Lan Ming Yue

The closer they got to the capital, the more soldiers there were standing guard. They were strictly interrogated along the way. Even after showing their travel documents and imperial decrees, Xu Xiude couldn’t feel happy despite the soldiers’ salutes.

“Could something have happened in the capital?” he anxiously asked Cui Qi.

Although he was the oldest and highest-ranking among the group, he had never been decisive. Even the young Chu Geng knew that the real authority in their group was the wheelchair-bound Cui Qi.

“With His Majesty away at war, it wouldn’t be surprising if something happened in the capital,” Cui Qi maintained his usual calm demeanor, as if nothing could faze him. “We’ll find out once we enter the palace.”

Chu Geng had intended to bid them farewell at the city gate, but Xu Xiude grabbed his collar. “Hey hey, Xiao Chu, come to the palace with us.”

The old fat man’s grip was quite strong. Unable to break free, Chu Geng could only say with a bitter expression, “How can a commoner like me enter the palace so casually? I should first take Zhongqing’s letter to find Qiming Daren.”

“At his best, Qiming is just an acting Minister of Revenue. Once in the palace, if you make an appearance before Yan Ze Daren, your official appointment would just take one word from him,” Xu Xiude remembered losing his position as Minister of Revenue and felt a heartache. He didn’t want to let Wang Dian benefit freely. He could also see that Chu Geng had some real abilities. If he introduced him to Yan Ze for promotion, regardless of future circumstances, Chu Geng would have to be grateful for his patronage.

While Xu Xiude’s calculations were obvious, Chu Geng, being less experienced in official circles than these old hands, hadn’t figured out the underlying meanings before being pulled onto the carriage by Xu Xiude.

Wen Yu remained silent as usual, helping push Cui Qi’s wheelchair. Although Cui Qi had expressed multiple times that he could manage, Wen Yu continued doing things his own way. Eventually, Cui Qi just let him be.

“Prince of Danyang?” Having bribed the young eunuch along the way, Xu Xiude received this shocking news. He almost shouted out loud, trembling as he gripped Cui Qi’s wheelchair armrest, and whispered, “Daren Cui, this is terrible news.”

The Prince of Danyang clearly suggested a prince with real power and territory, especially since Danyang was right next to the capital. If he wanted to rebel, it would be all too easy.

Cui Qi frowned, unable to immediately grasp Liang Ye’s intention in suddenly appointing this Prince of Danyang.

Despite all the silver Xu Xiude had given out, he still couldn’t find out who exactly had been appointed as the Prince of Danyang.

Two incense sticks’ time later, in the side hall of the discussion palace, they met eyes with Wang Dian, who was slowly drinking tea.

They all stared at each other, creating a somewhat awkward atmosphere.

“W-Wang Daren?” Xu Xiude, always the most easily flustered, exclaimed in surprise.

Hadn’t he firmly stated he wouldn’t return to the capital? Why had he arrived even earlier than them!

Wang Dian put down his teacup, cleared his throat to cover some embarrassment, “Xu Daren, your traveling speed is really too slow.”

Looking at his dark python robe, Xu Xiude’s heart was turbulent, but he maintained composure on the surface and said, “This is really… due to the cold weather and long journey. Cui Daren also fell ill twice, which delayed us until today. We didn’t expect Wang Daren to move so quickly, haha, haha.”

Xu Xiude laughed dryly while tilting his head, desperately trying to signal Cui Qi with his eyes. However, Cui Qi ignored him and only looked at Wang Dian, cupping his hands in greeting. “This official Cui Qi pays respects to Your Highness.”

At these words, Xu Xiude and Wen Yu immediately knelt down and performed the grand courtesy to Wang Dian. Although Chu Geng was still confused, he hurriedly followed their actions and bowed.

Wang Dian instinctively wanted to step aside but forcefully restrained himself. He accepted their respects and smiled. “Please rise, everyone.”

After a round of ceremonial greetings, Xu Xiude politely indicated they should leave the palace. However, Wang Dian smiled and expressed his wish for them to stay in the palace for a few days, especially since Xu Xiude’s teacher Yan Ze was also staying in the palace.

Xu Xiude’s heart instantly sank halfway.

