Chapter 34 Not Into Women

Chapter 34: Doesn't Like Women

The atmosphere inside Chonghe Hall was as solemn and still as a carved stone stele.

Everyone kept their heads bowed low, not daring to move a muscle except for their faint breathing, standing as stiff as wooden posts.

Only Jiang Wang, using his vantage point behind a thick coiling dragon pillar, stood there with his mouth agape in disbelief.

He stood there, dumbfounded, for what felt like ages, the ink from his brush already dripping down and leaving a large, spreading ink blot on the daily record book.

This… this…

What had he just heard?!

Li Zhicai admitted to accepting bribes to let the assassin in and even confessed to being the one who poisoned the assassin in prison—but he claimed he had done it all under Cen Maoshi’s orders.

Could this be true? The nerve!

Jiang Wang began to doubt whether his mind was still stuck in a daze; otherwise, how could he be hearing such things?

Weren’t Li Zhicai and Cen Maoshi widely known as master and disciple?

Just a couple of days ago, they were as close as father and son, and now they were turning on each other?

This turnaround was way too sudden…

Moreover, right under the emperor’s nose, Li Zhicai was actually the one who poisoned the assassin in prison?

He was just a minor eunuch—where did he get such nerve!

But if Cen Maoshi was behind it, then it made sense.

Having served in the palace for so many years, he must have long mastered the skill of being two-faced. Now, it seemed, he'd finally been caught.

Come to think of it, his intuition had been quite accurate. He had never had any good feelings about Cen Maoshi, even though the latter always smiled at him. Jiang Wang had always sensed that Cen Maoshi had ulterior motives toward him.

Now that Cen Maoshi had been caught, it resolved this lingering unease.

If this scourge could be eliminated, Xiao Yan would have done a great service.

Xiao Yan?

Right, Xiao Yan.

Jiang Wang had been so engrossed in the drama that he almost forgot the one who got hurt in all this.

After all, Xiao Yan had been stabbed and was laid up in bed for several days.

He stole a glance at Xiao Yan on the dragon throne and, sure enough, the latter’s face was as dark as charcoal. Not only was his expression unreadable, but the cold vibe he was giving off made Jiang Wang shiver.

To think that someone serving so closely by his side was of such character—maybe the initial rage had passed, giving way to action, as Xiao Yan suddenly moved.

He picked up a porcelain ornament from beside him and flung it down, striking Cen Maoshi squarely on the forehead.

As the ornament rolled to the ground with a crisp shattering sound, blood welled from Cen Maoshi's brow, instantly staining a large area red.

But Cen Maoshi paid no mind to the wound on his head; he merely kowtowed frantically.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this old servant is wronged! It was all Li Zhicai—he wants to frame me!” Cen Maoshi cried, tears streaming down his face. “This old servant has worked diligently and devotedly for the Great Jing Dynasty, never committing such acts!”

Hmph, still putting on an act.

Fang Fengshi sneered inwardly but outwardly offered an ingratiating smile. “Your Majesty, do not listen to his nonsense. Your subject has investigated everything clearly!”

Seemingly fawning as he sought credit from Xiao Yan, he actually presented the evidence. He showed it not only to Cen Maoshi but also to all the ministers present.

Ensuring that Cen Maoshi would never have a chance to rise again.

Fang Fengshi called out loudly toward the hall’s entrance, “Bring her in.”

The next moment, a plainly dressed but shapely woman was led into the hall.

She wore a veil with tassels covering half her face, revealing only her eyes.

Others might not recognize her, but Li Zhicai did.

She was the dancer who had entered the palace some time ago hoping to perform for the emperor. But at the eleventh hour, just before her turn, Cen Maoshi had stopped her.

Having spent her entire savings—a hundred taels of silver—she had hoped to showcase her talents, only to be unceremoniously expelled from the palace. Who could swallow such an injustice!

She didn’t even wait for Fang Fengshi to introduce her before launching into her story, her eyes red and tears flowing, she was clearly beside herself.

