Chapter 34: Court Intrigues and Romantic Tangles

Chapter 34

After promoting Xun Yunhe to the position of Prime Minister, the emperor also reshuffled the cabinet members.

He appointed Shi Zhuo, known for his stubbornness and willingness to criticize, as a member of the cabinet to balance Xun Yunhe's influence. The old and diplomatic Zheng Cabinet Member found an excuse to expel Xiao Yu, the former Minister of Justice who had been friendly with Xun Yunhe, from the cabinet and allowed the Ministers of Finance and War to join.

On the twenty-third day of the fifth month, it was Xun Yunhe's first day as Minister of Personnel. After presiding over the court session as the Prime Minister, he hurried to the Ministry of Personnel. Well-versed in knowledge and skilled in governance, Xun Yunhe was already familiar with most cabinet affairs. During his time in the cabinet, he had touched upon the responsibilities of all departments, except for the Ministry of Personnel, which had always been tightly controlled by Yan Ping and Prince Qin.

The emperor's intention in transferring him to the position of Minister of Personnel was to allow him to reform corrupt practices and cleanse the bureaucracy. Despite the warm weather, his accompanying clerks were drenched in sweat, while Xun Yunhe walked in unhurriedly, seemingly unaffected. As he entered the ministry, the officials on duty promptly greeted him and even offered him a handkerchief considerately.

Xun Yunhe declined the gesture. Dressed in a bright red robe adorned with crane embroidery, he stood with his hands behind his back in the main hall, looking towards the quiet inner offices. "Order the two vice ministers and the departmental directors to present a clear list of each department's affairs at noon. This should include personnel records and resumes of the staff under the Ministry of Personnel, evaluations of officials from the past three years, lists of ennoblements during that period, and other key matters. Nothing must be omitted."

Starting a new position often meant conducting an initial investigation, and Xun Yunhe was no exception. After giving these instructions, he returned to the office where Yan Ping was stationed.

News quickly spread throughout the Ministry of Personnel. The lower-ranking officials followed orders without question, but the departmental directors had a difficult time. In the past, the Ministry had been solidly under the control of Prince Qin and Yan Ping. Now, with a new head official, those caught in the middle found themselves in a precarious position.

"The vice minister has instructed us to find ways to evade responsibility and give this new prime minister a taste of our power," one of them shared.

"You must be mad! That's the Chief State Councillor. With Viceroy Yan gone, Prince Qin's influence has waned. If we continue to cross paths with Minister Xun, we'll have to face the consequences."

Despite this, none dared to actually fawn over Xun Yunhe out of fear of Prince Qin's power. After all, the two Vice Ministers were their direct superiors. Offending Xun Yunhe would mean death tomorrow, while crossing the Vice Ministers meant death today. They chose the lesser of two evils and found excuses to delay, none daring to step forward.

As a result, by noon, not a single person could be seen outside Xun Yunhe's office.

The accompanying officials were furious. "Minister Xun, this must be a trick by Cao Yide. He and Vice Minister Wang Zhenchi are both loyal to Prince Qin. They're surely intimidating the department directors to hinder you. Should we return to the cabinet and issue edicts to reprimand them?"

Xun Yunhe shot a glance at them, silencing them.

To return to the cabinet and issue edicts was equivalent to admitting that he, as the new Chief State Councillor, couldn't control his subordinates.

Remaining calm, Xun Yunhe detached the seal of the Chief State Councillor from his waist and handed it to the official. "Go find the two Vice Ministers and ask them to come here."

Vice Minister Cao Yide pretended to be ill and ignored the summons, but Vice Minister Wang Zhenchi, a fifty-something-year-old man with a thin frame, hurried in with a few insignificant documents, intending to report to Xun Yunhe. Upon entering, he excitedly bowed to Xun Yunhe, flattering him before standing up to hand over the documents.

"Prime Minister Xun, please forgive my tardiness. You know that with Viceroy Yan's departure, the Ministry of Personnel is in chaos. There are numerous pressing matters requiring attention from provincial offices..."

On the surface, Wang Zhenchi seemed to be expressing his grievances and pleading for forgiveness, but in reality, he was being indifferent and negligent.

Xun Yunhe being younger than him, he felt a sense of resentment in his heart.

Xun Yunhe waved his hand, dismissing everyone and ensuring the door was securely closed. He then invited Wang Zhenchi to take a seat. Wang Zhenchi glanced back at the now-shut door, a subtle frown creasing his brow.

