The matter of the Emperor’s death was suspicious from the beginning. Though the palace had sealed the news to prevent panic among the people, with so many civil and military officials in court, and such a significant secret within the palace, it was impossible to keep hidden even if they wanted to. Colleagues in various mansions throughout the court understood each other tacitly, they simply hadn’t spoken of it openly.
Qi Feng stood in the courtyard, playing with a paperweight in his hands. Mo Cong asked curiously, “What exactly is Xuan Li plotting? Such elaborate schemes just to implicate one Zhao Jin? Seems like making a mountain out of a molehill.” Mo Cong and Xiao Shao were on the same side, so naturally they had long understood that those opposing them were Xuan Li’s people. The Emperor’s death was undoubtedly connected to Xuan Li – this point was beyond question. Originally everyone thought that all Xuan Li wanted was for the Emperor to die naturally from illness with legitimate cause. Who knew there would also be this poisoning incident? Xuan Li doing this must have been deliberately leaving clues, but his purpose in doing so was apparently just to implicate Zhao Jin.
If the entire Zhao family were to be implicated, that would be one thing, but the reason given was merely a private grudge between Zhao Jin and Dong Ying’er. This way, it had nothing to do with murdering the Emperor – it was just that Zhao Jin wanted to harm Dong Ying’er, but by accident caused the Emperor to consume poison instead. Since it was only to implicate Zhao Jin, why would Xuan Li need to act personally? Moreover, Xuan Li had no particular grudge against Zhao Jin. Xuan Li had never been one to meddle in unnecessary affairs, which left Mo Cong completely puzzled.
“It’s not like that,” Qi Feng shook his head. “Xuan Li would never waste effort. For just one Zhao Jin, why would he act personally?”
“Then Fourth Brother, do you mean there are other moves planned behind this?” Mo Cong asked upon hearing this.
“Naturally there are,” Qi Feng’s voice grew heavy. “The Zhao family are most protective of their own, and Zhao Jin is already engaged to Jiang Xinzhi – they’re grasshoppers on the same rope. No matter what, it won’t be easy for Jiang Xinzhi to extricate himself cleanly from this. Of course, most importantly, their goal has always been just one.”
“The Thirteenth Prince?” Mo Cong began to understand. Everyone knew that Jiang Ruan had a good relationship with Xuan Pei, and Jiang Xinzhi and Jiang Ruan were blood siblings, naturally sharing common enemies. If Jiang Xinzhi could replace Jiang Ruan, it would mean that Jiang Xinzhi and Xuan Pei had also formed an alliance. As long as Jiang Xinzhi was dragged into the water, naturally Xuan Pei would be unable to retreat unscathed.
“I see!” After Mo Cong figured it out, he had an epiphany and said urgently, “Xuan Li is extremely cunning, presumably this matter should also be within his calculations. If this is truly the case, he must have already prepared follow-up measures. Fourth Brother, you and Third Brother must already have countermeasures – tell me about them.” Mo Cong had always trusted Xiao Shao and Qi Feng completely. Qi Feng managed the Baizhang Tower behind the scenes, while Xiao Shao led the Imperial Guards at the front, always cooperating with perfect coordination. Even though they faced such a cunning opponent in this matter, and recently the entire Mo family including Master Mo had been worried and frowning, Mo Cong himself wasn’t worried at all. When the sky falls, there are still several martial brothers to hold it up – surely nothing would go wrong.
Qi Feng glanced at him and smiled, “I won’t tell you.”
Mo Cong was deflated, “Fourth Brother, we do share the bonds of martial brotherhood after all…”
“Just behave yourself in court and console your old master while you’re at it. Don’t let the current situation in court dazzle your eyes. Neutrality is certainly good, but the wise know when to adapt. Between the Eighth Prince and the Thirteenth Prince, who has better odds of winning – I don’t need to tell you, you know. Rather than having the leisure to chat with me here, you’d better properly persuade your family’s old master. You’re a member of the Mo family after all – don’t spend all day completely ignoring household affairs.” Qi Feng simply began lecturing Mo Cong.
