On the road, the steward stole glances at Cui Qingyuan’s expression, not daring to say a word.
Cui Qingyuan sat with his eyes closed, his face stern and imposing. The carriage swayed gently to a stop before the palace gates. By then, quite a few officials had already entered the palace and were making their way toward the main hall.
“Go to the Ministry of Justice,” he instructed the steward in a low voice. Only after the steward drove the carriage away did he head into the palace.
The morning court proceeded as it always did. Once the usual business had concluded, the Emperor finally sat up a little straighter.
“The post of Minister of War has been vacant for quite some time. Do my ministers have anyone suitable to recommend?”
The first to step forward was an official from the Ministry of Personnel, responsible for appointments and promotions. “In reply to Your Majesty, the Ministry of War has two vice ministers. Cui Yunli is young and promising, while Liu Zhang has served diligently and conscientiously. Both are suitable candidates. At present, no final decision has been made.”
“Cui Yunli has only been in the Ministry of War for how long? How can he already be called young and promising? The position of Minister of War is of great importance—how can it be handed to some green youngster?”
“And what does ‘diligent and conscientious’ even mean? Which official in this court is not diligent and conscientious? Does diligence alone qualify one for promotion? What matters in office is ability.”
The moment the Ministry of Personnel official finished speaking, members of the two factions began to argue.
Both sides seized upon the weaknesses in his words. The Crown Prince’s faction strongly supported Cui Yunli, while Prince An’s faction championed Zhang Zhang.
The Emperor said nothing, merely watching the two sides argue until their faces were red.
The Crown Prince and Prince An glanced sideways at one another, their eyes meeting briefly before they looked away. They stood calm and composed, allowing their subordinates to quarrel on.
The Ministry of Personnel official was caught between them, pulled in both directions.
After listening for a while, the Emperor impatiently waved a hand. “Enough. Silence.”
Every one of them was acting for their own private interests. Not a single one was truly loyal to the throne.
“My dear Cui.” The Emperor’s gaze fell upon Cui Qingyuan, who stood at the front with his eyes closed.
Old bastard, putting on such a convincing show.
“Lately, my dear Cui, you have often been dozing during court. Are you getting on in years? Is your health failing?”
Cui Qingyuan gave a start. He cupped his hands in salute and replied, “Your Majesty jests. This old minister is the same age as Your Majesty, yet still hale and hearty. Though this old minister’s eyes are closed, his ears are not. It is simply that this matter concerns my son, so it would be inappropriate for this old minister to take part.”
The Emperor gave a derisive laugh. “You certainly know how to avoid suspicion.”
“What if I insist on asking? Of the two, who do you think is more qualified to become Minister of War?”
Cui Qingyuan’s gaze moved back and forth between Cui Yunli and Zhang Zhang. “Great Liang belongs to Your Majesty. The decision naturally rests with Your Majesty.”
One corner of the Emperor’s lips curled upward. “If you do not dare to speak, then I shall find someone who does.”
His gaze swept around the hall before he said, “My beloved Minister Shen, who do you think is suitable?”
At once, everyone’s eyes settled on Shen Xiabai. His position was special; if he named someone, that candidate would all but have the post secured.
Even if the other contender wished to fight for it, the Judicial Investigation Bureau had stacks upon stacks of case files that could drag him down.
Prince An and the Crown Prince both looked toward him.
Only Cui Qingyuan behaved as though he had heard nothing. With his hands tucked into his sleeves, he stared at the ground before him.
Prince An gave Shen Xiabai a meaningful wink.
Shen Xiabai slowly raised his eyes, glanced at the Emperor, and spoke in an unhurried voice. “In reply to Your Majesty, I believe neither of them is suitable.”
“The officials of the Ministry of Personnel have already made their assessment: one lacks sufficient seniority, while the other lacks ability. Great talents in our Liang are as numerous as carp crossing a river—why insist on choosing the best of a poor lot?”
The moment those words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent.
The Crown Prince frowned. Prince An stared at Shen Xiabai for a long while, seeming somewhat stunned.
The Emperor smiled in satisfaction. “Then does my beloved minister have someone to recommend?”
“Zhou Yu—Lord Zhou. He has seniority, and his abilities are passable. This minister believes he is well suited to the post.”
