Chapter 148: Awareness
The weather was bitterly cold, with thick snowflakes swirling down. Ye Xian had just stepped out of the Dali Temple, still wrapped in a mink cloak. The outer walls of the Forbidden City were blanketed in snow, while further beyond lay the golden-glazed eaves and vermilion palace walls.
Mr. Wei took the small purple clay teapot from his hands and invited him to sit inside the carriage, which was draped with thick sapphire-blue diamond-patterned curtains. The coachman cracked his whip, and the carriage clattered its way back to Yu'er Alley.
Following the carriage was a retinue of guards from the Marquis Changxing's residence, all meticulously selected by the marquis himself from the Iron Cavalry Battalion to escort Ye Xian. With the marquis still recovering from his injuries, a portion of the household affairs had been entrusted to Ye Xian. Since Ye Xian lacked martial prowess, he had grown cautious in all matters.
Thus, as the carriage and its stern-faced, quilted-armor-clad guards passed by the Court of Imperial Entertainments, the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and through the Gate of Heavenly Purity, countless onlookers turned their heads. Everyone knew it was the young master of the Marquis Changxing's household.
Mr. Wei poured hot water into the purple clay teapot and handed it back to Ye Xian. "Young Master, warm your hands," he said before broaching the subject. "With such heavy snowfall and this year's poor harvest, the disaster in Shanxi has grown severe. It's said tens of thousands have already starved to death... The Vice Minister of Revenue submitted a memorial to the Grand Secretariat, but the Grand Secretary set it aside without a second glance. Lord Chen picked it up, glanced at it, and likewise ignored it... Yuan Zhongru, the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Shanxi, was once close friends with Lord Fan. When the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold."
"Though this is court politics, Lord Zhang's actions have gone too far. Nearly half a million people in Shanxi's disaster zones cannot be left entirely without relief..."
Ye Xian absently stroked his teapot, as if he hadn't heard a word.
Mr. Wei had expected some response, but none came. This matter had been relayed to him by his former classmate, Ma Jingchang, who now served as a Secretary in the Right Chunfang Office. Ma had mentioned that the Emperor, being only eleven years old, left all affairs in Lord Zhang's hands. If no one dared to speak up, Lord Zhang would effectively monopolize power. The Marquis Changxing's household was the most illustrious among the hereditary nobility. If even they chose not to intervene, no one could restrain Lord Zhang.
Despite the freezing cold, Mr. Wei found himself breaking into a cold sweat.
He began to regret bringing this up to the young master.
Hastily, he changed the subject. "Ah, I was merely chatting idly about the disaster with you, Young Master. The snow shows no sign of stopping—it only grows heavier. Yesterday, Guard Li mentioned going for a drink at Huichun Alley, only to find even the wine shops closed. He was furious."
Ye Xian, however, smiled faintly and replied, "What can a mere Dali Temple clerk like me do about such matters? Zhang Julian is a seasoned fox—he knows exactly what's urgent and what's not. The disaster in Shanxi is tied to the embezzlement case involving Fan Chuan's son. Anyone who dares intervene must be prepared to inherit a mess. Zhang Julian... he sees everything clearly. Does he really need others to worry for him?"
Zhang Julian had long held a grudge against Yuan Zhongru but lacked an opportunity to act. Yuan, too, was a cunning old fox, leaving no openings. Yet no matter how shrewd one might be, while human schemes can be guarded against, natural disasters cannot. Now, with such a perfect opportunity, Zhang Julian would undoubtedly seize it to crush Yuan Zhongru. Not only that, he would also find a scapegoat to absolve himself cleanly.
Ye Xian couldn't be bothered with such affairs.However, this Mr. Wei by my father's side is truly incompetent... Though considered a strategist, his grasp of situations isn't even as clear as Li Xianhuai's, who's illiterate. Ye Xian found such people tiresome, as if every action required explanation to them.
He took a sip of tea and fell silent.
Mr. Wei responded awkwardly, instructing the coachman to steer the carriage toward the right gate—the one typically used by military officials.
Young Master Ye didn't care much for such formalities. By his status, he should use the right gate; by his official position, the left. He went wherever he pleased, depending on his mood.
But then Ye Xian caught sight of a blue-curtained carriage flashing past outside the curtain, adorned with a silver-gilded ram's horn lantern bearing a rhinoceros pattern, heading toward the left gate.
After a moment's thought, he ordered the coachman, "Take the left gate."
The carriage picked up speed and ended up blocking the blue-curtained one at the left gate entrance.
The driver of the other carriage was a square-faced man with a thick beard, his hands as large as palm-leaf fans. Seeing this carriage suddenly swerve from the right to block the way, he growled, "How does this coachman drive? You were supposed to take the right side—why block our path?"
The coachman was quick with a retort: "Our carriage was already on the road when you came up behind us. First come, first served. You're the one cutting in, yet you have the nerve to complain?"
The bearded man glared angrily and was about to say more when a deep yet gentle voice came from inside the carriage: "Hu Rong, let Young Master Ye's carriage pass first."
Hearing this, Ye Xian had Mr. Wei lift the curtain and said with some surprise, "So it's Lord Chen's carriage. My apologies."
A slender hand lifted the fine cloth curtain, revealing a man in a black gauze hat, wearing a crimson round-collared robe with a right lapel and a rhino leather belt at his waist—none other than Chen Yanyun, Minister of Revenue. Third Master Chen glanced at the guards behind Ye Xian and smiled. "No need for apologies. You arrived first, so you should go first. I'll follow."
