Chapter 4 Maple Syrup Pancakes

Chapter 4: Maple Sugar Pancake

Jiang Yanzhou had steeled himself for refusal, but he hadn't expected Xiao Yunlang to be willing to discuss the deal again.

Since Xiao Yunlang had asked, Jiang Yanzhou would continue.

Well... before speaking, his gaze drifted and landed on the teacup beside him. "Can I get another cup?"

Xiao Yunlang had no idea his temper was so thin; the veins on his fists were nearly bulging. "Drink! Drink it all, no one's stopping you!"

He'd blithely talk about getting himself killed, but for a simple cup of tea, he had to ask permission first? Was he doing this on purpose??

Jiang Yanzhou happily poured himself another cup of tea. He took a small sip, cradling the warm cup in his hands like a hand warmer—it felt cozy and comfortable.

A breeze picked up outside. The sky had been overcast all day, and now, with the wind blowing, dark clouds churned, looking like it was about to rain.

The fragrant tea soothed his throat, and Jiang Yanzhou's voice flowed like a clear spring, getting straight to the point.

"For this disaster relief operation, the Jiang and Shangguan families conspired. They plan to replace some of the good grain with damp grain and moldy flour when the grain carts pass through Shuntao County in Huaizhou. The swapped grain will be sold off for silver, to be divided among those involved."

He spoke in the most matter-of-fact tone, delivering the most shocking news.

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince, who had been maintaining a composed facade, suddenly turned grave.

Crash—!

A strong gust of wind slammed against the pearwood lattice window, and a clap of thunder exploded in the sky, right as Jiang Yanzhou finished speaking, reverberating in Xiao Yunlang's ears.

He had seen plenty of officials who were evasive and ambiguous in their dealings, as everyone had their reservations, often beating around the bush for the smallest matters. He never expected Jiang Yanzhou to forgo all pretense and abruptly drop such a bombshell of information.

Xiao Yunlang clenched his fist, his knuckles turning stark white, his intimidating aura flaring forth with the thunderclap.

"Misappropriating disaster relief grain, potentially causing widespread starvation among the victims of two prefectures—Jiang Yanzhou of the Jiang family," the Crown Prince leaned forward slowly, enunciating each word, "do you truly understand what you are saying?"

This was the second time Xiao Yunlang had asked this question today, but the tone and weight were worlds apart.

Tampering with disaster relief was like putting one's head on the chopping block, along with the lives of one's entire family. There was no possibility of a peaceful resolution.

Under Xiao Yunlang's icy, piercing gaze, Jiang Yanzhou's fingers trembled slightly, but his tone remained unchanged. "I do."

"Every word I've said is true."

He had studied the history of the Qi Dynasty inside out, especially the two generations during Xiao Yunlang's lifetime, and remembered every major event clearly.

In ancient times, resources and manpower were limited, and survival heavily depended on nature. Natural disasters, big and small, were frequent, and the court often dispatched relief funds and grain.

But the disaster relief in Northern Jiang in the eleventh year of the Yonghe era was destined to be different.

First, the Chancellor used it as leverage to force the Crown Prince into marriage. Then, the grain swap scheme was exposed, leading to the successive demotions of key Shangguan family officials in the court, altering the political landscape.

Although the Jiang family managed to pin all the blame on the Shangguan family and emerged unscathed, losing the Shangguan family's support forced them to make concessions on another matter, weakening their grip on power.

Even without Jiang Yanzhou's tip-off, the grain swap couldn't have remained hidden forever. However, historically, the issue was only discovered some time after the grain reached the disaster-stricken counties.

By revealing it now, not only could he give Xiao Yunlang an extra advantage, but if exposed directly in Shuntao County, it could also save the victims from some hardship.

In court struggles, it's always the common people who suffer.

Jiang Yanzhou knew that Xiao Yunlang truly cared for the common people.

