SEHE Chapter 30

Sophistry 

 

Having spoken to this extent, Steward Zhao found it impossible to swallow back the remaining words, so he simply stopped hiding anything.

 

After discovering this clue, he hadn’t yet figured out what to do about it. Fortunately, Pei Yanci was capable – in just a few days, he had come up with a solution to resolve his troubles.

 

A forced smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he feigned casualness. “You’re still young and don’t understand the gravity of some matters. It’s fortunate that I discovered the signs. I know you certainly have His Highness’s best interests at heart, but if someone with ulterior motives notices and embellishes the story before His Highness, it would be difficult for His Highness to believe you even if he wanted to. Don’t you think so?”

 

“Is Uncle that person with ulterior motives?” Pei Yanci gazed at him with crescent-moon eyes.

 

“How could that be,” Steward Zhao laughed it off. “In the future, you’ll be His Highness’s favored person, and I’ll benefit from your success too. I was right not to recommend you wrongly to Chief Steward Zhang back then. When I’m short on funds someday, I’ll still hope you’ll help me out.”

 

He brought up his past kindness to Pei Yanci again, hoping to make him compromise and yield.

 

“Naturally, I won’t forget Uncle. Once I finish with matters at hand, Uncle just needs to wait for good news,” Pei Yanci said. “Regarding my affairs, I also ask Uncle to help.”

 

“That’s natural.” Seeing him mention asking for help again, Steward Zhao felt somewhat pleased, thinking his earlier discomfort was merely from sitting too long in the room after dinner, which had pressed on his stomach, causing the chest tightness and heart palpitations.

 

Pei Yanci escorted him partway until they reached the crossroads, where Steward Zhao returned to his own quarters while Pei Yanci took another main road.

 

Having been delayed multiple times, by the time he reached the main courtyard where Gu Jiuqing resided, it was already evening.

 

Zhang Huairu was still recovering from his injuries, so his adopted son temporarily took over his duties. Seeing the visitor, his expression immediately turned hostile. “If it isn’t Steward Pei. How rare that you’re not busy ‘selling offices and trading titles’ – I thought His Highness had long since disappeared from your eyes.”

 

(TL: 賣官鬻爵 → idiom, literally “selling offices and bartering ranks” → corruption, selling official posts and titles for profit.)

 

“Steward Qi, you still haven’t given me your list,” Pei Yanci ignored his sarcasm. “My list here is ready. When His Highness holds you accountable later, you’d better have an excuse.”

 

“Whether you can come out in one piece after going in with that list today remains to be seen,” Yunsheng sneered coldly.

 

“Steward Qi need only have someone serve tea.” So much chatter – the incessant babbling was annoying.

 

Between eunuchs, why were they so different from each other?

 

Pei Yanci recalled Tang Xizhui’s odd, sarcastic manner, as well as the last words he had left behind when they parted last time.

 

When had he ever agreed to dine with him? He certainly didn’t acknowledge it.

 

As his steps carried him into the main hall, he cleared those bothersome words from his mind and focused intently on the person before him.

 

“Your Highness.” He bowed and respectfully presented the organized list of servants to be sold and those to remain in the mansion.

 

Gu Jiuqing sat upright, carefully reading through the list from beginning to end before placing it on the long table in front of him. “How did you determine which people could stay and which couldn’t?”

 

He had obviously heard rumors, and with Yunsheng surely badmouthing him before His Highness these past days, the fact that he could completely ignore the chaos in the mansion for several days and still ask so calmly was somewhat unexpected to Pei Yanci.

 

It seemed his weight in Gu Jiuqing’s heart wasn’t as light as a feather as he had thought.

 

“Those who remain are the ones who gave this humble one the most money,” Pei Yanci showed no intention of concealment. “A total of eight thousand five hundred and sixty-eight taels. Does Your Highness want it?”

 

Gu Jiuqing’s eye twitched. No matter how poor he was, he couldn’t possibly take his subordinate’s money.

 

“You’re certainly direct – embezzling openly and telling this prince about the ill-gotten gains just as openly.” He couldn’t help but feel a surge of speechless anger. These people were truly going too far.

