Chapter 153
The fine rain, like silk threads, gently enveloped the river water.
The iron hooves of the Eastern Palace guards pounded across the slippery street, rushing towards the grain transport dock like arrows loosed from a bow, splashing water on the blue stone slabs.
“By order of the Crown Prince, we are investigating smuggled salt. Civilians, make way!”
“Hurry and move aside!”
A thunderclap on a clear day.
The merchants on both sides scrambled to get out of the way, not even bothering to collect their goods. The boatmen were even more flustered, their expressions filled with fear of the unknown.
Li Zhao leaned lazily against a bamboo chair by the window of a riverside teahouse.
He watched Yu Qianshan lead his men into the salt warehouse, then slowly shifted his gaze further, sweeping over the cargo ships coming and going on the river. The dark blue of his eyelashes cast a faint shadow beneath his eyes.
“Your Highness, does the Ministry of Revenue truly dare to smuggle private salt on the grain boats bound for Jiangzhou?”
Mei Ruhui watched the river with a worried expression, his goatee trembling in the river breeze.
“Luo Huan is known to be an old fox; he wouldn’t be so careless in his actions…”
Li Zhao pursed his lips slightly, his expression unreadable, and he spoke indifferently, his fingertips tracing the corner of the Ministry of Revenue’s yellow ledger.
“If she says there is, then there is.”
Mei Ruhui gave a wry smile inwardly.
He was Li Zhao’s most capable confidant and advisor, and he knew a little about Li Zhao’s dealings with Xue Sui.
Before today, the Crown Prince had been filled with rage towards that Sixth Miss Xue. The tea sets in the Eastern Palace study had been replaced three times because of it, and the Crown Prince no longer secretly visited Prince Duan’s Mansion as he used to, acting as if he would never associate with them again.
Last night, a pigeon suddenly flew into the Eastern Palace, landing on the window lattice with a flutter, as familiar as if it had returned to its own nest.
Mei Ruhui did not know what was written on the letter the pigeon carried, nor did he see it. However, the Crown Prince held the letter and read it under the lamplight for a full quarter of an hour. The tightly pursed corners of his lips relaxed, and he smiled so handsomely.
The gloom that had hung over the Eastern Palace for days was swept away.
Li Zhao ordered Yu Qianshan to gather his elite men that night, and early in the morning, they were to inspect the dock and intercept the grain boats about to set sail…
Salt and grain are the lifeblood of the nation.
Luo Huan had risen step by step from the Ministry of Revenue’s treasury to the position of Minister, and he had deep roots and extensive connections in Shangjing.
He knew the current climate was tense, with the Emperor having appointed the Crown Prince to assist the Ministry of Revenue. Even with the greatest courage, he wouldn’t dare to smuggle private salt out of the capital for a mere pittance…
Mei Ruhui pondered inwardly, finding the matter highly inappropriate.
If such a large force of guards was dispatched and no concrete evidence was found, it would only give others an excuse to attack. At that point, memorials impeaching the Crown Prince would likely flood Zichen Hall.
Mei Ruhui’s expression was grave. He leaned forward slightly and reminded, “Recently, memorials impeaching Your Highness have been flying into Zichen Hall like snowflakes, and there is much discussion in the Imperial Court… Your Highness must act with extreme caution, lest you give them cause for criticism…”
Li Zhao: “I understand.”
His voice was calm and unruffled.
The Emperor had not favored him for many years, and being impeached was something he had long grown accustomed to; he paid it no mind.
Mei Ruhui pondered for a moment, stepped forward, bowed slightly, and then said, “Your Highness, salt merchants from various regions have recently sent many people to Shangjing to make connections and lobby. The calling cards have piled up three feet high, all of them wishing to establish a relationship with the Eastern Palace for support.”
The intentions of the salt merchants were self-evident.
The Emperor had appointed him to assist the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Revenue was in charge of salt affairs, so these people had come sniffing around.
Li Zhao chuckled, his wide sleeves brushing away the condensation on the railing, “Tell them, I do not care for money—if they truly wish to please me, perhaps they can find other ways.”
