Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Jiang Yuxun couldn't help but bite his lip lightly, pacing on the spot.

After a long while, he finally stopped.

...I'm already here, might as well go in.

Jiang Yuxun instinctively gripped the sword in his hand tightly, took a deep breath, and was about to bow and enter.

But before he could speak, a familiar voice suddenly came from inside the hall, "Come in."

Jiang Yuxun: !!!

How did Ying Changchuan know I was at the door?

A sense of foreboding instantly arose in the youth's heart, as he quickly adjusted his demeanor and pretended as if nothing had happened, pushing the door open, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Accompanied by a light creaking sound, Jiang Yuxun finally stepped into the inner hall of the Liuyun Hall.

Xianyou Palace was known for its luxury in later generations.

However, the Emperor's sleeping quarters had evidently been redecorated.

All unnecessary decorations were removed, leaving only a desk, a couch, and a large bed behind a screen.

By the window stood a half-human-height bronze censer, emitting wisps of blue smoke.

The modestly sized inner hall of Liuyun Hall was filled with a faint fragrance of dragon's brain incense.

The scent was exactly the same as that on Ying Changchuan's person.

A peculiar feeling, hard to describe, suddenly arose in Jiang Yuxun's heart.

After a simple bow, the youth couldn't help but raise his eyes to stealthily observe his surroundings.

To his surprise, he froze at the first glance.

—The window grilles of the inner hall were covered with a layer of silk.

From outside the door, the silk appeared to be merely white.

...But from inside, it was translucent!

No wonder he let me in. My hesitant and conflicted demeanor at the door... he saw it all...!

Jiang Yuxun felt somewhat despairing.

"What brings my minister here in search of me?"

As he spoke, Ying Changchuan, who had been standing with his back to Jiang Yuxun, slowly turned around.

Reminded by him, Jiang Yuxun recalled the real purpose of his visit.

Holding the sword in both hands, he said, "Your Majesty, I've come to return the sword."

Out of the corner of his eye, Jiang Yuxun noticed Ying Changchuan holding a brush dipped in ink, with a large map of the Great Zhou hanging on the wall in front of him.

The map was incomplete, with large blank areas in the lower left and upper parts.

This map seemed to have been drawn by his own hand.

Ying Changchuan raised his eyebrows slightly, turning back to continue the unfinished drawing, “Would my dear official really part with it?”

“Indeed, it’s hard to part with.”

...This is the Zhou Sword, a veritable national treasure!

The Zhou Sword was quite heavy, and seeing Ying Changchuan busy with his drawing and showing no intention of taking it, Jiang Yuxun finally lowered his hand slowly.

Only then did he notice that the blank space in the lower left corner of the map was the location of the twelve southwestern countries recently conquered by Ying Changchuan.

At this moment, Ying Changchuan was meticulously integrating them into the map of the Great Zhou.

As for the blank space at the top — that was reserved for Zhe Rou.

From the day the map was created, Ying Changchuan had already considered that land a must-have.

After completing a stroke, Ying Changchuan spoke again, “If so, then why return it to me?”

Logically, as an official of the court, Jiang Yuxun should have responded with flattering words to the Emperor’s question.

But the reality of the situation didn’t really allow for that…

"The duty room where I reside is too small and simply furnished, hardly even space to turn around, making it unsuitable for storing it. Moreover, keeping it with me is not as safe as in the Zangrui Hall or by Your Majesty's side."

Jiang Yuxun didn't utter a single phrase of flattery but even managed to complain about his duty room in the process.

He then added, "If I need it, may I come to Your Majesty to retrieve it?"

His words sounded quite presumptuous, as if treating the Emperor's place as a storage facility.

Ying Changchuan's drawing motion paused, and finally, he turned around and set down his brush.

The youth's heart skipped a beat.

Just when Jiang Yuxun thought he might have inadvertently offended the Emperor, he saw Ying Changchuan walk over leisurely to take the Zhou Sword and casually place it on a nearby wooden rack, "Alright."

His tone was slightly deep, still carrying a hint of amusement.

But it didn't seem as carefree as usual.

Ying Changchuan agreed?

The youth looked up at the Emperor, slightly surprised.

—It wasn't an illusion; Ying Changchuan really had become more generous lately!

-

The Emperor, who deals with myriad affairs daily, still has to handle state matters even in his sleeping quarters.

When Jiang Yuxun left, he also took the memorials he had endorsed with him.

