Chapter 63 Absolutely impossible!

At the foot of the many steps outside the Taiji Hall, a man wearing a heavy fox fur cloak paced back and forth, rubbing his hands together and exhaling mist from his mouth from time to time. His beard looked as if it were covered with white frost.

When Xie Huaijin, who had been summoned by the emperor for a private audience, came out of the hall, Xie Shichang put away his superfluous expression and walked towards him with his hands behind his back.

"Saburo."

Xie Huaijin stepped down the last step, looked in the direction of the sound, paused, and his gaze fell on Xie Shichang's frostbitten cheeks.

For nearly twenty years, he was the only one who had ever knelt in the snow begging for a few coins and trivial matters. The head of the Xie family was high and mighty; how could he possibly condescend to wait for him in the cold wind?

At this moment, Xie Shichang's expression was particularly interesting. He was trying his best to play the role of an approachable elder, wanting to get closer to the younger generation, but he couldn't completely let go of his airs. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes when he smiled were quite intriguing.

"Is Minister Xie still waiting for someone at his office?"

Asking a question you already know the answer to.

Xie Shichang's expression stiffened slightly as he said, "I have been waiting for you here today because there is something I would like to discuss with you."

"Please speak, Your Excellency. I am all ears."

"This is not the place to talk."

Xie Huaijin lowered his eyes, tightened his grip on the jade thumb ring, and followed him to the Ministry of Personnel.

The elegant room was filled with the smoke of incense. As the two entered, a servant brewed a pot of hot tea and then tactfully withdrew, leaving the opposite door slightly ajar for ventilation.

"Did the Minister summon me here for official business or personal matters?"

"Official business."

Xie Shichang sat upright at the desk, took off his official hat and set it aside, saying, "When it's just the two of us, you can call me elder brother."

"Since we're going to talk about official business, let's keep it professional." Xie Huaijin politely declined with a smile, sat down opposite him, and took a sip of tea.

"Recently, the affairs of the court have been very busy, and neither of us has had a moment to spare. Minister Xie, please get straight to the point."

Xie Shichang grasped the cup, his fingertip tracing the rim. "The Crown Prince strongly advocates for the implementation of the new imperial examination regulations. His Majesty has not issued a formal decree, but he expressed his stance at this morning's court meeting... His Majesty kept you and Prime Minister Li and others aside for this matter, right?"

"To try to guess the emperor's intentions is not the way of a subject."

"We're family, so you don't need to beat around the bush with me."

Xie Shichang slammed the teacup he had just picked up onto the table, making a loud thud that drew Xie Huaijin's attention to the spot where the teacup had been struck.

This table is carved from a single piece of fine sandalwood, and this cup is Yue ware celadon, both quite valuable. Damaging either one would be considered a loss of public property, enough to warrant a memorial from the censor.

Seeing Xie Huaijin remain silent with his head down, Xie Shichang grew somewhat irritated. His gaze fixed on Xie Huaijin's scarlet official robe, and he said in a deep voice:

"Since the founding of the dynasty by Emperor Gaozu, the old system of the imperial examination has been followed, which has allowed scholars, farmers, artisans and merchants to keep to their proper roles and for all people to follow their own path, thus bringing about this stable situation for the court."

“Look at the current situation. In the north, the Yan Kingdom has changed hands and the new king is poised to make a comeback. In the east, pirates are causing trouble at sea, and remnants of rebellious ministers are lurking in the shadows, ready to fight at any moment. The country has no internal troubles, but it has external threats. It is not wise to promote the new imperial examination system at this time.”

Xie Huaijin chuckled and said, "His Majesty must be tired of hearing these words."

The threat from neighboring countries didn't just appear during the Liang Dynasty's Fengle era, and wars don't start overnight.

Must the Great Liang remain stagnant and never change, because of these swords that could fall at any time?

That would be courting disaster.

“You are a rising star in the court; His Majesty will always listen to some of your words.”

"I am but a humble official with little influence, Your Excellency thinks too highly of me."

"Being of low status and having little influence?"

Xie Shichang seemed to have heard a joke, and his tone suddenly rose: "Even before you entered officialdom, His Majesty praised you highly. Now, after only one year in office, you are already slated to be promoted to the position of Supervising Secretary! Sanlang, you are currently enjoying the Emperor's favor, there is no need for you to be modest."

Xie Huaijin's shoulders were tense, and he remained silent for a long time before straightening his back and looking at the person opposite him.

"The new imperial examination system is more beneficial than harmful; His Majesty has made a wise decision."

"The advantages outweigh the disadvantages—how could you even say that!"

Xie Shichang suddenly flew into a rage, slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and looked down at him condescendingly.

"The new regulations have greatly increased the number of candidates for the imperial examinations in each prefecture and handed over the power of selecting officials to local officials. The imperial examination process is profitable, and it is easy to imagine how these people will amass wealth after they have power!"

