Chapter 096: Switching Tracks

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Many thanks to “spoon” for the big ko-fi contribution!! Your contribution greatly motivates me. Today’s chapters are dedicated to all the amazing contributors out there!

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The young emperor, nearing thirty, still had a somewhat heroic bearing from behind, but if you looked at his face, his eye sockets were slightly sunken, giving him a somewhat indulgent and sinister look.

Opposite him at the chessboard sat a monk with a broad face and square mouth.

However, this monk did not look like a monk at all. His features lacked any kindness, his body was very burly, and his upturned triangular eyes gave him a fierce and bandit-like appearance.

This was the current national teacher, Monk Yuanji.

Xiao Yuan knew that four years ago, when Shen Lang ascended the throne, this monk had some merit, though not as much as Xie Wei, but he was highly trusted by the emperor. Additionally, the Empress Dowager favored Buddhism, so she not only gave him a temple but also appointed him as the national teacher.

In comparison, although Xie Wei was young, his position as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince seemed somewhat humble.

Many in the court compared this monk to Xie Wei.

Xie Wei was well aware of this, but the monk’s ability to achieve success indicated his great skill.

Xiao Yuan dared not be careless. Upon entering the grand hall, he exaggeratedly reported his experiences at the Yongyi Marquis Mansion, but when it came to Xie Wei, he was somewhat apprehensive, fearing that his words might inadvertently make Xie Wei look good in front of the emperor, so he simply did not mention him.

After finishing, he asked, “Your Majesty, they are so bold, how should we deal with them?”

Shen Lang held a chess piece between his fingers, his long, narrow eyes, similar to Shen Lang’s, suddenly darkened. In the already dimly lit hall, his gaze fell on Xiao Yuan, making him look even more terrifying.

Although he was the emperor, he should call Xiao Yuan “uncle.”

However, this uncle’s actions…

Being an emperor was no different from being imprisoned. The power seemed great, but he had to guard against the public’s opinion. At such times, “knives” became extremely important. All the dirty and smelly tasks had to be done by these people, while he had to remain above it all, untouched by the filth!

Otherwise, why keep close confidants?

In other words, confidants must do what confidants are supposed to do! If a confidant wants to be a “good person” and avoid trouble, keeping themselves clean in such matters…

It was just a matter of an edict missing a seal, and this uncle actually returned to the palace!

By returning, wasn’t he telling the world that he insisted on acting against the Marquis Mansion? And it clearly showed he was afraid of taking responsibility in this matter.

What a useless person!

Shen Lang wanted to act immediately, but considering the Empress Dowager, he restrained himself and coldly called Wang Xinyi: “Don’t let that old man Chu Xiyi come to the palace while he’s recuperating. Take my uncle to the Secretariat to get the seal. The traitors of the Yongyi Marquis Mansion must not be spared, throw them all into prison! Kill anyone who disobeys!”

Xiao Yuan immediately responded loudly, “Yes!”

He saw Shen Lang’s face was not good, but thought Shen Lang was secretly angry at the resistance of the Yongyi Marquis Mansion, not realizing that Shen Lang was actually dissatisfied with him and the Xiao family. He also didn’t understand the true intention behind Xie Wei’s earlier advice, so he was somewhat excited.

After saluting, he went with Wang Xinyi to get the seal.

According to the laws of the Daqian, the sealing of documents had to be approved by Chu Xiyi, but the seals were kept in the palace. Forcibly taking the seal, not everyone was like Zhang Zhe, even if they felt it was inappropriate, no one dared to speak out.

Moreover, Chu Xiyi was not there.

Xiao Yuan got the seal on the edict and left. In the hall, Shen Lang suddenly overturned the chessboard, gritting his teeth: “I acted against the Yongyi Marquis Mansion, the Xiao family is naturally happy, but they are also wary of me using this as a pretext to act against them in the future!”

The emperor was naturally never wrong.

Even without the seal, it could be said it was a moment of extreme anger. But if Xiao Yuan knew the seal was missing and still acted on the edict, even opening a massacre at the Marquis Mansion, he would invite criticism, and this matter would become a handle against him in the future.

As long as Shen Lang wanted, he could destroy the Xiao family!

Monk Yuanji, sitting opposite, saw the chessboard overturned and pieces scattered, but remained calm, placing one hand on his chest and laughing: “Doesn’t the emperor have such intentions?”

Shen Lang looked at him, his anger slowly subsiding.

He stood up, paced to the palace door, and looked at the layers of palace gates below the white jade steps, coldly laughing: “Indeed, it’s no wonder they are cautious. The Yongyi Marquis Mansion is gone, next is the Xiao family. This world will only have one royal family standing, what two great families!”

