Chapter 38: The Grand Secretary

Within the tranquil confines of Flying Cloud Garden, Cloud Concubine, her hand a silken whisper against porcelain, slowly stirred the floating tea leaves within her cup. Her voice, unhurried yet laced with a cool edge, drifted across the air. "Today, how many heads await the shadow of your presence, yet none have appeared. If this matter lacks a proper explanation, you need not imagine leaving the Prince's mansion."

A swift current of thought coursed through Chen Ji. Liu Shiyu of the Liu family, so intimately linked to Quiet Concubine, why would he not seek contact with her? Instead, he chose Cloud Concubine. And Quiet Concubine… surely she was privy to his identity as a Jing Dynasty spy?

Wait.

A sudden flicker of memory: the lead-tainted glass cup, the one that had caused Quiet Concubine’s miscarriage. It felt as though some unseen hand was guiding him, drawing him toward an hidden truth.

"Why the silence?" Cloud Concubine's voice deepened, a low rumble of displeasure. The dignified princess, seated upon the taishi chair, seemed to radiate an unspoken power. The python patterns woven into her robes appeared to fix him with an unblinking stare, not overtly angry, yet undeniably imposing.

Chen Ji lowered his voice. "A grave matter befell the Liu family. The Secret Spy Department’s Jiao Tu and Yun Yang came dangerously close to uncovering certain threads. For the sake of safety, our planned rendezvous was temporarily halted."

In truth, the Chen Ji who had been slain that night, the one who had gone to Zhou Chengyi's mansion to relay the delivery date, only to be cut down by Yun Yang and Jiao Tu, was not the Chen Ji who stood before her now. This resurrected version held no knowledge of those events.

Cloud Concubine's tone remained calm, yet held a distinct chill. "The Jing Dynasty's Military Intelligence Department arbitrarily cancels agreed-upon matters. This explanation alone is insufficient. Have you devised a more satisfactory response? Or perhaps you prefer to serve as fertilizer in my back garden?"

Chen Ji's response was sudden, decisive. "The Secret Spy Department in Luocheng poses a threat to both our sides. Madam, you have already shown your sincerity. Naturally, our Military Intelligence Department must also demonstrate its capability. Yun Yang and Jiao Tu's incarceration today… that was a stratagem of our Military Intelligence Department's Si Cao. Does this satisfy you, Madam?"

Cloud Concubine's eyes brightened. "So, the one who sent that message… it was someone from your Military Intelligence Department! Who is this Si Cao? Not only has he infiltrated the Secret Spy Department with spies, but he possesses the skill to silently and seamlessly infiltrate the Liu family!"

Chen Ji's heart jolted. Events that had transpired just this morning, and Cloud Concubine already possessed a complete understanding by the afternoon. This spoke volumes about the close ties between the Liu family and her.

He lowered his gaze. "Lord Si Cao is naturally an exceptional talent within our Military Intelligence Department. Master Si dispatched him here precisely to ensure the smooth cooperation between our sides."

Cloud Concubine's demeanor had shed its earlier majesty, becoming considerably gentler. "When I first saw you, I assumed your Military Intelligence Department had sent a mere youth to contact me, and perhaps I was somewhat dismissive. However, in Late Star Garden, you have proven yourself no idle wastrel. Very good. If your spies in Luocheng are all of such caliber, I am reassured."

Chen Ji pondered for a moment before replying. "Now that Yun Yang and Jiao Tu are imprisoned, while the Secret Spy Department's new head has yet to arrive in Luocheng, we can ensure the absolute safety of our transaction. Madam, let us reschedule the date and location of the transaction."

Cloud Concubine regarded him with a lingering gaze. "Then, tomorrow night, at the same place as our last agreed-upon rendezvous."

Chen Ji, having no knowledge of the previous meeting place and thus unable to relay it to Si Cao, quickly interjected. "That would be improper. Our Military Intelligence Department never conducts two transactions in the same location… Please, Cloud Concubine, provide a new address."

"You are indeed cautious enough," Cloud Concubine mused for a moment. "This time, let us set it for the East Market, Red Clothes Lane, the 'Gold Workshop.' Find the old madam there and speak the words 'Luo Tian.' She will then lead you to the hidden location of the goods."

