Ye Hua watched with a smirk, thinking it was nothing more than a desperate struggle. Today would be Ye Li’s last day!
At that moment, the soldier captain who had gone to investigate the military pay returned and strode in, kneeling to report, “Your Majesty, as ordered, we have inspected the supplies. The military pay for the logistics troops is fully accounted for—not a single coin is missing.”
Ye Hua’s smile froze as Zhang Ji’s indignant voice rang out from outside: “Your Majesty, this old subject has been wronged!”
Zhang Ji stumbled out from the crowd of guards, his robes crumpled and his hair disheveled from the scuffle. His face was flushed red, as if he had suffered immense humiliation. Without a word, he knelt and kowtowed heavily before the Emperor, exclaiming, “Your Majesty, this old subject has been wronged!”
Having served in the court for so many years, Zhang Ji held considerable influence. It was rare to see him in such a disheveled state. Even the Emperor couldn’t easily reprimand or punish him, lest he alienate the other court officials. The Emperor said, “Rise, Our beloved subject.”
Zhang Ji lifted his head but didn’t hurry to stand. Instead, he glared up with fury, as if he might faint from anger at any moment. After a pause, he said, “This old subject has lived a life free of shameful deeds. Yet now, someone insists on smearing my name with false accusations—such malicious intent is truly vile! I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice for me!”
The Emperor sighed deeply, his gaze suddenly shifting to Ye Hua. Ye Hua’s mouth hung slightly open, as if he hadn’t yet processed this sudden turn of events. When he finally noticed the Emperor’s stare, he looked up and was instantly chilled by the icy fury in the Emperor’s eyes. Frozen in place, he dared not move a muscle.
With Zhang Ji proven innocent and the military pay untouched, it was clear someone had tried to frame him. Zhang Ji had served the court for decades and held significant influence—only a fool would target him directly. Thus, the real aim must have been to strike at the person behind Zhang Ji. If Zhang Ji had been falsely accused, the first to be implicated would have been Ye Li. And who in the court despised Ye Li the most? Naturally, it was the Fifth Prince, Ye Hua.
The courtiers who had been quick to kick a man while he was down now fell silent. Ye Hua’s faction trembled in fear, none understanding what had gone wrong. The intelligence they had received assured them that Zhang Ji would be exposed today for embezzling military pay. Yet now that Zhang Ji stood unscathed, their information must have been flawed—who would dare provoke further trouble?
Meanwhile, Ye Li’s faction watched with barely concealed smugness, relishing the unfolding drama.
Ye Li sighed softly and consoled, “Lord Zhang, there’s no need for such distress. Your integrity over the years speaks for itself. His Majesty will surely see justice done.”
Zhang Ji declared indignantly, “If this were merely an insult to this old subject alone, I could endure it. But this scheme was clearly meant to delay the logistics troops’ progress. Every day the military pay fails to reach the border, our soldiers suffer another day of hardship. This… this is nothing short of malice aimed at undermining the warriors defending our great Da Jin Dynasty’s frontiers!”
His words sent shockwaves through the hall. Even the Emperor, seated upon his lofty dragon throne, flashed a cold glint in his eyes.Ye Hua inwardly cursed his misfortune. What had been undercurrents between the princes was now dragged by that old fool into the discourse of border warfare. Everyone knew the ongoing conflict between the Da Jin Dynasty and the Celestial Jin Kingdom was a topic best avoided. Though on the surface, the Da Jin Dynasty seemed to be winning victories with the arrival of the Brocade-clad Guards, the underlying dangers were not to be spoken of lightly. It was like a blade hanging over the splendid palaces of Da Jin—untouchable. Yet Zhang Ji had now placed this blade squarely before everyone, even pointing out the bloodstains on it. Since ancient times, emperors were prone to suspicion. What would the Emperor think now? He might suspect Ye Hua harbored treacherous intentions, or even worse, consider the possibility of collusion with the enemy!
Without solid evidence, no crime could be proven. The news had spread inexplicably, and even Ye Hua couldn’t trace its origin. If the Emperor couldn’t find the source of the rumors, his suspicions would only deepen, believing Ye Hua’s influence had grown beyond his control. For an emperor, this was an ominous sign.
