didn't want to see his parents, nor did he want to go to the palace to meet his classmates at the Imperial Academy. The only person he could see was his second sister who was imprisoned in the dungeon prison of the Ministry of Justice.
After Xie Shizi left, Elder Xie revealed all of his bitter emotions, "Your Royal Highness, you have been planning this for a long time, haven't you?"
"This is just like Jiang Taigong fishing1People use this old idiom to describe someone who willingly falls into a trap or does something regardless of the result.; the willing ones take the bait," the Crown Prince adjusted his sitting posture comfortably and took a grape from the attendant eunuch, "If your Xie family hadn't harbored ill intentions, how could you have fallen into this trap?"
"Since the moment you entered this bank, Gu had the shopkeeper give you three chances. As long as you turned around and left, Gu wouldn't hold you responsible," the Crown Prince said, spitting the grape seed into the bowl, "Unfortunately, you insisted on pushing open that door."
"Should I thank Your Royal Highness for your generosity?" Elder Xie sneered, "Was that prisoner who claimed to be from the faction of the demon concubine sent by you?"
The Crown Prince smiled but didn't answer.
"A dignified Crown Prince of a nation, resorting to such methods to eliminate opponents. If this were to be known, wouldn't it make the world burst into laughter?"
"That's why you can rest assured that Gu won't let this matter be known," the Crown Prince casually played with the fan in his hand, "As the favored Crown Prince who can manipulate everything and bask in the Emperor's favor, why should Gu worry about this thing called reputation?"
Elder Xie's vision blurred. He was infuriated by the Crown Prince's words, trembling as he pointed at him, "You..."
"Gu doesn't care about reputation, Gu cares more about when hypocrites like you will surrender willingly," the Crown Prince sneered, "If it benefits the people of the world, what importance does Gu's reputation hold?"
Elder Xie was struck by a sudden realization. He recalled the rumors surrounding the Crown Prince, accusing him of targeting officials and subjecting them to severe punishment for their alleged crimes, ranging from mistreating others to exploiting the common people. Initially, Elder Xie had thought it was merely a tactic employed by Emperor Changlong to protect his son, the Crown Prince.
But what if those officials' crimes were real?
As the cases began to unfold, Elder Xie couldn't help but wonder how many innocent individuals were being ensnared. The Crown Prince took it upon himself to lock up those officials in the dungeons and eradicate their corrupt influences completely.
And now, the Xie family found themselves in a similar position - the officials who had "accidentally" offended the Crown Prince and were ultimately found guilty of grave crimes.
As this realization sank in, Elder Xie was enveloped in a chilling sensation. Ji Yuansu, this person, was truly ruthless. The rumors about his arrogant behavior and disregard for others subconsciously overshadowed his calculations and methods.
Yes, it all made sense now.
The Crown Prince who was so highly regarded by Emperor Changlong, whose position as the Crown Prince had been unshakable, regardless of his arrogant behavior, cannot possibly be a fool.
Elder Xie suddenly realized that the Xie family, in their self-perceived cleverness, had unknowingly fallen into the trap set by the Ji family.
When the previous emperor passed away under mysterious circumstances, Emperor Changlong ascended the throne and swiftly gained control over the court. He pacified the civil officials while recruiting capable military generals, ensuring the stability of the Great Jin Dynasty like an impenetrable fortress.
Hua Yingting achieved remarkable military feats, which should have raised suspicions among the civil officials. However, his youngest son took a different path, participating in the imperial examinations and even achieving the top rank. The youngest son of a prominent military general abandoning the military career in favor of literary pursuits greatly satisfied the vanity of the civil officials.
As a result, the underlying crisis between the civil and military forces quietly dissipated.
All these seemingly unrelated events were interconnected, contributing to the stability of the court and the entire Great Jin Dynasty.
Emperor Changlong arranged for the Crown Prince to marry into the Hua family, not out of suspicion towards the Hua family or the Crown Prince, but as a subtle means of transferring military power to his son.
