Chapter 71 Probing

Chapter 71: Probing

Although a large, cool block of ice was nearby, the maid's casual glance still left a deep impression on Jiang Wang.

He couldn't shake a faint sense of unease.

However, after spending the entire day on edge, all was calm and completely uneventful.

As dusk fell, it was time to clock out, and they should have each headed home, but Jiang Wang didn't want to go.

The moment he stepped out of the main hall, a wave of heat assaulted him. Though it wasn't as intense as the furnace-like noon heat, the stifling warmth instantly enveloping his entire body was still quite uncomfortable.

He didn't want to return to Biwu Hall; he wanted to follow Xiao Yan to Cangwu Palace.

Don't get the wrong idea—it was purely because Cangwu Palace was cooler at night.

These past few nights at Biwu Hall, the heat had kept waking him up around midnight, making it impossible to sleep well.

But... he needed a legitimate reason, a suitable excuse.

Got it!

When it was time to leave duty, Jiang Wang hurried back to Biwu Hall and immediately spotted Big Orange lying on the stone tiles inside.

Big Orange noticed someone had come, but merely twitched his ears, showing no intention of getting up.

The big orange cat lived for two things: eating and playing.

With limited crafting skills and insufficient materials, making cat toys at this stage was rather tricky, but food was pretty straightforward.

Jiang Wang took out some small dried fish he had previously asked the imperial kitchen to prepare and waved them twice in front of Big Orange. The dozing kitten's nose twitched slightly, and he opened his eyes, immediately chasing after the dried fish.

Snacks really were effective, as always.

The innocent kitten was thus lured and tricked by Jiang Wang all the way to the vicinity of Cangwu Palace.

"Go get it!"

Jiang Wang aimed at the courtyard wall and coolly tossed the small dried fish in his hand over it. Big Orange glanced back at him, seeming somewhat displeased, but still followed the scent of the dried fish, squeezing through the gap in the side gate and completely entering the grounds of Cangwu Palace.

Jiang Wang breathed a sigh of relief. The plan was progressing smoothly, already 80% complete.

The remaining 20% involved him entering Cangwu Palace using the excuse of looking for the cat, then taking a long time to "search," and "reluctantly" staying overnight at Cangwu Palace.

Jiang Wang felt a small surge of excitement and prepared to proceed with the original plan.

While the cat could enter through the side gate, a person could not.

Jiang Wang still had to circle around another half-turn to enter through the main gate.

However, just as he was about to reach the main gate, Jiang Wang encountered the person he least wanted to see.

That maid.

By now, it was pitch dark. Apart from the already lit palace lanterns, there was no third person around them.

This time, the maid didn't just glance briefly; instead, she stared directly and unabashedly at Jiang Wang for a long time.

Suddenly, the maid reached out, pulling Jiang Wang away from the area illuminated by the palace lanterns, plunging both of them into darkness.

Jiang Wang didn't know what she intended to do and instinctively took a step back, putting distance between himself and the maid.

This maid looked slender, but her grip was strong; the spot on his arm where she had grabbed him still ached.

She probably knew some martial arts; he stood no chance against her in a fight.

However, at that moment, they were standing just outside the courtyard wall of Cangwu Palace. The slightest sound would attract the imperial guards, so presumably, she wouldn't resort to violence.

Sure enough, the maid paid no mind to Jiang Wang's small step backward and instead nodded respectfully.

"Seeing the Emperor's health deteriorating day by day, our master says you have performed your task well. May I ask how much of the medicine you have left?"

Jiang Wang hadn't actually poisoned anyone; all the poison was with Xiao Yan, so naturally, he didn't know how much remained.

But considering Chang Wenji's intentions, the more aggressively he used it, the better.

Jiang Wang pretended to think carefully but casually replied, "Uh, it's almost used up."

The maid's eyes lit up, seemingly flashing with a hint of approval.

The gleam in her eyes was especially noticeable in the current darkness. Yet, in the heavy summer night, Jiang Wang only felt a chill run through his entire body.

How could someone find such excitement in harming another person's life?

"Very well, Lord Jiang. Tomorrow evening, our master invites you to his residence for a discussion."

