Chapter 110

Chapter 110

Ying Fusheng looked out the window. The snow in the capital felt heavier, as if a bit more would suffocate everyone in this city. Sometimes, a move in the game could be lethal. First came the attempt to stir unrest in Jiangnan, now the court had devolved into factional strife. The orchestrator behind it all had timed things perfectly.

If His Majesty were still in his prime, as he was a decade ago, this scheme would not have succeeded.

But the situation was what it was. The mastermind—who, in a previous life, had not succeeded in overthrowing the dynasty as planned—now had only two paths: first, use the chaos to seize an opportunity and rebel; second, exploit the factional conflict to let the Second Prince benefit. Before that, however, he remained the stumbling block standing in the way of these wolves’ ambitions.

Ye Xuanjiu finished reporting on the situation in the capital, noticing Ying Fusheng’s silence.

Weng Yanqing waited quietly, neither rushing nor jumping in with suggestions. But he knew that under the current circumstances in the capital, apart from the Emperor himself, no other prince could tolerate one whose achievements overshadowed the ruler. Even though His Highness appeared frail and ill in public, in the true struggle for the position of Crown Prince, unless someone like the Eldest Prince completely lost his leverage, Ying Fusheng would always be the target of their suspicion.

“Qi Hanzhou is looking into the matter in Lulin County, isn’t he?” Ying Fusheng asked.

Ye Xuanjiu paused. “The Brocade Guards are indeed investigating this matter. The civil official who accompanied the Eldest Prince on this trip is the most suspicious. His name is Song Yu. He was once a protégé of Grand Secretary Xu. After the Xu family fell, he was the first to switch sides. He was later transferred by His Majesty to the Ministry of Revenue and pledged allegiance to the Eldest Prince.”

This man was deeply trusted by the Eldest Prince and had repeatedly devised strategies for him. The credit for inspecting granaries in the three prefectures of Western Shu was entirely due to his planning. In fact, since the Xu family’s downfall, Song Yu’s sound strategies had greatly contributed to the Eldest Prince’s growing prestige among the people.

“The reasons we noticed him are twofold: first, his connection to the Xu family; second, he is from Jiangnan.” This was their oversight. The Brocade Guards had been monitoring officials from Jiangnan in the capital all along, but Song Yu had been traveling with the Eldest Prince for months and had not returned. The Eldest Prince had his own guards, so the Brocade Guards had not dispatched anyone.

Ye Xuanjiu continued, “This time, they were meticulous. We found no clues.”

It was the Second Prince’s hidden agents.

In such a situation, it was nearly impossible to uncover the truth. If the aim was to stir up factional strife, the deed would be flawless.

Because of that, the Eldest Prince’s faction could only try every means to drag the Third Prince down.

Ying Fusheng sat quietly, his mind turning over countless thoughts.

At that moment, someone rushed in from outside. It was a servant from the Shen residence.

“Recently, several old case files from the Ministry of War have come under legal scrutiny. Lord Shen is busy and is currently cooperating with the Grand Court of Revision,” the messenger reported. “Lord Shen sent word, asking Your Highness not to worry.”

Once the Emperor’s urgent summons spread, the faction spies would know, and any move against Ying Fusheng would be met with other backup plans.

Ye Xuanjiu and Weng Yanqing exchanged glances. Had their opponent struck so quickly?

Weng Yanqing frowned. The assassination attempt on the road was one thing; targeting Prince Yan’s supporters was another. Shen Changcun was the most prominent and obvious target in the court. These old case files—whether they came from the Eldest Prince’s faction or the Third Prince’s faction—could be a minor case or, if pushed, a major one.

“No, blow this up.” Ying Fusheng turned around. “Especially the Brocade Guards. Not only should you thoroughly investigate Shen Changcun, but you must also find problems with him.”

Ye Xuanjiu paused, seeming to understand.

Weng Yanqing hesitated briefly, then immediately gestured to his men to make arrangements.

It was normal for factions to clash, and the Emperor expected princes to have supporters. But there was one thing that was absolutely His Majesty’s most sensitive area: the Brocade Guards. The matter in Jiangnan could be used by factions at any time as a weapon. From now on, the Brocade Guards had to sever ties with Ying Fusheng. Anyone could align with the Sixth Prince, except the Emperor’s personal guard.

