Chapter 0194: The Misunderstanding Between Monarch and Minister, “Your Head My Ass” Xie Chengze
As expected, Sheng Shihai sent someone to proactively deliver evidence to Shen Yuan.
The mastermind behind the poisoning was a eunuch who had been lurking in the Eastern Palace. This eunuch was a pawn planted by a previously executed minister who had privately raised troops. Because the minister had shown him kindness, the eunuch sought revenge by exploiting the cover provided by the Crown Prince and Second Prince’s rivalry, bribing a palace maid to poison the Crown Prince.
“Pity you were in prison at the time, otherwise I would have poisoned you too!” After his capture, the eunuch glared viciously at Shen Yuan, eyes bloodshot. “You and the Crown Prince are responsible for my master’s death!”
“Sure, whatever you say.” Shen Yuan went through the motions distractedly, ordering his subordinates to bind the man.
Before Xie Chengze departed for Liaozhou, he had used his and the Crown Prince’s influence to eliminate most of the ministers who had privately raised troops. Shen Yuan was aware of this and didn’t mind Xie Chengze using him as a shield.
He had long grown accustomed to being his protector, and was confident in his ability to handle any covert attacks.
His only concern was that Xie Chengze sometimes acted too boldly and made decisions without consulting him. In his mind, Xie Chengze was like a rabbit that could bite—but still just a rabbit that would meet its end when facing true predators.
Even with Wuhen and Wuji protecting him, what if someday some vile person held a grudge and administered a deadly poison?
“Take him to the Supreme Court.” After handing the prisoner over to his subordinates, Shen Yuan headed toward the Imperial Study to pick up Xie Chengze, who should have finished reviewing memorials by now.
Another thing that annoyed him was that Xie Chengze had been staying overnight at Wu De Hall recently.
He wondered who exactly was in Wu De Hall that made him shuttle back and forth so diligently.
“Ah, Lord Shen, here to fetch the Second Prince again?”
At the entrance of the Imperial Study, Eunuch Zhao smiled warmly upon seeing Shen Yuan.
Shen Yuan nodded. “Eunuch Zhao, has the Second Prince had his midday meal?”
That guy tended to forget meals when he got busy.
“Don’t worry, Lord Shen. His Majesty is keeping an eye on him.” Eunuch Zhao’s smile was particularly kind. “With the Second Prince’s assistance, His Majesty has had much less burden. Besides, His Majesty most enjoys teasing the Second Prince.”
Chasing after the Second Prince to urge him to eat was just like feeding the playful Second Prince when he was a child.
Shen Yuan smiled faintly. “That’s true. But may I trouble you to announce that the culprit who poisoned the Crown Prince has been captured?”
“Of course.” Eunuch Zhao turned and entered the inner chamber, soon emerging again. “Lord Shen, His Majesty requests your presence.”
Shen Yuan nodded and entered the inner chamber of the Imperial Study.
Inside, he saw Xie Chengze buried deep in piles of memorials, with towering stacks on both sides clearly representing his workload these past few days.
As the memorials on the desk seemed to multiply, Xie Chengze appeared increasingly frustrated—scratching his head and ears until his fair complexion turned flushed, with vermilion ink stains of varying depths everywhere.
Like a little calico cat.
Shen Yuan’s lips curved almost imperceptibly before he bowed to Emperor Jian, who seemed to be reading a storybook at the tea table. “Your Majesty, the poisoner has been apprehended. He was a spy planted in the Eastern Palace by the former minister Zhao Kun.”
“Oh? It seems the Crown Prince has been neglecting his duties again.” Emperor Jian responded lightly, continuing to hold the storybook as he read. “Shen Yuan, since the Crown Prince is so incompetent, should I consider deposing him?”
Shen Yuan’s eyebrows twitched slightly as he prepared to reply, but Xie Chengze—who had been buried in memorials—suddenly looked up, staring at the emperor in astonishment. “Hey, old man, have you finally come to your senses?”
Emperor Jian: ?
What did “old man” mean?
It didn’t sound like a compliment. Emperor Jian set down the storybook, puzzled. “Weren’t you supporting your third brother? Why are you saying I’ve come to my senses now?”
