Chapter 69: Correct answer, what reward do you want? [One update]

Chapter 69: Correct Answer. What Reward Do You Desire? (Part One)

Bright sunlight filled the imperial study.

The afternoon’s luminous light and shadow streamed through the latticed windows, creeping inch by inch across the heavy golden bricks.

A small pavilion nestled in spring, its leisurely windows trapping the daylight.

Ambergris burned quietly in the gilded Boshan incense burner, calming all tumultuous thoughts.

Inside the study, three figures sat facing each other, separated by the expansive imperial desk that had stood for centuries.

The Imperial Seal rested solemnly on the desk, hidden within a purple sandalwood Dingchun box.

Every object in the study exuded a serene contentment—it would have been perfect, were it not for the emperor, who was presently evaluating his consort.

The aroma of Pu'er tea lingered at her nostrils. Jiang Yunran exhaled softly, showing no fear at Jing Huayan’s inquiry.

Meeting the young emperor’s probing gaze, she pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.

"Your Majesty, may this humble consort first ask a question?"

Jing Huayan replied, "Ask."

Out of the corner of her eye, Jiang Yunran noticed Zheng Dingguo listening attentively, devoid of any disdain for her status, which deepened her respect for the elder statesman.

"Your Majesty, was General Liu’s death last year thoroughly investigated? What was the conclusion?"

A glimmer flickered in Jing Huayan’s deep, starry eyes. His expression remained neutral, yet Jiang Yunran sensed something in his gaze—perhaps approval, or even a hint of amusement.

After all, this young emperor, who had just made the court officials pale with fear with his icy demeanor, now seemed pleased again.

Truly, the emperor’s heart is as deep as the ocean.

Zheng Dingguo sighed involuntarily. "Your insight is remarkable, Lady."

Jiang Yunran hurriedly replied, "Minister, you flatter me. I am Cai Nu Jiang from Tingxue Palace."

A Cai Nu was a low-ranking consort, unworthy of the title "Your Highness."

Hearing her words, Zheng Dingguo took a proper look at her for the first time.

Behind the blue gauze curtain, her features were blurred and indistinct, but one thing was certain: from the moment she entered the study, she had never shown a trace of fear.

She had always carried herself with grace and composure.

The matters discussed in today’s imperial audience would have terrified many court officials, yet this Cai Nu Jiang remained undaunted.

She was young and not from an official family, yet she could calm her mind, focus her spirit, and accurately pinpoint the crux of the matter—truly extraordinary.

Seeing that Jing Huayan did not stop her, Zheng Dingguo chuckled and said, "What you’ve mentioned is indeed the key to the matter."

"Last autumn, the Border Defense Army fought a desperate battle against the Tatars’ Tiger Head Battalion. General Liu was injured in his left calf and arm—wounds that did not appear fatal at the time."

"Later, after meticulous treatment by the military physicians, General Liu seemed to be recovering, his wounds gradually healing. But then, suddenly, he developed a high fever, and his injuries began to fester."

"His medical report was sent to the emperor. His Majesty initially wanted General Liu to return to the capital for treatment by the Imperial Hospital. However, after reviewing the report, several officials from the Imperial Hospital advised against moving him. So, His Majesty ordered Imperial Physician Cen, who specialized in orthopedics, to take two physicians to Wu City and do everything possible to save General Liu."

The elder statesman explained in detail.

"Imperial Physician Cen rushed day and night without delay, but he still arrived too late. The day before he reached the Border Defense Army, General Liu succumbed to his illness and passed away."

"Afterward, His Majesty ordered Imperial Physician Cen to work with the forensic examiner in Wu City to perform an autopsy on General Liu. The final conclusion was that he died of illness."

Zheng Dingguo stated with certainty, "There was no poisoning, no foul play. General Liu gave his life for the nation due to his severe injuries."

Hearing this, Jiang Yunran nodded.

She suddenly recalled that Imperial Physician Cen had also treated Jieyu Murong. At the time, Jiang Yunran had suspected him of colluding with others to poison Jieyu Murong, but after a thorough investigation of all herbal dregs, medical reports, and prescriptions, Imperial Physician Cen was cleared of any suspicion. In fact, he had even been commended for reporting doubts about Jieyu Murong’s condition.

Without directly mentioning her suspicions about Imperial Physician Cen, Jiang Yunran said, "If that’s the case, let us first assume General Liu died of illness."

