Chapter 34

After appointing Xun Yunhe as the Chief Cabinet Minister, the Emperor also adjusted the Cabinet members. He brought in Shi Zhuo, the head of the Censorate, known for his obstinance and willingness to remonstrate to balance Xun Yunhe. The conciliatory Elder Zheng was retained, and a pretext was found to oust Minister of Justice Xiao Yu, who was close to Xun Yunhe, from the Cabinet. The Ministers of the Household and the Ministry of War were also brought into the Cabinet.

On May 23rd, Xun Yunhe took over as Minister of Personnel. On his first day, after presiding over a court meeting in his capacity as Chief Cabinet Minister, he went to the Ministry of Personnel. Xun Yunhe, known for his extensive knowledge and outstanding administrative abilities, was already well-versed in various governmental affairs. However, the Ministry of Personnel had always been a blind spot for him, closely guarded by Yan Ping and Prince Qin.

The Emperor appointed him as Minister of Personnel to eliminate corrupt practices and scrutinize the bureaucratic system.

Despite the heat, while several accompanying secretaries were already sweating, Xun Yunhe, unfazed, walked steadily into the Ministry of Personnel. The officials on duty quickly greeted him and thoughtfully offered him a handkerchief.

Xun Yunhe didn’t accept it. Clad in his crimson robe with a crane pattern, he stood in the hall, hands behind his back, and gazed into the depths of the inner court. “Summon the two deputy ministers and all department heads. By noon, I want a clear list of departmental duties, including personnel rosters, resumes, performance evaluations for officials over the past three years, and the list of titles granted in the past three years. Itemize each important task and ensure nothing is omitted.”

When a new official takes office, they first assess the situation. Xun Yunhe did the same, issuing his orders before heading to the office previously occupied by Yan Ping.

The news quickly spread through all the departments of the Ministry of Personnel. Lower-level officials didn’t mind much, simply following orders from above. However, the department heads had a harder time. Prince Qin and Yan Ping had tightly controlled the Ministry of Personnel, and now, with a new head, those caught in the middle were in a difficult position.

“Deputy Minister has instructed us to stall and give the new Chief Cabinet Minister a hard time.”

“Are you crazy? That’s the Chief Cabinet Minister! With Lord Yan gone, Prince Qin’s influence is dwindling. If we go against Lord Xun, we’ll be in real trouble.”

Despite these words, no one dared to openly support or flatter Xun Yunhe. Caught between offending Xun Yunhe and the deputy ministers, they chose to stall, making excuses to delay.

As a result, by noon, there was no one outside Xun Yunhe’s office.

Two of Xun Yunhe’s assistants were furious. “Lord Xun, this must be Cao Yide’s doing. He and Deputy Minister Wang Zhenchi are both Prince Qin’s people, intimidating the department heads to hinder you. Should we issue some edicts from the Cabinet to reprimand them?”

Xun Yunhe glanced at them, stopping them.

Needing to issue edicts from the Cabinet would imply that he, as the new Chief Cabinet Minister, couldn’t command respect.

Xun Yunhe remained calm, removed the Chief Cabinet Minister’s seal from his waist, and handed it to his assistant. “Go summon the two deputy ministers.”

Deputy Minister Cao Yide feigned illness and ignored the summons. Deputy Minister Wang Zhenchi, less arrogant, was a thin, over fifty-year-old man who quickly entered the hall with a few unimportant documents, intending to placate Xun Yunhe. Upon entering, he knelt, flattered Xun Yunhe, and handed him the documents.

“Chief Xun, please forgive my delay. You know that with Lord Yan gone, the Ministry of Personnel is in chaos. Many pending matters urgently need to be addressed across the provincial offices…” Wang Zhenchi appeared to be pleading for forgiveness, but in reality, he was being dismissive and perfunctory.

Xun Yunhe was younger than him, and Wang Zhenchi felt resentment.

Xun Yunhe waved for everyone to leave, closed the door, and then invited Wang Zhenchi to sit. Wang Zhenchi glanced at the tightly closed door, frowning slightly.

Staring at Wang Zhenchi’s wrinkled face, Xun Yunhe smiled slowly, “In the early years of the Zhenhe era, Lord Wang, you served as the Salt Commissioner of Liangjiang. That year, you collected four million taels of tax silver from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Xuzhou, and Yangzhou, with the least amount, under thirty thousand taels, from Xuzhou. The following year was the same.”

