Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Mu Yaoyao admitted that she was selfish.

When Liu Wenji was crippled, the first thing she thought of was not what would become of him, but what would become of Chunhua.

A chill went through her heart. Her first thought was: Chunhua must not know about this.

She could not let the fetus in Chunhua’s womb be affected, she could not let Chunhua herself be affected, and, most importantly, she could not let the Prince of Jin’s mansion become an unpredictable variable because of this.

Her second thought was: Yan Shang must not know.

Firstly, it would affect Yan Shang’s current recruitment exam; secondly…

Secondly, in the incident involving Chunhua last time, she had asked Yan Shang to mediate the conflict, and Yan Shang had promptly shot the head of the Zheng family dead with an arrow. That incident had sparked the fierce and vigorous governance against powerful families, pulling everyone into the mire.

From that event, Mu Yaoyao had truly become afraid of Yan Shang; she was afraid he would cause an even bigger disaster for her.

With such a thing having happened, Mu Yaoyao closed her eyes and pondered for two breaths before deciding to take action to resolve it.

She said coldly: "Take my tally, send men to the Beili district immediately, and find that woman whom Liu Wenji was protecting. Guard against her fleeing the city in the middle of the night.

"Before I get there, interrogate her to see if someone instructed her. Whether it was someone exploiting the situation or just a coincidence, get it clear for me!

"Also, who was it that crippled Liu Wenji! Regardless of whether they can be touched or not, as long as they are still in Beili, put sacks over their heads and beat them. Cripple those who laid a hand on him as well!"

"And where is Liu Wenji! A physician! Send for the Imperial Physician! Go to the palace and find an Imperial Physician for me!"

In the middle of the night, every light in the Princess Danyang’s residence was lit.

The Princess herself, dressed in fine silks and brocades, handled the matter personally. The guards, following the Princess’s orders, left the residence to execute her commands.

Mu Yaoyao took a deep breath, thinking she had to resolve this before Yan Shang found out… or rather, suppress it—

While Fang Tong and the other guards went to Beili to make arrests, Mu Yaoyao, led by two servants, went to see the blood-drenched Liu Wenji.

The two servants had accompanied Liu Wenji for two months and were accustomed to him drinking gloomily all day. They hadn't been present when the incident occurred tonight; they had gone off to bicker and play with other ladies.

When they heard the commotion and rushed over, they hadn't even had time to use Princess Danyang’s name to protect him before everything was beyond saving.

The two servants turned deathly pale, knowing they were finished. The Princess would definitely kill them. To atone for their sins, they had first carried Liu Wenji out of that flower house, spent the night knocking on the ward gates, and agitatedly used the authority the Princess had given them to force the gates open and reach the Princess’s residence.

Liu Wenji had been arranged in the guest room of the Princess’s residence. Mu Yaoyao, burning with anxiety, paced outside. It took a long time to wait for the Imperial Physician from the palace, and even longer for the physician to emerge.

Mu Yaoyao looked at the Imperial Physician anxiously.

The Imperial Physician shook his head and sighed.

Mu Yaoyao’s heart went cold.

The Imperial Physician, speaking to a Princess about such a matter, was inevitably a bit awkward: "Fortunately, he is still young, and the physician was summoned in time. In the future, he will still be able to… perform his daily needs normally, and it won't leak… hm. It will not cost him his life; he is still alive, after all. Moreover, with Your Highness’s… influence, you can let him remain in the Princess’s residence as a eunuch."

There was not a trace of a smile on Mu Yaoyao’s face.

There were, of course, eunuchs in the Princess’s residence; she had used that fact to joke with Yan Shang several times before. However, that eunuch should not have been Liu Wenji.

Mu Yaoyao’s long, sharp fingernails dug into her palms, using the pain to keep herself calm.

Mu Yaoyao asked the Imperial Physician: "Is he… awake?"

The Imperial Physician showed a look of sympathy: "He has been conscious the entire time."