 

“What matter in the mansion could be hidden from Your Highness? Being secretive would make it seem like this humble one has ulterior motives. This humble one is merely returning to Your Highness the silver they embezzled from you.”

 

This wasn’t false. He had never seen anyone conduct embezzlement and bribery so openly that everyone knew about it, so when he heard Yunsheng’s words, he instead felt there was deeper meaning behind it and let it be.

 

“Then why did you keep those people? Does this prince need to continue keeping a bunch of parasites?” he said darkly. “Keep those who didn’t send you silver.”

 

“That depends on how Your Highness views this problem.”

 

Pei Yanci said, “Since ancient times, why do we praise sages? Because such people of noble character are extremely rare. Your Highness now has so many ‘sages’ among the servants in your mansion – is it because they’ve been influenced by Your Highness’s behavior?

 

“We are all ordinary people with human desires and emotions. Those who couldn’t produce silver to bribe this humble one – they are people who work diligently with their heads down, not smooth talkers who please others. But they don’t refrain from embezzling because they don’t want to – they lack the courage to embezzle and the ability to embezzle silver without leaving traces or being discovered.

 

“While those who can and want to embezzle – firstly, it shows they are eloquent and quick-witted, with many information channels and good at making friends; secondly, they are proactive in their work and know how to handle things, otherwise Chief Steward Zhang and other head stewards couldn’t possibly trust them with tasks or allow them to put Your Highness’s money into their own pockets. Such capable people with means and wide connections – aren’t they exactly the talent Your Highness needs most?”

 

Gu Jiuqing was nearly driven to laughter by his sophistry that turned black into white. “How was this prince unaware that he needed people who live more extravagantly than himself?”

 

As if oblivious, Pei Yanci analyzed earnestly, “Actually, this humble one thinks Your Highness’s private recruitment of advisors and disguising them as servants in the mansion is an incredibly foolish move.”

 

These words successfully darkened Gu Jiuqing’s expression by three degrees.

 

“People have no distinction of high or low status or superior or inferior abilities – as long as you put them in the right position, they can all achieve maximum usefulness,” Pei Yanci said. This was also a truth he had always upheld. “It’s just that for most people, they lack a talent scout – someone who can use them appropriately.”

 

Gu Jiuqing’s brow showed slight contemplation.

 

“Those noble family sons have sensitive identities, while assassins skilled in martial arts carry blood on their hands – neither benefits Your Highness’s reputation. Just like this time…” Pei Yanci appropriately fell silent, not reopening Gu Jiuqing’s wounds. “Those stewards and servants, matrons and maids – they were able to enter the mansion precisely because they were outstanding among servants. It’s just that their knowledge is limited and their horizons constrained, making them appear to only know neighborhood gossip and seem vulgar and unbearable. But as people driven by Your Highness to do work, they don’t need to understand the higher-ups’ intentions – they only need to be sufficiently obedient and follow orders, and that’s enough.”

 

“Your words are certainly novel.” A trace of cold disdain flickered in Gu Jiuqing’s water-cold eyes, yet his expression was grave as he rapidly pondered something.

 

“The people this humble one selected all have flexible minds and know how to handle affairs – much better than those who only know how to work hard with their heads down, stubborn as mules. Your Highness can use them however you wish. Their indenture contracts are in your hands – how could they possibly betray you?”

 

Gu Jiuqing finally relaxed his brow, a slight smile appearing at the corners of his mouth as he pointed at him. “You – this prince has never seen such a silver tongue. You’ve obviously embezzled silver openly and should be severely punished, yet now you’ve successfully persuaded this prince.”

 

“This humble one taking their silver was incidental – the key was networking capable subordinates for Your Highness,” Pei Yanci smiled. “It’s precisely because this humble one follows Your Highness that I can have a share of the soup.”

 

His words were both crude and elegant, speaking to Gu Jiuqing’s heart while appropriately displaying the somewhat rough and simple language befitting a servant, preventing Gu Jiuqing from harboring much suspicion about his identity.

 

Gu Jiuqing stopped dwelling on Pei Yanci’s embezzlement. Consider this silver as commission fees for selling servants this time. After making a few light remarks, he called Yunsheng in from outside.

