Under the setting sun.
While riding, Zhang Zhuo occasionally bumped his horse toward Wang Daosheng, but Wang Daosheng calmly and unhurriedly avoided him.
The former was like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment, while the latter resembled a deeply hidden iceberg. They had absolutely nothing in common, yet they had somehow ended up together.
Chen Ji wondered, 'Is Lord Zhang usually this—'
In the end, he didn't say the word "childish" out loud.
Zhang Xia reached out to stroke Zaozao's mane and said with a smile, "My father usually carries quite the official air.
He rarely acts like this. He must be acting this way because the other party is Mister Wang."
Chen Ji was even more puzzled. "Why is that?"
Zhang Xia thought for a moment. "My father once said that Mister Wang is a gentleman. I suppose, when facing Mister Wang, he doesn't need to be as cautious as he usually is. Even though Mister Wang doesn't agree with him, he will absolutely never harm him."
Chen Ji sighed softly. "That's truly nice."
Zhang Zhuo and Wang Daosheng didn't argue for long.
Zhang Zhuo gradually quieted down. Sitting on his horse, he looked toward the overflowing colors of the setting sun's afterglow and sighed emotionally, "The scenery is like a painting; if only the world could be at peace."
He suddenly called out, "Wang Daosheng."
Wang Daosheng cast a sidelong glance at him. "Please speak, Lord Zhang."
Zhang Zhuo straightened his red official robe and slowly said, "I think you might not necessarily be promoted to Minister of the Ministry of War on this trip to the Capital City, so don't get your hopes up too high. Right now, you seem to be the most suitable candidate. Qi Xiuping is incompetent, and Yang Zhao is reckless. Regarding the position of Minister of War, neither of them can compare to you. This is also why Elder Hu dared to recommend you."
Wang Daosheng chuckled. "I suppose there is a 'but' coming."
Zhang Zhuo took a deep breath. "But the Emperor has ruled for thirty-one years, and the type of person he dislikes employing the most is someone without weaknesses. In this world, the only flawless Saint can be the one residing in Renshou Palace, not anyone else."
Wang Daosheng asked calmly, "So, what should I do?"
Zhang Zhuo lowered his voice. "How about this: I'll send you a few women. You take on a dozen or so concubines before entering the Capital City."
Wang Daosheng burst into laughter. "I am in my mourning period; I cannot remarry or take concubines."
Zhang Zhuo looked up at the sky in thought, then lowered his head and said, "Then take some money. I'll find someone to send you some silver, then I'll write a few Memorials to the Throne to impeach you, and deliver the evidence directly to the Saint's hands."
Wang Daosheng was amused. "If you do that, I'm afraid I'll be sent to the Inner Prison."
Zhang Zhuo shook his head. He adjusted his black gauze hat and brushed the dust off the white egret rank badge on his chest. "When it comes to essays and classics, I can't compare to you. But when it comes to being an official, you can't compare to me. The Saint won't care at all about you taking a few thousand dollars in silver. Do you really think the Saint doesn't know his subordinates are corrupt? Of course he knows, and he doesn't worry about it."
"Then what does the Saint worry about?"
Zhang Zhuo turned his head to look at Wang Daosheng. "The Saint only worries that when he doesn't want to use you anymore, he won't be able to get rid of you."
Wang Daosheng smiled. "I don't want to touch any of those things you mentioned. For my entire life, I only seek to have a clear conscience."
Zhang Zhuo cursed, "Arrogant and aloof. I've seen plenty of scholars like you. You live your whole life with nothing but the words 'incorruptible and upright,' yet you accomplish absolutely nothing. If you and I joined hands in court, how many great things could we achieve?"
Wang Daosheng said softly, "Seeking results through the wrong process will ultimately never lead to a good outcome. Lord Zhang, it's too late for me to sully my own reputation now; I lack your boldness. Our political views don't align, so it's best if we don't join forces while serving together in court."
Zhang Zhuo said no more, and the atmosphere fell into a dead silence.
The few juniors following behind all held their breath in rapt attention.
Zhang Zhuo suddenly sighed. "Your future official position will certainly not be as high as mine, but perhaps you will live longer than me. After I die, don't let the historians write whatever nonsense they want about me."
Wang Daosheng remained silent for a long time. "That is not something I can decide."
Zhang Zhuo gave a free and easy laugh. "Forget it, forget it. Let them do as they please."
Wang Daosheng asked calmly, "Are you resigned to it?"
Zhang Zhuo stroked his beard. "What else can be done?"
He thought for a moment and added, "Right, do you still remember the song 'Executing the Loyal Minister' sung by Master Xu during the private theatrical performance in the twenty-fifth year of Jianing?"
"I remember."
Zhang Zhuo asked again, "Which part is your favorite?"
Wang Daosheng said, "The shackles of wealth and the reigns of fame ensnare many a hero; the morning bells and evening drums awaken countless fools. And you?"
Zhang Zhuo laughed heartily. "A trivial half-page of official honors, a thousand mountains of wind and snow! The parts of the play we like aren't even the same. As expected, we are not travelers on the same path. So be it!"
At this moment, the sound of a bamboo flute drifted from afar, cutting through like a sword piercing wind and snow.
Chen Ji's heart tightened as he looked up. He saw a man sitting in front of a carriage below the Luo City gate tower, like a coachman, yet far more detached and transcendent.
His muscles tensed as his hand silently reached for the Whale Blade. "Mister Feng!"
The crowd looked closely. The carriage was parked solitarily by the official road, engraved with a peacock motif...
It was Elder Liu's carriage.
Chen Ji subconsciously looked toward Prince Jing, only to see the man bearing a faint expression, his cold gaze fixed straight at the carriage.
