Liu Chuxian was truly on edge. Zhang Xianming knew about the undercurrents between the Crown Prince and Duan Wang, and now he was the unlucky soul caught in the middle of it.
He had never wanted to take over the mess that was the Ministry of Revenue, but years ago, the Emperor had insisted on appointing him as Minister. He tried to decline several times and even requested retirement due to illness, but the Emperor rejected that too—he even gave him a month of rest at home to placate him.
But no matter what, His Majesty refused to let someone else wear the Minister’s hat.
Now Liu Chuxian was sitting on a flaming stove, his backside practically scorched. The Emperor wouldn’t transfer him, nor allow him to resign. All he could do was grit his teeth and endure.
He thought that with the Emperor as his backing, things would remain stable. Who would’ve expected Duan Wang to stir up the matter in Fengzhou? That would throw everything into chaos!
Liu Chuxian could no longer sit still. He immediately summoned an aide and asked, “Has Duan Wang come in today?”
The clerk bowed and answered, “Yes, my lord. Wangye came at the morning watch, but the Emperor summoned him. He is currently at the Chongzheng Hall.”
What?!
Liu Chuxian’s face turned green.
Duan Wang better not do something reckless! He truly felt like an ant on a hot griddle—he wished he could just take off his official hat and die on the spot.
But dying wasn’t an option. What would happen to his family? They’d be nothing more than meat on a chopping block.
Dark-faced, Liu Chuxian carefully reconsidered: why would Duan Wang suddenly investigate Fengzhou?
If it was about the grain and supply issue from Yuxiang City back then, the timing still didn’t make sense.
And Duan Wang had just gotten married. Stirring up such a huge scandal now—it was inauspicious!
But something must have triggered it, right?
Unable to sit still, Liu Chuxian went out to find Zhou Yuan.
The Ministry of War was quite relaxed lately—Qinan had been thoroughly disciplined by Duan Wang and wouldn’t dare make a move for the next year or two.
Zhou Yuan was leisurely drinking tea when Liu Chuxian came knocking.
“What brings you here?” Zhou Yuan asked bluntly.
Back when he’d asked Liu Chuxian for grain, the old fox had refused him without a shred of mercy—he’d nearly been chewed out by Duan Wang over it.
Liu Chuxian sat down heavily across from him, his face like thunder. “You still have the leisure to drink tea? The sky is practically falling!”
“Stop talking nonsense!” Zhou Yuan jumped. “What happened?”
Liu Chuxian lowered his voice. “Let me ask you first—has there been any tension lately between the Crown Prince and Duan Wang?”
Zhou Yuan frowned. “How would I know?”
The Crown Prince had always been smooth and diplomatic. Duan Wang, on the other hand, wore a perpetual coffin face. Even if Zhou Yuan was an old fox himself, he couldn’t read something like that from just looking at them.
Liu Chuxian scrutinized Zhou Yuan and, seeing no sign of a lie, his expression darkened further. He whispered, “Duan Wang went to check the Fengzhou archives today.”
“So what? Let him check. What are you afraid of?” Zhou Yuan didn’t understand the fuss.
Liu Chuxian was momentarily speechless, then remembered: Zhou Yuan had taken over the Minister’s position from Ye Fu. He didn’t know the dirty details.
But how could he bring it up?
Ye Fu had been terribly unlucky, losing his position over some unclear mess.
Seeing Liu Chuxian go silent, Zhou Yuan realized the matter wasn’t simple and said seriously, “Come on, just tell me. We’re colleagues—if you know something, don’t hide it. We’re all in this together. If I get dragged down, you won’t escape unscathed either.”
“Oh please,” Liu Chuxian scoffed. “Weren’t you the one who nearly clobbered me with a club back then?”
“If we’re digging up old grievances, I’m not scared,” Zhou Yuan retorted. “You have some nerve. Duan Wang was going to battle, and you sent him off with empty hands and no support!”
