Liang Chen Mei Jin

Chapter 341: Arrangements

The next day, Third Master Chen went to see Second Master Chen.

Second Master Chen had just finished breakfast with Madam Qin and arrived at Ninghui Hall when a servant presented him with a bowl of hot tea.

He took a sip and frowned slightly. "Third Brother, don’t you keep any decent tea here?"

Third Master Chen smiled. "Wormwood tea clears heat and brightens the eyes. It’s good for you to drink more of it."

Second Master Chen felt his younger brother’s words carried an implicit meaning and coughed awkwardly. "...Never mind, let’s not talk about that. Are you really planning to transfer Zhao Huai to the Central Military Command? The current commander there is Zhang Ju Lian’s man—it won’t be easy to bring him back. I’ll have to discuss it with Zhao Huai first."

"He’s led troops in Shaanxi for many years, so his qualifications are more than sufficient. Besides, he’s long wanted to return," Third Master Chen sighed. "Military officers like him already have low status these days, and their authority is further constrained by the Ministry of War. To get promoted, they need backing... Otherwise, with his military achievements, he would have long been qualified for the commander’s position in the Central Military Command."

Second Master Chen nodded and fell into thought for a moment.

"Third Brother, I’m about to be transferred to Huguang, so even if I wanted to help you, I wouldn’t be able to. You must be cautious... I’ll leave all my men at your disposal. I’ll send Ji Yuan to you tomorrow. If you need my connections, have Ji Yuan write to me."

Their interests were intertwined—without Third Master Chen in the Grand Secretariat, his own career outside wouldn’t have been so smooth. The Chen Family relied on the two of them to hold it together, so naturally, he would spare no effort to help Third Master Chen now.

Though he knew the plan was risky, when pushed to the point of having to resist, they had no choice but to stake everything on one throw.

Ji Yuan was Second Master Chen’s most trusted advisor, having assisted him greatly over the years.

Third Master Chen nodded. "At a time like this, you must be extremely careful—don’t let anyone catch you out. Once my conflict with Zhang Ju Lian becomes public, anything you’ve done will be scrutinized relentlessly. Even if you’ve done nothing wrong, they’ll force a mistake out of you."

"I know, don’t worry!" Second Master Chen replied simply.

Having served as an official for many years, he understood how sensitive the situation was. He couldn’t afford to burden his younger brother. Third Master Chen was already walking on the edge of a cliff, treading carefully, afraid of falling at any moment. After all, in the current court, Zhang Ju Lian was the one who held overwhelming power.

After Second Master Chen left, Third Master Chen stood in his study, lost in thought for a long time.

He had been making arrangements for so long—now was the time to begin.

If there was anything that worried him, it was his family—his mother, Jinchao, Changsuo, and the unborn child in Jinchao’s belly.

If he failed, he wouldn’t even get to see the child’s face.

That would make it what people called a posthumous child.

He closed his eyes briefly and called Jiang Yan in to make further arrangements.

If anything were to happen to him, he had to leave Jinchao and the others a way out. He had promised to protect her.

As her husband, he was her sky—he had to hold it up for her. Otherwise, what would become of her in the future?

Jinchao, however, remained unaware of these concerns. Having finished making shoes and socks for the child, she had now started sewing a Dudou.

Mama Song, seeing her round belly, said this child was surely a girl. Jinchao had prepared a yellow Dudou embroidered with red lotuses and a red one embroidered with silk tree flowers, both made of Luzhou silk. She, too, hoped for a daughter—a little sister for Changsuo.Someone came to visit Jinchao and, smiling, pointed at her belly, saying to Changsuo, "There's a little sister inside."

Changsuo widened his eyes in curiosity, taking it to heart. When it was time to sleep at night, he crawled onto his mother, searching for the little sister.

Gu Jinzhao moved him aside, but he flipped himself over, stretching his limbs and amusing himself. Soon, he might have forgotten about the little sister, giggling and asking Jinchao to hold him again.

Gu Jinzhao noticed that Third Master Chen hadn't returned yet. She had the kitchen bring some barley and pig trotter soup to feed Changsuo.

Not long after the New Year, spring arrived, and the weather gradually warmed.

There was still one last light snowfall. The willow branches along the Imperial City passage were covered in fluffy snow, which melted within moments under the rising sun.

Third Master Chen lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside. The sunlight was bright, and new buds had sprouted on the branches.

Hu Rong, the coachman, smiled and said, "Third Master, look how early spring has come this year. It won’t be long before we shed some layers."

He was already wearing a thin cotton robe and sweating from the heat.

Third Master Chen squinted at the clear sky. Indeed, spring had arrived unusually early this year.

After entering the Huangji Gate, he stepped out of the carriage. Though the sun was out, the wind remained dry and cold. Hu Rong brought a cloak and draped it over him. Upon reaching the Grand Secretariat, they waited briefly before Zhang Ju Lian arrived with his entourage. Everyone stood and greeted him as Grand Secretary.

The ministers took their seats, and Zhang Ju Lian’s attendant presented a stack of memorials.

First, they discussed spring plowing, then the snow disaster, and finally the dismissal of officials.

"...The coastal areas of Fujian suffer severely from windstorms. The reclamation and spring plowing efforts in Zhangzhou Prefecture are struggling, and this year will likely be difficult," Zhang Ju Lian said. "Let’s discuss whether we can send a few officials knowledgeable in water management to assess the situation."

"Zhangzhou Prefecture was originally proposed by Lord Chen, who claimed its terrain was favorable. During the coastal reclamation, substantial funds were allocated from the Ministry of Revenue... Now that windstorms have become an issue, Lord Chen should take responsibility. After all, he knows Zhangzhou Prefecture better than any of us," Yao Ping said with a smile.

