As he left the palace gates, he happened to run into a high-ranking official being led into the palace by a young eunuch.
“Lord Shen.”
Shen Xiabai stopped and glanced between the eunuch and the official. “And this is…”
“Lord Zhou,” the eunuch replied. “He has been summoned by His Majesty to appear in the Imperial Study.”
“Very well. Go on.”
Before leaving, Lord Zhou cupped his hands and bowed to Shen Xiabai.
Shen Xiabai watched their figures disappear down the palace walkway before stepping into the carriage.
Yu Feng asked, “Why would His Majesty summon Lord Zhou to the palace at this hour? Surely the young master hasn’t done something wrong?”
Shen Xiabai did not answer. He slowly closed his eyes. “Take me to the Directorate of Criminal Justice.”
Yu Feng glanced up at the sky. It was nearly evening, and the mistress was still waiting at the residence. Wasn’t he going home?
At the Directorate of Criminal Justice, Yu Feng served tea and stood to one side. He could clearly sense that his master was in a bad mood, as though something was weighing on him.
“Master, did His Majesty say something?”
Shen Xiabai leaned back in his chair and tiredly rubbed his brow. “He wants to arrange a marriage for me.”
“What?” Yu Feng jumped in fright, then quickly covered his mouth. “The mistress can’t find out about this. Otherwise, she’ll bring the whole sky crashing down.”
Shen Xiabai said nothing. He leaned back slightly farther and stared at the ceiling beams.
“My lord, Prince An has arrived,” came the report from outside.
Shen Xiabai straightened slightly.
Before long, Xiao Yi strode into the study. Shen Xiabai rose and cupped his hands in greeting.
“Lord Shen, there’s no need for formalities. I was merely passing by and thought I’d stop in for a visit.”
Shen Xiabai’s expression remained calm. “His Majesty has decreed that members of the imperial family are not to approach or involve themselves in the Directorate of Criminal Justice. Has Your Highness forgotten?”
Prince An was utterly unconcerned. “I only came to exchange a few words with Lord Shen. I have no intention of involving myself in any cases of the Directorate. It isn’t that serious.”
He sat down in the chair beside Shen Xiabai of his own accord. “Sit, Lord Shen. We’re only having a conversation. Don’t be so stiff.”
Shen Xiabai waved a hand, and Yu Feng immediately withdrew, closing the door from the outside.
Shen Xiabai remained seated without moving. Prince An watched him as well. The atmosphere grew somewhat stifling. Raising an eyebrow, he picked up the teapot and filled both cups.
He handed one to Shen Xiabai.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Prince An took a sip before speaking. “There is something I’ve always been troubled by. The pastries you gave me to taste back then—what exactly did you put in them?”
“…”
Shen Xiabai replied, “I don’t know.”
“Why didn’t you eat them yourself? Why give them to me?”
“I ate more than both Your Highness and the Crown Prince did.”
“How could you swallow something that awful?”
Shen Xiabai said, “If Princess An fed Your Highness shit, you’d eat that too.”
Prince An: “…”
Surely he wasn’t that shameless.
“Lord Shen just returned from the palace?” Prince An asked casually, lowering his eyes as he sipped his tea, as though merely making conversation.
Shen Xiabai sat upright and silently watched him.
“Lord Shen needn’t be nervous. I’m only asking.”
“The nervous one isn’t me,” Shen Xiabai replied.
He had only just returned from the palace, yet Prince An had hurried over in a panic. Who was nervous was obvious.
Prince An’s expression froze for a moment before he gave a faint smile. “Yunfeng is with child. By the time you become a father, brother-in-law, you should be able to understand my feelings.”
Shen Xiabai’s expression softened somewhat. He pushed a plate of pastries toward Prince An. “Your Highness, have some refreshments.”
Prince An thought to himself: If he’d known calling him brother-in-law would earn him pastries, he wouldn’t have had to pour his own tea just now.
“His Majesty gave brother-in-law two choices today,” Prince An said. “Marry the daughter of the Zhou family, retain control of the Directorate of Criminal Justice and the Ministry of War, and become a powerful minister—or refuse the Zhou family’s daughter, in which case His Majesty will support Lord Zhou. It will only be a matter of time before your power is divided.”
Prince An turned the teacup in his hand, his tone dark and cool. “You refused the imperial marriage. The road ahead will be difficult.”
