Chapter 54 Nothing as Usual

Chapter 54: All is Not as Usual

It was a dark and windy night, already the dead of night. The vast palace walls were silent, broken only by the occasional birdcall.

At a small side gate of the palace, a figure stealthily slipped out from within and swiftly slipped into the shadows beneath a tree.

Then, this figure wove its way through a small grove.

On the other side of the grove, a small sedan chair was waiting for him.

Jiang Wang didn't think twice; he climbed right into the sedan chair that would take him to the Chang residence.

The bearers were equally cautious, avoiding the main roads and instead taking secluded paths directly to the back gate of the Chang mansion.

Chang Da was already waiting at the gate and led Jiang Wang to an opulent courtyard.

The rare flowers, plants, and intricate architecture in this courtyard made Jiang Wang's eyes go wide.

He had thought the Emperor's quarters were splendid, but the furnishings here were even more exquisite than those in the imperial palace. Was this the true strength of the Chang family?

Afterward, they passed through a long corridor and arrived at a flower room at its end, where Chang Wenji was admiring flowers.

Chang Da brought Jiang Wang there and silently withdrew, leaving the space to the two of them.

Hearing someone arrive, Chang Wenji did not turn around but continued tending to the flowers.

The thorn bells transported from Beixiang had grown inexplicably delicate after being planted in Zhaojing. Too much water made them wilt, and cold temperatures made them shrivel, completely losing the resilient vitality they had in Beixiang.

Nevertheless, Chang Wenji still adored them.

He loved the sight of small pink blossoms blooming amidst the thorns.

If a thorn pricked his finger while he was tending them and a drop of blood gradually stained the tiny flower red, it had a unique beauty.

Tonight, the thorn bells were about to bloom, and he wanted to be the first to see it.

Chang Wenji remained silent, and Jiang Wang stood quietly nearby, waiting.

After what felt like an age, Chang Wenji finally turned around.

"What brings you to see this old man?" He handed a small trowel to Jiang Wang. "Would Zi'an like to try?"

Jiang Wang reached out to take it but had no intention of actually using it, fearing he might accidentally damage some precious, unfamiliar flower. If that happened, not even his life would be enough to pay for it.

Before he could refuse, Chang Wenji casually tossed the trowel to the ground. It was clear he wasn't serious; he was just toying with him.

Jiang Wang felt no resentment toward Chang Wenji for treating him this way.

After all, he had come this time to express his loyalty and seek reconciliation with Chang Wenji.

Two days prior, he had asked Chang Da to relay a message to Chang Wenji, saying he had something to tell the Prime Minister. Thus, they arranged to meet late at night when few people were around.

Chang Wenji sat down and brewed two cups of tea.

Tender tea leaves swirled in the boiling water before settling peacefully at the bottom of the cups, giving the water a fresh, sweet taste.

Chang Wenji picked up a saucer and handed one cup to Jiang Wang.

Jiang Wang reached out to take it, but Chang Wenji held the saucer firmly, not letting go.

Jiang Wang looked up at Chang Wenji's expression. His lips curved slightly, wearing a faint smile.

However, the smile did not reach his eyes; instead, it carried a hint of disdain for Jiang Wang's presumption.

Jiang Wang glanced at the cup of tea before him. If he didn't accept it, he probably wouldn't get past Chang Wenji tonight—this was Chang Wenji deliberately making things difficult for him.

But if he took it, it was burning hot.

If he accidentally dropped the tea and shattered the cup, it might mean more trouble.

Given this, Jiang Wang dropped to his knees with a thud, sincerely apologizing to Chang Wenji.

"I beg the Prime Minister to show mercy. This humble official is willing to be your loyal servant."

Chang Wenji looked at the untouched teacup in his hand, then at the figure prostrate on the ground, and suddenly laughed.

"What does Zi'an mean by this? What talk of showing mercy?"

Jiang Wang inwardly scoffed. Over the past two days, he had carefully pondered the matter of the witchcraft accusation. Since he had no enemies in the court, if he were framed, it could only be Chang Wenji's doing.

Thus, Hu Xing was also one of Chang Wenji's subordinates.

In the court, Hu Xing had led the charge to slander him. When that failed, he had secretly infiltrated the Imperial Medical Bureau to assassinate him. In the end, the assassination attempt was unsuccessful, and Hu Xing died, his name ruined.

Hu Xing was ultimately convicted as the mastermind behind the witchcraft curse, but since he was already dead, he escaped any punishment.

Jiang Wang regained his innocence, but these past few days had not brought him peace of mind.

If Chang Wenji's first attempt to frame him failed, there would be a second. He wouldn't stop until Jiang Wang was dead.

The reason for framing him was simply that Chang Wenji thought him too useless, like his two deceased "predecessors." After eliminating him, Chang Wenji would install a more compliant replacement.

Given this, Jiang Wang's method to break the deadlock was simple.

He would seek out Chang Wenji to apologize, express his loyalty, and strive to become a useful person, thereby buying himself some breathing room.

"Previously, this humble official failed to appreciate the Prime Minister's favor and wasted your goodwill," Jiang Wang lowered his head even further. "I am willing to entrust my life and family to the Prime Minister and serve as your eyes beside the Emperor."

"Eyes? What use is a pair of blind eyes to this old man?"

The implication was: You've been undercover for so long without providing any useful information. Your tasks have been a complete mess, and you dare suggest being eyes?

"Witnessing Hu Xing's death has deeply shaken me. Since then, my ears have cleared, and my eyes have brightened."