Though Mo Cong was intelligent, he was probably young by nature, and had entered their school last among the martial brothers. His personality was playful, like a child, and what he hated most was being lectured by others. Hearing Qi Feng’s speech, he immediately felt a headache coming on and quickly said, “Stop, stop, Fourth Brother, don’t say anymore. I won’t ask, is that okay?” He glanced outside – Xiao Shao had been busy and rushing around recently, hardly staying at the mansion. He’d come several times without seeing him, so Mo Cong said, “Is Third Brother still worried about Third Sister-in-law’s matter? No news at all?”
Hearing this, Qi Feng’s eyes dimmed, and after a long while he shook his head, “No.” Originally this plan had been decided between Jiang Ruan and him. No matter how unwilling he felt inside, he understood this was the best method. Later, thinking not to alert the enemy, he had the Imperial Guards secretly and quietly investigate. But even now, they still hadn’t found where she was. Even Qi Feng’s heart had begun to worry a little. But he also knew that the worry Xiao Shao bore was much greater than his own. Things had reached this point – they could only continue persisting. They could only hope that the Emperor’s death now would serve as a catalyst, making Xuan Li act more quickly, so the plan could proceed smoothly.
In the underground prison, Zhao Jin looked at Lin Zixiang who had come to visit and asked anxiously, “How are things?”
Lin Zixiang’s expression was somewhat unsightly, “Your father has been sent to the Ministry of Justice for questioning. This matter is no small thing – the Emperor’s affairs are inherently sensitive, and now your Zhao family has gotten involved in major trouble. Zhao Manor is now sealed, and I had my father petition the Empress Dowager, but it was useless. I’m sorry, Zhao Jin.” Lin Zixiang was very sad. She really wanted to help Zhao Jin, but her father was merely a chancellor with an empty title and no real power. Usually he could at most move his lips, but how could he truly influence the decisions of those in power?
Seeing this, Zhao Jin instead consoled her, “It’s not your fault – this matter itself caused too big a stir. By the way, Zixiang, what did my father say? Did you tell my father to push all responsibility onto me?”
Zhao Jin had already seen clearly – since this matter ultimately stemmed from Dong Ying’er’s actions targeting her, as long as she died, everything would be fine. No matter what, they couldn’t let the entire Zhao family be implicated. If she just admitted it was her problem, then it would only be her crime of wanting to harm Dong Ying’er but accidentally killing the Emperor instead. The Zhao family could at least extricate themselves and preserve their lives. But if the entire Zhao family were implicated, the whole household would likely be charged with deliberately murdering the current Son of Heaven.
Lin Zixiang was silent for a long while, then shook her head, “Your father and your two brothers love you so much – how could they let you bear all responsibility alone? You know this is impossible.”
Actually, as long as the two young masters of the Zhao family and Master Zhao claimed complete ignorance of this matter, they could extricate themselves. After all, the Zhao family currently seemed to have no reason to harm the Emperor, and the evidence now appeared quite conclusive. Who knew that Master Zhao and the two young masters of the Zhao family were stubborn – having pampered Zhao Jin since childhood, how could they stand by and watch? Not only did they refuse to push all responsibility onto Zhao Jin to save themselves, they even desperately defended Zhao Jin’s innocence, saying she would never send poisoned ginseng into the palace, and would never harm even Dong Ying’er. This was absolutely a frame-up, someone’s deliberate scheme.
Already a sensitive time, such protests of innocence further offended the Ministry of Justice, immediately making the previously easing situation even more tense. Hearing this, Zhao Jin was stunned, then smiled bitterly, “In the end, I’ve caused them trouble.”
Lin Zixiang also sighed, “Both being daughters, at least your father is willing to protect you. When Sister Ruan was imprisoned back then…” She didn’t continue. Jiang Ruan and Jiang Quan’s relationship had never been good – that cold-hearted man would have loved to add insult to injury, let alone desperately protect her. People’s circumstances in life are just so different, but Master Zhao’s protectiveness might not necessarily be a good thing now.
