Chapter 72 “Useless Emperor”

Chapter 72: "The Useless Emperor"

When Jiang Wang entered the Chang residence, the sun had just begun to set. Now, as he stepped out of the main gate, a faint afterglow still lingered on the distant horizon.

It was the first time he had spent such a short period in the Chang household, the first time he had left so quickly, and also the first time he felt so uneasy.

The two small boxes in his hand felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Chang Wenji had told him to double the dosage. Did that mean action was imminent?

The setting sun bled red, staining half the sky.

＊

Days passed one after another. At some point, the tentative chirping of cicadas had faded, replaced by a dense, sharp chorus, like countless tightly drawn strings.

Especially today, with a drizzling rain falling, the damp and sultry weather was downright irritating.

Xiao Yan's figure grew increasingly gaunt, to the point where even Jiang Wang felt bad for him, almost wondering if he had actually been drugging him.

The imperial kitchens sent over lotus seed soup again. This time, Jiang Wang didn't drink it himself but set it in front of Xiao Yan.

"Your Majesty, would you like some?"

To create the illusion of a failing body, Xiao Yan deliberately ate very little each day, making himself appear thinner.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan looked up from the memorials, a flicker of amusement crossing his face as he saw Jiang Wang's worried expression.

"Feeling sorry for me?"

"Ah, no." Flustered, Jiang Wang shook his head, then nodded. "As Your Majesty's subject, of course I'm concerned. But it's just an act, right? There's no need to actually ruin your health."

Xiao Yan set down his brush and stood up. In one swift motion, he pulled Jiang Wang close, grasped his hand without a word, and pressed it against his own stomach.

Unable to break free, Jiang Wang could only close his eyes, afraid he might see something he shouldn't.

This wasn't right—what was Xiao Yan doing?

Had he starved himself into madness?!

Yet, a faint warmth spread from Jiang Wang's palm, accompanied by a firm yet slightly soft texture.

Jiang Wang's fingers instinctively pressed down—one, two, three, four... then his eyes snapped open.

Xiao Yan still had abs!

Even this thin, he still had abs?!

And judging by the strength in Xiao Yan's grip when he pulled him over, Xiao Yan was far from weak. Even in his current emaciated state, he was still someone Jiang Wang was no match for...

All that worry for nothing.

With that realization, Jiang Wang simply picked up the bowl of lotus seed soup he had just placed before Xiao Yan and began scarfing it down.

The soup had been served with finely crushed ice earlier. After all that, the ice had melted, leaving a pleasantly cool sensation—perfect for eating now.

Watching Jiang Wang eat like a hamster, a trace of softness flickered in Xiao Yan's eyes.

"Chang Wenji is a deep and calculating man. Since we're doing this, we have to make it look real and not let him detect anything amiss." Xiao Yan handed Jiang Wang a handkerchief from the desk, his tone carrying a note of teasing challenge. "Though I've grown thin, I'm not weak in the slightest. Would Minister Jiang like to test that?"

Jiang Wang took the handkerchief and wiped his mouth haphazardly, shaking his head. "No need."

With those muscles as proof, he was convinced Xiao Yan was fine. But he still had one question.

"Your Majesty, your thin frame is an act, but why is your complexion so pale as well..."

Was that also part of the act? Had Xiao Yan reached the point where he could change his complexion on a whim?

Xiao Yan chuckled softly and pulled Jiang Wang close again, but this time he brought his own face near.

"Face powder."

Puzzled, Jiang Wang reached out and touched it. His fingertip came away with a fine, white powdery substance, and at the same time, the pale makeup on Xiao Yan's face was smeared by the contact.

No wonder he could smell a faint fragrance whenever he got close to Xiao Yan. He had thought it was incense from the palace laundries after washing Xiao Yan's clothes, but it turned out to be face powder.

The emperor himself was wearing makeup.

Suddenly, two faint taps sounded against the window.

This was the signal Xiao Yan had agreed upon with Ling Shan—someone was coming, and it was someone they needed to be wary of.

But... Jiang Wang seemed to have no time to hide. And if he did, the patchy pallor on Xiao Yan's face would be exposed.

Clearly, Xiao Yan had thought of this too.

While Jiang Wang was still figuring out how to respond, Xiao Yan took action first.

Xiao Yan pushed the inkstone toward Jiang Wang, positioning him at the side to grind ink, while he himself leaned back in his chair, tilting his body to use Jiang Wang's figure to conveniently block his face.

Jiang Wang glanced over. Xiao Yan's disheveled robes draped over his thin frame, combined with his slanted posture, gave off an air of frailty and decline even without seeing his face.

The two had just finished arranging this when light footsteps sounded outside the door. The palace maid appeared in Chonghe Hall, carrying tea and pastries.

As usual, she kept her eyes lowered and her attitude respectful. She set down the tea and snacks here, seemingly unwilling to disturb the "two-person world," and left without saying much.

However, Jiang Wang still sensed it—during the few seconds the maid lingered beside him, aside from bringing in the stifling, humid air, her fingers twitched slightly, as if to signal something.

After the maid left, Jiang Wang carefully lifted the pastry plate she had just indicated. Stuck in a small indentation on the bottom of the plate was a gray pellet.

He placed the gray pellet in his hand to examine it. It was small, its surface pitted and uneven, not smooth at all. It really did look like a tiny pebble.

Even if it had come unstuck and fallen off accidentally, it would have looked just like a speck of dust tracked in from the courtyard—nothing anyone would pay attention to.