Mu Yaoyao paused for a moment.

She asked: "From start to finish?"

The Physician: "Yes."

She asked: "He was aware of the entire process?"

The Physician: "Yes."

The Physician sighed: "I have never seen such a young man endure the pain so stubbornly, refusing to faint. He was soaked through with sweat, yet he held on to ask me if he was beyond saving. What could I say? I could only answer that everyone has their own fate. Then his eyes went vacant, staring at the ceiling, and he stopped speaking to me."

Mu Yaoyao signaled the maids behind her to arrange for the Imperial Physician to stay in the residence. Perhaps over the next two days, Liu Wenji would still need the services of this physician.

It was only thanks to her status as a Princess that she could summon a physician who took the Emperor’s pulse. These physicians were accustomed to seeing people who had been castrated, and they often prescribed medicine for the eunuchs in the palace. Only with such indifference could they calmly handle Liu Wenji’s situation.

Any other physician who knew how to treat illnesses would not have done better than the Imperial Physician from the palace—

Mu Yaoyao paced outside for another two quarters of an hour before pushing the door open to visit the ever-conscious Liu Wenji.

Before the Princess entered, Liu Wenji had, with the help of the two servants, braced his body, changed his clothes, and tidied his appearance. When Mu Yaoyao entered and looked at him, she saw him haggardly rise to offer her a salute.

Mu Yaoyao told him to lie down and rest. Even in these few brief movements, as Liu Wenji sat on the bed leaning against the pillow, his face was drained of blood, pale beyond measure.

Mu Yaoyao fell silent, staring at the handsome youth for a long time. After all, he was a beautiful man, still very young, and having lost his roots, it couldn't be seen from the outside. However, the feeling Liu Wenji gave her had changed once again.

If before he was covered in a layer of dust, this time, it was as if he were separated by a layer of frost and mist.

There was cold frost covering his soul; he had become much colder. It was different from the cold detachment of a youth like Wei Shu. Wei Shu was a cold and proud chill that made one yearn, like snow on a Buddha’s statue; Liu Wenji was a living creature buried under the snow after a blizzard, enduring bitter suffering.

That chill radiating from his very bones was nothing but the gift of fate. It was just that this fate had not treated Liu Wenji kindly enough.

After a moment of silence, Mu Yaoyao said: "I will look into this and help you take down those who humiliated you."

Liu Wenji looked at the Princess and said faintly: "Can you take them down?"

Mu Yaoyao hesitated slightly.

Watching the young Princess unable to even offer a guarantee, a mocking smile touched the corner of Liu Wenji’s lips. He said indifferently: "This is my own affair. Your Highness is only taking care of me for the sake of Chunhua; you have no reason to help me too much. Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will not cause trouble or bring complications to you because of this."

Mu Yaoyao didn't speak for a long time.

She didn't know how to converse with a Liu Wenji who had undergone such an experience. Should she show sympathy? Or hold him and cry together?

Her feelings for Liu Wenji were not that deep, and she could not empathize with others’ misfortunes the way Yan Shang could. She did indeed feel he was pitiable, but… that was just how it was.

She wanted to scold Liu Wenji for being decadent, asking why he couldn't just drink at home instead of running off to Beili.

But she knew what the point of saying such things would be.

Beili was not a place one couldn't visit.

Great Wei not only didn't treat a place like Beili as a scourge, but in terms of public opinion and customs, Beili was actually the most prosperous place in Chang’an, the most talked-about. Anyone who came to Chang’an could not claim to have truly visited if they had not been to Beili.

She herself went there often, and court officials went there often. Even Yan Shang, though he kept himself clean and disciplined, often went there as well.

If anyone claimed they never went to Beili, no one would think they were noble; they would only think this person was antisocial and pretending to be holier-than-thou.

It was not a place one couldn't go… the tragedy was simply that when court officials and white-clad scholars like Liu Wenji could both go, and a conflict arose between them, who would be the loser was predetermined from the start.