“You should go back,” Zhao Jin said wearily. “Let me think some more.”
“What are you thinking about?” Lin Zixiang asked warily. “Don’t do anything foolish, like committing suicide in prison out of guilt.”
Such things weren’t rare – to protect one’s family, taking all blame upon oneself and committing suicide in prison.
Zhao Jin smiled, “What would I use to kill myself? This place guards me strictly. Besides, even if I did commit suicide, my father and brothers might not necessarily be released. At least we’d have to wait for the truth to come out. Don’t worry.”
Thinking about it, Lin Zixiang realized this was true. If Zhao Jin really committed suicide out of guilt now, it would actually be bad. With her personality of wanting to protect her family, she indeed wouldn’t do such a poorly thought-out thing. She nodded, “Good, then take care of yourself.”
Zhao Jin nodded. After Lin Zixiang left, she rubbed her forehead, turned around and sat down leaning against the wall. The ground was covered with damp straw, and at night there were even rats. Having grown up pampered, this was her first time in prison. Thinking that Jiang Ruan had also been in the imperial prison, she couldn’t help but smile self-mockingly again.
She greatly admired Jiang Ruan. Though she knew no martial arts, in various conspiracies and schemes, no matter how dangerous the situation, she could always escape unscathed. She seemed extremely intelligent, always able to turn situations to her advantage. When she entered this imperial prison, she surely wasn’t as wretched as herself now. She must have waited calmly, like a beast quietly lurking, waiting for an opportunity to strike and catch all her prey in one net.
But she didn’t have Jiang Ruan’s abilities. Knowing it was Dong Ying’er who harmed her, she had no way to retaliate. And if she wasn’t careful, she might drag her own family down too. Zhao Jin took a deep breath and looked at the pendant at her waist – a half-moon shaped amber piece that Jiang Xinzhi had given her. Originally a necklace, Zhao Jin had made it into a pendant. This matter arose because of Jiang Xinzhi. If not for Jiang Xinzhi, Dong Ying’er probably wouldn’t have such hatred for her.
The decision she was about to make – if there was anyone she’d wronged, besides her own family, it would probably be Jiang Xinzhi most of all. But… she didn’t regret it. Zhao Jin closed her eyes and suddenly called out, “Guard! Guard!”
She was calling the jailer. The jailers here, having been specially instructed by Jiang Xinzhi, treated her fairly well. Hearing her call, a jailer walked over and asked, “What is it?”
“I want… to write a confession,” Zhao Jin said.
Things in this world are generally ever-changing. Before Zhao Jin’s confession could be sent out, changes occurred in the palace.
The cause was that someone discovered the same poison found in the old ginseng Zhao Jin had sent to the palace in Consort Mu Xiurou’s chambers. Consort Mu Xiurou and Zhao Jin were completely unrelated – this matter seemed suspicious. Someone searched Consort Mu Xiurou’s chambers and found a seal. With this seal, some palace guards could be freely commanded and move around the palace very conveniently. This seal belonged to none other than the Thirteenth Prince Xuan Pei.
When this matter came to light, the entire court was in uproar.
The Thirteenth Prince Xuan Pei was still young now. To say he had some improper relationship with Consort Mu Xiurou would be somewhat far-fetched. But why would Consort Mu Xiurou have Xuan Pei’s belongings? There was only one reason – Consort Mu Xiurou was originally Xuan Pei’s person.
Later, layer upon layer of suspicious evidence was uncovered in Consort Mu Xiurou’s chambers. In a place like the imperial palace, once there was suspicion and a serious investigation of someone, they weren’t afraid of finding nothing. Though Consort Mu Xiurou’s flaws were minor, they were still discovered. Thus, it became almost certain to everyone that Consort Mu Xiurou was Xuan Pei’s person.
