Chen Xiao spoke first. “Your Majesty, the information from the Eldest Miss was incredibly timely. While investigating the Imperial Horse Bureau’ accounts, I discovered that this has long been an established secret practice. Every successive Lord Zhangyin has colluded with others to seek personal gain. I also found that the former Lord Zhangyin, Lu Zhiliang, had close ties with Duke Cao. At that time, the Crown Prince was still young, but the Empress was likely aware of this.”
“So this time, the Eastern Palace secretly used Censor Zhong to impeach Duke Wei, putting pressure on Marquis Fengcheng. Then, they exposed the Imperial Horse Bureau scandal to frame Huang Shao. one step after another—Duke Wei falls, Marquis Fengcheng loses support, and Huang Shao becomes the scapegoat. This allows them to install their own man in the Imperial Horse Bureau. A true three-pronged strategy.”
Qi He shuddered as he spoke—just thinking about it sent chills down his spine.
Who would have thought that the Empress would have such boldness, secretly instructing Duke Cao to bribe Lu Zhiliang? When Lu Zhiliang died of illness, the Empress probably never expected that Huang Shao would take his place as the head of the Imperial Horse Bureau.
Huang Shao was never one of the Empress’s people. This time, they wanted to use the opportunity to get rid of him, all to clear the way for the Crown Prince.
What was even more surprising was Third Master Duan. After spending only a few months in the Imperial Horse Bureau, he managed to uncover so much. Thanks to that, they were able to gain an advantage. If they could bring Huang Shao under Wangye’s command, it would be a great boon.
After listening to them, Xiao Muchen suddenly recalled something—there was a time when the Empress was in a foul temper, constantly clashing with the four concubines. Calculating the timing, it was right when Lu Zhiliang had died, and Huang Shao had assumed leadership of the Imperial Horse Bureau.
It seemed that back then, the Empress had not taken Huang Shao seriously. She never imagined that this insignificant figure would rise to power through his godfather, catching both her and Duke Cao off guard.
Losing control over the Imperial Horse Bureau—how could the Empress let that slide? Unfortunately, Huang Shao was not only meticulous and cautious but also ruthless. A man like him was difficult to control.
if you strike a snake but fail to kill it, you only invite disaster. So, the Empress had bided her time, waiting for an opportunity. Now, that opportunity had come.
But fate was not entirely in her favor this time. Third Master Duan had infiltrated the Imperial Horse Bureau, and now that this information had landed in their hands, the Empress and the Crown Prince would once again be thwarted.
“You go meet with Third Master Duan first. If he can convince Huang Shao on his own, you don’t need to intervene. But if Huang Shao is wary of him, then you go together.”
Qi He immediately acknowledged, “Yes. In the past, Huang Shao would never have bowed so easily, but now that he has a weakness, he has no choice but to pick a side.”
The Empress and the Crown Prince had the larger and more stable ship, making them the obvious choice.
However, even if Huang Shao were to pledge allegiance to them, it was unlikely he would be truly trusted or valued. There was still resentment over the leadership dispute. Now that an olive branch was being extended from the other side, he would have to seriously consider his options.
Chen Xiao agreed. “Does he really have any choice? Can he be sure that siding with the Eastern Palace will secure his future? More likely, the Empress and the Crown Prince just see him as a stepping stone.”
“Let’s first see where Huang Shao stands before making any further decisions.” Xiao Muchen glanced at the two of them.
His ship was not an easy one to board either. if Huang Shao wanted his protection, he would have to prove his worth.
Surviving this crisis was already difficult enough. But if he could not only survive but also deal a blow to the Empress and the Crown Prince to show his loyalty—now that was another matter entirely.
If he failed to do so, then Duan Wang’s Manor was not a place that took in useless people. What use would he be?
Qi He turned and left immediately, while Chen Xiao remained behind, looking hesitant.
Xiao Muchen raised an eyebrow. “Speak.”
Chen Xiao straightened up and said, “Wangye, do you really intend to intervene?”
If they took action now, it would fully alert the Empress and the Crown Prince. The years of careful restraint and patience would all be wasted.