"After General Liu’s death, the beneficiary was General Xu Fengnian. Later, when General Xu proved incompetent and the Tatars invaded, Earl Zhongyi took command and went to the battlefield."

The scent of ambergris lingered at her nose, calming her mind and bringing rare clarity to her thoughts.

No wonder, among all incenses, ambergris was the most precious.

It could steady the heart, calm the spirit, and clear the mind.

"From what Your Majesty and the Minister have said, this humble consort understands that Your Majesty had long suspected Earl Zhongyi of mishandling the war. However, changing commanders mid-battle is a major taboo, and Earl Zhongyi never made any obvious mistakes, so Your Majesty bided your time."

"The incident the day before yesterday was the best opportunity to remove Earl Zhongyi."

"I just don’t know how far Your Majesty intends to go."

Earl Zhongyi had served the nation loyally for twenty-five years. He first stepped onto the battlefield at fifteen, and over the past twenty-five years, he had repeatedly defended the country with his flesh and blood. Considering his past and his family’s legacy, the Earl Zhongyi’s household had always been loyal to the emperor and cared for the people.

Otherwise, given the earl’s dominance and unilateral actions, Jing Huayan would not have reinstated him to the battlefield.

Nor would he have elevated Consort De to such a high position.

This was the glory of loyal service, the face of Earl Zhongyi.

But now, Earl Zhongyi himself had failed to cherish this hard-won honor.

Glory was, after all, in the past. Everything he had contributed, Jing Huayan had already rewarded. Now, he could no longer rely on his past to secure his future.

Wrongdoings must be punished.

Jing Huayan looked down at her and suddenly sighed softly.

"Beloved Concubine, do you know that among all the Cabinet Ministers of Lingyan Pavilion, not one dared to ask me this question?"

Zheng Dingguo was also one of the Cabinet Ministers of Lingyan Pavilion, and he, too, had not asked.

Sitting here now, he could only await the emperor’s decree, unable to decide the fate of the Earl Zhongyi’s household himself.

Jiang Yunran met his gaze, her eyes deep and calm, composed and unwavering.

"Your Majesty kept me here to ask questions precisely to test me, didn’t you?" Jiang Yunran’s voice was soft, as if tinged with a smile. "Since it’s a test, it shouldn’t be taken too seriously. I am merely answering the question Your Majesty posed, speaking freely without reservation. Whether right or wrong, I cannot fail to live up to Your Majesty's intentions."

Her response was so clever that even Zheng Dingguo silently praised her in his heart.

Jing Huayan chuckled lowly.

All that thunderous rage, all that imperial wrath—perhaps it was merely a show for the court officials. In reality, Jing Huayan’s heart was as steady as a mountain.

He was indeed dissatisfied with Earl Zhongyi's indolence and reluctance to fight, and he pitied the people who had lost their lives as a result, but he would not lose his composure.

Amid his anger, he had already thought of how to proceed.

"What if I tell you that I can take action against Earl Zhongyi?" Jing Huayan suddenly said.

Jiang Yunran hesitated for a moment before replying, "Then I can answer."

"Speak, I am listening," Jing Huayan said, "and the Minister will hear it too."

Zheng Dingguo breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Please speak, Lady Jiang."

Jiang Yunran spoke with exceptional clarity.

Clearly, she had already considered all possible outcomes, and what she was saying now was the result of careful deliberation.

"First, to pull the rug out from under him, replace all officials involved at the border, starting with the most critical ones—the supervising secretaries of the Ministry of War and the Imperial Censor."

"Second, replace the supply officer and the deputy general. The supply officer is the most important; as long as supplies are stable, neither war nor unrest will cause famine in Wu City or drive soldiers to become bandits and plunder the people."

Earl Zhongyi commanded fifty thousand men, and the Border Defense Army had another fifty thousand. If these hundred thousand soldiers were to riot, even if the court suppressed them, the casualties would be severe.

Moreover, there was no need for it unless Earl Zhongyi was so audacious as to believe he could usurp the throne and declare himself a king.

"This time, the city gate was breached, and Earl Zhongyi is at fault. It exposed negligence and dereliction of duty, such as that of the Imperial Censor. Replacing personnel before battle is entirely reasonable."

"As for the supply officer, we can use the Zhao case to break through the protective network of marriage alliances around Earl Zhongyi's estate."

Jing Huayan sipped his tea quietly, his dark eyes fixed on the amber-colored tea as if watching a silver plate drifting on a lake.

