Ever since summoning Yin Wuzhi into the palace, Jiang Wu had never heard such a beautiful sound.
It was the first time Jiang Wu realized how pleasant Yin Wuzhi’s voice could be, tugging at his heart.
Finally, he could rest easy.
For someone like Yin Wuzhi, who had been raised as a virtuous and righteous man from a young age, personal injuries or disgrace might not matter much. But if he witnessed someone else committing an atrocity, he would never stand idly by.
A hand gently pushed him, and the moment was so perfect that it felt as if his body had become a cradle, his soul swaying within, floating like an immortal.
The next day, Jiang Wu’s life continued as usual. All he needed was a chair, a blanket, and the sun in the sky to spend the day contentedly.
His gaze drifted beyond the palace corridors, up to the high palace walls, where the glazed tiles sparkled under the sunlight. He suddenly wished he could become one of those tiny, flickering lights.
Just like that—flickering into existence and then vanishing as suddenly as it came. It didn’t seem so bad.
Yin Wuzhi didn’t appear until the afternoon. By then, Jiang Wu had been well-fed and was dozing off under the eaves, wrapped in a blanket.
Qi Hanmiao had already informed him that Yin Wuzhi had stormed into the Imperial Study in the middle of the night and spent all night reading memorials. His work efficiency was indeed impressive; within a day, he had cleared the backlog of tasks that Jiang Wu had been avoiding.
“Your Majesty,” Yin Wuzhi’s voice sounded steadier than usual, “there is court tomorrow morning. If you wish to arrive later, you should come with me to the study now and write the imperial edict.”
Half-asleep, Jiang Wu was too lazy to speak.
Before long, his body was lifted, and Yin Wuzhi swiftly carried him to the Imperial Study, efficiently pushing a sheet of paper in front of him.
In order to ensure future good sleep, Jiang Wu obediently picked up the brush. Yin Wuzhi dictated the edict word by word, and Jiang Wu wrote it down one character at a time.
Once the document was ready, Yin Wuzhi glanced at the man resting his head on the desk and said, “I’ll be leaving the palace for a while.”
The Pessimist shifted his head to rest his cheek against the table, raising his eyes to look at Yin Wuzhi.
Yin Wuzhi said, “I’m not going home; I have some business to attend to.”
Yin Wuzhi really wasn’t the same as before. It was as if he now had a plan, and each of his words carried newfound firmness.
“What business?”
At the renowned Jinya Pavilion, the grandest restaurant in Guan Jing, known for hosting the noble but not the wealthy, King Dingnan was led upstairs by a nervous waiter. As soon as the door was opened, the waiter quickly scurried away.
Storming inside with large strides, King Dingnan saw Yin Wuzhi at a glance and, with a cold expression, said, “You brat, now that you’ve become the emperor’s favorite, you’ve started picking meeting places, huh? Has the threshold of my residence become unworthy for you to cross?”
Yin Wuzhi smiled briefly, pouring wine for him, and said, “Father, please.”
Although still unhappy, King Dingnan didn’t forget to check Yin Wuzhi’s neck. Finding it clean, he lightly cleared his throat and softened his expression, asking, “What is this about?”
“I want to ask for your help, Father, in putting on a show.”
It was a given that Jiang Wu had become lazy and negligent in governance. While Yin Wuzhi had already sent people to inquire about the older ministers, all of whom had some degree of aversion to the cold, these gestures were made in secret. The elderly officials might understand that the emperor’s postponement of court was for their benefit, but the younger officials would certainly have objections.
Even the smallest matters must be handled thoroughly.
“What?!” King Dingnan almost slammed the table but, wary of being overheard, lowered his voice, saying, “You want me to pretend to slip on the morning frost tomorrow so the emperor can delay court under the pretext of caring for the health of the elderly ministers?”
He continued, “That’s absurd! Since the founding of our dynasty, there’s never been a precedent for postponing court. Do you think this is some child’s game? The morning sets the tone for the day! Holding court in the early hours shows other nations that our officials work tirelessly and aren’t afraid of hardship. Turning morning court into midday court? A joke! Do you think the people would accept that? Even the birds know they have to wake up early to catch worms!”
Yin Wuzhi had expected this response. “So, Father, you’re unwilling?”
“Of course, I’m unwilling,” King Dingnan replied. “Every day after court, I come home just as your mother is waking up. I help her dress, style her hair, then take her to meet friends by midday, and after that, I head to the barracks to train the troops. That’s been my routine for the past two years in Guan Jing. If you delay court, what am I supposed to do in the early morning while your mother is still asleep?”
His logic was sound.
Yin Wuzhi said, “But His Majesty’s mental and physical state has deteriorated. It takes him a long time to wake up in the morning. Empress Dowager Wen has asked me to stay in the palace to help His Majesty recover.”
King Dingnan remained silent for a moment. Yin Wuzhi pressed, “Father, regarding the emperor’s condition…”
“We are mere outsiders when it comes to royal matters,” King Dingnan interrupted. “But no matter the circumstances, morning court cannot be postponed. If you don’t believe me, go to the Prime Minister’s residence or consult other officials—no one will agree to this.”
