As the Emperor’s gaze shifted, the few Grand Council ministers who were deeply troubled turned their hopeful eyes towards Xiao Cheng.
Xiao Cheng reacted quickly, his expression only changing slightly for an instant. The term “Yunyang” was too broad in meaning, and Huo Xian would not bring it up without reason. Xiao Cheng couldn’t help but recall a trivial matter from a few days ago, and he immediately understood.
This was a threat. Huo Xian was threatening him!
After a brief pause, Xiao Cheng calmly cupped his hands and said, “Indeed, Lord Huo speaks the truth. I… am prepared.”
Upon hearing this, Emperor Shun’an laughed heartily, “The Xiao family truly lives up to its reputation as the founding generals of our country. With Minister Xiao, the rebellion of Prince Xingnan will surely be quelled soon. I order you to depart for the south within three days to capture the traitors. Failure to comply will result in execution! Additionally, the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue are to fully support this effort without any excuses!”
The Ministry of War immediately agreed, and after a moment of hesitation, the impoverished Ministry of Revenue also complied.
With the matter resolved, Emperor Shun’an kept Xiao Cheng back for a while, and the others were dismissed. As Zhao Yong passed by Huo Xian, he paused briefly and said, “Come along.”
Huo Xian nodded slightly.
In the drizzle, Huo Xian stood under the corridor watching Zhao Yong walk away, his gaze as wet and heavy as the weather. A young eunuch handed him an umbrella obsequiously, saying, “Lord Huo, the rain will get heavier soon. Be careful not to get your clothes wet.”
Huo Xian did not take it. He only began to walk in the direction Zhao Yong had gone once he was out of sight.
Another attendant in the imperial study said, “Put the umbrella away. He rides a horse and never likes to use an umbrella.”
The young eunuch chuckled, “Martial artists are tough; they don’t get easily drenched.”
At this moment, Xiao Cheng pushed the door open again. The young eunuch, who had not put away the umbrella, handed it over with a sycophantic smile, “Duke, the rain will get heavier soon. Be careful not to get your clothes wet.”
–
The Directorate of Ceremonial Supervision.
The rain slanted in through the window. A new large-bellied fish tank had been placed on the windowsill, with algae floating and a few goldfish swimming. The bean-sized raindrops fell, creating tiny ripples that scared the fish into darting about.
Huo Xian timed his arrival perfectly, entering just as Zhao Yong finished a cup of tea and was calm. “Godfather.”
Zhao Yong was holding a walnut, slowly rubbing its surface as he said slowly, “I don’t deserve the title anymore. You’re handling things now without even informing me.”
Huo Xian bowed his head humbly and said, “Today’s events happened suddenly, making it difficult to discuss in advance. However, the Xiao family secretly harbors tens of thousands of soldiers, indicating ulterior motives. The evidence is with the Northern Patrol Division. I originally intended to investigate and handle it, but with Prince Xingnan’s rebellion, Xiao Cheng is the most suitable candidate. For the Duke of Zhenguo, this is also an opportunity.”
“An opportunity?” Zhao Yong laughed grimly, “Indeed, an opportunity. If you need to use him, you can’t punish him. He escaped death this time; it truly is an opportunity. But tell me, why did you suddenly decide to act against the Xiao family? Do you know that besides the Duke of Zhenguo’s mansion, the only other family with significant military power is the Marquis of Xuanping’s mansion? If you destroy the Xiao family, what then? Are you trying to help your family out of old sentiment?”
Zhao Yong’s sharp gaze met Huo Xian’s. Huo Xian looked back and said, “Although I dislike the Marquis’s mansion, compared to losing your support, the rise or fall of the Marquis’s mansion is a trivial matter. You’ve always said I act impulsively, but how could I not know that my current power and status are due to your support? What have I done wrong to make you think of supporting someone else?”
With a “plop,” a walnut fell from Zhao Yong’s hand and rolled on the ground. His pupils contracted slightly as he stared intently at Huo Xian.
Huo Xian couldn’t avoid it. He couldn’t hide anything now. Since he had already discovered that the Xiao family was hiding weapons, Zhao Yong would surely suspect that he knew about the Xiao family’s secret dealings with him. Instead of letting him speculate, it was better to reveal everything. At this moment, he needed to act like a child about to fall out of favor. Everything he did today was just to suppress dissent and vie for power.
