At the residence of the Eighth Prince, the advisors quietly retreated to the side, not daring to utter a word. What was supposed to be a foolproof plan had somehow encountered trouble at this critical juncture, especially since they had been caught red-handed. The city garrison commander was notoriously incorruptible, leaving almost no room for appeal. The moldy, spoiled grain could not be transported to the border, and this single failure meant the entire plan had collapsed.
Ye Li’s expression was extremely grim at the moment. Despite having his people planted in every corner, he still couldn’t figure out why the city garrison commander had suddenly led troops to intervene. Even more baffling was where the flaw in the plan had been that allowed others to exploit it. The situation had spiraled beyond his expectations, leaving him unsure how to contain the fallout.
"Your Highness, should we devise a way to rescue Xia Jun and Jiang Chao?" an advisor ventured. "The matter now involves the Xia Family. If we stand by and do nothing, His Majesty will surely punish them severely. The Xia Family is still useful to Your Highness—we cannot abandon them lightly."
The Xia Family’s private troops had been caught on the spot, making it an undeniable fact. If things were allowed to proceed, the Emperor would wipe out the Xia Family entirely. With his grand ambitions still unfulfilled, Ye Li still needed the power the Xia Family wielded. How could he discard such a crucial chess piece so easily? If the Xia Family were to suffer losses, it would not only dishearten the officials who followed him but also strip him of a significant portion of his strength. The Xia Family had to be saved.
Seeing that Ye Li remained silent, the advisor continued, "Right now, the only way is to find a means to return the original military pay and claim that Xia Jun and Jiang Chao were burning spoiled grain to protect the military supplies. If we smooth things over and handle it cleanly, it might still work."
Ye Li stiffened, as if realizing something, his gaze darkening. "No."
The advisor looked at him in surprise.
Ye Li let out a cold laugh. "If I were to do that, I’d be playing right into someone else’s hands. You could argue that Xia Jun was protecting the military pay, but others could just as easily claim he was trying to embezzle it. I suspect the mastermind behind this already has further evidence ready to pin the crime of swapping military supplies on Xia Jun the moment I attempt to explain things to Father. By then, Father would be furious and might even blame me as well. Besides..." He trailed off, leaving the thought unfinished.
The advisor grew more concerned. "Your Highness, does this mean you intend to abandon Xia Jun and the Xia Family?"
"Abandon the pawn to save the king," Ye Li said, a trace of ruthlessness flashing across his face. "I have no other choice now."
...
Jiang Ruan set down her brush, the delicate and graceful strokes of her calligraphy exuding charm. The mustached young man sitting across from her finally couldn’t hold back his question. "What if Ye Li finds a way to rescue them? The Xia Family wouldn’t suffer any real losses and would only grow to resent you more. After all this effort, all we’d achieve is this?" He was accustomed to scheming and manipulating others, but this was the first time he had followed someone else’s arrangements without understanding every step of the plan. Even now, he was still in the dark about Jiang Ruan’s true intentions.
"Enmity between us is already irreconcilable—what’s the point of worrying about resentment?" Jiang Ruan replied unhurriedly as she lifted the rice paper to let it dry slightly. "Why would Ye Li save him?""The fall of the Xia Family would bring no benefit to Ye Li. His grand ambitions still rely on their support. If the Xia Family suffers now, it would be like severing his right arm. How could he bear that?"
Jiang Ruan looked at Qi Feng and suddenly smiled faintly. "Is that so, Young Master Qi? How about I make a bet with you?"
"What bet?" Qi Feng was slightly taken aback by her suggestion.
"I bet that Ye Li will definitely not lift a finger to save the Xia Family," Jiang Ruan said.
"How could that be?" Qi Feng exclaimed in surprise.
"Losing the Xia Family would only cost him an arm, but saving them might mean the end of his grand ambitions," Jiang Ruan replied calmly. "Ye Li is a suspicious man by nature. Faced with an opportunity to rescue the Xia Family, he would hesitate, suspecting that we’ve set a trap for him. The more he hesitates, the less likely he is to act decisively."
"But that’s just suspicion. He wouldn’t even dare to test the waters?" Though astonished by Jiang Ruan’s familiarity with Ye Li’s thoughts, Qi Feng still insisted.