So Consort Mu Xiurou was Xuan Pei’s person, and Consort Mu Xiurou was connected to the Thirteenth Prince, but why was it Zhao Jin who sent things to Dong Ying’er, accidentally poisoning the Emperor instead? This matter was like a tangled mess – almost no one could make sense of it, making it seem even more mysterious. But just at this moment, someone stepped forward, claiming to know the inside story and wanting to testify.
This person was the Thirteenth Prince Xuan Pei’s personal maid, Chaoyang.
Chaoyang knelt before Empress Dowager Yide, kowtowing as she said, “This servant knows how this happened. Consort Mu was originally the Thirteenth Prince’s person. The Thirteenth Prince wanted to seize the throne, so he gave Consort Mu poison to slip into His Majesty’s medicine. But Consort Mu rarely had opportunities to serve His Majesty personally, as Consort Dong always protected him, so she couldn’t find a chance to act.” Chaoyang paused, glanced at Empress Dowager Yide, then continued timidly, “Then… then it was because of Princess Hong’an… Princess Hong’an had long formed an alliance with the Thirteenth Prince, but now Princess Hong’an’s life or death is unknown. The Thirteenth Prince urgently needed to act, so Princess Hong’an’s older brother General Jiang thought of a method. General Jiang’s fiancée is Miss Zhao, and Miss Zhao was once close friends with Consort Dong. They thought to use this opportunity to send two old ginseng roots in… Consort Dong, caring wholeheartedly for His Majesty, would surely treasure those thousand-year-old ginseng roots and send them to the medicine preparation room to be used with His Majesty’s decoctions.”
Chaoyang kowtowed, her face full of terror as she said, “After this servant learned of this matter, I’ve been very uneasy, but this servant is insignificant and powerless. Speaking out, I feared no one would believe me, so… so I’ve been hiding it, thinking perhaps they wouldn’t be so bold. I never thought it would actually come to pass. This servant has been living in fear day and night, and finally couldn’t bear it anymore. Empress Dowager, Miss Zhao was also being used. The one who really wanted to kill His Majesty was General Jiang – no, it was the Thirteenth Prince!” Chaoyang finished speaking in one breath, then kowtowed several times on the ground until blood began seeping from her forehead.
Both Xuan Pei and Xuan Li stood there. Hearing this, Xuan Li’s face showed undiminished shock as he looked at Xuan Pei, “Thirteenth Brother, you… did you really do this?”
“Eighth Brother truly breaks my heart,” Xuan Pei said unhurriedly. “We are blood brothers, yet you’d rather believe a lowly palace maid and begin suspecting me because of it. This matter naturally wasn’t my doing.”
Empress Dowager Yide said nothing, only silently watched the two. In this room, even Consort Mu Xiurou’s expression was surprisingly calm. Outside, the Imperial Guards all waited nearby, just awaiting an order to arrest Consort Mu Xiurou. Regardless of anything else, the same poison found in the old ginseng had been discovered in her chambers – this point was indisputable. Based on this alone, Consort Mu Xiurou could never extricate herself from this matter.
“Empress Dowager, what this servant says is absolutely true. This servant would never speak falsely. This matter concerns His Majesty’s life and death – even if you gave this servant a hundred times the courage, this servant wouldn’t dare fabricate stories!” Chaoyang kowtowed repeatedly, “Now that this servant has spoken the truth, I no longer seek to live, but only seek peace of mind, so that when I reach the underworld, I can face my parents.” She first expressed her willingness to die – when one is about to die, their words are kind, providing reason for people to believe her.
Dong Ying’er stood to one side, covering her mouth, her expression full of distressed anxiety, murmuring, “How could this be? How could this be?” She suddenly looked angrily at Xuan Pei, “His Majesty treated you so well – why would you harm His Majesty like this! Thirteenth Prince, your heart is like a snake’s!”
Xuan Pei laughed once. Faced with all this evidence unfavorable to himself, he appeared extremely calm, “Yes, Consort Dong, Father Emperor treated me so well – why would I harm him? How can you just listen to a small palace maid’s nonsense?”