But since the maid had pointed it out, everything was different.

Jiang Wang brought the gray pellet to Xiao Yan, but he was also seeing it for the first time.

As the two were studying what this small pebble might be, Jiang Wang suddenly thought of something that might give them a clue.

"The black jade!"

Sure enough, as soon as the small pebble came into contact with the black jade, sparks instantly flew, and the flames that ignited were much more intense than before.

"Is this... an enhanced version of the soul-dispersing powder?" Jiang Wang said in shock. "So when she deliberately pointed it out to me just now, she meant..."

To find an opportunity for him to add it to the tea or food?

The tea brought in by the palace maids had always contained soul-dispersing powder. Now, she wanted him to add even more...

The urge to swiftly bring down Xiao Yan was becoming impossible to conceal.

What is Chang Wenji up to?

Are they plotting something?

Jiang Wang scowled as he glared at Xiao Yan, who wore an equally grim expression.

Just as tension thickened between them over this seemingly trivial “stone,” another set of footsteps approached.

No knock sounded at the window—meaning it was safe; someone they trusted.

Moments later, Fang Fengshi hurried in. Before speaking, he carefully scanned the room to ensure no one else was present.

“Latest news from the border! My father reports that Beixiang has been dispatching small patrols at night to provoke skirmishes!”

Jiang Wang and Xiao Yan exchanged glances—both appeared unsurprised—leaving Fang Fengshi scratching his head at their unspoken understanding.

“Hey, what’s going on with you two? What happened?” Fang Fengshi waved his hand between their faces. “Isn’t my news important?”

Xiao Yan turned to him first, pushing the black jade tablet on the desk toward Fang Fengshi and explaining what had just transpired.

“This means Chang Wenji is making his move!” Fang Fengshi suddenly grasped it, pointing at the latest military report. “This trouble along the Beixiang border might be orchestrated by Chang Wenji!”

Xiao Yan nodded gravely. It wasn’t certain—but it was plausible.

“My father dispatched this via the Fang family’s fastest courier. The official report will arrive in two days. You must decide how to respond.”

Fang Fengshi added.

Xiao Yan nodded again.

If only a few small squads were causing trouble, there was no cause for alarm.

The 100,000 troops under Old General Fang were more than sufficient to handle it.

Yet before the formal military report arrived, Xiao Yan first heard the rumors spreading through Zhaojing.

“The incompetent emperor, prioritizing his own safety, refuses to send troops to Beixiang—disregarding the lives of his people!”

“The Great Jing is finished. Haven’t you heard? The emperor’s health is deteriorating rapidly.”

“Is Dajing’s military strength still adequate? There’s not a single capable person left.”

“Don’t say that. Senior Minister Chang remains highly competent—it’s a pity he alone must shoulder such chaos.”

“Chang Wenji’s ambition can no longer be concealed!”

Jiang Wang slammed the table, listening to Fang Fengshi’s report from outside, fury surging within him.

The rumors blatantly maligned Xiao Yan while praising Chang Wenji—the contrast was almost unbearable.

Unfortunately, Xiao Yan’s public reputation had never been strong. Once such gossip spread, the common people were likely already swayed.

While Jiang Wang fumed on Xiao Yan’s behalf, the very person at the center of the storm remained remarkably calm.

Xiao Yan gently patted Jiang Wang’s back, attempting to soothe his anger.

“Whatever Chang Wenji wants—I’ll give it to him.”

“Huh? Your Majesty, have you lost your mind?!”

Jiang Wang’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at Xiao Yan, utterly bewildered by his meaning.

“Chang Wenji spreads these rumors solely to manipulate public opinion and pressure me into deploying my last remaining troops. Since that’s his aim—I’ll grant his wish.” Xiao Yan picked up a brush and wrote the names *Sun Liang* and *Chen Dong* on paper. “When the time comes, send Commander Chen and Commandant Sun together.”

“Oh—” Jiang Wang understood. “If I’m not mistaken, when troops were first deployed, these two exhausted every excuse to avoid service. Given the current situation, they’ll have no choice but to go.”

Xiao Yan nodded, signaling Jiang Wang to continue.

“And Your Majesty’s personal troops stationed at Zhaoshan can fill the gap left by this deployment.”

Xiao Yan gave Jiang Wang an appreciative glance. “The soldiers sent to Beixiang last time were elite. The rest are ordinary troops—dispatching them to the border won’t compromise Zhaojing’s security.”

No wonder Xiao Yan had spoken so confidently earlier—he’d already devised a plan.

Indeed, those who sit upon the throne are no ordinary individuals.

*

The next morning, in the Hall of Diligent Governance, court convened once more.

Jiang Wang observed the “ailing” Xiao Yan, eager to see him perform before the assembled officials.

It seemed being emperor demanded not only strategic acumen—but also acting prowess.

Hidden behind the coiling dragon pillar, Jiang Wang watched Sun Liang and Chen Dong suppress their fury with secret delight.

Naturally, he didn’t miss the faint, suppressed smirk flickering across Chang Wenji’s face upon hearing that troops would depart in two days.

Truly malicious.

Just as Jiang Wang assumed the matter settled and court about to adjourn, a vice minister rushed in clutching a memorial. Without waiting for formal announcement, he dropped to his knees with a thud.

“Your Majesty—disaster! Torrential rains have flooded Lingnan!”

Author’s Note:

One wave recedes—another rises.