SEHE Chapter 62

Envoy

“Discovered a sneaky finger poking through.” The person outside the door said softly.

Must be doing something bad inside.

That voice was thin and hoarse, yet melodious and seductive—uniquely belonging to one person in this world.

Separated by only a door covered in white gauze, Pei Yanci could almost feel the warm breath lightly exhaled with the other’s laughter.

His heartbeat inexplicably faltered for a moment.

He hurriedly turned his face away.

Then immediately realized that by moving aside, wouldn’t Tang Xizhui be able to see the scene inside even more easily?

His mind short-circuited, and he conspicuously placed his palm over the small hole in the breach.

The person outside straightened their body, their reflection casting onto the white gauze, showing a huge and blurry black shadow.

Like a drop of ink dripping onto pure, flawless white cloth, it spread unrestrained,

Reaching out with teeth and claws to engulf and surround him.

Pei Yanci felt somewhat stifled in his chest, his breathing involuntarily quickening.

“Du-Dugong Daren…” The temple’s Assistant Minister from earlier spoke anxiously, but didn’t know what to say next, his mind a complete blank.

Another laugh came from outside the door.

“Is there some disobedient little thing locked up inside?”

“Ah, yes, well, this…” The temple’s Assistant Minister who had just been speaking officiously with Pei Yanci couldn’t even form a complete sentence now.

Tang Xizhui’s eyes were pitch black at this moment, not allowing in a thread of light, leaving only an empty, deathly void.

He was on guard, tense, distrustful, unwilling to see him.

Heh.

“Let’s go.” The Dugong Daren finally spoke.

Pei Yanci saw the black shadow move, and suddenly, his palm felt two light, cool taps.

Tang Xizhui’s finger quickly tapped twice on his palm.

He looked up in astonishment, but the black shadow had already moved away, gradually fading from the gauze-covered door.

The footsteps of a group of people went from near to far, disappearing outside the door.

After a long while, Pei Yanci looked through the small hole again—there was no one outside.

The temple’s Assistant Minister came soon after, covered in cold sweat, his tone much colder.

“Looking at this rain, it won’t fall for a while. Daren should leave quickly to avoid getting soaked.”

“Daren was frightened.” Pei Yanci approached and secretly slipped him some silver.

The temple’s Assistant Minister’s expression softened somewhat. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, “About today’s matter…”

“Daren can rest assured,” Pei Yanci said.

Tang Xizhui knew the person inside the door was him, and might even know what he was doing.

But since he had chosen to leave just now, he wouldn’t use this matter to attack the Crown Prince.

****

The following days were leisurely and regular. Pei Yanci practiced martial arts for half a shichen every morning and evening, then walked around the mansion to handle miscellaneous affairs, taught Wushu to read and write for half a shichen, and found time to visit the tavern—which had been renovated into a theater house to his liking and was nearing completion.

He watched as Gu Jiuqing’s expression grew darker day by day, until finally one day, the Crown Prince couldn’t help but seek him out.

“Find time to visit Great Scholar Fang,” he gave him the strategy document Pei Yanci had provided that day, saying, “His newly drafted legal policies may not be implementable after all. In the end, this prince has let down their painstaking efforts.”

“Did the eunuch faction obstruct it?” Pei Yanci asked curiously while taking the papers. The handwriting had changed. He casually flipped through it—the clauses that were slightly unfavorable to the aristocratic families had indeed quietly disappeared.

“No.” Gu Jiuqing rubbed his brow. “It was Prime Minister Zheng.”

“Isn’t he the one who supports Your Highness the most?”

“He supports this prince the most, but not wholeheartedly.” A cold smile flashed across Gu Jiuqing’s weary face. “What this prince drafted didn’t suit his intentions. The new tax law drafted by his people is like scratching an itch through a boot. His Zheng family is the boss, the other aristocratic families sit in a row, each getting their share—and to get the tax law passed, they even gave the eunuch faction many benefits. How is this any different from selling out the country!”

He suddenly slammed his hand heavily on the table, startling Pei Yanci into shivering.

Why scare him? If you have the guts, go slam the table at Prime Minister Zheng.

“Your Highness thinks of the common people, but too many in the court only consider their own interests. If this atmosphere isn’t eliminated, Your Highness will find it difficult to govern with a free hand in the future.”

“The tail is too big to fall off. This matter requires long-term planning.”

“This humble one has thought of someone who might help Your Highness resolve difficulties.”

“Who?”

“Zhang Dongqin Daren.”

Gu Jiuqing’s face showed contemplation. Clearly, his impression of this person wasn’t very deep either.

“He, like Han Xiaozhi Daren, is also the Crown Prince’s Retainer.” Pei Yanci reminded him.

Gu Jiuqing immediately reacted, a trace of concern flashing in his eyes. “This prince heard he’s highly valued by Father Emperor.”

He had long ago investigated the backgrounds of the Eastern Palace officials. Originally, he had wanted to win over Zhang Dongqin, but this old fox showed no intention of assisting or supporting him. He was also worried that if they got too close, the Emperor would suspect his motives, so he abandoned that idea.

“Yes, he’s deeply trusted by His Majesty. Perhaps Your Highness could bypass him and have him help negotiate with His Majesty.” Pei Yanci said.

Seeing the indifferent expression on Gu Jiuqing’s face, unwilling to humble himself with three visits to the cottage, he said, “This humble one can make the trip for Your Highness.”

(TL: 三顧茅廬 = This is an allusion to Zhuge Liang from Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It refers to Liu Bei visiting Zhuge Liang’s cottage three times to humbly request his service.

Idiomatically, it means sincerely and persistently inviting someone of great talent, often by lowering oneself.)