“She’s your personal maid,” Dong Ying’er said. “For no reason, why would she frame you?”
“Exactly, I also want to know – for no reason, why would she frame me?” Xuan Pei smiled as he looked at Chaoyang kneeling on the ground. Chaoyang usually kept herself neat and clever, earning his favor, so everyone in the palace knew she was Xuan Pei’s head maid. At this moment, Xuan Pei asked casually, “Chaoyang, this prince also wants to ask – this prince has always treated you well, so why do you want to slander this prince?”
“I’m not slandering Your Highness, I’m not slandering Your Highness,” Chaoyang shrank back fearfully, as if extremely afraid of Xuan Pei, but upon closer look, that fear seemed somewhat false and not entirely real. However, no one noticed these subtle expressions. Their attention was all drawn to Chaoyang’s words. Chaoyang said, “Your Highness wants to seize the throne, but you cannot kill His Majesty. This is patricide and regicide. This servant was too frightened, too frightened…”
“Hehe,” Xuan Pei smiled with interest, “How strange. I am Father Emperor’s son to begin with. This realm might be handed to me by Father Emperor someday – it’s naturally mine, so why would I need to seize it?” His words carried deep meaning. Xuan Li’s eyes flashed, and Empress Dowager Yide also frowned. Then Xuan Pei continued, “Of course, Father Emperor might also hand this realm to Eighth Brother. But ah, little Chaoyang,” he smiled brilliantly, “Father Emperor has never revealed to whom he would hand this realm. I don’t know, Eighth Brother presumably doesn’t know – could it be that you know?”
Chaoyang was startled, looking at Xuan Pei with shock and fear. That exquisitely featured youth smiled with brilliant warmth, looking like some carefree noble young master riding by, originally the most warming of smiles, but now it seemed to carry an unfathomable coldness that chilled straight to one’s heart. Xuan Pei said, “Chaoyang, you mean Father Emperor has already decided to hand this realm to Eighth Brother, and this prince, unwilling to accept this, committed this act of regicide? This prince wants to know how you learned of Father Emperor’s decision, and where is the imperial edict establishing Eighth Brother as heir? Since you know, don’t hide it anymore – bring it out for everyone to see.”
Mingyue, who was standing nearby, couldn’t help but smile silently. Xuan Pei’s earnest mockery could sometimes be quite satisfying to watch. But she stood on Xuan Pei’s side, so naturally found it satisfying. Some watching didn’t find it satisfying at all. Xuan Li’s expression changed slightly, and Chaoyang’s body couldn’t help trembling.
She knew how terrifying the youth before her was. Even though she emphasized to Xuan Li each time that Xuan Pei wasn’t as harmless as he appeared, Chaoyang always felt this youth was hiding much more. What she saw now was only what Xuan Pei was willing to let her see. She knew Xuan Pei was someone with thoughts and methods, but Xuan Pei surely had many more thoughts and methods that she hadn’t discovered.
She already felt the pressure. Under Xuan Pei’s gaze, Chaoyang felt chilled throughout her body. She shouldn’t have this feeling – she was the most excellent assassin, specialized in spying on human hearts. She was originally a dead chess piece cultivated by Xuan Li. Once a chess piece was played, it was only to advance the overall situation and could no longer survive. A chess piece with a death wish naturally had nothing left in the world to fear, but Xuan Pei’s gaze made Chaoyang afraid.
What kind of feeling this was, Chaoyang didn’t know. She had stayed by Xuan Pei’s side, dedicating herself to being a somewhat timid and fearful palace maid who gradually grew bolder through following a special master. Chaoyang completely immersed herself in this role, as if she really were an ordinary palace maid. She was the most excellent assassin, wholeheartedly seeking that final strike. She believed she hadn’t revealed a single flaw. Now, as long as her accusation cast even the slightest suspicion on Xuan Pei – suspicion from someone close to him – even just a tiny bit, regardless of whether there was evidence, it wouldn’t matter. If Xuan Pei didn’t refute, he would always have reasons for censure and written attacks from imperial censors in his future struggle for succession, losing a large portion of popular support. If he refuted, Xuan Li had ten thousand ways to provoke conflict, and Xuan Pei would be confirmed guilty of treason.
