A gloomy atmosphere permeated the Eastern Palace.

He Yin looked at Yan Che, who sat behind his desk with an indiscernible expression and said through gritted teeth, “Your Highness, at this point, we have no other choice. Regarding Lord Zhang… it’s impossible to clear him completely. We can only extract the remaining people!”

After a pause, He Yin continued with difficulty, “Your servant has already sent people to investigate. Lord Zhang’s hands are indeed not clean. The military provisions for Shuo Xi have always come through the Ding Zhou and Liang Zhou borders. Lord Zhang oversees the garrison troops of the Northwest route. Seeing how well-supplied the Shuo Xi army was each year, he couldn’t help but…”

Yan Che suddenly turned to look at He Yin, and in that instant, He Yin found himself unable to speak another word.

Yan Che’s eyes were filled with storm clouds of fury. When his gaze swept over He Yin, it felt like a cold blade flying past. How dare He Yin say another word?! He knew his master’s temperament well enough – Yan Che was certainly angry now.

“Too pure water breeds no fish” – Yan Che understood the principles of officialdom well enough. Last year’s salt transport corruption case was just the same, but he never imagined Zhang Qide’s hands would be unclean too. He came from the Northern Garrison Army, yet he dared to embezzle from Shuo Xi army’s supplies!

The military provisions for Shuo Xi were indeed the best in all of Great Zhou, but that was because Shuo Xi faced the most battles, with the highest annual military consumption and casualties. As the Northwest Military Commissioner, Zhang Qide couldn’t even get close to the frontlines – how dare he have the face to embezzle from the Shuo Xi army?!

When the military provisions case broke out, Yan Che had written to question Zhang Qide, but at that time, Zhang Qide’s subordinates had covered things up thoroughly. Moreover, Yan Che had particularly trusted this former subordinate of his maternal grandfather. After Zhang Qide returned to the capital, he had recommended him several times. Although the Emperor hadn’t yet approved, in Yan Che’s heart, Zhang Qide was his first choice to command the Shuo Xi army. He had been waiting to make Zhang Qide the Commander of One Hundred Thousand Troops, but Zhang Qide had fallen from grace first!

Corruption! Again corruption! First the salt transport, now the army. These people, relying on their noble family status and official positions, increasingly forgot why they had entered official service in the first place.

And Yan Che understood more clearly that with Zhang Qide imprisoned, soon he and the Ministry of Revenue under his supervision would be implicated as well.

Thinking of the confined Empress, Yan Che’s heart became troubled. When the Empress was first confined, he hadn’t been anxious, but heaven seemed to be playing a joke on him, forcing such an incident to occur. If it were Mother, what would she do at this moment?!

“Immediately prepare a detailed list, see exactly who took bribes and how much each person took. Try to protect officials of fifth rank and above in the Ministry of Revenue if possible, but we’ll have to let go of those we can’t protect. Tell Yang Han to come to the palace quickly—”

Thinking of Yang Han, Yan Che’s brows furrowed again.

He supervised both the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Personnel, but this Minister of Revenue was quite mediocre. Within his field of vision, no faults could be found, but he was not a decisive person. Yan Che narrowed his eyes, “Never mind about Yang Han. There’s an External Officer in the Ministry of Revenue called Cheng Yu, right? Call him in!”

With Yu Wen Xian absent and Yang Han being as he was, although the Emperor had given him two of the six ministries, in truth, only the Ministry of Personnel was firmly in his grasp. However, official appointments weren’t solely decided by the Ministry of Personnel. Though he held some real power, he was still constrained. On the surface, as Crown Prince, he appeared to control two ministries, but only Yan Che himself knew that at least half of his power in the Ministry of Revenue had been hollowed out.

When he wanted to get things done, he couldn’t move people effectively, but now that problems had emerged, everything became his responsibility.

Yan Che slightly narrowed his eyes, “Yan Qi must know about this matter and will likely cause trouble. Tell our people to handle things cleanly and efficiently.”

He Yin responded and had just turned to leave when he saw Qin Shu had arrived outside. He Yin nodded to Qin Shu and quickly walked away.

Tang Fu came in to announce, “Your Highness, the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor has arrived.”

Yan Che immediately composed himself, “Let him in—”

Qin Shu entered the side hall, first paying his respects before raising his head, “Your Highness, I just received the news. Is Lord Zhang…”

Today wasn’t a court day, so Qin Shu had indeed received the news quite late.

Yan Che rubbed his brow and nodded, “Yes, he’s already been imprisoned.”

Qin Shu drew in a sharp breath, “Then what should we do now… Those currently investigating in the West are… Lin Xu Gui and Yu Wen Xian, correct? These two should know that Lord Zhang is from the Northern Garrison Army faction, and your faction as well. They…”

At this point, Qin Shu’s words trailed off. Although Lin Xu Gui and Yu Wen Xian were only Vice Ministers, they were heavily trusted by the Emperor, and this time they had gone to the Northwest as Imperial Commissioners. Qin Shu just hadn’t expected these two would dare to openly bring down someone from the Crown Prince’s faction.