At this point, Chen Ji, weighing the pros and cons repeatedly, finally voiced a lingering doubt. "Madam, there is one matter our Military Intelligence Department has never fully comprehended." Without a complete picture, he would never truly hold the initiative.

Cloud Concubine picked up her teacup, taking a slow sip. "Speak your mind."

"We have investigated. Liu Shiyu is Quiet Concubine's most favored nephew, the only son of her elder sister. Previously, our department harbored doubts about his willingness to act as your messenger, specifically wondering why he did not contact Quiet Concubine."

Cloud Concubine's lip curled in a sneer. "Ah, that dear younger sister of mine. The Liu family cannot even control her. How could we dare entrust such a vital undertaking to her hands? Now, the Liu family and I share common interests. You need not concern yourselves further."

Chen Ji rose to his feet. "Then, I shall..."

"Wait," Cloud Concubine interjected.

Chen Ji paused, a questioning look in his eyes. "Does Madam have further instructions?"

A faint smile played on Cloud Concubine's lips. "This evening, the heir is hosting a gathering of literati and scholars. Your two sworn brothers will also be attending. How about I dispatch a few invitation cards to the medical hall? Your master and disciples can attend together."

Chen Ji considered the offer. "There is no need. My current identity is sensitive, and I would not wish to involve them. Today, I still need to make arrangements for the handover of the goods. I shall take my leave now."

As Chen Ji departed Flying Cloud Garden, he cast one final glance back at the persimmon tree before turning away.

...

...

On the official road leading into Luocheng, a carriage, plain and unassuming, drove from the north. Beside it, only two attendants on horseback followed, a deliberately low-key procession.

At this moment, on the opposite side of the road, a crowd of over a hundred people and horses was approaching to greet it. As they drew closer, it became evident that these were officials from Yuzhou. One by one, they dismounted from their sedan chairs and horses, hurrying to the front of the carriage and kneeling in unison. "Respectfully welcome the Cabinet Elder back to Yuzhou. Your humble officials have been remiss in their welcome and beg forgiveness."

The Liu family had held sway over this province for centuries, now commanding more than half of Yuzhou's fields and tenants. Regardless of who arrived in Yuzhou to take up official duties, if they wished to collect taxes smoothly, administer corvée, or achieve any semblance of success, they were beholden to the Liu family's good graces. Thus, with the exception of a select few scions seeking mere temporary appointments, the hundred officials knelt in deference. Kneel, and the official landscape of Yuzhou would accommodate you. Refuse, and you would not take a single step forward.

The Liu Cabinet Elder lifted the carriage curtain, his gaze sweeping indifferently over the kneeling officials. "My father has passed. I truly have no heart for conversation with any of you. Disperse."

With that, the carriage resumed its slow progress. A few officials, clustering near the carriage, followed at a quick pace, their voices hushed as they spoke to the curtain behind the Cabinet Elder. "Cabinet Elder, the First and Second Masters are awaiting you at home."

Heard from within the carriage was the Cabinet Elder's instruction. "I go to the ancestral tomb. Let Liu Mingxian come to see me there."

The carriage continued its journey to North Mang Mountain. The Liu Cabinet Elder stood before a broken tombstone, watching as dozens of strong men carried new stone materials, preparing to reconstruct the tomb. He stood there, before the grave, for an unknown duration.

Suddenly, a figure with a hurried expression ran to the Cabinet Elder's side and knelt down. "Father!" It was Liu Mingxian.

The Cabinet Elder remained silent, allowing his son to kneel. Only when Liu Mingxian's knees began to ache and he shifted his weight did the Cabinet Elder slowly inquire, "After I die, will my coffin also be opened for an autopsy?"

Liu Mingxian swiftly lowered his head. "Father, absolutely not!"

The Liu Cabinet Elder dismissed everyone down the mountain, then himself lifted his robes and sat upon a stone block, speaking slowly. "Liu Mingxian, today you, for the sake of your grand ambition, killed your grandfather. How do you know that tomorrow, for the sake of some other grand cause, you will not kill me as well?"

The mountain was quiet, devoid of other presence. Liu Mingxian prostrated himself on the ground, remaining silent.

The Liu Cabinet Elder's voice sharpened with anger. "Speak!"

