Chapter 478: Peace Talks
Jiang Zhao Yuan remained bowed, his voice heavy as he said:
"As Grand Secretary, I failed to keep the other officials in line and did not properly investigate this case, which has allowed rampant rumors to spread throughout the court. The fault is mine! Second, Xiao Chengxuan is suspected of colluding with the Southern Hu Blade Man. This case is of the utmost importance, and I must avoid any appearance of impropriety. Therefore, I am taking the initiative to resign. I implore Your Majesty to allow me to retire to my hometown!"
Behind the screen, Ye Chutang, who was in the middle of brewing medicine, raised an eyebrow.
’Looks like Jiang Zhao Yuan is truly desperate, resorting to a tactic of feigning retreat in order to advance.’
’This trick was nothing new; she’d told stories about it to A Feng and the others plenty of times before.’
’She just never expected to see it play out in person.’
Jiang Zhao Yuan sounded deeply grieved. "Your Majesty is unwell. I should not be abandoning my post at a time like this, but it is precisely because this matter is so important that it cannot be handled carelessly! I am old and frail, and have been feeling particularly weary lately. I am truly no longer able to bear the responsibilities of Grand Secretary!"
Jiang Zhao Yuan knocked his head heavily on the floor.
"I pray Your Majesty will grant this old servant’s wish!"
Emperor Muwu was silent for a long time. The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The corners of Ye Chutang’s lips lifted in a faint smile.
’Jiang Zhao Yuan was a veteran minister of the highest rank. As Grand Secretary, he wielded immense power, and with his countless protégés and supporters in the court, his every call was met with a response.’
’If he suddenly threatened to quit now, a great many things would grind to a halt.’
’To make matters worse, Emperor Muwu was ill. If they lost Jiang Zhao Yuan on top of that, wouldn’t things be thrown into even greater chaos?’
’That was why Jiang Zhao Yuan’s gesture was nothing more than posturing.’
’With Xiao Chengxuan imprisoned, a lengthy investigation was inevitable.’
’Given Jiang Zhao Yuan’s special status, he was bound to be implicated.’
’Rather than wait to be targeted with various impeachments, it was better to go on the offensive and seize the initiative.’
’He just had to wait for Emperor Muwu to urge him to stay and offer some words of comfort. Then, he could not only secure his position as Grand Secretary but also justifiably involve himself in Xiao Chengxuan’s case.’
Sure enough, after a long silence, Emperor Muwu finally spoke, his voice heavy.
"Mr. Jiang, what are you saying? You are in the prime of your life. So many matters in the court still require your attention..."
"Announcing the arrival of the Eldest Princess—!"
The announcement cut Emperor Muwu off.
Immediately after, the Eldest Princess strode directly inside.
Her eyes fell upon the kneeling Jiang Zhao Yuan, and she spoke in surprise.
"Hm? Mr. Jiang, why are you here?"
Jiang Zhao Yuan hadn’t expected her sudden arrival, but he had no time to dwell on it now.
"I have come to beg for Your Majesty’s forgiveness."
Jiang Zhao Yuan repeated what he had said before, his tone full of pained reflection.
"There are already rumors that the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Fan Chengzhuo, was a student I personally mentored, that we have numerous conflicts of interest, and that he will inevitably distort the facts of the case at my instruction in an attempt to absolve Xiao Chengxuan. I may be incompetent, but I dare not bear such a stain on my name. It is better that I request to be dismissed and retire in peace!"
He certainly sounded earnest and sincere.
The Eldest Princess nodded in understanding, but her expression remained unreadable. She only turned her head to look at Emperor Muwu. "What does Your Majesty think?"
Emperor Muwu’s brow was deeply furrowed, and his expression was grim.
He had only been ill for a short time, yet so many unexpected incidents had occurred. For him, it was one blow after another.
He deliberated for a long while before saying, "Mr. Jiang is, after all—"
"Mr. Jiang is Cheng Xuan’s maternal grandfather. Given their relationship, it is indeed inappropriate for him to remain involved in this case."
The Eldest Princess sighed.
