This matter had yet to come to a conclusion, so the fate of Qiao Wan and her brother remained uncertain.
However, Qiao Yu’s life could be spared—Qiao Wan’s, on the other hand, was far less certain.
Not only had Yang Yiniang and Madam Jiang nearly been ruined by her, but she also carried multiple deaths on her shoulders.
Mingxi knew that it wasn’t easy for a woman to live well in this world, but she hadn’t expected someone as young as Qiao Wan to be so ruthless and cruel.
Remembering how Yang Yiniang had nearly lost her life back then, Mingxi’s disgust for Qiao Wan deepened even further.
The two of them took a brief rest at a separate residence. At dawn, Xiao Muchen was already dressed in his court robes, ready to attend his duties.
Mingxi sat up and looked at him. After steadying herself, she got out of bed. For a moment, she didn’t know how to help. She had never helped someone put on court robes before and had no idea where to start.
Xiao Muchen saw her looking dazed and reached out to pinch her cheek. “Go back to the Residence and sleep a bit more. I’m leaving early to make a stop at the Ministry of Communications.”
“What are you going there for?” Mingxi asked curiously, watching him expertly dress himself in his court robes.
He used to be attended by Miao Sheng, but Mingxi wasn’t used to eunuchs waiting on them. Xiao Muchen noticed and stopped having Miao Sheng enter their shared bedroom to help him dress.
“All the reports from across Great Chu have to pass through the Ministry of Communications before reaching the capital. As for Qiao Wan harming the women of the Marquis residence, at most it’s a personal grudge. Even if it involves the Eastern Palace, she’s a woman of lowly status. Royal Father won’t take her seriously.”
Mingxi understood. “So it all comes down to Royal Father favoring the Crown Prince.”
Xiao Muchen was silent for a moment. “Yes. He’s the heir. It’s only natural.”
Mingxi looked up at him. “But unfortunately, we’re in the game and can’t act freely. We can’t just offer up our necks when someone puts a knife to them.”
“You’re right. That’s how I see it too.” Xiao Muchen smiled and pulled her into a hug. “I’m off.”
Mingxi saw him to the door. Qi He and Miao Sheng were already waiting. When they saw the couple emerge together, they quickly stepped forward to salute.
Xiao Muchen left with them. Mingxi no longer felt sleepy. After a simple breakfast, she left by carriage.
She didn’t go to see Qiao Wan or Qiao Yu.
Pitiable people often have detestable qualities. If she felt pity for that pair of siblings, how could she face Duan Ning and his sister? Wasn’t Yang Yiniang pitiful too?
What had she done to deserve death?
At that moment, Xiao Muchen arrived at the Ministry of Communications, where the place was bustling with activity.
The Ministry didn’t just receive local reports from around the country; it also distributed key government updates via bulletins to all prefectures and counties, where they’d be posted for the public.
Because of this, the Ministry’s affairs were numerous and complicated. There were hundreds of clerks alone.
Officials of rank three or higher could consult the reports. Xiao Muchen, though without an official post at the Ministry of Revenue, held the title of prince and had military achievements, so no one found his presence strange.
A nondescript clerk pushed through the crowd and quickly approached Duan Wang, bowing. “Wangye, here are the reports you requested.”
Xiao Muchen casually nodded and took the reports. As his fingers slid across the back of the report, he palmed a hidden slip of paper. Holding the report in his right hand, he subtly let the slip fall into the sleeve pocket of his left hand.
The clerk bowed and retreated as though he had only delivered documents.
Xiao Muchen slowly flipped through the report when he heard footsteps behind him, followed by a voice.
“What wind blew Wangye here? I failed to come greet you. Please forgive me.”
Zhang Xianming, the Minister of Communications, stood in front of him with a bright smile and a shallow bow.
“Lord Zhang, no need for formalities. I’m here on imperial orders to investigate the Ministry of Revenue’s grain taxes. Since it involves a shortage in Fengzhou, I came to consult the local reports,” Xiao Muchen said calmly.
Duan Wang was always expressionless, treating everyone like stones. Zhang Xianming didn’t mind. What did startle him was what he said.
“Your Highness, grain shortages in Fengzhou? That must be a joke. I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
Fengzhou was a wealthy region of Great Chu. If something went wrong there, it wouldn’t be a small matter.
Duan Wang looked at Zhang Xianming. “That’s what the Ministry’s files say. I’m just here to verify.”
Zhang Xianming frowned deeply. If Duan Wang was verifying it… what would happen afterward?
The Ministry of Revenue was a mess, tangled in endless financial problems. The Emperor was getting old and muddled, preferring to let things slide rather than stir up trouble.
But last year, the grain taxes in Fengzhou had been managed by the Crown Prince…
Recently, rumors were circulating that the Crown Prince and Duan Wang were increasingly at odds. It wasn’t obvious yet in court, but Zhang Xianming, as a senior official, knew more than most.
His mind raced. Xiao Muchen clearly wasn’t going to say more. He nodded and strode away.
Zhang Xianming stared at his back, his frown deepening. What was Duan Wang up to?
Unable to figure him out, Zhang Xianming turned and went to visit the Minister of Revenue to fish for information.
Liu Chuxian had just returned from a meeting at Chongzheng Hall, looking displeased. He was surprised to find Zhang Xianming waiting for him at his office.
“Lord Zhang, what brings you here today?”
The Ministries of Revenue and Communications rarely had direct dealings.
Zhang Xianming laughed heartily. “I was delivering documents to the Six Ministries and thought I’d drop by to greet an old friend.”
Liu Chuxian didn’t believe a word. This old fox never came without a reason.
“Please, sit,” Liu Chuxian said with a smile.
Zhang Xianming sat, and a clerk brought tea. He accepted it, placed it on the side table, and only after the clerk left did he speak.
“It’s always so peaceful here with you.”
Liu Chuxian sipped his tea and chuckled. “If we weren’t old friends, I’d think you were mocking me.”
“Not at all.” Zhang Xianming chuckled. “By the way, I heard there’s some issue with Fengzhou’s grain tax?”
Liu Chuxian glanced at him, face calm. “Is that so? I haven’t heard of any such thing. Where did you get this from?”
“There isn’t?” Zhang Xianming feigned surprise. “I overheard someone at the Ministry of Communications mention that someone came to check the reports for Fengzhou. Just idle gossip, of course.
“But yes, Fengzhou is our kingdom’s grain hub. With you overseeing it, I must have overthought.”
His words made Liu Chuxian’s heart skip a beat. As Zhang Xianming rose to leave, Liu Chuxian quickly stood and grabbed his arm.
“Brother Zhang, are you serious about this?”
Zhang Xianming rolled his eyes inwardly. A moment ago he was ‘Lord Zhang’, now suddenly he’s ‘Brother Zhang’!
“I can’t say for sure what’s true and what’s not, but it’s a fact that someone looked into the Fengzhou records,” Zhang Xianming said with a cupped-hands salute. “Tea’s finished, and I still have official duties to attend to, so I won’t take up more of your time.”
Liu Chuxian saw him out, then returned with a grim expression.
Affairs in Fengzhou had always been handled with utmost secrecy—who would go digging into the Fengzhou archives?
After thinking it over, he was certain: no one in the Ministry of Revenue would be stupid enough to dig their own grave!
Suddenly, a name came to mind, and his expression instantly became very… colorful.
