Chapter 20

Chapter 20

He Xing's heart was in his throat. He only knew that Wen Buchi was targeting the Ji family to seize the emperor's favor, but he hadn't expected there to be a layer of conflict involving an assassination attempt. Attempting murder was a whole different concept from vying for power—this was a "you die, I live" situation.

"Did your men talk?? Does he know you were the one who sent them to kill him?? You know how the Listening Terrace operates, if they really—"

"That's why we need to bring Nan Wuxie in." Ji Zhou interrupted him, his tone tinged with impatience at the noise. "Wen Buchi hates me, but in the end, he's just a dog for the imperial power. Compared to my Ji family, His Majesty is more wary of the Nan family. If Wen Buchi wants to protect his position, he has to focus his efforts on solving his master's problems first. By teaming up with Nan Wuxie, we put him directly in Wen Buchi's crosshairs."

He paused, placing a chess piece down with a heavy thud, his voice dropping lower: "If Wen Buchi wants to make a move on us, he'll have to deal with Nan Wuxie first. If the Nan family and the Listening Terrace fight, no matter who wins or loses, we can reap the benefits. If Nan Wuxie can blunt Wen Buchi's edge, we can take the chance to catch our breath. If Wen Buchi gains the upper hand, we can use the time the Nan family buys us by drawing their fire to clean up the dirty accounts at home."

He Xing finally understood, his eyes lighting up: "You want them to fight it out while we reap the benefits?"

"Yes, and no." Ji Zhou shook his head, his gaze growing darker. "I want more than just a 'fight.' Nan Wuxie wants to get control of court officials, right? I can help him, but he'll have to trade his information for it. As for who that information reaches and what it contains—that's up to me. The Chao family, the Cui family, and that 'golden child' of the Su family, the one who's so spotless, Su Zhanyu..."

He smiled faintly and continued: "Once His Majesty finds out the Nan family's capital garrison is secretly in cahoots with the great houses, he'll definitely go after Nan Wuxie first. Then, while he's busy watching the Nan family, he won't have time to bother with us. When they've worn each other down, we'll step in to clean up the mess—clearing our name while scooping up the benefits."

"You want to set him up?" He Xing finally understood, but he hesitated: "But Nan Wuxie's too sharp. If he catches wind of us scheming behind his back..."

"You think he's not scheming against us?" Ji Zhou said flatly. "Everyone's got their own position and their own agenda. No one can blame anyone for that. As long as we keep up the act and don't slip up, even if he gets suspicious, he won't easily burn bridges. After all, he needs our silver right now."

He looked at He Xing, his tone firm and reassuring: "Those three conditions are nothing. As for the people in the court..." He took a deep breath. "My father's not that easy to deal with. We've just agreed to them, but there are too many unforeseen circumstances and too many excuses to use. We'll just agree—it shows we're sincere and makes him owe us one."

He Xing nodded thoughtfully, mulling it over for a long moment before finally going along with Ji Zhou's idea. Then, lowering his voice, he slowly asked: "So... you got a plan?"

Ji Zhou looked up and met his eyes. He didn't answer right away, just curling the corners of his mouth slightly. Then he dropped his gaze back to the intricately tangled chess pieces on the board, his voice warm and soft:

"Time flies. Another year's gone by. Just a few days till New Year's Eve."

***

In the Cui family's flower hall, a warm stove burned, and the air carried a faint scent of pinewood.

Cui Jidao sat at the head, watching Cui Shijie and Wei Qinghe sparring down below. "Look at this kid—seventeen or eighteen, and still like a monkey, can't sit still for a second."

Nan Wuxie sat nearby, holding a cup of hot tea, watching as Cui Shijie stumbled slightly after Wei Qinghe tripped him. He smiled: "It's good to be lively. Better than being lifeless."

"What's good about it?" Cui Jidao shook his head. "He falls asleep after reading three lines of military documents. Tell him to learn archery and riding, and he'll spend all day at the stables. How's he ever gonna take over my position?"