Mu Yaoyao said coldly: "So what are your thoughts for the future? You can forget about the imperial exams; the path of scholarship is already severed. If you still want to return to Lingnan, I will give you money and arrange for your father, or some other relative, to have a minor official position in Lingnan. I will ensure you live the rest of your life in comfort and peace in Lingnan, living out your days safely."

Liu Wenji said faintly: "I cannot return to Lingnan. If I return now, it is possible my parents would drop dead from the shock. For a son to be unable to provide for his parents in their old age is already unfilial. If I let them know this has happened to me, wouldn't it be tearing the hearts out of such gray-headed people? I cannot let them know."

Mu Yaoyao watched him vigilantly: "Then what do you intend to do? Revenge? The other party is not someone you can afford to offend… and as I said, I will help you."

Liu Wenji looked at the Princess and said: "Your Highness and I have no connection; why would you help me so much just because of a maidservant? If this leads to a bigger issue, Your Highness may have a reason. But if it is merely a coincidence… I feel that is all there is to it. Am I right?"

Mu Yaoyao’s expression became somewhat unsightly.

Her complexion sank instantly.

She hated it most when people were incisive.

Liu Wenji had changed; he was not like he was before. Previously, he still managed to suppress himself, not daring to speak the truth in front of the Princess. Now, he had completely let go, actually speaking Mu Yaoyao’s inner thoughts directly. That inner beast, they both knew it well; to have it pointed out to one’s face was not a pleasant experience.

Mu Yaoyao, reluctantly considering how pitiful he was, decided not to bicker with him.

Mu Yaoyao: "Then what do you want?"

Liu Wenji, with his pale face and dark, clear eyes, stared at Princess Danyang. He slowly pulled back the quilt and got off the bed. Mu Yaoyao, arrogant and graceful, stood before him, watching with utter coldness as he knelt at her feet.

Liu Wenji said in a low voice: "Chunhua asked Your Highness to give me an official post, and I did not accept. I didn't want the money Your Highness offered, either. I have never borrowed Chunhua’s connection to beg for anything from Your Highness before. Now, I wish to exercise that right; I wonder if Your Highness will allow it?"

Mu Yaoyao: "What do you want?"

Liu Wenji lowered his long eyelashes, the shadows beneath them completely masking the expression in his eyes.

He said: "I wish to beg for the Princess’s assistance to let me enter the palace and become a eunuch."

Mu Yaoyao was astonished and looked at him: "Why? You… have you thought this through? That is not a good place. I cannot look after you there. The palace and the outside world cannot engage in private dealings. I will not commit such a taboo and reach my hand into my father the Emperor’s territory."

Liu Wenji shook his head and said he did not need the Princess to look after him. He said that as long as the Princess agreed to this request, he would let the Princess use this matter however she wished, and handle it however she chose. In the future, he would not trouble the Princess, would have no further contact with the Princess’s residence, and would certainly not attempt to contact Chunhua and ruin her.

Liu Wenji knelt on the ground.

The cold, white moonlight shone through the window onto his thin, snow-like frame.

He knelt there, silent: "After much thought, everything seems to stem from a lack of power."

In a place like Chang’an, if you want to survive, you must hold power in your hands; in a place like Chang’an, if you want revenge, you must hold power in your hands.

The days of being the fish on the chopping block were enough… they were enough!

Again and again, the cold knife of fate pierced his heart; who could continue to live in a daze?

Liu Wenji looked up, his eyes meeting Mu Yaoyao’s, bright and filled with bone-deep hatred.

He did not know if he hated this lawless world or the powerful person who had crippled him—

A night passed, and news came from Beili.

That woman was indeed just a weak young girl who had just arrived in Beili. The incident between Master Zhang and Liu Wenji had happened right before her eyes, and she had been scared senseless on the spot. She knew this matter exceeded the limits of what someone like her could endure.