The court officials believed the Crown Prince to be dissolute, and Emperor Changlong to be biased. In reality, they were the foolish ones.
Everyone in the court had been deceived by this father-and-son duo and the Hua family.
Understanding all of this, Elder Xie gave a desolate smile, "My matters have nothing to do with the Xie family. Without evidence, you cannot take action against us."
"Elder Xie, do you think the imperial court representatives delaying their departure from the capital for a few days gave the Xie family a chance to conceal evidence?" The Crown Prince took out a thick stack of papers from his sleeve, "Evidence of your Xie family's hidden weapons, forcibly buying farmland at low prices, and illegal mining operations, it's all in my hands. Your Xie family... is finished."
"You can't do this!" Elder Xie pleaded anxiously, "Du Songwen is already dead, and there is no one capable left in the Du family. If you eliminate our Xie family as well, aren't you afraid that the scholars of the world will say that the imperial family intentionally suppresses scholars?"
"The imperial court is conducting the Enke examinations. How could it be that we are suppressing scholars?" The Crown Prince sneered, "Even without your Xie family, there could still be the Zhang, Chen, Wang, and Li families. There are so many righteous scholars in the world. As long as the people like and admire them, what significance does your Xie family hold?"
"Moreover, who said there is no one capable left in the Du family," The Crown Prince put his hands behind his back, "Du Songwen's granddaughter is exceptionally talented and well-versed in various books. She will soon take on the role of headmaster at Qinghe Academy."
Qinghe Academy was one of the top academies in Great Jin, with a history longer than that of the country itself, producing countless capable officials.
"She's a girl," Elder Xie sneered, "Do you expect a girl to uphold the Du family's century-old reputation?"
"Before the matter reaches its conclusion, don't judge a person's capabilities," the Crown Prince lifted his chin slightly, wearing a disdainful smile, "Anyway, your Xie family is incapable."
Xie Shizi arrived at the dungeon of the Ministry of Justice with the Golden Armor Guards and saw a haggard-looking Xie Yao. He eagerly leaned against the railing, "Second Sister, how are you?"
However, Xie Yao's attitude was cold. She looked at Xie Shizi, dressed in fine silk clothing, and suddenly laughed, "You didn't leave the capital?"
"Father and Mother... are still at the estate," Xie Shizi didn't want to tell Xie Yao about the current situation at home, "What about you? Have you suffered in prison?"
"What do you think?" Xie Yao spread open her hands, showing the calluses left from labor, "Did you or Mother intercede for me?"
Xie Shizi looked at her rough hands and couldn't say a word.
"Stop pretending. I know that you didn't want to save me, and not only did you not want to save me, but you also wanted to send an assassin to take my life," Xie Yao sneered, "You wanted to abandon me and flee, but you have nowhere to go!"
"Second Sister, what are you saying?" Xie Shizi was taken aback.
"Have Father and Mother been put under house arrest?" Xie Yao saw the change in Xie Shizi's expression and knew she was right, "We are family. How can we abandon each other when facing great difficulties?"
Xie Shizi's face turned pale. He couldn't utter a word as he looked at the ferocious expression on Xie Yao's face.
"My dear little brother, how did they raise you to be so naive?" Xie Yao burst into laughter, "You may not know, but after I was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice, Father never intended to save me. He wanted to kill me to silence me. Unfortunately, my fate wasn't meant to end there. Father must be very disappointed."
"I heard Father has hysteria?" Xie Yao smiled mysteriously, "My dear little brother, why don't you go back and observe carefully? Is Father's hysteria real or fake?"
Xie Shizi's mind buzzed, feeling that everyone around him was too terrifying. Father or not, brother or not, everything felt like a nightmare.
He must be dreaming.
It must be.
Pei Jihuai and Hua Changkong, disguised as ordinary escorts with expert guards from the Ministry of Justice and Golden Armor Guards, hurriedly rode to Changyao Province.