He needed a reason to make contact with Zhang Dongqin.

“No need. This person is not someone you can handle.” Gu Jiuqing took a sip of tea, not holding much hope for this, and said, “There’s one more month until the Dragon Boat Festival. This year, Father Emperor has achieved some success in his Daoist cultivation and says he will personally ascend the Qinzheng Tower to watch the dragon boats and observe the polo match. Have someone prepare armor, horses, and polo mallets. This prince will participate in the polo competition this year.”

This was the first time hearing such words. Pei Yanci said, “Your Highness is of precious status. How can you personally go? What if there’s a bump or bruise…”

Gu Jiuqing shook his head. He wasn’t skilled in horsemanship himself and didn’t really want to go. “This prince is the Crown Prince. This prince must go. In previous years during the autumn hunts, it was always Big Brother who released the first arrow to show that the Gu family men are physically robust and capable in both civil and martial arts. This has become custom. Father Emperor has rarely attended banquets these past years, and we don’t even know if the autumn hunt will be held. Since he’s finally saying he’ll attend this time, this prince must participate no matter what.”

“Yes.” Having given the necessary advice, Pei Yanci said no more.

****

“Chief Steward Pei.”

Coming out from Gu Jiuqing’s quarters and just turning the corner, he ran into Wang Gu.

“Steward Wang, what brings you here?” Pei Yanci greeted him with a smile.

“I was slightly ill for half a month and feared passing it to His Highness, so I took leave. But I was afraid His Highness would overthink it, thinking this servant hadn’t fulfilled his duty. So as soon as His Highness summoned me, I rushed over immediately. Look, if there’s anything you need help with here, just speak up.”

Wang Gu was in his fifties with a booming voice and a square face—imposing, dignified, and righteous-looking.

“How would I dare order you around?” Pei Yanci demurred.

“Hey, I’m hoping you’ll put in a good word for me with the one above,” he pointed upward with his thick index finger. “We all serve the same master. It’s not a matter of who orders whom—we’re all errand boys at someone’s beck and call.”

Pei Yanci smiled. Since the other party had offered, why not use him? “Speaking of which, His Highness has indeed had some worries lately. Some people always oppose His Highness, while those truly dedicated to serving him have no chance to advance. Even if they’re foreigners, there’s no reason to be prejudiced.”

Wang Gu understood. “I see. How can we let His Highness be without capable people at his disposal?”

Seeing he was about to leave, Pei Yanci called him back. “Steward Wang, how much do you know about Zhang Dongqin Daren?”

Upon hearing that name, Wang Gu’s expression became serious. “I’m afraid that’s beyond my capability.”

He thought Pei Yanci wanted to move against him.

Pei Yanci said, “Daren misunderstands. As fellow officials serving His Highness, I want to understand him better so I’m prepared when His Highness wishes to use him in the future.”

Wang Gu said gravely, “His background runs deep. He has dealings with several aristocratic families.”

“What about the Zheng family?”

Wang Gu shook his head. “Probably only when His Highness attains that position will he be able to command him.”

“The Wang family.” Anyone not aligned with the Zheng family would only be with the Wang family.

Wang Gu raised his eyebrows. “There’s also the Cui family.”

“Cui Ya’s people?”

“I heard they’re from the same hometown, so there should be some connection, but he seems to have dealings with the main Cui family as well. The Elu Bureau watches closely, so everyone operates privately—how could we outsiders see too much?” Wang Gu said. “This person is adept at maneuvering. Even His Majesty values him highly. As a commoner, he fought his way into officialdom and reached the third rank before forty. You believe it or not, in another couple of years during evaluations, he’ll move to a substantive government office instead of continuing to rot here like you and me. In short, he’s a remarkable figure.”

“I haven’t heard of any particular achievements he’s made.”

“The Xiangzhou embezzlement case back then—he was the one who reported and exposed it,” Wang Gu said. “That case was neither major nor minor at the time, but a mere county magistrate managed to embezzle such a large sum, which enraged Anjing. It was probably from that time that he caught the eye of certain nobles.”

Pei Yan was only a seventh-rank county magistrate. To embezzle for years without being discovered and without paying off people everywhere and having protection from above—how could that be possible?

The actual situation was that not a single name of those above was leaked. All evidence stopped with him. Pei Yan shouldered all the ill-gotten gains alone, and even he himself was dealt with in a timely manner.

The timing was perfectly calibrated, the methods clean and efficient. It couldn’t have been Zhang Dongqin working alone—aristocratic families must have been behind it too.

And more than one.

This was getting tricky.

Nine years had already passed. Could he still find a possibility to overturn the case?

“Chief Steward Pei seems to have difficulties?” Wang Gu’s smile returned. “If praying to gods and Buddhas doesn’t work, demons and evil spirits are also an option. Doesn’t seeking either one require sacrificing one’s flesh and blood in exchange for a position above others? It’s all the same.”

Pei Yanci raised his eyebrows. So that’s how it is. He hadn’t seen him for a long time. Previously, when he wanted to find someone to do things, it was difficult, but today Wang Gu eagerly came over with full enthusiasm. Turns out he came as someone’s envoy.

That made sense. Right now, he had no power or influence and his status was lowly. Wang Gu was at least a third-rank official. Even if he received Tang Xizhui’s orders, he could feign compliance while secretly defying them, pretending to be ill for a period—making it difficult for Pei Yanci to even find him.

Wang Gu probably never expected that Tang Xizhui would care so much about a mere chief steward of the Crown Prince’s mansion.

Pei Yanci felt somewhat unhappy inside.

He didn’t want to see that person. He felt he wouldn’t be able to control his emotions.

This was a fatal matter.

When a person becomes emotional, they are not far from utter defeat.