Zhichun stood guard outside the side hall. Spotting Zhao Huairen’s figure from afar, she hurried forward a couple of steps. “Heir Apparent, Vice Minister Xu is waiting inside.”
“Mm.” Zhao Huairen stepped into the room.
The light blue silver-patterned brocade robe accentuated her already tall and ethereal figure. Her dark hair was pinned up with a jade hairpin, and her thin lips bore a subtle pale pink hue, neither too red nor garish.
“With official duties so pressing, I apologize for keeping Vice Minister Xu waiting.”
?!
Official duties so pressing!
He hadn’t even had time to change out of his official robes before rushing to the Duke Mansion, yet this Heir Apparent had somehow found the time amid her “pressing duties” to dress up like a picture of clear breeze and serene moon—looking nothing like someone who had just finished a busy day.
“Working tirelessly for the nation, the Heir Apparent has truly been laboring hard,” Xu Wei forced a smile.
“In my position, it is my duty to fulfill my responsibilities. As Vice Minister of the Dali Temple, this is only what I should do.” Her gaze swept over the corner of Xu Wei’s eye, which twitched faintly. She handed her outer cloak to Zhuyu and slowly took a seat in the host position. “For Vice Minister Xu to wait for me so long, it must be something important?”
“To be frank, this matter is indeed extremely urgent.” As he spoke, Xu Wei sneakily glanced at Zhuyu and Qin An standing beside Zhao Huairen with his peripheral vision.
“They are all trustworthy.”
“Then I won’t beat around the bush.” Though displeased with Zhao Huairen’s demeanor, Xu Wei lowered his brows and obediently continued, “The Xuzhou Disaster Relief Silver Case that the Heir Apparent is overseeing… has there been any progress now?”
Zhao Huairen lifted the porcelain jade teacup beside her, gently skimming off the foam on the surface. With a half-smile, she said, “The report was only submitted to the Minister this morning, and he hasn’t replied yet. But the Vice Minister of Revenue has already come knocking first.”
Xu Wei swallowed hard and steadied himself. “Heir Apparent, I meant nothing else.”
“Nothing else?” Her thin lips curved slightly as she set down the teacup. “Then please enlighten me, Vice Minister Xu.”
“I was only acting on orders to remind the Heir Apparent to know her limits in all things.” Xu Wei pretentiously adjusted his beard and cupped his hands. “What if a flood rushes into the Dragon King’s Temple and family ends up harming family? That would be most unfortunate.”
“I understand.”
Xu Wei immediately breathed a sigh of relief. “As long as the Heir Apparent understands.”
“Vice Minister Xu means that the Duke Rui Mansion is in cahoots with the criminals who embezzled the disaster relief silver?” A chill flashed in her eyes as Zhao Huairen’s thin lips parted. “In that case, why doesn’t Vice Minister Xu report it directly to His Majesty and let him decide?”
“I absolutely had no such intention. Please watch your words, Heir Apparent!” Xu Wei hurriedly explained.
A veteran of two dynasties, a first-rank Duke Mansion.
Accuse Duke Rui Mansion?
Even if he had the guts of a bear and the leopard, he wouldn’t dare!
“It was just a joke for Vice Minister Xu.” With those words from Zhao Huairen, the atmosphere in the room instantly warmed from cold. “What you wanted to say, I believe I’ve already understood.”
“Haha, as long as the Heir Apparent understands.” Vice Minister Xu let out a dry laugh and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.
Twirling the cyan jade ring on her finger, her gaze fell on the small table beside him. Zhao Huairen asked warmly, “Does Vice Minister Xu have more to say?”
“I…”
“Zhichun, pour Vice Minister Xu another cup of hot tea.”
“No—”
“Oh? Vice Minister Xu isn’t accustomed to the tea from the Duke Mansion?” Zhao Huairen tilted her head slightly.
Cursing inwardly nonstop, Xu Wei dared not show a hint of it on his face. He chuckled and said, “Not at all. The tea from the Duke Mansion is fragrant and refreshing. This humble official thanks the Heir Apparent for the hospitality.”
…
Mingxiang Tower, private room.
“The task assigned by Your Highness has been handled by this official, but…” His brows furrowed into a river character, Xu Wei trailed off as he looked at Liu Jinggan.
“Speak.” Liu Jinggan stood by the window, overlooking Yanjing from above.
“The Heir Apparent of Duke Rui acts unpredictably. This official has no idea what those words today truly meant.” Recalling the look in Zhao Huairen’s eyes, Xu Wei couldn’t help shivering.
“Fool, what is Wang Jinlan to him?”
“She is the Madam of Duke Rui.”