After leaving the Liuyun Hall, the youth couldn't help but clutch the documents in his hand tightly.

—This memorial was brought by Zhuang Yue for Ying Changchuan to review. Before handing it over, Jiang Yuxun had also glanced through it.

As the Minister of Revenue, Zhuang Yue was in charge of taxes.

In the Great Zhou, taxes were collected twice a year, once in summer and once in autumn.

According to his report, years of continuous warfare had depleted a significant portion of the Great Zhou's treasury.

The summer tax had not yet been collected, and the remaining funds in the treasury might suffice for disaster relief, but likely wouldn't be enough for the subsequent reconstruction of the riverbanks.

Lost in thought, Jiang Yuxun had already arrived at the temporary residence of Zhuang Yue in the palace.

Handing over the endorsed memorial, he couldn’t resist asking, "Uncle, how long until this year's summer tax can be collected?"

Zhuang Yue sighed deeply and reluctantly set down his tea cup, "Usually it’s by late July, but this year, due to continuous heavy rains since the start of summer, it will probably be delayed until mid-August."

Logically, the dry season is more suitable for repairing embankments.

But now, with the riverbanks of the Yi River completely collapsed, urgent repairs are necessary.

Otherwise, another rainstorm could unleash floods over the plains again...

At that point, not only would all recent efforts be wasted, history would repeat itself.

"It’s too late..."

"Yes, the summer tax is indeed too late," Zhuang Yue said with a face full of worry.

Jiang Yuxun set down the memorial and gently pursed his lips.

The most feasible solution now might be to quickly recover the funds for dike repairs embezzled by the Mayor of the Capital.

……

Zhuang Yue still had accounts to settle.

Jiang Yuxun didn’t stay long with him and soon stood up to take his leave.

Zhuang Yue, quite warmly, escorted him to the door.

The evening breeze blew through the trees, lifting the youth’s robe.

A faint scent of dragon's brain incense wafted to Zhuang Yue’s nose.

He couldn't help but frown and sniff, "…What's this scent on you?"

"Scent?"

The youth instinctively tensed up, bending his head to smell as well.

Before he could realize what Zhuang Yue was referring to, the latter said knowingly, "I see! You’ve been to see His Majesty?"

Jiang Yuxun, who had gone on official business, suddenly felt inexplicably guilty when asked by Zhuang Yue.

He intended to deny it, but realizing Zhuang Yue had detected the scent of dragon's brain incense, he could only nod and say, "Yes."

"That's right, just like that!" Zhuang Yue immediately looked approvingly at the youth, "When you have free time, make more visits to His Majesty. That’s the way of being an official, after all!"

Saying so, Zhuang Yue finally gave the youth a light pat on the shoulder, praising him while ushering him out the door.

...Even as he walked away, Jiang Yuxun could still feel Zhuang Yue’s approving gaze on him.

But recalling his own ‘debuff,’ he couldn't help feeling a bit guilty.

Perhaps it’s best not to frequent the Emperor’s presence with my bluntness.

-

Until the location of the funds for the dike repair is clarified, the court won't be at peace.

Although Jiang Yuxun knew that the person behind the Mayor of the Capital would act soon, he didn’t expect it to be this quick.

That night, at midnight.

Jiang Yuxun was awakened from his sleep by a loud commotion.

...What's happening outside?

The youth groggily opened his eyes, got dressed, and opened the window to look out.

The next second, he saw countless imperial guards, armed and heading towards the northeast of the palace.

The noise was coming from that direction!

Jiang Yuxun instantly became fully alert.

The northeast... Isn’t that where the Mayor of the Capital was confined?

Without further thought, he grabbed his light sword and followed the imperial guards towards the northeast of the palace.

"Has something happened at the Mayor of the Capital’s place?" he asked a guard beside him as they hurried along.

"Replying to Minister Jiang, someone just attempted to assassinate the Mayor of the Capital!"

"Assassination..."

Jiang Yuxun instantly understood.

The laws of the Great Zhou were extremely strict; officials involved in bribery, whether taking or giving, faced only death.

Facing certain death either way, the person behind the Mayor of the Capital decided to take a hard stance, planning to eliminate him before he could expose them — thereby possibly finding a way out.

As they spoke, they arrived at the Xiangtai Hall where the prisoner was held.

"Minister, please wait here," the imperial guards stopped Jiang Yuxun.

