Chapter 7: Testing! Okay, okay! Not enough fun, huh? Give her another...
When General Zhao Yan rushed into the Panlong Golden Roof Tent with a strong smell of blood on his body.
Cui Jinzhong was holding his breath and concentrating, huddled in the candlelight beside the imperial desk, waiting.
A few scarlet blood beads flowed out from the gaps in Zhao Yan's armor, splashing onto the crimson carpet and forming a few dark spots.
Zhao Yan slammed his knee to the ground with a thud. "Your Majesty," his voice hoarse from the battle, "it has been confirmed that it was Yuwenbo, the former Jin Yumen Commandery Prince, who secretly incited the mob and created chaos." He considered for a moment before speaking, "with the intention of kidnapping and killing the hostage."
As soon as the word "robbery and murder" came out, Cui Jinzhong's eyelids twitched and he glanced at the throne.
Xiao Chengjing's eyes suddenly darkened, and his fingertips followed the ink line on the map, pointing to the three states of Jiyou, Yuzhong, and Yongliang in the old Jin Dynasty, and stopped at Yumen County, Yongliang Prefecture, which was adjacent to the Li State.
He tapped his index finger heavily on the map. "Prince Li...was he involved in this?"
Zhao Yan replied, "Prince Li has not sent troops to support Yuwen Bo, but—" he changed the subject with caution, "If the hostage dies in Daliang, Prince Li may refuse tribute on the grounds that Liang's defenses are inadequate."
Xiao Chengjing frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and said coldly, "Send a small group of elite cavalry to continue harassing the Yumen border. Make sure he... can't sleep or eat."
He emphasized the last four words.
Cui Jinzhong was startled when he saw a frost gathering between Xiao Chengjing's brows.
If the territory of Jin had not been initially secured, the Liang army would have been in urgent need of a respite, and Prince Li's attitude was unclear.
I am afraid that His Majesty will immediately send troops to flatten Yumen County to vent his hatred.
"I obey your command," Zhao Yan promised, clasping his fists. After a pause, he continued, "This time, the bandits attacked the Wenshu Villa directly, clearly aware of the hostage's value. I request that additional black-armored guards be dispatched to guard the compound. After all..." He paused, as if weighing something, "The hostage's safety is crucial to Your Majesty's strategy for dealing with the Kingdom of Li."
Cui Jinzhong's eyes turned slightly, and he thought to himself.
When General Zhao received the order to capture the hostage alive, he was clearly reluctant, but now he took the initiative to volunteer.
Could it be... that he also sensed that the emperor treated Jiang in an unusual way?
Before Cui Jinzhong could figure out Zhao Yan's intentions, Xiao Chengjing's eyebrows twitched slightly, and his eyes suddenly swept over him. "Mr. Cui." His voice was cold and hard at first, but softened slightly at the end, like a drop of water melting from the edge of an ice slab. "There's been quite a commotion today. How's she doing...?"
Cui Jinzhong was incredibly perceptive, knowing this question was no small matter. He quickly bent further and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty has asked, and I have the audacity to speak frankly. Madam Jiang... has indeed suffered a fright. I consoled her for a long time before she reluctantly returned to her seat. Once seated, she lamented profusely and asked me about an old item."
"Old stuff?" Xiao Chengjing dragged out the last syllable a little longer.
"Yes. A bronze seal." Cui Jinzhong answered swiftly, glancing at Zhao Yan. "It is said that General Zhao took it away."
Before Cui Jinzhong finished speaking, he saw Xiao Chengjing glance at the pile of memorials on the desk, raised his hand and dug out a small copper seal from the gap of the memorials, weighed it in his palm casually, and then twisted it.
The candlelight reflected his deep eyes, making it impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.
Suddenly, his fingertips loosened.
Pop.
The bronze seal fell back onto the imperial desk with a slight sound.
Xiao Chengjing placed his palm face down over the copper seal, rubbing the lines on the seal's underside with his fingertips. A small laugh rolled out of his throat, but his gaze was fixed heavily on Zhao Yan. "I know what Zhao Qing is worrying about."