"Beloved minister, this matter is indeed suspicious. Rest assured, We will give you an answer," the Emperor said gravely, his chilling tone sending a shiver through the court. No matter how amiable an emperor might appear, his innate majesty was inviolable. Whoever had dared to manipulate him like a puppet today would face dire consequences if exposed. Glancing at the tearful Zhang Ji kneeling on the ground, the Emperor reassured him, "We still need you, and so do the soldiers of Da Jin. After today’s ordeal, We will ensure the culprit pays the price. However, with the border in crisis, We must ask you to handle matters there. It’s late now—set off tomorrow. Return to your residence and rest. We shall issue the decree shortly."
This was both a gesture to placate Zhang Ji and a signal of the Emperor’s intent to investigate thoroughly. The more Ye Hua listened, the more uneasy he became. Speaking now would only fan the flames, so he swallowed his resentment in silence, though his expression darkened to the point where he nearly stormed out in anger.
With the Emperor having lowered his stance, Zhang Ji had no reason to act haughty. He repeatedly thanked the Emperor for his boundless grace, and thus the storm over the military pay gradually subsided. Once back in his residence, Zhang Ji would naturally receive compensation from the palace—after all, the slander of a veteran minister was no small matter. On the surface, Zhang Ji had suffered an injustice, but in reality, it was a minor setback that only deepened the Emperor’s trust in him. In the end, the only loser in this play was Ye Hua.
For now, the Emperor did not reprimand Ye Hua, but every move he made today had been noted. The Emperor would reflect, weigh his thoughts. Sometimes, achieving a goal didn’t require ironclad proof—just planting a seed of doubt in the right place, waiting for it to sprout and grow. One day, under the right circumstances, that seed would unleash immense power. Today’s events had sown such a seed in the Emperor’s heart. From now on, no matter what Ye Hua did, the Emperor would view it with suspicion. He had lost the upper hand from the very beginning.Today's loser was Ye Hua, but the biggest winner was Ye Li. He had done absolutely nothing, not even showing his face, yet effortlessly won the Emperor's sympathy and trust, paving the way for his next move. As he slowly passed by Ye Hua, he gave a faint smile, his gaze carrying a hint of veiled disdain at Ye Hua's sullen expression. Ye Hua clenched his fists tightly, barely restraining himself from throwing a punch.
Behind Ye Li, a pair of smiling eyes watched him from the crowd of officials, unnoticed by most. It was a young man in purple official robes, sporting a thin mustache, his gaze profound and meaningful. When he withdrew his gaze, he unexpectedly noticed another person standing not far away, also silently observing Ye Li. That person was still young, not yet fully grown—a beautiful, delicate child with eyes as bright as fine gemstones, yet cold and deep, strangely familiar.
The child seemed to sense his gaze, turning to glare at him icily before walking away. A young eunuch hurried after him, calling out, "Thirteenth Prince, please walk slowly..."
Qi Feng was momentarily taken aback but then shook his head and left as well.
Upon returning to his residence, Zhang Ji was unsurprised when the Emperor's Imperial Edict arrived shortly after, bestowing some gold and silver as consolation. After calming his household, night had fully fallen. Zhang Ji retreated to his study, lit an oil lamp, and retrieved a small box from beneath his desk, handing it to the man standing opposite him.
The man had clearly been waiting in the study for some time. Seeing Zhang Ji's action, he smiled in satisfaction. "Lord Zhang is indeed swift. I shall report back to His Highness immediately. Once His Highness achieves his grand ambition, you will undoubtedly be credited as a top contributor."
Zhang Ji chuckled. "You flatter me, Young Master Jiang. I am already halfway into the grave—what glory and riches could I desire? It is you, Young Master Jiang, who is the rising hero of our time, destined for greatness and to become a legend of the Da Jin Dynasty."
The man in the study was none other than Jiang Chao. As the two exchanged pleasantries, an unspoken agreement had been reached. Yet this alliance, forged for mutual benefit, was laced with insincerity. Zhang Ji inwardly cursed the young man's ruthless cunning, willing to act as Ye Li's lapdog, shamelessly begging for scraps. Jiang Chao, in turn, scorned Zhang Ji's pretentious air of detachment—after all, wasn't he also chasing power?
