SEHE Chapter 90

Provocation 

Green trees cast dense shade in the long summer days, the tower’s reflection falls into the pond.

As the temperature gradually grew hotter, a new trend began sweeping through Anjing City—watching puppet shows.

Half-human-sized puppets dressed in exquisite costumes and painted with colors seemed like real people on stage, either tumbling and fighting in mock combat or acting comically to amuse, performing the joys and sorrows of various stories. Previously, puppet shows were merely street entertainers’ craft for begging their meals; now they had entered refined establishments, and Mingyou Theater had become a popular leisure destination for Anjing’s nobility.

Beyond going to the theater, Yue Ting had come up with another idea: if the mountain won’t come to me, I’ll go to the mountain. They specially organized several troupes to set up stages and perform at noble residences. And wouldn’t you know it, once this service was introduced, orders were already backed up for a year.

Now, having a theater troupe perform at one’s residence was considered prestigious among Anjing’s elite. Madam Qin also wanted to join in the fun, but despite her husband’s position and status at court, the theater had the audacity to refuse her outright, which left her quite resentful.

Unexpectedly, just a few days later, the manager of Mingyou Theater told her that a distinguished guest had suddenly canceled their booking, so they could perform at her residence after all.

This was truly wonderful news. She forgot all about her previous complaints and immediately sent out invitations for friends to visit her home.

Qin Xiong had just returned to the residence when he saw a crowd of madams and young ladies laughing and chattering in the back courtyard, with the music of qin and the bright, charming voices of singing girls filling the air. Only then did he remember his wife had mentioned this matter to him days ago.

He didn’t dislike these soft entertainments. On the contrary, many times his wife had provided considerable assistance to his official career. While men clashed head-on at court, behind the scenes, madams and young ladies used their superior social skills to secretly exchange information with noble ladies at court, form alliances, and from this detect signs of intrigue, helping him attack opponents and distinguish friend from foe.

Beneath the fragrant clothes and gathered hair lay the gleam of blades and swords.

He had his servant help him avoid the back courtyard, passing through the corridor. Before reaching his study, a person suddenly emerged from the shadows around the corner.

“Qin Daren.” Pei Yanci appeared before him wearing the short jacket of a theater guard. “This humble one can’t find the way back to the rear courtyard. Could Daren point me in the right direction?”

Qin Xiong was only briefly surprised, then quickly composed himself and dismissed his servant, leading him toward a secluded area.

“Since we last parted, I haven’t had the chance to congratulate Pei Daren on your promotion.” Qin Xiong casually cupped his hands. “I wonder what brings Daren here?”

“After that incident, His Highness the Crown Prince has become somewhat distant from me. I’m worried about His Highness—I wonder how he’s been lately?”

Qin Xiong understood—this man had come to ask about Gu Jiuqing’s recent activities.

Previously, when that tiger cub had fought to seize Hu Min’s authority, he himself had been forced to accept Pei Yanci’s favor and take over Hu Min’s affairs, leaving him now somewhat passive.

“Many things have happened recently. Which matters does Pei Daren wish to know about?”

“The matter of the Imperial Academy.”

Qin Xiong figured as much and said, “Originally, Minister Cui had already agreed to this matter, and the Secretariat had also submitted it to the throne. His Highness felt that since this matter involves such a wide scope, establishing a separate government office cannot be accomplished overnight. There are still many details that need to be discussed.”

“Who has he been discussing it with?” The corner of Pei Yanci’s mouth curved into an almost imperceptible cold smile.

“Sui Daren of the Bureau of Ceremonies and Chancellor Qi Daren, plus several learned Grand Scholars from the Hanlin Academy,” Qin Xiong said. “You can rest assured—this matter benefits the common people, so His Highness will definitely agree to it.”

“Do you know His Highness’s recent schedule?” Pei Yanci asked.

This matter had already been delayed for five or six days. If one said the review process was slow due to many obstacles, that would be understandable. But it had reached Gu Jiuqing’s desk in just one day, yet he persistently refused to approve it—it was hard not to say this person was taking personal revenge.

Two days ago when he went to the Crown Prince’s Mansion, he learned that Gu Jiuqing had just moved into the Eastern Palace. When he went to the Eastern Palace, Yunsheng had stopped him, saying he would speak to Gu Jiuqing in due time. Now two days had passed with still no movement.

“His Highness normally doesn’t leave the Eastern Palace. If he does go out, it’s only to the inner palace to pay respects. Every five days he receives us at Mingde Hall to handle government affairs. You can go there to pay your respects at that time.”

