Zhang Ju Lian was somewhat bewildered. He stepped forward and knelt: “Your Majesty, your subject has something to say.”

Zhu Jun An nodded: “Speak, beloved minister.”

“Although Zhou Hu Sheng is my nephew, I would never shelter or indulge him. This matter was investigated by the Court of Judicial Review and the Censorate; the testimonies and physical evidence were clear. It was not your subject sheltering his nephew. If Your Majesty wishes to arrest someone, shouldn’t the facts be clarified first…”

“What you say is reasonable,” Zhu Jun An smiled. “But what if I want to arrest him now? Is that not allowed?”

He was the Son of Heaven. Under Heaven, all land belonged to the sovereign. Who could obstruct his imperial edict?

Even if Zhang Ju Lian controlled the Nine Ministers and held the prestigious position of Grand Secretary, he could not openly oppose the Emperor’s will.

After a long moment, Zhang Ju Lian said: “Naturally, Your Majesty has the final say.”

Having occupied a high position for so long, no one had dared show him such disrespect in ages. Displeasure began to rise in his heart.

Zhou Hu Sheng was his sister’s only son. After his sister married, she gave birth to this legitimate son who grew up cherished and pampered. When he came of age and passed the imperial examinations, it was Zhang who helped him secure a position as Salt Commissioner. Who would have thought the wretch would prove so disgraceful? If he wanted concubines, weren’t there women everywhere? Instead, he had to forcibly take Liu Xin Yun’s daughter. After the incident, Zhang had brought him back home, originally intending to give him a few lashes as punishment. But his elderly mother had held him back, begging him not to raise his hand.

No matter how disgraceful, the boy was still his nephew. Zhang Ju Lian could only protect him.

At the time, he had thought to have Chen Yan Yun handle the matter, killing two birds with one stone.

But unexpectedly, Chen Yan Yun declined with a smile. The pawn he had once held in his hand, Chen Si, could no longer be used. This left him uneasy, for a man like Chen Yan Yun, once beyond control, was likely to turn and bite back.

If someone said Chen Yan Yun had nothing to do with today’s events, he certainly wouldn’t believe it.

Others might not understand him, but he was Chen Yan Yun’s teacher. Having watched Chen Yan Yun’s rise over the years, how could he not understand his methods? If this truly wasn’t arranged by him, Zhang Ju Lian might as well write his name backward!

The Imperial Guard Commander arrived quickly. Zhu Jun An instructed him: “Accompany Minister Li to arrest Zhou Hu Sheng. The retrial need not be handled by the Censorate or the Court of Judicial Review. I recall that when Minister Li was previously a Prefect in Hubei, he solved some extraordinary cases. This matter shall be presided over by Minister Li.” He turned to Li Ying and continued, “I will also assign Academy Director Gao from the Hanlin Academy to assist you, lest your lower rank cause others to underestimate you.”

Li Ying knelt to express his gratitude.

“Do my beloved ministers have any other matters to discuss?” Zhu Jun An asked.

In the past, when he asked this question, his tone was always light, merely going through the motions. Today, however, for some reason, his question sent chills down spines.

Zhu Jun An nodded to himself: “Since no one speaks, there must be no further matters. The court is dismissed.”

The officials knelt as the Emperor departed. Zhang Ju Lian instinctively raised his head to look. For the first time, he noticed that this young Emperor had developed the shoulders and back of a young man.

A beast, once grown, will inevitably bite.

If he were a worthy minister, seeing the young ruler mature, he should relinquish power.

But these were things he had painstakingly cultivated. How could he hand them over to others?

That was certainly unacceptable.

Zhang Ju Lian led the way out, turning to give Chen Yan Yun a deep look: “Yan Yun, come with me.”

Chen Yan Yun straightened his clothes slightly and followed calmly behind Zhang Ju Lian toward Wenyuan Pavilion.

Yao Ping, He Wen Xin, and others followed closely. Fan Hui, however, dared not walk too near and lagged far behind.

Zhang Ju Lian invited Chen Yan Yun inside, closed the door himself, and had hot tea brought in.

The room was quiet. Zhang Ju Lian gestured with an open hand: “Yan Yun, we have been teachers and students for many years. There’s no need for formalities.”

“It is right for Teacher to suspect me,” Chen Yan Yun sighed softly. “But I have received your kindness for many years; how could I harm you? Besides, if I wanted to harm you, I wouldn’t have had Minister Li speak out. Minister Li is under my authority; if I had instructed him to remonstrate, you would certainly suspect me…”

Zhang Ju Lian handed him tea: “I understand. I was too harsh with you recently. It is natural for you to feel resentment…”

Chen Yan Yun immediately stood up and said: “Teacher’s words wound me deeply. I would never harbor resentment.”

Zhang Ju Lian smiled, though his eyes grew cold.

“I know you respect me in your heart. Sit down, and we’ll continue our discussion.”

After Chen Yan Yun sat down, he continued, “Even if this wasn’t your doing, someone must be interfering from behind the scenes. Otherwise, with Li Ying’s timid nature, he would certainly not dare to stand up and say those things… I want you to investigate thoroughly who is so bold!”

Chen Yan Yun cupped his hands and agreed. “I will not disappoint the Teacher’s instructions. I will certainly investigate this thoroughly.”

After Chen Yan Yun left, Zhang Ju Lian leaned against his armchair and slowly drank his tea.

Smoke from the incense burner drifted up gently.

Feng Cheng Shan arrived shortly and sat down, helping himself to tea.

“Such a major event in court today, yet Minister Zhang remains so calm, sitting here drinking tea. How composed you are!”

