Chapter 480: A Grand Gift
An opportunity like this, one that would allow the Northern Border to rest and recuperate, might not come again if missed.
So there was no other choice.
Emperor Muwu took a deep breath and said, "Tang Zhongli, I recall you are fluent in the Wazhen language. Go at once to the Ministry of Rites, and together you will devise a plan. Since they sue for peace, see to it that it is handled properly!"
Tang Zhongli kowtowed. "As Your Majesty commands."
Jiang Zhao Yuan was stunned.
’It’s... it’s settled just like that?’
’Then—’
He opened his mouth, wanting to say more, but the look on Emperor Muwu’s face made him swallow his words.
Instead, it was Emperor Muwu who noticed his expression and asked, "Elder Jiang, is there anything else you wish to add?"
Jiang Zhao Yuan lowered his head. "Your Majesty has made a wise decision. This servant will naturally comply."
A hint of cold mockery flickered in Emperor Muwu’s eyes.
He said, "I almost forgot. Elder Jiang came today precisely to offer his resignation. These matters are so taxing; how could Elder Jiang possibly bear them?"
’Huh?’
Jiang Zhao Yuan was too stunned to react.
’What does one thing have to do with the other?’
’Weren’t we just discussing the Wazhen affair? How did it suddenly turn to me?’
The next moment, Emperor Muwu’s words were like a pail of cold water dumped over his head.
"In that case, I grant Elder Jiang’s request."
Jiang Zhao Yuan could hardly believe his ears. "Your... Your Majesty?"
’He was just making a show of it! How could Emperor Muwu actually agree?!’
But Emperor Muwu had already made his decision. "Furthermore, Chen Songshi is promoted to Chief Cabinet Minister. Tang Zhongli will be transferred to the Cabinet to serve as the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel."
It was a bolt from the blue for Jiang Zhao Yuan. ’This is clearly a move to replace him!’
He finally panicked. "Your Majesty, I—"
"Elder Jiang has served the nation and its people his entire life. It is time for him to enjoy his twilight years in peace," Emperor Muwu said, his tone deepening. "Especially with all the recent troubles, I imagine Elder Jiang has long since grown weary. This arrangement is for the best, is it not?"
Jiang Zhao Yuan’s heart gave a violent lurch. An intense sense of crisis forced him to swallow the words on the tip of his tongue.
’Emperor Muwu’s words were a clear warning!’
’If he insisted on clinging to his position, Xiao Chengxuan’s case would inevitably drag him down with it!’
’When that happened, getting out unscathed wouldn’t be nearly so easy!’
A storm of emotions raged within Jiang Zhao Yuan.
He had only come today to put on a show. But then trouble had erupted with the Wazhen. With Mu Mu Zhen’er preoccupied with her own affairs, Emperor Muwu concluded that they wouldn’t attack again anytime soon. This, in turn, freed up his energy to deal with matters within the court.
’And so, his position as Chief Cabinet Minister could be given to anyone!’
Besides, while Chen Songshi might not be his equal, he was still a man of high moral standing and great prestige, with numerous admirers.
With Tang Zhongli added to the mix, the two of them working together would have no problem stabilizing the Cabinet.
In a few short moments, Jiang Zhao Yuan had already grasped the stakes. He understood with perfect clarity that Emperor Muwu had only changed his mind because he was now certain of the outcome.
’He wasn’t going to change his mind again.’
At this thought, regret and sorrow welled up in Jiang Zhao Yuan’s heart.
’If only he had known this would happen, he would never have offered to resign! He had given them the perfect opening!’
’But the words had been spoken. How could he possibly take them back now?’
The Eldest Princess shot him a glance and prompted, "Elder Jiang, are you not going to kowtow and express your gratitude for the imperial favor?"
Jiang Zhao Yuan gritted his teeth. He finally bent his back, pressing his forehead against the icy floor as a bone-deep chill swept through him.
"This servant... thanks Your Majesty for your grace!"
...
Emperor Muwu kept Chen Songshi and Tang Zhongli behind to discuss the Wazhen peace talks in detail.