“Father—”
“Since,” King Dingnan interrupted again, resolute, “the root of the problem lies with the emperor, then the solution should come from him.”
He raised his voice, “Prime Minister, don’t you agree?”
A soft chuckle echoed, and the Prime Minister, Minister Chen, stepped out from behind a screen, complimenting, “It seems nothing can escape Wangye’s sharp eyes.”
King Dingnan was quite pleased with his performance. Though he was a general who spent most of his time on the battlefield and hadn’t attended court regularly for years, he understood how to survive in Guan Jing.
He asked, “Does the Prime Minister agree with what I just said?”
Prime Minister Chen slowly sat down opposite King Dingnan and said, “Indeed, King Dingnan’s words are quite right.”
King Dingnan felt quite self-satisfied.
Prime Minister Chen added, “I also just discussed this matter with Yin Wuzhi. It is a serious issue that requires careful consideration.”
King Dingnan nodded.
“Our Xia dynasty has never had such a precedent, and none of the previous emperors had this need.”
King Dingnan continued nodding.
“But now, His Majesty is still young, yet has suffered such misfortune. It pains me greatly. I believe that special circumstances call for special measures. Otherwise, wouldn’t it seem as if we, as his ministers, are not handling the matter with enough care?”
King Dingnan’s nodding came to an abrupt halt, and his heart skipped a beat. He realized that while he had been thinking of following convention, he hadn’t considered that, even though the emperor was young, he was still the emperor. Perhaps some flexibility was needed.
King Dingnan began to ponder. As a general who wasn’t adept at scheming, there was indeed much he needed to learn to survive in Guan Jing.
He sat up a little straighter, looking at Prime Minister Chen with a thirst for knowledge. “So, Prime Minister, your suggestion is to cooperate with His Majesty?”
“Exactly,” Prime Minister Chen nodded. “I believe this will not only help conceal His Majesty’s illness from the public but also build a reputation for him as a ruler who is considerate of his ministers and open-minded.”
Yin Wuzhi’s gaze softened with a hint of affection for his father.
King Dingnan asked, “So, tomorrow morning, I’ll follow the plan?”
Prime Minister Chen’s eyes glinted slightly as he replied warmly, “If King Dingnan feels it’s appropriate, I see no issue.”
“This…” King Dingnan instinctively started to second-guess himself. “A general like me slipping—how ridiculous! It’s impossible for me to have such an accident. This should happen to…”
He glanced at Prime Minister Chen and swallowed the rest of his sentence.
Prime Minister Chen didn’t appear offended, speaking seriously, “King Dingnan’s concern is valid. Everyone knows you wield your steel blade with fierce precision, and your legs are as mighty as they are unstoppable. If you were to slip on frost, who would believe it?”
King Dingnan nodded in agreement.
Yin Wuzhi’s eyes filled with even more tenderness.
“In that case,” Prime Minister Chen said, “such an embarrassing task should fall to someone weaker, like me, a frail scholar.”
King Dingnan quickly stood, his emotions mixed. “Prime Minister, that would be too much of a burden on you.”
“Ah, King Dingnan, you jest,” Prime Minister Chen replied as he straightened his robe and stood. With a bow, he said, “His Majesty has not treated me poorly. After my fall tomorrow, I shall enjoy an extended winter holiday.”
“…” King Dingnan stiffened as he watched Prime Minister Chen leave, then turned back to Yin Wuzhi and said, “Rest?”
“Exactly,” Yin Wuzhi said, “I negotiated this with His Majesty. Whoever pretends to fall can take time off until the New Year.”
King Dingnan collapsed onto a cushion.
“There’s still… two and a half months until the New Year, plus the holiday before the Lantern Festival… Three months without attending court…”
On what was supposed to be a day of court, Jiang Wu slept until he naturally woke up. After having breakfast, he was informed that early in the morning, both Prime Minister Chen and King Dingnan had accidentally slipped on the frost and hurt their backs. So, Yin Wuzhi took it upon himself to announce that court would be canceled today, with the reason being that His Majesty needed to visit the two senior officials.
Jiang Wu looked puzzled at Yin Wuzhi, who was busy writing: “Weren’t we only supposed to find one person to pretend?”
“Master faked his fall; Father really fell,” Yin Wuzhi said without stopping his pen. “I request permission to visit Dingnan Palace later to check on my father.”
Jiang Wu sensed something fishy.
Just yesterday, he was thinking that Yin Wuzhi had finally started making concrete plans, probably with the goal of eliminating him somewhere down the line. Yet today, Yin Wuzhi had come up with a legitimate reason to openly return to Dingnan Palace.
He couldn’t quite figure out whether Yin Wuzhi was trying to gradually win him over like boiling a frog in warm water or simply looking for an excuse to go home.
Though he was reluctant, Jiang Wu still said, “I’ll go with you.”