This was probably why Junior General Qi had not shown up today.

From now on, Prince Yan's residence would be completely exposed to public scrutiny.

“What’s wrong with being a target for everyone?”

Ying Fusheng looked down at his palm. It felt empty, as if it were missing a blade.

A man without power cannot hold a blade.

“Your Highness, it’s time,” Song An announced outside the study.

Ying Fusheng left the remaining affairs of the residence to Weng Yanqing. Song An had already prepared his court robes. It was time to enter the palace.

He put on the heavy, ornate robes. The carriage from Prince Yan’s residence was already waiting outside.

A family banquet. Everyone knew this was the first banquet after entering the capital.

Whether it was a feast with hidden daggers or a game within a game, Prince Yan could not avoid it.

As Ying Fusheng stepped outside, he seemed to sense something and looked up. Snowflakes drifted through the air, but his gaze fixed directly on a certain direction. There stood a tall tavern, all windows and doors closed except for one that was slightly open.

Song An held an umbrella over him. He withdrew his gaze and stepped into the carriage.

On the high floor of the tavern outside Prince Yan’s residence, Qi Hanzhou stood in the shadow behind the window frame. He watched the man lift the curtain and enter the carriage, the ear ornament hanging near his shoulder swaying with the breeze.

In a couple of quick glances, the person he hadn’t seen for half a year seemed to have changed slightly.

Free from worldly worries, with a lighter spirit, his health had improved a little. The young man, clad in luxurious court robes, stood still with his hands hidden in his sleeves. When he looked up, his eyes gleamed like jade—uncontainable, impossible to conceal, radiating brilliance.

That was ambition.

Qi Hanzhou’s gaze lingered for a moment before the carriage disappeared into the distance.

Ye Xuanqi and several Light Garment Guards stood beside him, reporting in detail everything that had happened along the way. After hearing it all, Qi Hanzhou gestured, and a few men silently followed the carriage as it entered the palace.

“What about the Third Prince in the northern border?” Qi Hanzhou asked.

“Everything is normal. We have also sent people to stay by the Third Prince’s side,” a Light Garment Guard replied.

Qi Hanzhou said nothing more. Only when the carriage disappeared around the street corner did he pick up his sword and leave the secluded room.

For both of them, a tough battle lay ahead.

…

Inside the palace, with thick snow piled against the red walls, Eunuch Rong was already waiting at the gate.

When he saw Ying Fusheng arrive, he greeted him with a smile and led him toward the banquet hall.

This family banquet was attended only by the imperial family—no courtiers—along with the princes and imperial consorts. By the time Ying Fusheng arrived, the other consorts and princes had already gathered. He saw the seated Emperor and Empress Xu and gave a slight bow.

Empress Xu appeared calm, but the moment Ying Fusheng appeared, her eyes were fixed on him. Seeing that his complexion seemed better than before, her eyes flickered briefly, then she lowered her eyelids, concealing her attention on Ying Fusheng as other eyes turned their way. She returned to her usual composure.

The seat beside the Empress Dowager was left empty—reserved for Ying Fusheng.

His seat was at the very front among all the princes, as befitting his rank as a prince.

Having not seen the Empress Dowager for over a year, Ying Fusheng felt a mix of nostalgia and hesitation. Over the past year, he had received many letters from her, but now with so many troubles brewing, being too close to her would only drag her into danger. Just then, the Empress Dowager looked up and gestured to the seat beside her, as if reproaching him for not coming over yet.

“No need to be formal,” the Emperor said. “Sit.”

Ying Fusheng finally went and sat down beside the Empress Dowager. No sooner had he sat down than a sidelong glance came his way. The Second Prince wore a smile and greeted him from afar, as if putting on a show of brotherly harmony, but there was not a shred of brotherhood in his eyes. Beside him, the Seventh Prince and Consort Yun shot wary looks, especially when they saw that his health was not as poor as they had imagined. The wariness in their eyes was almost tangible.

“Elder Brother has changed,” the Seventh Prince said, staring straight at him meaningfully. “The people have even built living shrines for you. How many in the court have such achievements?”

Empress Xu glanced over. Seeing her glance, Consort Yun wiped her tears and said, “My child, do not speak further.”

