After reading the letter, anger flashed across Xiao Muchen’s face. “They actually plan to burn down the granary? Are they insane?”
The treasury of Great Chu was already depleted; every grain was precious. And they dared to plot to burn the granary!
“The Qiping Prefecture’s granary is already under our watch. It won’t be easy for them to make a move,” Qi He quickly said. “Your Highness, don’t worry. Even if they try, they’ll be walking straight into a trap.”
“What if it’s not the Qiping Prefecture’s granary?” asked Fengcheng Marquis.
“If not Qiping Prefecture, then where?” Qi He asked, surprised.
“The Eastern Palace’s embezzled grain — we only recovered half of it. The whereabouts of the other half are unknown. Maybe that’s what they’re targeting,” Fengcheng Marquis frowned.
“I thought they already sold that half?” Qi He was stunned.
“No one’s seen it with their own eyes, so it can’t be confirmed,” Duke Wei said in a low voice. “The Crown Prince is ruthless and calculating — he would surely leave himself a way out. That missing half is worth nearly a million taels of silver. Even if he spent half, there would still be plenty left.”
“What about Gao Zhan?” Xiao Muchen asked, his handsome face hidden in the dim light.
“He’s been knocked out and locked up,” Qi He replied.
“Does he know who captured him?”
“No. We attacked from behind — he didn’t see our faces.”
“Toss him outside the city gates and secretly follow him,” Xiao Muchen ordered, picking up the letter. “Give this letter back to him.”
“But the seal is already broken.”
“That’s exactly what we want,” Xiao Muchen said, looking at Qi He. “Let’s see what he does next. Gao Zhan is highly opportunistic. Since he messed up the Crown Prince’s mission, he won’t want to return and be punished. He’ll definitely try to redeem himself.”
Qi He’s eyes lit up. “If that’s the case, following Gao Zhan might lead us to something big.”
“Let’s see what choice he makes,” Duke Wei sneered. “People like him won’t die for the Crown Prince — they’ll always save themselves first.”
If he acted that way, it would give them the perfect opportunity — and maybe they could uncover something major.
Everyone got a little excited. Qi He immediately tucked the letter into his robe and left to handle it personally.
After he left, Duke Wei looked at Xiao Muchen and said, “Wangye, I received word that today Zhang Gelao secretly met with Lord Qu. They spoke for half an hour before parting. I don’t think it’s a simple matter.”
Xiao Muchen asked, “Zhang Gelao went to Lord Qu’s residence?”
“Yes. He didn’t even bother hiding it — just took a carriage straight there.”
Xiao Muchen nodded slightly. “It must be that Her Highness Consort Gui passed on a message. Even if Zhang Gelao doesn’t take sides, he has to weigh the situation carefully. Lord Qu was badly wounded in Qiping Prefecture; he knows the situation there better than anyone.”
“Then there’ll likely be a good show to watch tomorrow,” said Fengcheng Marquis with a laugh. He had been forced to remain in the capital and not return to Yuxiang City. Even now, His Majesty had yet to make a decision about his future. Fengcheng Marquis knew it was the Empress and her son working behind the scenes.
How could he not be angry? He had spent his life waging war on the battlefield, and the political maneuvering among the literati in the capital was no longer suited to him. Yet he was forced to step back into the vortex.
Duke Wei bore an even deeper grudge against the Eastern Palace—his only son had nearly died at their hands.
At this moment, he looked at Xiao Muchen and said, “Wangye, don’t step forward tomorrow—leave it to us.”
Xiao Muchen gave a slight nod. “Then I’ll leave it to you.”
“I hold a personal grudge against the Eastern Palace. His Majesty knows that well. If I take the lead, His Majesty won’t be suspicious—he’ll just think I’m avenging my son,” said Duke Wei, turning to Fengcheng Marquis. “You act according to the situation—don’t show yourself too early.”
Fengcheng Marquis nodded. Kicking someone while they’re down? He’d learned that from the Eastern Palace.
He’d wait until the Crown Prince fell into the trap before making his move.
As night fell into quiet, the two slipped out through the back door.
Xiao Muchen sat alone by the window, gazing out at the night sky, sleepless and filled with anticipation.
At dawn, Miao Sheng arrived on schedule to help the Wangye wash, dress, and eat breakfast.
Xiao Muchen didn’t have much of an appetite, but knowing today would likely be a tough battle, he forced himself to eat his fill, then headed to the palace right on time.
When Mingxi woke in the morning, she found herself alone in bed. She was used to it. She got up, washed, dressed, with Qiancao and Xiangxiang attending her. Fang Mama brought in the breakfast, and Li Mama was handling affairs outside.
“Did the Wangye leave any message?” Mingxi asked Fang Mama.
Fang Mama smiled and shook her head. “No special instructions. He just said the Wangfei has had a hard time lately and told us not to disturb you.”
Duan Mingxi sat at the table. Qiancao served her rice and placed it in front of her.
Mingxi’s appetite had grown lately—she was hungry early in the morning. Several baskets of freshly steamed buns were placed on the table. She reached out and picked up a red bean paste one. She hadn’t liked sweets before, but now she did.
Fang Mama saw that the Wangfei looked healthier and more energetic—her smile hadn’t left her face. Yesterday, when she saw the Wangfei’s pale complexion, she had truly been worried.
After breakfast, Mingxi went to the study. She’d been busy recently and hadn’t checked on her business. Several piles of account books had built up, and today was a good chance to go through them.
As she reviewed the accounts in the study, outside, Li Mama and others were tidying up the main hall. With Qixi just past and Mid-Autumn approaching, it was time to update the decorations.
The bustle outside was lively, but Mingxi frowned at the accounts. Revenue from the first half of the year had dropped by about twenty percent. Still, the loss was bearable.
She’d have to ask You Sanping what was going on. From the books, prices hadn’t risen, so that likely wasn’t the cause—there must be another reason.
Business at Yuxian Tower was still going strong—it was the only one unaffected.
After reviewing a few more account books, her mind drifted back to the matters in the palace, making her restless. She closed the books and got up to take a walk.
She had just stepped outside when she saw Miao Sheng hurrying in. Upon seeing her, he bowed. “This servant greets the Wangfei.”
“Miao Sheng, why are you back? Where’s Wangye?” Mingxi asked immediately.
Miao Sheng caught his breath. “Wangye sent me to deliver a message—he asks that you go to the palace immediately.”
“The palace? Now? Did Wangye say why?” Mingxi asked.
Miao Sheng lowered his voice. “There’s been an uproar in court. Duke Wei accused the Crown Prince of excessive greed and embezzling grain from the tax treasury. His Majesty flew into a rage and accused the Duke of using public matters for personal revenge. To prove his innocence, the Duke struck his head against a pillar in court.”
Mingxi was shocked. “Is he alright?”
“Rest assured, Wangfei. Fortunately, Wangye was nearby and managed to grab him, but the Duke was determined—he used his full strength. Though Wangye pulled him, he still hit the pillar. His condition is currently unknown.”
Mingxi hadn’t expected things to escalate so far. For Duke Wei to be pushed this far by the Emperor…
“Then why did Wangye want me to go to the palace?”
What did this have to do with her?
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