*

Ancestor worship, crowning, and naming.

After all the ceremonies were completed, the coming-of-age ceremony came to an end.

The Yan family, led by Yan Mu, presented gold, silver, books, and ink to Xie Wei as thanks, and Yan Lin performed three bows, acknowledging Xie Wei as his elder, marking the end of the ceremony.

At the end, Yan Lin stood tall and bowed to everyone in the silent hall, saying, “Today, all the lords and old friends came in times of trouble, like giving charcoal in the snow. Yan Hui will remember this kindness forever!”

The former boy could now be called a true man.

Everyone knew today’s disaster might not end well, and sighed in their hearts, returning the bow.

Xie Wei watched from the side, somewhat lost in thought.

The civil and military officials probably all felt the same—

The emperor listened to his Grand Tutor’s every word.

But in fact, it was not so. It was just that every time he spoke, he could hit Shen Lang’s heart, and those words that did not hit the mark, he did not say. This gave people the illusion.

With this illusion, no one in the court wanted to offend him.

Including Xiao Yuan.

But he could use his understanding of the emperor to calculate others: Xiao Yuan was both the emperor’s uncle and from the prominent Xiao family, thinking he was close to the emperor, but he probably didn’t know what the emperor truly feared.

However, because of his special position, the Grand Tutor had no real power. Compared to the unobtrusive national teacher, Monk Yuanji, he was clearly inferior, but once he had real power, it would arouse suspicion.

Without real power, some things were ultimately beyond reach.

Moreover, the forces he could mobilize were still constrained by the religious sect behind him…

The mutiny at the Tongzhou camp!

He had already sent people to set up defenses outside the city gates of Tongzhou, killing anyone who tried to escape. The people in the camp didn’t know the news, so where did the “mutiny” come from?

A fierce aura quietly crept up.

There was noise outside again, as Xiao Yuan finally returned with the sealed edict.

Now no one could say anything.

Although some felt it was too quick and easy, the seal was there, and such speculative matters couldn’t be verified. If anyone spoke for the Marquis Mansion, they might not only bring trouble upon themselves but also harm the mansion, so everyone remained silent.

This made Xiao Yuan feel like he had punched cotton.

He angrily ordered the arrests.

The guards of the Yongyi Marquis Mansion looked at Yan Mu, who just waved his hand, signaling them not to resist, allowing the iron chains to bind everyone in the mansion.

However, when two soldiers came with chains to put around Yan Mu’s neck, Zhang Zhe, standing not far away, frowned slightly and said indifferently, “Punishment does not apply to officials.”

Xiao Yuan was furious.

The two soldiers looked at Xiao Yuan in confusion.

Xiao Yuan, planning to deal with Zhang later, could only vent his anger on others, shouting, “Didn’t you hear?! Punishment does not apply to officials, just take this old man away! Are you brainless?!”

The two soldiers, inexplicably scolded, had to remove the chains.

Yan Mu looked at the unfamiliar official from the Ministry of Justice and finally smiled at Zhang Zhe, then walked out of the hall with the others.

Yan Lin was a bit behind.

As he passed by Jiang Xuening, his heart surged with emotion, and he couldn’t hold back.

To hell with the rumors!

At this moment, he just wanted to follow his heart!

In front of everyone, he pulled her into his arms, hugged her tightly, and then said, “I’m leaving, Miss Jiang. Keep the sword for me.”

Jiang Xuening was stunned.

Before she could react, Yan Lin had already stepped outside.

The once lively mansion suddenly became desolate.

Moments ago, the coming-of-age ceremony was in full swing, with guests filling the hall. Now, it was a mess, with an uncertain future!

Oh heavens.

Why is fate so cruel to her young man?

Jiang Xuening thought, since she didn’t plan to stay in the capital, a hug was just a hug. She didn’t care about her reputation. If someone truly liked her in the future, would they mind this?

Thinking of the past and the future, she felt a sense of melancholy. Unintentionally, she looked up and met a pair of cold eyes.

Zhang Zhe had been watching her for a long time.

Only when she looked up and met his gaze did he realize it.

She had wanted to be empress, working hard in her previous life, and now, knowing who the ultimate winner was, she saw the old events changing tracks. General Yan would not follow the same path as in the previous life and was deeply affectionate towards her, which should comfort her, right?

But he was not comforted.

Before getting involved in this mess, he understood; but now that it was done, he felt…

He had no deep connections with the officials present.

Seeing Xiao Yuan and the soldiers “inviting” everyone to leave in preparation for searching the Marquis Mansion, Zhang Zhe finally looked up at the increasingly heavy snowfall outside. Without greeting anyone, he turned and walked out.