Although she did not know how the matter would play out, she knew at least that even if the eleventh son of the family of the Director of the Ministry of Revenue could cripple a person so casually… that was not right. And if it were known that the cause of the incident was a weak girl like her, she would have nowhere to die.

That woman had been abducted by Master Zhang in the first half of the night, and she had escaped a disaster thanks to Liu Wenji’s protection. Liu Wenji was such a mood-killer that Master Zhang lost interest in her, and after she asked for help, she was able to leave.

After the woman returned, she began to pack her valuables and stumbled out of the flower house… yet, as soon as she opened the back door of the flower house, Fang Tong and the other guards broke through the doors with swords drawn.

When the two sides collided, it was easy to find out who had participated in the incident of crippling Liu Wenji.

Master Zhang was also worthy of being the leader of that group. Master Zhang was sleeping soundly in his room, while several of the young gentlemen following him had already been crippled. Someone fled in a panic to find Master Zhang, telling him to escape quickly: "Master, Master! Leave quickly, leave quickly! It’s people from Princess Danyang’s residence! I don't know what kind of relationship that crippled person has with Princess Danyang, but Princess Danyang has sent people to cripple us!"

Master Zhang’s drunkenness was scared away instantly. He climbed down from the bed trembling, hurriedly put on his trousers, and climbed out the window to run away.

The early winter weather was freezing, and Master Zhang was chilled stiff as soon as he ran out of the room. But he knew that if he didn't escape, and was caught by the Princess’s residence people, he might really be crippled.

Because it was highly likely that Princess Danyang would execute first and report later!

She would cripple him first, then remedy the situation!

After all, he had been an official for a few days and knew he had committed a major disaster. Master Zhang ordered his men to cover for him in the rear, while he himself, scared, climbed over the wall to run out of Beili, riding a horse all the way, stumbling back to his residence to beg for help—

Dawn arrived.

The bells and drums rang in unison, echoing layer upon layer.

The residence of the Director of the Ministry of Revenue, Master Zhang, had also just awakened.

Master Zhang was not attending the morning court today. He rose leisurely, practiced a set of boxing in the backyard, exchanged some gossip with his wives and concubines during their meal, and then went to the study to read. Master Zhang intended to read at home in the morning and go to the Ministry of Revenue in the afternoon to check on the day’s official business.

It was in the midst of a peaceful, uneventful day that the door to Master Zhang’s study was knocked on violently: "Thump, thump, thump."

His son’s voice screamed from outside: "Father, Father! Save me! If Father doesn't save me, I won't be able to live!"

Master Zhang was furious, recognizing it as his eleventh son’s voice. He had thrown this brat into the Ministry of Revenue to gain some experience, but all he did was fail to handle official business properly, finding excuses to ask for leave every day. Today, he was actually saying he couldn't live.

Master Zhang opened the door with a dark face, about to reprimand his son to be more diligent, when he was shocked to see his eleventh son looking miserable, disheveled, the skin on his neck frozen purple, and his whole body trembling.

The eleventh son lunged forward, hugging his father’s legs and howling: "Father, Father, save me! Princess Danyang wants to cripple your son, Princess Danyang will definitely come to the door soon, Father, save me!"

Master Zhang: "Nonsense! Rest assured, I work for the Crown Prince alongside Princess Danyang…"

His son interrupted him, crying loudly: "It’s not like that, Father! Last night I stayed in Beili and fought over a woman with a man. I couldn't contain my anger and crippled that person’s roots. In the latter half of the night, Princess Danyang’s residence guards were knocking on every door in Beili… That crippled person might be Princess Danyang’s little lover, her paramour! She can’t swallow this anger and wants to cripple your son too!

"Father, Father, save me!"

The Director of the Ministry of Revenue was startled, immediately realizing the severity of the matter, and realized that his son had brought a major disaster upon him.