He finished another cup of tea, lowered his gaze to the empty cup, and his voice softened. "This matter alone isn't enough to topple the Jiang family, but the Shangguan family won't escape. Without them, Chancellor Jiang won't be able to single-handedly oppose the proposal to abolish the Chancellorship and establish a Grand Secretariat. Your Highness will get what you want."

The Qi Dynasty's administrative structure underwent a series of reforms. Three years ago, Emperor Yonghe abolished the Secretariat and established the Six Ministries, temporarily retaining the position of Chancellor. Chancellor Jiang concurrently held the post of Minister of Revenue.

But as the Six Ministries operated and gradually stabilized, the Emperor grew increasingly dissatisfied with the Chancellor's concentrated power.

After Xiao Yunlang was appointed Crown Prince, he proposed abolishing the Chancellorship and establishing a Grand Secretariat to decentralize power.

This proposal struck a chord with the Emperor. Some aristocratic families long suppressed by the Jiang family also began to stir: the Grand Secretariat system would allow them to share a piece of the pie with the Jiang family—why not?

Thus, the aristocratic families split into two factions: the opposition led by the Jiang family and the supporters led by the Wei family.

Along with other court officials, they fought relentlessly.

Both sides employed various tactics, and countless wars of words had been waged.

Once the Shangguan family was out of the picture, the Grand Secretariat reform would become inevitable.

Although Chancellor Jiang would undoubtedly become the first Chief Grand Secretary, a crack would have been opened in the Jiang family's monopoly.

The information Jiang Yanzhou provided was no mere bluff. With one move, he struck at the vital spot, showing no mercy toward the Jiang family.

Outside the window, the thunder ceased abruptly, replaced by a swift downpour. Amid the dense sound of rain pelting the window lattice, Xiao Yunlang reassessed Jiang Yanzhou.

The Crown Prince genuinely detested the Jiang family. Previously, he had been either harshly critical or coldly dismissive, showing no courtesy.

But now, with the torrential rain pouring down and the continuous pattering sound, Xiao Yunlang's tone changed.

"Does Jiang Linque often discuss court affairs with you?" he asked.

Jiang Yanzhou shook his head, offering an excuse. "The Chancellor never discusses his work with me. I've just overheard quite a bit."

His fingers unconsciously rubbed the teacup, a little nervous since he was, after all, lying, and to Xiao Yunlang no less.

"Overheard quite a bit" implied he possessed other information as well. Jiang Yanzhou's significance instantly changed. He was no longer just a pawn to be manipulated but a key figure capable of influencing the situation.

Xiao Yunlang took a new cup and poured himself some tea.

After a moment of silence, he raised his cup toward Jiang Yanzhou from across the table. "If this proves true, the Eastern Palace will certainly have a place for Young Master Jiang. On behalf of the disaster victims in Northern Jiang, I thank you for your righteous act."

This meant that as long as the information was accurate, the deal stood, and Xiao Yunlang would grant Jiang Yanzhou a way out.

Jiang Yanzhou's focus, however, was on... Xiao Yunlang had praised him.

Emperor Wu of Qi was praising him!

He suddenly felt a bit embarrassed.

Moreover, Xiao Yunlang had changed his self-reference from "This Crown Prince" to "I."

In ancient times, royalty and nobility didn't constantly use titles like "This Crown Prince," "This Prince," or "This Palace" in daily speech. These were mostly reserved for formal occasions or when emphasizing status differences.

From the moment they met, Xiao Yunlang had liberally used "This Crown Prince" and "Young Master Jiang," making their status disparity perfectly clear.

Jiang Yanzhou tried hard to keep a straight face. No one could tell he was brimming with joy, though a glimmer of light shone in his eyes. When he raised his teacup in return, he secretly took a large sip.

Tea offered by Emperor Wu!

Xiao Yunlang had no idea of his little thoughts. "As for those two people who followed you from the Jiang residence, must you keep them?"

Jiang Yanzhou kept nodding. "The Jiang family wants me to send messages every month, and only those two know the method. If something happens to them, I'd have to go to the Jiang residence myself to find someone else."