"Oh, he wouldn’t dare," Jiang Ruan suddenly laughed, turning to look at Qi Feng with a gaze both beautiful and profound. "Do you know where those eight hundred carts of military pay are now?"
Hearing her question, Qi Feng shook his head. The Brocade-clad Guards had even disregarded his counsel as their strategist, wholeheartedly following Jiang Ruan’s lead. For instance, last night, she had Jin Er secretly infiltrate Shadow guards among Xia Jun’s men to incite chaos and provoke a conflict with the officials—without informing Qi Feng beforehand. Had he known Jiang Ruan’s intentions earlier, he might have tried to stop her. Qi Feng was accustomed to thorough planning, and while Jiang Ruan’s schemes were meticulously linked, the risks were far too great. Even recalling the audacity of her plan now sent a chill down his spine. Now, she was asking about the whereabouts of the eight hundred carts of military pay, leaving Qi Feng utterly baffled. Truth be told, he doubted it himself—eight hundred carts were no small amount. Ye Li couldn’t have transported them out of the capital so quickly. As for other locations, the capital was only so large. If they were determined to investigate, they’d find them eventually. Would Ye Li really be foolish enough to leave such evidence in his hands?
"Eight hundred carts of military pay are no trivial matter," Jiang Ruan said coolly. "Ye Li dug a secret tunnel in the capital long ago, leading hundreds of miles outside the city. There, he established his own relay station to transport all his supplies elsewhere. If I’m not mistaken, that batch of military pay is currently in the tunnel."
Qi Feng shot to his feet, unable to conceal his shock. "What did you say?"
He was aware of Ye Li’s relay station outside the city—the Brocade-clad Guards had discovered it years ago—but the existence of a tunnel was unheard of. Jiang Ruan’s certainty left Qi Feng both startled and suspicious. He stared intently at her. "Are you telling the truth?"
"Absolutely. If you don’t believe me, send someone you trust to investigate," Jiang Ruan replied.
"How do you know about this?" Qi Feng pressed. "Even the Brocade-clad Guards’ intelligence network failed to uncover this. Third Sister-in-law, don’t deceive me. What exactly is your relationship with Ye Li? If such a tunnel truly existed, how could it have remained hidden all these years without a single clue? No matter how well Ye Li concealed it, traces would have surfaced.""Not leaving a single trace is because he has never used this secret passage." Compared to Qi Feng's tension, Jiang Ruan was utterly composed, even bordering on leisurely. Her smile was faint, yet each word she spoke struck Qi Feng's heart like a heavy hammer. She said, "The passage has existed for many years, originally left behind by a wealthy merchant in the capital. After Ye Li learned of it, he expanded it beyond the city. He has never used it—it was always meant as a precaution, reserved for aiding his grand ambitions when the time came. Now, it's just being used earlier than planned." Jiang Ruan looked at Qi Feng with a half-smile. "As for why I know about this? Forgive me, but I can't tell you. However, Young Master Qi, you can rest assured. Now that I've entered the gates of Brocade Hero King Manor, as long as I am here, I will protect it and do nothing to harm it. Since I'm on the same boat as your master, why should you worry?"
Qi Feng was stunned by Jiang Ruan's words. She spoke as if she had Ye Li completely figured out, understanding him even more deeply than the Brocade-clad Guards' intelligence could uncover. This inevitably raised suspicions about her identity. Yet, at this moment, it seemed Jiang Ruan harbored some deep-seated enmity toward Ye Li. He suddenly had a feeling—as long as Jiang Ruan was around, she would go to great lengths to thwart Ye Li's ambitions. His grand plans would never succeed.
This woman was cunning and ruthless, her methods horrifying. Her outward appearance was radiant and alluring, yet her heart seemed barren, as if nothing could move her or bring her joy. She exuded an air of mystery, yet people were inexplicably drawn to her.