“The Eastern Palace has allied with the Wang Family, and the Zhao and Wang families are connected by marriage. Zhao Huaijin is no fool; why would he dare provoke me?” Liu Jinggan said with a frown.
“Your Highness is right.” Xu Wei hastily flattered.
—
The bright moon hung high in the sky.
Night had deepened, and the stars hid behind the clouds.
“Heir Apparent.” Qin An lightly knocked on the door.
Hearing her, Zhao Huairen looked up. “All arranged?”
“Yes, we’ve stationed people at every exit of Myriad Treasures Pavilion.” She took a delicate letter from her sleeve and presented it with both hands. “This is from Pavilion Master Murong for the Heir Apparent.”
Myriad Treasures Pavilion was a special place in Yanjing.
It asked no questions about origins or backgrounds; anything could be auctioned.
Buyers didn’t know sellers’ identities, and sellers were unaware of buyers’. Every step of the transaction had to go through the pavilion.
Before stepping out of Myriad Treasures Pavilion.
Pay the silver, and the item was yours.
After stepping out.
Whether you could keep it depended entirely on the buyer’s ability.
“Vice Minister, this lady helped the Dali Temple with the case this time—doesn’t that mean you owe me a favor?” Just reading those words conjured the woman’s expression as she spoke them in her mind.
Zhao Huairen immersed the letter in the candle flame and shook her head with a faint smile. “Zhuyu, take that flask of Blue Bridge Wind Moon bestowed by His Majesty and deliver it personally to Lady Murong.”
Zhuyu acknowledged and left.
“Heir Apparent, if Madam finds out…” Qin An looked worried.
“Xu Yan is from an official family. The Dali Temple only handles arrests; the sentencing will be handed to the Ministry of Punishment.” A shadow passed through her eyes as Zhao Huairen picked up a white piece. “We’ve set up the stage this time; we don’t need to take the spotlight.”
The Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Punishment were both Crown Prince Party affiliates, working hand in glove. Sending the man to the Ministry of Punishment…
“Wouldn’t that mean we’ve worked for nothing?” Qin An accidentally voiced her inner complaint and quickly covered her mouth.
“Xu Yan is a collateral branch of the Xu Family, a gambler by nature who owes ten thousand taels at Brocade Embroidered Tower. If he insists the auctioned items were stolen from the main family just to pay his debts, with no evidence, how would you convict him?”
“Those things he took to Myriad Treasures Pavilion weren’t worth much to begin with. Anyone buying that junk should be arrested too.” Growing angrier, Qin An spilled it out like beans. “And that Brocade Embroidered Tower—it’s the Eastern Palace’s money pit. The Xu Family is using the auction as a front to launder the disaster relief silver.”
“Do you have evidence?” Zhao Huairen pressed.
“We’ve been through all the Dali Temple’s torture methods. Hmph, I don’t believe he won’t confess.”
“If he doesn’t confess, the Eastern Palace and Xu Family will protect him. Without solid proof, how long can the Dali Temple hold him?” The white piece fell, turning a dead end into a revival. Zhao Huairen patiently guided her. “Embezzling disaster relief silver is a capital offense. If he confesses, that’s when he’ll truly die.”
Qin An felt trapped in a dead end and furrowed her brows tightly. “By your reasoning, Heir Apparent, are we… not arresting him this time?”
Clenching her fist to her lips, Zhao Huairen stifled a laugh.
“Why is the Heir Apparent laughing?” Qin An asked, puzzled.
“You’ve never even opened the military treatise I gave you?” Zhao Huairen’s lips curved up slightly, her light brown eyes glinting with teasing.
“I have opened it, but…” Qin An awkwardly scratched her elbow and lowered her head. “I get sleepy after one glance and can’t make it to the second page.”
The black pieces dominated the board.
It seemed secure, but was actually precarious.
With the game decided, Zhao Huairen propped her chin on one hand. “Qin An, want to watch a show?”
“Watch a show?” Qin An asked curiously. “When? Are you taking me to the pleasure house?”
“No, Myriad Treasures Pavilion.”
What show was there at Myriad Treasures Pavilion?
Qin An wanted to ask more, but Zhao Huairen had already left the study.
Gazing at Zhao Huairen’s departing back, Qin An glanced at the board. With white pieces nearly gone and black overwhelming, she suddenly understood—the Heir Apparent must be unhappy because she couldn’t solve the chess puzzle.
“The Heir Apparent’s chess skills are superb, and that scorebook looks all tattered. It must be a bad one.”
Her steps paused slightly, her long lashes trembling almost imperceptibly. In the end, Zhao Huairen said nothing to defend herself.
Victory or defeat in others’ eyes.
Meant nothing to her. She didn’t care.