No matter which outcome, what Xuan Pei faced was a dead end.
Mingyue looked up at Xuan Pei again. Xuan Pei’s lips curved in a smile, his face showing not even the slightest trace of surprise. Chaoyang carefully recalled every minute expression on Xuan Pei’s face, hoping to discover emotions like panic. But unfortunately, she suddenly realized that from when she exposed Xuan Pei’s patricide until now, Xuan Pei hadn’t shown even the slightest bit of surprise. Even if it was acting, even if it was forced composure, such emotions were far too natural.
Could he have anticipated all this long ago? Chaoyang silently shook her head inwardly – impossible. Just now, Consort Mu Xiurou’s face had shown a trace of panic, an expression that couldn’t be faked. Since Consort Mu Xiurou hadn’t anticipated this, how could Xuan Pei know? This youth was probably just accustomed to hiding his feelings.
Xuan Li stepped forward, looking at Empress Dowager Yide and asking, “Imperial Grandmother, what should we do now?” He looked at Xuan Pei with difficulty, “Thirteenth Brother is young and naturally wouldn’t do such things. There must be something suspicious here, but if we ignore this matter now, I’m afraid…” Saying Xuan Pei was young meant Xuan Pei might have been deceived by others. Who this person was, everyone knew tacitly – naturally it was Jiang Xinzhi, who had been implicated again.
Empress Dowager Yide’s gaze heavily swept over everyone present, finally settling on the composed-looking Xuan Pei. She suddenly beckoned and said sternly, “Imprison Jiang Xinzhi and Consort Mu Xiurou in the dungeons for interrogation. As for the rest – investigate!”
She didn’t have Xuan Pei imprisoned as well, which showed she still held some hope about this matter. In fact, even if there was evidence pointing to Xuan Pei, unless the evidence was conclusive and could immediately determine guilt, Empress Dowager Yide couldn’t easily move against Xuan Pei. This was because both inside and outside the court were currently in chaos. If this matter also exploded, the Great Jin Dynasty’s foundations might become unstable. Regardless of how the internal court actually was, external threats were ultimately more important. Empress Dowager Yide had sat in high position for a lifetime and naturally knew that people from the southern borders were currently restless, probably waiting for this chaotic opportunity. How could she give them a chance to take advantage?
Xuan Li glanced at Chaoyang kneeling on the ground and asked, “This maid…”
“Lock her up too!” Empress Dowager Yide said coldly, rising and sweeping away with her sleeves. She said nothing and didn’t even express her opinion on Xuan Pei’s matter – this was already very unusual. But Empress Dowager Yide’s usual way of doing things had no fixed pattern, and no one could guess her thoughts. Rather than guessing Empress Dowager Yide’s thoughts, people were more interested in watching Xuan Pei’s excitement.
Xuan Li walked to Xuan Pei’s side and sighed, “Thirteenth Brother, you’re truly unlucky.” His face showed the expression of a good older brother defending his younger brother. From a distance, it really looked like a scene of deep brotherhood, but his words carried a hint of provocation – the mockery one shows toward a defeated opponent.
Though Empress Dowager Yide hadn’t expressed her opinion on Xuan Pei’s matter, Xuan Pei would probably be placed under house arrest afterward. This was no good thing for a prince. Once under house arrest, he couldn’t communicate with supporting courtiers and would know nothing of outside affairs. During house arrest, the outside world might undergo earth-shaking changes, becoming deaf, blind, and lame in the palace – this was far too passive.
