031 [Honoring]

Inside the private room, sandalwood incense curled in thin, swirling ribbons.

Xu Hui personally served the tea, smiling faintly. "Please, take a seat, Editor Xue."

After they were both seated, Xu Hui praised him, "I have long heard that Editor Xue is upright and principled, possessing the true legacy of the late Grand Secretary Xue. Seeing you today, it is clear that your reputation is well-deserved. Over the past two years, you have frequently spoken for the people, never yielding to corrupt officials. I have found your conduct deeply admirable."

"Chief Steward Xu, there is no need for such pleasantries."

Xue Huai did not offer him a warm look. Although the Chief Steward of a Prince’s manor held a higher rank than him, their standing in the imperial court could not be mentioned in the same breath. One was a subordinate official of a princely manor, while the other was a distinguished scholar of the Hanlin Academy—a close attendant to the Emperor. How could they be compared?

Xu Hui was not offended. He continued with a smile, "These are not mere pleasantries, but my genuine sentiments. At the Great Court Assembly the other day, your thunderous rebuke left Gu Heng with nowhere to hide. It was truly gratifying and heartening; one could only wish to celebrate it with a cup of fine wine."

He paused, sounding regretful, "If I did not know that you were occupied with official business, I would have shamelessly invited you to drink with me."

Xue Huai’s expression remained indifferent. He lifted his white jade teacup and said slowly, "Since Chief Steward Xu has invited me so abruptly today, it surely cannot be just to shower me with praise, can it?"

Xu Hui’s expression faltered for a moment before returning to normal, though he cursed inwardly. Was this not a standard social greeting? As the Chief Steward of the Prince’s manor, he represented the dignity of the Prince of Dai. Yet, Xue Huai refused to give him even the slightest face. It was no wonder few officials in the court were willing to get close to him.

Despite his internal resentment, Xu Hui remained cordial. "For your information, Editor Xue, after the corruption case in the Ministry of Works broke out, His Highness was so enraged he shattered several fine porcelain vases."

Xue Huai frowned. "If there is an issue within the Ministry of Works, why is the Prince of Dai so angry? Could it be that His Highness is involved in the corruption?"

Stifled by this blunt retort, Xu Hui quickly explained, "Certainly not! The Prince, like you, Editor Xue, is a man of principle who detests corrupt officials—they are the pests gnawing at the foundations of the Great Yan! The reason the Prince is so angry is that those people in the Ministry of Works are truly outrageous. Not only did they embezzle state funds, but they even attempted to frame your father. It is utterly despicable!"

Xue Huai stared at him steadily, offering no acknowledgement of the Prince of Dai.

Knowing that these words would not dispel the suspicion of the Hanlin scholar, Xu Hui spoke frankly, "To be honest, I approached you today on behalf of His Highness, hoping to lend you a hand."

Xue Huai’s tone softened slightly. "I am listening."

Xu Hui felt a surge of relief and began a lengthy explanation.

Among the five adult princes currently under the Emperor, the Prince of Dai was the most favored after the Crown Prince, solely because his mother, Imperial Concubine Liu, was deeply cherished by the Emperor. The Prince of Dai held no power to observe government affairs, and the Emperor, mindful of the hardships the Prince suffered in his youth which led to his eccentric temperament, had not only ordered the Ministry of Works to build him a luxurious manor but also granted him numerous properties and businesses to ensure he would live a life of comfort.

Xu Hui and several record-keepers managed these properties. In the late spring of this year, Xu Hui learned of a piece of neglected wasteland under the Ministry of Works' Department of Tuntian, located about ten miles south of the capital, and decided to acquire it. He had subordinates skilled in cultivating rare flowers and plants, intending to use the land to supply the capital's elite. That venture alone would add thousands of taels to the manor's annual income.

Hearing this, Xue Huai said calmly, "As long as you purchased the wasteland according to imperial regulations, there is nothing improper about it."

Xu Hui replied, "The Prince has repeatedly warned me not to act recklessly. How would I dare to deviate from the regulations? Yet, the Department of Tuntian dragged their feet, and it was only recently finalized. After the deal was done, I sent people to inspect the site. And do you know what? It wasn't wasteland at all, but vast stretches of highly productive, fertile farmland!"

Xue Huai felt a stir, his gaze sharpening.

Facing his blade-like stare, Xu Hui felt a twinge of nervousness, but he feigned anger. "Those bastards at the Department of Tuntian sold fertile land to our manor as wasteland! If the Emperor were to find out, he would think our Prince is blinded by greed and harming the people!"

Xue Huai asked coldly, "And why would they do such a thing?"

"Why else?" Xu Hui said indignantly, his voice low. "Someone spread rumors that the Prince of Dai’s manor was seeking large tracts of land. The people at the Department of Tuntian heard it and acted on their own initiative. Of course, they didn't do this just to please the Prince—the money from the sale surely went straight into their own pockets!"

Xue Huai fell silent, his mind racing.

This time, he witnessed what it meant to manipulate the hearts of men. Shen Wang had merely changed his style of conduct, and Xue Minglun had tried to shift the blame onto others—yet all of this had been within Shen Wang’s expectations. It could only be said that Shen Wang understood Xue Minglun better than anyone. His mentor appeared unassuming, having held the title of a leader of the reformist faction for years without achieving much, but he had actually been silently observing the core members of the Ning faction.

