“I truly don’t know whether I should pass this path on to Xu Zijin… or to you!”
The old man’s voice echoed between the empty bookshelves, carrying an undertone that was difficult to decipher.
Xu Qinghuan’s heart gave a sudden jolt.
Holy crap!
Her thoughts churned wildly as she cursed inwardly.
Could this Old Fox actually read minds?
What was he testing her for?
What did he mean by “this path”?
As a devoted fan who had read the original novel countless times, Xu Qinghuan knew the truth as clearly as if it were written in her palm.
No. Absolutely not. She couldn’t take the bait.
Xu Qinghuan kept her expression calm.
She furrowed her brows slightly, letting just the right amount of confusion show in her eyes.
“Lord Grand Secretary,” Xu Qinghuan said respectfully, “I’m afraid I’m too dull to understand what you mean by ‘this path.’ But I imagine it must concern the fate of the entire Great Qian Empire.”
She paused, then smoothly changed direction.
“In that case, I believe Xu Zijin should be the one to shoulder such an important responsibility.”
“He is exceptionally talented, levelheaded, and your own disciple. He would be the most suitable person to take over.”
Xu Qinghuan’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly she muttered with complete justification:
Xu Zijin is the male lead of the original novel!
He’s favored by fate and has the protagonist’s halo shining over his head.
If not him, then who?
I only want to make money—and, while I’m at it, keep the entire Xu family alive!
Xu Jie did not become angry at her words.
He walked over to the rosewood tea table and picked up a cup.
A low chuckle escaped him.
Xu Jie took a sip of tea.
Then he picked up the teapot and filled the empty cup across from him.
Steam rose into the air, blurring the old man’s features.
“Girl.” Xu Jie turned around. Through the curling steam, his gaze fixed directly on Xu Qinghuan.
At that moment, the cloudiness in his eyes vanished completely, leaving behind nothing but piercing insight.
“Don’t put on this little show of hiding your brilliance in front of me.”
“Today, in the Hall of Heavenly Veneration, you brought out that nautical chart and pressed forward step by step. Do you truly think I couldn’t see through your plans?”
Xu Qinghuan’s breathing briefly faltered.
She did not answer.
She knew that at a time like this, the more she said, the more mistakes she would make.
Since Xu Jie had spoken so plainly, it meant he had already seen through everything.
In the face of his absolute experience, any attempt at explanation would only seem pale and feeble.
Xu Jie gave a cold snort and set the teacup down on the table.
“First,” he said.
Xu Jie stared into Xu Qinghuan’s eyes. “You want to use this earth-shaking achievement to make His Majesty hesitate.”
Xu Qinghuan’s hands, hanging at her sides, unconsciously clenched inside her sleeves.
Xu Jie continued:
“The miraculous feat of reviving the soldiers at Northern Frontier Pass, together with the immense wealth brought by maritime trade.”
“You handed both of these things to His Majesty so that you could protect yourself—and protect the entire Xu family.”
Xu Jie spoke calmly.
“You know very well that the Xu family’s contribution at the northern frontier was simply too great.”
“So great that His Majesty was bound to develop murderous intentions.”
“You produced the nautical chart and issued a military pledge.”
“You used the staggering profits of maritime trade to hold His Majesty hostage.”
“As long as the treasury remains short of money, and as long as His Majesty still wishes to build and maintain his estate in Jiangnan…”
“He will have no choice but to keep you alive, and keep the Xu family alive.”
Xu Jie gave a quiet laugh.
“You’ve made the great clans and the upright officials at court afraid to move against you.”
Xu Qinghuan’s fingernails had already dug into her palms, causing a sharp sting.
Impressive.
Truly impressive.
In the eyes of this veteran who had served three reigns, all her hidden cards had already been exposed completely.
Xu Jie fell silent for a moment.
When he saw the tension in Xu Qinghuan’s expression, he threw back his head and laughed.
“Hahahaha! And second…”
Xu Jie narrowed his eyes.
“You handed this inexhaustible source of wealth to the imperial court.”
“That means you’ve already been placing your bet in secret.”
Xu Qinghuan’s body went rigid.
Placing her bet?
Xu Jie looked at her coldly.
“The Great Qian treasury is empty, and the armies stationed along the nine frontiers have gone without pay.”
“You’re using the profits from maritime trade to fill that bottomless pit.”
“Whoever controls that money will control the heart of Great Qian.”
“Lord Grand Secretary, you must be careful with your words!”
Xu Qinghuan immediately cut him off, her expression turning fearful.
“Everything I’ve done is merely because I receive a stipend from the Emperor and must shoulder his worries!” she hurriedly protested.
“It is all for the Great Qian Empire, all for His Majesty!”
“I have absolutely no selfish motives, and I would never dare involve myself in the struggle for the throne!”
She looked at Xu Jie, her tone resolute.