Xie Huaijin remained calm, even smiling slightly, and slowly stood up to meet the other party's gaze. "For decades, the power to select officials has been in the hands of the imperial court and the Ministry of Personnel. I ask you, has the practice of selling official positions been stopped?"

"What worries Minister Xie is whether it is the rampant corruption or the fact that the ill-gotten gains are flowing into the hands of outsiders?"

Xie Shichang was stunned, disbelief flickering in his eyes. His pale lips trembled, and he shouted through his last breath, "Xie Huaijin! Don't forget your surname!"

"The Xie family has disciples and former officials all over the country. There must be someone in the Three Departments and Six Ministries who would be willing to serve the Minister." Xie Huaijin bowed respectfully, "This humble official is busy with many matters and must take his leave now."

I turned around and heard the sound of a porcelain cup shattering behind me.

Xie Shichang must be furious.

The smile on Xie Huaijin's lips faded, and a gloomy look settled in his eyes.

The servant boy followed after him anxiously and asked in a low voice, "Young master, aren't you afraid of causing trouble for your family by speaking so frankly to Minister Xie?"

“When I was unknown, no one in the Xie family would acknowledge me as an illegitimate son. Now that I have made a name for myself through my own abilities, they have remembered that I am surnamed Xie.”

Xie Huaijin scoffed coldly, tilting his head back to look at the sky. "To give birth but not raise, yet expect me to go through fire and water for the Xie family? There is no such thing as a free lunch."

…

Yang Leyi returned to Zhaohua Palace, and as soon as she entered the palace, she heard the two talking.

"The gold-tempered meteorite that Your Highness acquired at the auction yesterday has been delivered to my home by the inn. I will return it to the Crown Prince's Palace at another time after the auction has passed."

"I've already gotten what I wanted. That lump of iron, you can have it if you like it. Why bring it back?"

"I have never seen meteorite iron before. I only glanced at it out of curiosity. I would not say I like it."

"If I can let you take a second look at it, then this is your possession." Liang Yuanjun chuckled. "We've already bought it. If you refuse to accept it, neither Leyi nor I will touch it. Letting it lie in the storeroom collecting dust would be a waste."

Yu Mingshu bowed and said, “That may be true, but I cannot accept a reward without merit… This item is extremely expensive, and I would rather die than accept it.”

Liang Yuanjun said, "This money will come back sooner or later, you don't need to worry about it."

After saying this, the person seated opened a book, clearly not wanting to dwell on the matter any longer.

Yu Mingshu's tightly pursed lips trembled slightly. She did not refuse again and leaned forward to thank the Crown Prince.

The moment she bent down, Liang Yuanjun met Yang Leyi's eyes not far away.

"If I bestow the meteorite iron upon Yu Qing, Yue Yi won't think I'm showing favoritism, will she?"

"Your Highness is joking with me again." Yang Leyi smiled faintly, stepped forward to replace the cold tea on the table, and said with a hint of reproach in her tone.

“You’ll get your share,” Liang Yuanjun said with a smile. “After the New Year, Huizhou presented us with a few blocks of pine soot ink, which are on the bookshelf. Just take them when you leave.”

Yang Leyi glanced at the bookshelf the Crown Prince had mentioned, and indeed there was a brocade box on the third shelf.

"Your Highness's calligraphy and painting are excellent. When you were young, your painting of misty rain over the river was praised by many masters. Huizhou has sent such fine ink. Why doesn't Your Highness keep it for yourself?"

"I haven't done these refined things for a long time. Even the best ink stick is nothing more than a lump of black mud in my hands. What a waste!"

Knowing the Crown Prince's temperament, Yang Leyi did not refuse again and bowed to thank him for the reward.

A dark shadow jumped in through the window, crawled under the table, and stretched out its dark claws to scratch at Liang Yuanjun's clothes.

Noticing the little creature's movements, Yang Leyi bent down and picked up the black cat to comfort it.

Liang Yuanjun took off her jade pendant and used the tassel at the bottom to tease the ink stick that was stretching lazily in Yang Leyi's arms. "Why is it here?"

Yang Leyi said with a gentle smile, "Your Highness just mentioned the ink presented by Huizhou. The ink stick probably thought Your Highness was calling it."

"Its hearing is quite sensitive."

Yu Mingshu stood silently to the side, watching the two of them teasing the cat, looking just like parents coaxing a child... She seemed to have lost her sense of propriety.

Just as she was about to take her leave, the man at the head of the table suddenly stopped playing around, told Yang Leyi to take the ink stick away, and asked her to stay and discuss matters.

Yu Mingshu paused, her leg about to step back, and subconsciously looked at Yang Leyi's reaction. She was genuinely afraid of ruining someone else's good time and not even knowing when her colleague would make things difficult for her.