"After a lifetime of service, how can a sterling reputation be ruined so easily? In my opinion, Your Majesty should grant Mr. Jiang’s request. At this point, wouldn’t anyone else be more suitable to handle this?"
Jiang Zhao Yuan: "...What?"
He almost thought he had misheard, muttering in disbelief.
But the Eldest Princess continued, "Your resolute stance must mean you’re certain that both Mr. Fan and Cheng Xuan are innocent. Mr. Jiang, am I not right?"
Jiang Zhao Yuan’s face had frozen completely.
He could already sense that something was wrong, but just as he opened his mouth to speak, another announcement rang out.
"Announcing the Heir of Duke Dingbei! Announcing Mr. Chen Songshi, the Cabinet Scholar! Announcing Mr. Tang Zhongli, the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer!"
Jiang Zhao Yuan’s heart sank. ’Why have these men all come together?!’
Ye Chutang lifted the lid and saw that the medicine was nearly ready. Using a thickly folded cloth, she lifted the pot from the stove and gave the silver wire charcoal a poke.
The faint scent of charcoal mingled with the aroma of medicine, silently filling the air.
Beyond the screen, a low, familiar voice spoke.
"I have an urgent matter to report."
The Eldest Princess looked down at her grandson and was taken aback.
’She hadn’t known he was coming to the palace today. Judging by his demeanor, he truly did have something important to discuss.’
’But this was not the time to ask questions.’
Emperor Muwu raised a hand. "All of you may rise—COUGH—COUGH COUGH COUGH!"
He began to cough violently before he could finish his sentence.
Consort Rong hurried forward to gently pat Emperor Muwu’s back, asking with concern, "Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell again?"
Emperor Muwu’s face was flushed red from coughing, and he shook his head, unable to speak.
Just then, a slender, graceful figure emerged from behind the screen.
Ye Chutang stepped forward with a bowl of medicine. "Your Majesty must avoid exertion. Please take your medicine first."
Shen Yanchuan raised his gaze, and his profound, calm eyes lingered on her face for an extra moment as a subtle ripple stirred in their depths.
’He hadn’t seen her for a few days, but she seemed unchanged. Perhaps from standing by the stove brewing medicine, her normally snow-white skin was tinged with a faint blush.’
’Her gaze was slightly lowered, her long lashes like the wings of a black butterfly, hiding eyes that shimmered like polished obsidian. She was as quiet and serene as a figure in an ink wash painting.’
Consort Rong accepted the bowl with both hands, blew on it to cool it, and then carefully fed it to Emperor Muwu.
Everyone fell silent, waiting for Emperor Muwu to finish the bitter bowl of medicine.
Ye Chutang discreetly retreated to one side. If not for her arrestingly beautiful face, her presence would have been almost unnoticeable.
Once the brown medicine was gone, Emperor Muwu’s complexion gradually returned to normal, and a bit of color returned to his face.
He let out a long breath.
Ye Chutang glanced at him briefly before quickly looking away.
’Emperor Muwu’s heart was like an old house with broken windows. Every intense emotional fluctuation was like a violent storm, wearing him down bit by bit.’
’Even if no one was using underhanded tactics against him, he wouldn’t be able to hold on for much longer.’
’Of course, she couldn’t say any of this out loud.’
’Ye Chutang kept her eyes down and her expression placid, focusing only on doing her duty as a physician hired from outside the court.’
’In truth, she hadn’t expected to walk into a scene like this. But since the drama was unfolding right in front of her, it would be a real shame not to watch.’
’Jiang Zhao Yuan’s scheme wasn’t hard to guess; it was just the typical ploy of an old courtier.’
’But Shen Yanchuan... what was he planning, arriving with those other two at a time like this?’
Finally, Emperor Muwu spoke again. "What is it?"
His voice carried a trace of unconcealable exhaustion.
Shen Yanchuan drew back his gaze, suppressed the flicker of emotion in his eyes, and presented a letter with both hands.
"A letter from my father. The Wazhen Leader, Mu Mu Zhen’er, requests peace talks."