“Lord Grand Secretary, one may eat whatever one pleases, but one must not speak carelessly.”
“If such treasonous words reach His Majesty’s ears, the entire Xu family will be executed—and you won’t escape responsibility either!”
You, Xu Jie! Did you really have to say what I was thinking out loud!?
Couldn’t you leave me a little dignity?
Xu Qinghuan had always thought Xu Jie would merely hint at things from the side, perhaps pressure her a little.
She had never expected what he said next.
Looking at her tense expression, Xu Jie let out a scornful laugh.
“What a fine ‘absolutely no selfish motives.’”
Xu Jie’s smile faded, and he sighed.
He shook his head. “If there is anyone in all of Great Qian who dares say he doesn’t care about the struggle for the throne, I’m at least one of them.”
“As for spies and informants, who would dare plant them wherever I am?”
Xu Qinghuan’s face filled with astonishment.
Holy crap! This Xu Jie is such a show-off. Even the original novel never managed to reveal this side of him!
Xu Jie gave a cold snort, and for once, his tone carried a hint of earnest counsel.
“Girl, I’ve occupied this position for twenty years.”
“I’ve seen far too many clever people. You are very intelligent, and your methods are ruthless enough. You also understand how to advance by retreating, and how to exploit human greed and desire.”
He turned around and looked at Xu Qinghuan.
“But remember this: those who are too rigid are easily broken.”
Xu Qinghuan drew a deep breath and steadied herself.
She looked at Xu Jie and replied calmly, “I will remember your guidance, Lord Grand Secretary.”
Xu Jie’s eyes flashed with approval, but it was quickly concealed beneath a veil of solemnity.
Then his tone suddenly turned stern, and he warned her gravely:
“I don’t care whether you’ve placed your bet on the Third Prince or on someone else.”
“I summoned you here today for one reason only: to draw a red line for you.”
Xu Jie’s voice turned harsh.
“You’ve drawn too grand a picture. His Majesty wants to use this money to build his estate in Jiangnan, while the Third Prince wants to use it to pave his road toward the throne.”
“But if the soldiers stationed along the nine frontiers and the people of Great Qian cannot even get the scraps left over, the roots of Great Qian will still rot!”
He turned his head and fixed Xu Qinghuan with a gaze that pressed down on her like Mount Tai.
“I can ensure that you establish the Maritime Trade Office securely.”
“But in exchange, thirty percent of the silver brought back by sea in the first shipment must be sent, cleanly and directly, to the nine frontiers.”
Xu Qinghuan’s heart pounded violently.
So this was the Chief Grand Secretary’s true objective!
He really hadn’t deviated from his character in the original novel at all!
Still, Chief Grand Secretary Xu was worrying over nothing.
There was no way she would dare do such a thing!
She looked at Xu Jie and bowed deeply, her tone more solemn than ever.
“I have taken note of your red line, Lord Grand Secretary.”
“Thirty percent of the silver. Not a single coin will be missing. It will go straight to the nine frontiers.”
Xu Jie waved his hand, indicating that she could leave.
“Go home. At this hour, that person is probably already waiting for you there.”
Xu Qinghuan’s heart tightened.
Xu Jie said nothing more.
He picked up his vermilion brush and continued marking the map of Great Qian.
Xu Qinghuan knew that their conversation had come to an end.
She respectfully offered a junior’s formal salute, then turned and walked toward the door.
She pushed open the door of the Pavilion of Literary Profundity.
The wind and snow outside had already stopped.
The several court officials beneath the corridor saw her emerge and promptly lowered their heads, stepping aside.
Xu Qinghuan paid them no attention and walked straight toward the palace gates.
She quickened her pace. She had to get back to the Chengyi Earl’s Residence as soon as possible.
…
After leaving Zhengyang Gate, Xu Qinghuan saw that Xu Zhan had not gone far.
Instead, he was standing beneath the eaves of a building at a street corner, holding the reins of two horses.
The moment he saw his little sister come out, Xu Zhan hurried over to her.
“Little Sister!” Xu Zhan looked her up and down. “That Old Fox didn’t do anything to you, did he?”
Xu Qinghuan shook her head. “My dear Second Brother, relax. What could Chief Grand Secretary Xu possibly do to me?”
“Second Brother, let’s go home.” Xu Qinghuan swung onto her horse and tightened her grip on the reins. “We may have a visitor.”
Xu Zhan was taken aback. “A visitor? Who?”
Xu Qinghuan slapped her forehead, suddenly realizing something. “Oh! You probably haven’t met him yet!”
She squeezed her legs against the horse’s sides. With a loud whinny, the warhorse raced toward the Chengyi Earl’s Residence.
Seeing this, Xu Zhan quickly mounted his own horse and followed close behind.
…
(I’ll have to think carefully about how to develop the plot tomorrow.
But why are there so few requests for updates today? I’m getting anxious…)