Yang Leyi's face remained expressionless, still bearing a faint smile. She bowed slightly and left Zhaohua Palace with the black cat.

Liang Yuanjun raised her right hand, and the palace maids outside the hall understood, quietly closing the gate and retreating a hundred feet away.

The gates of Zhaohua Hall remained closed until nearly evening.

After sweeping the front yard, the palace maid leaned the broom against the wall and couldn't help but whisper to her sister beside her, "What do you think His Highness and Yu Sheren are talking about? It's one thing to be wary of us servants, but why can't they even listen to Sister Yueyi..."

The palace maid beside her turned her head away, rolled her eyes, and said in an unfriendly tone, "Stop talking. If Secretary Yang hears this, he'll scold us for sowing discord again."

"Is she really not in a hurry? His Highness the Crown Prince is almost twenty-one, and the marriage he was supposed to arrange has been postponed again and again, and now he hasn't even mentioned it at all!"

The palace maid, still somewhat indignant, said, "In my opinion, people's hearts are fickle, and His Highness's choice of Crown Princess has probably already changed hands."

"You mean, Yu Sheren?"

"Who else could it be? A man and a woman alone in a room, the door tightly shut, not letting anyone near, not coming out all afternoon—who knows if they're discussing business or doing something else..."

What are you talking about?

A cold male voice interrupted their conversation from behind. The maid sweeping the floor turned pale with fright and hurriedly turned around and took three steps back.

"General He, you...you've come to see His Highness the Crown Prince, haven't you? This servant will go in and announce your arrival right away!"

He Zheng frowned, pursed his lips and remained silent, coldly watching her run out of the hall. He could hardly suppress his irritation, and his right hand gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist tightly.

Neither she nor the Crown Prince were people who indulged in romantic love. When they said they were discussing official business, they were definitely discussing official business.

They have absolutely no chance.

Absolutely impossible!

The palace maid's hands trembled as she knocked on the door, afraid that she would spoil His Highness the Crown Prince's good time, and also afraid that He Zheng had arrived at the wrong time...

As she was thinking, He Zheng had already arrived at the door, staring intently at the door panel.

The palace maid wore a sullen smile and waited for a while before she heard the Crown Prince's voice coming from inside.

"What is it?"

"Your Highness, General He requests an audience!"

After a few more moments of silence, Liang Yuanjun said, "Let him in."

He Zheng removed his sword and entered the palace, while the palace maids hastily retreated.

Inside the hall, nothing seemed amiss. The emperor and his minister sat facing each other across a desk, their books and memorials seemingly piled up like a small mountain, but upon closer inspection, one would find that there was actually order within the chaos.

He Zheng calmed down a bit, composed himself, and bowed forward.

"Cousin."

"What happened at the Imperial Guard's residence?"

"There's nothing going on at the Guard Commander's Office. I just suddenly remembered that I haven't formally paid my respects to my cousin since returning from the expedition, so I came to offer my greetings."

"When did you become so polite?"

Liang Yuanjun looked at him as if she had seen a ghost.

He Zheng glanced back at the figure that had already walked away, and then said, "I overheard some gossip just now, and it suddenly occurred to me that in the Eastern Palace, nothing can be accomplished without rules."

Liang Yuanjun frowned slightly, her gaze falling on a figure that was almost invisible in the distance.

Since Yu Mingshu was promoted to the position of Crown Prince's Attendant and frequently participated in political affairs in the Zhaohua Hall, there have always been rumors circulating in the Eastern Palace. She was not entirely unaware of these matters.

What I didn't expect was that these lackeys had gone so far as to gossip during their daytime duty, and He Zheng overheard them. This was more than just a matter of insolence.

They gossip without even trying to hide it from people; they're incredibly stupid.

Turning her gaze away, Liang Yuanjun saw that He Zheng remained silent, his eyes constantly glancing at another person. Helpless, Liang Yuanjun gathered the scroll she was holding and slammed it onto the table.

"I can tell you're not here to pay your respects. Alright, it's getting late, you two should go back."

After the two left, Yang Leyi entered to serve the Crown Prince his evening meal. A palace maid attempted to serve the food, but was driven away by Liang Yuanjun.

"There's been a lot of gossip going around in the Crown Prince's palace lately."

Yang Leyi paused in handing over the chopsticks, glanced at the Crown Prince's expression, took a step back, and bowed deeply.

"I have failed in my duty to manage my subordinates; I beg Your Highness to punish me."

"Words can be dangerous," Liang Yuanjun said coldly. "If you can't even control them while serving in the Eastern Palace, don't blame me for pulling out all their tongues."

Yang Leyi was startled, and a thin layer of sweat involuntarily appeared on her palms. "Your Highness, they are, after all, first-time offenders..."