The Xie family warmly received them along with the Prefect of Changyao Province, who generously presented them with gold, silver, and precious gems without asking for anything in return.
Pei Jihuai coldly observed the crates of gemstones and also the murderous intent in the eyes of the Prefect of Changyao. With his salary and family wealth, it was impossible for the Prefect's family to produce so much gold and silver.
"Prefect Wang, you're being too kind. How can we accept this?" Hua Changkong smiled and stooped to pick up a gold ingot. After glancing at it a few times, he put it back in place.
"These are just some tokens of our sincerity," Prefect Wang said, seeing Pei Jihuai's cold expression and feeling somewhat worried. He even considered whether to secretly plot and have these two court representatives die at the hands of "bandits".
But seeing the greed in Hua Changkong's eyes, he put his mind at ease. Hua Changkong was the Crown Prince's future brother-in-law; as long as he pleased him, all troubles could be easily resolved.
After some insincere refusal, Hua Changkong reluctantly accepted the precious gems, "Prefect Wang, you are such a hospitable friend. I truly appreciate your generosity. When you are transferred to the capital, I will definitely invite you to have a few drinks."
Transferred to the capital?
Prefect Wang's eyes suddenly lit, "Being friends with Hua Daren is a blessing I've accumulated over several lifetimes."
The two of them spoke candidly, Prefect Wang took out a stack of silver bills and put them in Hua Changkong's hands.
Hua Changkong's expression became even more amiable, "Prefect Wang, you've been away from the capital for a long time, so you probably don't know how difficult it is to secure a position there. But since we have such a good relationship, no matter how difficult the matter is, it's not a problem," he lowered his voice and whispered to Prefect Wang's ear, "My sister will be marrying into the Eastern Palace in two months. What can't be accomplished?"
"Yes, yes, yes," with the opportunity to connect with the brother of the future Crown Princess, why would he need to carefully endure the people from the Xie family? He flattered Hua Changkong for a while before leaving the courtyard where the court representatives were staying, wearing a smile on his face.
Prefect Wang left the officials from the Prefect's office outside the courtyard. Pei Jihuai walked up to Hua Changkong's side and asked in a low voice, "What are you planning?"
"Reaping benefits," Hua Changkong said naturally as he slipped the silver bills into his sleeve. He reached out and patted Pei Jihuai's shoulder, "Pei Daren, rest assured, I won't ruin your good fortune."
In the following days, the officials from the Prefect's office took them to see the granaries and farmland. Pei Jihuai sensed something fishy and was about to ask more questions when Hua Changkong interrupted him.
"Very well, Prefect Wang is indeed an exemplary official who loves the people like his own children," Hua Changkong praised, "When I return to the capital, I will definitely convey the prosperous scene of Changyao Province to His Majesty."
"Thank you, Hua Daren, for speaking kindly of me," Prefect Wang glanced at Pei Jihuai. Although Pei Jihuai was an official representative, he didn't even dare to interject in front of Hua Changkong.
It was clear how highly Hua Changkong was regarded in His Majesty's heart.
Having good parents and a good younger sister made a difference. Despite his young age, he enjoyed such glory. Prefect Wang discovered that Hua Daren not only liked gold and silver but also enjoyed visiting pleasure quarters, taverns, and other places. Gradually, Prefect Wang relaxed his vigilance. On the day the two court representatives were leaving, he warmly sent them off and even gave them some local specialties as gifts.
"Pei Daren, Hua Daren, have a safe journey. I will wait here to receive good news from Hua Daren," Prefect Wang said.
"Prefect Wang, rest assured and wait for good news from me," Hua Changkong smiled, "If everything goes smoothly, you can even attend my sister's wedding in the capital."
Upon hearing this, Prefect Wang quickly pulled out a stack of thick silver bills and handed them to Hua Changkong, "I don't know what Fushou Junzhu likes, but this is a small token of my appreciation. Please convey it on my behalf."