“Today, Prince Yan’s return to the capital is a happy occasion. The Empress Dowager hasn’t seen His Highness for days. It's fitting that we have a good reunion.”

The words were ambiguous, but everyone understood—they were voicing discontent on behalf of the Eldest Prince.

The Empress Dowager said coldly, "Crying and whimpering at the family banquet, how utterly improper."

Consort Yun, seeing the Emperor's grim expression, fell silent, lacking her usual coquettish charm and appearing somewhat pitiful.

The Second Prince and Concubine Xian seemed like outsiders at this family banquet. Consort Yun's eyes were red-rimmed. Ying Fusheng watched this farce of feigned affection coldly, then finally looked at Consort Lu. She sat alone, with no one beside her. Her son, the Third Prince, was far away in the Northern Frontier, and she sat there alone, her martial family background evident in her demeanor, never once glancing at Consort Yun.

"Now that you have returned to the capital, the case of Lulin County has yet to be resolved. Xiao Liu has been in the Southern Frontier for some time; the Ministry of Works will continue to be handled by you," the Emperor declared.

As the words fell, Consort Yun looked up in shock. Prince Yan had just returned to the capital, and the Emperor was already eager to return the Ministry of Works to him. Such favoritism was truly unique. Even when the Seventh Prince entered court, he had been assigned to the Ministry of Revenue. Even though the Ministry of Works had been vacant, the Emperor had never placed her Xiao Qi there. Now that Ying Fusheng was back, he was immediately restored to his former position.

Ying Fusheng paused, his hand holding the wine vessel. The assassinations along his journey must have been known to his Imperial Father. His successful return to the capital proved that his foundation was sufficient to involve himself in the muddy waters of the capital. The fanfare at the city gates and the restoration of his position as Inspector of the Ministry of Works all gave him a certain backing. The Ministry of Works involved the Southern Frontier, the full embankment repairs still being undertaken by Wang Guanzhi, the corruption cases in Jiangnan's grain transport, and all the departments under the Ministry of Works that connected to the Jiangnan officialdom.

His Imperial Father entrusted him with this matter, likely because he had noticed the threat from the Southern Frontier and the remnants of the Former Dynasty. Therefore, the important department of the Ministry of Works could only be placed in his hands. He lowered his gaze to hide the sharpness in his eyes. Under normal circumstances, his Imperial Father would not have mentioned such authority in this setting, but now, speaking openly before everyone, it was deliberate.

"Can you handle it well?" the Emperor asked.

Ying Fusheng immediately stood and bowed: "Your son will certainly not fail to live up to your trust."

The Second Prince slowly rubbed the rim of his wine vessel, observing everything.

Seeing Ying Fusheng's gaze, he raised his vessel in congratulations. Ying Fusheng knew that the Emperor's action indicated that someone was secretly coveting the authority of the Ministry of Works and had already tested the weak points of the Southern Frontier embankments and grain transport. That was why his Imperial Father actively placed authority on him.

It was a plot by the hidden hand and the Second Prince.

"This return to the capital is by the grace of Your Imperial Father," Ying Fusheng said calmly, as if discussing everyday matters, turning to the affairs of the Southern Frontier. "There are many corrupt officials in the Jiangnan officialdom, even protecting one another. Your son has uncovered evidence during his investigations there, especially regarding the Fei faction, finding that they have secret alliances within the court. On this return, I will relieve Your Imperial Father of worries."

As his voice trailed off, the banquet table fell noticeably silent for a moment.

The Emperor nodded: "It is enough that you have such a heart."

Ying Fusheng sat down and looked directly towards the Second Prince.

This time, the Second Prince's composure was slightly less assured.

Several faces at the table shifted slightly.

Everyone knew that the major case in the Jiangnan officialdom had shocked the Court and Country, and Prince Yan was the main driver behind it. But bringing it up at this family banquet—was he trying to perform for the Emperor, or had he really uncovered something relevant to someone present?

"There is an account in the Ministry of Works regarding the Jiangnan officialdom that remains uninvestigated. This account involves grain transport. The annual tax revenue from goods transported between the North and South is subject to changes due to climate and seasons. During his tenure in Jiangnan, the Fei faction embezzled vast sums through the grain transport waterways, and this money has disappeared without a trace."