A trace of unwillingness showed in his eyes as he bent down to pick up the walnut from the ground. “Whatever the Xiao family can do for you, I can do too.”
The wariness in Zhao Yong’s eyes gradually faded. He slowly took the walnut from Huo Xian’s hand. “You, you are different from the Xiao family. You are no longer an empty-handed boy. Why be so cautious?”
Huo Xian clenched his teeth and finally said, “Others see me as infinitely glorious, but everything I have is given by you. I should be loyal to you. Why should I let others take my place?”
Zhao Yong said, “Alright, it’s my fault for spoiling you too much. You still act so recklessly. Now that you’ve vented your anger, it’s time to stop being jealous. Guard the Northern Surveillance Office well. I still have use for you. How could I support someone else? The Xiao family has other uses for me. Bring those pieces of evidence to me tomorrow. If someone with ill intentions sees them and a disaster happens, I won’t be able to protect you. That’s it for today. Don’t mention it again.”
Huo Xian still looked dissatisfied but reluctantly agreed.
Zhao Yong then asked about his grasp on the Xiao residence. Huo Xian answered half-truths and finally withdrew from the room. As soon as he left, Xiao Cheng came in from the other side.
He had only fallen a few steps behind Huo Xian, had taken a shortcut, and heard most of the conversation, but didn’t fully believe it. He stared at Huo Xian’s back with suspicion in his eyes. “I think he’s not simple.”
Zhao Yong asked, “What did His Majesty say?”
Xiao Cheng sat down with a cold face. “We depart in three days. It’s decided. The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue speak nicely, but who doesn’t know the shady dealings? When it comes to real supplies, there’s nothing. In previous years, when we marched to battle, who didn’t pay out of their own pocket to borrow horses and grain from various states? But now, with wars everywhere, everyone is too busy to help. In this situation, sending someone is sending them to their death. If we can’t stop Prince Xingnan, the capital will fall. Huo Xian is targeting my troops. He wants to kill two birds with one stone, repelling the enemy and depleting my forces.”
Zhao Yong said, “Who told you to give him leverage?”
Xiao Cheng said nothing. He had felt something was wrong when he heard that Zhong Min’er’s husband had disappeared without reason, but he hadn’t taken it to heart. Now it seemed the issue lay here.
Zhao Yong looked at him and said, “You’re always too impatient. I didn’t agree with your risky move back then. It was you who insisted on recruiting soldiers in Yunyang, causing trouble and implicating Huo Jue—”
At this, he suddenly paused and said, “Now there’s such a mess left, living in fear every day.”
Xiao Cheng sneered, “Even if the chief eunuch is powerful, he’s still a eunuch. You’ve lived a good life, but what will you leave behind in your old age? If I don’t plan for the Xiao family, who will we rely on in the future? Should I also enter the palace and become a eunuch like you?”
Zhao Yong’s lips tightened, but he didn’t speak. He quietly closed his eyes.
The atmosphere was tense, and suddenly a clap of thunder fell from the sky, casting a harsh light on the deep red palace.
Huo Xian had walked far, almost reaching the palace gate, when he saw the carriage of the Marquis of Xuanping’s mansion in the distance. The Marquis stood at the palace gate and called out to him as he was about to pass by without greeting.
Huo Xian’s expression remained unreadable, but he managed a slight smile and said, “Oh, it’s you. What brings you here, Marquis?”
The Marquis of Xuanping had always detested Huo Xian’s sarcastic tone but restrained himself and asked, “You just said that the Duke of Zhenguo had already prepared. Is that true?”
Huo Xian nodded. “Speaking before the Emperor, how could I dare lie?”
The Marquis of Xuanping furrowed his brows. He had fought in battles and held military power. What Huo Xian and Xiao Cheng had just said seemed correct, even favorable to most people. After all, a reversal of fortunes was a tough job. But upon closer inspection, it seemed quite strange.
The Huo and Xiao families were both noble families. He had served alongside Xiao Cheng for many years and knew him well. Xiao Cheng was not someone who sought the limelight; he barely spoke in court and never took the initiative.