He was furious, but looking down and seeing his eleventh son crying with snot and tears, he was filled with anxiety. He was his own biological son, after all; how could he not save him?

Master Zhang gritted his teeth: "Someone, get the eleventh son into a servant’s clothes! Eleventh son, from this moment on, flee Chang’an and go to your maternal grandfather’s home to seek refuge. Do not return to Chang’an until this matter is resolved! Only when Father has negotiated with Princess Danyang and given her satisfactory conditions will you return!"

The eleventh son hurriedly wiped his tears: "Yes! Father, you must save me…"

Master Zhang was furious: "I don't even know if I can keep my own official position! Saving your life is already the absolute limit!"

Less than an hour later, a servant reported that Princess Danyang had arrived at the door.

Master Zhang had already straightened his official uniform and went out with a dignified expression to face Princess Danyang.

His eleventh son had already fled Chang’an… at the very least, his life was saved.

He could now safely negotiate with Princess Danyang regarding this matter.

Master Zhang was very straightforward; meeting the Princess, he admitted his son’s mistake and offered to resign from his post to apologize.

Mu Yaoyao frowned, feeling resentful and cursing this old fox—

No one in the official circles was a fool.

Master Zhang had already served as the Director of the Ministry of Revenue for ten years.

If he resigned, there would truly be no one to replace him for the time being.

And to apologize for his son, Master Zhang gifted money, fertile land, and even offered official positions.

In the end, this matter was bound to reach the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince’s priority right now was the year-end grand ceremony. The most important card in his hand was the Ministry of Revenue.

How could the Crown Prince let the Ministry of Revenue fall into trouble?

Master Zhang’s move to draw the firewood from under the cauldron truly made Mu Yaoyao hate him in secret.

At this moment, Mu Yaoyao wished this matter was a trap laid for them by the Prince of Qin or the Prince of Jin, so she would have more room to maneuver… but unfortunately, the result of Guard Fang’s investigation for the whole night was that no one had intervened.

No one had cared about some Liu Wenji.

The Chunhua incident was already over.

The Prince of Qin had never known of Liu Wenji’s existence from start to finish, and the Prince of Jin likely didn't know either… such a small figure as Liu Wenji, even if he entered their game, they hadn't bothered to remember him.

Mu Yaoyao patted her face, trying to calm herself further. Next, she would have to fight a hard battle in the Eastern Palace—

Yan Shang was still taking his recruitment exam that day. When the exam ended in the evening and he left the Ministry of Personnel, he ran into several other officials awaiting mandates and bumped into Prime Minister Liu.

After Prime Minister Liu encouraged them, he received a small note.

Prime Minister Liu glanced at Yan Shang with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.

Prime Minister Liu said leisurely: "I have just looked at the papers of those of you awaiting mandates; you all answered quite well. As it happens, my wife is cooking personally today, so why don’t you all come to my house for dinner?"

With a personal invitation from the Prime Minister, who would dare not give him face?

And upon arriving at Prime Minister Liu’s mansion, the Prime Minister asked them to drink; Yan Shang did not, which earned him several glances from the Prime Minister. But in any case, the group of officials, having been plied with drink by the Prime Minister, were now destined to lodge at his mansion for the night.

A low-key person like Yan Shang would, of course, never refuse to conform. Since the others were staying at the Prime Minister’s mansion, he would, of course, stay as well.

However, fearing that after two days, Mu Yaoyao might be worried about him, Yan Shang had his servant, Yun Shu, deliver a note to the Princess’s residence, telling the Princess not to worry.

Everything that happened in Prime Minister Liu’s mansion was known to him.

When Prime Minister Liu was playing chess with his granddaughter, Liu Ruozhu, and heard that Yan Shang had sent his servant to deliver a letter to the Princess’s residence, he stroked his beard, deep in thought.

His granddaughter knelt opposite him, her heart entirely preoccupied with that handsome and dashing Second Young Master Yan.