After saying this, Xiao Chengjing stopped looking at Zhao Yan, raised his chin, and instructed Cui Jinzhong beside him, "Go and tell her that everyone is fine." He folded his knuckles, gathered the copper seal back into his palm, and added, "And find her a landscape painting from the Li Kingdom."
"Your servant... obeys your order." Cui Jinzhong's throat was dry. He bowed and accepted the order, then retreated with his eyelids drooping.
Cui Jinzhong hurried to the Wenshu Villa with the rosewood and gold-painted painting box in his arms, saying all the way that he was being too suspicious.
If Your Majesty really had selfish intentions towards Jiang, why would he use this old scenery of his homeland to probe her thoughts?
In the secretarial courtyard, Shu Yao slowly stroked the rough texture of the painting, then looked up at Cui Jinzhong. Her eyes were filled with a clear, frank expression, tinged with just the right amount of confusion. "Eunuch Cui, this painting is so vigorous and powerful, it makes one forget the mundane. But..." She changed the subject slightly, her white finger gesturing towards the pile of files awaiting review at the corner of the desk. "This scene reminds me of something. I've already sorted through the old documents on my desk, from Jiyou and Yuzhong. The only thing left is the documents from Yongliang, which are close to the border of my motherland. Yaoyao... I really don't dare to touch them."
She bowed slightly, her posture respectful. "As a guest here, Yaoyao is well aware of the suspicion of being in a melon field or a plum tree. If Your Majesty has no intention of this region, Yaoyao will naturally avoid suspicion. If Your Majesty's will requires consideration..." Her eyes were clear as she met Cui Jinzhong's scrutinizing gaze. "I dare to ask Eunuch Cui to report this to you. Yaoyao respectfully awaits your instructions and will not slack off."
Cui Jinzhong looked into Shu Yao's clear eyes and listened to her flawless reply.
Every word and sentence focuses on avoiding suspicion.
A strange sense of admiration arises.
Jiang is so insightful.
He wrapped up the hot potato and respectfully pushed it back to the imperial desk.
But this is transparent...
Cui Jinzhong only felt a layer of fine beads of sweat suddenly climbing up his back.
Jiang had denied the charge completely, so how could he respond to the emperor?
Cui Jinzhong was in a dilemma. He returned to the imperial tent with the empty painting box to report.
He stared at the tiny crack at the bottom of the imperial desk and gritted his teeth as he repeated Shu Yao's words, "Waiting for the imperial decree," word for word.
As soon as he uttered the last word, he suddenly saw Zhao Yan standing next to the imperial desk, and Cui Jinzhong's hair stood on end.
The tent was dead silent; not even the tassels hanging from the golden-roofed tent with coiled dragons dared to move.
Xiao Chengjing expressionlessly turned the small copper seal, making a tapping sound.
"Oh……"
A short sneer escaped from the direction of the throne.
Cui Jinzhong lowered his head even lower, almost burying it in his chest.
"What a nice place to be in a melon field and a plum tree..." Xiao Chengjing's lips curled up in a faint arc, so fast that it seemed like an illusion.
"Your Majesty." Zhao Yan, who had stood in silence for a long time, suddenly stepped forward and clasped his fists. "I have a plan. When the hostage is sorting through the old Yongliang files, she should mix the forged Yumen Military Report with the documents. If she keeps it for herself, it will prove she has ulterior motives. If she hands it over, it will further prove she is a man of deep thoughts and definitely not a weakling. She must be kept under strict supervision. Regardless of the outcome, her intentions are clear, and Your Majesty can handle it calmly."
This vicious plan... is to force Jiang to reveal his flaws?
Cui Jinzhong's eyelids trembled and he looked towards the throne in panic.
Xiao Chengjing's fingers were seen repeatedly scratching the incisions on the bottom of the seal.
The force was sometimes light and sometimes heavy, with an almost paranoid concentration.
It seems to be weighing the weight of the unruly soul behind these strange characters.
After an unknown amount of time, Xiao Chengjing pressed the bronze seal back onto the cold table.
He glanced at Zhao Yan, with a hint of interest in his eyes.
"allow."
When the word "approval" fell, Cui Jinzhong secretly broke into a cold sweat for Shu Yao.
The next day.
Documentary Courtyard.
