Chapter 15

Chapter 15

The sky was high and clear, a flawless expanse of blue.

Xu Jingqing had been summoned to the palace and was led by a junior eunuch to the Ninglu Pavilion. This place had been transformed from an abandoned watchtower within the palace grounds, offering an unobstructed view. From the northeast, one could see the entire perimeter of the Council Hall. In the past, Empress Dowager Xiaoyi often stood here, waiting for the late emperor to handle state affairs. Xu Jingqing paused momentarily as he caught sight of a slender, upright figure—so strikingly familiar that even the curve of the neck when turning around was maddeningly identical.

Cheng Muning handed some fish feed to a maid, smiling as she said, "Uncle has arrived."

"Princess, wishing you peace and prosperity," Xu Jingqing greeted her with a slight bow. "May I ask the reason for the princess summoning me to the palace?"

On the stone platform, a tea set and a chessboard were already arranged. Cheng Muning said, "I've returned to the capital after a long time and wanted to catch up with you, uncle. Today, it’s just the two of us; there’s no need for formalities. Please, have a seat."

Xu Jingqing glanced sideways at the table but did not move.

Cheng Muning smiled briefly, then sat down and poured tea. The tea flowed smoothly from the spout into the cup, releasing a rich fragrance. She pushed the cup toward him and said, "In the past, uncle often played chess with the late emperor. I was too young to understand then, only observing from the side, but may I be so bold as to seek a lesson from you today?"

"You flatter me, Princess. I shall humbly accept," Xu Jingqing replied, finally sitting down with an air of calm assurance. "I heard you visited Marquis Wude yesterday. Has there been any progress in his case?"

Though he asked knowingly, Cheng Muning did not pierce the veil of secrecy. "Minister Jiang handles affairs reliably, but the current situation is unclear. Many matters are difficult to resolve; I still need your guidance, uncle."

Her tone was humble. Xu Jingqing sipped his tea and said, "Since you call me uncle, I have no reason to withhold anything."

"In that case, I thank you in advance," Cheng Muning said, holding her teacup with a troubled expression. "The Ministry of Revenue has been persuading local authorities to lend grain daily, but they are only willing to sell to the court. The national treasury is overwhelmed with bad debts, and I’m at a loss as to what to do."

Xu Jingqing placed a white chess piece between his fingers. "Since you have arrested Marquis Wude, you must have reached a decision. Though I am related to the marquis by marriage, I dare not show favoritism in such matters. If he can relieve the court’s crisis, it will be a meritorious deed. You may proceed without hesitation."

"But the difficulty lies in appointing the right person," Cheng Muning said as she considered her move. "The marquis’s ability to build a private granary in Yaozhou indicates he has a secure and familiar transportation route. Originally, it was best to let him handle this. However, his case has caused an uproar and cannot be resolved quickly. Moreover, his health likely won’t endure a long journey. After much thought, I believe his eldest son, He Jinlin, who serves as an assistant director in the Ministry of Works and holds a modest rank, would be more suitable. Though I have never met this He Jinlin, I hear he is the husband of Wan’er’s younger sister?"

The Wan’er she mentioned was Lady Xu Wan, the fifth daughter of the Xu family, a name Cheng Muning used affectionately despite their distant acquaintance—perhaps only having met twice at banquets. Wan’er was young and taciturn.

Xu Jingqing nodded. "Yes, Jinlin is honest and efficient. If the princess wishes to use him, you have chosen well." Looking at the board, he continued, "But the marquis’s household is in chaos and faces ruin. Jinlin came to my residence a few days ago, trembling as he asked to resign and wait at home for the outcome, his head hung low. I fear he won’t be able to handle the task."

The board became densely filled with pieces as Cheng Muning struggled to respond, carefully placing another piece. "If he succeeds, it will be a great merit. Regardless of the final verdict on Marquis Wude’s case, I will ensure his safety and protect him from his father’s troubles."

Xu Jingqing easily blocked her move. "But, Princess, you know empty words cannot win hearts."

Following his lead, she asked, "Then uncle, what do you think should be done?"

They pretended ignorance but deliberated with earnestness.

Xu Jingqing ended the game early and rested his hands on his thighs, looking at Cheng Muning. "Marquis Wude is cautious. Fearing sudden change that would render silver notes worthless, he converted all silver into gold. Transporting gold requires manpower. The post of commander of the infantry division in the Imperial Guards is vacant. If the princess wishes to appoint someone, why not let Jinlin fill this position, so he can command the necessary resources?"

Finally, they reached the crux of the matter.

Cheng Muning held a black piece, silent. The first move does not guarantee initiative; she had lost the advantage from the start. Xu Jingqing’s superior skill cornered her without escape.

In truth, Xu Jingqing always had two options: either Pei Shao would hastily compromise, requisitioning grain from various provinces to temporarily solve the immediate crisis—if the locals rebelled due to forced levies, Xu Jingqing could seize the opportunity to accuse Pei Shao, achieving two goals at once; or Pei Shao would remain indifferent, and Xu Jingqing, though reluctantly, could still negotiate using this money.

Who to negotiate with would depend on who lost patience first.

Whichever way, Xu Jingqing emerged the victor. Though the Marquis Wude case was not part of his plan, the outcomes converged. In some ways, Cheng Muning’s arrest of the marquis even aided him. Given the marquis’s character, extracting this sum without risking his life would have been difficult. The smooth search by the Court of Judicial Review may owe some credit to Xu Jingqing.

Cheng Muning’s downfall lay in her family name—this was the realm of the Cheng clan, and she had no second choice. From the moment she resolved to return to the capital, she had already lost the game.

"Uncle’s suggestion is excellent," Cheng Muning said calmly, returning the black piece to the basket and meeting his gaze with a faint smile. "Then let us proceed as you say."

...

He Jinlin had been assigned by the Ministry of Works to inspect a dilapidated ancestral hall in the palace today. Having finished his task, he lingered under the shade, seemingly waiting for someone.

Seeing Xu Jingqing approaching from afar, he stepped forward but was halted by a commotion ahead. Ji Fang hurried past with several eunuchs carrying a stretcher. He Jinlin stepped back to avoid the crowd, but Ji Fang suddenly stopped and turned. "Hey, Lord He?"

He Jinlin was a minor clerk in the Ministry of Works with few chances to enter the palace. On the rare occasions he did, he blended into the crowd. He was surprised Ji Fang recognized him and quickly cupped his hands in greeting. "It’s Eunuch Ji."

Ji Fang retraced a few steps and blurted out, "Lord He, did you just come from the Chongsheng Shrine? Why are you standing here? Are you waiting for Minister Xu?"

He Jinlin paused and instinctively changed the subject. "Eunuch, you seem in a hurry. Did something happen?"

Ji Fang wiped sweat from his forehead. "Ah, with the weather warming, careless people are always gathering by the lake. Someone drowned again, right on the path back to the Fuluan Palace—what a choice of place! If the princess had been there—" He waved his hand. "No more talk. I must hurry to have the body removed."

He Jinlin’s mind was elsewhere, but he glanced at Xu Jingqing and said, "Don’t delay your affairs, Eunuch. Please, carry on."

As Ji Fang rushed away, He Jinlin stepped forward cautiously, only moving aside when Xu Jingqing came close. "Father-in-law, has the princess agreed?"

Xu Jingqing gazed ahead. "The princess has no choice but to agree."

He Jinlin quickly asked, "Then my father..."

As palace staff passed by, Xu Jingqing waited until they had moved on before replying, "Rest assured, the princess is wise. Your father’s habit of meticulous bookkeeping is good. In the capital, everyone who comes and goes has benefited from him; who dares cross him? Even the celestial deities would grant him some respect."

His words carried a trace of emotion. He Jinlin paused and spoke more respectfully, "It’s all thanks to your influence, father-in-law. The princess also acts out of respect for you. I thank you in advance."

Xu Jingqing adjusted his sleeves indifferently. "No need for thanks. Since you hold the talisman of life, you must keep it safe. The Marquis’s household is unstable these days. If something goes wrong, no one will be spared."

He Jinlin responded, "Rest assured, father-in-law. Though the Court of Judicial Review is thorough, they only examine the surface. Anything that must remain hidden will not be found, no matter how deep they dig."

Xu Jingqing glanced at him sideways but said nothing.

The atmosphere grew tense.

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from a side path. Several eunuchs carried a stretcher bearing a drenched junior eunuch. He Jinlin immediately recognized him as the drowning victim Ji Fang mentioned.

His face was swollen and purple, with no cloth to cover it.

He Jinlin frowned and was about to raise his sleeve to shield Xu Jingqing when he suddenly stopped. "That person..." He looked at Xu Jingqing in horror. "Father-in-law, that is Chen Dan."

Chen Dan was a eunuch who served the emperor’s calligraphy and had been promoted by Xu Yan after her entry into the palace. He had been fine until now—how did he drown at such a moment?

Xu Jingqing narrowed his eyes and silently turned his gaze toward Ninglu Pavilion. Though shaded by trees, he could vaguely make out a figure standing there—Cheng Muning—who met his gaze quietly through the leaves.

He Jinlin followed his gaze, realization dawning amid his fear. It seemed the Ministry of Works had deliberately assigned him to the palace today.

He swallowed hard. "The princess..."

Xu Jingqing turned back and looked at the stretcher being carried away. "Enough. Now is not the time to dwell on this."

...

He Jinlin’s appointment as commander of the infantry division was a certainty. The Ministry of Revenue, having received the news, instantly sprang into action. It seemed everyone tacitly understood the court’s plan to seize wealth from the rich to aid the poor. They convened late into the night, finalizing the specific regulations, awaiting only the final approval. Zhang Ji, anxious, entered the palace early with a report in hand.

"With the funds secured, the rest is easier. A few days ago, several local prefectures led by Luzhou agreed to sell sixty percent of their grain reserves to the court at this year’s price. Once the grain arrives, troops can be deployed immediately. I heard the King of Yin’s army has retreated a hundred li. It seems both sides have suffered, but once our forces arrive, suppressing the rebels will be effortless!"

With the money secured, Zhang Ji beamed, shedding his earlier anxiety. But then he furrowed his brow and said, "However..."

Cheng Muning flipped through their meeting notes. "Minister Zhang, please speak plainly."

Zhang Ji said, "Yaozhou is distant. Even at best, a round trip takes over a month, with gold and silver transported along the way. If we wait for funds to reach the capital before buying grain locally, it will take even longer. In wartime, delay is fatal. After discussion, we propose splitting the forces: one team escorts Jinlin into Yaozhou, followed by separate teams—one to transport gold and silver, the other grain and supplies. This way, neither is delayed, and time is saved. But the choice for the grain transport team..."

Escorting grain was a burdensome and dangerous task, especially now. The King of Yin’s forces would surely obstruct it fiercely, and lives might be lost en route. With the court in turmoil, no one volunteered for this risky duty. Zhang Ji was troubled; after a night of deliberation, they had no solution. It wasn’t that no suitable candidate existed, but no one wanted to be the scapegoat.

Zhang Ji cleared his throat, looking hopefully at Cheng Muning. "Princess, whom do you think is suitable?"

Cheng Muning pursed her lips, well aware of these old foxes’ calculations. She did not shirk responsibility and, after feigning hesitation, said, "Wei Lin?"

"Wei Lin is excellent!" Zhang Ji’s eyes lit up. "The route between Shuodong and Luzhou is the shortest, and General Wei is from Shuodong, making the passage convenient. He is the perfect choice. I’ll promptly instruct the Ministry of War to prepare. Minister Feng is already troubled by this matter—"

Zhang Ji was about to rise.

"Minister Zhang, please wait," Cheng Muning interrupted, covering the document. "There is one decision I have yet to make and would like your opinion."

Zhang Ji paused, half-standing before sitting back down. "Princess, are you asking about Marquis Wude?"

Cheng Muning glanced toward the desk on the other side. "He Jinlin has just taken office, and the petitions defending Marquis Wude have piled up. Minister Zhang, what do you think is the proper course of action?"

Zhang Ji sighed as expected. It was clear the princess was already aware, or she would not hesitate so.

"Marquis Wude’s death would be no great loss, but if it harms the foundation of the state, that becomes a serious threat," Zhang Ji said with rare gravity. "Even if His Majesty is at fault, he has been misled by villains. The late emperor had only one son, and Da Zhou has only this one ruler. The princess cannot disregard the dignity of the imperial family."

Cheng Muning understood well. The account book tucked within the files was itself a threat. If Marquis Wude died, the He family might despair, and though they now possessed the treasury’s ledgers, who knew if they held other evidence? If the news leaked, it would damage Cheng Zheng’s reputation.

But Cheng Zheng was not just Cheng Zheng—he was the emperor of Da Zhou.

She was silent for a moment before saying, "I understand."