SEHE Chapter 108

Wager 

“These fifty thousand taels of silver were nothing but the people’s fat and blood squeezed from the common folk! You even used this money to bribe Tang Xizhui to obtain your current official position!” Pei Yanci accused righteously and sternly. “If this doesn’t count as selling official posts and titles, then what does?”

“That’s impossible.” Gu Wanchong stated with certainty. “You cannot use existing evidence to infer unknown matters. Where those fifty thousand taels of silver came from can be investigated by Father Emperor’s decree. Moreover, the Ministry of Revenue collects so much tax each year—why would they only allocate fifty thousand taels to such an important government bureau? Shouldn’t the Minister of Revenue provide an explanation for this?”

“If Your Highness has doubts about this, you can search for evidence after court adjourns. If the Minister of Revenue has done anything improper, you’re welcome to report him before the throne at the next opportunity.” Pei Yanci turned and bowed toward the person seated above, promptly cutting off Gu Wanchong’s attempts to fixate on the Ministry of Revenue matter and make a big issue of it. “Your Majesty, there is one more matter that can prove the Chief Overseer of the Elu Bureau colluded with the Secretariat and Chancellery.”

“Speak.”

“Four years ago, Minister Wu of the Ministry of Justice was suddenly impeached by Minister Cui for no reason. Less than three days later, Minister Wu was released from the Elu Bureau. After that, Minister Cui suddenly gained a voice in matters of the Ministry of Justice. The machinations behind this are enough to prove that the Chief Overseer of the Elu Bureau abused his authority, threatening and intimidating important court ministers, then exploiting them for his own use.”

Seeing the Emperor flipping through the memorials page by page, Cui Ya felt his heart rise and fall anxiously. He immediately spoke, “You hadn’t even entered court back then—you’re just embellishing and fabricating lies based on what the Zheng family told you!”

“This has nothing to do with the Chancellery.” Gu Wanchong said in a deep voice. “You just said each matter should be handled separately—what are you doing now!”

“Of course it’s related. The Minister of Justice follows the Elu Bureau’s lead. He often renders unjust verdicts and judgments in cases. Rather than fulfilling his duty to correct injustices, he aids the tyrant in his abuse. Those ministers who refuse to obey the Chief Overseer’s commands are imprisoned in death cells under various pretexts. Though they should still have a chance of survival through Your Majesty’s mercy, because the Two Departments have also been bought by the Elu Bureau—holding Your Majesty’s edicts in hand while wielding the eunuch’s butcher’s knife—they completely cut off the lives of those loyal ministers!”

“Your Majesty,” Pei Yanci bowed again, “this subject and the Minister of the Dali Temple examined the case files. Over the past decade, there are one hundred fifty-eight cases involving court officials that remain questionable yet were hastily concluded. This subject humbly requests that the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice reopen these cases for retrial.”

A slight commotion arose within the great hall.

Both Gu Wanchong and Cui Ya’s expressions turned rather ugly.

Especially Gu Wanchong—his gloomy eyes flashed with astonished light.

Wasn’t Pei Yanci Tang Xizhui’s man? Why did he look like he wanted to destroy him utterly? It was as if the two shared a blood feud of murdered fathers and dishonored mothers. That look in his eyes—even watching it made him shudder.

What on earth was going on?

He felt somewhat dizzy, so much so that his thoughts couldn’t keep up and he froze in place. By the time he reacted, several moments had already passed, and everyone thought Pei Yanci had left him speechless and unable to counter.

Indeed, that was the truth.

A humiliating disgrace.

Like suffering defeat in battle and having to surrender, forced to kneel publicly before the enemy general.

That enemy general was Pei Yanci, and behind him, Gu Jiuqing.

Gu Jiuqing watched him and the eunuch faction members with an amused appreciation, revealing a trace of contemptuous mockery.

“This matter implicates quite a wide range.” The Emperor wearily rubbed his brow. The high spirits he’d had when entering court drained from him at an astonishingly rapid rate. His body felt even heavier than at the last court session, and his chest felt somewhat constricted.