"Very well, very well," Hua Changkong stuffed the silver bills into his chest, causing it to bulge, displaying his greed.
Pei Jihuai stared at the golden, silver, and jade decorations all over Hua Changkong's body, and was afraid of dazzling himself, so he silently averted his gaze.
After leaving the jurisdiction of Changyao Province, Hua Changkong took off the jingling accessories from his body and fanned himself with a fan, "It's exhausting."
Pei Jihuai bowed his hand toward him, "May I ask what gains Hua Daren has obtained?"
"I just happened to acquire a few servants who are willing to work like oxen and horses for me," Hua Changkong swung his fan loudly, "Interestingly enough, these people have all been persecuted by the Xie family and Prefect Wang. Isn't it amazing?"
Pei Jihuai: "..."
Every day, Hua Changkong either received favors from Prefect Wang and the Xie family or went to enjoy himself at the music halls and teahouses. How did he manage to find these people?
"There's nothing I can do; since I've brought these people along, I can't just ignore them," Hua Changkong sighed, "After we return to the capital, I'll hand these people over to you to take back to the Ministry of Justice. I'm just a newly appointed Hanlin scholar who knows nothing. I'll have to rely on you, Pei Daren, to take on more responsibilities."
In Hua Changkong, Pei Jihuai seemed to see a shadow of the supposed gentle but infuriating Fushou Junzhu who had made Xie Yao faint in anger.
Krish728
Author's Note:
Hua Changkong: My apologies, my apologies. I don't have any remarkable abilities; I only have some connections. Please forgive my shortcomings.
"What conspiracy and trap are you talking about? Why can't Gu understand what Elder Xie is saying?" The Crown Prince twirled the fan in his hand and pointed to a chair nearby, "A thousand mountains and rivers are filled with affection. I have always respected the elderly and cared for the young. Please have a seat and let's talk."
Without waiting for Elder Xie to respond, someone pulled him and made him sit on the chair. Faced with Xie Shizi's incredulous and pained gaze, Elder Xie uncomfortably averted his eyes.
"Uncle, why?" Xie Shizi, who had been well-protected by Princess Leyang since childhood, had developed a kind and innocent character. He couldn't accept the sudden transformation of his usually upright Uncle Xie into a greedy and ambitious person, just like how he couldn't accept his second sister poisoning his eldest sister and plotting to assassinate the Crown Prince.
His beautiful life suddenly had a massive crack torn open by the people around him, revealing the dirty ambitions and desires of his loved ones.
He couldn't understand. The Xie family was a renowned scholarly family in the south. They didn't lack food, clothing, or books to read. His mother was even granted the title of Royal Princess by the Emperor. What was the meaning behind their actions?
Elder Xie avoided Xie Shizi's gaze and remained silent.
"Because human desires are boundless. Greed can make people lose their true nature and become monsters controlled by ambition," the Crown Prince said, looking at Elder Xie, "Your Xie family has a heritage of six or seven generations. Your ancestors include great literati who have left their names in history. Yet, you, the later generations, are..."
He shook his head and sighed, "Gu wonders if the ancestors of the Xie family, who are resting in peace, would be furious enough to crawl out of the earth?"
"There are millions of scholars in the world, but how many of them truly leave their mark in history?" When the Crown Prince mentioned the glory of their ancestors, Elder Xie seemed to be deeply simulated, "Every descendant of our Xie family starts learning to read and write from a young age. But no matter how hard we try, people always mention the exceptional ancestors of the past."
"So you developed twisted ambitions and wanted to use the opportunity of modifying the conventions of Great Jin to make the Xie family renowned once again?" The smile on the Crown Prince's face faded, "For the sake of these empty accolades, you were willing to collude with other countries and maintain a private army of loyal soldiers?"
With their deeds exposed, Elder Xie no longer struggled futilely. Expressionless, he said, "Your Royal Highness has His Majesty as your father and outstanding brothers standing behind you. Once you ascend the throne as the Emperor, you will understand the taste of it all."