"Who says he has to take over for you, Uncle?" Nan Wuxie took a sip of tea. "Among the noble youths in the capital, someone as guileless as Yao Ji is a rare sight."

Cui Shijie overheard them talking and came over to interrupt: "Dad, Brother Yongci, what're you guys talking about? Are you guys praising my archery?"

Cui Jidao shot him a glare: "With your archery, just hitting the target is good enough. Go get that copy of *The Essentials of Military Classics* from my desk and read us a couple of passages."

Cui Shijie's face fell, and he muttered reluctantly: "What's so good about that book... I'd rather go show Brother Yongci the new bow I got."

Nan Wuxie waved him over: "Go on, get the book. I'd like to see how much Yao Ji's studies have actually improved."

Seeing that even his Brother Yongci said so, Cui Shijie had no choice but to slouch out, glancing back twice like a puppy being dragged away by its ears.

Once his figure disappeared beyond the door, Nan Wuxie and Cui Jidao exchanged a glance, the smiles fading from their eyes.

The Old Minister knew that Nan Wuxie had come to see him today for a reason, but he didn't ask. Nan Wuxie didn't rush to speak either. They had sent Cui Shijie away to keep him from being tainted by such matters.

"This child..." Cui Jidao sighed, his tone laced with worry. "Too innocent. He doesn't understand the twists and turns. If I'm not around in the future, I'm afraid he'll be bullied..."

Nan Wuxie looked out the window in the direction Cui Shijie had run off, his voice deepening: "It's good that Yao Ji is like this. At least he can live freely."

Nan Wuxie knew all too well the weight of the word "freedom." In this world, living peacefully, cleanly, and freely was the hardest thing.

Cui Jidao was silent for a moment, then suddenly recalled something. His hand holding the teacup paused: "A few days ago at the autumn hunt, I deliberately provoked Commander Chao at the hunting grounds. Marquis Nan must have seen through it."

Nan Wuxie looked up, already understanding: "Uncle did it for the emperor's sake."

"I had no choice," Cui Jidao sighed, his tone full of helplessness. "The Nan family, the Cui family, and the Chao family—all three hold military power. If we're too close in plain sight, the emperor will be suspicious. By deliberately picking a fight at the hunt, I wanted to break up the appearance of the 'three families as one,' so the emperor could breathe easier."

He paused, looking at Nan Wuxie with a hint of inquiry: "But I wonder... did Commander Chao truly take offense?"

"Rest assured, Uncle." Nan Wuxie took a sip of tea, his tone calm. "I later spoke with Zhiheng. He has a temper, but his mind is simple. He thought you were genuinely angry. He did get upset at the time and almost blamed me."

He paused, recalling Chao Yunping's flushed face, and couldn't help but curl his lips: "Later, I smoothed things over for him and dragged the Ji family in as a scapegoat, so he understood. But in the end, he's too straightforward, can't tolerate any sand in his eyes, and has no cunning. He's really not cut out for officialdom. If there's a chance, I'll transfer him to the military camp to keep him away from court affairs. That'll be peaceful."

Cui Jidao finally relaxed, nodding repeatedly: "Yes, peace is good. It's enough that we wade through the muddy waters of the court. Being able to keep them away from trouble is the best we can do."

As the Old Minister spoke, his eyes were full of pity and reluctance as he looked at his nephew. The Cui family still had him, Cui Jidao; the Chao family still had Old General Chao and Chao Xiaochen. But the Nan family was left with only this young one, Nan Wuxie. The court was dark and dangerous, and the Nan family was at the center of the storm. A child fighting alone without support—how could anyone not feel for him?

The Nan family had no elders left, but Nan Wuxie still had him. After much deliberation, Cui Jidao decided to stand with his nephew in the unpredictable conflicts. Even if the sky fell, their generation would bear it for the younger ones.