Yin Wuzhi paused briefly and coldly said, “As you wish.”
When the emperor leaves the palace, it’s a major event. Even for a minor outing, hundreds of guards are needed to accompany him. Jiang Wu settled comfortably in his carriage as it moved steadily out of the palace.
Far ahead, road-clearers ensured the way was free. Citizens retreated respectfully, kneeling out of sight, but curious about the spectacle.
This was the first time since the young emperor ascended the throne that he left the palace. Perhaps he had gone out in disguise before, but who could say? In the eyes of the people, it was his first official exit.
“What’s going on?”
“I heard that Prime Minister Chen and King Dingnan slipped and fell. His Majesty is visiting them.”
“The emperor is truly kindhearted, personally going out to see them,” a scholar said, clenching his fist. “I must work hard to pass the exams and one day be part of the court’s deliberations.”
“Indeed.” An elderly scholar beside him sighed, “Your generation is truly fortunate to have an emperor who cares so much for his ministers.”
First, Jiang Wu went to visit Prime Minister Chen. As Yin Wuzhi helped him down from the carriage, he remarked, “You’ll owe your future lazy days to Prime Minister Chen.”
So, when Jiang Wu stood before Prime Minister Chen’s bed, he earnestly said, “Thank you, Beloved Minister Chen.”
Chen Ziyan, who had been in the dark about everything, stood by with a complex expression. How strange—this once indifferent emperor, who disliked attending court, was now sincerely grateful to his father for something that should’ve been a duty of any loyal subject.
Sure enough, Prime Minister Chen’s gentle voice responded, “Your Majesty, rest assured. It is my duty to relieve Your Majesty of such burdens.”
Neither the emperor nor the minister had much else to say. Meanwhile, the servants quietly wiped away tears. Such a touching display of loyalty between ruler and subject.
Suddenly, Yin Wuzhi was pulled aside by Chen Ziyan, who finally had the chance to ask about his wellbeing. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” Yin Wuzhi said, looking at him, but his mind lingered on the fact that they had both served the emperor. Choosing his words carefully, he asked, “When you were in the palace, did the emperor ever… do anything to you?”
Chen Ziyan immediately replied, “No, he didn’t do anything.”
Yin Wuzhi pressed his lips together, and the two shared an awkward silence.
After a pause, Chen Ziyan asked, “Has he done anything to you… during your time in the palace?”
“…No.”
“Really?”
“Really,” Yin Wuzhi affirmed. “And nothing happened with you either?”
“Nothing.”
“…”
Both of them thought to themselves, He’s definitely just saying that so I won’t worry.
Jiang Wu was pushed out of Prime Minister Chen’s sickroom and saw the two of them standing quietly under the porch. He mused aloud, “You two seem to be very close.”
Yin Wuzhi looked at him expressionlessly.
Chen Ziyan stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, now that Yin Wuzhi has been in the palace for some time, shouldn’t you be merciful… and let him go home?”
Jiang Wu: “?”
“His father, King Dingnan, is injured,” Chen Ziyan continued. “Surely Your Majesty is aware of that. As his only son, he ought to stay at the residence to care for him.”
Yin Wuzhi silently observed Jiang Wu.
Jiang Wu thought to himself that this all sounded a bit familiar. When Yin Wuzhi entered the palace, it was under the pretense that Prime Minister Chen was ill, and now it seemed they were trying to swap places again.
He began to catch on. “So, Beloved Minister Chen is suggesting that I let Yin Wuzhi return home…”
Chen Ziyan braced himself.
Jiang Wu finished his thought: “And that you take Yin Wuzhi’s place in the palace.”
Chen Ziyan: “…”
Yin Wuzhi: “That’s impossible!”
Chen Ziyan hadn’t expected such a strong reaction on his behalf. He was deeply moved that Yin Wuzhi would go so far as to confront the emperor.
As a scholar raised in the capital, Chen Ziyan had never faced the kinds of perils Yin Wuzhi had seen in the southern frontier. His experience was limited to the usual court intrigues and political maneuvering. He had always envied Yin Wuzhi for his colorful life and the loyal brothers who would trust him with their lives.
Until now, Chen Ziyan had never understood what true camaraderie was. But now, he did.
With a brother like this, life was complete.
He turned to Jiang Wu and said, “Just as Yin Wuzhi was willing to enter the palace for me, I’m equally willing to enter the palace for him…”
“Brother Chen,” Yin Wuzhi said, pulling him up and speaking sternly, “It’s gone far enough. Don’t beg him anymore. Clearly, he has no intention of letting me go.”
“I’m willing,” Jiang Wu said.
Jiang Wu had come to understand that humiliating Yin Wuzhi directly would not have the desired effect. Instead, humiliating the people around him would yield better results. “I can agree to let Chen Ziyan take your place and allow you to go home for a while.”
Yin Wuzhi suddenly glared at him, his eyes brimming with murderous intent, as if he wanted to swallow him alive.
How fierce.
He loved it to death.
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