Despite their hidden contempt, their expressions remained amicable. Zhang Ji watched as Jiang Chao took the small box and said with a smile, "This is the key to the military pay warehouse—eight hundred carts in total. Young Master Jiang must ensure this is handled cleanly, leaving no room for suspicion."
"Naturally," Jiang Chao replied with equal cheer. "This is a crucial step in His Highness's grand plan—how could we afford any mistakes? I thank Lord Zhang for the key and wish you smooth sailing from tomorrow onward."
Zhang Ji returned the smile. "I appreciate your kind words."
With that, Jiang Chao left through the rear gate of Zhang's residence. It was the dead of night, the capital shrouded in darkness. Not a single star dotted the sky, and the moon was hidden behind thick clouds, as if rain were imminent. It was a night so dark one could not see their own hand before their face.Jiang Chao rode his horse at a rapid pace until he reached the rear of a massive mansion warehouse in the eastern part of the city. The warehouse was exceptionally tall, standing half as high as the city walls, containing all the military pay to be transported by the supply troops. The personnel and horses prepared outside had already assembled. Jiang Chao tossed the key to the man standing at the front, who used it to open the warehouse doors. As if following a unified command, the waiting personnel sprang into action—some unloading items from the carts outside, others moving goods into the warehouse, and still others transporting items out.
This was a classic case of "replacing the beams with rotten timbers"—a covert substitution. Jiang Chao watched with satisfaction until someone approached him and asked, "Is everything arranged?"
Turning around, Jiang Chao saw Xia Jun standing in the heavy darkness, holding only a small torch. The firelight cast a reddish glow in his eyes, giving him an eerie appearance. Pausing for a moment, Jiang Chao replied, "Everything is settled. Even the troublesome bystanders have been completely dealt with."
Xia Jun nodded, his gaze fixed on the people moving in and out of the towering warehouse, yet his expression showed little joy. Noticing this, Jiang Chao asked curiously, "Cousin, what else is troubling you?"
Xia Jun shook his head, his eyes revealing a strange glimmer. After a brief silence, he finally spoke, "I don’t know why, but I have this uneasy feeling..." Everything had gone too smoothly. Whether it was the self-directed drama Zhang Ji staged in the Golden Hall or the covert substitution happening in the warehouse now, it all felt unnaturally effortless. Suddenly, a pair of upturned, alluring eyes flashed in his mind—eyes that curved slightly as if smiling, yet brimming with profound mockery. A chill ran down Xia Jun’s spine, as if doused with icy water, and he gasped sharply.
After steadying himself, he asked Jiang Chao, "Has Jiang Ruan shown any unusual movements?"
"She’s been holed up in the Brocade Hero King Manor all day, not even stepping foot in the palace," Jiang Chao sneered, his eyes cold. "Cousin, there’s no need to worry. She hasn’t left the manor—how could she possibly know our plans? Unless she can foresee the future?"
Xia Jun’s gaze flickered. "Yes, she couldn’t possibly foresee the future." Someone confined to the manor would naturally receive news slower than others, relying entirely on external sources for information. Jiang Ruan couldn’t have learned their intentions in advance. By dawn, this batch of military pay would follow the supply troops to the distant borderlands thousands of miles away. And this was not the same military pay—it would all happen without a trace. By the time Jiang Ruan noticed anything amiss, it would already be too late.
Take their current act of substitution, for example. How could Jiang Ruan know about it? How could she stop it? She couldn’t possibly know their plans—unless she wasn’t human, unless she could foresee the future.
Gradually calming down, Xia Jun said slowly, "Let’s continue before daybreak..." Before daybreak, let everything be buried in the night. And Jiang Ruan—she was destined to lose this round in their confrontation. The winner takes all; this was an immutable truth since ancient times.
...That night, the lamp in Xiao Shao's study at the Brocade Hero King Manor remained lit. From the outside, it shone like a bright and warm spark in the pitch-black night, as if pushing open the door would reveal the cold and reserved man in black sitting at his desk. Yet at this moment, the figure seated at the desk was not him but a graceful young girl, just blossoming into womanhood.
