Duan Mingxi calmly picked up the chess pieces one by one and said, “Think about what you saw and what you realized back then. This so-called accident is simply something you failed to see clearly at the time.”
Duan Qi: …
So it was his own incompetence.
“Fengan Marquis’s attitude was completely normal back then—there was no sign of anything wrong at all.”
“The commander of the three armies must plan everything in his mind. How could he let you see any clues?” Duan Mingxi smiled. “After a few more years of experience, you will be able to notice some things.”
Duan Qi was unconvinced. He knew nothing, yet his elder sister was already able to discuss grand strategies with Fengan Marquis and others.
He needed to keep working hard—he could not afford to slack off.
“Elder sister, what will happen in the end?” Duan Qi asked again.
Mingxi shook her head. “I don’t know.”
Last time, the emperor’s protection of the crown prince was beyond her expectations. This time, with the involvement of the Imperial Horse Bureau, Lu Zhiliang’s case would also resurface. However, would His Majesty still shield the crown prince? How could she predict that?
Duan Qi fell silent. Indeed, imperial intentions were unpredictable—who would dare to gamble on them?
***
The military report from Fengan Marquis was delivered to the emperor through Kang Wang, enraging the emperor, who ordered a thorough investigation.
Although only half a month had passed since the New Year, the capital was already filled with tension.
The Great Chu army suffered heavy losses without timely reinforcements, food supplies were inadequate, and soldiers were fighting on empty stomachs. The situation continued to escalate.
Not only was Lu Zhiliang’s case reopened, but old cases concerning the Imperial Horse Bureau were also re-examined. Censor Zhong was once again assigned to investigate.
At the same time, Minister of War Ye Fu requested the emperor to order reinforcements for Qinan to relieve Fengan Marquis’s urgent predicament.
With Fengan Marquis critically ill, how could he still command the troops?
A heated debate erupted in the court over who should replace him, but no one expected the emperor to order Xiao Muchen to lead the troops south.
A thunderous shockwave hit the court.
The Crown Prince’s faction attempted to stop the decision, arguing that Duan Wang had no experience leading an army. How could such a critical matter of war between two nations be handled so recklessly? They urged the emperor to reconsider.
The emperor did not reconsider. Instead, he ordered thirty strokes of the cane for those who objected and stripped them of their positions.
At that moment, Duan Wang, who had always maintained a low profile, officially entered the court’s sight.
This unexpected turn of events left Mingxi momentarily stunned when she received the news.
In her past life, such an event had never occurred.
With reinforcements needed urgently, Xiao Muchen had little time to prepare. The necessary troops and supplies were far from sufficient.
Huang Shao took this opportunity to send a batch of fine horses to Duan Wang. During a court audience, the emperor highly praised his actions.
These horses had been purchased from the northern frontiers at a considerable price, but they arrived just in time to solve the crisis.
Instead of blaming Huang Shao, the emperor commended his decisiveness and courage.
With Huang Shao receiving praise, Lu Zhiliang’s misdeeds became even more intolerable to the emperor. Even though Lu Zhiliang was already dead, the emperor spoke of him with deep resentment.
Riding on this momentum, Censor Zhong submitted a report detailing Lu Zhiliang’s corruption while in office and petitioned for permission to investigate the Imperial Horse Bureau’ financial records.
This time, the emperor granted permission.
Finally, a crack was pried open in the Eastern Palace.
Before setting out for battle, Xiao Muchen secretly went to bid farewell to Mingxi.
Mingxi had not expected their next meeting to be under such circumstances. Although she knew that Xiao Muchen in her past life had become a seasoned military leader after ten years, in this life, he was not yet that experienced commander.
“May Your Highness have a safe journey. I will be waiting for your triumphant return in the capital.”
Xiao Muchen gazed at Mingxi. Even through the cold armor, the tenderness in his eyes could not be concealed. “Xixi, my father’s decision to entrust me with the army will surely displease the empress and the crown prince. After I leave the capital, you must be careful. If you encounter any trouble, send a message to my mother through House Steward Fang—she will protect you.”
Mingxi had not expected him to be so considerate. Apart from her parents, no one else had ever cared for her like this.
She took out a small brocade box from her sleeve. it was not large, with golden edges, exquisitely crafted. She pressed it into Xiao Muchen’s hands and softly reminded him, “This campaign to the south—our court’s allocation of provisions and troops is far below Fengan Marquis’s expectations. You must be cautious.”
What was the key to winning battles?
Money.
Weapons, provisions, and horses—none of these came free.
“An army marches on its stomach”—this was an unshakable truth.
“What is this?” Xiao Muchen glanced at the brocade box in his hands and smiled.
“it’s for saving your life,” Mingxi also smiled.
Xiao Muchen thought she was joking. His lips curved into a soft grin as he said, “Very well, then I shall rely on Xixi to keep me alive.”
He carefully placed the brocade box into his chest pocket, mounted his horse, and cast one last deep look at Mingxi before spurring his horse forward.
The sunlight glinted off his cold armor as his tall figure on horseback rode away, bathed in the morning glow.
***
After Duan Wang left the capital with his troops, instead of calming down, the situation in the city grew even more chaotic.
Huang Shao seized the opportunity and fully cooperated with Censor Zhong’s investigation, turning the Imperial Horse Bureau upside down.
Third Master Duan treaded carefully in his office every day, tense like a drawn bow. Watching her husband’s state, his wife also lived in constant anxiety.
Everyone wanted to be an official, but few realized how difficult it was.
In contrast, Second Master Duan of the imperial Kitchen Bureau remained completely unaffected and at ease.
Duan Yu had been staying at the ministry for several days, barely able to catch a breath. As a newly appointed official, he had not yet grasped the problems left behind by his predecessor when this sudden storm hit.
Fortunately, Shangshu Ye looked after him and assigned experienced clerks and staff to assist him.
Why had Fengan Marquis’s couriers failed to reach the capital? What exactly had happened?
Were the couriers dead or alive? Where were they now? All of this had to be investigated.
As Censor Zhong dug deeper, Duke Cao was implicated.
When Mingxi received the news, she wondered how the empress would protect Duke Cao this time.
Duke Cao pleaded his innocence before the emperor and, in turn, accused Marquis Xingan, claiming that the corruption in the Imperial Horse Bureau had been solely orchestrated by Marquis Xingan and Lu Zhiliang.
“Did Marquis Xingan confess?” Mingxi asked Li Quan.
Li Quan shook his head. “No, Marquis Xingan denied everything, saying that Lu Zhiliang had borrowed 100,000 taels of silver from him under the pretense of balancing the books of the Imperial Horse Bureau, and the debt has yet to be repaid.”
Xingan Marquis even presented a signed promissory note from Lu Zhiliang. Upon verifying the handwriting, it was confirmed to be Lu Zhiliang’s. Moreover, the ten thousand taels of silver used to settle the account seemed to have some connection to His Majesty.
“With His Majesty? What do you mean?” Mingxi frowned.
“I heard that Lu Zhiliang’s debt was settled on behalf of the Emperor, but the exact reason remains unknown.”
Duan Mingxi: …
Li Quan cautiously observed the young lady before speaking again. “Guard Qi also mentioned that once the matter of the ten thousand taels surfaced, the Emperor stopped pursuing Xingan Marquis.”
Duan Mingxi sneered. The investigation into the accounts had unexpectedly led all the way to the Emperor himself. How absurd.
Ten thousand taels was not a significant amount for the Emperor, but the problem was—why had this sum been recorded under the imperial Horse’s accounts?
After going in circles, the matter had come full loop. Mingxi suspected that the Empress had long prepared this escape route.
Truly impressive.
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