Something about this situation felt too coincidental, as if it were a trap.
“If the Imperial Horse Bureau falls into the Eastern Palace’s hands, what do you think will happen?”
Chen Xiao’s throat tightened. it would be disastrous.
“No matter who set this up, we have no choice but to act.”
Chen Xiao’s expression was heavy with concern. “If this escalates to the imperial court, I fear His Majesty might become wary of you. Please reconsider, Wangye.”
“If that’s the case, then let’s make a big deal out of the Empress bribing the Imperial Horse Bureau. While Royal Father is still on the throne, she dares to act like this? If he’s going to be wary of someone, it should be her and the Crown Prince even more.”
Xiao Muchen let out a cold chuckle and glanced at Chen Xiao. “Go.”
Chen Xiao bowed his head. “Yes, I will see to it immediately.”
Since Wangye had made his decision, they would carve a path for him with their blades.
After Chen Xiao left, Xiao Muchen turned to gaze out the window. After a long moment, a gleam flickered in his eyes, tinged with a smile.
What surprised him even more was that after learning of this news, Mingxi had immediately chosen to send it to him.
She knew that this matter was a gamble, with equal chances of success and failure, yet she was still certain that he would take the risk. Even in the dead of night, she had the message sent.
See? They were indeed like-minded, a perfect match.
And yet, she still talked about parting ways in ten years. Even if one day she truly wished to leave, at this moment, she was still doing everything in her power to support him.
Knowing that his wife would eventually try to leave, yet seeing her tirelessly strategize for him now, he found himself caught—he couldn’t be too stern, nor could he be too lenient. He couldn’t scold her, but he couldn’t let her go either.
It was a tangled mess in his heart, leaving him with mixed emotions.
She wanted to run? That was a nice thought. But whether or not she could actually escape—well, that depended on his ability to keep her by his side.
Xiao Muchen’s sharp eyes lowered slightly, a trace of weariness crossing his face. He then turned and entered his chamber to rest.
After staying up all night, all he could do now was wait for news, and the exhaustion was finally catching up to him.
He wondered—what was Mingxi doing at this moment?
As it happened, the very person on his mind was not sleeping soundly either.
At daybreak, Mingxi rose, washed, dressed, and had breakfast. Afterward, she went to pay her respects to the Old Madam. On her way back, she was caught up by Third Madam.
“Your Third uncle went to the yamen early this morning. He asked me to pass on a message—he will have results by the end of the day.” Third Madam relayed the words exactly, though she had no idea what kind of result was needed.
Her husband hadn’t given her any details, only saying it was an official matter. She had seen the worry on his face and hadn’t dared to ask too much.
But since he had asked her to pass on a message to Mingxi, she knew that Mingxi would be helping, which reassured her.
Mingxi nodded slightly. “Understood, Third Aunt. Third uncle will probably be back quite late today. If he sends any messages, please let me know.”
She only had about a fifty percent certainty regarding Huang Shao’s decision.
It all depended on whether Third uncle could persuade him.
“Don’t worry, if there’s any news, I’ll be sure to tell you.” Third Madam smiled.
The two parted ways at the crossroads. Mingxi had just taken a few steps when she spotted Madam Xiao standing under the eaves, clutching a handkerchief and dabbing at her eyes.
Mingxi frowned and walked over.
“Sister-in-law, why are you standing here alone? Where are your attendants?” Mingxi asked with a serious expression.
Madam Xiao’s face showed a trace of unease when she saw Mingxi. “Little Sister, why are you here? I just got something in my eye from the wind. Bai Qing went back to the courtyard to fetch something for me.”
Mingxi stepped forward to support Madam Xiao, helping her sit down on a nearby goose-neck chair before slowly speaking. “Did she set rules for you again?”
Madam Xiao: …
“N-No, no.” Madam Xiao quickly waved her hand in denial.
“Then why are you crying?” Mingxi wasn’t keen on interfering in the affairs of the eldest branch, but if something had driven Madam Xiao to hide and cry, it was likely no small matter.
Duan Yu was growing up steadily, and he couldn’t afford to be dragged down by family issues.
Especially Madam Jiang!
