The ministers exchanged covert glances. What's gotten into the Regent today? Why didn't he press his attack? In the past, he would have mocked the boy mercilessly for so much as yawning during court.
Standing among the civil officials, Prime Minister Zhou Yanling stroked his long beard, eyes narrowing in thought.
Something is different. He noted silently. The Regent is far too mild today.
Court proceeded. The Minister of Revenue stepped forward to deliver his taxation report.
Yin Wuwang stood at the head of the military officials, listening to the tedious stream of numbers with mounting boredom. His thoughts had long since drifted elsewhere.
That was beautifully done, Fuguang. He marveled inwardly. In the original novel, the Regent only knew how to humiliate the young Emperor, which made him universally despised. But Fuguang turned it into stern guidance instead—maintaining the pressure of a powerful minister without escalating the conflict. A hundred times more elegant than that hack author could ever write!
He stole a glance at Xie Qingyan. The man stood with his hands behind his back, face expressionless, radiating an aura that warned everyone to keep their distance. The candlelight caught the sharp lines of his profile, casting shadows that made him look like a painting come to life.
So beautiful.
The thought flickered through his mind before he could stop it. Standing beside him instead of against him—when did that start feeling so natural?
Yin Wuwang quickly collected himself, reminding himself to focus on the performance. You're supposed to be his enemy here. Act like it.
Halfway through court, Prime Minister Zhou Yanling stepped forward and bowed. "Your Majesty, this old minister has a matter to report."
The young Emperor responded quickly: "Please speak, Prime Minister."
Zhou Yanling straightened, his gaze sweeping toward Xie Qingyan. A smile that didn't reach his eyes spread across his face. "Recently, there have been rumors circulating through the capital. It is said that the Regent's carriages have been frequently departing and returning late at night. Might this minister inquire what business takes Your Highness out at such hours?"
Whispers immediately rippled through the hall.
Xie Qingyan's brow furrowed slightly. He had indeed stayed up late last night—but only to familiarize himself with political affairs within his residence. He hadn't gone anywhere.
The Prime Minister was clearly testing him, probing to see how he would react.
"What this king does," Xie Qingyan said coolly, his voice carrying a hint of mockery, "need not be reported to the Prime Minister. Or has the Prime Minister already planted his spies within this king's household?"
Zhou Yanling's expression flickered. He hastily replied: "This old minister wouldn't dare. I merely heard the rumors and was concerned for Your Highness's safety."
"Concerned?" Xie Qingyan let out a cold laugh. "If the Prime Minister is truly concerned, perhaps he should first deal with the rats infesting the Ministry of Revenue. This king has heard that the capital's black market has grown quite bold of late. The illegal trading of old currency is rampant. Is the Prime Minister aware of this?"
Zhou Yanling's pupils contracted briefly before he recovered his composure. He bowed: "This old minister will certainly investigate thoroughly."
Xie Qingyan dismissed him and turned to the young Emperor: "Your Majesty, this minister requests an imperial decree to thoroughly investigate the black market and reform the currency system."
The boy nodded eagerly: "Granted!"
Yin Wuwang stood watching, the corner of his mouth curving upward.
Brilliant. He thought. Fuguang just redirected the conversation from 'the Regent's mysterious nighttime activities' to 'corruption in the Ministry of Revenue.' The Prime Minister walked right into that one.
Now it's my turn.
He cleared his throat and stepped forward. "The Regent's proposal is out of line!"
Every minister turned to stare at him.
Yin Wuwang lifted his chin, affecting an expression of righteous indignation. "Reforming the currency system falls under the Ministry of Revenue's purview. For the Regent to overstep his bounds—is this not an abuse of power? This duke believes such matters should be handled by the Prime Minister!"
Xie Qingyan shot him a sidelong glance, his voice ice-cold: "The Duke of Zhenguo should stick to leading troops. What business does a military man have meddling in court affairs?"
The two faced off, tension crackling between them like lightning before a storm.
The ministers held their breath. The enmity between the Regent and the Duke of Zhenguo was legendary—everyone knew they despised each other. Watching them clash was like watching two tigers circle before a kill.
The young Emperor shrank into his throne, not daring to speak. His small hands gripped the armrests so tightly his knuckles had gone white.
But Prime Minister Zhou Yanling quietly released a breath of relief.
So the Regent and the Duke are still at each other's throats after all. He thought. Perhaps I was overthinking things.
Court concluded amid the two men's "conflict." Ministers filed out in small groups, murmuring among themselves.
Zhou Yanling returned to his residence and immediately took up his brush. He penned a brief letter and dispatched it by fast horse to Prince Huai's manor in the southern district.
The message contained only one line: "The Regent behaved strangely today. Your Highness should take note."
[Prince Huai's Manor · Southern District]
In a dimly lit study, a middle-aged man sat in a wheelchair. His face was gaunt, his eyes sunken, but within those hollowed sockets burned an intensity that spoke of ambition undimmed by illness. This was Prince Huai, the late Emperor's younger brother—a man who had once been next in line for the throne before a hunting accident crippled him from the waist down.
He accepted the letter and read it carefully, a dark smile slowly spreading across his face.
"Strangely?" He tossed the paper into a nearby brazier and watched it curl into ash. "How very interesting."
He turned to the aide standing beside him: "Look into it. Find out who the Duke of Zhenguo has been associating with lately. And while you're at it, have someone watch the Regent's manor more closely."
The aide bowed and withdrew.
[End of V1_Chapter 10]
Next Chapter Preview:
The Regent unveils his currency reform plan—full of deliberate flaws. The Prime Minister takes the bait. And the Duke of Zhenguo delivers such a brutal public "attack" on the Regent that even the ministers wince. All according to plan.