Having been sent to the palace as a child due to family poverty and castrated, his voice had a unique softness. Feng Cheng Shan had a fair complexion, though his face betrayed a hint of fierceness. When he smiled, he appeared much more benevolent: “If it were this humble one, I would certainly be anxious by now!”

“You merely had Feng Bi Bi watch the Emperor, yet you couldn’t even do that properly,” Zhang Ju Lian set down his teacup. “Has the Emperor shown any unusual activity these days?”

“Before today, this humble one observed nothing unusual—” Feng Cheng Shan said. “As usual, he enjoyed visiting Consort Jing, paying respects to the Empress Dowager, playing with birds, and feeding fish with the Marquis of Chang Xing’s heir. If there was anything different, this humble one truly didn’t notice!”

“Did Chen Yan Yun meet with him privately?”

Zhang Ju Lian asked slowly.

Feng Cheng Shan’s eyes flashed: “Grand Tutor Zhang, you suspect even the Third Master Chen?”

“It’s not suspicion,” Zhang Ju Lian revealed a cold smile. “I’m quite certain it’s him.”

“How can you say that? Hasn’t Chen Yan Yun always been loyal to you? I just spoke with him on my way here…”

Zhang Ju Lian said indifferently: “After discovering Chen Si’s poisoning attempt, he must have been angered. Chen Si proved useless after all. I originally intended to use him to keep Chen Yan Yun in check—how utterly foolish!”

Feng Cheng Shan smiled and said: “If Third Master Chen threatens you, just kill him—it’s just one man’s death, how significant could it be!”

“I won’t expose him yet; let’s quietly observe what he does,” Zhang Ju Lian’s tone was cold. “As for the Emperor, if he truly intends to move against me, that would be most troublesome. You must remain vigilant to avoid being caught unprepared!”

After some thought, Feng Cheng Shan smiled: “If Minister Zhang truly fears that young master, why not take his place yourself? Otherwise, sooner or later, when that young master truly holds power, how could he tolerate your presence?”

Zhang Ju Lian frowned upon hearing this.

It had taken him many years to reach his current position. Now, his partisans and spies were placed throughout the court, and he enjoyed having everything under his control. But the rebellion was best avoided. If Prince Rui were still alive, he could have borrowed his name. But under his name, Zhang Ju Lian, how could he win people’s allegiance? That position might be desirable, but one needed to be alive to enjoy it!

He waved his hand: “Enough, just keep a close watch on the Emperor. I have my plans for these matters.”

Feng Cheng Shan didn’t press further and stood up: “Minister Zhang should remember my words. Our Emperor has great ambitions; there will come a day when he will no longer be content.” He took his thumb ring and leisurely left the room.

Zhang Ju Lian had an attendant enter and summon the Imperial Guard Commander.

…

“Third Master, with Minister Li, causing such a disturbance today, Minister Zhang must suspect you. Should we send men to protect Minister Li?”

Inside the carriage, a brazier was burning, and Jiang Yan was tending the fire. Chen Yan Yun leaned against the carriage wall, resting.

“I’ve already sent Chen Yi with men. The Imperial Guard Commander is Zhang Ju Lian’s man and will certainly try to interfere,” Chen Yan Yun fingered his prayer beads, counting them slowly. “Now it’s time to gamble on our luck, to see if we can succeed.”

Jiang Yan nodded and handed the heated water to Chen Yan Yun.

Chen Yan Yun had just taken a sip when the carriage suddenly stopped.

Hu Rong lifted the carriage curtain and entered, catching his breath before saying: “Third Master… someone outside wishes to see you.”

Chen Yan Yun frowned slightly.

He and the person who had stopped his carriage found a teahouse in Jiuchun Quarter. Smiling, he said: “Young Master—next time you wish to see me, please send a visiting card, or have an attendant announce you. There’s truly no need to stop my carriage; you frightened my driver.”

Ye Xian did not comment and instructed the shopkeeper to bring two plates of dried peanuts and roasted beans. He then ordered: “Bring a jar of Autumn Dew White.”

The shopkeeper pleaded with a smile: “Young Master, I run a small business, where would I find Autumn Dew White for you? Perhaps you could give me some silver, and I could buy some from the tavern across the way?”

Ye Xian raised an eyebrow: “Then what do you have?”

“Fen wine, yellow wine, and wine infused with wolfberry…”

“Bring whatever you have,” Ye Xian said indifferently. This was the wine he had ordered for Chen Yan Yun, as he didn’t drink. He seemed to suddenly remember and turned to ask Chen Yan Yun, “Minister Chen, what wine do you prefer?”

“I don’t drink alcohol. Thank you for your kind intention, Young Master,” Chen Yan Yun replied.

So neither of them drank, yet he had been asking all this time! Ye Xian waved his hand: “Then forget it. I just saved some silver. You may go now.”

The shopkeeper closed the door, and Li Xian Huai and Jiang Yan immediately took up positions outside.

Chen Yan Yun didn’t speak, nor did he ask why Ye Xian had sought him out. He slowly played with his teacup, waiting for Ye Xian to speak first.

Ye Xian took a sip of tea but thought for a long while before asking: “Chen Yan Yun, you truly are bold!”

Chen Yan Yun smiled and asked: “What does the Young Master mean?”

Ye Xian looked at him. Chen Yan Yun appeared quite calm; in fact, this man rarely showed his emotions. Even today in court, he had maintained the same composure, as if unmoved by a mountain crumbling before his eyes. He must be plotting something—only when he was calculating would he appear so composed.