Now that Xue Minglun could no longer restrain himself, the iron curtain of the Ministry of Works was beginning to crack. He had not expected the Prince of Dai to be the first to jump out.

Recalling Jiang Li’s warnings, Xue Huai knew that the Prince of Dai was temperamental and favored unconventional tactics. In short, he relied on the guilt and favor of the Emperor and Imperial Concubine Liu to be more arrogant and domineering than the other princes. Otherwise, he would not have sent his Chief Steward to find a clerk from the investigation office at such a sensitive time.

Clearing his thoughts, Xue Huai said calmly, "Chief Steward Xu, since you have discovered the anomaly, why not report it to the court? Why seek me out, an editor of the Hanlin Academy, for a private arrangement?"

Xu Hui knew Xue Huai was not easily deceived, so he spoke cryptically, "Editor Xue, if the Emperor were to know that someone in the court had calculated against our Prince, many heads would roll, and it would likely result in a bloodbath. It is true that the Prince hates evil, but he does not wish to implicate the innocent. Therefore, he sent me to find you, hoping that this matter could be contained within the Department of Tuntian, and preferably not involve the Prince. After all, those people have surely done this more than once."

"Why me?"

"Let us speak plainly: you are the direct disciple of Minister Shen. There is truly no one else capable of handling this matter."

"Chief Steward Xu, do you mean you want me to report to Minister Shen that the Department of Tuntian is lining its pockets, but in return, this matter must not implicate the Prince of Dai’s manor?"

"Editor Xue is truly a straightforward man!"

"Chief Steward Xu, do not be so quick to flatter—" Xue Huai’s gaze was cold and direct. "Chief Steward Xu, words alone are insufficient. We are meeting for the first time today; how can I trust you based on a few sentences?"

"That is only natural." Xu Hui stood up and walked into the inner room. A moment later, he returned with a bulging envelope. "Editor Xue, inside are the proofs that the Department of Tuntian sold fertile land as wasteland."

He did not hand it over, but placed it casually on the table.

Xue Huai knew this man had other motives, so he watched him with composure. Xu Hui smiled and took another envelope from his sleeve. "Editor Xue, this is the deed to a storefront in Pingkang Ward in the West City. As long as you press your thumbprint and sign your name, this shop will become the property of the Xue family."

Xue Huai stroked his white jade teacup. "What is the meaning of this?"

"The Prince has always admired your integrity, Editor Xue. He knows you would never line your pockets like those corrupt officials, and the Xue family does not possess much property. After you marry, you might find yourself short of funds. Thus, the Prince ordered me to present this storefront to you."

Xu Hui stepped forward and said cordially, "Do not worry, Editor Xue. This shop is not the manor's property; it was purchased by my cousin with clean money. Please, accept this small gift."

Pingkang Ward in the West City was the most prosperous and affluent area in the capital; property there was worth its weight in gold. A single storefront was worth thousands of taels, and such a business was like a golden goose—even if rented out, it would bring in a substantial annual income.

For Xue Huai, the value of the shop was irrelevant. The moment he accepted this gift, he would be financially entangled with the Prince of Dai’s manor.

The two envelopes lay before him. Inside were the proofs of the Ministry of Works’ crimes, and the price Xue Huai would have to pay to obtain them. Accepting the shop meant offering a pledge of loyalty to the Prince of Dai—a promise not to implicate the Prince’s manor in the current investigation.

Xue Huai looked up at Xu Hui, a trace of mockery appearing on his face. "Why should I accept?"

Xu Hui smiled, looking down at him. "Editor Xue, you must know that the Emperor has set a deadline to solve this case. But you, being from the Hedong Xue clan, surely know the methods of Minister Xue of the Ministry of Works. Without outside help, can Minister Shen really solve the case within the deadline? If Minister Shen returns empty-handed, the situation will be impossible to contain. And once Minister Shen’s career hits a snag, what will be your situation in the court...?"

He stopped, his unfinished sentence hanging heavy in the air. As if fearing Xue Huai did not grasp the severity of the situation, Xu Hui added, "This time, you have taken the lead, showing no regard for your own kin. Surely Minister Xue is already dissatisfied with you."

Xue Huai stood up. "Chief Steward Xu certainly knows me well."

"I know a thing or two." Xu Hui, clearly not wanting to escalate the situation, softened his tone. "Editor Xue, if you accept this, wouldn't it be a win-win? Minister Shen can solve the case quickly, you can resolve your future worries, and you will gain the friendship of our Prince."

Xue Huai suddenly laughed. He straightened his back and stared directly at him. "Your good intentions are appreciated, Chief Steward, but I cannot accept. Not only does this violate the rules, but even if I were shameless enough to take it, my master would only curse me for being a fool."

Xu Hui’s brow furrowed.

Xue Huai glanced at the envelopes on the table and sneered, "However, I must thank you for the invitation today. I finally understand why those pests in the Ministry of Works dare to be so unscrupulous."

Xu Hui’s expression changed. He understood the implication of Xue Huai’s words and said in a deep voice, "Editor Xue, do not be ungrateful—"

"Ungrateful?" Xue Huai interrupted him, his expression turning stern. He said, word by word, "You just said you know me well. Do you not know that I, Xue Jingche, have lived my life without ever learning how to bow or scrape to curry favor!"

Xu Hui was stunned.

At that very moment, the sound of a teacup crashing against the floor echoed from the inner room.