Chapter 0046: I Reflect on Myself Three Times a Day, The Jian’an Dynasty Is Bound to Collapse

Seeing Shen Yuan propping his head up with his hand as if suffering from a severe headache, Xie Chengze shuffled sideways like a little crab, moving closer to him step by step, and asked with concern, “Lord Shen, are you still feeling unwell?”

Shen Yuan cast a cool, sidelong glance at him, his handsome face bearing a pessimistic expression that seemed to say, “My fate is sealed.” “Thanks to Your Highness, I’ve been working day and night for the past month and am utterly exhausted.”

Xie Chengze coughed lightly twice. “This prince had no choice either. Look at my delicate skin and tender flesh—I’m truly unsuited for such laborious tasks.”

Shen Yuan turned to look at him. Xie Chengze’s physique was indeed naturally exquisite—not only was his appearance stunning enough to captivate a nation, but his skin was also as smooth and fair as white jade and pearls. However, no matter how much he was favored by heaven, daily exposure to the scorching sun and a diet consisting only of plain congee and steamed buns had diminished some of his radiance, adding a touch of worldly desolation to his demeanor.

It was as if the chaos of the mortal world had invisibly eroded him. The once bright and shining eyes had dulled considerably, and his originally rounded chin had sharpened with weight loss, giving the impression that it could be held in the palm of one’s hand and manipulated at will.

It was at this moment that Shen Yuan suddenly realized that while he was alone in the Transport Bureau, locked in battles of wits with the transport commissioner and merchants, Xie Chengze was also alone in Jiangdu Xian, facing crowds of refugees who could riot at any moment, as well as the ever-unreliable Liang Wan Da and the local gentry who watched him like hawks.

He was, after all, the most favored Second Prince of the Jian’an Dynasty, the son for whom Emperor Jian willingly bestowed the Shangfang Baojian, allowing him to act first and report later, despite knowing his willful and domineering nature. He could have decided life and death with a single word, stirred up storms in Yi Province, and resolved all problems with thunderous methods.

Yet, he could only hide within the government office, carefully manipulating the forces of Yi Province with a thread that could snap at any moment, not daring to show his face before them.

Shen Yuan understood perfectly well why this was.

Those corrupt officials were like irritable hyenas, holding grudges fiercely—kill one, and a pack would come seeking revenge. All Xie Chengze had now was Emperor Jian’s favor. If he dared to touch the interests of these corrupt officials without joining their ranks, his fate would be even worse than that of the Crown Prince in their previous life.

The corrupt officials were only a secondary concern. The one who least wanted to see Xie Chengze win the people’s hearts was none other than the seemingly indulgent Emperor Jian.

The Crown Prince’s position could only belong to Xie Jinyu, and the future emperor could only be Xie Jinyu. If Xie Chengze had no ambition to contend for the throne, his life would naturally be safe. But if he harbored such ambitions, Emperor Jian would never allow him to overshadow the Crown Prince.

Yet…who could know whether Xie Chengze truly had ambitions for the throne? Who could guarantee that he wouldn’t be swayed by schemers in the future, developing improper desires for the dragon throne?

In their previous life, Xie Chengze’s ambition to contend for the throne was known to all.

In this life…even Shen Yuan, who had contended with him for ten years, couldn’t see through him, let alone the emperor, who had no choice but to be suspicious.

No one knew whether the current Xie Chengze had figured out the key to his failure in the previous life and decided to conceal his ambition to contend for the throne.

“Your Highness…” Shen Yuan gazed intently at the young man before him, whose eyes were clear and pure. “Once matters in Yi Province are resolved and we return to the capital, what are your plans?”

Xie Chengze was rummaging through his sleeve with lowered head when he quickly replied, “Eating, sleeping, and enjoying life, of course. Want to join me? No, no, forget it—you can’t. You need to climb, climb high.”

Only by reaching great heights, given our bond forged through adversity, could he properly protect this poor innocent soul!

Suddenly remembering something, Xie Chengze lifted his beautiful face again, revealing an intentionally ingratiating smile. “Lord Shen, when you send the secret letter to my father, could you avoid mentioning what I’ve been doing here?”