Ye Chutang knew this had nothing to do with her, so she tactfully excused herself.
The Eldest Princess quickly said, "Yanchuan, it snowed yesterday, so the roads are treacherous. Go and escort Chutang."
Ye Chutang was speechless.
’The road was even more difficult when I came this morning, and didn’t I arrive on time?’
Shen Yanchuan, however, was perfectly agreeable. He looked at Ye Chutang. "Second Miss Ye, after you."
...
It was nearly noon. The sun had made a rare appearance, and the accumulated snow was beginning to melt, its surface glinting like ice.
The two walked along a palace path, with Ye Chutang half a step behind.
The air was crisp and cold after the snow. Ye Chutang took a deep breath, finally exhaling the stuffy air from the hall and feeling much more refreshed.
Recalling the day’s events, Ye Chutang broke the silence. "Won’t escorting me back delay you from your official business, Princely Heir?"
Shen Yanchuan tilted his head slightly. "Official business?"
Ye Chutang met his gaze directly. ’He couldn’t possibly be unaware of what I’m referring to, could he?’
Sure enough, a moment later, Shen Yanchuan smiled faintly. "Are you referring to the Wazhen peace talks? I was merely responsible for delivering the message. The rest is for His Majesty and the ministers to decide."
Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.
’He didn’t come any earlier or any later, but chose this exact day, when Jiang Zhao Yuan happened to offer his resignation?’
’He even brought Chen Songshi and Tang Zhongli with him. Wasn’t that just to cut off Jiang Zhao Yuan’s line of retreat?’
’Jiang Zhao Yuan was just posturing, but then Shen Yanchuan showed up and caught him completely off guard.’
’Now, he had to resign whether he wanted to or not!’
’And the moment he was out, his replacement was already in, leaving him no room to maneuver.’
’Even if he wanted to take it back, there was no longer a place for him in the Cabinet.’
’He had lost everything.’
Ye Chutang shrugged. "The Princely Heir’s ability to orchestrate events from behind the scenes is truly beyond compare."
Shen Yanchuan accepted the compliment with a smile. "You flatter me, Second Miss Ye."
Ye Chutang was speechless.
’What decent person could accept such praise for their own schemes without so much as batting an eye?’
’Couldn’t he tell she was being sarcastic?’
And yet, the more she thought about it, the more Ye Chutang realized that Shen Yanchuan might actually have earned the right to be so confident.
’He wanted news from the Northern Border, and he received it instantly. He needed a little push to oust Jiang Zhao Yuan, and the Wazhen delivered it on a silver platter.’
’It was as if everything was under his control.’
The man’s cunning was indeed unfathomable. And yet, he admitted to his schemes right to her face, making no attempt to hide his calculations.
Ye Chutang felt a strange, inexplicable emotion.
She decided to fall silent, not wanting to probe any further.
But Shen Yanchuan, it seemed, had other ideas. He spoke first, "Your birthday is coming soon, isn’t it, Second Miss Ye?"
Ye Chutang paused, then belatedly realized he was right.
The tenth day of the twelfth lunar month would be her eighteenth birthday.
But after three years of wandering and hardship, she hadn’t had the heart to celebrate.
’I can’t believe Shen Yanchuan knew...’
’Of course, she knew that with his resources, finding out something like this wouldn’t have been difficult.’
She gave a slight nod. "Yes."
Shen Yanchuan’s gaze lingered on her face. "Then... how do you want to celebrate it?"
The question truly stumped Ye Chutang.
’How to celebrate it?’
She had never cared much for such things. In previous years, A Feng had always been the one to arrange something, but he wasn’t here this year, so Ye Chutang had made no plans at all.
’Maybe just take Yan and Xiao Wu out for a nice meal?’
"I don’t have a preference," Ye Chutang said, unconcerned.
Shen Yanchuan studied her expression, realizing she truly didn’t care.
Any other young woman would have likely started looking forward to her birthday celebrations long in advance, but she seemed entirely unconcerned.
Shen Yanchuan paused for a moment before saying:
"When the day comes, I would like to give you a gift. I wonder... if you would be willing to accept it?"