He agreed to meet with Chancellor Wang, let’s see what happens tomorrow.""Unfortunately, I can’t help much in court affairs anymore.
Relying on people is not ideal," Xu Qi An sighed."Big Brother, you have already done enough..."Xu Xin Nian was about to comfort his brother when he suddenly frowned and paused for a while before his expression turned serious: "Big Brother, something seems off."Turning to face him, Xu Qi An said nothing as Xu Xin Nian continued."If this case is part of Emperor Yuan Jing and Hu Prince's conspiracy, then the envoy’s attempt to catch them off guard was doomed from the start.
You can't forget that Que Yongxiu fled, along with Northern Crown Prince's spies.
They wouldn’t keep such news from the capital.
Perhaps by the time we were triumphant, he had already received word."So Emperor Yuan Jing must have a plan ready;don’t doubt it.
Our emperor has been playing politics for years, and if he takes this seriously, even Wei Gong and Chancellor Wang won't be his match.""You've reminded me correctly," Xu Qi An turned back to face the silent courtyard without speaking further.Xu Qi An knew that court affairs weren't his forte.
First, political struggles were not about solving cases;smart thinking alone wasn’t enough.
Those who survived the imperial exams were all clever people.
But many rose and fell each year.Xu Qi An was not arrogant enough to think he could square off with Emperor Yuan Jing in a three-hundred-round battle of wits.Second, his rank was too low, not even having the chance to attend court sessions.
This meant he didn't have a place on the "front lines.""So this time, the main position will be handed over to Wei Gong, Zheng Secretary, and those who seek fame or profit, or still harbor some justice in their hearts...""But I can still contribute from behind the scenes."...Observation Tower, Astrological Platform.The white-haired and -bearded headmaster stood at the edge of the platform, his hands clasped behind his back, overlooking the entire capital city.
The night breeze ruffled his clothes and beard, giving him an ethereal, Taoist figure."Did you hear that Northern Crown Prince committed atrocities in Chu City;380,000 lives were lost, a whole city," someone barked with anger from below.Now, insulting Northern Crown Prince was politically correct.
No one would be punished for such words because the entire court was already doing so.
Anyone who didn’t curse him was considered a deranged beast."Did you know that Xu Yinyin went to investigate in the north?He’s truly worthy of his reputation.
If not for him, Northern Crown Prince's crimes might still be hidden.""There isn't anything this world can hide from Xu Yinyin;with him around, we still have our good court.
Evil people no longer get away with their misdeeds.""However, I heard that the court is now beyond his reach.""Don’t worry about it;officials will naturally take over where he leaves off," someone else said.
"Did you know that Xu Yinyin’s younger brother, who won the spring imperial examination, cursed outside of the palace for two hours straight yesterday?He’s still there today.""Truly impressive."...In the bedchamber.The old eunuch entered with a splitting headache, his face turning white with anger.
"Your Majesty, that Xu Xin Nian is cursing from outside again.
Truly hateful;he must be killed."Emperor Yuan Jing sat in his chair, holding a book of scriptures, and replied calmly, "If we kill him, it will truly be an unstoppable wave of public opinion."The old emperor said with a calm face, "What did Wei Yin do yesterday?"Without thinking, the old eunuch whispered, "Duke Wei privately met Chancellor Wang last night..."This implied that the two fierce tigers in court had secretly formed an alliance.Wei Yin and Wang Zhenwen represented the largest political factions in the court.
If they joined forces, no one could match them.
Even Emperor Yuan Jing himself had suffered at their hands.Back then, selling official positions was rampant but later extinguished by the two of them.
Those sold-off positions were revoked or executed over five years, with most being reclaimed by Chancellor Wang.The old emperor smiled, seemingly unbothered, and asked, "Is there anything unusual in the palace?"The old eunuch replied, "All is well, but Princess Lin'an returned to court yesterday while Princess Huaiqing..."The old emperor narrowed his eyes.
"What happened with Huaiqing?""She left the palace for her home."Silence followed before he nodded and ordered, "If Princess Lin'an comes seeking an audience later, have her return."