Where are these outstanding brothers?
The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow. Did he have a brother he hadn't met?
"But what use are these empty accolades?" Xie Shizi's emotions began to crumble, "Why can't we simply live a good life? These things don't bring life into the world, they also won't accompany us in death. Isn't it important to live well?"
"How naive!" Elder Xie sneered, "After years of diligent study, aren't we pursuing a place in history and the admiration of future generations?"
Tears welled up in Xie Shizi's eyes, "But can those things you proposed truly make future generations look up to you?"
"People's hearts change," Elder Xie said unwillingly, "As long as His Majesty is willing to support our Xie family's proposal for the reform of the conventions, even if there are oppositions for a time, who will complain a hundred years from now? What they will remember is our Xie family's contribution to these matters."
In Xie Shizi's memory, even though Uncle Xie was strict with the younger generation, he was someone who didn't place much importance on material possessions. Now, looking at the endless ambition on his face, Xie Shizi suddenly realized that everything around him was false.
When the Crown Prince brought him here, he had been praying in his heart that no one from the Xie family would come, that there would definitely be no one from the Xie family.
But the moment the door was pushed open, he was disappointed.
The Crown Prince was right. The Xie family had long been consumed by desires. All the elegance and refinement were merely a superficial facade.
He looked at Elder Xie, suddenly losing the strength to speak. He stood up in a daze and walked out, one step at a time.
"Xie Shizi," The shopkeeper waiting outside smiled and said, "Are you ready to leave?"
"I want to see my second sister, is it possible?" Even though he was born naive, he had guessed that these matters couldn't be accomplished by Elder Xie alone. Perhaps his father was also involved.
No wonder his mother sent him to the Empress Dowager, leaving him in the palace to study. She was probably worried that if their deeds were exposed, he would be implicated.
"Of course, you can," the shopkeeper smiled, "A member of the Imperial Guard will escort you to the prison of the Ministry of Justice. Please wait a moment."
Xie Shizi thought the shopkeeper would refuse, but he didn't expect it to be so easy, "Thank you."
After learning the truth, Xie Shizi felt perplexed. He didn't know whom he should confront. Perhaps his parents had done wrong, but they had always treated him as a precious treasure. But if he ignored their actions, he couldn't reconcile with his conscience.
He didn't want to see his parents, nor did he want to go to the palace to meet his classmates at the Imperial Academy. The only person he could see was his second sister who was imprisoned in the dungeon prison of the Ministry of Justice.
After Xie Shizi left, Elder Xie revealed all of his bitter emotions, "Your Royal Highness, you have been planning this for a long time, haven't you?"
"This is just like Jiang Taigong fishing1People use this old idiom to describe someone who willingly falls into a trap or does something regardless of the result.; the willing ones take the bait," the Crown Prince adjusted his sitting posture comfortably and took a grape from the attendant eunuch, "If your Xie family hadn't harbored ill intentions, how could you have fallen into this trap?"
"Since the moment you entered this bank, Gu had the shopkeeper give you three chances. As long as you turned around and left, Gu wouldn't hold you responsible," the Crown Prince said, spitting the grape seed into the bowl, "Unfortunately, you insisted on pushing open that door."
"Should I thank Your Royal Highness for your generosity?" Elder Xie sneered, "Was that prisoner who claimed to be from the faction of the demon concubine sent by you?"
The Crown Prince smiled but didn't answer.
"A dignified Crown Prince of a nation, resorting to such methods to eliminate opponents. If this were to be known, wouldn't it make the world burst into laughter?"
"That's why you can rest assured that Gu won't let this matter be known," the Crown Prince casually played with the fan in his hand, "As the favored Crown Prince who can manipulate everything and bask in the Emperor's favor, why should Gu worry about this thing called reputation?"
Elder Xie's vision blurred. He was infuriated by the Crown Prince's words, trembling as he pointed at him, "You..."