Wang Dian wasn’t doing palace confinement for the first time. Though last time it was under Liang Ye’s orders, this time he personally “invited” all important ministers and family heads into the palace. His swift and ruthless actions caught most people off guard. No one expected a former Minister of Revenue who was supposedly “sick in bed” to suddenly appear and become a prince, let alone this madman who fearlessly faced criticism by directly threatening their families with armed forces.

He had the bearing of someone who didn’t fear going down in history as infamous.

Xu Xiude and others were politely escorted to the palace quarters for officials. Chu Geng, being a commoner, stood awkwardly in place, looking at Wang Dian with complex emotions. Initially, when Wang Dian was unwilling to return, he thought Wang Dian was a coward fearing death and felt extremely angry. But now Wang Dian had not only returned but become a prince, with every action suggesting rebellion. Chu Geng’s feelings became even more complicated.

He thought it would have been better if Wang Dian hadn’t returned at all.

“The Ministry of War is currently short-staffed, Yiyuan. You should go there for now,” Wang Dian said. “I won’t inform the ministry people about you. In the current situation, if they knew you were my man, they wouldn’t hesitate to create obstacles for you.”

Chu Geng felt mixed emotions. Wang Dian had shown him recognition and they shared similar aspirations. He deeply didn’t want to believe Wang Dian would rebel, but now Wang Dian’s every action was moving further down the path of rebellion…

“Yiyuan?” Wang Dian noticed his distraction and smiled, tapping the table.

Chu Geng bit his lip and risked asking, “May I ask Your Highness, why confine everyone in the palace?”

By using the word “confine,” he was directly pointing out Wang Dian’s intentions.

Wang Dian smiled instead of getting angry, “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. His Majesty is now fighting at the front, and I have no foundation in the previous court. If I don’t take preemptive action, speaking of the hundred thousand supplies in storage, only twenty or thirty percent would reach His Majesty’s hands. Only with a knife at their throats will these officials listen to what I say.”

Chu Geng was stunned, “But this way, your reputation will be ruined. When His Majesty returns, surely…”

He would be pressured by officials, subject to suspicion. Though his actions were to save the country, he would end up with the stigma of rebellion.

“Someone has to do certain things in this world,” Wang Dian smiled freely. “If it benefits Great Liang and His Majesty, why shouldn’t that person be me?”

Chu Geng’s gaze towards him instantly changed.

Just like when Wang Dian had fearlessly gone to the Zhao palace to borrow troops and form an alliance, he unhesitatingly took on criticism and public condemnation, all so His Majesty could focus on fighting at the front.

This person had never been a coward fearing death.

“Will Yiyuan help me?” Wang Dian looked at him, his gaze calm yet determined.

Chu Geng knelt down, touching his forehead to his hands as he bowed. “Chu Geng will not refuse even at the cost of death.”

Wang Dian slightly tugged at the corner of his mouth, stepped forward to help him up, and said meaningfully, “Without the Ministry of War, our actions would be extremely difficult.”

Chu Geng understood, “This minister will not fail Your Highness’s trust.”

Although confining court officials was truly outrageous, Wang Dian wasn’t really confining them. It was more like establishing an efficient wartime headquarters. Not just those with official positions, even retired elderly gentlemen from noble families and young masters who hadn’t yet entered official service – Wang Dian had ways to make them “shine” and squeeze out their last bit of value. After all, real confinement wouldn’t require them to work!

The six ministries – Personnel, Revenue, Rites, War, Justice, and Works – were each assigned a palace. The three departments – State Affairs, Chancellery, and Secretariat – formed a temporary cabinet. Yan Ze, Cui Yun, and Bian Cang were given important responsibilities. Although Wang Dian was nominally regent, he was doing the emperor’s work. Under threats and inducements, everyone was working from before dawn till after dusk, achieving a quantum leap in administrative efficiency – they had no choice. Wang Dian held absolute power, and though he appeared gentle and modest, when he turned harsh, he was even more terrifying than Liang Ye. At least offending Liang Ye only meant death, but in Wang Dian’s hands, it was worse than death.

After half a month of forced overtime with even rest days cancelled, plus Wang Dian’s skill at winning people over, he actually gathered quite a few devoted officials. After all, the desperately needed frontline supplies were genuinely assembled – if Wang Dian truly had rebellious intentions, why would he bother!

Once the supplies were gathered, they needed to be transported to Shouyun County. Who to send became a difficult issue.