Xun Yunhe gazed at Wang Zhenchi's creased face, his smile unfolding slowly. "In the third year of Zhenghe, Sir Wang was appointed as the Salt Transport Director for the Two Jiang regions. That year, you collected four million taels of tax silver across Zhejiang, Xu, and Yangzhou. In Xu, however, the amount was the least, barely reaching three hundred thousand taels. The same was true in the fourth year of Zhenghe."

"Yet, in the fifth year of Zhenghe, floods plagued the imperial court, leading to poor rice harvests in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and a sharp decline in salt taxes. Amidst such adversity, you, in pursuit of promotion and reunion with your wife and children, managed to collect over three million taels of tax silver for the treasury, with one million alone from Xuzhou."

Xun Yunhe spoke to this point, and Wang Zhenchi's face had already turned pale, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead layer by layer.

Xun Yunhe's smile deepened. "His Majesty praised you for your dedication to the state, relocating you to the capital as an official in the Ministry of Personnel. You gradually climbed the ranks to become a vice-minister. While others took advantage of promotions to enrich themselves, you remained exceptionally honest, earning His Majesty's commendations multiple times. If not for Cao Yide's tyrannical behavior that kept you suppressed, the Ministry of Personnel would already be under your control. But are you truly as incorruptible as you claim?"

With these words, Xun Yunhe picked up a teacup nearby. "Imagine if this humble servant submitted a petition to the Office of Ceremonial Supervision to investigate the salt administration in Xu Zhou. What consequences would follow?" He sipped his tea leisurely, observing Wang Zhenchi's reaction in silence.

For two consecutive years, Xu Zhou had collected less than three hundred thousand taels of salt tax, only to skyrocket to a staggering one million taels the following year. This indicated that the entire salt administration in Xu Zhou was under Wang Zhenchi's sway, with the amount of revenue entirely at his discretion.

Wang Zhenchi didn't wait for Xun Yunhe to continue. Sliding off his cushion, he knelt on the floor, pounding his head in a fervent apology. "This lowly official will immediately compile the documents for the Chief Minister. By today... no, by the end of today, all the files and records you desire will be delivered to your hands."

Wang Zhenchi's betrayal made the others anxious.

Seizing this opportunity, Xun Yunhe swiftly summoned several doctors under Cao Yide's jurisdiction. Some were threatened, while others were enticed with promises. By targeting them individually, he managed to gain their allegiance. By sunset, detailed information about all the crucial departments in the Ministry of Personnel was delivered into Xun Yunhe's hands, leaving the once powerful Vice Minister Cao Yide marginalized.

For three consecutive days, all the departments in the Ministry of Personnel fell in line with Xun Yunhe. Unable to tolerate the situation any longer, Cao Yide eventually sought reconciliation with Xun Yunhe. Rather than using a combination of carrot and stick with this veteran official who had served in the ministry for over a decade, Xun Yunhe treated him with great respect, personally greeting him and discussing plans to reform the bureaucracy and rectify its shortcomings, aiming to create a transparent and efficient administration for the people.

Cao Yide had ambitions for the Ministry of Personnel, but his abilities had been constrained by the Prince Qin's influence over the years. Xun Yunhe promised to delegate power to him, using his position as the top cabinet minister to support Cao Yide's administrative reforms. This moved Cao Yide to tears of gratitude.

Thus, the young prime minister skillfully dismantled the Prince Qin's control over the Ministry of Personnel, earning praise from the entire court.

With the political climate shifting, Pei Muhang did not return home for several days.

During this time, Xu Yunqi spent three days at the clinic. On the 26th day, when the sky turned gloomy and the air became muggy, he decided not to venture out. However, upon waking up from his afternoon nap, he heard weeping coming from outside the veranda.

Xu Yunqi got up fully clothed and lifted the curtain slightly to look out. He saw Nanny Hao conversing with Nanny Chen in the corridor.

"Nanny, you know the situation. A while back, when Third Master and Third Missus faced trouble, the Princess was so worried that she developed a headache. A few days ago, Doctor He prescribed medicine, and her condition improved. But now, nothing seems to work. I can see how much the Princess is suffering, tossing and turning in pain on her bed. That's why I had no choice but to seek help from Third Missus," Nanny Hao explained with a bitter smile as she welcomed Nanny Chen into the house.

Xu Yunqi stood gracefully by the window, dressed in a simple attire. Seeing her smiling face, Ah Ma was about to kneel down with a thud.

"Madam Xu."

Xu Yunqi stopped her with an outstretched hand. "Ah Ma, please don't. You're an elder's attendant, how can you kneel before me? Rise quickly."