"Gu doesn't care about reputation, Gu cares more about when hypocrites like you will surrender willingly," the Crown Prince sneered, "If it benefits the people of the world, what importance does Gu's reputation hold?"
Elder Xie was struck by a sudden realization. He recalled the rumors surrounding the Crown Prince, accusing him of targeting officials and subjecting them to severe punishment for their alleged crimes, ranging from mistreating others to exploiting the common people. Initially, Elder Xie had thought it was merely a tactic employed by Emperor Changlong to protect his son, the Crown Prince.
But what if those officials' crimes were real?
As the cases began to unfold, Elder Xie couldn't help but wonder how many innocent individuals were being ensnared. The Crown Prince took it upon himself to lock up those officials in the dungeons and eradicate their corrupt influences completely.
And now, the Xie family found themselves in a similar position - the officials who had "accidentally" offended the Crown Prince and were ultimately found guilty of grave crimes.
As this realization sank in, Elder Xie was enveloped in a chilling sensation. Ji Yuansu, this person, was truly ruthless. The rumors about his arrogant behavior and disregard for others subconsciously overshadowed his calculations and methods.
Yes, it all made sense now.
The Crown Prince who was so highly regarded by Emperor Changlong, whose position as the Crown Prince had been unshakable, regardless of his arrogant behavior, cannot possibly be a fool.
Elder Xie suddenly realized that the Xie family, in their self-perceived cleverness, had unknowingly fallen into the trap set by the Ji family.
When the previous emperor passed away under mysterious circumstances, Emperor Changlong ascended the throne and swiftly gained control over the court. He pacified the civil officials while recruiting capable military generals, ensuring the stability of the Great Jin Dynasty like an impenetrable fortress.
Hua Yingting achieved remarkable military feats, which should have raised suspicions among the civil officials. However, his youngest son took a different path, participating in the imperial examinations and even achieving the top rank. The youngest son of a prominent military general abandoning the military career in favor of literary pursuits greatly satisfied the vanity of the civil officials.
As a result, the underlying crisis between the civil and military forces quietly dissipated.
All these seemingly unrelated events were interconnected, contributing to the stability of the court and the entire Great Jin Dynasty.
Emperor Changlong arranged for the Crown Prince to marry into the Hua family, not out of suspicion towards the Hua family or the Crown Prince, but as a subtle means of transferring military power to his son.
The court officials believed the Crown Prince to be dissolute, and Emperor Changlong to be biased. In reality, they were the foolish ones.
Everyone in the court had been deceived by this father-and-son duo and the Hua family.
Understanding all of this, Elder Xie gave a desolate smile, "My matters have nothing to do with the Xie family. Without evidence, you cannot take action against us."
"Elder Xie, do you think the imperial court representatives delaying their departure from the capital for a few days gave the Xie family a chance to conceal evidence?" The Crown Prince took out a thick stack of papers from his sleeve, "Evidence of your Xie family's hidden weapons, forcibly buying farmland at low prices, and illegal mining operations, it's all in my hands. Your Xie family... is finished."
"You can't do this!" Elder Xie pleaded anxiously, "Du Songwen is already dead, and there is no one capable left in the Du family. If you eliminate our Xie family as well, aren't you afraid that the scholars of the world will say that the imperial family intentionally suppresses scholars?"
"The imperial court is conducting the Enke examinations. How could it be that we are suppressing scholars?" The Crown Prince sneered, "Even without your Xie family, there could still be the Zhang, Chen, Wang, and Li families. There are so many righteous scholars in the world. As long as the people like and admire them, what significance does your Xie family hold?"
"Moreover, who said there is no one capable left in the Du family," The Crown Prince put his hands behind his back, "Du Songwen's granddaughter is exceptionally talented and well-versed in various books. She will soon take on the role of headmaster at Qinghe Academy."
Qinghe Academy was one of the top academies in Great Jin, with a history longer than that of the country itself, producing countless capable officials.