Jiang Ruan didn't notice Qi Feng's gaze, her thoughts drifting far away. In her past life, Ye Li hadn't used this passage so early. Back then, it was during the late stages of the succession struggle—the Crown Prince had already perished, the Fifth Prince was imprisoned, and the throne was within reach. He had used this passage to send messages outside the palace. It was his most valuable trump card, a precautionary measure for someone who always planned ahead—his ultimate safeguard. Back then, when Jiang Ruan accidentally discovered it, Ye Li had lost his temper with her for the first time. She had hurriedly apologized, repeatedly promising not to reveal it to anyone, and only then did he forgive her. Later, he sent two more maids to her palace. At the time, she thought it was out of care and affection, but now she realized they were just there to spy on her. Ye Li was deeply suspicious—he would never allow anyone to know his trump card. That he had spared her life instead of silencing her was already an act of mercy. Looking back now, every memory felt bitterly ironic.
Qi Feng keenly sensed the shift in Jiang Ruan's gaze—it carried mockery, self-loathing, and a profound chill. Collecting himself, he finally asked, "So that's how it is. No one would have guessed he hid the military pay in the secret passage.""That's right," Jiang Ruan snapped back to reality, lowering her head slowly as she said, "He wants to protect that secret tunnel, so he'll never lend a hand to the Xia Family. If it's exposed that the burned supplies were just old stock while the military pay remains intact, then his secret can't be kept either. Once that tunnel is discovered, the Emperor will inevitably realize his rebellious intentions. So he doesn't dare gamble—he won't rescue them. To protect himself, he must sacrifice the Xia Family."
Qi Feng suddenly understood.
Now that everyone in the capital was fixated on the grain and fodder situation, if Ye Li tried to inform the Emperor that it was all a misunderstanding—that Xia Jun and Jiang Chao had only burned old stock—then where did the military pay go? With so many eyes watching, it would be impossible to transport the military pay back untouched. Once Ye Li's tunnel was exposed and the Emperor sensed his rebellious ambitions, he would surely crack down hard, bringing Ye Li's grand ambitions to an abrupt end.
Unable to intervene, and even needing to distance himself to protect the tunnel's secrecy, he was doomed to sacrifice the Xia Family—a force he desperately needed. At the very least, this would render years of Ye Li's efforts futile. Qi Feng almost wanted to laugh. Jiang Ruan's move was utterly ruthless—Ye Li was trapped between a rock and a hard place, forced to cut off a piece of his own flesh. He was probably seething with rage right now.
"So what should we do now? Find a way to inform His Majesty about Ye Li's tunnel?" Qi Feng asked.
"If we expose it now, Ye Li will have a hundred ways to prove the tunnel has nothing to do with him. Moreover, if the Emperor investigates afterward, the Brocade Hero King Manor might get implicated. The Manor's position in court is already precarious—getting involved in this would bring nothing but harm," Jiang Ruan replied.
"Then what should we do?" Seeing her dismiss the suggestion so decisively, Qi Feng knew she must have another plan in mind. "Does Third Sister-in-law have a better idea?"
"I've said it before—this time, I want them to swallow their teeth and blood, suffering a massive loss they won't dare speak of." A flash of ruthlessness crossed her eyes. "Xiao Shao still needs those eight hundred carts of military pay. I should even thank Ye Li for transporting them out untouched—I'm taking that military pay!"
"You..." Qi Feng stared at her in shock. After a long pause, he suddenly burst into hearty laughter, exclaiming between chuckles, "Third Sister-in-law, your temperament is truly refreshing—bold and brilliant! If this succeeds, I bet Ye Li would be so furious he'd take to his bed. You're really—amazing!"
Jiang Ruan neither confirmed nor denied it. Just then, Luzhu pushed the door open and entered. Seeing Qi Feng present, she curtsied before stepping forward to hand over a letter, whispering, "Miss, a letter from the master."
Jiang Ruan took the letter and, unconcerned about Qi Feng's presence, unfolded it immediately. She finished reading in moments, her expression unchanged, then handed the letter back to Luzhu. "Take it out and burn it."
Luzhu obeyed and left. Qi Feng studied her. "Third Sister-in-law, has something happened?""Nothing much. Father simply believes that since my second brother is imprisoned, I, as his sister, should do my part to rescue him." Her words were laced with sarcasm. Qi Feng found them grating and couldn't help but retort, "What kind of reasoning is that? As a father, even if he wants to maneuver for Jiang Chao, it shouldn't fall to you. How can a sheltered young woman like you be dragged into this? Has Jiang Quan lost his mind?"
"He's just being naive," Jiang Ruan sneered. "Rescue him? I only want to watch him take step after step until there's no turning back. He's lived long enough. This time, I want his life."