Mei Ruhui’s brows furrowed, his face etched with deep worry.
If he could not persuade him, could not advise him, then he could only wait.
A deathly silence hung in the air, lingering for a long time.
Until Yu Qianshan hurried in.
“Reporting to Your Highness, the official salt on the grain boats matches the manifest, and no private salt was found hidden…”
Li Zhao’s fingertips tightened abruptly, his lips pursed slightly. He felt a burning pain in his chest, and the Love Silk Gu seemed to surge through his veins… Xue Sui’s smiling face, like a poisonous flower, kept appearing in his mind.
Well done, Sixth Miss Xue!
Li Zhao looked in the direction of Shangjing and chuckled softly.
“You fool! You’ve tricked me into danger again.”
Yu Qianshan saw Li Zhao’s cold demeanor and the icy glint in his eyes, swallowed, and cupped his hands again.
“Only the number of escorts was slightly off. Your subordinate checked the roster, and the extra people on the boat claimed to be relatives they were going to visit in Jiangzhou… Your subordinate feared returning without success and causing gossip, so I detained everyone. We can interrogate them later and assign them a charge, which will save Minister Luo from any trouble…”
It had to be said, Yu Qianshan handled matters meticulously.
Not only did he search for private salt, but he also discovered these minor anomalies.
“You have done well!”
Li Zhao, with a cold face, strode out.
The rosy glow of the sky after the rain permeated half the river.
Li Zhao stepped onto the swaying wooden planks and agilely boarded the grain boat.
The damp wooden planks were soaked with salt stains.
He used the tip of his sword to lift the damp oilcloth.
A salty aroma assailed his nostrils.
The bags of official salt were all stamped with the Ministry of Revenue’s seal.
Yu Qianshan had counted them; there should be no problem.
Then why did Sixth Miss Xue want him to send troops to search?
Just to toy with him?
Li Zhao slowly turned his head, looking at the few people Yu Qianshan had detained, who were standing nervously on the deck. They were dressed as ordinary commoners, heads bowed, appearing very frightened, their hands and feet unsure of where to rest.
Yu Qianshan stepped forward and sternly asked, “For what reason are you going to Jiangzhou?”
A thin man cupped his hands and said softly, “Reporting to the officer, we are visiting relatives. We are going to seek out our kin.”
Yu Qianshan asked again, “How did you get on the Ministry of Revenue’s grain boat? Whom did you meet…”
The man was very nervous, shrinking back, his voice as faint as a mosquito’s: “We do not know any officials from the Ministry of Revenue. We missed the merchant ships due to travel delays and gave some silver money when boarding.”
As he spoke, he secretly observed Li Zhao’s expression, his body trembling even more violently.
Li Zhao suddenly strode over, drew his long sword, and slowly pressed the tip against the man’s neck.
“All of you, lift your heads!”
The cold sword made the man tremble all over.
He hesitated.
After a long while, he slowly raised his head.
Li Zhao noticed that the tall man at the very end was half a beat slower than the others.
Li Zhao smiled and walked towards that man.
His cold long sword slowly supported the man’s chin.
“A truly audacious fugitive!”
This man was disguised, but Li Zhao recognized him—it was Xiao Jing, who was supposed to be exiled to Lingnan.
Today was the day Xue Sui had invited Madam Luo and Guo Yunrong to Pu Ji Temple to listen to Master Jing Kong lecture on Zen. She had woken up early and was meticulously making arrangements.
As she walked out of the courtyard, she saw Fei Cui supporting Xue Yuechen, smiling as they approached.
Fei Cui said, “Madam, the carriage to Pu Ji Temple and the incense for offerings have been prepared…”
Xue Sui looked at Xue Yuechen’s relaxed expression and smiled knowingly.
“Princess Consort, do you have leisure to accompany me to Pu Ji Temple?”
Xue Yuechen said, “The mansion has been quiet lately, and the weather is hot. It would be good to escape the heat. Going with Sixth Sister will provide someone to talk to on the way, so it won’t be too dull.”
