Caught in the Crossfire!

Proofreader/Editor: Nene Yashiro

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The “Zhuangyuan Mansion” was finally completed, and the Emperor himself inscribed the plaque with “Zhuangyuan Mansion” hanging above the door. Madam Xiao cherished it so much that she almost wanted to burn incense to honor it, checking every hour to see if it had gathered dust or fallen.

Tang Jiwei, wearing his official red robe, still bound his hair and wore a crown despite being under twenty. Madam Xiao had only just settled into the mansion the previous night, but was already up and bustling to make breakfast for him.

“Mother, get some more rest. I could hear your footsteps pacing outside all night. I’ll just grab a quick bite outside,” Tang Jiwei said with a wry smile as he watched his mother hurrying around.

“The food outside isn’t as clean as home-cooked. I’m quick, and I won’t make you late for court, almost done!” Madam Xiao opened the steamer, releasing a fragrant aroma of fresh dumplings, with rice porridge and side dishes on the side, nodding in satisfaction.

She saw him off at the main gate, still reluctantly gazing at his official robe as if she were looking at a beloved.

Tang Jiwei teased, “Mother, I’ll take it off and let you wear it when I get back!”

“Bah! I’m not a court official. You want to get your mother into trouble?” She scolded him playfully, but then her eyes softened as she recalled, “I just remembered your late father. He once held you as a little thing and said, ‘Our Jiwei is destined to be a great official.’ I laughed at his wild dreams, but here we are. That old fool was right after all. Anyway, just an old woman’s rambling. Go on, don’t be late!” She turned her head, wiping a tear as if she were scolding him.

Tang Jiwei replied, “Becoming the top scholar counts as a big official? You’ll see more to come!”

He mounted his horse, his robe creating a graceful arc, then looked back and called to his mother, “Mother, buy a few servants. The place is too big for you to clean alone now!”

“Yes, yes, hurry up! Being late could be deadly!” She waved him off.

As Tang Jiwei joined the other officials entering the palace gates, he kept his head low, and no one approached him. Likely, they were waiting to assess his character before deciding to connect. These tricks were familiar to him, and he felt no disappointment.

“Princess, let’s return. The Emperor won’t be happy to know you snuck out here,” whispered by her maid from behind a stone pillar.

Princess Yancheng, Han Shuhui, squatted and said, “As long as you don’t make a fuss, my brother won’t know!”

The maid looked pained. The princess had grown up in her lands outside the capital, unlike the well-bred daughters of noble houses, which often placed extra responsibility on her as the Empress Dowager tasked her to keep the princess in line.

“There, you saw him; let’s go?” The maid looked relieved as the princess stood up.

Han Shuhui dusted her skirt, hands on her hips. “Keep your voice down. We’re off to see Second Sister!”

The maid sighed in relief, rushing to arrange for the sedan chair.

“It’s just a few steps; why bother with all that?” Han Shuhui strode past her, light on her feet.

The maid stiffened, resigned to following the unconventional princess.

Morning court sessions were always long and tedious, yet everyone had to stay sharp. In this arena, officials might throw daggers from behind, and one had to listen closely to deduce implications, or risk feeling as though the Emperor’s eyes bore into their foreheads—a truly unsettling sensation.

“Your Majesty, the Ministry of Justice has fully investigated Jiang Tianyi’s case, but the stolen goods remain unaccounted for!” reported the Minister of Justice.

The Emperor, Han Zhen, was less concerned about the stolen goods but saw this as a matter of principle in combating corruption. Sternly, he asked, “Which minister is willing to assist in retrieving the stolen goods? I will reward this greatly!”

Marquis Xuanping stepped forward, bowing respectfully, “The case of Jiang Tianyi is neither too big nor too small, yet these goods are critical. Jiang Tianyi has so far refused to confess due to the lack of evidence. I believe this task is best suited to our new Zhuangyuan, Tang Jiwei!”

Tang Jiwei, staring at the floor, was surprised to be called. He raised his head to see the Emperor’s gaze fixed on him. Stepping forward, he said, “I am young and inexperienced, afraid of disappointing Your Majesty. Please assign someone more suitable, honored ministers!”

Li Huili immediately stepped forward, cupping his hands and saying, “The Zhuangyuan has an agile mind, fully capable. Excessive humility becomes arrogance, and I believe Minister Tang would gladly relieve His Majesty’s burden!”

The court erupted in chuckles, with even the prime minister watching with amusement. Tang Jiwei felt helpless. He knew this wasn’t a time to jockey for position, as losing composure in this cutthroat place would only dig his own grave.

The Grand Tutor had been watching with half-closed eyes. The Emperor unexpectedly addressed him, and after a moment, he stroked his beard, saying, “Since everyone holds such high hopes for the Zhuangyuan, he surely has unique talents. Give the young man a chance to practice!”

Everyone was keen to watch the new official stumble, yet the Grand Tutor’s mild words left it as a young man’s first attempt. Li Huili was mildly frustrated, seeing his heavy-handed blow toward Tang Jiwei neutralized with ease.

“It seems the ministers have high expectations of Tang Jiwei, so I shall not reject their regard for nurturing younger talent,” the Emperor said, his eyes cold and expressionless. “Tang Jiwei, this task is yours. Do not disappoint me or my ministers.”

Kneeling, Tang Jiwei accepted the decree.

After court, he walked forward with furrowed brows, alone and without allies. Though seemingly in the limelight, he was nothing more than a convenient scapegoat. Those wise enough to keep safe knew to stay distant from such a dangerous position.