“However, in the fifth year of Zhenhe, when the empire faced frequent floods and poor harvests in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, salt taxes sharply declined. But you, seeking promotion and to reunite with your family, managed to collect over three million taels of tax silver during such a difficult time, with Xuzhou alone contributing one million taels.”

At this point, Wang Zhenchi’s face turned pale, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.

Xun Yunhe’s smile grew wider, “The Emperor praised you for easing the country’s burdens and transferred you to the capital, appointing you as a principal official in the Ministry of Personnel. You gradually rose to become a deputy minister, refraining from taking bribes during officials’ evaluations and earning repeated praise from the Emperor. If not for Cao Yide’s overbearing nature suppressing you, the Ministry would already be under your control. But are you truly clean?”

After finishing his words, Xun Yunhe picked up a nearby tea cup, “What do you think would happen if I submitted a memorial to the Directorate of Ceremonial requesting an investigation into Xuzhou’s salt administration?” He then took a slow sip of tea, quietly observing Wang Zhenchi’s reaction.

For two consecutive years, Xuzhou only collected thirty thousand taels of tax silver, then suddenly jumped to one million taels the following year. What does this imply? It suggests that Wang Zhenchi had his confidants controlling the salt administration in Xuzhou, dictating the amount of tax collected based on his whims.

Wang Zhenchi didn’t wait for Xun Yunhe to continue. He slid off the brocade stool and knelt, kowtowing repeatedly, trembling as he said, “I’ll immediately organize the documents for the Chief Cabinet Minister. Before the day is over, the records and files you need will be delivered to you.”

With Wang Zhenchi’s defection, others grew uneasy.

Riding this momentum, Xun Yunhe quickly summoned several department heads under Cao Yide, using a mix of pressure and promises to win them over one by one. By sunset, all the detailed information from key departments of the Ministry of Personnel had been delivered to Xun Yunhe, effectively sidelining the once-dominant Deputy Minister Cao Yide.

For three consecutive days, the various departments of the Ministry of Personnel began operating under Xun Yunhe’s direction. Cao Yide, unable to sit still, was finally forced to make overtures to Xun Yunhe. Compared to others, Xun Yunhe treated the veteran official who had served in the Ministry for over a decade with great respect, personally greeting him and discussing plans to reform the civil service and address the corruption, aiming to restore integrity to the bureaucracy.

Cao Yide, rooted in the Ministry of Personnel with aspirations for its improvement, had been stifled by Prince Qin’s control. Xun Yunhe’s promise to grant him authority, collaborating as Chief Cabinet Minister to carry out reforms, moved Cao Yide to tears.

Thus, the young Chief Cabinet Minister, through shrewd tactics, successfully dismantled Prince Qin’s grip on the Ministry of Personnel, earning widespread praise.

During this political upheaval, Pei Muheng hadn’t returned home for several days.

Meanwhile, Xu Yunqi spent three days at the medical clinic. On the 26th, with the weather turning overcast and the air stifling, she decided to stay in. That afternoon, just after she woke from a nap, she heard crying from the veranda.

Getting up and lightly lifting the curtain, she saw Nanny Hao talking to Nanny Chen in the corridor. “Dear sister, you know that ever since the incident with the Third Young Master and Third Young Madam, Princess Consort Xi has been anxious, triggering her headaches. Physician He prescribed some remedies, which helped for a few days, but now nothing works. I see the Princess Consort suffering terribly, writhing in pain on the bed. I had no choice but to come and ask Third Young Madam for help.”

Nanny Chen welcomed Nanny Hao into the house with a wry smile.

Xu Yunqi, dressed in simple clothes, stood gracefully by the window. When Nanny Hao saw her with a gentle smile, she immediately dropped to her knees.

“Young Madam.”

Xu Yunqi raised her hand to stop her. “Nanny Hao, please don’t. You are a respected elder; you shouldn’t kneel before me. Please, get up.”