Prince An looked at Shen Xiabai as though he were looking at a fool.
Had he gone mad?
Prince An stepped forward. “Father, I do not think this is appropriate. Lord Zhou is an official of the Ministry of Personnel—how can he take up a post in the Ministry of War, let alone the position of Minister of War?”
The Emperor raised a brow. “This matter is not for you or the Crown Prince to speak on.”
The Crown Prince, who had been about to speak, simply closed his mouth again.
“This matter shall be handled as Lord Shen has proposed.”
The other officials, too, began to see what was going on. Lord Zhou had most likely been chosen by His Majesty and Lord Shen long ago.
They promptly knelt and voiced their assent.
Cui Qingyuan was the last to do so. He merely cast Shen Xiabai a deep look before withdrawing his gaze and continuing to stand calmly in place.
Both the Crown Prince and Prince An lowered their eyes. Though neither had obtained the position of Minister of War, neither had allowed the other to claim it either. In that sense, they were even.
The Emperor’s pleasure was obvious. Just then, a young eunuch hurried up the imperial steps in quick, small strides and leaned close to whisper something into his ear. The Emperor’s smiling expression immediately froze, and his gaze darkened sharply.
He glanced at Shen Xiabai before announcing the end of the court session.
The civil and military officials departed in turn. Prince An followed behind Shen Xiabai.
“Has Lord Shen gone mad?”
“Even if Your Highness were mad, this minister would not be.”
“This prince thinks you truly are mad.” Prince An stepped directly into Shen Xiabai’s path. “Recommending Zhou Yu for that position is no different from courting death.”
“Your Highness has missed out on the post of Minister of War and is venting his anger from humiliation, perhaps?”
“You—” Prince An pointed at him, gritting his teeth.
He had considered countless possibilities, but never had he imagined that Shen Xiabai would personally push Zhou Yu into that position.
The coldness in his eyes deepened. “Lord Shen is afraid, isn’t he?”
“This minister has no intention of seizing the throne. What is there to fear?”
“You are afraid of Father,” Prince An said in a lowered voice.
“And Your Highness is not?” Shen Xiabai arched a brow.
The two stood facing one another when an eunuch from the Emperor’s side approached in small steps. After offering a salute, he said, “Lord Shen, His Majesty requests your presence in the Imperial Study.”
Shen Xiabai inclined his head, then leaned close to Xiao Yi and said, “Since Your Highness is not afraid, this minister can lead the way. Why not kill His Majesty and proclaim yourself Emperor?”
“Madman.” Prince An shoved Shen Xiabai aside and turned to leave the hall.
Neither half of that married couple ever did anything by the rules. Both were utterly deranged.
“Let us go.” Shen Xiabai turned and headed toward the Imperial Study.
The Emperor stood upon the imperial dais with his back to the entrance, his entire body radiating fury.
Shen Xiabai frowned slightly and bowed.
“Do you know why I summoned you here?” The Emperor turned around, his dragon-like eyes fixed heavily upon Shen Xiabai.
“Your Majesty, this minister does not know.”
The Emperor gave a cold laugh. “Half an hour ago, Xiao Lan died in prison.”
At those words, Shen Xiabai abruptly lifted his head, a flash of shock swiftly passing through his eyes.
The Emperor said, “I did promise you that once Zhou Yu assumed the post of Minister of War, I would grant your wish. But I never meant for you to take matters into your own hands. She was, after all, a princess—my sister. She represented the dignity of the imperial family, yet she was murdered in her prison cell, her throat slit with a single stroke.”
“Shen Xiabai, you are truly outrageous. Since when did my Ministry of Justice become your domain, for you to act as you please?”
Shen Xiabai frowned deeply. “Your Majesty, I was not responsible for this.”
The Emperor did not believe him. “Among all the civil and military officials, who else has both the authority and the desire to see her dead but you?!”
“Your Majesty,” a eunuch said as he hurried in with quick, mincing steps, “Prime Minister Cui requests an audience.”
The Emperor frowned. “Tell him to wait.”
“Prime Minister Cui says he has an urgent matter to report to Your Majesty.”
The Emperor was silent for several moments before waving a hand, ordering that Cui Qingyuan be admitted.