In court service, one naturally couldn’t only look at the present. Yan Che was the Crown Prince, yet Yu Wen Xian and Lin Xu Gui weren’t afraid of how they would fare after Yan Che ascended to the throne.

Qin Shu dared not think too deeply – the more he thought, the more his spine chilled.

“Now is not the time to discuss these matters. They’re in the Northwest, far from the capital, and won’t stop now. Just like last year, immediately check how many of our people will be implicated.” After a pause, Yan Che said, “Go keep an eye on Yang Han for me.”

“Yang Han?” Qin Shu was slightly surprised – Yang Han was the Minister of Revenue after all…

Yan Che nodded, “Yang Han’s heart isn’t with me. I need to know now whether his heart lies with Father Emperor or with Yan Qi.”

Qin Shu instantly understood Yan Che’s meaning and immediately agreed, but then asked, “What about the Empress…”

At the mention of the Empress, Yan Che’s heart sank. After all this time, Yan Qi hadn’t found new evidence, but Father Emperor showed no intention of releasing Mother either. This was indulging Yan Qi, and now with Zhang Qide’s incident, Yan Che couldn’t help but guess in the worst direction.

Yu Wen Xian and Lin Xu Gui’s memorials were all secretly sent to the capital, and directly delivered to Father Emperor’s hands. How did the Father Emperor get wind of this? Could it be that many days ago, he already knew Zhang Qide was connected to the military provisions corruption case, and then…

A thin layer of sweat formed on Yan Che’s palms. If so, what exactly was Father Emperor planning?

“Leave Mother’s situation alone for now. First, settle this case. Last year’s southern salt transport matter already made Father Emperor angry. This time, we absolutely cannot let this implicate me, and you too must not have even the slightest connection to the corruption.”

Qin Shu’s expression became solemn, and after acknowledging the order, he quickly turned and left.

The room fell silent, and Yan Che’s rigidly straight back finally relaxed. He slowly collapsed, falling completely back against his chair.

Things were getting increasingly wrong. Starting from the discovery of that corpse in the Prince of Jin’s back courtyard, it seemed an invisible hand had been pushing the Palace of Female Virtue and the Eastern Palace toward a cliff edge. Now his mother was confined, and he stood at the edge of the precipice.

“Your Highness, the Empress Dowager has sent someone to relay a message, asking you and the Crown Princess to dine at the Palace of Changshou and Health tonight.”

Tang Fu came in and announced in his soft voice. Upon hearing this, Yan Che immediately sat up straight, “Very well, remember to remind me when it’s time.”

The Empress Dowager must also know about Zhang Qide’s matter – why was she calling them over?

Yan Che felt a heavy weight in his heart. After sitting for a moment, he suddenly rose and left the Eastern Palace, heading straight toward the Palace of Tranquil Peace. He hadn’t seen Yan Zhen these past few days. When trouble struck today, though knowing he couldn’t see the Empress, he instinctively thought of Yan Zhen. Indeed, blood ties were the most important.

The Palace of Tranquil Peace was already somewhat crowded. With October approaching, Yan Zhen’s wedding day drew nearer by the day, and the Palace of Tranquil Peace had become more lively. Palace embroiderers were preparing the dowry for Yan Zhen’s marriage. Because she was going for a diplomatic marriage, she would take more items than other noble ladies. Moreover, to make up for Yan Zhen and ensure her future comfort, the Empress had prepared the longest dowry list among all princesses who had married abroad in history. However, all this bustle had nothing to do with Yan Zhen.

“The Crown Prince has arrived! Princess, the Crown Prince has arrived—”

Yan Che strode in from outside and found Yan Zhen in the warm chamber of the Palace of Tranquil Peace.

Hearing of his arrival, Yan Zhen showed no joy, only faintly responding with an “Mm,” “Brother—”

Yan Che walked to Yan Zhen’s side and saw she was reading a travelogue and the pages she was reading discussed Northern Wei customs.

Yan Che sat beside Yan Zhen, “Zhen’er, how are the preparations going?”

Yan Zhen tugged at the corner of her lips, “Brother can see, everyone’s busy anyway.”

Yan Che sighed, “Zhen’er, perhaps… Mother meant well for you…”

Yan Zhen didn’t speak, her gaze still falling on those book pages. Yan Che looked at her like this and shook his head, “Do you know how Mother is?”

“I know, confined by Father Emperor…”

Suddenly, as if thinking of something, Yan Zhen smiled, “I heard he’s guarding her.”

Who this “he” was, Yan Che naturally knew, and Yan Zhen’s facial expression carried mockery, clearly sneering at the Empress.

Yan Che raised his hand to cover that travelogue, “Zhen’er, Zhang Qide is in trouble.”