Xu Xiude wanted to curl up into a ball, but he couldn’t escape Wang Dian’s gentle appearance and cruel heart. Wang Dian smiled and said, “Xu Daren, you previously gained much experience transporting disaster relief grain and silver, and excellently completed the diplomatic mission to Zhao. In my view, this task of transporting supplies must fall on your shoulders.”

Xu Xiude wiped the sweat from his forehead miserably, looking to his teacher Yan Ze for help.

Yan Ze was also puzzled. Xu Xiude was greedy and smooth, often embezzling money and provisions in the past. After Liang Ye disciplined him once, he became too scared to steal despite his greed, making him useful to Liang Ye. Now not only Liang Ye but even Wang Dian liked using him – it was truly strange.

Recently, court rumors even said Xu Xiude had reformed and restored integrity to the court.

That was just ridiculous.

Xu Xiude was even more confused. He had been running around for most of the year, couldn’t even properly celebrate New Year, and his belly had shrunk several sizes. He really didn’t want these difficult tasks. With everyone watching, he didn’t dare take bribes – if anything went missing, everyone would think he stole it. Success brought only mild praise, failure meant losing his head – who would want to do it?

But Wang Dian’s orders came down, and his teacher Yan Ze turned a blind eye without helping, so he could only accept it with a worried face.

It would be the death of him – he didn’t want to go to the battlefield at all.

But Wang Dian’s word was final and he couldn’t refuse. Still hoping to drag someone down with him, he said, “Your Highness, Baili Daren has returned to the capital, currently idle at home…”

After rambling on, he was trying to drag Baili Cheng’an into this.

Wang Dian lightly rejected his suggestion in a few words, ” Baili Daren is unwell, probably unable to accompany Xu Daren.”

In the end, Xu Xiude resigned himself to leading the supply convoy, though Wang Dian at least assigned him a deputy, an old acquaintance.

Looking at Wen Yu, who still lacked any presence, Xu Xiude sighed to the heavens, “What sin did I commit…”

But no matter how much he complained, he finally set out in the bitter cold wind and sleet.

As his direct superior, Wang Dian came to see him off symbolically. In the sleety weather, cold and damp, Wang Dian stood outside the carriage and quickly became numb from cold, expressionlessly staring at Xu Xiude who was still trying to hold his hand with tearful eyes. “Xu Daren, it’s getting late.”

Xu Xiude looked longingly at the capital behind him, “Your Highness, this journey may mean life or death for this minister. Please, for the sake of our shared life-and-death experiences, help arrange for someone to collect my remains.”

Wang Dian subtly withdrew his hand, smiling. “Xu Daren has great fortune and destiny, you will surely be safe and sound.”

As the sleet intensified, after much persuasion Xu Xiude finally left with the supplies and troops. Wang Dian felt frozen through and climbed into his carriage, ordering a swift return to the capital.

The carriage had a heating stove. He was exhausted from many days of overwork. The sleet pattered on the curtains; he frowned but didn’t want to open his eyes. Soon someone secured the curtains – he assumed it was Chong Heng being considerate, and his consciousness grew increasingly drowsy.

The carriage was filled with warmth, and a subtle yet sharp scent lingered at the tip of Wang Dian’s nose. He suddenly opened his eyes and sat up straight. However, before he could become alert, someone embraced him from behind and bit his neck hard.

A cool finger pressed against his throat, muffling his voice. His lips and tongue were deliberately toyed with, and burning, delicate kisses spread from his neck to his shoulders. Only when the carriage jolted violently did he snap back to reality, driving his elbow backward with force.

The person who had been misbehaving groaned in pain and reluctantly released him. Wet fingers pressed heavily against his lips before moving closer again. “You dare to hit someone right after meeting? You’ve certainly grown comfortable in your role as a prince.”

Wang Dian thought he was dreaming. Liang Ye should have been leading troops to Shouyun County by now – there was no way he could be in the outskirts of the capital. While he was still confused, he was pushed down onto the soft seat of the carriage.

“Did you not miss Zhen?” Liang Ye looked somewhat hurt.

Wang Dian narrowed his eyes. Liang Ye appeared thinner, with dark circles under his eyes and bluish stubble on his chin. He looked sharp and gloomy, like some wild beast that had unleashed its true nature.

