Chapter 64 Still Shaken

Chapter 64: Still Rattled

In a location unknown, the air hung thick and hazy, pierced only by faint, phosphorescent glows drifting through the fog-laden atmosphere.

Upon closer inspection, those glows twisted and danced midair.

One glow plummeted sharply, piercing straight through a translucent virtual screen.

Beside the screen stood two humanoid figures outlined in shimmering blue data code, observing silently.

A paler figure suddenly thrust out a hand, pointing at the screen and shouting, “Boss—Jiang Wang is dreaming! And he’s dreaming about the Transmigration Administration!”

His startled cry sent ripples shivering across the screen.

The darker figure beside him stepped back with quiet disdain—calm, composed, as if such sudden disruptions were routine.

“Agent 165, don’t panic. Next time something like this happens, just let the dream… collapse.”

The deep voice that replied carried an uncanny familiarity.

It was 001.

Just as Jiang Wang reached for the top of the spiraling staircase—their destination—the dark figure flicked his wrist.

The stone-and-brick staircase beneath Jiang Wang’s feet shattered instantly.

His next step met only empty air—and he plunged downward, uncontrolled.

He fell backward, watching the world rush upward in a blur.

Wind roared in his ears. He flailed desperately, grasping at nothing—only air slipping through his fingers.

It was an endless abyss.

Yet as Jiang Wang continued falling, the dark figure raised his arm once more.

Everything in that space froze—suspended midair.

The dream ended.

Jiang Wang’s eyes snapped open in terror, his chest heaving.

His dazed gaze slowly sharpened. The dim carriage light confirmed reality—he was no longer trapped in that dream.

A faint warmth lingered in his palm. He looked down—his hand tightly gripping Xiao Yan’s.

A real, living person sat before him, offering the smallest sliver of comfort. He had escaped that cold, mechanical world.

Moments earlier, he’d been disoriented—uncertain where he truly was.

Thankfully, Xiao Yan was there.

Like a small, frightened creature, he instinctively leaned closer, seeking warmth.

But before his heart could settle, Xiao Yan’s words hurled him straight back into the crumbling ruins of that dream.

Xiao Yan’s tone was unlike his usual self—low, measured, edged with quiet danger.

“Minister Jiang—what is this ‘Administration’?”

*Administration?*

How could Xiao Yan possibly know about the Administration?!

Alarm blared in Jiang Wang’s mind—immediate, visceral.

Had he spoken in his sleep? Had he accidentally revealed it?!

He couldn’t let Xiao Yan suspect he didn’t belong here—that he was a transmigrator.

He couldn’t tell which was the truer nightmare—the one he’d just endured, or the one unfolding before him now.

“Uh… it’s…”

Jiang Wang stammered, utterly at a loss.

“Hmm?”

Xiao Yan leaned forward, deliberately closing the distance between them—filling the space with palpable tension.

“Your Majesty,” Jiang Wang said, inspiration flashing, “the ‘Administration’ refers to the ‘Market Supervision Office.’ This subject believes vendors outside the palace gate have encroached onto the road, causing traffic jams for carriages and horses. It’s extremely inconvenient every time this subject leaves the palace—it requires proper management.”

Coincidentally, it was dinner hour—the peak of congestion.

Their carriage happened to be on that very street outside the palace gate.

The moment Jiang Wang finished speaking, the carriage jolted violently. Lanterns swung wildly; tea spilled from the low table.

Worse—the driver who’d collided with them offered no apology—only curses.

“Are you moving or not? If you’re going, hurry up! Don’t block the way! Can’t get through—do you hear me?!”

They were already close. Unsteady from the impact, Jiang Wang tumbled headlong into Xiao Yan’s arms.

His explanation now seemingly validated, Jiang Wang pulled himself from panic and regained his composure.

He blinked innocently at Xiao Yan, wearing an expression that said, *See? I told you so.*

Xiao Yan studied him for a long moment—then finally let out a soft, quiet chuckle.

“Let’s go. Into the palace.”

Upon reaching Biwu Hall, Jiang Wang didn’t linger in the carriage for a second. He snatched up Xiao Hei and dashed inside, heart only settling once he’d locked himself safely in his room.

Xiao Yan—who’d wanted to say something more—could only watch helplessly as Jiang Wang fled.

He really *did* run fast.

Returning to Cangwu Hall, Xiao Yan should have bathed and changed first, washing away the dust of travel—but he ignored all that and went straight to the secret chamber.

He walked directly to the hidden compartment behind the cabinet and retrieved the exquisitely crafted, unnaturally perfect silver butterfly hairpin.

Beneath the bright candlelight, he held it again, turning it slowly, silently, in his hands.

Today, he’d uncovered yet another peculiarity about Jiang Wang.

He pulled out a sheet of paper—and wrote three characters: *Administration.*

The bold and vigorous calligraphy stood out starkly against the rice-yellow paper, the still-wet ink glistening under the candlelight.

Xiao Yan was certain he hadn't misheard, and Jiang Wang's flustered look confirmed that the so-called "Market Supervision Department" didn't mean what the words implied.

What exactly was Jiang Wang hiding?

He cared about money but didn't side with Chang Wenji; he had compassion for the common people, yet he didn't get too involved in major state affairs.

Jiang Wang was different from all the people he had encountered.

This strange sense of mystery continually drew him to learn more about Jiang Wang.

No matter. He had plenty of time.

＊

Inside the Biwu Pavilion, Jiang Wang had already tidied everything up. Now, wearing only a thin inner garment, he lay leisurely on the bed, watching the "friendly interaction" between the cat and the dog.