Seeing them approach, Mister Feng slowly lowered the flute and smiled. "Your Highness, my master invites you into the carriage for a chat."
Prince Jing remained motionless, still staring at him coldly. "Was it you who led the men to surround and kill Yunxi and Bai Li?"
Mister Feng put on a surprised look. "You must be joking, Your Highness. For the past few days, I've been listening to music in White Clothe Lane in Luo City. I haven't gone anywhere."
Prince Jing sneered, "Do I need to pull out the evidence?"
Mister Feng burst out laughing. "No need, no need! Even if Your Highness produced evidence, I wouldn't admit to it."
Prince Jing sneered again. "Arrogant."
Mister Feng glanced at the Thousand-Year Army behind Prince Jing and smiled. "With the Thousand-Year Army leaving their camp without an official document from the Ministry of War, the Saint might not do anything to you, Your Highness. But someone from the Thousand-Year Army will definitely bear the consequences. Knowing the Saint's habits, General Wang will probably be exiled for hard labor in Lingnan... I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to see him again in the future."
Chen Ji was stunned. It turned out the price for the Thousand-Year Army surrounding Luhun Villa a single time was this high.
Prince Jing spoke in a clear, resonant voice. "General Wang."
The man holding the prince's banner responded, "This general is here."
Prince Jing ordered, "Return to camp."
"Take care, Your Highness."
Having said that, General Wang waved the prince's banner in his hand, and the Thousand-Year Army solemnly turned their horses and headed south. The black armor worn by the thousand soldiers clattered with a deafening noise, moving without the slightest hesitation.
The carriage curtain was lifted. Liu Gun, dressed in a gray cloth robe, slowly stepped down from the carriage with Mister Feng's support. Zhang Zhuo hurriedly gestured for everyone to dismount and bow.
However, Elder Liu didn't even glance at Prince Jing. Instead, he looked at Chen Ji with a scrutinizing gaze. "Are you Chen Ji?"
Everyone suddenly looked at Chen Ji. No one had expected a dignified elder to genuinely care about him.
Zhang Zhuo chuckled, pulling Wang Daosheng along to block the space between Elder Liu and Chen Ji. He politely cupped his hands with a smile. "Elder, I trust you have been well since we last met."
Liu Gun spared him a glance. "I'm no elder anymore, just a wretched old man observing a mourning period at home. Don't be afraid, Lord Zhang. I merely wish to exchange a few words with this young man; I'm not going to harm him."
Zhang Zhuo hesitated for a moment but ultimately stepped aside.
Liu Gun appraised Chen Ji and asked again, "Are you Chen Ji?"
Chen Ji stood by his warhorse and cupped his hands in greeting. "Answering the elder, I am."
Liu Gun gave a soft chuckle, looking like an amiable old man. "A young talent. A newborn calf is not afraid of tigers. Your future prospects are promising."
Chen Ji didn't answer.
Liu Gun asked again, "Are you married?"
Chen Ji shook his head. "No."
Liu Gun smiled. "My Liu Family happens to have a few women who have reached marriageable age—"
Before he could finish speaking, the Prince Heir took a step forward, bowed, and interrupted, "Maternal Granddad."
Liu Gun wasn't angered by the interruption. He turned to look at the Prince Heir with a smile. "Good child, you haven't visited the Liu mansion in all these years. In your early years when your mother was still alive, she often brought you back to the Liu Family to visit."
The Prince Heir replied, "Maternal Granddad, my studies have been heavy these years. I will definitely visit you more often when I have time in the future."
Liu Gun said comfortingly, "Good, good, good."
Chen Ji frowned.
It turned out Prince Jing's official consort was also from the Liu Family. Could she be Consort Jing's older sister?
At this point, the cause of the official consort's death seemed sealed in the passage of time without anyone mentioning it. Still, associating it with the Liu Family's temperament and methods, Chen Ji couldn't help but guess if there were any hidden secrets involved.
Liu Gun threw a glance at Chen Ji and finally said no more. With a weary expression, he looked at Prince Jing. "Your Highness, having met each other as father-in-law and son-in-law, why must swords be drawn and bows bent like this? We haven't seen each other in a long time; let's get into the carriage for a chat."
Prince Jing thought for a moment and turned to the Prince Heir. "You all go back first."
The Prince Heir said anxiously, "Father—"
Prince Jing comforted him. "Go, it'll be fine."
However, the Prince Heir was unwilling to leave.
Zhang Zhuo let out a dry laugh. "We've braved the wind and snow traveling all day. Let's hurry back home for a hot cup of tea. Let's go, let's go."
As he spoke, he grabbed the Prince Heir by the arm and headed into the city gates, lowering his voice. "Under the watchful eyes of the public, what can he do to His Highness? Do you really have to force the Liu Family to tear up all pretense? Are you an idiot? Don't worry, His Highness will be fine."
Only then did the Prince Heir leave, looking back three times with every step.
Stepping through the city gate, Chen Ji couldn't help but turn his head and see Prince Jing lifting the curtain and boarding the carriage, while Mister Feng stood by its side smiling at him.
'Thud!' A burly man inside the city gate bumped into Chen Ji and brushed past him.
Chen Ji looked closely and saw the man wearing a pressed-down bamboo hat as he blended into the bustling crowd. It was unmistakably the back of Xi Feng from the Secret Spy Division.
He calmly lowered his head and unrolled a slip of paper in his hand. Written on it were the startling words: 'Be careful! All the men delivering the secret memorial to the Capital City have been killed.'
Chen Ji suddenly looked up. The news of the Liu Family secretly forging iron and hoarding troops couldn't be sent out. Could it be that Yuzhou had already become a prison cage?