Xue Sui smiled gently.
“That would be wonderful.”
Xue Sui knew Xue Yuechen’s purpose for accompanying her.
She was going to persuade Madam Luo and Third Miss Guo to agree to the marriage between Xue Yue Man and Fourth Young Master Guo.
If the marriage was successful, the Old Madam would surely dote on her. But if Xue Yuechen was also present, the credit for this first achievement would naturally go to her, the Princess Consort…
After all, the Princess Consort’s standing was much greater than Madam Ping’an’s.
Xue Yuechen boarded the carriage first, then turned back to ask Xue Sui, “Are we going directly to Pu Ji Temple, or how?”
Xue Sui said, “I arranged to meet Third Miss Guo outside the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion…”
The two residences were not far apart, and it was on the way from Prince Duan’s Mansion to Pu Ji Temple to pass by the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion, so it was not a detour.
Xue Yuechen nodded in agreement, “Then let us depart.”
Xue Sui bowed slightly and sat opposite her.
Xue Yuechen smiled gently and looked up to ask her, “Sixth Sister, you invited Madam Luo and Third Miss Guo. Would it be too impolite for me to tag along?”
Xue Sui said, “Sisters, why be so formal? The Princess Consort has shown me kindness, allowing me a place to stay in the mansion. If the Princess Consort is willing to condescend to accompany me and give me some backing, I am grateful.”
The two looked at each other and smiled, the atmosphere harmonious.
When the carriage stopped at the gate of the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion, they saw Madam Luo and Guo Yunrong coming out together. Both were dressed very simply today, but their demeanor was elegant, and their every smile and glance exuded dignity and serenity, their steps carrying a natural composure.
Upon seeing Xue Sui, Guo Yunrong greeted her enthusiastically, waving her arm.
“Madam Ping’an…”
Xue Sui lifted the curtain and responded with a bow.
After a few pleasantries, a tall man emerged from the mansion. He wore a jade crown and a dark blue brocade robe, followed by an attendant, and carried himself with great arrogance.
Xue Sui glanced sideways.
Coincidentally, the man’s gaze also fell upon her.
Guo Yunrong smiled, “Madam Ping’an, this is my elder brother. He works in the Ministry of Culture.”
The young lady was innocent and cheerful, not noticing the anomaly on Xue Sui’s face, nor did she see the arrogance that flashed across her brother’s expression, nor his disdain for Xue Sui.
Ten years ago, on a snowy day, Guo Zhaohuai had also smiled down at her condescendingly and said:
“A stray dog from the Xue family, how dare you play with us?”
Xue Sui had a very good memory.
Guo Zhaohuai’s expression, tone, mocking gaze, and contemptuous smile from that year were all vividly etched in her mind.
As a result, looking at the adult Guo Zhaohuai, she wished she could draw the short blade from her sleeve and slit his throat—of course, he shouldn’t die so easily; he should die with some value.
She smiled slowly, “Greetings, Master Guo.”
Guo Zhaohuai, relying on the patronage of his ancestors, was now doing very well in his official capacity, and his conduct was always the same.
Hearing her voice, he raised an eyebrow, took the reins from the attendant, mounted his horse, and rode away.
Guo Yunrong made a face at him, “Grumpy. Madam Ping’an, please don’t mind my elder brother. He’s just such a dull fellow…”
Xue Sui shook her head and smiled lightly, “Third Miss, shall we depart?”
Guo Yunrong said, “Let’s go.”
The group, two carriages, set off slowly.
Xue Yuechen concernedly offered a handkerchief, “Sixth Sister, why is your complexion so poor? Is it because of the disrespect shown by Master Guo just now?”
“How could it be?” Xue Sui smiled gently and shook her head, “Perhaps I didn’t sleep well last night.”
Not far away, Guo Zhaohuai, on his horse, looked back at the departing carriages and raised an eyebrow slightly.
This Sixth Miss Xue had grown up and was quite attractive.