Cui Jidao set down his cup and solemnly cupped his hands toward Nan Wuxie: "Marquis Nan, Yao Ji has grown up following you since he was a child. He trusts you most."

The old man's tone was grave: "No matter what happens in the future, no matter what becomes of the Cui family, I hope Marquis Nan will look after him for old times' sake."

Nan Wuxie's hand holding the cup paused slightly. He looked up at the elder, fully understanding the weight and depth of this entrustment. Slowly setting down the teacup, his gaze swept over the white hair at Cui Jidao's temples, his expression growing complex.

He wanted to say he would never let the Cui family fall, that the Cui family shouldn't fall. But under the crushing weight of imperial power, the court's winds shifted in an instant—who could guarantee tomorrow? That promise rolled in his throat again and again. After much thought, he ultimately didn't say it.

"Uncle Cui," he spoke again, his voice steady enough to calm anyone's heart, "In the past, when I was struggling in the capital, only Yao Ji accompanied me with sincerity, and only the Cui family offered me coal in the snow. This kindness, this bond—I, Nan Yongci, will remember it in my bones. Even if Uncle cannot stand with me, I will shield Yao Ji and protect the Cui family. Moreover..."

His voice deepened: "There are some pure things in this world that someone must protect."

"Good, good child..." Cui Jidao's eyes reddened slightly. He shook his head and let out a long breath. "With Marquis Nan's words, I am at ease."

Just then, from outside the window came Cui Shijie's voice reciting from a book—clear and proper, yet tinged with impatience—instantly dispelling the brief gravity in the flower hall.

Nan Wuxie's gaze grew heavy. He looked up at Cui Jidao: "Uncle, I also came today to ask for a favor."

Cui Jidao slowly set down his teacup: "Yongci, speak freely."

"I want to cause some trouble for the He family. Their grain ships dock at the wharf on the third and seventeenth of each month to transport grain into the capital. My men in the capital garrison can't act easily—there's no reason to deploy troops without cause, and moving the central camp would draw too much attention. So I'd like to ask the Ministry of War for help in delaying those ships by a few days."

Cui Jidao frowned slightly: "You want to target the He family's grain ships? Behind them is the Ji family. This will stir up a hornet's nest."

"That's exactly my intention," Nan Wuxie said. "The Ji family's roots run deep in the court. We can't move against them openly, so we have to cut off their arms first. The He family's granaries support half the capital's grain prices. If the ships are delayed, their grain becomes a dead end."

Cui Jidao was silent for a moment. He picked up his teacup but didn't drink, only watching the steam rise: "Yongci, do you know the current state of the court?"

Nan Wuxie didn't respond, waiting for him to continue.

"One-third of the court officials are Ji family men—disciples and old colleagues spread across all departments. One-third are weathervanes, leaning toward whoever has the most power. The remaining third look like court officials but, to protect themselves, do nothing and take no sides, avoiding trouble faster than anyone." Cui Jidao's voice carried a hint of weariness. "As for the six great houses, the Ji family is the strongest now. The Chao family, though lacking in younger talent, still has Old General Chao in power. That's inside the court. Outside it, the He and Xue families split the capital's economic lifeline. The Su family holds the literary reins of our Great Jing, their influence in literary circles undeniable. The Wen family, though no longer a threat, still has Wen Buchi, who is technically part of the Wen family—he's too unpredictable."

He paused and sighed: "The late emperor wanted to clean things up, but the great houses are so intertwined that even he had no power to do so, and in the end, it came to nothing." He looked at Nan Wuxie: "When His Majesty ascended the throne, he had high ambitions and wanted to seize power for himself. But with a shaky foundation, he could only cultivate his own people. Look at Wen Buchi—in just a few years, he rose so fast, wielding immense power. In the end, he's just the emperor's blade for purging dissidents."

Nan Wuxie's lips curled involuntarily: "Wen Buchi does have a personality. His methods are clean and efficient. It's just that his reputation is terrible. More people curse him behind his back in court than curse me."