Zheng Dingguo couldn’t help interjecting: "If the Zhao case is initiated, I fear there will be unrest in the capital at Earl Zhongyi's estate and at the border with the Loyal Army."

But Jiang Yunran shook her head.

"It won't."

"Minister, Zhao was, after all, only Earl Zhongyi's wife, and she has long since died of illness. Although Earl Zhongyi did not remarry, the ties by marriage between the entire Earl Zhongyi estate and the Zhao family have weakened. Moreover, with so many direct and collateral lines in the Earl Zhongyi estate, the marital connections are countless. The Zhao family is just one branch."

"At this time, they will attack each other for their own interests and will not stand united."

"The timing of the Zhao embezzlement case is just right."

At this point, Jiang Yunran paused. She looked up at Jing Huayan and very naturally exclaimed, "Your Majesty is truly brilliant."

No wonder Ruan Zhongliang began looking into Lady Zhao's case as soon as the army set out. It seemed Jing Huayan had planned this from the beginning.

Whether Earl Zhongyi was loyal or rebellious, Zhao could be used against him.

If he fought fiercely and returned victorious, Zhao's crimes would be mitigated by his success, and leniency would serve as a reward.

But if Earl Zhongyi became too arrogant and ambitious, this would be another outcome.

Zhao's crimes would implicate Earl Zhongyi, using this to cause internal strife within the Earl Zhongyi estate.

As long as the other generals of the Loyal Army no longer firmly supported Earl Zhongyi, the Earl Zhongyi estate could easily be torn apart.

Jing Huayan remained silent, so Jiang Yunran continued, "With the Zhao case and the breach of the city gate as two charges, Earl Zhongyi himself must return to the capital to answer for his crimes. At that time, we only need to select another general from the Earl Zhongyi estate to replace him, and the Loyal Army will not descend into chaos. Because the leader of the Loyal Army will still be from the Xu family, Earl Zhongyi will become irrelevant."

"Additionally, with capable generals taking command of the Border Defense Army, this turmoil can be resolved."

Jiang Yunran raised her head and glanced at the bright autumn scenery outside the blue gauze curtain, suddenly smiling. "I suspect the war will be over before the New Year, and the people can have a good New Year."

She had explained everything clearly.

Zheng Dingguo was well aware of Jing Huayan's strategies, but he was still astonished by Jiang Yunran's intelligence.

He had served in the court for thirty years, a trusted minister since the previous emperor's time. When the previous emperor fell seriously ill, he assisted Empress Dowager Renhui and now Jing Huayan. He had seen countless ladies in the palace.

In his private thoughts, he compared this Concubine Jiang to Empress Dowager Renhui and found it hard to distinguish between them.

In fact, Concubine Jiang's calmness and sharpness reminded him more of that former consort.

This was something Zheng Dingguo did not dare say aloud. He simply looked quietly at Jing Huayan.

Jing Huayan took a sip of tea, his features softened.

"You answered correctly. What reward would you like?"

"This concubine seeks no reward. I only wish Your Majesty would not be troubled by these matters, that you may enjoy your meals, remain calm, and live a long and healthy life."

Jing Huayan set down his teacup. Hidden by the emperor’s desk, he reached down and took hold of her hand.

A gentle breeze blew in through the open window, lifting a corner of the blue gauze curtain hanging over the railing.

Zheng Dingguo happened to look up and saw the gentleness in Jing Huayan’s expression.

It was a tenderness he had never seen before, different from the usual flawless smile.

It was as if he had returned to a spring day twenty years ago, when the young prince had just turned three. He followed his mother, running and playing in the imperial garden.

The spring breeze ruffled his round, flushed cheeks, and his laughter was pure and innocent.

The spring flowers filled the garden, swaying in the wind, their pink and white petals falling like a light rain, adding warmth to the joyful scene of mother and son.

At that time, a young Zheng Dingguo had entered the palace to report and accompanied the emperor on a garden tour, caught sight of this scene.

In the blink of an eye, twenty years had passed.

The mother in that scene, the father standing quietly on the bridge watching—both had long been buried in the imperial mausoleum, passed away.

And that child who laughed so heartily had become a callous and ruthless emperor.

But now, the emperor before him seemed to have rediscovered his human side.

Or rather, finally, there was someone who could make him be playful, make him laugh, let him lower his guard, and allow him to be unabashedly joyful, just like in his youth.

That smile was genuine.

Zheng Dingguo was certain of it.