“Yes indeed, Your Majesty. Many of these cases are from ages past and impossible to investigate.” If this were before, the Emperor would certainly investigate—better to wrongly execute than let someone slip through. Seeing he had thoughts of relenting, Cui Ya quickly interjected, “Chancellor Pei is acting like a meddling woman here, stirring up trouble just to needlessly drain the energy of the various government bureaus. In the end it will all be for nothing—I wonder what his intentions are.”

The word “energy” keenly stung the Emperor’s heart.

“Zhen will think carefully about this matter later.” The Emperor tossed the memorial onto the table. His refusal to show weakness made him sit upright on the Dragon Throne, no different from before.

At this, the ministers below all lowered their heads again, not daring to be presumptuous.

The Emperor knew these people were all little demons, hungry wolves eyeing him covetously, coveting his empire. If he showed even a hint of aging or weakness, these people would start harboring crooked thoughts. Once such signs first appeared, the situation would become uncontrollable.

His fierce gaze swept over Cui Ya, Gu Wanchong, the Six Ministries’ ministers, the Censorate, Pei Yanci, and finally settled on Gu Jiuqing’s face.

The Crown Prince’s back went cold with terror, his expression stiffening.

He knew the Emperor was examining him with icy scrutiny, like a part that could be replaced at any time. He couldn’t help but lower his head even further, appearing even more humble.

This court never lacked princes. The Eastern Palace never lacked crown princes.

No one knew how long passed before that bone-chilling killing intent finally left him.

“Pei Yanci,” after a pause, the Emperor called out gently yet without losing his authority, “Gu Wanchong, Cui Ya—the three of you write another memorial about today’s matters afterward.”

“Yes.” The three answered in unison.

Today’s court session ended inconclusively once again.

Yet it wasn’t entirely without gains.

Each person harbored their own thoughts that couldn’t possibly be shared with others.

Pei Yanci felt a weight on his body. Turning his head, he saw Gu Jiuqing’s hand pat his shoulder. “You did very well today.”

“Your Highness’s wise eye in cultivating me.” Pei Yanci smiled faintly.

Indeed, as long as he continuously provided opportunities to climb higher, this person would look upon him favorably. Combining this with everything before, Gu Jiuqing finally grasped this principle.

So, he had one more reason to obtain that position.

“The eunuch faction’s power is deeply entrenched—they won’t be easy to topple. We’ll proceed step by step. Don’t be too hasty.”

“Yes, this subject understands. Today this subject was too rash.”

Revealing all one’s cards too quickly could easily lead to being counter-maneuvered.

Gu Jiuqing nodded and boarded the Eastern Palace’s carriage.

From the looks of it, this person still held quite a few of Tang Xizhui’s weaknesses.

Pei Yanci pondered how to extract these secrets. Upon reaching the gates of Xuanwei Palace, he boarded Wushu’s carriage. “Let’s go to a tavern for a meal first.”

Rising early in the morning, and now nearly noon without a drop of water passing his lips—court confrontations were physically demanding work. Once he relaxed, he felt both tired and hungry.

“I wonder if Brother Wuli is adjusting well at the Jinwu Guards.” Wushu worried.

“Even if not, you still have me. Why worry? I’ll sell you into the court later too.”

“I’d rather just study. Studying is the least exhausting.”

After leaving the Imperial City, Wushu drove the carriage along Zhuque Avenue, taking him to Wuben District’s street of taverns and teahouses.

Pei Yanci lifted the door curtain and emerged from the carriage. Looking around, just as he was about to find a tavern that looked appealing, he suddenly spotted a figure in black.

A street vendor opened the bamboo steamer lid over simmering flatbread. A dense cloud of white steam rose up, caught by the midday breeze and dispersed into the air.

Through the thin mist, the fragrant wind blew aside the black veil hanging from that person’s veiled hat.

A devastatingly beautiful face appeared within—large, elongated eyes like hooks or crescent moons, bewitching yet cold. Tilting the head slightly, those eyes glanced his way.