"She's a girl," Elder Xie sneered, "Do you expect a girl to uphold the Du family's century-old reputation?"
"Before the matter reaches its conclusion, don't judge a person's capabilities," the Crown Prince lifted his chin slightly, wearing a disdainful smile, "Anyway, your Xie family is incapable."
Xie Shizi arrived at the dungeon of the Ministry of Justice with the Golden Armor Guards and saw a haggard-looking Xie Yao. He eagerly leaned against the railing, "Second Sister, how are you?"
However, Xie Yao's attitude was cold. She looked at Xie Shizi, dressed in fine silk clothing, and suddenly laughed, "You didn't leave the capital?"
"Father and Mother... are still at the estate," Xie Shizi didn't want to tell Xie Yao about the current situation at home, "What about you? Have you suffered in prison?"
"What do you think?" Xie Yao spread open her hands, showing the calluses left from labor, "Did you or Mother intercede for me?"
Xie Shizi looked at her rough hands and couldn't say a word.
"Stop pretending. I know that you didn't want to save me, and not only did you not want to save me, but you also wanted to send an assassin to take my life," Xie Yao sneered, "You wanted to abandon me and flee, but you have nowhere to go!"
"Second Sister, what are you saying?" Xie Shizi was taken aback.
"Have Father and Mother been put under house arrest?" Xie Yao saw the change in Xie Shizi's expression and knew she was right, "We are family. How can we abandon each other when facing great difficulties?"
Xie Shizi's face turned pale. He couldn't utter a word as he looked at the ferocious expression on Xie Yao's face.
"My dear little brother, how did they raise you to be so naive?" Xie Yao burst into laughter, "You may not know, but after I was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice, Father never intended to save me. He wanted to kill me to silence me. Unfortunately, my fate wasn't meant to end there. Father must be very disappointed."
"I heard Father has hysteria?" Xie Yao smiled mysteriously, "My dear little brother, why don't you go back and observe carefully? Is Father's hysteria real or fake?"
Xie Shizi's mind buzzed, feeling that everyone around him was too terrifying. Father or not, brother or not, everything felt like a nightmare.
He must be dreaming.
It must be.
Pei Jihuai and Hua Changkong, disguised as ordinary escorts with expert guards from the Ministry of Justice and Golden Armor Guards, hurriedly rode to Changyao Province.
The Xie family warmly received them along with the Prefect of Changyao Province, who generously presented them with gold, silver, and precious gems without asking for anything in return.
Pei Jihuai coldly observed the crates of gemstones and also the murderous intent in the eyes of the Prefect of Changyao. With his salary and family wealth, it was impossible for the Prefect's family to produce so much gold and silver.
"Prefect Wang, you're being too kind. How can we accept this?" Hua Changkong smiled and stooped to pick up a gold ingot. After glancing at it a few times, he put it back in place.
"These are just some tokens of our sincerity," Prefect Wang said, seeing Pei Jihuai's cold expression and feeling somewhat worried. He even considered whether to secretly plot and have these two court representatives die at the hands of "bandits".
But seeing the greed in Hua Changkong's eyes, he put his mind at ease. Hua Changkong was the Crown Prince's future brother-in-law; as long as he pleased him, all troubles could be easily resolved.
After some insincere refusal, Hua Changkong reluctantly accepted the precious gems, "Prefect Wang, you are such a hospitable friend. I truly appreciate your generosity. When you are transferred to the capital, I will definitely invite you to have a few drinks."
Transferred to the capital?
Prefect Wang's eyes suddenly lit, "Being friends with Hua Daren is a blessing I've accumulated over several lifetimes."
The two of them spoke candidly, Prefect Wang took out a stack of silver bills and put them in Hua Changkong's hands.