He knew Emperor Jian admired Shen Yuan and had surely given secret orders for Shen Yuan to report matters of Yi Province directly to him via confidential letters.

Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow.

So Xie Chengze finally understood he couldn’t reveal his imperial ambitions before Emperor Jian?

It wasn’t that Shen Yuan couldn’t help conceal things, he thought privately. As long as Xie Chengze behaved properly, he was willing to temporarily set aside past grievances and preserve this worthless little life.

However, recalling how Xie Chengze always loved extorting favors from him, Shen Yuan decided to turn the tables and teased, “That can be arranged, but what benefit would your subject gain?”

Seeing Shen Yuan agree, Xie Chengze relaxed slightly before cheerfully declaring, “The benefits will be tremendous!”

He seized Shen Yuan’s right hand, prying open the broad palm. His slender fingers lightly brushed against the man’s digits, the casual friction creating a faint tingling sensation that made the man’s fingertips tremble slightly, his dark eyes lowering almost imperceptibly.

The young man bowed his head, solemnly placing something retrieved from his sleeve into the man’s palm.

“Thanks, brother.” Xie Chengze looked up at him with immense gratitude. “I heard this is an immortal-grade product only nobles can use—refreshing and gentle on the skin. Remember to use it well!”

Shen Yuan: …

The icy touch of the snow jade ointment jar instantly dispelled all lingering intimacy. When Shen Yuan clearly saw what lay in his palm, the vein at his temple throbbed violently again, nearly making him fling the object miles away.

He’d been foolish to think Xie Chengze would actually offer any proper “benefit”!

“Sec-ond High-ness…” Shen Yuan ground out through clenched teeth, “Your subject doesn’t need this!”

Xie Chengze felt his ears might go deaf. “No need then, why shout so loud? If you won’t use it, save it for your future wife!”

Shen Yuan: …

Marriage had never crossed Shen Yuan’s mind. Too lazy to continue the conversation, he turned toward the city wall’s descent. “Your Highness should worry less about your subject’s affairs and more about your own situation!”

The details of Yi Province’s affairs would reach Jingcheng eventually, even without his secret letters. Once those sharp-nosed hyenas detected something unusual, Xie Chengze would find himself besieged from all sides upon returning to the capital.

When that time came, probably only the Crown Prince could guarantee his survival.

But given Xie Chengze’s pride… would he ever lower himself to ask?

——

With the survival issue of thirty thousand refugees resolved, Shen Yuan’s subsequent tasks became considerably smoother.

Working through Liang Wan Da, he had the magistrates involved in the mass exodus summarily dismissed and arrested. The evidence of the transport commissioner’s corruption and dereliction of duty was secretly delivered to Emperor Jian in the capital.

Upon receiving the secret missive, Emperor Jian flew into a rage and ordered the Supervisory Council to conduct a thorough investigation. Once the evidence was verified, all relevant personnel from the Chengdu Circuit Transport Office were to be escorted to the Ministry of Justice in Jingcheng for execution on a selected date.

Subsequently, during the court assembly, he lavishly praised Shen Yuan as a talented young pillar of the state, commanding all officials to take him as a model and engage in daily self-reflection: Have they been responsible to the common people? Have they been responsible to their official positions? Have they been responsible to the suffering Second Prince abroad?

The ministers: ???

The first two points they could comprehend, but why should they be responsible for the suffering Second Prince abroad?

Could the pampered Second Prince ever allow himself to suffer? It was utterly ridiculous! No one had even heard of any substantial deeds he had accomplished in Yi Province worthy of praise!

Unfortunately, Emperor Jian, who doted on the Second Prince unconditionally, paid no heed. He even ordered the imperial kitchens to be emptied of all delicacies to be sent to Yi Province for his beloved son to nourish his flesh and satisfy his cravings.

Even the Crown Prince chimed in: “Your Majesty is wise.”

To this, the ministers could only secretly grumble: Both father and son are deranged—the Jian’an Dynasty is surely doomed.