Chapter 35 Rumors

Chapter 35: Rumors

As the farce came to an end, everyone's nerves gradually relaxed, and they breathed a sigh of relief.

But now, at Xiao Yan's words, everyone once again held their breath and became apprehensive.

The fire at the residence of Minister of Revenue Zhang Songyun was of particular importance to Xiao Yan. He had even dispatched the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review to investigate during the Yuanzheng holiday, which clearly demonstrated the significance of this matter.

The blaze was severe and widespread. Although the affected residents had been provided with temporary shelter, complaints were still widespread.

The common people were already dissatisfied with Xiao Yan, and this incident further damaged his reputation. It was no wonder he was so anxious this time.

They hoped Zhong He could produce a result that satisfied Xiao Yan; otherwise, who knew if this willful and reckless emperor would fly into another rage and implicate them.

Zhong He stepped forth from the crowd, bowed respectfully, and answered Xiao Yan's question with calm assurance.

"Your Majesty, I have already investigated and obtained results. I did not anticipate this urgent summons and did not bring the memorial. I intended to report to you tomorrow."

Xiao Yan was not bothered by this. "In that case, speak now."

"Yes, Your Majesty. The fire at Minister Zhang's residence was undoubtedly an accident," Zhong He explained. "The fire started in the kitchen. A cook's careless handling caused an oil fire, which quickly engulfed the entire kitchen. The flames then gradually spread. Because the fire brigade arrived late, the blaze eventually consumed the entire estate."

Xiao Yan was clearly unconvinced. He snorted lightly. "An oil fire? Why would they be cooking in the middle of the night? Bring this cook here. I want to question him."

"Your Majesty, it was New Year's Eve, and they were observing the vigil. This might explain why the Zhang household was cooking late. As for that cook..." Zhong He paused for a few seconds. "He perished in the fire."

Dead? Another case with no living witness?

Zhang Songyun had just been appointed Minister and died in this fire. Now, the person who allegedly started the fire was also dead?

Was this merely a coincidence, or was that unseen hand exerting its influence from the shadows once more?

Xiao Yan did not believe so many coincidences could occur in a single event.

He frowned impatiently, clearly displeased with this outcome.

Many ministers who had been closely watching Xiao Yan's demeanor saw this expression and knew trouble was brewing again.

This was a precursor to the emperor's wrath.

Sure enough, an inkstone was thrown down from above the next moment.

The inkstone shattered into pieces upon hitting the hard floor tiles, fragments scattering everywhere.

Fortunately, it didn't hit anyone. Jiang Wang glanced at Zhong He, who remained standing straight below without flinching, and breathed a sigh of relief.

His Brother Zhong was such a gentle, refined, and noble gentleman. Even treated like this by Xiao Yan, his emotions remained remarkably stable.

In contrast, Xiao Yan's unpredictable temper was truly baffling.

Xiao Yan got angry on a whim, frequently throwing things. He had already destroyed so many treasures; Jiang Wang felt a pang of heartache just thinking about it.

He even fantasized about whether he could take one or two pieces back to the modern era as keepsakes when he returned.

At this rate, before he could return, Xiao Yan might smash all these fine things.

A trace of regret appeared on Jiang Wang's face, which was unexpectedly noticed by Xiao Yan.

The latter raised an eyebrow and called Jiang Wang's name. "Does Minister Jiang have something to say?"

The earlier object-throwing had startled him, and now being called upon left him completely unprepared.

Jiang Wang jolted and stammered, "I... I have something to say."

Actually, he didn't originally have anything particular to say. But since he was called upon and given the chance to speak, he couldn't very well say he was just feeling sorry for those treasures.

Gritting his teeth and steeling himself, he decided to seize this opportunity to do a good deed.

He would plead for Zhong He.

When Cen Maoshi was hit, it was because he truly deserved it. Villains should receive such punishment.

But Zhong He was different from Cen Maoshi. As Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Zhong He was upright and honest. He hadn't even rested during the Yuanzheng holiday, diligently investigating the case. For him to be scolded like this was simply unjust.