However, Nanny Hao insisted on kneeling, tears streaming down her face as she recounted Princess Consort Xi’s illness. “Please, Young Madam, be generous and don’t hold a grudge. After the Third Young Master brought you back, the Princess Consort hasn’t said a word. She’s just embarrassed, but in her heart, she already sees you as one of her own…”

Xu Yunqi had never taken Princess Consort Xi’s issues to heart. There were very few people in this world worth her effort and consideration, and Princess Consort Xi was far from being one of them.

Xu Yunqi would never refuse to diagnose a patient as long as they were willing. “I need to take her pulse. Has the Princess Consort agreed?”

Nanny Hao hesitated, as Princess Consort Xi was unaware that she had come to ask Xu Yunqi for help.

“Is it really necessary to take her pulse?” Nanny Hao asked nervously.

Outside, Xu Yunqi’s medical skills had been lauded as miraculous, and Nanny Hao naively thought that Xu Yunqi could cure the illness with just a prescription.

Xu Yunqi spread her hands with a smile. “I’m not a miracle worker.”

Nanny Hao became even more worried.

Xu Yunqi offered her some tea and thought for a moment. “How about this, go and bring me Physician He’s prescription for a look.”

Nanny Hao, seeing hope, happily went to Jinghetang and soon returned with Physician He’s prescription. After reviewing it, Xu Yunqi roughly guessed the pulse condition of the Princess Consort. “The prescription is fine; it just needs to be supplemented with medicinal oil to relieve the pain.”

Xu Yunqi called Yin Xing and handed her a small bottle of medicinal oil and a horn scraper. “Go to Jinghe Hall and help the Princess Consort scrape through the neck meridians; it will alleviate the pain to a large extent.”

Yin Xing rolled her eyes and lazily avoided Xu Yunqi’s hand, heading toward the small pharmacy. “Miss, I don’t have time. I still need to prepare medicine for Young Master Yan. The Yan family has been very grateful, and I can’t let them leave empty-handed.”

Yin Xing bore grudges even if Xu Yunqi didn’t. Why should she do this?

Nanny Hao’s face turned red with embarrassment, as this maid seemed to be the most arrogant in the entire prince’s residence.

Xu Yunqi and Yin Xing were more like sisters than master and servant. Xu Yunqi never forced her, so she beckoned Yin Xing to sit down and demonstrated to Nanny Hao. “It’s actually simple. You can follow my method and personally give the Princess Consort a massage.”

Nanny Hao wiped her tears and watched attentively, practicing a few times before happily taking the medicinal oil back to Jinghe Hall.

By then, Princess Consort Xi was lying on the bed, groaning in pain, her body curled up like a shrimp. Seeing this, Nanny Hao quickly instructed two maids to help. “Princess Consort, I have brought some medicinal oil. Please lie on your side and let me try it on you.”

Princess Consort Xi was barely conscious, allowing Nanny Hao to handle her.

Nanny Hao applied the oil, and a cooling sensation spread across the neck, but as soon as the horn scraper was used, it felt like a burning pain.

At first, Princess Consort Xi couldn’t bear it and cried out in pain. Nanny Hao, worried she wasn’t doing it right, was almost in tears herself. “Please bear with it a little longer.”

After a chaotic ordeal that left her sweating, the medicinal oil finally seeped in, causing a burning sensation that spread across Princess Consort Xi’s forehead, relieving the constricting pain. She sat up, astonished, “Where did you get this medicinal oil?”

All the oils that Pei Muheng and Prince Xi had found for her over the years had never been as effective as this one.

Nanny Hao, choking back tears, said, “The Third Young Madam gave it to me. She said that massaging you daily with this medicinal oil would alleviate the pain.”

Princess Consort Xi was stunned, her pale cheeks slowly turning red. She muttered, “She agreed?”

Nanny Hao nodded repeatedly, “She didn’t even frown and gave it with a smile. Princess Consort, you wouldn’t find such generosity and grace anywhere else in the capital.”

Princess Consort Xi remained speechless for a long moment. She had expected Xu Yunqi to use her skills to make things difficult for her. But she was completely unfazed.

The medicinal oil was precious, and Nanny Hao dared not waste it. She instructed Princess Consort Xi to bear the pain as she continued the massage. Gradually, she hit the right spots, and despite the pain, Princess Consort Xi felt a unique sense of relief.

