While the Crown Prince discussed governance by weight in his hall, the Third Prince rummaged wildly through the imperial library.

The Third Prince directed his attendants to move out stacks of books, nearly filling the carriage until there was no place for him to sit. He simply sat outside the carriage and drove it himself.

“Third Prince,” the library officials stood to the side, not daring to stop him, only saying carefully, “Let us prepare a carriage to deliver them for you.”

The Third Prince raised his hand in refusal: “Don’t touch my books. I know what you’re like—you’ll definitely lose some or leave some out.” Without waiting for the officials to speak again, his pale face was full of malice. “And next time anyone dares to ask me for books, don’t blame me for not maintaining scholarly propriety!”

The officials were somewhat helpless: “Your Highness, you’re about to empty the library.”

The Third Prince sneered coldly: “So what if I empty it? Father Emperor gives the entire realm to the Crown Prince. What does it matter if I only want one library!”

This statement really was— The officials didn’t know how to respond and could only watch as the Third Prince drove away.

The Third Prince had a mad temperament and was disrespectful to the Crown Prince everywhere, but with the Noble Consort backing him, the Emperor also turned a blind eye. Any officials who impeached the Third Prince were retaliated against by the Zhao clan—either demoted or thrown into prison. In recent years, officials had all closed their eyes and mouths.

The maternal clan, the Yang family, occupied key court departments and was also not to be trifled with.

When the two sides tore at each other, innocent bystanders suffered.

Like that Magistrate Liang.

Though it was just a bit of tea stain on his shoulder, there were no secrets in court—it spread like wildfire.

Being splashed with tea water by the Emperor was due to the conflict between the Zhao and Yang clans.

“Ah,” hearing this, one official interjected, “I heard it was because of Chu Ling’s daughter—”

Officials naturally all knew about the matter between Chu Ling’s daughter and Miss Liang through their families, but—

“That’s a small matter,” they waved their hands.

Whether it was Chu Ling or Chu Ling’s daughter, they were all insignificant people. The dispute between two young ladies was also an insignificant small matter. Behind Magistrate Liang’s affair, there must be major matters involving the Yang and Zhao clans, as well as the Crown Prince and Third Prince.

Chu Ling was a person who could be disregarded.

As for his daughter, she was even more like a speck of dust in the capital.

Brushing away the dust, the officials continued their low discussions about the important people in court and their major affairs.

“What is the Third Prince planning to do by holding this literary gathering?”

“Is he gathering scholars to create momentum?”

“That would really be quite a spectacle.”

……

……

The Third Prince drove the carriage, with the driver sitting beside him, racing away from the imperial city.

“Your Highness,” the wooden-faced driver said in a low voice, “Uncle asks why His Majesty lost his temper? Does anything need to be done?”

There were no secrets in the imperial city. With the Noble Consort by the Emperor’s side, the Emperor had even fewer secrets. The moment he threw things in a rage, the Noble Consort’s brother knew about it.

The Third Prince’s face showed none of his earlier madness, with just a trace of a smile at the corner of his mouth: “No need. Tell Uncle that I made His Majesty angry. I deliberately said the words Chu Ling used in his memorial to offend Father Emperor back then.”

The driver was somewhat puzzled: “Does Your Highness dislike this Chu Ling?”

The Third Prince snorted: “What is he to be worth my attention? Mother Consort said this Chu Ling is about to die. I’m just making him die faster. As for Luocheng, we need to get our hands on it.”

The driver understood: “Your Highness can rest assured. Uncle knows about this matter and has already sent people. Even if Chu Ling doesn’t die, we’ll arrange people there.”

“That’s good. Tell Uncle not to worry about these small people and small matters,” the Third Prince said, reaching up to smooth his wind-blown hair, revealing sinister eyes. “What comes next is our main event.”

With that, he fiercely cracked the whip, and the horse whinnied and charged forward like mad.

The guards had long adapted, clearing the streets in time and ordering crowds to retreat. The civilians by the roadside were also accustomed to it, dodging one after another, watching as the Third Prince passed before them with his robes and hair flying wildly.

The affairs between the imperial father and sons and brothers were behind closed doors. The imperial city on this spring afternoon remained quiet.

In an office in the Western Garden, after waiting a very long time and talking for even longer, Deng Yi finally handed over a piece of paper.

This official received it, squinting and holding it up to look. This appeared to be a pawn ticket, but was actually a certificate to retrieve items from a pawnshop.

“Deng Yi, I’m really taking a risk accepting your money. Who told you to offend the Yang family and also offend the Zhao family? This time you made mistakes in your duties and left vulnerabilities. Of course Director Zhou wants to thoroughly squeeze you,” he said.

Deng Yi nodded: “I know. Giving money is never the risk—receiving it is. Deng Yi remembers your lordship’s grace.”

That official laughed: “You, you—you’re quite good at talking and handling matters, so why must you offend them?”

Deng Yi smiled: “I truly didn’t deliberately offend them. I did everything I should give and handle. My abilities are limited to this. They’re still dissatisfied with me, and there’s nothing I can do.”

What “abilities limited to this”—putting it plainly, he just didn’t want to sell his body and soul to them. The official understood this too. The Zhao and Yang clans fought openly and secretly, forming factions. Though most people in court had made their choice, there were also those who didn’t want to choose and only wanted to secure a position and keep their heads down to live their own lives.

“Then you’ll just have to work harder,” the official said, tossing an appointment certificate on the table. “You could have sat comfortably in the Palace Guard Office, but now you can only guard the palace gates. This is the most respectable position I could select for you—at least it’s better than patrolling the city with the imperial guards.”

Deng Yi reached out to take it and cupped his fists in salute to the official: “Many thanks for your lordship’s righteousness.”

The official shook the pawn ticket in his hand and laughed heartily: “Well said, well said. No wonder everyone says dealing with you, Deng Yi, is most satisfying.”

Receiving so much money and still being called righteous—not bad, not bad. This kind of righteousness, he was willing to have several more times.

Deng Yi bowed and took his leave, walking through the imperial city again. Occasionally, officials who knew him would turn their heads and pretend not to see him.

Deng Yi, Assistant Director of the Palace Guard, had given gifts all the way into the capital and obtained a respectable position, but in less than a year, he had been dismissed.

This person was truly incompetent and had caused trouble.

“Second Master, Second Master,” someone called softly from a corner outside the palace gate.

Deng Yi saw his household servant and quickly walked over: “What is it? Is there something at home?”

Deng Yi brought his family wherever he went, and entering the capital was no exception. His family was simple—just one blind old mother and one servant.

The servant said aggrievedly: “The old mistress wants to eat, but we discovered there’s no rice at home and no money either.” He looked at Deng Yi resentfully. “We clearly just had a lot of money. Second Master, did you throw it away again?”

Deng Yi smiled and removed the old cloak he was wearing: “The weather’s getting warm anyway. Take this to pawn and buy rice for food.”

The servant helplessly but habitually took it, shaking his head and muttering a few words before running off with the garment. Food was important—he had to pawn it quickly and exchange it for rice.

A passing official nearby heard what the master and servant were saying and quickly spread the news. The gazes around became even more contemptuous.

Deng Yi paid no attention. Wearing only a thin shirt, his expression calm, he walked out the palace gate, looked toward where the Palace Guard Office was located, and a trace of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He had given gifts all along the way and made connections. Relying on these connections, he walked an even higher path. As long as he stepped onto this great road of the capital, he would surely reach the heavens.

What did it matter if small people were as inconspicuous as specks of dust? If dust had opportunity, it too could block out the sky and sun.