Seeing Yan Zhen’s bewilderment, Yan Che remembered that Yan Zhen didn’t know who Zhang Qide was. He sighed, “Zhang Qide is the Military Commissioner of the Western Route, a disciple of your maternal grandfather, and someone I heavily relied upon. But now it’s suddenly been discovered that the Shuo Xi army’s provisions corruption case is connected to him—”

Yan Zhen looked at Yan Che, “So? Mother’s confinement can’t be lifted?”

Yan Che’s brows furrowed, his gaze at Yan Zhen already carrying some displeasure, “Zhen’er, do you truly hate Mother?”

Yan Zhen lowered her eyes, and Yan Che glanced outside before saying softly, “Zhang Qide’s imprisonment is no longer just about whether Mother’s confinement can be lifted. If this matter implicates the Eastern Palace, Mother and I might not be able to protect ourselves—”

Yan Zhen suddenly raised her head, her face finally showing some waves of emotion, “But… Brother is the Crown Prince…”

Yan Che gave a bitter smile, “What does being Crown Prince matter.” Yan Che looked at several chests arranged in the room, which seemed to contain many jewels, their brilliance faintly visible from under the half-closed lids. Yan Che then said, “Do you know? I suddenly feel that your marriage to Northern Wei is a very good arrangement.”

Even if Yan Zhen was naive, she understood Yan Che’s meaning now. Her heart panicked, yet she had no idea what she could do at this moment.

……

……

Leaving the Ministry of Justice, Yan Chi went straight to his carriage to return to the residence.

The driver was a different secret guard, and Bai Feng followed Yan Chi into the carriage compartment.

As the carriage rumbled along the imperial road, Bai Feng’s low voice was tightly confined within the compartment, “Most memorials from Shuo Xi come through the south of Liang Zhou and north of Xing Jian Zhou to the capital. The memorials from Liang Zhou and Ding Zhou come through the southern route of Ding Zhou via Yu Zhou. Our people have already reached Xing Jian Zhou, and all the memorials from Shuo Xi have been intercepted. For safety, Yu Qi selected two inconsequential ones to send to the capital, which should arrive in four or five days.”

After a pause, Bai Feng continued, “General Chu has already occupied all the camp departments in Bai Shi Gou and Bai Lang Mountain areas. The news hasn’t reached the main camp yet. Lin Xu Gui is somewhat frantic trying to reorganize one hundred thousand troops in the shortest time possible.”

Yan Chi listened expressionlessly, and after a moment asked, “How is the preparation of the newest supplies being sent to Shuo Xi?”

Bai Feng immediately replied, “Those from the Ding Zhou direction have already departed. Those from Yu Zhou and Xing Jian Zhou directions are still being prepared, estimated to be complete by early October. The local granaries there were not well-stocked, to begin with, and after the Shuo Xi case broke out, the subordinates dared not substitute inferior goods, so progress was slower than usual.”

Yan Chi’s lips carried a cold smile. After being in high positions for too long, all senses become dull – it takes an incident to wake these people up.

“Don’t worry about the memorials from Ding Zhou. Now that Zhang Qide has been dragged out, the investigation will naturally grow larger, and Yan Qi won’t miss this opportunity either. Let them fight.”

Bai Feng nodded, “Yes, Yu Qi and Master Qi will surely figure it out. We really didn’t expect that at this critical moment, Zhang Qide would be brought down. If they investigate further, pulling out the radish will bring up the soil – the Crown Prince’s faction will certainly suffer great losses.”

Dark light flickered in Yan Che’s eyes, “Perhaps even more than that.”

Bai Feng looked at Yan Che puzzled, but Yan Che didn’t continue. He leaned against the carriage wall, his form straight as a sword hidden in dim light. After a moment of silence, Yan Chi asked, “Has anything been found about that child from the Fu family?”

Bai Feng immediately frowned and said, “We’ve found a little. That child was initially sent to the deep mountains of Luo Zhou, and later it’s said someone took him away. When our people went there, most of the old people in that village were already dead. Few remember things from twenty years ago. The trail went cold there again. The fastest we’ll have news is tomorrow.”

“They’ve come to the capital.” Yan Chi suddenly spoke calmly, “The most dangerous place is the safest place. Check more thoroughly the families connected to the Fu family in recent years, especially those who can enter and exit the palace. As long as the age matches, whether young masters or servants, investigate them all, don’t overlook the internal household either.”

Bai Feng nodded in understanding, “By the way, regarding that residence visited by Minister Li of the Court of Judicial Review, our people have been watching for many days. That residence is currently empty, but when we investigated the owner, we found something interesting. The owner’s name is Wei Qin, a merchant from the South who opened some shops in the capital, but later returned to do business in the South. He hasn’t been back for seven or eight years, but our servant discovered something very interesting—”

Yan Chi looked at Bai Feng, and Bai Feng said, “He was the former owner of the Ran Mo Gallery.”