After about a quarter of an hour, the pain significantly subsided, and Princess Consort Xi could finally take a deep breath. She never treated anyone unfairly, so she ordered Nanny Hao to send a set of red gold and gemstone jewelry to Xu Yunqi. Xu Yunqi accepted it with a smile and instructed Yin Xing to put it in the cupboard.

Pei Muheng returned late that night. Not seeing Xu Yunqi in the eastern room, he first went to bathe. It had been a hot day, and he had sweated a lot in his official uniform. After thoroughly washing and changing into a light moon-white long robe, Xu Yunqi came in from the flower room. Seeing her husband, her eyes lit up with a smile.

“You’re back,” she said lightly, holding a medicinal flower, and headed to the small pharmacy.

She returned to find Pei Muheng sitting in a circle chair, sipping tea.

The orange-yellow horn jade palace lamp cast a warm glow.

Xu Yunqi was about to sit behind the long table when Pei Muheng suddenly stood up. Seeing her tall husband’s body looming, Xu Yunqi instinctively held onto the edge of the long table.

He had done the same last time at the clinic, but today, the pressure felt different. Xu Yunqi, unaccustomed to appearing weak, remained standing.

“What’s this about?” she asked.

Pei Muheng placed his hands on either side of her, his deep eyes looking down. The moisture from his bath mixed with the scent of mugwort soap, a fragrance Xu Yunqi had grown accustomed to and didn’t find off-putting. Her eyes widened, and she looked at him calmly.

Pei Muheng, much taller than her, bent down closer, the scent of soap and his breath lingering near her nose, creating an inexplicable itch. Xu Yunqi, unsure of his intentions, lowered her gaze to his collar.

Pei Muheng looked at his wife, who was just inches away. Her long, thick eyelashes fluttered gently, and her eyes, deep and clear like springs, showed no ripples or panic.

What kind of girl was she?

He was curious and said softly, “I just came from my mother’s place. Yunqi, thank you.”

So that was it.

Xu Yunqi didn’t think much of it and smiled, “It’s nothing.”

Pei Muheng looked at her nonchalant expression and sighed inwardly.

What a magnanimous girl.

After a brief pause, he asked, “Can I hug you?”

Their breaths mingled at their noses, and Xu Yunqi, confused by his question, lifted her eyelids, her clear eyes looking at him, not knowing how to respond. He could just hug her, so why ask?

Pei Muheng smiled at her puzzled expression, reached out with his thumb to rub her brow, and slowly moved down to her cheek. Xu Yunqi, not used to such intimate gestures, was a bit dazed.

They had never been affectionate outside of the bed.

The kiss then landed on her cheek.

Tiny goosebumps spread along her skin.

Xu Yunqi’s body tightened slightly, her lips tilted, and in that moment of surprise, he wrapped her in his arms.

Hugging was just an excuse. He placed her on the long table, and Xu Yunqi’s gaze followed the gauze window outwards. Outside the open window, the night was dark, and the faint sound of the nanny’s voice came from the covered corridor. Xu Yunqi’s arms were pressed against his chest, “Let’s go to the bed.”

Her voice was so calm, as if she took everything in stride and accepted it gracefully.

Pei Muheng locked eyes with her clear, mirror-like gaze and said with a deep voice, “Xu Yunqi, you don’t get to decide this.”

In such matters, he never let her have the final say.

The books were brushed aside, falling to the ground with a series of rustling sounds.

The voices outside immediately fell silent.

Nanny Chen quickly led the others to the backyard.

A dense, wet sensation landed on her neck, spreading in ripples. Her apricot-colored cross-collar short sleeves were stripped off, revealing her fair shoulders. Her delicate skin glowed with a rosy sheen under his touch, sending an electric shiver throughout her body. Xu Yunqi couldn’t help but shrink back, the unfamiliar sensation catching her off guard. She felt like a snow-white jade rabbit, having her layers of clothing peeled away, exposing her tender flesh.

Tears welled up in her eyes, slowly gathering and then spilling over. Xu Yunqi bit down hard on his shoulder, trying to suppress any sound.

*

As Xun Yunhe’s birthday banquet approached, Madam Xun became increasingly anxious. The more the boundless glory surged towards her, the more uneasy she felt. She feared this was a dream woven by the heavens, fragile and ready to shatter at the slightest touch.