At that moment, Jiang Xuening remembered Zhang Zhe from her previous life.

He loved the rain.

But her name had the character “snow” in it, so when she first met this unyielding man in winter at Qianqing Palace, she arrogantly asked him, “Master Zhang, since you like rain so much, you must hate walking with me in this snowy weather, right?”

Zhang Zhe didn’t answer then.

Jiang Xuening assumed he hated her.

Later, when the rebel sect assassinated the emperor and she was implicated and fell into trouble, she hid with Zhang Zhe under a thatched hut while it rained outside. She asked him again, “Master Zhang, you like rain so much, but now you’re watching the rain with me under one roof. Knowing my name has ‘snow’ in it, you must hate me, right?”

Zhang Zhe still didn’t speak.

Jiang Xuening assumed he hated her as before.

But after a long time, while she was lost in thought watching the raindrops fall like pearls, she heard a voice beside her say, “Not really.”

Not really what?

Not really liking rain that much? Not knowing her name had “snow” in it? Or…

Not really hating her?

At that moment, she felt a rare sense of unease. Her heart beat warmly and vividly in her chest. She wanted to turn around to confirm if it was his answer and wanted to ask again if he didn’t hate her that much.

But she held a golden hairpin she had casually taken from her head not long ago.

The phoenix ornament sparkled brilliantly.

In that instant, it pierced her eyes deeply. She realized: she was an empress. If she crossed a certain line, both she and Zhang Zhe would face endless ruin.

She was terrified and cowardly.

She didn’t dare to ask further.

That day’s rain lasted a long time. For the first time, Jiang Xuening wished it would last forever, just in those mountains and fields, just outside that hut, never ending.

*

The guests eventually all left.

Yan Lin said, “Miss Jiang, please keep my sword safe.”

So before leaving, Jiang Xuening put the sword she brought into its case again. It felt heavier in her hand this time, its cold sheen reflecting the sorrows of the world.

People from the palace came to take Shen Zhiyi away first.

Shen Zhiyi left without saying much.

Xiao Shu left later but looked at Jiang Xuening with a cold smile and said, “I never noticed before that Miss Jiang has such great abilities in times of crisis.”

Jiang Xuening replied calmly, “If not for the crisis, I wouldn’t know I had such great abilities either.”

Yao Xi and Chen Shuyi stood beside Xiao Shu, mocking her.

Xiao Shu left with a flick of her sleeve.

The two followed her.

Zhou Baoying looked worriedly at Jiang Xuening as if wanting to say something, later she closed her mouth when Chen Shuyi called everyone over and followed them.

The winter snow fell heavily.

In no time, pavilions, corridors, and walls were covered in white.

When Jiang Xuening came out and looked back at the Yongyi Marquis Mansion, she saw the sky pressing down gloomily with dark clouds forming a haze. But perhaps because her mood was different from her previous life today, she felt as if there was a small ray of light breaking through the clouds’ edge. The snow would eventually clear up.

Xie Wei was still behind Jiang Xuening.

As she watched, he walked out from inside.

Their eyes met.

Jiang Xuening remained silent, not knowing what to say.

Xie Wei looked at the snowy street outside. The carriages left clear tracks on it but were soon covered by snow again.

He walked past Jiang Xuening towards his residence without thinking about anything specific—feeling numb even. But after walking out for a while and recalling how she had clasped her hands together earlier on seeing him off—finally remembering something—he stopped tiredly and said over his shoulder: “Come here.”

Jiang Xuening hadn’t yet processed that Xie Wei actually acknowledged her and stood there stunned before instinctively saying: “I need to return to the palace.”

Xie Wei looked at her intently until Jiang Xuening shivered slightly before quickly following him up ahead towards his residence next door—a wall apart—not far away at all!

Walking ahead while hearing him ask: “Still like Zhang Zhe?”

Recalling how Zhang Zhe looked at herself earlier—she opened then closed mouth lowering head slowly replying: “How could I not?”

He deserved it!

After brief silence Xie Wei remarked: “Unyielding even when alone; guarded like fortress—though too cold & direct—but still good.”

Still good?

What did he mean by ‘still good’?

Though unsure about meaning behind those words—listening made feel as if Xie Wei approved of Zhang Zhe which warmed heart inexplicably filling sense prideful joy!

Entering Xie Residence without noticing surroundings—

Inside Zhuoqin Hall Lu Xian paced angrily pondering You Fangyin’s recent actions wondering what intentions lay behind them unable contain frustration pacing back & forth—

Hearing someone call “Sir” outside realizing Xie Wei returned—

Looking up seeing entering ready complain only for eyes widen spotting delicate young girl trailing behind nearly biting tongue off exclaiming: “You actually brought woman home?!”