"Is this your first offense?" Liang Yuanjun asked, staring into Yang Leyi's eyes.

"You warned them at the Tangquan Palace, did those servants learn their lesson?"

Nothing can be hidden from the Crown Prince.

Yang Leyi took a few deep breaths to calm her fear and bowed, saying, "Your subject understands."

Liang Yuanjun pointed to the empty seat beside her and softened her tone, "Sit down and have your meal. This matter is not your fault, and I'm not angry with you."

The suppressed feeling in Yang Leyi's heart seemed to dissipate, and she sat down to finish lunch with the Crown Prince. After putting down her chopsticks, she turned to look at Liang Yuanjun's profile, hesitating to speak.

"Your Majesty has something to say..."

"explain."

Unexpectedly, His Highness the Crown Prince responded so quickly. Yang Leyi was taken aback for a moment before lowering her eyes and saying, "His Highness values ​​Yu Sheren highly, which is common knowledge in the Eastern Palace and has been heard by all the officials of the previous court. Under His Highness's iron-fisted rule, perhaps no one in the Eastern Palace dares to speak out, but how can we stop the criticisms from outside the palace walls?"

"Gossip is a fearsome thing. If Your Highness wishes to silence the gossip, why not request an imperial decree to grant Lady Yu a formal title, allowing her to remain in the Eastern Palace and enter and leave the inner palace with legitimate rights..."

“She is an official appointed by the imperial court and a minister assisting the Crown Prince. Her entry and exit from the palace is perfectly legitimate.”

Liang Yuanjun gently put down her chopsticks, tapping them on the rim of the bowl with a crisp sound.

"You don't need to test me. I only have loyalty to my country as a subject and have absolutely no romantic feelings for her."

Yang Leyi lowered her head and hesitated before advising, "After all, Lady Yu is a woman. If Your Highness treats her with courtesy, it will appear somewhat ambiguous to outsiders, which is not good for Lady Yu's reputation."

"What does reputation matter?" Liang Yuanjun said dismissively. "Whenever Yu Qing wants to settle down, I will pick two or three men of impeccable character and exceptional talent from Chang'an and bestow them upon her. Who would dare to say a word then?"

Yang Leyi remained silent.

…

On the way from the Eastern Palace to the Secretariat, Yu Mingshu clearly sensed that He Zheng's mood was off. He hadn't said much since leaving Zhaohua Palace.

"Did someone just say bad things about me?"

"Um."

"Let me guess, are they spreading rumors about me and His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"You knew all of this?"

Yu Mingshu sensed a hint of resentment in He Zheng's tone and said with amusement, "What can I do even if I know? I can't shut them up, and I can't resign and go home just because of a few idle words. I'll just pretend I didn't hear it."

He Zheng hesitated and said, "My cousin's feelings for you..."

Yu Mingshu knew what he was struggling with as soon as she heard him speak, and decisively interrupted him, "He Xingzhao, I've said it before, no one can fall in love with their boss."

"Moreover, His Highness the Crown Prince only has two things on his mind."

Which two items?

Yu Mingshu smiled. "The Great Liang Empire, and Secretary Yang."

He Zheng asked in surprise, "How did you figure that out?"

He was naturally asking about the latter.

Yu Mingshu sighed softly and said, "Although Your Highness and Secretary Yang are not yet engaged, from my observation, the way these two get along is no different from that of an old married couple who have been married for ten years."

"Being a concubine of the Crown Prince is much easier than being a minister in the Eastern Palace. Haven't you ever thought about that..."

"I don't have the habit of interfering in other people's relationships."

Her tone suddenly turned cold.

He Zheng immediately regretted asking such a question.

"You came out quite early today."

With a gentle smile, Xie Huaijin walked out from under the eaves of the Secretariat and greeted Yu Mingshu.

Yu Mingshu said, "You're here quite early too. Aren't we going to discuss business today?"

Xie Huaijin said, "We discussed it this morning."

He Zheng frowned, alarm bells ringing in his mind. "Why aren't you home after your shift? What are you doing standing at the door?"

"I haven't congratulated General He on his triumphant return yet." Xie Huaijin seemed to only then notice the person next to him, and gladly bowed to him in greeting.

“Our two families live close by and both serve in the capital. During the days when General He is on campaign, we two always go on duty together, and it has become a habit.”

Clearly, he was waiting for Yu Mingshu to finish his shift.

“You don’t need to wait anymore,” He Zheng suddenly said in a deep voice.

Upon hearing this, both of them were taken aback. Xie Huaijin subconsciously looked at Yu Mingshu's reaction, while Yu Mingshu tugged at He Zheng's sleeve in a panic.

Xie Huaijin didn't offend him, so isn't it too much to say that?

"Weren't you planning to move?" He Zheng shrugged. "Once you move out of Yongningfang, you two won't be going the same way anymore."