Pei Yanci nodded, then asked, “Has His Highness recently moved against the Zheng faction?”

Qin Xiong was already growing impatient and smiled somewhat distantly. “Pei Daren, you’re now a member of the Zheng family. Whether he’s moved against them or not, you should ask yourself. How would an outsider like me know?”

Pei Yanci’s face smiled amiably, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Recently, various darens at court have been rather agitated. Minister Zheng has only been away from the center of power for so long—surely everyone hasn’t already forgotten his illustrious reputation?”

He looked at the short, stout man. “Qin Daren is so imposing and mighty, you surely don’t want to be regarded as part of the eunuch faction, do you?”

Qin Xiong’s thick, short neck flushed somewhat red. “I don’t belong to any faction.”

He had reached his current position entirely through his family and his own efforts.

“Who says so? Right now, doesn’t Qin Daren serve His Highness loyally? That makes you part of the royalist faction,” Pei Yanci said with a smile. “Doesn’t that put you on the same side as the Wang and Zheng aristocratic families?”

Qin Xiong’s face twitched.

“If you put it that way, then no one has any faction at all. Everyone serves His Majesty loyally and works for His Majesty.”

“Isn’t that so?”

Qin Xiong paused before saying, “Yes.” To say no would be to harbor treasonous intentions.

“I wonder which daren has His Highness been summoning frequently lately?”

“Various ones. Court affairs are numerous. For matters like your Imperial Academy issue, he must summon several darens to seek their opinions.”

Using the opportunity of handling affairs to win over court officials—this was indeed a good opportunity.

So what did Gu Jiuqing want from him?

Qin Xiong demurred. “I rarely go to the Imperial Academy, and Eastern Palace affairs are also many. If we’re to reminisce in the future, I’m afraid it will be hard to have the common topics we had at the Crown Prince’s Mansion.” This time he was repaying the favor—after this, they could be even.

“In court, having one more friend is potentially one more path. Qin Daren surely understands this principle better than I do.” Pei Yanci smiled unconcernedly. “When does His Highness next go to Mingde Hall?”

“Tomorrow, from the beginning of the hour of Chen until the end of the hour of Wei.” Qin Xiong said, “Pei Daren, you should leave quickly, lest the scouts from the Elu Bureau detect you.”

After leaving the Qin residence, Pei Yanci changed out of his outfit in the carriage, put on regular clothes, and made another trip to the Zheng family residence.

All the Zheng family’s sons were on leave for mourning. Gu Jiuqing had no reason to pass up such a good opportunity to seize power—he would surely make some moves. Qin Xiong hadn’t said so, but from that momentary expression earlier, his speculation had proven true.

He had been to the Zheng family residence several times and knew his way around. As if it were his own home, he had a servant guide him to a pavilion in the back courtyard.

Zheng Qinglai was casting his fishing line, quite leisurely and content. Seeing him, he gently raised his chin, gesturing for him to sit on a low stool beside the pavilion.

“What wind has blown Pei Daren here? What a rare guest.”

With only the two of them remaining, Pei Yanci dropped the “adoptive father and son” pretense to avoid disgusting both himself and the other.

“Minister Zheng is in such fine spirits. They say fish in the lake are most carefree—fed daily, without worries or cares. Little do they know they’re merely playthings for entertainment. When they grow large, they lose control of their fate and may even lose their lives because of it.”

“You’re quite sympathetic.” Zheng Qinglai didn’t look at him but gazed at the rippling lake surface, saying casually, “A beast is just a beast. To receive such care and feeding is already a blessing earned over several lifetimes.”

“But if this fish grows large with an increased appetite and develops its own ideas, if the fisherman can’t control the line, sooner or later he’ll be pulled into the water and swallowed whole. In the end, who is really the plaything being toyed with isn’t so certain anymore.”

Zheng Qinglai tilted his head slightly and glanced at him. “You’ve been active at court and seem to have learned quite a bit.”

“Everyone says one can learn many good things following Minister Zheng.” Pei Yanci smiled. “For instance, how to apply pressure behind the scenes and make people return empty-handed.”

“You’re here to demand an explanation about the Imperial Academy matter?”

“No.” He brought up how people from the Zheng family or faction had communicated with the Bureau of Ceremonies—not to make trouble out of spite, but to tell the other party that even if the Zheng family did this, he had his own methods and ability to achieve his goals, and he knew about their little maneuvers behind the scenes.