Toward the new companion, Big Orange showed neither enthusiasm nor rejection, maintaining its usual aloofness, paying the puppy little mind.

Xiao Hei, however, was much more proactive.

It first circled Big Orange a few times, seemingly sizing up the cat. Seeing no reaction, it moved closer.

Not only did it start sniffing, but it even tried to play with the cat's tail with its paw.

Of course, the moment its paw reached out, the formerly lazy Big Orange extended a cat's paw, accurately planting it on Xiao Hei's head.

Then, it glanced nonchalantly at Jiang Wang, and Jiang Wang sensed a look of disdain and contempt in the cat's eyes.

That gaze seemed to say, "Did you bring this silly thing in?"

Looking at the scene of the cat and dog together now, Xiao Hei indeed didn't look too bright, but it wasn't exactly a 'silly thing,' was it?

Jiang Wang looked again. Well, it did seem a bit like it.

Xiao Hei's ears, one standing up and one flopped down, really did make it seem a bit dim.

He couldn't believe it; he actually felt a sense of defeat from a cat!

However, remembering that Big Orange had once saved his life, he got up, picked up Xiao Hei, and placed it in the newly built little den in the courtyard.

Afterwards, Big Orange also, in a rare move, jumped onto his bed and lay down beside his pillow, starting to snore softly.

The events of the Spring Inspection were resolved, the truth uncovered, and the villains had received their due punishment.

What mattered was that he was back in the embrace of this warm, thick quilt.

Although the tents at the Zhaoshan camp had everything, they ultimately couldn't compare to the comfort of the palace.

Jiang Wang hadn't been lying down for long before he quickly fell into a deep sleep.

When he woke up the next day, he actually ached all over.

He looked at Big Orange, still sound asleep beside him, half-suspecting that this big, fat cat might have been dancing on him during the night. But he couldn't have slept through that.

In the end, he blamed it on the sudden increase in physical activity during the recent Spring Inspection. Having abruptly rested, his body hadn't adjusted yet.

It was like someone who never exercises suddenly running a kilometer in one go.

Jiang Wang dressed in his court robes and walked towards the Hall of Diligent Governance, rubbing his sore shoulders.

It was time for court today.

On the way, he encountered many court officials. However, all the ministers were walking hurriedly, looking tense, gathering in small groups, whispering with their heads bowed.

Only Jiang Wang stood there with a clueless look, appearing like a complete fool.

What on earth had happened? Why hadn't he heard any news?

But of course, this wasn't Jiang Wang's fault. The news that Beixiang intended to send troops against the Great Jing Dynasty had only reached Zhaojing in the dead of night, by which time he was already fast asleep.

The courier on horseback had traveled eight hundred li at top speed, running several horses to death to deliver the message.

As soon as it entered Zhaojing, well-informed ministers learned of the matter. Due to the shocking nature of the news, it spread uncontrollably even at night.

Jiang Wang's relationships with the court officials weren't yet close enough to confide in, and moreover, he lived within the palace, so of course, he didn't know what was happening.

Not far away, Zhong He was walking gracefully towards him.

"Good morning, Brother Jiang. We're heading the same way; let's walk together."

Jiang Wang nodded. He was just worried about not knowing what was going on, so asking Zhong He was perfect.

After a brief whispered exchange, Jiang Wang's eyes widened.

"Send troops?!"

Although he hadn't been here for long, he clearly remembered that Beixiang had only been thoroughly intimidated by Old General Fang a few years ago.

That war had also promoted peace along the border.

How could they be preparing to send troops again in such a short time?

Under Xiao Yan's rule, the Great Jing Dynasty, while not exactly thriving, had at least maintained the late emperor's level of national power.

Previously, he hadn't understood well, but after discovering Xiao Yan's "true nature," he observed carefully.

Although Xiao Yan had gained a reputation as an "unreliable emperor" among the people, it was merely a reputation. In terms of national strength, there had been no decline.

The Great Jing was not a warlike state, but if someone was bullying them at their doorstep, they still had the capacity to fight another battle.

On the contrary, Beixiang had experienced continuous internal struggles for royal power in recent years, with widespread public resentment and discontent.

The quality of goods exchanged with the Great Jing Dynasty, such as horses and cloth, had deteriorated significantly, presenting an image of declining national strength.

What gave them the confidence to act like this?

Seeing Jiang Wang's angry expression, Zhong He reassured him, "Brother Jiang, there's no need to worry. His Majesty surely has a strategy to deal with this."

That was true.

Xiao Yan was so clever; he should know what to do.

Moreover, at present, this news was still just 'rumors' heard by the various ministers. Only Xiao Yan knew the complete information.

After this morning court, everything would become clear.

"Brother Jiang, why do you look a bit unwell?"

Zhong He took a step forward, pressing the back of his hand against Jiang Wang’s forehead, then against his own.

“Your temperature is normal, no fever.”

“Brother Zhong, it’s nothing, really, I’m fine. I’m just a little stiff and sore and didn’t sleep well last night, that’s all.”

“Ah, I see,” Zhong He smiled. “My mother actually knows how to make medicinal plasters. I’ll ask her for a few patches for you, Brother Jiang.”

Jiang Wang lived in the palace, so close to the Imperial Hospital that he could just get some himself. No need for the trouble.

Just as he was about to decline Zhong He’s kindness, two light coughs sounded beside them.

“Minister Jiang and Minister Zhong are enjoying quite a chat, I see?”

Author’s note:

Xiao Yan: Hmm? What are you two talking about so happily?