Moreover, in Jiang Wang's heart, he still couldn't let go of Eunuch Wu's death.

The first warmth he encountered upon entering the palace was given to him by Eunuch Wu.

Eunuch Wu was not old, spoke softly and gently, and loved to smile. On the day Jiang Wang got the big bump on his head, it was Eunuch Wu who patiently answered his questions. He remained grateful to this day.

Unfortunately, Eunuch Wu made a mistake in the end, failing to safeguard the belongings of Xiao Yan's late brother, whom the emperor cherished most. He was punished and didn't survive, his life forever ending that day.

When Xiao Yan was angry, he was capable of anything. Jiang Wang looked at Zhong He standing in the hall and didn't want him to meet the same fate as Eunuch Wu.

But then again, Xiao Yan was currently furious. If Jiang Wang spoke directly in Zhong He's defense, Zhong He might be fine, but he himself would likely be in trouble.

Wanting to help someone was good, but he couldn't afford to get himself implicated because of it.

The most direct and effective method now was to divert Xiao Yan's attention.

If he could shift Xiao Yan's focus elsewhere, Zhong He would naturally be safe, and he himself would avoid being affected.

Jiang Wang cleared his throat and said, "I recall that on the night of the fire, I heard sounds of an argument coming from Minister Zhang's residence. I wonder if this clue is related to the fire."

Of course, this wasn't something he made up. He truly had heard the sounds of an argument from next door that night.

It was before he got drunk and fell asleep that night. He heard some rustling sounds in the courtyard. He went to check and happened to hear deliberately hushed, arguing voices coming from next door.

It was cold and windy that night. Stepping out of the room, he was thoroughly chilled by the wind; it felt like the cold seeped into his very bones.

He made a quick round in the courtyard, hastily attributing the rustling sounds to rats, and hurried back inside.

At that time, he didn't know that just on the other side of the wall was the bustling residence of a Minister.

As for the argument, he only recalled it by chance a couple of days ago when his mental state was unstable.

Jiang Wang looked up at Xiao Yan, anticipating his reaction.

Sure enough, Xiao Yan seemed extremely interested in this piece of information he provided.

He immediately ordered Zhong He to investigate further until the cause was fully determined.

Zhong He accepted the order and turned to leave. Xiao Yan then simply dismissed the Imperial Council and left directly.

Of course, before leaving, he left a statement.

There would be no morning court session tomorrow.

According to general rules, with the Yuanzheng holiday over, normal court sessions should resume tomorrow.

Not only was the morning court supposed to be held as usual, but since it was the beginning of the new year, tomorrow's assembly was to be even larger, with more elaborate rituals.

Yet Xiao Yan's single remark tonight—"no morning court"—wasn't that flouting the rules passed down by their ancestors.

However, in today's circumstances, this didn't cause much grumbling among the ministers.

Only a few officials wanted to voice their objections, but they were quickly hushed by those beside them.

Because today's sudden Imperial Council, or should I say, this farce, had nearly drained them of all energy.

Summoned here in the dead of night, they had now been standing for over four hours until the sky began to lighten. They simply couldn't stand anymore.

If the morning court were to proceed as usual, they would likely have to rush home to change clothes, not even have time to eat, and hurry back—yet they lacked the strength for even one more step.

If they attended the morning court in this state, the hall would likely be filled with officials dozing off. In that case, it wouldn't be Xiao Yan showing disrespect to their ancestors, but them instead.

Forget it, forget it. If the Emperor doesn't want to hold court, so be it.

After all, he had already done plenty of absurd things—what harm would one more do?

The ministers wordlessly remained silent, with weary expressions as they each headed home.

Jiang Wang yawned, tears welling up in his eyes, and also planned to return for some much-needed sleep.

Just as he was about to reach the door, however, he was stopped by Chang Wenji.

In that instant, the radar in Jiang Wang's mind started beeping, and his drowsiness vanished completely.