Ye Xian peered inside the carriage, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips. "Lord Chen is burdened with countless affairs of state, while I'm merely a minor official in the Court of Judicial Review. I wouldn't dare trouble you."
"My official duties are done for the day, so it's no trouble." With a courteous gesture, he let the curtain fall.
Hu Rong promptly moved the carriage aside to let Ye Xian's pass.
Upon learning that his master had just blocked the carriage of the powerful Third Master Chen, the coachman was terrified out of his wits. He glanced back uneasily at Ye Xian.
Ye Xian's eyes turned cold, though his expression remained amiable. "Lord Chen has yielded to us—hurry along."
Inside Chen Yanyun's carriage, the seat was padded with deep-blue Luzhou silk, and there wasn't even a brazier, let alone anything else. With the year's end approaching, the Grand Secretariat must have been swamped with work, yet Chen Yanyun had left unusually early. Where was he going?
Ye Xian stared at the brazier, lost in thought.
Currently, the Grand Secretariat consisted of Zhang Julian and Chen Yanyun, along with Grand Secretary of the Hall of Martial Valor He Wenxin, Grand Secretary of the Hall of Literary Glory Yao Ping, Grand Secretary of the Hall of Prudent Actions Wang Xuanfan, and Grand Secretary of the Hall of Canopy Liang Lin. Apart from Vice Grand Secretary He Wenxin and Yao Ping, who were neutral, the other two had some connection to Zhang Julian.
For Chen Yanyun to attend to this matter personally... Ye Xian couldn't help but think of the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Shanxi.Hu Rong watched as the carriage of Changxing Marquis's Heir exited through the side gate and quietly said to Chen Yanyun, "Third Master, although Lord Ye is the heir, he's only a sixth-rank Grand Court Minister. Why should we yield the way to him..."
Third Master Chen seemed indifferent and replied coolly, "It's just giving way... This heir of Marquis Changxing is indeed formidable for his age, but still too young." He rubbed his temples wearily and ordered, "After passing through Chengtian Gate, head to the residence of Zheng Yun, the Left Vice Minister of Revenue."
Hu Rong acknowledged the order before raising his whip again.
Ye Xian returned to the Changxing Marquis residence and first went to see his father. Although the Marquis had survived the palace upheaval, his health had been severely compromised. Even after months of recuperation, he could only move within the estate. Dressed in a thick silk jacket, he was practicing calligraphy at his desk.
Upon seeing Ye Xian return, the Marquis set his brush on the stand. Ye Xian reported on the disaster situation in Shanxi. After a long silence, the Marquis asked, "...You think Advisor Wei is unsuitable?"
Ye Xian smiled faintly. "You may keep him, but I won't have him by my side." Seeing his father bundled up in heavy clothing reminded him how the man used to wear just two thin layers even in the coldest winters. His father had grown sensitive to the cold.
The Marquis nodded casually. "Always full of ideas, with twists and turns in your mind—just like your grandfather's temperament..." He waved a hand dismissively. "Take whichever advisor you want. I can't be bothered with this!"
Ye Xian found none of the Marquis's advisors useful.
He summoned Li Xianhuai and instructed, "...Dismiss all of the Marquis's advisors. Give each two hundred taels as a parting gift."
Li Xianhuai, who had long disliked those pretentious advisors who idled around raising birds instead of working, was delighted. "Those advisors have been nothing but trouble. Good riddance!" Then he added, "By the way, Young Master, do you remember that Miss Gu you once visited?"
Of course Ye Xian remembered... Why was Li Xianhuai bringing up Gu Jinzhao?
He glanced at him. "What about her?"
Li Xianhuai scratched his head and chuckled. "You know I like a drink or two. Yesterday, when Huichun Alley was closed, I went to Old Jin's tavern—the one owned by the in-laws of the Shuntian Prefecture Deputy. They said their cousin wants to marry Eldest Miss Gu. They made it sound so vivid, claiming the cousin's mother personally went to propose..."
Before he could finish, Ye Xian frowned. "Explain clearly. Who proposed to the Gu family?"
Li Xianhuai answered, "Who else but that notorious Wang Zan? Only the Wang family would treat that good-for-nothing like a treasure!... I thought you should know, given your frequent dealings with Miss Gu. But don't overthink it—right after Wang Zan's mother made the proposal, Miss Gu's cousin also went to propose. The Wang family is utterly humiliated now. Even their own servants are gossiping about it..."
Ye Xian's expression darkened. While he had been swamped with work, such a major incident had occurred involving Gu Jinzhao!Wang Zan, what kind of person is he, to dare propose marriage to Gu Jinzhao? And with such disrespect, sending his mother directly to her door. And who is this cousin of Gu Jinzhao’s, why is he also joining in the marriage proposal?
Is Gu Jinzhao getting engaged?
Ye Xian’s face darkened as he ordered, “Put the matter of the advisors aside for now. Go and investigate this thoroughly—that Wang Zan, and Gu Jinzhao’s cousin. Dig up everything about them, even their ancestors eight generations back!”
Li Xianhuai was startled by his master’s reaction. What was going on with the young master? Just who was this Eldest Miss Gu, that the young master would take such an interest in her affairs! He even wanted to investigate her cousin’s ancestors eight generations back!
Seeing him standing there dumbfounded, Ye Xian lowered his voice, “…Do I need to invite you to go?”
At these words, Li Xianhuai bolted up as if his pants were on fire. “Please wait, young master. This servant will go at once.”
PS: This chapter was tough to write, unedited for now… posting it first, will make minor revisions tomorrow. Running out of time~~t^t
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