After saying this, the maid swiftly vanished into the night, disappearing without a trace.

Jiang Wang stood frozen for a moment, then hurried away from that dark corner, worried, to look for Big Orange.

Unfortunately, after searching all around the front and back courtyards of Cangwu Palace, sweating profusely from the heat, he found no trace of the cat.

Could it be that Big Orange had finished the small dried fish and, in the time it took Jiang Wang to walk to the main gate, returned the same way he came...

Sigh, he was truly too hot and exhausted to walk anymore.

He needed to rest first; Big Orange knew his way around and likely wouldn't get lost.

If only he hadn't used this method—it felt like inflicting a thousand losses on the enemy while suffering eight hundred himself.

However, when Jiang Wang walked into the main hall, he was surprised to find his cat, Big Orange, lying leisurely at Xiao Yan's feet, casually swishing his tail.

He looked utterly content.

Had he known this earlier, he wouldn't have wasted all that effort searching.

While he was outside, sweating profusely and running around searching, this man and cat were enjoying themselves.

For some reason, Jiang Wang felt a pang of bitterness, as if he were toiling frugally in another province, only for his family to squander all the money...

Ah, forget it.

His own plan had gone awry; he couldn't blame others.

But... his pitiful appearance now made it even more likely he would be able to stay here overnight...

"Your Majesty, I apologize for disturbing you so late."

Jiang Wang forced a shy and somewhat weary smile, then pointed at Big Orange.

"I was looking for the cat."

"Mm. Sit."

Xiao Yan lazily rose from the small daybed, the priceless Snow Shadow *luo* silk of his sleeping robe swaying with his movements.

He placed a cup of cooled tea in front of Jiang Wang.

"What did you talk about?"

Parched, Jiang Wang picked up the teacup and drained it in one gulp, the heat around him steadily dissipating in the cool air of the hall.

His eyes were fixed on the cat, his brain simply wasn't working.

"Talk about what?"

Since he came in, hadn't he been painstakingly searching for the cat? When did he talk to anyone...

Huh?

A conversation.

He did talk to someone, but that was before he entered the Cangwu Hall...

Jiang Wang's mind finally started turning, suddenly realizing something was off.

How did Xiao Yan know he had spoken with someone?

Was someone following him, or was someone following that palace maid?

He hadn't sensed a thing...

"That palace maid told me to go to the Chang residence again tomorrow evening."

*

As luck would have it, the next morning during the morning court, nearly all the assembled ministers had arrived, but at the eleventh hour, an imperial edict was issued.

The Emperor was unwell, and the morning court was canceled.

A group of ministers stood outside the Hall of Diligent Governance, exchanging bewildered looks, increasingly feeling that Xiao Yan was far too willful.

Those who already held grievances against him reached a new peak of dissatisfaction at this moment.

Some even began to refer to Xiao Yan by his given name.

"This second son of the Xiao family, canceling morning court on a whim—what kind of emperor does he think he is!"

"Watch your words. The edict says His Majesty is unwell; perhaps he really isn't feeling well," someone played the peacemaker. "Haven't you seen how His Majesty gets out of breath after just a few steps lately, always looking listless and lethargic..."

As the ministers speculated and debated, Jiang Wang, the only one there in the know, just wanted to leave this place of conflict.

Hearing someone criticize Xiao Yan so openly in front of him, he even felt a bit indignant on Xiao Yan's behalf.

After all, Xiao Yan's absence from court today was deliberate.

It wasn't that Xiao Yan was detained by some "charming wife or beautiful concubine," but rather that Xiao Yan had orchestrated a scheme for Jiang Wang's meeting with Chang Wenji this evening.

Firstly, it further highlighted Xiao Yan's frail health; secondly, it could alleviate some of Chang Wenji's concerns, reducing his tension and vigilance.

Unfortunately, just as Jiang Wang wanted to leave, someone cornered him.

Jiang Wang looked up—it was actually Chang Wenji!

Was Chang Wenji really going to speak to him so blatantly?!

This was too audacious. Didn't he know to avoid suspicion...

Jiang Wang was cornered, with no way out.