"Curses are curses, but no one dares to touch him." Cui Jidao sighed to himself. "He holds too many people's secrets. Even the Ji family has to yield to him, daring to be angry but not to speak. Wen Buchi is especially ruthless toward the great houses. Take his own Wen family—who in the capital doesn't know how they treated him, the illegitimate son? After he took power, he struck the Wen family first, confiscating the third branch's assets, exiling two collateral lines, and leaving Wen Jiucheng so ill with rage that he was bedridden for half a month."

He paused and continued: "If he can be so ruthless to his own powerless family, imagine what he'd do to the Ji family, which holds the lifeblood of officials and is at odds with him. But a man like that, who only recognizes power and not people, is ultimately a double-edged sword. One day, he might hurt himself."

With that, he looked seriously at Nan Wuxie again: "If you move against the He family, you'll likely alert Wen Buchi. The Listening Terrace watches the capital's every move. If the grain ships are intercepted, he can't ignore it."

"That's exactly what I want," Nan Wuxie affirmed again. He chuckled softly and explained: "Uncle, you may not know, but the Ji family recently tried to assassinate him. Wen Buchi is one who repays grudges. That knot can't be untied. Moreover, the great houses' attitude toward him is no friendlier than toward me. If the He family falls, he'll only be happy to see it."

He leaned back in his chair, looking relaxed, "Not only do I want him to handle it, but I also want to use his hand to dig up more of the He family's black accounts."

As for Nan Wuxie and Wen Buchi, they were truly two peas in a pod—both thinking of using the other's hand to dig out more things. But the difference was that Wen Buchi placed "I'm using you" right in plain sight, thereby concealing his investigation behind Nan Wuxie's back. Meanwhile, Nan Wuxie hid his intention to "use" others, acting like a wolf in sheep's clothing, claiming "you only need me."

Cui Jidao stared at him for a long time, then suddenly sighed, "Your schemes are even deeper than your father's were back in the day."

Cui Jidao was silent for a moment, then finally nodded, "The dock guards are under the Ministry of War. I'll have my people 'accidentally' block the He family's boats during inspection. An excuse is easy to find, except…"

"Uncle, rest assured," Nan Wuxie interjected, "It won't cause too much of a stir and won't implicate the Ministry of War."

Only then did Cui Jidao relax, "Alright, Yao Ji…"

"I understand, Uncle," Nan Wuxie nodded, "In such matters, I will never let him know even without you telling me."

Just as they were speaking, Cui Shijie's voice came from outside the courtyard, with a hint of grievance, "Father, Brother Yongci, I brought the book, but I really can't memorize anymore…"

They exchanged a glance, and the seriousness in their eyes instantly vanished, their gentle expressions returning.

Nan Wuxie laughed aloud, "If you can't memorize anymore, then don't. Come back to my mansion with me in a while, and I'll teach you a few self-defense moves."

A young boy's loud response came from outside the courtyard. Soon, Cui Shijie came bouncing in, holding a thick volume of "The Complete Essentials of the Military Classics," his earlier displeasure completely gone.

In the afternoon, Nan Wuxie took Cui Shijie back to the Nan mansion. He lounged in a wicker chair in the back garden, basking in the winter sun, holding a folding fan in his hand, waving it now and then, watching Wei Qinghe teach Cui Shijie how to use his new slingshot.

"Missed! Missed!" Wei Qinghe frowned, "Aim for the topmost branch of that tree, don't let your hand shake."

Cui Shijie's face turned red with strain, gripping the slingshot more and more tightly. With a "whoosh," the pebble flew out but hit the edge of the eaves next to him, scaring several sparrows into flying away.

"Ah!" He stomped his foot in frustration, "Why can't I ever hit the target?"

Nan Wuxie laughed out loud beside him, lightly tapping his lower back with the tip of his fan, "Why are you so upset? Back then when you shot an arrow into a horse's hindquarters, didn't you still laugh it off back then?"