"Your Highness, don't worry, I'll tell them I didn't find out a thing. Or, Your Highness could use them to feed some false information to Chancellor Jiang. It might come in handy someday."

He set his cup down decisively. "Fine, I'll return them to you. But they can only do cleaning in the courtyard. Disloyal people don't deserve close personal service. Feng Lan—"

A guard from the outer room entered when called. "Your Highness, Feng Lan is here."

"Go pour Young Master Jiang a cup of tea. From now on, you will attend to him."

Earlier, when Xiao Yunlang mentioned sending over five people for the courtyard, this one wasn't among them. Feng Lan was a personal bodyguard, his status and position clearly different.

Feng Lan stepped forward, dropped smoothly to one knee, poured tea for Jiang Yanzhou, and presented it with both hands. "Young Master, please have some tea."

The guard knelt too readily, the loud, heavy thud of his knee hitting the floor startling Jiang Yanzhou, a modern guy who'd never had anyone kneel to him before.

Xiao Yunlang said leisurely, "Feng Lan has good kung fu, is good at taking care of people, and can also handle things in your courtyard for you."

Feng Lan kept his head bowed, his hands perfectly steady.

Jiang Yanzhou took the tea, feeling uncomfortable. "You may rise."

Feng Lan obeyed and stood up, showing himself to be thoughtful and attentive. "The teapot is almost empty. Would you like a refill, Young Master?"

Jiang Yanzhou: Huh? Already finished?

A small teapot didn't hold much to begin with, but this tea was so expensive. Jiang Yanzhou instinctively looked at Xiao Yunlang.

In Xiao Yunlang's eyes, Jiang Yanzhou, for the sake of a pot of tea, was gazing at him with those sparkling, pleading eyes, looking utterly pitiful.

As if the person who ruthlessly betrayed the Jiang family wasn't the same one.

Xiao Yunlang: "...Refill it. Also, tell the small kitchen to make some tea snacks. Young Master Jiang, feel free to order whatever you'd like to eat."

Jiang Yanzhou straightened his posture: Snacks!

When Jiang Yanzhou read history, besides famous figures and major events, he also loved reading about folk customs and material culture, finding everything from ancient times fascinating.

Speaking of snacks, a text from the Qi Dynasty records that wealthy families, during grand festival banquets, always served two essential pastries:

Snow-Scented Plum Curd and Spring Water Delicacies.

Both recipes have been lost. In writings describing their taste, every word evokes a soft, sweet, and lingering flavor, making one's mouth water just imagining it.

Jiang Yanzhou also wanted to taste these famous ancient treats.

But it wasn't a festival or holiday now, no banquet was being held. He didn't know if they were available normally. If not, mentioning them would just be a bother.

He thought it over, then cautiously said, "Maple syrup pancakes, would that be okay?"

This was a common snack recorded in the Qi Dynasty's records of customs and products, so it should be fine, right?

Xiao Yunlang almost thought he misheard.

Confirming he hadn't, Xiao Yunlang gave Jiang Yanzhou another inscrutable look. "Yes."

Maple syrup pancakes, two copper coins each, sold everywhere on street corners and alleyways. They were filling and cheap, mostly bought by laborers for a quick, convenient bite when tired from work.

A sheltered young master from a prominent family, where would he have eaten such coarse pancakes?

Even the servants in the Jiang residence probably looked down on such food.

Jiang Yanzhou, completely unaware, thought he had passed the test and even breathed a sigh of relief, just waiting for the snacks.

Feng Lan took the teapot to the small kitchen to give the order. Xiao Yunlang also stood up. "Then rest well and recover. I have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave for now."

He walked around the screen to the outer room, where Liu Hexuan was sitting conspicuously.

Liu Hexuan followed Xiao Yunlang, and the two walked outside. Once the door closed behind them, they stood under the eaves where rainwater dripped, all expression fading from Xiao Yunlang's face.

"Heard everything clearly?"

