Chapter 250 The beginning of revenge

"Eunuch Jiang, go stop them first and tell them not to use the knife. I will go and talk to Father."

The overweight eunuch, who usually struggled to move, suddenly stood up with surprising agility.

After saying a quick "Thank you, Your Highness," he hurried off.

He moved with incredible nimbleness and energy.

He arrived just in time; the young man had already been tied to the rack and stripped of his pants. One of the men around him held a sharp knife, heating it over the fire.

"Stop! Stop this at once!"

He ordered the execution to be halted.

The young man was untied and silently pulled up his pants.

Jiang Zhixian caught his breath, gasping heavily.

"These old arms and legs haven’t run like this in years."

"You brat, suddenly sending word that you don’t want to be a eunuch anymore."

"You wore me out, huffing and puffing."

He spoke while gasping for air.

"I was afraid others wouldn’t be fast enough, and the message would come too late, leaving you castrated."

Jiang Zhixian fanned his collar, trying to cool off after the run.

Longshou, now freed, bowed solemnly and said, "Thank you, Father."

Hearing "Father" softened Jiang Zhixian’s heart.

Though he couldn’t have children of his own, raising Longshou felt no different.

"Get up, no need to get all formal on me."

Longshou hesitated, then said, "...Oh."

Under his adoptive father’s gaze, Longshou grew a little nervous.

Jiang Zhixian’s voice came from above: "You..."

He sighed deeply.

"Though His Majesty hasn’t spoken yet, Princess Tianwu pleaded for you. In cases like this, there shouldn’t be much trouble."

Longshou looked puzzled: "The princess pleaded for me?"

Eunuch Jiang sighed, "...Is that really the point?"

"If you’re not castrated, you can’t stay in the inner palace."

"Go pack your things. Once the order comes, you’ll have to leave the palace right away."

Longshou felt a gentle pat on his head.

"Perfect timing, it's not often you get to come home."

"Once you're back, you won't have to wait on others anymore."

"Stay home, grow up, and settle down with a family like everyone else."

"Give your father a few grandkids."

The little boy bit his lip, looking reluctant.

"Dad, I have my own plans."

"Maybe taking the imperial exams, joining the army, or going into business."

"I think I have a future."

"Anyway, I can't just be a layabout in the general's mansion, waiting for Dad to arrange my marriage and kids."

The plump eunuch above him scoffed.

"Fine, do what you want, but think it through. Don't come to me at the last minute saying you've changed your mind."

"Got it, you little rascal!"

Longshou guiltily tucked his hands into his sleeves and nodded meekly.

"Got it, got it."

Longshou's issue was just a minor incident.

When she first arrived, Bei Jingchu couldn't stand this little troublemaker.

But now she was over it, just treating it as a favor to Eunuch Jiang, not dwelling on what hadn't happened.

Soon, she forgot about him.

That day, she snuck some leisure time to listen to music at the Rain Pavilion.

But even this downtime wasn't entirely for fun.

She closed her eyes, dozing lightly to the soft strains of the musician's zither.

Before long, Haoyue nudged her and whispered, "Your Highness, the Chief Secretary has arrived."

She opened her eyes, and Xu Lanqi bowed, saying, "Your Highness."

Bei Jingchu waved her hand, and Haoyue ushered the musicians and Xu family attendants out, standing guard at the door.

She poured a cup of tea and passed it to Xu Lanqi.

Not rushing to the main topic, they chatted like old friends.

When the time was right, she began to probe Xu Lanqi's views on the succession.

The old fox suddenly brought up another person: "The sixth prince is eight, and I hear he's exceptionally bright at the Hongwen Academy, favored by the teacher."

"Though not as unmatched as Your Highness was back then."

"Compared to you, the sixth prince clearly has more advantages."

"Oh ho, trying to haggle with me, huh?"

Bei Jingchu forced a smile, her lips curling slightly.

"Do you think this princess is some cheap vegetable at the market? To be lined up with other royal heirs for you to pick and choose like you're shopping?"

Her thoughts drifted to Haoyue at the door, who silently pursed her lips, held her breath, and prayed for the Minister of the Central Secretariat inside the room.

Oh heavens, please don't set her off.

Inside the room, Bei Jingchu did not lose her temper but instead spoke earnestly: "Compared to me, their only edge is the bias of Dayue society."

"But societal bias is just one hurdle among many."

"Once we get past this, Minister, do you really think my brothers would handle other tough challenges better than me?"

"The Emperor feels the same."

After making her point, she let her smile fade and went on the offensive: "Minister of the Central Secretariat, the Emperor's confidant, a close advisor to the throne."

"By all logic, you should be completely loyal to the Emperor, right?"

Xu Lanqi, seated across from her, felt a twinge of unease but kept his cool: "I am naturally utterly loyal to the Emperor."

The little princess, who had just been haggling with him, coldly and clearly spat out two words: "Liar."

"Your loyalty to the Emperor only goes so far."

"You'd never betray the nation, never scheme a rebellion."

"But when it comes to succession, you've got your own agenda."

"Remember not long after I was born, when my two older brothers died, and you proposed adopting the Prince of Huayuan's son as the royal heir?"

Xu Lanqi froze, his body tensing up. A thin sheen of sweat appeared on his brow.

Bei Jingchu guessed his fear and let out a soft chuckle: "The Emperor bears no grudges, and he didn't tell me either."

"I remember it on my own."

Xu Lanqi: ???

"Your Highness is saying..."

"Yes, I remember things from my infancy."

After a pause, Bei Jingchu added: "I also remember when Xu Shaoqing took me out of the palace, and you pinched my cheek."

Xu Lanqi: !

"Oh right, you also called the Emperor heartless."

Xu Lanqi: !!

"You also said I was too young to tattle, even if I heard it."

Xu Lanqi clasped his hands together, bowing earnestly: "Your Highness, dear Highness, please forget it."

Bei Jingchu pouted smugly, hmph, not forgetting a single detail.

She’s really one to hold a grudge!

After the teasing, her expression turned serious, and she returned to the main topic, her clear, large eyes staring directly at Xu Lanqi.

She made him feel as if she could see right through him, as if she were searching his very soul.

"Back then, since you already had someone in mind, you must have reached some agreement with the Prince of Huayuan."

"From then on, I knew you had your own agenda."

"The Xu family already has a Chief Secretary, which is already at the boiling point; you yourself cannot rise further."

"What you’re after must be something for after the dynasty falls, to secure a good future for your children."

"The Xu family holds a pretty high place in your heart, doesn’t it?"