By the eve of the banquet, her appearance had noticeably deteriorated.

Constantly summoning imperial physicians would eventually arouse Xun Yunhe’s suspicion. The old nanny, worried sick, sought a solution in desperation and invited a Daoist priestess. This priestess had some skills and, after circling Madam Xun’s courtyard several times, finally approached her.

“Madam, are you living in a place that wasn’t meant for you?”

Hearing this, Madam Xun nearly spat blood. She maintained her composure and explained, “My mother-in-law lives far away in our hometown. This place was meant for her, but since the courtyard is narrow, my husband and I are staying here temporarily.”

The priestess replied, “That’s it. Madam, you are being haunted by an evil spirit.”

These words struck a chord with Madam Xun, bringing her to tears of joy. “Isn’t that so?”

Madam Xun believed the Daoist priestess after those few words and begged her to save her.

The priestess wandered around the house for a while before finally hanging a charm in the room’s southeast corner.

“The little ghost is in this direction. Don’t worry, Madam, it has been subdued and won’t bother you for a while.”

Nanny could hardly contain her excitement, as the southeast was not only the direction of Prince Xi’s residence but also the direction of the Xun family shrine.

Madam Xun was saved.

Sure enough, Madam Xun slept soundly that night, and the next day, she felt rejuvenated and ready to prepare for the birthday banquet.

May 30th was Xun Yunhe’s birthday banquet, and he had not returned home since leaving that day.

Old nanny advised Madam Xun, “Master just took over the Cabinet, and he’s probably so busy he forgot his own birthday. You should send someone to remind him to come home for lunch today.”

Madam Xun had never hoped more for Xun Yunhe not to return. She frowned, “I wish he wouldn’t come back.”

Old nanny shook her head and said sternly, “You must stay calm. That little girl has been quiet for so long; she either forgot about what happened back then or doesn’t know that Master is her biological father. This gives us a chance to turn things around.”

“How can we turn things around?” Madam Xun asked.

A cold gleam appeared in the old nanny’s eyes, “Look at yourself, unable to eat or sleep; you’re wasting away. If this continues, you’ll end up harming yourself. We should take the initiative.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just like back then, make them disappear without a trace.”

Madam Xun was immediately shocked and said, “No, this won’t work. Today’s Xun Yunhe is not the Xun Yu of the past. Even back then, do you remember what happened to the county magistrate’s family? If he finds out, we won’t survive.”

Madam Xun was overwhelmed with tears and fear.

Old nanny, frustrated with her hesitation, said, “How many days do you think you can continue as the Chief Cabinet Minister’s wife before that girl shows up at our door?”

“Better to take decisive action now and secure our future!”

Still trying to hold onto her sanity, Madam Xun buried her head in her pillow, shaking it, “No… no…”

By early afternoon, guests began to arrive one after another. The morning sun had hidden behind the clouds, and the weather was stifling. The narrow alley outside the Xun residence caused a traffic jam with carriages, forcing the ladies to disembark and walk to the Xun residence.

The women entered the side door and took their seats in the Chuihua Hall.

Xu Yunqi had received the news from the Xu residence early and personally brought her mother over. No one mentioned what had happened that day, and Xu Yunqi remained the same as always. Madam Zhang quietly suppressed her sadness. “I wasn’t happy to come today, but your Uncle Xu insisted I attend.”

Xu Yunqi smiled, “You were right to come. Father’s promotion depends on the Cabinet’s favor.”

Seeing her daughter’s indifference, Madam Zhang felt relieved.

For some reason, Princess Consort Xi feigned illness today and didn’t attend the banquet. She only sent her daughters-in-law, Madam Xie and Madam Li, to the neighboring residence to celebrate, even sending Pei Mushan to the Xiao family. It was clear to everyone that Princess Consort Xi was trying to make amends with Xu Yunqi.

Everyone thought Xu Yunqi wouldn’t attend the banquet at the Xun residence, but she personally escorted her mother there and handed their invitation at the door.

The doorkeeper, familiar with Xu Yunqi, quickly sent the invitation to Madam Xun in the main hall. Hearing that Xu Yunqi and her mother, Madam Zhang, were attending the banquet, Madam Xun felt a shiver run through her.

Were they coming on purpose?