Jiang Wang seized the opportunity to reaffirm his loyalty. He had personally seen Hu Xing die before his eyes, which shocked him into reflecting on himself. From now on, he would work diligently and earnestly, hoping the Prime Minister would give him another chance.

Chang Wenji pondered for a moment before reluctantly agreeing to Jiang Wang's request.

After all, Jiang Wang was young and inexperienced, making him easier to control. The death of a single person had already made him so anxious.

Moreover, he was still the Emperor's Favorite Minister, which meant more opportunities to obtain information.

Although his previous performance was lacking, he could be given another chance.

"If that is the case, Zi'an, rise."

The earlier kneel had been too forceful. Jiang Wang rose with a limp and stood respectfully before Chang Wenji.

He began to share the information he knew.

"I've learned that in ten days, His Majesty will go to Zhaoshan for a spring outing. I beg the Prime Minister to make plans early."

"Make plans? I am merely thinking of the emperor's well-being."

"Yes, I beg the Prime Minister to spare no effort for the sake of the people."

Jiang Wang felt he had laid on the flattery as thick as it could go—even Xiao Yan had never laid it on that thick.

Finally, Chang Wenji softened.

"Have a seat, Zi'an. Some tea?"

By now, the scalding tea had cooled to just the right warmth, its fragrance perfect—just right for drinking.

As luck would have it, the thornbell that Chang Wenji had long awaited also happened to bloom at this very moment.

Chang Wenji then detained Jiang Wang a while longer to enjoy the blooms with him. Later, Jiang Wang used the excuse of "can't be away too long or it'll look suspicious" to return to the palace.

Jiang Wang knew he was in.

That same sedan chair took him back along the narrow path to that small side gate.

The palace lanterns had already dimmed to a faint glow as the candles were nearly burnt out. Not daring to make a sound, Jiang Wang felt his way forward in the darkness, nearly tripping over a stone block at a corner because he couldn’t see the path clearly.

Finally reaching Biwu Hall, he sensed something unusual.

The palace lanterns here were oddly bright.

Warily, he stepped into the courtyard—everything seemed normal.

With continued caution, he stepped into the main hall—everything was... not as it should be.

He saw Xiao Yan.

Jiang Wang broke out in a cold sweat.

It scared the daylights out of him. Who would have thought that in the dead of night, the emperor wouldn’t be in Cangwu Hall but would instead be lying here!

Xiao Yan was reclining on a small couch, leisurely reading a book—and the title of the book happened to be *Records of Detecting Traitors in Zhaojing*.

Was he trying to send a message?

Jiang Wang was instantly furious. "Your Majesty, do you know the saying ‘You scared me half to death’?"

He had been slaving away putting on an act at Chang Wenji’s residence, while Xiao Yan had been comfortably putting on an act here, scaring him half to death. How could anyone stand it?

Indeed, he had agreed to cooperate with Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan was a decent guy, so aligning with the emperor was the right path. In contrast, Chang Wenji seemed to harbor ulterior motives.

His earlier declaration of loyalty to Chang Wenji was all an act for the latter’s benefit, aimed at gaining his trust.

As for the information he had just provided to Chang Wenji, it was the truth.

Xiao Yan really was going to Zhaoshan for a spring outing in ten days—the news just wasn't public yet.

By informing Chang Wenji in advance so he could make his move early, Jiang Wang’s goal was simply to test his reaction as soon as possible, allowing their side to prepare a timely response.

"I just wanted to wait for you, Minister Jiang."

Xiao Yan stood up and poured Jiang Wang a cup of tea that had been warming on a stove.

Seeing this tea, Jiang Wang was even more annoyed, especially since he'd almost been burned by the tea earlier at Chang Wenji’s place.

Although he had avoided the scalding by kneeling to declare his loyalty, he'd hit the floor too hard, and his knees were now aching.

Jiang Wang rubbed his bruised knees and limped past the cup of tea, intending to go to sleep.

"Your Majesty is welcome to stay, but I need to rest."

"Wait a moment," Xiao Yan said, noticing Jiang Wang take a jar of ointment from a small box beside the couch. "Let me rub it for you."

Jiang Wang glanced over and was surprised to find that the small box contained not just this one jar of medicine, but many others as well.

For instance, there were medicines for bruises and sprains, for knife wounds, for burns, for detoxification—all kinds of medicines were there.

Xiao Yan had prepared these specifically for Jiang Wang, just in case of injury.

But that was far from all. Ling Hai had also been following Jiang Wang all along.

Previously, he had been tasked with monitoring Jiang Wang, but from now on, his job was now protection.

He was to ensure Jiang Wang’s safety.

This was the mission Xiao Yan had assigned him.

Moreover, this mission took precedence over all others, holding the highest priority.

Jiang Wang had always been the type to yield to kindness rather than coercion.

Seeing Xiao Yan like this, he actually felt a bit sheepish.

"Y-Your Majesty, it’s nothing serious. I can handle it myself. You should go and rest as well."

Jiang Wang took the ointment from Xiao Yan’s hand, entered the inner chamber, and sat on his own bed.

He didn’t apply it immediately. Instead, he stared blankly at the ointment in his hand.

He felt that ever since he and Xiao Yan had reached an agreement, Xiao Yan had been acting a bit unusual.

In the past, Xiao Yan had always been rather frivolous. Now, he was behaving normally in front of Jiang Wang and showing him such care and concern—Jiang Wang really wasn’t quite used to it.

And now, this jar of ointment in his hand still carried a slight warmth—the warmth from Xiao Yan’s palm.

Jiang Wang felt his own palm grow warm, and his face grew hot.

Author’s Note:

From this point on, Xiao Yan’s faction gains a formidable general! Applause.