His armor dug painfully into Wang Dian’s chest. Wang Dian frowned and pushed him, saying, “Get off.”

“No.” Liang Ye deliberately pressed down harder, satisfied to see his frown deepen. His breath still carried the dampness of snow and rain as he moved closer to look into Wang Dian’s eyes. “Did you miss Zhen?”

Liang Ye was wearing armor and was as heavy as a bear pressing down on him. Wang Dian could barely breathe, his face flushed from the warmth of the brazier. Liang Ye was enjoying the sight of his restrained expression when suddenly a palm struck his face.

“Miss my foot!” Wang Dian angrily kicked at his leg but ended up hurting his own foot on the armor. After glancing around, he grabbed Liang Ye’s exposed ear. “If you don’t get up right now, I’ll kill you!”

Liang Ye winced in pain and rose following the pull, the blood and mud from his armor staining Wang Dian’s snow-white fox fur coat. While pulling Wang Dian’s hand away, he angrily said, “Zhen sees you’ve grown increasingly bold! Let go!”

Wang Dian, finally convinced he wasn’t dreaming, released his grip and looked at him suspiciously. “You should be leading troops in Shouyun now. Why are you here?”

“Military secret.” Liang Ye sat cross-legged on the floor, tilting his head to rub his aching ear vigorously. He said vengefully, “Daring to pull Zhen’s ear – you must be tired of living.”

Wang Dian remained silent with a stern face, examining the person who hadn’t even removed his armor. Suddenly his foot felt cold – looking down, he saw that the rascal Liang Ye had mischievously removed one of his boots, making his bare foot rest on the armored thigh. His fingertips caressed the two red cords around Wang Dian’s ankle, and with a small click, something black was fastened onto it.

It looked like something dug out of a mud pit.

“Zhen found it on the battlefield,” Liang Ye said gleefully. “It fits perfectly indeed.”

Wang Dian stared expressionlessly at the mud that hadn’t been cleaned off, restraining his urge to kick him in the face. “You came back just for this?”

Liang Ye casually played with his foot, thinking Wang Dian’s bare foot looked beautiful whether against the white fox fur or the black armor. Hearing the question, he complained, “Zhen sent you letter after letter, but you never wrote back.”

Wang Dian awkwardly tried to withdraw his foot, saying, “Your whereabouts on the battlefield were uncertain. Sending letters would have been futile.”

Moreover, saying too much or too little in the letters might accidentally touch one of Liang Ye’s sensitive nerves, and on a whim, that fool would rush back to the capital… just like now.

“Why does Zhen feel you’re doing this on purpose?” Liang Ye gripped his slender ankle and pulled him down from the seat into his arms. Like a beast inspecting its territory, he ran his hands all over Wang Dian’s body, saying in a hoarse voice with burning eyes, “Wang Dian, you still owe Zhen twice.”

The carriage jolted violently again, and through the curtains blown open by the cold wind, sparse dead trees flashed past. Wang Dian grabbed his wandering hands and said coldly, “This isn’t the road back to the capital.”

“Of course not.” Liang Ye probably found the armor cumbersome, but after consideration, didn’t remove it. He just deliberately messed up Wang Dian’s clean and neat clothes, kissing his neck haphazardly, saying impatiently, “Zhen still has to fight in the war.”

When killing on the battlefield, he wished to stay there forever, but holding Wang Dian in his arms made him thoroughly tired of fighting. His mind was filled only with thoughts of how to torment Wang Dian – preferably making him beg to stop with reddened eyes or curse at him furiously – all far more interesting than killing.

Just don’t talk to him about serious matters.

However, Wang Dian refused to comply with his wishes. He skillfully grabbed his hair, forcing him to look up, and stared at him darkly, “Explain properly why you’re here, or get out right now.”

Liang Ye licked his dry, chapped lips and raised one hand to show him a fingernail-sized nick at the tiger’s mouth of his palm, pretending seriously, “Zhen was gravely-”

As Wang Dian rose to lift the curtain, Liang Ye’s long arm wrapped around his waist and pulled him back onto his lap, grinning mischievously, “If you properly serve Zhen twice in this carriage, Zhen will tell you.”

“No need.” Wang Dian stared at him with a cold smile. “I’d rather plot treason first.”

F*ck you, go die.

Stupid Liang Ye.