 

“Yanci’s list is ready. How are you progressing with the lists of advisors and assassins?”

 

Seeing Gu Jiuqing’s completely normal expression, Yunsheng secretly glanced at Pei Yanci, suppressed his puzzled look, and pulled out a small booklet from his sleeve. “It’s already prepared, just about to show it to Your Highness.”

 

Pei Yanci’s open acceptance of bribes was known throughout the mansion – this had always been what the Crown Prince most detested. How could it be glossed over so lightly this time?

 

“In order to prevent any leaks, this matter had always been personally handled by Chief Steward Zhang himself. He devoted his whole heart and strength, never entrusting it to anyone else. Even if this servant had wanted to help, it would have been impossible. Now that he’s been nearly killed by the Elu Bureau, with not a patch of healthy flesh on his body, he was barely breathing the night before last. Only after force-feeding him a bowl of ginseng soup that Your Highness provided did he improve somewhat. Upon waking, his first concern was still Your Highness’s affairs.”

 

“You should also learn to take over some of Zhang Huairu’s responsibilities and share his burden. He’s in such condition – why trouble him with a few names?”

 

Yunsheng quickly agreed, casting a triumphant glance at Pei Yanci where others couldn’t see.

 

Trying to replace them while his adoptive father was seriously ill – wishful thinking.

 

As long as his adoptive father lived, His Highness would always value them more.

 

Gu Jiuqing casually flipped through the registry and placed it back on the long table. “Eastern Palace officials will come to the mansion for reporting soon.”

 

Both Yunsheng and Pei Yanci looked up.

 

“Your Highness, does this mean His Majesty has agreed to let you associate with officials?” Yunsheng could hardly believe it and cried out in delight. “This is wonderful news! Your Highness’s and Chief Steward Zhang’s years of planning haven’t been in vain.”

 

Gu Jiuqing said nothing, only looking at Pei Yanci with a mild expression.

 

“Congratulations, Your Highness – a blessing in disguise,” Pei Yanci smiled slightly and responded casually.

 

In the brilliantly lit hall, that jade-pure, spiritually clear face appeared so serene and gentle.

 

As long as he called “Yanci,” this person would always be at his side, accompanying him through all dangers and difficulties.

 

Ripples stirred in Gu Jiuqing’s usually calm icy eyes, which he suppressed in the next moment, hiding all uncontrollable emotions deep in his heart.

 

After the Elu Bureau’s captured advisors were executed, the Emperor had summoned him to the palace again. Before entering, Pei Yanci had precisely predicted the Emperor’s purpose and instructed him that at this crucial moment, showing weakness and seeking maximum benefit at minimum cost – things like dignity, like tears.

 

Having emerged from the Cold Palace, he had only learned that tears were weakness, bringing nothing but more bullying from those twisted palace maids and eunuchs.

 

He never knew that tears could sometimes become a weapon too.

 

When a person usually cold as ice shed tears, even the Emperor couldn’t help but feel compassion.

 

Steadying himself, he forced his gaze away from Pei Yanci. Yunsheng was still happily congratulating him.

 

“Chief Steward Zhang has been constantly worried about Your Highness’s safety, unable to eat or drink properly. Now that the situation is slowly turning favorable for Your Highness, the old man will surely be very happy.”

 

Yunsheng kept mentioning Zhang Huairu, as if all of today’s achievements were Zhang Huairu’s contribution.

 

And who could say otherwise?

 

Pei Yanci’s earlier words had unintentionally reminded him – if those ordinary servants in the mansion could so brazenly accumulate wealth, someone must have enabled them to put his money into their pockets, or how could they cough it up this time?

 

Recruiting advisors had planted such a huge danger for him. For three years he had lived on thin ice, while the servants below lived more comfortably than he, their master, brazenly accumulating wealth.

 

“Since you care so much about Zhang Huairu, go tell him about this.”

 

Yunsheng bowed with a smile and withdrew.

 

After he left, Gu Jiuqing said, “Yanci, before you call the brokers tomorrow, bring the mansion’s account books.”