Li Huili quickly walked up to Tang Jiwei, smiling slyly, and said, “Lord Tang really knows how to make connections. Even the Grand Tutor, who rarely speaks up, vouched for you. It seems I should learn a thing or two from your ways!”

Tang Jiwei turned and responded with a smile, “The Grand Tutor simply found my character decent enough to say a word. I could hardly compare to the favor you receive from Lord Anyuan.”

Li Huili, momentarily frustrated by Tang Jiwei’s subtly deflective answer, had to hold back. This wasn’t the time to act out. Knowing Tang Jiwei was aware of his connection with Lord Anyuan, he could only wait to see Tang Jiwei fail.

“Lord Tang’s talent with words is impressive; you truly are a fitting choice for the top scholar,” Li Huili said. “I have matters to attend to, so I’ll leave you to think over your case.”

With that, he turned and left with a flick of his sleeve.

Tang Jiwei smirked as he watched him walk away, thinking, A second-rate fool like him? Even this top candidate is little more than a clown on the beam.

Just as he turned a corner, Chief Eunuch Li Sheng, standing on the jade steps above, called out to him.

“Lord Tang, I hope you’re well. His Majesty has ordered me to bring you to the Hall of Diligence for a talk,” Chief Eunuch Li Sheng said, signaling a young eunuch to lead the way as he returned to attend to his master.

Raising an eyebrow, Tang Jiwei steadied his mind, preparing to deal with Han Zhen. Entering the palace is like entering the ocean’s depths, especially for those in his position. Serving a monarch is like walking alongside a tiger, and he had to tread even more carefully. ^[1] Serving a monarch is like walking alongside a tiger means danger and unpredictability, Like tigers, Monarchs can be unpredictable and dangerous

Han Zhen, standing with his back turned, admiring the paintings on the wall, only turned when he heard Chief Eunuch Li Sheng’s voice. Glancing at Tang Jiwei bowing on the ground, he showed a rare smile.

“Rise, you’re no stranger here,” he said.

Tang Jiwei rose, replying, “I wouldn’t dare. A ruler is a ruler, and a minister is a minister.”

Appreciating his humility, Han Zhen’s lips curled slightly. “I enjoy dealing with intelligent people. Tell me, Jiwei, do you have a courtesy name?”

Caught off guard, Tang Jiwei replied that he did not.

Han Zhen nodded. “Then would you allow me to give you one?”

Tang Jiwei knelt in gratitude. “It would be my honor!”

Han Zhen pondered, looking around the hall and gazing at a painting on the wall before saying a name. Tang Jiwei felt uneasy; the name, typically gentle and feminine, did not suit him.

Noting his discomfort, Han Zhen smiled. “Are you perhaps worried it would be beneath you? The Xiang River and the Xiao River are vast, grand, and bold. Are you afraid you cannot uphold this name?”

Tang Jiwei bowed deeply. “Indeed, Your Majesty, I am unworthy of such an esteemed name, and with no merit or standing, I would not dare to accept it. I humbly request your understanding.”

“Haha! Quite the clever tongue you have. Disapproving of my choice, you managed to push it back onto me,” Han Zhen laughed, though his tone held an edge. “Now I see why court officials hesitate to approach you.”

Feeling a chill, Tang Jiwei realized Han Zhen was displeased. He knelt again. “I truly would not presume, Your Majesty. Until I have achieved some merit, I feel undeserving. When the time comes, I would be grateful if you’d bestow such a name upon me.”

Han Zhen ordered the  painting to be brought down and handed to Tang Jiwei. “Very well,” he said. “I’ll look forward to that day. Take this painting as a reminder of what you promised me today.”

Tang Jiwei knelt in thanks, and Han Zhen waved him up.

“I didn’t call you here to simply chat,” Han Zhen said. “Jiang Tianyi’s case relates to the new laws I’m enforcing, and I want to make an example of him. This is why I’m assigning you, not to waste your talent on something trivial.”

Han Zhen’s stern expression was intimidating. “I want to establish a precedent, so I’ll leave the investigation entirely in your hands.”

Tang Jiwei replied, “Yes, Your Majesty. I will give it my utmost.”

Han Zhen’s eyes narrowed as he smirked. “I know you’re capable. But if you fail to meet my expectations, you’ll return to where you came from! Rising to the top may be easy, but falling from the clouds into the mud is something else. Do you understand?”

“I understand, Your Majesty. I will fulfill your expectations!” Tang Jiwei answered firmly.

Han Zhen watched his resolute expression, willing to give him a chance. There were few who met his high standards, and this young man, who stirred a sense of familiarity within him, was one of them. Han Zhen hoped that emotions wouldn’t cloud his judgment.

Tang Jiwei left the hall with a swirling mind. His palm was damp with sweat. For all his outward confidence, he was already filled with turmoil, barely containing his urge to confront Han Zhen—to ask him why he’d turned against him, why he’d betrayed him, why he seemed determined to see him fail.

Looking up at the scorching sun, Tang Jiwei reflected on the feeling of falling from the clouds. No one understood it better than him, the former son of a noble family, nearly a prince, once a powerful marquis, and now a disgraced prisoner. He knew the bitterness of it all too well.

Now, he had to carve his own path, heading into the lion’s den of his enemy. The exhaustion and sorrow of it all were known only to him. Once brothers, now enemies—his life had indeed been a series of dizzying highs and crushing lows. With a bitter smile, Tang Jiwei shook his head and descended the steps of the revered hall.

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Author’s Note: Where’s the promised support? The comments we agreed on—where are they? *sparkling eyes*

Come on, my dear readers, don’t stay hidden—come up for some air! After all, commenting won’t get you pregnant, right?