Liu Ruozhu thought her grandfather had Yan Shang lodge at their home to create opportunities for her. But now, seeing her grandfather’s appearance, she suspected suspiciously: "Grandfather, are you up to some mischief? Are you bullying Second Young Master Yan?"

The Prime Minister laughed and scolded: "What mischief? I am protecting him! The Eastern Palace is very lively today… it is best he not get involved."

Liu Ruozhu lowered her eyes, deep in thought, guessing what this was all about.

Then she heard her grandfather mutter to himself: "But why did Second Young Master Yan send a letter to Princess Danyang’s residence? I can only see that he must have done things for Princess Danyang before, but for a family retainer or strategist, is it truly necessary to report whether or not he is returning to the residence? That is somewhat strange."

Liu Ruozhu said: "It’s a matter of the relationship between lord and subject, Grandfather; why must you use a small mind to judge a gentleman?"

The Prime Minister laughed loudly, saying: "Yes, yes, yes. It cannot compare to my granddaughter Ruozhu, who is clear and impartial, favoring no one."

Liu Ruozhu flushed, feeling restless from her grandfather’s teasing.

She jumped up and pouted: "I’m not talking to you anymore, I’m going to see my mother. Mother is making hangover soup for the guests; I will help her deliver a bowl to Second Young Master Yan."

The Prime Minister narrowed his eyes at her: "Suchen has not consumed any alcohol, you know."

Liu Ruozhu stamped her foot in annoyance: "Then delivering other soup will suffice, won't it? Grandfather, why are you like this, being so stingy that you won't even send a bowl of soup to someone?"—

That night, the Eastern Palace was once again brightly lit.

Only Yang Si, who was often in the Eastern Palace, was absent.

Because Yang Si’s grandmother had fallen ill, Third Young Master Yang and his cousin and others had left Chang’an to visit her. The Crown Prince naturally allowed it.

Tonight, in the Eastern Palace, the ones locking horns were Mu Yaoyao and the Director of the Ministry of Revenue.

Because of the incident where Liu Wenji was crippled, the Director of the Ministry of Revenue wanted to resign, while Mu Yaoyao insisted that it was fine for the Crown Prince to keep him, but she demanded that the Crown Prince compensate her by handing over the management of the year-end grand ceremony to her.

The Crown Prince was lost in thought.

He waved his hand: "Neither of you argue anymore. Director Zhang, you may leave; I have a few words to speak with Danyang."

After Director Zhang left, the Crown Prince asked Mu Yaoyao: "What on earth is the meaning of this? A mere white-clad scholar had his roots crippled, so why go as far as to complain to me? I listened to you two argue for half a day and still didn't understand. That Liu Wenji must have known you when you were in Lingnan and won your appreciation. But is that enough to justify making such a big fuss?

"It’s crippled, so be it. It’s only a commoner."

If Liu Wenji’s status had been nothing more than a common scholar, perhaps Mu Yaoyao’s thoughts would have been similar to the Crown Prince’s. However, even as cold as she was, when she heard the Crown Prince dismissively say "crippled, so be it," she was still stunned for a moment.

It was the first time she had caught a glimpse of the Crown Prince’s cold-heartedness and indifference.

Mu Yaoyao said displeasedly: "Even for an ordinary commoner, there is no such thing as 'so be it.' Tomorrow, the Censorate will definitely impeach the Director of the Ministry of Revenue in the court; I see that Big Brother will not be able to protect him. It would be better to demote him by one rank. He will remain in the Ministry of Revenue to work, but he can no longer hold the position of Director. His virtue does not match his position, and he can no longer command respect."

The Crown Prince nodded.

He said: "…That will do."

Seeing the Crown Prince’s indifferent attitude, Mu Yaoyao breathed a sigh of relief, knowing the Crown Prince didn't care all that much about one Director of the Ministry of Revenue. She had been afraid the Crown Prince would care too much, and her opinion would be completely disregarded.