Liu Chuxian had no defense. He had indeed been in the wrong, and now every time Duan Wang came to inspect the Ministry of Revenue, he felt three parts guilty.
He sighed heavily. “If I had money and grain, wouldn’t I have given it? It wasn’t mine to hoard. But I ended up offending him—what’s the point?”
Zhou Yuan thought about it. “So why did Duan Wang go to the Grand Secretariat to check the Fengzhou archives?”
“If I knew, would I be here asking you?”
Zhou Yuan wanted to hit him again.
The two fell silent. They’d both been in the court for decades—some things were understood without being said, even if they couldn’t be spoken aloud.
They exchanged a glance.
Zhou Yuan lowered his voice as well. “Those two are about to clash again?”
Liu Chuxian’s face was grave. “I don’t know. But Duan Wang digging into Fengzhou—I can’t take it.”
He couldn’t let him dig.
Zhou Yuan also fell silent. After a long pause, he said, “His Majesty won’t allow it. Don’t worry.”
Liu Chuxian shook his head and sighed.
The Emperor was already old. If this fire really started, what good would the Emperor’s disapproval do?
“Lord Zhou, if the day ever comes… I ask only that, for the sake of our years as colleagues, you protect my family.”
“You’re being dramatic—it won’t come to that.”
Liu Chuxian stood. “I hope not. I’ve served the country loyally all my life. Now I’m being roasted alive on this stove, and there’s nothing I can do.”
Zhou Yuan quickly stood as well. “Maybe there’s still room to ease things. Why not go talk to Duan Wang?”
“You think I haven’t tried? He was summoned by the Emperor—I can’t even find him right now.”
Talk about bad luck. Zhou Yuan sighed as well. “Alright, I’ll try to feel things out for you. See what’s going on over there lately.”
He glanced toward the Eastern Palace.
When these imperial sons clashed, it was always the officials who suffered most.
Liu Chuxian cupped his hands in thanks and left with long strides. After all—if one can live, who really wants to die?
If the matter in Fengzhou really couldn’t be suppressed, he would surely be made the scapegoat.
Liu Chuxian first returned to his own domain and sent someone to keep watch at the Chongzheng Hall. As soon as Duan Wang came out, they were to invite him over immediately.
If he wasn’t worried about raising suspicion, Liu Chuxian would have gone to wait himself.
Outside the Chongzheng Hall, Xiao Muchen and the Crown Prince exited together. A scribe in the distance caught sight of them and instinctively hid behind a corner, not daring to show his face.
The Crown Prince didn’t look pleased and raised his head to look at Xiao Muchen. “Fourth Brother, you really are quite different from how you used to be.”
“Your Highness flatters me. I’m merely following Royal Father’s orders. If I’ve done something that displeased you, I ask for your forgiveness.”
The Crown Prince lowered his voice. “You think that just because Qiao Wan has fallen into your hands, you’ll be able to get the evidence?”
“I don’t understand what Your Highness is referring to. Who is Qiao Wan?” Xiao Muchen replied with a look of confusion.
The Crown Prince: …
“Fine. You’re really something.” With that, the Crown Prince flung his sleeves and left.
Xiao Muchen bowed slightly in farewell. Once the Crown Prince was far away, he turned and walked off.
This whole scene had not gone unnoticed by the surrounding guards and eunuchs. No one said a word, but they were all thinking deeply.
As Xiao Muchen stepped down from the jade platform and neared the corner, the scribe finally dared to reveal himself and bowed, “Wangye, Lord Shangshu invites you over for a discussion.”
Xiao Muchen’s expression remained unchanged. “About what?”
“I don’t know.” Though the young scribe was one of Minister Liu’s trusted aides, he wasn’t privy to everything.
Xiao Muchen maintained a calm demeanor, but in his heart, he breathed a small sigh of relief. All his acting this morning hadn’t been in vain—Liu Chuxian, that old fox, had finally grown restless.