Shu Yao held her wrist high and wrote with the tip of the pen licking the paper with a rustling sound, and the ink flowed rapidly.
He seemed to be so absorbed in copying that he forgot himself completely.
She glanced at the scroll of Liguo's painting on the corner of the desk and pursed her lips.
She has a temper too!
Emperor Liang repeatedly tested her to see if she wanted to return to Li State and whether she had any connection with the remnants of Jin State.
She won't tolerate it!
I remember the conversation yesterday about passing the buck between the melon field and the plum tree.
Shu Yao's heart was bubbling with pride.
She is so clever!
This is simply upward management taken to the extreme!
Shu Yao couldn't help but curl up the corners of her mouth, and she twisted the yellow scroll of Yumen County, Yongliang Prefecture with her fingertips.
A row of names and their hometowns flashed before my eyes.
Military household: Zhang Wu, 27 years old, registered at the garrison west of Yumen Pass.
Military household?
Shu Yao was slightly surprised.
Hasn't she always been sorting out documents related to civil affairs?!
The incongruity of the information in my hand is no less than finding a page of unit numbers inserted in the personnel file.
Shu Yao suddenly felt a surge of anger in her chest.
Alright, alright! Haven't had enough fun yet? Set her up again?!
The next moment, Shu Yao picked up the piece of paper and stood up suddenly.
The chair legs scraped across the floor with a sharp creaking sound that startled the candle flame.
Shu Yao held the page directly under the nose of the strong woman at the desk. "This page contains the detailed list of Yumen military households. Go and invite Chief Steward Cui!"
The strong woman was frightened and her neck shrank suddenly. She glanced at the paper in Shu Yao's hand and snorted. "Military household? Who can recognize the tattered paper with dirty words!" She slapped the paper and almost slapped it away. "What military household? I'm only concerned with watching you copy those rubbish accounts! I don't have time to run errands for you! Go away! Just copy yours honestly!"
After saying that, he fanned his rough hands in front of Shu Yao's eyes, as if he was chasing away flies.
Seeing her stubborn defiance, Shu Yao's eyes darkened into two bottomless, cold pools. "You think I'm joking?" She tapped the paper with her fingertips, making a dull sound. "If this page is submitted late, it will delay military operations. I'm afraid even General Zhao will be punished..." She leaned forward slightly, the candlelight dancing on her face, highlighting the chill of her lips. "Tell me... who will be held responsible for this crime?"
She paused, her eyes sweeping across the instantly pale face of the strong woman. "I am the Princess of Li State. As long as Li State does not submit a letter of surrender and declare vassalage, Your Majesty must keep me here for one more day."
Shu Yao pushed the paper back into the woman's sight. "You're just a humble servant... but that's not necessarily the case..." Her voice fell lightly on the ground, each word distinct. "That's all I have to say. You'll be fine."
The healthy woman's dull eyes trembled suddenly, and she no longer cared about any rules or face, and rushed out the door, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Before the cold wind brought by the panic had dissipated, a series of quick and sharp boot sounds were heard in the corridor.
Cui Jinzhong rushed over without stopping, with the wind blowing on his lapel and a thin layer of sweat on his forehead shining in the candlelight.
Seeing Cui Jinzhong coming, Shu Yao picked up the fatal page of military household details.
Two shallow dimples formed on her cheeks, and she smiled as she handed the page to Cui Jinzhong. "Thank you, General Manager Cui, for making this trip." Her voice was sweet. "Yaoyao accidentally turned over this page. I didn't expect it to be the detailed list of Yumen military households. It seems I put it in the wrong place." Her smile became more and more charming, almost dazzling, a world away from her attitude just a moment ago. "Such important military matters are beyond Yaoyao's scope. Yaoyao dare not take it upon herself. I have to ask General Manager Cui to present it to the emperor for decision immediately."
Finally, Shu Yao bent her slender waist slightly, her posture almost humble, and said softly: "As for the remaining Yongliang people's register, Yaoyao will do her duty and record it in detail."
Cui Jinzhong's expression remained impassive, his admiration for Shu Yao growing stronger. He respectfully took the paper and said, "Madam, your loyalty, prudence, and insight are truly admirable to me." He forced a stiff smile and said, "This...will be presented to His Majesty."
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