Seeing the situation, Jiang Yuxun didn't insist and readily agreed, "Alright."

Xianyou Palace was not like the imperial palace in Zhaodu; it was originally just a summer retreat.

When built, it was designed for luxury, not giving much thought to other aspects.

The youth looked towards the nearby area.

Xianyou Palace was built against the mountains, surrounded by a dense forest.

Although the scenery here was beautiful, it also posed significant security risks.

It seemed that the one who attempted to assassinate the Mayor of the Capital today had entered the palace from the forest.

...Wonder what the situation is inside now.

Jiang Yuxun involuntarily clenched his fist.

This time, he didn’t have to wait long.

In less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, the Mayor of the Capital was already being escorted out of Xiangtai Hall, along with over a dozen bodies.

At first glance, half of these bodies did not have fatal wounds.

They seemed to have died from poisoning.

The commotion in Xiangtai Hall was too great; not only Jiang Yuxun but also officials who frequently stayed in the palace had rushed over.

The torches held by the imperial guards illuminated the open space outside Xiangtai Hall, creating an unusually lively scene.

"Kneel down!" The Xuan Yin Monitors pushed the Mayor of the Capital, covered in blood and wounds, to the ground.

Still disoriented, he collapsed on the spot.

At that moment, the Emperor, dressed in dark clothes, walked over from the other end of Xianyou Palace, stopping not far behind Jiang Yuxun.

"Mayor of the Capital, it seems the person you're hoping for doesn't wish to save you," he said casually.

The person lying on the ground struggled to lift his head... What does the Emperor mean?

While speaking, the Xuan Yin Monitors reappeared, this time bringing about twenty people, men and women, old and young.

Each of them was shaking like a leaf, tears streaming down their faces, murmuring something continuously.

After listening for a few moments, Jiang Yuxun understood.

—The Mayor of the Capital had not confessed because someone had threatened the lives of his family.

But who knew that the other party, fearing his family members might know something, chose to eliminate them completely.

Unfortunately, the assassins were a step too late.

The well-prepared Xuan Yin Monitors were already waiting at the Mayor's residence.

Ying Changchuan looked over leisurely, "Mayor of the Capital, are you still unwilling to speak?"

The person on the ground started to tremble uncontrollably.

His face was pale, teeth chattering, unable to utter a complete sentence.

Seeing this scene, the officials nearby also fell silent.

After trembling for a long time, the Mayor of the Capital finally widened his eyes, took a deep breath, and said with quivering teeth, "It was the Prime Minister! The money for repairing the riverbanks, I gave it all to him—"

"Your Majesty, you can bring him here for questioning! Everything I’ve said is true!"

As expected.

He gave an answer that everyone anticipated.

Tsk, the Prime Minister always acted so upright and incorruptible, even wearing only old official robes, but it turns out he had embezzled so much money behind the scenes.

—Although Jiang Yuxun had already guessed that the Prime Minister was likely behind this, he still couldn't help but silently criticize upon hearing the Mayor's confession.

During this conversation, Ying Changchuan slowly raised his hand, and the Xuan Yin Monitors disappeared into the darkness.

Presumably, they were going to look for the Prime Minister.

After everything was settled, the Emperor, as if he had just noticed the watching officials, asked in slight surprise, "Do my ministers not rest at night?"

！！！

"No, no..."

The miserable state of the Mayor of the Capital was clearly visible to all.

Everyone, fearing to inadvertently provoke the Emperor and become the next target, hastily bowed and retreated.

Hearing Ying Changchuan’s remark, they quickly performed a formal bow and withdrew.

Jiang Yuxun, who had just witnessed the entire drama, also tried to blend into the crowd.

But seconds later, he realized — unlike the others, he was headed in the same direction as Ying Changchuan!

Seeing this, the youth immediately halted, attempting to let Ying Changchuan pass first.

To his surprise, when he stopped, Ying Changchuan also stopped and asked in slight confusion, "Why aren’t you leaving, my minister? What are you thinking about?"

"I was waiting for Your Majesty to go first."

At that moment, Jiang Yuxun’s gaze was still fixed on the Mayor of the Capital, who had not yet been taken away.

The Mayor, pressed to the ground, was continuously muttering the Prime Minister’s name.

Seeing this, the thought that had previously crossed the youth's mind resurfaced.

"...I was thinking, the Prime Minister’s reputed integrity is all a facade, the true person of integrity might only be me."