...
In Nanhua Palace, the Emperor waved his hand, and the eunuchs who were about to speak fell silent. Eunuch Li shooed them all out. The Emperor stepped inside and immediately spotted the young man practicing calligraphy in the room.
Calling him a young man might be premature—he looked more like a child, with an exceptionally delicate appearance. Each time the Emperor saw him, he seemed more composed and restrained than before. The Emperor treaded lightly, and as he drew closer, he noticed the words written on the boy's pristine rice paper: "Those who cling to desire are like torchbearers walking against the wind—they are bound to burn their hands."
His calligraphy was exquisite, as refined as his person, showing no trace of sharpness. Yet this didn't mean the boy was as harmless as his handwriting suggested. In truth, everyone has a temper, and in one's youth, handwriting can reveal character. But this boy's script gave no hint of his true heart.
The Emperor glanced around, recalling Eunuch Li's report that Ye Pei had been living in the most remote corner of the palace, in quarters that couldn't compare to a seventh-rank official's residence. Later, the Emperor had cleared out Nanhua Palace, once the residence of the Fourth Prince, and given it to Ye Pei. The Fourth Prince had been quite favored in his time—had it not been for the accident, who knew what the situation would be now? The Emperor's decision had immediately sparked speculation among the courtiers, and those with any insight began inquiring about this unassuming, seemingly powerless Thirteenth Prince.
Though he had the Emperor's favor, Ye Pei lacked a powerful maternal family, so few in the palace held high hopes for him. Yet even so, the orderly and well-appointed state of Nanhua Palace showed that Ye Pei was a person of means and determination. As the Emperor looked at this child he'd never paid much attention to, a complex feeling suddenly rose in his heart.
Ye Pei seemed to sense his presence. Turning around, he started slightly before bowing. "Your son greets the Emperor."
"No need for formalities," the Emperor waved dismissively. "I came to see you." His brow was heavy with exhaustion. The recent events in the capital—Jiang Chao and Xia Jun setting fire to the granaries, nearly inciting public outrage—had left him furious. What angered him even more was the Xia family's contempt for imperial authority. Their private army had dared to attack the city garrison's troops—such audacity was beyond belief. Xia Cheng had pleaded for mercy, but the Emperor had thrown him into prison as well. Though it might seem rash, the Xia family had provoked the wrath of the people. Without arresting them, there would be no appeasing the public. Moreover, this empire was, after all, the Ye family's empire. When had the Xia family earned the right to dictate terms? As Emperor, he needed the world to know that crushing the Xia family would be as easy as crushing an ant.The Xia Family's covert activities over the years hadn't escaped his notice. Turning a blind eye had merely been to maintain the delicate balance. But now it seemed some matters couldn't be tolerated any longer. Since the Xia Family had taken the initiative to tear off this facade, they must be suppressed with full force.
Dealing with the Xia Family wasn't what troubled the Emperor. His real concern was the military pay. The war had already strained the national treasury, and the recent grain levy from the people had been implemented not long ago. To impose another so soon—how could the people be appeased? At this thought, the Emperor's brow slowly furrowed.
Noticing this, Ye Pei pondered and asked, "Is Father Emperor worried about the granary matters?"
The Emperor abruptly turned to Ye Pei. This son's intuition was sometimes too sharp—especially considering he was only eight or nine years old. Why did it feel like facing a grown man? Slowly, he said, "Thirteen, do you have any thoughts on this matter?"
"The Xia Family has shown disrespect to the court and committed wrongs. Naturally, Father Emperor will punish them." Ye Pei deftly sidestepped the topic. "This son believes the urgent matter isn't dealing with the Xia Family or assigning blame, but rather the food supply for the border troops."
If there had been any suspicion that he harbored sympathies for the Xia Family, Ye Pei's words were enough to dispel such doubts. He didn't mention punishing the Xia Family but instead brought up the military pay. A person's position determines their concerns—where their interests lie, their attention follows. Take Ye Hua, for example. Upon learning of this matter, his memorials only detailed the Xia Family's crimes, with no consideration for the urgency of the war. Yet Ye Pei could set aside his own interests to think of this—perhaps because he was still young, or perhaps he truly had no interest in power plays.