But Ah Ma insisted on kneeling, tears and snot streaming down as she spoke of the princess' condition. "I beg Madam Xu to be magnanimous and not take offense. After Third Master brought you back, the Princess didn't say a word; it was just that she couldn't bear to lose face. In her heart, she has long treated you as one of her own..."

Xu Yunqi had never taken the Princess Xi's matters to heart. There were few people in this world worth her effort to fret over, and the Princess Xi was far from being one of them.

Xu Yunqi would never refuse to attend to a patient, as long as the person was willing.

"I need to take her pulse. Has the Princess given her consent?"

Aunt Hao's voice wavered. Princess Xi had no idea that Aunt Hao had taken it upon herself to seek out Xu Yunqi's help.

"Must you take her pulse?" Aunt Hao asked timidly.

Rumors had spread far and wide about Xu Yunqi's incredible medical skills, with tales of his clinic being packed with patients every day. Naively, Aunt Hao had hoped that Xu Yunqi could simply prescribe a remedy for a swift recovery.

Xu Yunqi smiled and shrugged. "I'm no deity."

Mama Hao fell into worry once more.

Inviting her to have some tea, Xu Yunqi pondered, "Here's what you do. Go fetch me the prescription from Doctor He for me to examine."

Hearing there might be a solution, Mama Hao happily went to Jinhe Hall. In no time, she returned with Doctor He's prescription. After Xu Yunqi studied it, she roughly inferred the condition of the princess's pulse. "The prescription is fine. It just needs to be complemented with a medicinal oil to alleviate the pain effectively."

Summoning Xingyin, Xu Yunqi retrieved a small vial of medicinal oil and handed it to her with a buffalo horn scraper. "Go to Jinhe Hall and use this to massage the princess's neck, stimulating the flow of energy. That should greatly ease her discomfort."

Ginkgo rolled her eyes upward, avoiding Xu Yunqi's hand as she made her way around to the apothecary, speaking nonchalantly, "Miss, I'm quite occupied, you see. I still have to prepare medicine for Young Master Yan – they've shown me so much gratitude that I can't possibly let them return empty-handed."

If Miss didn't mind, why should she? Ginkgo held a grudge in her heart.

Hao Nanny's face flushed red from Ginkgo's words; this was likely the most high-spirited maid in the entire Xihua Palace.

Despite their master-servant relationship, Xu Yunqi and Ginkgo were like sisters. Xu Yunqi never forced her, so she waved Ginkgo over, gesturing for her to sit down and demonstrating the massage technique to Hao Nanny, "Actually, it's quite simple. Just follow my method and give the princess a massage yourself."

Hao Nanny wiped away her tears and observed attentively, practicing a few more times before happily taking the medicinal oil to Jinhe Hall.

At that moment, Concubine Xi was lying on the bed, groaning in pain as she curled up like a shrimp. Seeing this, Nurse Hao hurriedly instructed two maidservants to come forward and help. "Concubine, this old servant has brought a bottle of medicinal oil. Please lie on your side, and let this servant try it on you."

Concubine Xi was already barely breathing, allowing Nurse Hao to attend to her without resistance.

Nurse Hao applied the medicinal oil, and Concubine Xi felt a refreshing coolness on her neck. However, as the ox horn brush swept over, it brought a scorching pain.

At first, Concubine Xi couldn't bear the pain and cried out. Nurse Hao, worried that she had not applied it correctly, was on the verge of tears. "Please bear with it a little longer."

After a chaotic and hurried attempt, both of them were drenched in sweat. The medicinal oil seeped in, and a burning sensation exploded in Concubine Xi's forehead. The initial constriction eased, and she sat up on her side, filled with astonishment. "Where did you get this medicinal oil?"

Over the years, Pei Muheng and Prince Xi had sought countless medicinal oils for her, but none had been as effective as this one.

Nurse Hao, with a choked voice, replied, "It was from Third Young Madam. She said that if the oil is used daily to massage your meridians, it will alleviate the pain."

Concubine Xi was stunned, and a faint flush began to appear on her pale cheeks. She muttered, "She was willing to do this?"

Nurse Hao nodded repeatedly. "Not even a flicker of hesitation, she smiled and offered it. Concubine, it's not this old servant flattering Third Young Madam, but such breadth of heart and courage are hard to find throughout the entire capital."

Concubine Xi remained silent for a long while, deep in thought.

She expected Xu Yunqi to take advantage of the situation to embarrass her with his skills.

To her surprise, he didn't seem to care at all.

The medicinal oil was precious, so Mother Hao dared not waste it. She asked Princess Xi to endure the pain as she continued to massage her tendons. Gradually, the massage reached the sensitive areas. Although Princess Xi still felt pain, she also experienced an unusual sense of comfort.