The black veil fell back down. That person lifted their foot and entered the tavern behind them.

“That one then.” Pei Yanci lifted his chin toward the nearby establishment, jumped down from the carriage, and walked in first.

“Big brother, wait for me.” Wushu hurriedly drove the carriage over to park it. Something was tossed his way—he instinctively caught it.

Two taels of silver.

“You eat downstairs in the main hall on your own later.”

Pei Yanci followed the trail upstairs. Just as he opened the private room door, his waist was encircled by two arms. Warmth and wetness descended on his upper lip. Sharp teeth gently gnawed at his lip, cold lips rubbing lightly, silently issuing an invitation.

He felt somewhat amused inside. Since when did this person understand politeness?

Helplessly, he parted his lips slightly.

The slightly cool tongue skillfully pried open teeth that had no intention of resisting whatsoever, ravenously pressing the person against the door in wholesale plunder.

The door hinge joints made an unpleasant creaking sound.

Pei Yanci patted the other’s arm. Tang Xizhui reluctantly moved away from the door while still embracing him, pressing the person onto the table instead.

Before preparing the next move, several knocks sounded from outside.

Tang Xizhui raised his head, cursing irritably. His eyes stared coldly at the private room door.

Pei Yanci’s upper body lay on the table, his legs having unknowingly wrapped around the other’s waist at some point.

He pushed at the person. Tang Xizhui softened his expression, helped him up, seated him in a chair, and hooked the slightly disheveled hair at his temples back behind his ears while saying, “Come in.”

The tavern server bowed obsequiously as he entered, added hot tea, and asked what they’d like to eat.

Tang Xizhui rattled off over twenty dishes in one breath—he seemed to eat here often.

Once the door was tactfully closed again, the Nine-Thousand-Years moved into his chair, holding the person on his lap, wanting to continue kissing but blocked by a pale, slender hand.

Pei Yanci looked him up and down, teasing with a smile. “The dignified Chief Overseer of the Elu Bureau—how could he be wearing women’s clothing?”

No wonder the server hadn’t found it strange when the door took so long to open after his knock earlier.

“It’s convenient for conducting business discreetly. You know I’m still confined to the residence.”

“Have you ever seen a young lady as tall and imposing as you? Standing on the street, you’re the most eye-catching one.” Pei Yanci laughed until his whole body trembled, unable to stop. His lips moved close to the other’s ear. “I must say, you’re prettier than most young ladies. Come, let this young master have his way with you. Serve me well and there’ll be a reward.”

His hand explored toward the overlapping collar. Just as he touched the firm, prominent chest, his wrist was caught.

“Your boldness grows by the day.”

Tang Xizhui snorted coldly. His ear was filled with the other’s disordered hot breath. His own breathing became rather rushed as well. The deep ink color in his eyes melted, gradually transforming into a magnificent, clear deep purple.

“His Majesty gave me this boldness. These past few times you missed court, I wasn’t polite about listing all your crimes to my heart’s content.” Pei Yanci smiled cunningly. “The Emperor promoted me while harboring thoughts of monitoring the Zheng family. At today’s court session, he wanted me to tip them off and see what schemes the aristocratic families are plotting.”

Finishing, he hooked both hands around Tang Xizhui’s neck, bringing their gazes level.

“Tell me—will there come a day when I replace your position and become the Emperor’s favored minister?”

“Young in age but ambitious indeed.” A smile rippled across Tang Xizhui’s crimson lips. His head rested calmly against the chair back.

“Shall we make a wager on whether that day will come?”

“What’s there to wager? What’s yours is mine, what’s mine is yours. We’ve long since merged into one body, inseparable and impossible to part.”

“That doesn’t count.” Tang Xizhui kept one hand around his lower back to prevent him from falling off his lap, the other propped on the armrest, supporting his head as he watched him.

“I haven’t even personally entered you yet—how can we be inseparable and impossible to part?”

“…Could you show some shame?”