Mu Yaoyao bit her lip and said: "And I want to send Liu Wenji into the palace. Since his roots have been removed, the palace is the best place for him."

The Crown Prince’s eyes flashed as he looked at her.

Mu Yaoyao immediately said: "It is not to plant someone in the palace. He is not my man, nor will he report palace matters to me in the future. Big Brother, please rest assured; I have no intention of plotting anything, I am merely compensating him."

The Crown Prince was curious: "After returning from your marriage alliance, I felt you had become much colder. But looking at you now, it turns out you are so kindhearted? Yaoyao, a kindhearted person cannot play politics."

Mu Yaoyao stated concisely: "I am not kindhearted. I am doing this only because, although Liu Wenji has no official position, he is a long-time friend of Second Young Master Yan."

The Crown Prince was startled, and then grew serious.

He didn't care about a Liu Wenji, but if one added Yan Shang to the equation… The Crown Prince was currently trying to win Yan Shang over, and of course, he didn't want to push Yan Shang away because of such a person.

The Crown Prince said: "You handled this correctly. We cannot let Second Young Master Yan feel disheartened because of a Liu Wenji. Arrange it however you wish. To appease Yan Er is the most appropriate course of action. Yan Er is participating in the recruitment exam today, isn't he? In the future, he will be our support… we must not let changes arise at this time."

Mu Yaoyao said yes.

But in her heart, she thought that perhaps, no matter how she compensated him, Yan Shang would not like it.

How troublesome—

The next day, as the group of officials awaiting mandates left the Prime Minister’s mansion, Yan Shang also went to say his farewells.

Prime Minister Liu was in his study, flipping through scrolls, and Yan Shang stood by with his hands hanging down, waiting. After waiting for a long time, the Prime Minister did not dismiss him.

Liu Ruozhu was actually also in the study, hiding behind a screen in the inner room. Seeing her grandfather making things difficult for Yan Shang, she couldn't help but feel anxious. Liu Ruozhu quietly made a small sound, the subtle noise of turning pages audible to him.

Yan Shang found it strange. Initially, he hadn't been affected by the sound, but since it kept repeating, he looked toward it.

He saw a young maiden hiding behind the screen, pointing her finger at him. Before he could be surprised at why a young lady was hiding in the Prime Minister’s study, he followed the direction of her finger and saw that what she was pointing to was the scroll in the Prime Minister’s hand.

Strange, was there something wrong with the scroll?

Yan Shang focused his gaze and was slightly startled.

Because he always felt… the scroll in the Prime Minister’s hand was his own answer sheet from the recruitment exam?

The Prime Minister naturally knew his granddaughter had secretly helped Yan Shang. Feeling helpless, he put down the scroll in his hand: "You only see it now?"

Yan Shang composed himself and lowered his eyes: "…Yes."

The Prime Minister sighed: "I have held your paper for an incense stick’s time, and you only noticed now. Yan Suchen, ah Yan Suchen, you are good at everything, except that you are far too cautious as a person, never once willing to take a wrong step. However, for those who govern, how can one forever follow the rules, and how can one forever avoid taking an extra step?"

Yan Shang replied: "I will keep the Prime Minister’s teachings in mind."

The Prime Minister looked at his characteristically gentle and mild attitude, not knowing how much Yan Shang had taken to heart. However, the Prime Minister tossed the scroll aside and twitched the corners of his mouth, thinking he probably hadn't taken much to heart.

Young talents like Yan Shang all possessed a bit of pride in their hearts. After arriving in Chang’an, he had walked every step steadily without encountering any setbacks… Yan Shang, of course, did not feel that being cautious was not forever correct.

The Prime Minister said: "The Ministry of Personnel is grading your papers, but they hold the copy written out overnight; I hold your original draft.

"I have looked at your exam paper from the previous imperial examination. Hm, only half a year later, and your handwriting is much more beautiful."

Yan Shang hung his sleeves and listened to the instruction.