After about half an hour, the pain significantly subsided, and Princess Xi could finally catch her breath. Being generous, she instructed Mother Hao to gift Xu Yunqi a set of red-golden precious headdress. Xu Yunqi accepted the gift with a smile and instructed Yinxing to put it away in a cabinet.

Pei Muhang returned home late in the evening. Entering the eastern chamber, he didn't see Xu Yunqi's figure. He first went to the bathroom for a bath. It had been a hot day, and he had sweated a lot in his official attire. After cleaning himself thoroughly, he changed into a moon-white robe. Xu Yunqi had just returned from the flower room and saw her husband's smiling eyes.

"Welcome back," she said lightly, holding a medicinal flower in her hand as she headed to the small apothecary in the side room.

In a short while, she emerged to find Pei Muhang sitting on a round chair, sipping tea. The orange-yellow jade lantern cast a warm glow around them.

Xu Yunqi was about to sit behind the long table when Pei Muhang suddenly stood up. Seeing her husband's towering figure approach, Xu Yunqi held onto the edge of the table.

In the clinic last time, he had acted similarly, but today there was less intensity. Xu Yunqi wasn't accustomed to showing weakness, so she stood firm without moving.

"What's the matter?"

Peng Muheng placed his hands on either side of her, his deep eyes gazing down at her. The scent of his recent bath still lingered on him, mixed with the aroma of wormwood – a soap Xu Yunqi had made herself. It was an agreeable fragrance that Yunqi had grown accustomed to and thus didn't find intrusive. Her eyes widened as she calmly met his gaze.

Peng Muheng was significantly taller than her, and he leaned in slightly, bringing the soap scent closer to her nose with each breath he took. It created an inexplicable tickling sensation for Yunqi. Uncertain of his intentions, she lowered her gaze to his collar.

Looking at his wife so near, Peng Muheng observed her long eyelashes fluttering lightly, her clear eyes like a tranquil spring without a ripple or a hint of distress.

What kind of girl was she?

Curiosity piqued, he whispered softly, "I just came from Mother. Yunqi, thank you."

So that was it.

Xu Yunqi hadn't given it much thought and smiled, saying, "It's nothing."

Seeing her nonchalant demeanor, Peng Muheng sighed inwardly.

What a magnanimous girl.

Pausing for a moment, he asked softly, "May I hold you?"

Their mingled breaths danced before their noses, and Xu Yunqi, bewitched by his question, lifted her eyelids to look at him with clear, bright eyes, unsure of how to respond.

Why ask when he could just do it?

Pei Muheng observed her dazed expression, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He gently rubbed her brow with the tip of his finger, then slowly traced it down to her cheek. Xu Yunqi was not accustomed to such intimate gestures and found herself lost in thought.

They had never been intimate anywhere but on their bed.

And so, their lips met in a tender kiss, landing softly on her cheek.

A fine shiver ran down her skin.

Xu Yunqi's body tensed slightly, and her lips tilted slightly. In that moment of astonishment, his arms wrapped around her, drawing her into his embrace.

Holding her was just an excuse; he placed her on the long table. Gazing through the gauzy window, Xu Yunqi saw the dark night outside and faint whispers from the corridor. She pushed against his chest with her arms. "Let's go to the bed."

Her voice was so tranquil, as if she enjoyed every moment and accepted whatever came her way.

Pei Muheng met her reflective gaze, his tone icy, "Xu Yunqi, your word doesn't count here."

In matters like these, he never left it up to her.

He brushed the book aside, causing it to fall to the floor with a soft rustling sound.

The voices outside ceased abruptly.

Nanny Chen hurriedly led her attendants to hide in the back courtyard.

Drops of moisture fell densely onto her neck, sending shivers cascading through her body. Her almond-colored short-sleeved robe was slipped off by him, revealing her fair shoulders. Delicate bones were cupped in his palm, and wherever his touch grazed, a blush-like glow spread, sending tingles all over her body. Xu Yunqi involuntarily drew herself closer, the sensation too unfamiliar, catching her off guard.

She felt like a pure white jade rabbit, with her layers of clothing peeled away by him, exposing her tender flesh.

Tears welled up in her eyes, trembling slightly before they gradually overflowed. Xu Yunqi clung tightly to his shoulder, suppressing any sound from escaping.

*

As Xun Yunhe's birthday celebration drew near, Lady Xun found it impossible to eat or sleep in peace.

The more grandeur she saw, the more anxious she became.