"Lord Jiang, as the Court Diarist by His Majesty's side, do you know the reason?"

Chang Wenji spoke slowly, his tone calm yet carrying a hint of urgency, sounding genuinely like a loyal minister concerned about the Emperor's health.

Only Jiang Wang understood the intricacies, the vast conspiracy beneath the calm surface.

Jiang Wang humbly bowed. "This humble official does not know the reason either, but the Emperor was fine last night. Since he cannot attend morning court, he must truly be ill."

After speaking, he raised his head to look at Chang Wenji, his gaze respectful, and whispered.

"Chancellor Chang likely understands the truth of the matter better than I do regarding the Emperor's physical condition."

Jiang Wang's timid, somewhat defeated remark carried a sense of wanting to resist but failing.

The two were partners in the same camp, yet there seemed to be sparks and tension, a hint of confrontation between them.

As this was not a suitable place to talk, Chang Wenji finally chuckled lightly, turned, and left, leaving behind a sentence.

"Lord Jiang, do not forget the appointment."

The day passed quickly. Watching the gradually setting sun, Jiang Wang rose and headed to the Chang residence.

To play the part fully, since Xiao Yan was ill, he didn't need to be on duty. He set out directly from the Biwu Pavilion, exited through the palace's side gate, and took a small path straight to the back door of the Chang residence.

Before he could even knock, someone inside, who had been waiting for some time, opened the door for him.

By now, Jiang Wang was quite familiar with entering the Chang residence. Counting this time, it was his third visit.

It was the same familiar flower hall.

Perhaps seeing that Xiao Yan's health was failing and his life nearing its end, Chang Wenji was in a good mood, leisurely sipping tea by the table.

He looked up and saw Jiang Wang entering.

"You're here. Sit."

Jiang Wang obediently sat down, reverting to his quail-like demeanor.

"Chancellor Chang, what matter brings you to summon this humble official this time?"

"The medicinal powder I gave you, is it used up?"

"Yes," Jiang Wang nodded.

"How did you use it?"

Why was Chang Wenji persistently asking about the powder? Jiang Wang sensed something.

This was probably a test.

"This humble official added the powder to the tea while pouring water for the Emperor."

Jiang Wang started spinning a tale, and to sell it better, he even added some hand gestures.

"Sometimes when the imperial kitchen prepares lotus seed soup to relieve the summer heat for the Emperor, I add a little if it passes through my hands."

However, the truth was that Xiao Yan didn't touch a drop of the lotus seed soup sent by the imperial kitchen—he had eaten it all himself.

Chang Wenji wore a faint, indiscernible smile and said calmly.

"Zi'an shows great initiative."

The tone of this remark was too flat, making it difficult for Jiang Wang to discern Chang Wenji's true meaning.

Was being proactive wrong? Was not being proactive also wrong? Was he satisfied or dissatisfied?

Or... was he still testing him?

Instantly, alarm bells rang in Jiang Wang's mind.

This Chang Wenji was so unpredictable, his motives impossible to read.

Jiang Wang feigned sincerity and said, "Chancellor, after completing this task, I'd like to resign and return to my hometown."

He needed to show he had desires, for Chang Wenji to feel more at ease.

Sure enough, Chang Wenji's expression shifted slightly.

"You don't want gold, silver, jewels, or great wealth and high status?"

"The ups and downs of officialdom are truly not for me. I only want enough money for the journey home. After that, I'll be happy to make a living as a teacher."

Chang Wenji nodded indifferently and waved his hand dismissively.

"Fine, I agree."

In truth, he still felt disdain.

A country bumpkin who didn't know what was good for him.

But it was just as well. After completing this task, a minor official like Jiang Wang would have outlived his usefulness, and perhaps even...

Chang Wenji's eyes darkened for a moment but cleared when Jiang Wang expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you, Chancellor."

"Hmm." Chang Wenji slid two small boxes toward Jiang Wang. "Take them."

Jiang Wang opened them to find two small porcelain bottles inside, identical to the ones from last time.

He looked at Chang Wenji, puzzled as to why there were two.

"Double the dosage."

Author's Note:

Big Orange: You say I'm naive?