The Emperor's gaze softened, his tone gentler, as if he were an ordinary father testing his son's knowledge. "Indeed, the border troops' military pay has turned to ashes, but the soldiers cannot go without food. Do you have any ideas?"
"The warriors of the Da Jin Dynasty shed blood and sacrifice their lives to protect Father Emperor's realm, only to be betrayed by their own people. The Xia Family has wronged them, but the royal family must not. Otherwise, who will fight for Father Emperor in the future? Who will guard this realm?" Though Ye Pei's voice still carried a childlike lilt, his gaze was remarkably composed. "But imposing another grain levy now would disregard the people's welfare and provoke unrest. Since the national treasury cannot immediately provide the funds and provisions, we must find another way." Ye Pei raised his head to look at the Emperor. His eyes, already beautiful, now sparkled with what seemed like a brilliant idea, melting hearts. Like a child presenting a treasure, he smiled and said, "This son believes Father Emperor could confiscate the Xia estate. Having been in the Da Jin Dynasty for so long, they must have accumulated substantial wealth. Using the Xia Family's silver to purchase grain from wealthy merchants and replenish the military pay would resolve the issue. As for the Xia officials who have served the court for years, Father Emperor could spare their lives out of mercy, commuting their death sentences to exile. This would give them a chance to atone while demonstrating the royal family's benevolence. What does Father Emperor think?"The Emperor remained silent for a long while, quietly concealing a profound thought in his eyes. Ye Pei's suggestion was something he had considered before, but he hadn't been able to make up his mind at the time. Now, Ye Pei's words had finally helped him reach a decision. However... He looked at Ye Pei, who was gazing at him with hopeful eyes, like a good son awaiting his father's praise. Slowly, he reached out and patted Ye Pei's head. Ye Pei stiffened slightly, seemingly unaccustomed to such intimate contact, yet he ultimately stood still. The Emperor sighed and said, "You've spoken well. I think this is an excellent idea."
The Xia family's influence in the court was too extensive. Trying to eliminate them all at once would indeed startle the snakes and cause unnecessary trouble. Ye Pei's method was quite feasible—it could demonstrate the royal family's benevolence without alarming the remaining factions for the time being. It also gave the Xia family a sense that they weren't being pushed too hard. After all, the Xia household had amassed countless riches over the years and could naturally raise a sum for military pay.
The Emperor was astonished by Ye Pei's political acumen at such a young age. Although his plan still had some flaws and wasn't entirely perfect, the general direction was correct. For a child, this was truly remarkable.
After exchanging a few more words with Ye Pei, the Emperor hurriedly departed. Once the Emperor had left, Ye Pei stretched lazily, stared at the writing on the table for a while, and then ordered a young eunuch to take the paper outside and discard it. He sat back in his chair, playing with the paperweight in his hand, and smiled faintly.
The Xia family… had reached their end.
……
The incident of the grain warehouse fire caused an uproar in the capital's court. However, before the court officials could even begin to discuss the matter, the Emperor's decree arrived abruptly. First, Zhao Yi, the eldest grandson of the Zhao family, was dispatched with troops to raid and seal the Xia residence. All the silver from the Xia household was confiscated into the national treasury to replenish military provisions. The entire Xia household—183 people—was exiled. Jiang Chao, like Xia Jun, was sent to the desolate northwest.
Despite such a grave offense, the Emperor's swift decree did not sentence the Xia family to death, at least appearing merciful in the eyes of the common people. However, the court officials sensed something more profound in the Emperor's actions and dared not act rashly for the time being.
When Jiang Ruan heard the news, she was drinking tea in her room. Upon hearing it, she paused slightly and murmured to herself, "How could it have happened so quickly?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Qi Feng hurried in from outside. Recently, he had been frequently visiting to discuss strategies with Jiang Ruan regarding the Xia family. Today, however, his expression was serious, yet tinged with a hint of satisfaction. "Third Sister-in-law, it's done," he said.
"Thank you for your hard work," Jiang Ruan smiled. "With your help, things went so smoothly."
"I was just about to tell you this," Qi Feng lowered his voice, glancing around and shaking his head. "I hadn't even started acting yet. It wasn't me who whispered in the Emperor's ear—my people hadn't even begun their plan. Someone else prompted the Emperor to issue the Imperial Edict."
(End of Chapter)
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