Ying Fusheng did not let the opportunity slip. He continued: "On my way to the capital, I encountered no fewer than ten waves of assassins. Because this matter was of grave importance, Uncle Prince Jing, in order to protect my entry into the capital, requested Old General Chen to escort me all the way."

The others at the banquet changed expression slightly. They were well aware of the situation surrounding the assassinations on Prince Yan's journey.

The court factions did not want him to enter the capital at this time. Whether dead or alive, or even severely ill, so many assassins were sent simply to prevent him from reaching the capital. But Prince Yan did not mention factional struggles at all; he attributed everything to someone trying to silence him!

Consort Yun pretended to be startled: "Such an important matter, why did Prince Yan not mention it earlier?"

"This matter is special. Although we cannot determine who sent the assassins, they were all martial artists from the jianghu," Ying Fusheng looked at Consort Yun. "I believe that hiring jianghu figures means they were afraid of my entering the capital at this moment. May Your Imperial Father take a look."

Ying Fusheng stepped forward. He had actually brought a memorial with him to the palace.

Eunuch Rong took it and presented it to the Emperor. The Emperor opened the memorial, read it with a tight gaze, and then looked at him: "Is this true?"

Seeing the Emperor's attitude, the others were startled. What exactly was written in that memorial?

The Second Prince stared intently at the Emperor's expression changes, trying to glean something. Finally, he glanced at a certain palace attendant, who quietly withdrew, apparently to send a message.

Ying Fusheng noted this but did not expose it.

"Your Imperial Father may send someone to the Jiangnan officialdom. Your son's words are all true," Ying Fusheng said frankly, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. "Furthermore, the funds embezzled by the Fei family have not yet been recovered. The Fei family dared to act so brazenly, even driving a court official to death in broad daylight, certainly because they have someone backing them in the court. So where did this embezzled money end up—in whose hands in the capital?"

He said "in the capital," not elsewhere.

This meant that no matter which faction in the capital was burned by this fire, it would be catastrophic.

Consort Yun said sheepishly: "How does Your Highness know that this money went to the capital?"

"Consort Yun, you speak too much," the Empress Dowager said.

Just as Consort Yun was about to speak, Empress Xu suddenly interjected: "Don't tell me Consort Yun wants to say this money went elsewhere? The Dayuan Empire is vast; to commit such an act of treason under Imperial Power—if not in the capital, could it be in Western Shu?"

Ying Fusheng paused and looked at Empress Xu.

When she heard "Western Shu," Consort Yun's face changed slightly. Everyone in court knew that the Great Prince had met with an accident while on a mission in Western Shu. She immediately fell silent, as if realizing something.

The Second Prince set down his wine vessel, alert beneath his calm exterior.

He cast a sidelong glance at the Emperor. The Emperor had not spoken since Ying Fusheng said those words.

Ying Fusheng slowly swept his gaze over every face in the hall, each with different expressions. After glancing at the Second Prince, he looked at the Emperor.

The Emperor sat there, his eyes unfathomable, seemingly calm, but the atmosphere gradually grew heavy.

When the gaze from above fell on him, Ying Fusheng remained composed. The scrutiny from the highest authority made him understand that his Imperial Father had taken his words to heart. Ying Fusheng did not attribute the assassinations he encountered on the road to factional struggles; instead, he took this opportunity to lay before the Emperor exactly what he truly wanted to investigate.

Whether it was the capital or Western Shu, Ying Fusheng was determined to expose this matter before all the factions in the court.

Whoever ended up with that embezzled money could be anyone, except Prince Yan, who had uncovered the Jiangnan officialdom case. Ying Fusheng simply wanted to fully reveal this matter to the Court and Country. If it was in the court, then who among the courtiers? The Great Prince or the Third Prince?

If it was in Western Shu, then who there might rebel?

The Second Prince stirred up factional strife only to slow down the court's investigation of the Southern Frontier.

Ying Fusheng would not let him have his way. If everyone was to be targeted, then let's see who truly became the target of all in this factional struggle.

From the moment he entered the capital, every step would determine the outcome.

But in this game, everyone should stand in the open and compete fairly.

Especially those vermin in the gutter.