Hua Changkong's expression became even more amiable, "Prefect Wang, you've been away from the capital for a long time, so you probably don't know how difficult it is to secure a position there. But since we have such a good relationship, no matter how difficult the matter is, it's not a problem," he lowered his voice and whispered to Prefect Wang's ear, "My sister will be marrying into the Eastern Palace in two months. What can't be accomplished?"
"Yes, yes, yes," with the opportunity to connect with the brother of the future Crown Princess, why would he need to carefully endure the people from the Xie family? He flattered Hua Changkong for a while before leaving the courtyard where the court representatives were staying, wearing a smile on his face.
Prefect Wang left the officials from the Prefect's office outside the courtyard. Pei Jihuai walked up to Hua Changkong's side and asked in a low voice, "What are you planning?"
"Reaping benefits," Hua Changkong said naturally as he slipped the silver bills into his sleeve. He reached out and patted Pei Jihuai's shoulder, "Pei Daren, rest assured, I won't ruin your good fortune."
In the following days, the officials from the Prefect's office took them to see the granaries and farmland. Pei Jihuai sensed something fishy and was about to ask more questions when Hua Changkong interrupted him.
"Very well, Prefect Wang is indeed an exemplary official who loves the people like his own children," Hua Changkong praised, "When I return to the capital, I will definitely convey the prosperous scene of Changyao Province to His Majesty."
"Thank you, Hua Daren, for speaking kindly of me," Prefect Wang glanced at Pei Jihuai. Although Pei Jihuai was an official representative, he didn't even dare to interject in front of Hua Changkong.
It was clear how highly Hua Changkong was regarded in His Majesty's heart.
Having good parents and a good younger sister made a difference. Despite his young age, he enjoyed such glory. Prefect Wang discovered that Hua Daren not only liked gold and silver but also enjoyed visiting pleasure quarters, taverns, and other places. Gradually, Prefect Wang relaxed his vigilance. On the day the two court representatives were leaving, he warmly sent them off and even gave them some local specialties as gifts.
"Pei Daren, Hua Daren, have a safe journey. I will wait here to receive good news from Hua Daren," Prefect Wang said.
"Prefect Wang, rest assured and wait for good news from me," Hua Changkong smiled, "If everything goes smoothly, you can even attend my sister's wedding in the capital."
Upon hearing this, Prefect Wang quickly pulled out a stack of thick silver bills and handed them to Hua Changkong, "I don't know what Fushou Junzhu likes, but this is a small token of my appreciation. Please convey it on my behalf."
"Very well, very well," Hua Changkong stuffed the silver bills into his chest, causing it to bulge, displaying his greed.
Pei Jihuai stared at the golden, silver, and jade decorations all over Hua Changkong's body, and was afraid of dazzling himself, so he silently averted his gaze.
After leaving the jurisdiction of Changyao Province, Hua Changkong took off the jingling accessories from his body and fanned himself with a fan, "It's exhausting."
Pei Jihuai bowed his hand toward him, "May I ask what gains Hua Daren has obtained?"
"I just happened to acquire a few servants who are willing to work like oxen and horses for me," Hua Changkong swung his fan loudly, "Interestingly enough, these people have all been persecuted by the Xie family and Prefect Wang. Isn't it amazing?"
Pei Jihuai: "..."
Every day, Hua Changkong either received favors from Prefect Wang and the Xie family or went to enjoy himself at the music halls and teahouses. How did he manage to find these people?
"There's nothing I can do; since I've brought these people along, I can't just ignore them," Hua Changkong sighed, "After we return to the capital, I'll hand these people over to you to take back to the Ministry of Justice. I'm just a newly appointed Hanlin scholar who knows nothing. I'll have to rely on you, Pei Daren, to take on more responsibilities."
In Hua Changkong, Pei Jihuai seemed to see a shadow of the supposed gentle but infuriating Fushou Junzhu who had made Xie Yao faint in anger.
Krish728
Author's Note:
Hua Changkong: My apologies, my apologies. I don't have any remarkable abilities; I only have some connections. Please forgive my shortcomings.