Liu Hexuan nodded. "This Young Master Jiang... is not to be underestimated."

A sent spy might play hard to get, first using some information to gain the Crown Prince's trust, then secretly plotting for the Jiang family. Jiang Yanzhou's actions seemed like that tactic.

But then he revealed the information.

It concerned disaster relief, involving two prefectures. The Jiang family wouldn't use a method that severed their own arm as an exchange; the cost was too high.

It could only be Jiang Yanzhou genuinely and sincerely defecting to the Crown Prince.

But why?

After all, in the eyes of everyone at court, Xiao Yunlang had little future; he was just a blade the Emperor would discard after use.

In the eyes of the aristocratic families, he was still a rebellious, arrogant, and unruly figure.

For Jiang Yanzhou to bet on him was worse than betting on the Jiang family winning outright.

Xiao Yunlang tapped on his own sword hilt. "His understanding of court affairs comes from observing the Jiang residence. He couldn't possibly know my true capabilities, unless he could deduce my involvement just by looking at a series of events and unraveling the threads."

Liu Hexuan: "Then he would be a heaven-sent prodigy, and I would admit my inferiority."

Xiao Yunlang watched the broken strands of raindrops falling. The early spring rain was cold, a lone branch hard to stand. "Or perhaps he was truly heartbroken by being forced to marry a man and wants to completely sever ties with the Jiang residence."

That wasn't impossible either. The times might try to make people pawns, but people are alive, and hearts can change.

Jiang Yanzhou was a contradictory person. He looked noble and refined, yet sometimes didn't seem like a young master from an aristocratic family.

Yunwu Baiya Tea paired with maple syrup pancakes, and his personality so different from the rumors... everything about him was strange.

Liu Hexuan tucked his hands into his wide sleeves. "Our people are all arranged in the north. Now, with Young Master Jiang's information, Huaizhou..."

So that's how the historical disaster relief case was uncovered. The Crown Prince indeed had a backup plan. Since their people couldn't get into the grain transport team, they were placed in the north.

Xiao Yunlang flicked his finger against the sword hilt. "Commissioner Sui is handling affairs in Wuzhou, right? Calculating the time, he should be returning soon. I heard Shuntao County in Huaizhou has produced a rare stone the Emperor loves most. He should take a look on his way back to the capital."

"If this rare stone purchase succeeds," Xiao Yunlang said, "the next Assistant Prefect of the Imperial Guards will be him."

If they could catch the aristocratic families switching the goods in Shuntao County, it would be a great achievement.

Not using the Crown Prince's own subordinates was also for fear that Jiang Yanzhou might be deliberately giving information, and the Jiang family had set a trap in Shuntao County to frame the Crown Prince's residence. The Imperial Guards were more suitable.

Then they could also find out what Jiang Yanzhou was really up to.

Raindrops pattered down. Inside the room, the inscrutable Young Master Jiang burrowed into the quilt, pinched the corner, silently rolled over once, then rolled over again, and then...

The corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up into a faint, secret smile.

Of course, he knew Xiao Yunlang couldn't possibly trust him immediately.

After all, this was an emperor who had clawed his way to the throne through a pack of predators—how could he lack that level of caution?

So, for now, he didn't mention being poisoned.

He was ill yesterday, and a doctor must have been called. Since nothing was said, the physician likely hadn't detected it.

Xiao Yunlang hadn't yet built trust in him. If he were to learn now that Jiang Yanzhou was at the mercy of the Jiang family, it would only fuel suspicions within the Crown Prince's residence.

The matter of the poison could wait until Xiao Yunlang trusted him a bit more.

Once the situation in Jiangbei was settled, his situation in the Crown Prince's residence would get a lot better.

Jiang Yanzhou happily buried his face in the quilt, bundling himself up.

As he coiled into a ball, it belatedly occurred to him:

Chancellor Jiang had only said that skipping the monthly antidote would cause pain, but he never mentioned what would happen if he went without it long-term!

Would it... kill him?