Chen Yanyun lifted his head and gave him a cool glance.

Zhangzhou Prefecture had indeed been his suggestion for development. Over the years, its grain output had increased significantly. When credit was due, he had declined, believing he had only provided a general idea while the specifics were handled by the Zhangzhou magistrate and the Ministry of Revenue officials. He had never claimed the merit.

Now, the blame was being pinned on him.

"Zhangzhou Prefecture is indeed prone to windstorms," Chen Yanyun said softly, withdrawing his gaze. "I reviewed the local records back then, and there were ways to manage it. Had it been addressed earlier, spring plowing wouldn’t be delayed."

Zhang Ju Lian looked at Chen Yanyun. "You were rather careless in this matter. Did you not consider the frequent windstorms in Zhangzhou Prefecture at the time?"

Chen Yanyun replied simply, "I didn’t think it was a serious issue back then."

"You’ve accomplished much over the years, but youth often lacks prudence," Zhang Ju Lian said. "If spring plowing fails in Zhangzhou Prefecture, you must bear responsibility. Next time, think more carefully. As for managing the windstorms, let the Ministry of Works handle it."

He took a sip of tea and motioned for the attendant to bring the next memorial.

The gazes of the officials lingered on Chen Yanyun, filled with speculation and hidden meanings.

Yet Chen Yanyun’s expression remained unchanged. "Understood," he said calmly.In a setting like the Grand Secretariat's discussions, Zhang Julian should at least show Chen Yanyun some courtesy.

His current ruthless demeanor is merely an overt and covert attempt to suppress him. Zhang Julian wants him obedient, to control him—naturally, he can't afford to give him too much face.

The losses from the wind disaster in Zhangzhou Prefecture were pinned on Chen Yanyun, while the credit for the remedies went to others. His years of achievements in Zhangzhou now counted for nothing. Liang Lin couldn't help but look at him with sympathy. After the meeting, Liang Lin approached him and said, "The Grand Secretary originally trusted you the most. It must be the incident with Liu Xin Yun that truly angered him. But you were promoted by the Grand Secretary himself. At most, he’s just displeased with you..."

Nearly costing him his life—and that’s merely "displeasure"?

Chen Yanyun couldn’t help but smile wryly as he left the Grand Secretariat.

A eunuch approached, informing him that the Emperor had summoned him.

Chen Yanyun set aside his thoughts and followed the eunuch to the Qianqing Palace. Zhu Junan was fishing by the lotus pond behind the palace, surrounded by attendants. He looked visibly unhappy, his expression tense, but relaxed slightly upon seeing Chen Yanyun and beckoned him over. "Lord Chen, come sit here!"

He then dismissed the surrounding palace servants. "All of you, withdraw. I wish to speak with Lord Chen."

Feng Chengshan, the Directorate of Ceremonial's Writing Brush Eunuch standing beside him, glanced at Chen Yanyun and smiled. "Your Majesty, how can you stay by the pond unattended? Why not let the others leave, and allow this old servant to remain by your side?"

Zhang Julian had instructed Feng Chengshan not to let Zhu Junan speak with ministers alone.

Normally, Zhu Junan would comply. But this time, his face darkened. "Do you defy my orders? Then I’ll report this to Mother Empress and have her speak to you!"

His tone was still that of a child.

Feng Chengshan’s expression stiffened. "This... if the Empress Dowager reprimands me, this old servant will have no excuse!"

Zhu Junan snorted. "If you insist on staying, then stay. Lord Chen, come with me to the study to talk." He stood and pulled Chen Yanyun along, then turned back and added, "No one is to follow."

Only after passing through the corridor and confirming no one was behind them did Zhu Junan stop.

"Lord Chen, how was that?"

Though the young Emperor’s actions were not entirely polished, it was understandable given his youth.

Chen Yanyun smiled approvingly. "Your Majesty did well."

Zhu Junan exhaled in relief, but a trace of bitterness surfaced on his delicate features. "This is all I can do. Last time, when I saw how humiliated Lord Liu was, I couldn’t do a thing. And now, after Consort Zhuang was elevated to Consort Shu, she doesn’t even show Consort Jing any respect... I truly dislike her! Lord Chen, last time you told me to endure—but how much longer must this go on?"

After a pause, Chen Yanyun replied gently, "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. If you no longer wish to endure, then don’t."

Zhu Junan’s eyes brightened. "Lord Chen, are you saying...?"

"It’s time to begin," Chen Yanyun said. "The eunuch Jiang Xia by your side is one of my men. Speaking with you too much would arouse suspicion. From now on, any instructions I have for you will be relayed through Jiang Xia. You cannot trust the Golden Crow Guard, but the Embroidered Uniform Guard may still be of use. The next time you summon their commander, follow Jiang Xia’s guidance in giving your orders."The current commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was personally appointed by the late emperor and remains fiercely loyal to the royal family. However, the young emperor is still too inexperienced to wield their power effectively.

Though the Embroidered Uniform Guard has a fearsome reputation, when used wisely, it becomes a sharp blade in one's hand.

Zhu Junan nodded, his face a mix of nervousness and excitement. But Chen Yanyun noticed Feng Chengshan approaching from the corridor and quickly changed the subject to fishing. Zhu Junan hesitated for a moment before catching on, responding with a smile and smoothly diverting Feng Chengshan's attention.

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P.S.: I'll make up for the double update today—heading off to write now! Will do my best to get it posted. Also, it's the last two days of the month—this might be Liang Chen Mei Jin 's final chance to compete in the Pink Rankings. If you have any spare votes, please toss one our way. Many thanks!