Listening to the Prime Minister ramble on about many things, Yan Shang became increasingly confused, not knowing what the Prime Minister was truly trying to say. In the end, the Prime Minister finally spoke: "I will arrange for you to stay at the Secretariat to work; what do you think of that?"

When a Prime Minister arranges an official’s placement, when does he ever ask for the subordinate’s opinion? The Prime Minister being so cordial made Yan Shang feel grateful in his heart, knowing the other party valued him.

He bent down and performed a deep bow, naturally expressing that he would follow the Prime Minister’s arrangements. With such a good position as the Secretariat, what could he possibly be dissatisfied with?

The Prime Minister watched him for a long time, watching Yan Shang utter a string of pleasantries, appearing immensely grateful, yet he ultimately failed to say the one thing he wanted to hear. The Prime Minister’s expression was indifferent: "What is it, Yan Suchen? I treat you in such a way, yet I still cannot exchange it for you calling me 'Teacher'?"

Yan Shang said: "The truth is, I already have a teacher…"

The Prime Minister said faintly: "Yan Suchen, being polite is a good thing, but it is not always a good thing. When a superior wants to hear your true words, your constant evasion will instead make people displeased. If I were to immediately, out of displeasure with your attitude, even if I don't kill you, give you the crime of 'cunning words and a fawning face,' it would be nothing."

Yan Shang’s expression grew serious.

He felt a touch of pressure.

It could be said that in all the time he had been in Chang’an, this was the first time the Prime Minister had made him feel pressure… the sensation of someone steadily holding the upper hand, seeing through every single one of his actions.

In front of such an elder, playing tricks only appeared childish.

Yan Shang reddened with shame and bowed again, saying truthfully: "…It is only that I do not wish to choose a side to stand on the moment I enter the court. Previously, I had always acted according to the Princess’s arrangements… doing so now would have the suspicion of betraying the Crown Prince, and I fear it would make things difficult for Her Highness the Princess."

The Prime Minister sneered.

Yet Liu Ruozhu, hiding behind the screen, pouted, feeling that her grandfather was giving Second Young Master Yan no face at all. He was only a teenager, after all; why must Grandfather be like this?

The Prime Minister said: "There is no suspicion. The Secretariat is not controlled by the Crown Prince, nor can anyone persuade several grand councilors to take a side. You do not wish to acknowledge me as your teacher, thinking that your previous teacher—a mere Taixue teacher—could teach you everything you ought to learn? Fine, I will ask you this: when you want to be an official, what is it for?"

Yan Shang spoke the truth: "For the people, for justice, for kindness, for benevolence."

The Prime Minister nodded: "Good, then I will take it as justice and benevolence. I will ask you, for whose justice and benevolence? Is the justice and benevolence of this world absolute? Is it under the control of you, Yan Suchen?

"Can you be certain that what you do is right, and that others are wrong? Do you feel that your position is right, and that if others do not submit to you, they are wrong?

"You still want to speak for the common people, to speak for the masses. How ridiculous! Do you know that in the politics of this world, since ancient times, it has always been to ask the virtuous, not the masses. Only ask the virtuous, not the people! You may not be convinced, but this is the logic since ancient times."

Yan Shang argued: "However, the ultimate truth of the world is known to all: water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it."

The Prime Minister retorted: "Are you using an example of a desperate situation to refute everyday practices? If they are pushed into a desperate situation, they will rebel… but such situations, since ancient times, have each time been a calamity that destroys the nation. If you encounter even one such case in your life, both you and I will lose our lives, so there is no need to discuss how to be an official here!"

Yan Shang was stunned, his face flushing with the shame of having brought up something so inadequately considered, and pale with the bleakness of being struck directly at his core. He opened his eyes and looked at the Prime Minister, staring fixedly, having forgotten his manners.

It was the first time he had heard an elder teach him in such a way, shattering the understanding he had held all along.