“Why does Eighth Brother say this?” Xuan Pei asked curiously. “My luck has always been quite good. Back when I thought my days were numbered, unexpectedly I later received Father Emperor’s favor.” He smiled slightly, “Master Hui Jue read my physiognomy and said my life follows the pattern of sweetness after bitterness. Before reaching the end, no one knows how fortune will turn. Perhaps in a few days, I’ll experience a reversal of fortune again.”
Regarding Xuan Li’s words, Xuan Pei paid no attention whatsoever, even seeming to deliberately counter Xuan Li. Xuan Pei’s ability to infuriate people had never been underestimated. Even someone as patient as Xuan Li showed a flash of anger in his eyes, though he quickly calmed down. He also smiled, “In that case, I wish Thirteenth Brother good luck.”
Within the palace, more than one person worried about this matter. Even Liu Min, who had been silent for so long, was now deeply concerned.
His feelings for Jiang Ruan were ultimately a forbidden emotion. From the day she married another, Liu Min knew he and this woman had no fate in this life. He longed for Jiang Ruan to be happy, but truly seeing her loving relationship with Xiao Shao left his heart sour and uncomfortable. But Liu Min was a restrained person – he knew that since he couldn’t obtain her, forgetting would also be beneficial.
Liu Min knew Jiang Ruan and Xuan Pei had always been close. Since the Emperor assigned him to Xuan Pei as tutor, Liu Min had been wholeheartedly dedicating himself to teaching everything he knew. Previously, when serving as the Crown Prince’s tutor, the Crown Prince was uninterested in learning and truly illiterate, which indeed made things very difficult for Liu Min. But the Thirteenth Prince Xuan Pei was different. Initially, Liu Min looked upon him favorably because of Jiang Ruan, but later, through their interactions, Liu Min felt this youth had unique insights and remarkable thoughts. Regarding political affairs, though he was a prince, he could view problems from bottom to top, and without the impetuousness of youth, he acted steadily and thoroughly – truly a prodigy of exceptional talent.
Having the Emperor assign him to teach Xuan Pei, Liu Min had always assumed it was also paving the way for Xuan Pei’s future. Between him and Xuan Pei was the relationship of talent scout and exceptional horse. In his life, he had only two students – one mediocre and incompetent, one a talented prodigy. Any teacher would cherish talent, let alone someone like Liu Min.
He sighed, but now with the Emperor’s death, the court was currently leaderless. He was a scholar – he could neither fight on the battlefield nor influence the overall situation like those prime ministers and great ministers. Even less could he do anything for Jiang Xinzhi when Jiang Ruan’s life or death was unknown. Liu Min suddenly felt a sense of melancholy and sighed, “Scholars are useless in a hundred ways.”
“What are you saying?” A pair of hands patted his shoulder. Liu Min turned around to find Mo Cong. Back at the Imperial Academy, Mo Cong had extended a helping hand to him, and later they had both passed the examinations together. It was just that the Mo family had power while he had climbed up step by step through ability – there actually wasn’t much interaction between them. Seeing Mo Cong now, he was somewhat surprised.
“Top Scholar, don’t belittle yourself. How many scholars in the Great Jin Dynasty take you as their model, hoping to achieve the top scholar position someday? If you say this, wouldn’t it chill the hearts of students and affect future imperial examinations?” Mo Cong joked.
Liu Min shook his head, “What good is being an official? Still can’t do anything. Before, I thought I could change the world through my own strength, but now it seems like foolish dreaming.”
Mo Cong looked at him, “You’re really strange. Back in the academy when people ostracized you, you were quite aloof. How is it that after entering court, with more people flattering you, you’ve become cynical instead?” He shook his head, “Originally I was hoping you’d help with a favor for Third Sister-in-law, but now it seems I need to reconsider.”
“Third Sister-in-law?” Liu Min was startled, suddenly remembering this person was closely connected to Jiang Ruan’s husband Xiao Shao. His heart beat somewhat fast as he asked hesitantly, “Princess… Princess Jinying?”
Liu Min thought to himself that outsiders were right – this person had been coveting his third brother’s household for a long time. But he still clapped his hands, “Exactly!”