“As a member of the Zheng family, how could I stand by and watch others encroach upon the Zheng family’s power?”

Zheng Qinglai must have already detected Gu Jiuqing’s moves. He had come here to remind him of this. Even knowing it was unnecessary, it was a necessary gesture that could demonstrate his loyalty to the Zheng family and his stance.

His current position was very awkward. With the Zheng family, he was an outsider who couldn’t curry any favor. With Gu Jiuqing, he was someone who had broken his word and betrayed his master—the feeling of being used and stepped on for advancement always left the Crown Prince harboring resentment. He couldn’t gain anything good from either side.

He needed an opportunity to make his position clear: he was Zheng Qinglai’s adopted son, no longer Gu Jiuqing’s servant.

Zheng Qinglai was completely unconcerned. “If they can be encroached upon by such fragile pawns, it shows they’re all spineless, fence-sitters. Those who remain in the end will be the most loyal ones.”

As expected, he knew.

Even while staying at home, he sat steadily at his fishing platform. Any situation in the water couldn’t escape his eye.

“This time it’s the Ministry of Rites. What about next time?” Pei Yanci watched the fish in the water making ripples, swimming leisurely around the hook. “The Ministry of Personnel, or the Ministry of Revenue—will they be divided up and devoured by this fish?”

Zheng Qinglai pondered for a moment, then turned to look at him.

“The Crown Prince helped you?”

Pei Yanci neither confirmed nor denied. “Previously, he shut me out. Later, he took the proposal I drafted and personally went before Minister Cui to persuade him. That someone from the eunuch faction could be persuaded by Sui Daren shows he spent considerable effort and thought on this matter.”

Sui Daren’s subsequent enthusiasm was entirely for his own interests.

“He helped you, and here you are speaking ill of him.” Zheng Qinglai’s mouth twitched.

This person loved to stir up trouble and constantly sow discord.

He had always believed such people had narrow vision and temperament and couldn’t amount to anything.

“To His Highness, I will always be a servant, but with Minister Zheng, I am an aristocratic family son.” Pei Yanci said, “I’m merely choosing the side most advantageous to me.”

“My side—do you truly believe it’s more advantageous?”

He had never thought highly of Pei Yanci, never taken him seriously.

The fishing line in the water suddenly went taut. Zheng Qinglai gripped the rod and whipped it up. The fish in the water flew out uncontrollably, its silver scales tracing a cold arc of light through the air before slamming onto the pavilion floor.

“Already over ten pounds.” Pei Yanci looked down at the fish gasping on the ground. “If you threw this back to raise it more, it could grow large enough to eat people.”

“You think I’d fear a fish?”

“I only fear there are other fishermen who might catch the fish first.” Pei Yanci said, “To have a fish you’ve carefully raised for so long eaten by someone else, and to benefit them—wouldn’t that be even more painful?”

Zheng Qinglai rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Alright, I understand.” He beckoned to a servant waiting outside the pavilion, having them take the struggling fish to the kitchen.

****

The next day, Pei Yanci first went to the Imperial Academy for roll call, then entered the imperial city and went directly to Mingde Hall, where he found Qin Xiong.

“Wait here for a moment.” He entered the great hall.

Shortly after, Qi Yunsheng came out with him, looked at the two men with suspicion, then said formally, “Pei Daren, His Highness asks you to enter.”

Pei Yanci gave Qin Xiong a grateful look and entered the hall.

“I should have known—when it comes to schemes, it still has to be you.” Qi Yunsheng said bitterly.

“Thank you for your concern, Chief Steward Qi.”

“Concern I don’t have—just heartache.” He smiled mirthlessly. “The revenge for my adoptive father’s death at your hands, and the resentment from being demoted to suffer at an estate outside the city—I haven’t dared forget a bit of it.”

“Then please continue to suffer that heartache, Chief Steward Qi.” Pei Yanci showed a smile. “There will be plenty more such incidents in the future. Chief Steward Qi will just have to get used to it.”

“You…” Qi Yunsheng’s expression darkened. He glanced toward the interior of the hall, then could only bow and invite him inside.

In the dimly lit hall, only one person sat at the head. It was so spacious that footsteps seemed to echo.

“This subject greets Your Highness.” Pei Yanci performed a bow.

At the head, Gu Jiuqing looked at him, his fingernails digging deep into the flesh of his hands resting on the table.

“Do you have anything to say?”