After she had cried out most of her grievances and her emotions had slightly stabilized, Fang Fengshi finally spoke.

“Lady Mudan, everyone understands your grievances, but you must also leave some room for His Majesty to speak, mustn’t you?”

Only then did Mudan realize she had gotten carried away. She quickly fell silent and retreated to the side, anxiously awaiting the emperor’s words.

Hearing this pleasing voice, Jiang Wang peeked out from behind the pillar for a better look.

Lady Mudan was truly beautiful. Even in coarse hemp clothing, her charm was evident. If she were dressed in splendid dance attire, wouldn’t she shine even brighter? Perhaps she might even have gotten some favor.

Jiang Wang glanced once, then again.

Lady Mudan’s appearance was just his type. It was a pity he didn't like women.

Come to think of it, he had discovered his sexual orientation during a banquet before he crossed over.

In the banquet hall, all sorts of women flitted across the dance floor, but he couldn't have cared less.

He had only spared a few extra glances for a young, rising male celebrity—that gentle, soft appearance had stirred a protective urge in him.

But the next moment, he witnessed the “gentle little white rabbit” engaging in the vulgar act of taking upskirt photos of women, and he was instantly turned off.

Though the inner flutter had lasted only five minutes, it made Jiang Wang realize:

He liked men, and in the future, he would probably be a top.

Returning to the present, Lady Mudan’s sobbing story still echoed in his mind.

In truth, Lady Mudan hadn’t done anything wrong. She had merely wanted to take a gamble, to see if she could seize an opportunity to secure a lifetime of stability.

Unfortunately, Cen Maoshi had ruined it.

Who didn’t have ambitions? To be honest, he rather admired ambitious people.

Those with plans and the resolve to see them through.

Jiang Wang leaned out, intending to take another look.

Just then, a voice tinged with coldness came from beside him.

"Minister Jiang, did you record today's events?"

"Y-Your Majesty, I have recorded it all."

Jiang Wang replied with a respectful bow, but he clutched the daily record book tightly against his chest.

He didn't dare show the book to Xiao Yan at all, because aside from a large ink stain, there was nothing else on its pages.

However, Xiao Yan did not pursue the matter too much. He seemed to have called Jiang Wang just to reel his wandering mind back in.

Then he glanced at Peony before shifting his gaze to Cen Maoshi, the man kneeling on the ground without a trace of remorse on his face.

Even with a witness testifying against him, he was still struggling desperately, truly refusing to admit defeat until faced with utter ruin.

Xiao Yan looked at Fang Fengshi with impatience and displeasure, and the latter instantly understood his meaning.

Fang Fengshi said ingratiatingly: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I still have evidence."

No sooner had he spoken than he took out a packet of white powder from his chest. After unwrapping it and showing it to everyone, he pried open Cen Maoshi's mouth and stuffed it in by force.

Before Cen Maoshi could even see clearly what it was, it was already shoved into his mouth.

Of course, he tightly closed his mouth, intending to resist. But after so many years of luxury in the court, his strength was no match for Fang Fengshi's. With just a bit of effort from Fang Fengshi, he obediently opened his mouth.

The saliva in his mouth gradually dissolved the powder, and its taste became apparent.

It was the taste of licorice.

A strange flicker crossed Cen Maoshi's expression.

And now, Fang Fengshi, standing before him, had somehow produced a pot of tea.

Fang Fengshi rolled up his sleeves, clearly preparing for a major effort, and his intent was plain to see: to pour this pot of tea into Cen Maoshi's mouth.

At this moment, Cen Maoshi was no longer as composed as before.

He began to cough, to retch, to spit, to exert all his strength to expel every bit of that white powder from his mouth.

For every step Fang Fengshi took forward, he took a step back, even beginning to run wildly around the hall, disregarding all dignity.

But two rows of imperial guards had already taken their positions, isolating him from everyone else. Apart from the cold armor, Cen Maoshi could touch nothing else, and he could not leave the Chonghe Hall.