Shen Xiabai paused in the act of drinking and lifted his eyes to look at Prince An. “Your Highness truly has courage. You dare say such things to my face.”
“We’re family. It’s nothing to worry about.”
“I’m wondering who among the people at His Majesty’s side belongs to Your Highness.”
Less than half an hour had passed between his leaving the palace and Prince An’s arrival, yet Prince An had already received the news—and even knew the details of their conversation.
Prince An smiled. “Do you really need to guess, brother-in-law? If you hadn’t turned a blind eye, I wouldn’t have been able to plant someone in the Imperial Study.”
In the past, such matters had all been handled by the Directorate of Criminal Justice. Every maid and eunuch serving at the emperor’s side had undergone rigorous scrutiny, followed by surveillance.
During those years, His Majesty’s inner circle had been sealed tighter than an iron fortress. But after that incident in the side hall, everything had clearly changed.
Rather than saying that Prince An was capable, it would be more accurate to say that Shen Xiabai had deliberately indulged him.
Prince An said, “Things have already come to this. Why keep agonizing over it, brother-in-law? If we join forces, wouldn’t success be within easy reach?”
“Your Highness isn’t being very generous,” Shen Xiabai said coolly.
“…”
Prince An continued persuading him. “Allowing Lord Zhou to take the position of Minister of War benefits neither of us. Why don’t we work together this once? As for the rest, we can discuss it later.”
Shen Xiabai fell silent for several breaths.
“It benefits us both. Why would you refuse?”
Shen Xiabai said, “Even if Lord Zhou fails to secure the position, there is still Cui Yunli in the Ministry of War. Prime Minister Cui will certainly use every connection and resource at his disposal to help him.”
“That is precisely why I need Lord Shen’s assistance even more. Cui Yunchu has little respect for Prime Minister Cui, his father, and even less affection for Cui Yunli, his elder brother.”
“Cui Yunfeng is different. For the sake of marital harmony, there are certain matters he must avoid.”
Shen Xiabai curved his lips in a faint smile. “Your Highness has planned this very well.”
“I don’t mind giving you a glimpse of the truth, brother-in-law. I am determined to secure the position of Minister of War. It must be under my control.”
The next step would be to contend for the throne. They both understood this, though neither said it aloud.
“What do I get in return?”
Prince An thought for a moment. “If I ascend the throne, I’ll make Cui Yunchu a prince with a different surname.”
“Do I look like a fool to you?”
Prince An burst out laughing. “I was only joking.”
He lounged lazily in his chair, but the sharp glint in his eyes and brows betrayed his keen, cutting mind.
“If you want to investigate matters concerning the imperial family, wouldn’t it be fastest to begin with the imperial family itself?”
Shen Xiabai’s eyes darkened.
Prince An was far more deep-minded than the Crown Prince.
Their gazes met, and the atmosphere once again fell into a wordless tension.
“Master, the Crown Prince has arrived,” Yu Feng’s voice came from outside.
Prince An frowned.
A moment later, the Crown Prince swept into the room, lifting his robe as he walked. “What are you two discussing? And you didn’t invite me?”
Prince An said blandly, “Didn’t you simply follow the scent here, Imperial Brother?”
The Crown Prince acted as though he had not heard the sarcasm. He sat down beside them. “It’s so late, yet you haven’t gone home to sleep. What important matter are you two gathered here to discuss?”
“I’m leaving now,” Prince An said, rising from his seat.
“So soon? I’ve only just arrived.”
Prince An shot him a glance. “I’m eager to return and keep my wife company.”
“Very well. Take care, Imperial Brother,” the Crown Prince said with a cheerful smile.
Prince An glanced at him, then turned to Shen Xiabai. “Next time, I’ll let brother-in-law have another handicap stone, and we can continue our game.”
“Take care, Your Highness,” Shen Xiabai replied.
The Crown Prince looked around the room. “You were playing chess? Where’s the board? Why can’t I see it?”
Prince An silently mouthed two words, then turned and left.
The Crown Prince said, “What did he just say? Why didn’t he make a sound?”
“He said he wouldn’t see us off,” Shen Xiabai explained.
“Oh.” The Crown Prince nodded slightly. “Judging by the shape of his mouth, I thought he was calling me an idiot.”
Shen Xiabai: “……”