Though he had been through a lot, this period had been quite eventful, so much so he'd forgotten his "undercover" identity entirely.

Moreover, after moving into the palace, Chang Da had no opportunity to pressure him, so he had pushed the matter to the back of his mind.

Now, with Chang Wenji appearing before him in person, was it because he was thought to be too useless to provide any valuable information and they wanted to get rid of him...?

Jiang Wang recalled the two predecessors in this position who had disappeared. Had they gone through this same process?

He looked at Chang Wenji a bit panicked, momentarily at a loss for words, even forgetting the proper etiquette between a subordinate and a superior in officialdom.

However, Chang Wenji didn't seem to mind. Instead, he kindly inquired about Jiang Wang's wound.

"Zi'an, how has your wound been healing lately?"

Zi'an? Who was Zi'an?

Jiang Wang frowned slightly, his mind racing to recall the figure named "Zi'an," only to realize... it was himself.

He remembered a line from the system's initial information about his original body:

"Jiang Wang, courtesy name Zi'an."

He quickly replied, "Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency. My wound has almost fully healed."

"That's good to hear," Chang Wenji said with a smile. "It must be that the Emperor gave you the best medicine for the wound to heal so quickly."

"Yes, I must also thank His Majesty for his care."

He made sure to thank Xiao Yan as well, hoping it might get back to him someday and earn him another round of rewards.

At that moment, several ministers who had been standing beside Chang Wenji also chimed in.

They looked animated, their faces carrying a hint of gossip.

"It's said that Lord Jiang is the emperor's favorite official. Now it seems those words are indeed true. Lord Jiang's future prospects are limitless."

Hold on?

The emperor's favorite? Who? Him?

He didn't feel that way at all...

If he were truly favored, would he have almost died last time?

Although there had been such rumors before, he hadn't paid them much mind, thinking they would naturally fade over time.

But now it seemed these rumors hadn't died down. Instead, they had taken root in everyone's hearts!

"Um... everyone," Jiang Wang hesitated before speaking, "would it be convenient to tell me where you heard this?"

Upon hearing this, the ministers' expressions turned somewhat awkward.

"Never mind, if it's inconvenient, let's drop it."

He didn't want to force anyone. At most, he could investigate it himself.

"It's not exactly inconvenient," one of the ministers spoke up. "It's just that the person was... Chief Steward Cen."

What?

Cen Maoshi?!

In such a short time, this name had appeared again, but Jiang Wang now felt differently about it.

Previously, it had been a deep-seated resentment that made his teeth itch with disgust. Now, it was a sense of relief, as if everything had finally been explained.

Cen Maoshi's strange behavior in the past now seemed to have a reasonable explanation.

For instance, why he had always been so enthusiastic toward Jiang Wang, and why he always wore a smiling expression—it turned out he had such intentions.

By making everyone believe Jiang Wang was Xiao Yan's favorite official, he could curry favor and, in turn, reap some benefits.

Jiang Wang hurriedly debunked the rumor: "Everyone, the matter of being 'most favored' is merely a rumor. Please do not take it seriously."

One of the ministers seemed somewhat puzzled and asked, "Lord Jiang, is it also a rumor that after your residence was damaged, His Majesty brought you to live in the palace?"

"Um, that part is true."

"And that you were specially permitted to keep a cat in the palace, with daily meals delivered to you—is that also a rumor?"

"Um, that's true too."

"And that a royal physician was specially dispatched to treat you—is that also a rumor?"

"Um, that's also true..."

Huh? Why is everything true?

And why are all his colleagues looking at him so strangely, each with an "I understand" expression?

Even Chang Wenji looked at him with a hint of approval, as if to say, "Keep up this state. Gaining Xiao Yan's trust will greatly benefit the undercover mission."

But things really aren't what they think!

Why can't he explain it clearly!

Author's Note:

Eunuch Wu: Thank you for your concern, Young Master Jiang, but I'm not dead. I'm alive and well, currently carrying out a secret mission.