Finally, Cen Maoshi was forced into a corner with nowhere left to retreat.

He could only watch helplessly as Fang Fengshi drew closer and closer.

Fang Fengshi's eerie smile and the pot of tea in his hand seemed exceptionally terrifying.

Finally, when Fang Fengshi was just one step away from Cen Maoshi, Cen Maoshi's psychological defenses shattered. He broke down and shouted.

"I confess! I confess to everything!"

He knelt prostrate on the ground. His luxurious clothes had already been torn to shreds during his frantic running, his headdress was lost who-knows-where, and his hair was completely disheveled, falling over his shoulders.

He was in an utterly wretched state.

He knew that if he were forced to drink that tea, it would mix with the portion of licorice powder he hadn't yet managed to spit out. Soon after, he would die in agony, his whole body convulsing in pain.

He knew Fang Fengshi had already discovered his attempt to silence the witness. This was ironclad evidence, a mountain of proof. He couldn't escape.

At the same time, he also knew he wouldn't live.

The cup of tea he hadn't drunk in the prison cell might have already been a test. And now, having made a complete spectacle of himself before all the distinguished ministers in the capital, he had no face left to live on.

But even in death, he wanted to die with dignity.

The prospect of dying from poison, convulsing all over, was still too painful. He couldn't accept it.

A moment later, Cen Maoshi's frenzied mind seemed to regain some clarity. He composed himself again, straightened his clothes, and smoothed his hair, as if trying to maintain the last shred of dignity befitting the Chief Eunuch.

It was only then that Xiao Yan spoke for the third time that night.

Deciding the fate of those two men.

"Enough. Take both of them away and imprison them in the dungeons."

"Cen Maoshi, holding a key position yet consumed by greed, engaging in fraud and corruption for personal gain. The evidence is clear, the crimes are proven. According to the laws of the Great Jing Dynasty, he is to be publicly executed in the marketplace in three days!"

"Li Zhicai, following his master in wrongdoing but whose crimes do not warrant death, is hereby specially exempted from the death penalty. He is sentenced to exile three thousand li, to be banished to the frontier."

Cen Maoshi was dragged away in a daze, showing no reaction. Rather than dazed, it was more like his heart had died.

But those who commit many wrongs will inevitably bring ruin upon themselves. He deserved it.

Li Zhicai, however, kowtowed gratefully, tears of gratitude streaming down his face. No matter what, being able to keep his life was ultimately a good thing.

The two villains had met their respective fates. It was truly satisfying. Jiang Wang almost wanted to clap and cheer!

He looked at Xiao Yan and Fang Fengshi and couldn't help but feel these two were just too lucky.

Although both were playboys, and interrogating a prisoner had turned the hall into a complete mess, they had somehow managed, through sheer coincidence and almost as if playing around, to eliminate two malignant tumors.

Truly worthy of being the emperor! Is the blessing of good fortune really this obvious?!

Jiang Wang felt a whole chain of envy and jealousy. He really wanted to siphon off some of Xiao Yan's good luck.

Maybe then the speed of completing his tasks would be faster. Maybe then he could return to the modern era.

With the farce over, a heavy drowsiness washed over him. Jiang Wang looked out the window; the faint glow of dawn was already appearing on the horizon.

He yawned, waiting for Xiao Yan to announce the imperial decree allowing them to retire from court. After all, if they waited any longer, the sky would be fully bright.

But even after the imperial guards had cleaned up the bloodstains and the mess in the hall, and several elderly ministers were so tired they could barely straighten their backs, Xiao Yan showed no such intention.

Instead, he swept his gaze over the assembled ministers in the grand hall and slowly uttered a sentence.

"Minister Zhong, what progress have you made in investigating the case of the fire at the residence of the Minister of Revenue, Zhang Songyun?"

Author's Note:

Xiao Yan: Feigning madness and selling foolishness, diligently acting, uprooting malignant tumors.

Jiang Wang: He's so lucky.

Xiao Yan: