The scene changes—we are in the capital! I’ve been waiting for this.
The story changes pace from this chapter. The rear-court fighting with sisters, stepmothers and concubines slowly starts taking backseat, though it certainly doesn’t disappear.
Hereon, the court intrigue starts to bloom, though Pingnan hou was indeed featured in Chapter 30.
A letter had arrived from the northwest.
The butler wasted no time and rushed to see the head of the Xie family, Xie Mao.
“Laoye, a letter has come from Lao Jiu in the Northwest.”
“Bring it in immediately.”
Lao Jiu was a spy Xie Mao had planted in the northwest, the most deeply embedded one.
It had only been half a month since his last letter—why was he sending another so soon?
Had something gone wrong in the northwest? Or had he successfully carried out the assigned task?
Xie Mao took the letter, tore open the seal, and unfolded the paper.
He first skimmed through its contents, then took a book from the shelf to decode it.
It turned out that the letter from the spy, Ajiu, was encrypted.
Only after decoding it could the true message be understood.
After some effort, Xie Mao finally finished reading the letter.
His face turned ashen, his eyes widened in fury.
Bang!
He slammed his palm on the table and roared, “Gu Zhili is deceiving people too much—this is outrageous!”
Gu Zhili was none other than Gu daren.
The secret letter reported that Gu daren had arrested all the spies Xie Mao had planted in Jinzhou.
The butler grew anxious upon seeing Xie Mao’s reaction and asked, “Laoye, has something gone wrong in the Northwest?”
Xie Mao paced back and forth in his study, fuming. “Gu Zhili has gone too far! He actually dared to round up all my people in the Northwest. Does he really think I won’t dare to act against him? If he refuses to acknowledge family ties, then he cannot blame me for being ruthless.”
The butler’s face turned pale with shock. “Laoye, all our people have been captured—what should we do now? And the Lu hou fu…”
Xie Mao snorted coldly. “Ajiu will find a way to handle the Lu Marquis matter. If all else fails, we’ll proceed with the second plan. Right now, our priority is Gu Zhili. Since he dares to ruin my plans, I will make him pay dearly.”
Xie Mao was seething with rage, his hatred for Gu daren burning so fiercely that he wished he could have him dismembered.
His network of spies in the Northwest had been cultivated over more than a decade, yet Gu Zhili had uprooted them overnight. How could he not be furious? How could he not grieve the loss?
What frightened him even more was—how had Gu Zhili managed to accurately identify all the spies in the northwest?
Could someone have cracked under torture and revealed their identities?
Regardless of the reason, the feud between the Xie and Gu families had been formed.
Just then, a gatekeeper rushed into the study, his face full of panic.
“Laoye, bad news!”
Xie Mao’s face darkened. “What happened? The sky hasn’t fallen—what are you panicking for?”
The gatekeeper gasped for breath before reporting, “Laoye, Zhang daren, the Prefect of Jingcheng, has been arrested by the Imperial Guards!”
“What?!” Xie Mao was stunned.
Zhang daren, Jingcheng’s Prefect, was the Empress’s maternal cousin and a key supporter of the Crown Prince’s faction.
Meanwhile, the Imperial Guards were the Emperor’s enforcers, his personal hounds who acted solely on his will.
Whenever the Imperial Guards were deployed, the entire capital would be on edge, and a storm was sure to follow.
In recent years, no official taken by the Imperial Guards had ever returned unharmed. They either died in prison or were exiled after having their family wealth confiscated. There was never a good ending.
The fact that Zhang daren had been taken meant that someone had slandered him before the Emperor and was plotting against the Crown Prince.
Xie Mao had always known that powerful factions in the capital opposed the Crown Prince.
For years, both sides had fought to a stalemate. At times, the Crown Prince’s faction even had the upper hand.
However, ever since the Empress fell seriously ill, everything had changed. The Crown Prince’s position had become precarious.
Several officials who supported him had already been dismissed. Fortunately, none of them had been crucial figures.
But Zhang daren was different.
As the Prefect of Jingcheng, he governed the imperial city. Although he often appeared to be under pressure, he secretly provided great assistance to the Crown Prince’s faction.
If this position were to fall into the hands of the opposing factions, it wouldn’t just be a loss for the Crown Prince’s supporters—it would also put Xie Mao in a difficult position.
Thus, the Crown Prince’s faction could not afford to lose this prefect’s post. No matter what, they had to secure this position before the opposition acted.
Xie Mao made a swift decision. “Prepare the horses—I’m going to the East Palace to meet the Crown Prince.”
The butler obeyed.
Xie Mao changed into his uniform, boarded his carriage, and headed for the East Palace.
Upon arrival, he asked an attendant, “Where is His Highness right now?”
The attendant bowed and replied, “Reporting to daren, His Highness is currently in Bowang Garden, discussing urgent matters with the officials.”
Xie Mao rushed to Bowang Garden.
All the key members of the Crown Prince’s faction were already gathered—they had been waiting for him.
“Xie aiqing, please take a seat.”
The Crown Prince, Liu Xian, was a middle-aged man in his forties, slightly plump, with a gentle and scholarly appearance.
He looked more like a scholar than a powerful heir to the throne.
The entire court acknowledged that the Crown Prince was a kind and generous man.
Over the years, no one in the East Palace had been convicted or imprisoned, let alone executed. Even when people made mistakes, the worst that happened was their quiet dismissal from the East Palace.
In contrast, the Emperor was ruthless—he executed officials at the slightest provocation, often wiping out entire families.
Compared to that, the Crown Prince truly deserved his reputation for leniency.
However, this trait was both his greatest strength and his greatest weakness.
Everyone in the court knew that the Emperor’s greatest dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince was his overly gentle and indecisive nature.
Xie Mao sat down. “Has everyone heard about Zhang daren’s arrest?”
The officials nodded in unison. They immediately launched into a heated discussion.
“We should petition His Majesty to release Zhang daren. What crime has he committed? The Imperial Guards are mere enforcers—what right do they have to arrest him?”
“I heard the charge is corruption.”
“Nonsense! Zhang daren comes from a noble family with vast estates and countless servants. Why would he need to embezzle money?”
“This is clearly a fabricated charge!”
“Your Highness, you must make a decision quickly. If we delay, Zhang daren will be doomed.”
All eyes turned to Crown Prince, Liu Xian.
His expression wavered—he was clearly hesitant, unable to make up his mind.
In fact, at the mere mention of pleading with the Emperor, his first instinct was to shrink back.
Even at over forty years old, he still feared his father.
Ever since his maternal uncle, Zhen guogong, had passed away, he had grown even more wary of the Emperor.
He could already imagine His Majesty the Emperor’s furious glare if he went to plead for Zhang daren.
The Emperor might even throw a sword or dagger at him in a fit of rage.
He wouldn’t be able to dodge and would have to take the hit, enduring not just physical pain but also a humiliating scolding.
At his age, the very thought of it made his heart tremble and filled him with sorrow.
It wasn’t easy being the Crown Prince.
Xie Mao had remained silent throughout.
Liu Xian turned to him and asked, “What does Xie aiqing think?”
Xie Mao scanned the room and declared firmly, “Zhang daren has already been taken. Rather than trying to save him, we should focus on ensuring that the prefect’s position doesn’t fall into enemy hands. Everyone here should understand that losing this post would severely restrict our influence—even His Highness would be affected.”
A courtier, Liu daren, immediately questioned, “Xie daren, are you saying we shouldn’t rescue Zhang daren?”
Xie Mao let out a cold snort. “I certainly want to save him. But the people taken away by the Imperial Guards—tell me, does anyone here have the confidence to rescue them? Moreover, as far as I know, the Imperial Guards always have solid evidence when making arrests.
“To knowingly act against the impossible is not bravery—it is foolishness. You ask His Highness to plead before the Emperor, but have you considered His Highness’ position? Once His Highness speaks up, how will the Emperor react? Don’t you know the consequences?
“You are well aware that doing this will bring the Emperor’s reprimand upon His Highness, yet you still insist on pushing him into a corner. This is neither loyal nor righteous.”
“Xie daren, that is too harsh. We are only considering our colleague’s fate. Simply giving up on Zhang daren—is that really right?”
Xie Mao sneered. “What you are doing is nothing more than showcasing your own righteousness. But has anyone considered His Highness? As the saying goes, ‘One who eats the ruler’s grain must serve the ruler with loyalty.’ Right now, we are in the East Palace.
“What we should be discussing is not how to rescue Zhang daren, but how to minimise losses and share His Highness’ burdens. Everyone, search your hearts. His Highness has always treated you generously, but have you ever truly considered him in return?”
Liu Xian was deeply moved. Xie aiqing truly had his best interests at heart. This was the mark of a true loyal subject. On the other hand, the reactions of the others left him somewhat disappointed.
They knew there was no way to save Zhang daren, yet they still forced him to plead before the Emperor—this was clearly putting him on the spot, forcing him into danger. Such an act was not the behaviour of a loyal subject.
Noticing the Prince’s clear appreciation for Xie Mao, some grew anxious.
One of them immediately jumped up and angrily rebuked Xie Mao. “Xie Mao, do not assume that only you are loyal while the rest of us are traitors! A colleague is in trouble, yet you show no sympathy or compassion. How heartless and ruthless you are!
“Have you forgotten how much Zhang daren has helped you in the past? Now you refuse to aid him in his dire time of need—are you even human? With such cold indifference, how can you call yourself a loyal subject?”
Xie Mao stood tall, his voice firm and unwavering. “If Zhang daren were here, he would certainly agree with my approach. Zhang daren is a loyal subject. He would not want to see the position of the prefect fall into enemy hands because of him. He would want us to act quickly, to find a solution, and to keep that position firmly under our control. Gentlemen, do you not wish to keep this position within our hands?”
Some were unconvinced and wanted to argue with Xie Mao. They could not allow him to claim all the credit before the Prince.
However, before the argument could escalate, the grand tutor, Xu daren stepped in to stop it.
“Enough. Let’s all say no more.”
“Please, Xu daren, guide us.”
Liu Xian also spoke. “Teacher, please advise us—how should we handle this matter?”
Xu daren stroked his beard. “Your Highness, lao chen1 believes that Xie daren has a point.
For now, we must set Zhang daren’s case aside. The crucial matter is ensuring that the position of the Prefect of Jingcheng does not fall into enemy hands.”
Liu Xian nodded, secretly sighing in relief.
As long as he did not have to plead before the Emperor, everything else could be discussed.
Liu Xian said, “Fuhuang ordered the Imperial Guards to arrest Zhang daren to shake up the power structure in Jingcheng. At this moment, if bengong recommends one of my people, fuhuang will surely reject it. He may even become furious and mete out punishment.”
Everyone nodded in agreement. They all exchanged glances.
Liu daren, one of the Prince’s advisors, frowned and asked, “If His Highness cannot recommend his own people, does that mean we must watch helplessly as the position falls into enemy hands?”
Xu daren looked at Xie Mao. “Does Xie daren have a solution?”
Xie Mao stepped forward. “Your Highness, this position will not go to one of our own, but it also cannot go to the enemy. There is only one way to resolve this situation.”
“What way? Xie daren, speak quickly,” Liu Xian urged, growing excited.
Xie daren truly was a loyal subject—not only did he help him out of trouble, but he also proposed a solution.
Xie Mao had been angered by Gu Zhili’s interference in his affairs. Now, he would throw Gu Zhili into the fire to roast.
The position of the Jingcheng’s Prefect was no easy prize. Gu Zhili, just you wait—I will make you regret crossing me.
After a brief pause, Xie Mao said, “The solution is to give the position to a neutral party. This way, His Majesty will not object, and even the enemy may not oppose it.”
“A neutral party?”
“Who?”
Liu Xian asked anxiously, “Xie daren, stop keeping us in suspense. Tell us, who is this neutral party?”
Xie Mao scanned the faces of everyone present before solemnly announcing, “The person I am referring to is Gu Zhili, Gu daren, a branch member of the Pingnan hou’s family and the current governor of Jinzhou.”
The room fell silent.
All eyes were on Xie Mao, waiting for his explanation.
Xie Mao stepped to the centre of the hall and spoke confidently. “Gu Zhili is neither one of our own nor an enemy. He has served in local offices for decades, with sufficient experience and a strong background. Most importantly, he married weichen’s sister, meaning we are family. Between relatives, it is only natural to offer a little convenience. This should not be difficult.”
Prince Liu Xian did not immediately respond but instead looked at Xu daren.
Grand Tutor Xu asked, “Xie daren, can you ensure that Gu daren will side with us?”
Xie Mao smiled confidently. “I have a way to make Gu daren stand with us.”
Grand Tutor Xu nodded subtly. “As long as you have a way, that is good.”
Prince Liu Xian asked, “Then, does everyone agree with Xie daren’s proposal?”
The officials exchanged glances.
Finally, Xu daren stepped forward. “Your Highness, I believe this plan is feasible.”
The others also nodded in agreement.
Liu Xian thought for a moment and said, “Recommending Gu daren for this position is not something bengong can personally bring up. How should we go about it?”
Xu daren pondered briefly before saying, “It would be best to have the Empress niangniang step forward and assist His Highness.”
Liu Xian frowned. “Muhou is gravely ill and bedridden. How can I trouble her at this time?”
Xu daren firmly replied, “Precisely because Empress niangniang is ill, His Majesty will not refuse her request.”
Xie Mao also supported the idea. “Your Highness, I believe Xu daren is right. No one is more suitable for this task than the Empress.”
Liu Xian furrowed his brows. “Let bengong think about it.”
Xie Mao spoke loudly, “Your Highness, time is of the essence. If we delay, the position will be seized by the enemy, with dire consequences.”
Xu daren added, “Your Highness, this must be handled swiftly. We must not give the enemy a chance to breathe. Please decide quickly.”
“Your Highness, please decide quickly!”
The hall erupted in unanimous voices urging him on.
Seeing no way out, Liu Xian could only nod. “Very well, bengong will visit muhou today.”
“His Highness is wise!” The officials shouted in unison.
As Liu Xian hurried off to see the Empress, the officials took their leave.
Xu daren walked alongside Xie Mao and quietly asked, “Xie daren, what kind of person is Gu Zhili?”
Xie Mao thought for a moment. “A scholar.”
Xu daren laughed. Scholars were easy to deal with—they all craved reputation.
And right now, all the prestige was with the East Palace. Gu Zhili would not refuse to join the Prince’s camp.
Xu daren smiled. “Then I leave Gu daren in your hands.”
“Rest assured, Xu daren. I will handle it.”
Xu daren nodded. “That is good.”
Xie Mao left the East Palace and boarded his carriage.
Reviewing his plan once more, he ordered his steward, “Prepare a generous gift and personally deliver it to the Gu family. I hear that Gu laoyezi recently took in a new qie—convey my congratulations.”
“Xiaode obeys.”
The Gu laoyezi mentioned by Xie Mao was none other than Gu daren’s father and Gu Jiu’s grandfather.
This Gu laoyezi had no other notable skills but was a notorious womaniser, indulging in his love for women. Despite his advanced age, he had recently taken in a qie barely in her teens.
In the past, when Gu Jiu’s grandmother, Gu taitai, was still alive, she was able to keep him in check, and he exercised some restraint.
However, ever since Gu taitai passed away more than a decade ago, Gu laoyezi became increasingly indulgent in his debauchery.
No one in the family could control him, not even his elder brother, Pingnan hou, who could only turn a blind eye and allow him to continue his wanton lifestyle.
- I, this old minister ↩︎
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