Fearful that this was a dream spun by the heavens, one that would shatter at the slightest touch.

By the eve of the birthday celebration, her appearance had become quite unsightly.

She constantly summoned the imperial physician, and sooner or later, Xun Yunhe would surely notice something amiss. The old nanny was frantic and, in desperation, sought help from a Taoist priestess. This priestess had some genuine abilities; she tiptoed around Madam Xun's courtyard in silence, and finally approached Madam Xun herself.

"Madam, shouldn't this place belong to someone else?"

Madam Xun nearly spat out blood upon hearing this.

She maintained her composure and explained, "My mother-in-law resides far away in our hometown. This residence should have been hers, but alas, the courtyard is too small, so my husband and I have temporarily taken it over."

Upon hearing this, the priestess replied, "That explains it. Madam, you are plagued by an evil spirit."

These words struck a chord with Madam Xun, who wept tears of joy. "Indeed, that's exactly right."

With just these two statements, Madam Xun placed her trust in the priestess and begged for her assistance.

The priestess then prowled around the house once more and eventually hung a talisman in the southeast corner of the room.

"The vengeful spirit is in that direction, my lady. Rest assured, with it now subdued, it won't trouble you for the time being."

Upon hearing this, the old nanny was utterly impressed. The southeastern direction not only pointed to Duke Xi's palace but also to the Xun family's ancestral temple.

The lady now had a chance at salvation.

Sure enough, Lady Xun slept soundly that night and, the following day, regained her vitality to oversee the birthday celebration.

May 30th was Xun Yunhe's birthday feast. Ever since he left that day, he hadn't returned to the palace.

The old nanny advised Lady Xun, "Sir has just assumed his position in the cabinet and must be swamped with work, perhaps even forgetting his own birthday. You should send someone to remind him; he must return for lunch today, no matter what."

Never before had Lady Xun wished so fervently for Xun Yunhe not to come back. With a distressed look, she said, "I hope he doesn't return."

Shaking her head, the old nanny sternly replied, "You must remain calm. The fact that the young girl hasn't made any move after all this time indicates either that she has forgotten the past or that she doesn't know Sir is her biological father. This gives us a chance to turn the tables."

"How do we turn the tables?" Lady Xun asked.

A cold glint appeared in the old nanny's eyes. "Look at how you've been unable to eat or sleep, losing weight drastically. If this continues, you'll end up killing yourself. We might as well take the initiative."

"What do you mean?"

"Just like before, make them disappear without a trace."

Madam Xun was immediately alarmed. "N-No, Xun Yunhe is not the same as Xun Yu back then. Even in those days, have you forgotten the fate of that county magistrate's family? If he finds out, we'll all be doomed."

Tears streaming down her face, Madam Xun was overcome with fear and anxiety.

The old nanny scolded her in frustration, "Waiting for that young girl to come knocking on your door, how many more days will you remain the Prime Minister's wife?"

"It's better to risk it all for a chance at survival!"

Madam Xun's reason was still holding on, but she buried her head in the pillow and shook her head. "No... No..."

At the beginning of the ninth hour, guests began arriving one after another. The morning sun hid behind the clouds, making the day hot and humid. The alleys outside the Xun residence were narrow, causing the carriages to be stuck in traffic. The ladies had no choice but to disembark and walk towards the residence.

The female guests entered through the side gate and took their seats in the flower-draped hall.

Xu Yunqi, having received news from the Xu family early on, personally went to fetch her mother from the Xu residence. Nobody mentioned the events of that day. Xu Yunqi remained as she was, while Mother Zhang secretly concealed her sadness.

"I wasn't in the mood to attend today, but your Uncle Xu insisted I come," Xu Yunqi said with a smile. "It's good that you did, as Father's future promotions will depend on the cabinet's approval."

Seeing her daughter seemed unconcerned, Madam Zhang felt reassured.

For some reason, Princess Xi had claimed illness and declined the invitation to the banquet. Instead, she instructed her two daughters-in-law, Madam Xie and Madam Li, to congratulate the neighbor on their birthday. Even Pei Mushan was dispatched to the Xiao family. Observant guests could tell that Princess Xi was attempting to curry favor with Xu Yunqi.

Everyone assumed Xu Yunqi would not show up at the Xun residence for the feast. To their surprise, she personally accompanied her mother and presented their invitation at the entrance.

The gatekeeper was familiar with Xu Yunqi and promptly delivered the invitation to the main hall, where Lady Xun was. Upon hearing that Xu Yunqi and her mother, Madam Zhang, were attending, Lady Xun's heart nearly skipped a beat.

Could they have come on purpose?