The fragrance of tea wafted through the air, its rising mist forming a delicate flower-like pattern under the lamplight, though even more beautiful than this ephemeral bloom was the girl's face. Clad in a moon-white long dress with a deep purple cloak draped over her shoulders, her complexion resembled the finest white jade, her features so exquisitely crafted by the heavens that every contour was perfection itself. Her every movement exuded an innate allure, yet her upturned, enchanting eyes held a cold and untouchable elegance, tempering any hint of vulgarity. She was like a datura flower blooming under the moonlight—ethereal and bewitching.
Jiang Ruan gazed at the young man with a thin mustache before her. Even Qi Feng, who had devoted his life to the intrigues of court politics, couldn't help but be momentarily entranced by such unparalleled beauty.
True beauties were rare in this world, but even rarer were those who were both beautiful and intelligent. If outer beauty was merely a shell, then this girl's wisdom breathed a vivid soul into that exquisite form, making it all the more captivating and unique.
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "Today in court, I must thank you for your intervention, Young Master Qi." She had never intended to interfere with the play Ye Li and Zhang Ji had orchestrated from start to finish. Since Qi Feng was a master of courtly machinations, he naturally held another identity in the court—one that was neither too prominent nor too insignificant, existing in the most subtle of positions. This made it easiest for him to act without drawing attention. And just as Jiang Ruan had instructed, Qi Feng had played his part, giving the performance an extra push to ensure its success.
However... aside from his covert arrangements, it seemed another force had also intervened. So while Zhang Ji's act had concluded flawlessly today, another hand had been at work. The question was—who was behind it, and what was their motive? Qi Feng's mind briefly flashed to the face of that delicate child in court earlier, his gaze darkening slightly before he spoke. "They've already made their move." He lifted the letter in his hand, his expression distant. "Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I would never have imagined Ye Li would take such a reckless gamble."
Jiang Ruan unhurriedly took a sip of the white tea before her, her tone indifferent. "Tonight, they'll pull off their deception—replacing the entire warehouse of military pay with moldy grain and supplies, halving the quantity outright. Aside from the outermost layer, the rest will be stuffed with straw. And with Zhang Ji's grand performance in court today, no further mishaps will arise tomorrow. Once the military pay is safely transported out of the capital, the mountains and rivers will stretch endlessly before them. But once the supply convoy departs, it will be the border troops who suffer. Without pay or provisions, they'll inevitably run out of supplies. By the time the entire army is wiped out, who will be left to hold Zhang Ji accountable? Even if a few survivors remain, they'll find ways to silence them one by one. Truly, it's a deal with no losses."Qi Feng took a sharp breath and said, "Ye Li, as a prince of the Da Jin Dynasty, actually disregards the lives of tens of thousands of border soldiers for his own selfish gain, treating the dynasty's territory as a mere game. It's utterly insane."
Jiang Ruan glanced at him with a faint smile. "Oh? Do you really think so?"
Under her gaze, Qi Feng immediately felt as if his thoughts were laid bare. He had always been sharp-witted, yet for some reason, he often felt a sense of defeat in front of this young girl who was even younger than him. Awkwardly scratching his head, he chuckled, "Third Sister-in-law, there's something I want to ask you. What did you send Jin Er and the Brocade-clad Guards to do?"
Before Xiao Shao left, he had handed over all the Brocade-clad Guards available in the capital to Jin Yi and Jin Er, who in turn obeyed Jiang Ruan's commands. This effectively meant Xiao Shao had entrusted all the capital's Brocade-clad Guards to Jiang Ruan. To Qi Feng, this was utterly astonishing for two reasons. First, although the Brocade-clad Guards were Shadow guards, each was an elite among men. Talented individuals were often proud and arrogant, so making them willingly submit to Jiang Ruan was no easy feat, even for Jin Yi and Jin Er as their leaders. Yet, they had left without hesitation upon Jiang Ruan's orders, clearly showing her standing in their hearts. Second, Xiao Shao was not one to easily trust others, having been accustomed to acting alone in his earlier years. Yet, he had handed over his hidden forces to Jiang Ruan without reservation, indicating she held a special place in his heart.