Xie Chengze let out an “oh,” his face full of disappointment. “What? I thought you’d had an epiphany and decided to become the retired emperor! That’s why you were going to depose the Crown Prince and let Fourth Brother take the throne!”
Emperor Jian: …
Damn it, he never should have mentioned wanting to become the retired emperor back then!
“Father, it’s time. May I take my leave?” Xie Chengze gazed pitifully at Emperor Jian. “The Crown Prince still needs someone to care for him after being poisoned. You wouldn’t want to have no heir, would you?”
Emperor Jian massaged his temples in frustration. “Go on, get out of here.”
Xie Chengze hastily put down the vermilion brush and dashed out of the inner chamber. Halfway there, he suddenly remembered something and turned back. “Um, Lord Shen…”
“I still have matters to discuss with Shen Yuan.” After saying this, Emperor Jian watched with satisfaction as Xie Chengze’s disappointment became visibly apparent. He deliberately added, “Indeed, I intend to keep him very late. You may return first!”
Tch.
Xie Chengze cursed under his breath before reluctantly replying, “Fine.”
“Ah, this child.” Emperor Jian shook his head helplessly. “Shen Yuan, it must be quite difficult being by Ze’er’s side, isn’t it?”
That boy was so clingy. Shen Yuan was a promising young man with a bright future, but after catching Ze’er’s eye, his official career would likely stagnate—he’d be lucky to make it to vice minister at best.
Shen Yuan’s eyes flickered.
Was His Majesty testing him? Questioning whether his close relationship with Xie Chengze meant they were forming factions for personal gain?
He needed to dispel the emperor’s concerns.
So he replied in a deep voice, his face solemn and righteous. “I have always served Jian’an. Remaining by His Highness’s side is solely for the benefit of the people of Jian’an.”
Emperor Jian couldn’t help but sigh.
He hadn’t misjudged him. Shen Yuan had inherited the loyal integrity of the Shen family, wholeheartedly devoted to the people and the royal house.
It was just too hard on him—for the sake of Jian’an’s citizens, he had to endure staying by Ze’er’s side, probably even putting up with the boy’s frivolous behavior…
Ah, he could only hope Ze’er wouldn’t betray him in the future.
Waving his hand, Emperor Jian said compassionately, “You may go. If you ever suffer any grievances, feel free to come to me. I will stand up for you.”
Shen Yuan glanced up at the emperor, interpreting this as assurance that he could seek imperial intervention if ever framed in official circles.
He responded gravely, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
After leaving the Imperial Study, Shen Yuan noticed Xie Chengze hadn’t waited for him, so he headed toward Wu De Hall.
“Ungrateful little brat. He knows perfectly well His Majesty wouldn’t detain me for long…” he muttered softly as he walked. “After all I’ve done for him these past days—ah!”
“Ha!”
A calico cat suddenly sprang out from beside the wall, pointing at him with triumphant mischief. “Talking behind my back! Caught you red-handed!”
Shen Yuan stepped back, pressing a hand to his racing heart, caught between amusement and exasperation. “…How childish.”
“To think you’d imitate a child, hiding by the wall and jumping out to startle someone.”
“Clearly, you still don’t understand this prince well enough,” Xie Chengze shook his head with a smug grin. “Who would have thought that Lord Shen could be frightened by such a simple trick? I’ll surely tell your descendants about this someday and let them all laugh at you. Hee hee hee.”
“I’m afraid Your Highness will be disappointed,” Shen Yuan reached out to wipe the cinnabar ink stain from the tip of his nose, speaking as calmly as a gentle breeze. “To prevent Your Highness’s wish from coming true, this subject has no choice but to remain unmarried for life.”
Xie Chengze: ?
So ruthless?! Truly worthy of being The Powerful Minister!
“It seems if anyone asks in the future why I refuse to marry, I can use Your Highness as my excuse. Considering how long I’ve served as Your Highness’s shield, surely you wouldn’t repay kindness with enmity by refusing to bear this blame, right?” The man continued adding salt to the wound.
Xie Chengze: …
Xie Chengze: Right your head!