Jiang Ruan suddenly smiled. "Young Master Qi, you're intelligent and wise. Why play riddles with me now? You already know why Ye Li exchanged the military pay from the warehouses."
Qi Feng was taken aback as he looked at Jiang Ruan. She gazed back calmly, her smile gentle and serene in the firelight, yet her eyes were profound and distant, as if peering through the flames into the long years of the future. There was a knowing clarity in her gaze, like an audience member who had already seen the entire play watching it begin anew—merely a detached observer. No matter how the actors struggled or rose and fell, she remained beyond the mortal world, watching everything unfold with cruel lucidity.
He slowly shook his head with a bitter smile. "Third Sister-in-law, your intelligence is terrifying. You're right, I know why. I learned long ago about Ye Li's collusion with the Celestial Jin Kingdom. The Brocade-clad Guards' intelligence network is unparalleled; there's nothing we don't know." Except your secrets, he added silently.
"Indeed. Since the Celestial Jin Kingdom is colluding with Ye Li, he naturally has to offer something in return. Or rather, in this war, he must ensure the Celestial Jin Kingdom's victory. Such a large sum of military pay is nothing but a hot potato in his hands. Ye Li can't keep it in the capital—he has to find a way to transport it out. And the safest, most effective way to utilize this military pay is through one method," Jiang Ruan said coolly.
"Deliver it to the Celestial Jin Kingdom to serve as their military pay," Qi Feng finished for her.
Speaking with a clever person was always this straightforward. Jiang Ruan smiled. "Exactly. But in my eyes, Ye Li's method isn't necessarily the best.""At first glance, this method appears simple, but in reality, it requires an enormous price. Precisely because it's so perilous, no one would think of it. Ye Li's approach of doing the opposite makes him quite a formidable figure. Moreover, to devise a way to transport it out, he must have had a foolproof plan. I don't understand—what do you mean when you say it might not be good?" Qi Feng said. He couldn't believe that Jiang Ruan, a woman confined to the inner chambers, could outmatch Ye Li, who was born a schemer. Even if she could read people's minds, court affairs weren't something that could be resolved merely by manipulating hearts.
"Whatever you do, you must never leave evidence behind," Jiang Ruan's gaze turned cold. "By keeping this military pay, Ye Li left behind proof—and that's exactly why I had the opportunity to unravel this scheme. If I were in his position, I would never have kept the military pay. The moment the goods were exchanged, I would have burned everything to ashes, leaving not a single trace behind."
Qi Feng stared at her in stunned silence: "Burn it all down?" He saw no trace of jest in Jiang Ruan's eyes—she was dead serious. Had their positions been reversed today, she truly would have set the entire stockpile of provisions ablaze. Good heavens, where did she get such audacity? What on earth had she been raised on?
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "Didn't you ask what Jin Er and the others were up to? I'll tell you now—they're setting fires. Ye Li's performance was flawless in every aspect, save for lacking a certain... intensity. But that intensity isn't for him to decide."
A chill ran down Qi Feng's spine. "What fire are you talking about?"
"Don't you understand yet?" Jiang Ruan's smile remained gentle. "I want them to swallow their teeth and blood this time—to suffer an immense loss without being able to utter a single word of complaint."
......
The provisions in the warehouse had all been relocated as planned. Now, in the eastern city compound's storage facility, someone closed the warehouse doors and handed the keys to Jiang Chao.
The warehouse doors returned to their original state, sealed so tightly it was as if they'd never been opened. Everything had been restored to perfect positions, appearing no different from how it had been during daylight hours.
Xia Jun stood beside Jiang Chao, an inexplicable unease resurfacing in his heart, as if some subtle emotion was about to break through the surface. Jiang Chao surveyed the scene with satisfaction and laughed. "Everything's settled now. Once we report back to His Highness, this will surely count as another great achievement." With this matter accomplished, half of Ye Li's grand ambitions would be realized. When the empire was won, part of the credit would be his, ensuring meteoric success and boundless prospects ahead. All his efforts would have been worth it.
"Sir, now that matters are concluded, shall we return?" a guard asked.
(End of Chapter)
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