Liu Mingxian quickly explained, "Father, my initial intention was not this. Originally, I used Grandfather's death to force the Secret Spy Department to retreat. Yun Yang and Jiao Tu are only skilled in killing; they have no brains. A little scare would have sent them running. Who would have thought they would actually find incriminating evidence against Liu Shiyu?"

"Then why kill your grandfather?"

"We received intelligence stating that the Secret Spy Department was en route to open the coffin for an autopsy. If they had discovered the coffin empty, my Liu family would be guilty of deceiving the monarch! Therefore, I sought the 'Mandala Flower' to administer to Grandfather, needing only for him to feign death in the coffin for a short while. Who could have known… Grandfather is of advanced age and could not withstand the effects of the Mandala, and so he passed away."

The Liu Cabinet Elder's anger flared. "Still not speaking the truth? It is clear that your grandfather did not agree with your collusion with the Jing Dynasty! So you seized this opportunity, went all in, and killed him! Liu Mingxian, you are too ruthless! I did not expect… I have raised a man-eating wolf for the Liu family!"

Liu Mingxian suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with a fierce intensity. "Father, ever since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has been racking his brain, seeking to eliminate our Liu family. First, he used the Donglin Party, employing censor officials to impeach us. Now, he instigates the eunuch faction to frame and slander us. He will not cease until we are utterly destroyed!"

"Father, twenty years ago, this entire court was filled with members of our Liu family. Now? We cannot even hold on to official positions within Yuzhou. You are not unaware. The Chen family sent a Chen Liqin to serve as Luocheng Assistant Magistrate. That old fox Xu Gong sent his son-in-law Zhang Zhuo to be Luocheng Magistrate. These two are in league, swearing to investigate our Liu family's fields and tenants."

"Father, I am taking this drastic action because if we continue to sit and await our doom, the Liu family's foundation, built over hundreds of years, will be gone! Father!"

The mountain wind swept thin mist across the landscape. The Liu Cabinet Elder, sitting in this hazy veil, appeared somewhat desolate. "You all refuse to listen to my words, yet you still call me father."

"I told your aunt, His Majesty is a man of great talent. Even as a child, he understood the arts of the emperor's mind. He cannot be controlled. But your aunt, stubborn, refused to listen. From the moment His Majesty ascended the throne at eleven years old, she held court, preventing him from personally governing. His Majesty endured six years of such hardship; how could he possibly not harbor hatred for our Liu family?"

"Precisely because he hates us, we have no way to live! If we truly fight, it is not certain that we cannot win! This world is not his Zhu family's alone!" Liu Mingxian declared fiercely.

The Liu Cabinet Elder suddenly grew disheartened. "Forget it, forget it. I only have one more question for you. When you sent that glass cup to your sister, did you know it would cause her to lose her child?"

Liu Mingxian shook his head vehemently. "I did not know. That cup was exquisite, peerless. I sent it because I thought my sister would like it."

"Still lying!" The Liu Cabinet Elder kicked him to the ground.

Liu Mingxian no longer knelt. He rose, dusting off his robes, straightening his blue official attire. "Father, after she married into the Prince's mansion, her heart held only the Jing Wang. Where was there any room for our Liu family? Her every thought and desire were focused on bearing the Jing Wang a child. I asked her to do things for the Liu family; she refused. I then cut off this path for her!"

"You are too vicious!"

"Father, am I as vicious as that eunuch faction? If I am not vicious, how can I contend with them?"

"You…" Words were on the Liu Cabinet Elder's lips, yet he could not find the way to utter them. He sat on the stone, silent for an immeasurable time, finally letting out a light sigh. "Today, Yun Yang and Jiao Tu are imprisoned. Who provided you with that tip-off?"

Liu Mingxian, seeing his father's tone soften, felt a surge of joy. He understood that the elder, occupying such a high position, would not be swayed by emotion alone. He replied respectfully, "Your son does not know. We are currently investigating and are not yet certain of the other party's intentions."

The Liu Cabinet Elder's face turned serious. "Regardless of whether they are friend or foe, the presence of such a person by our side allows me no peace. Investigate swiftly. I will allocate people from Yanshi for you to command. These few are not easy to utilize well. Put away your arrogance."

"Understood."

The Liu Cabinet Elder waved a hand. "Go now. I am weary."

Liu Mingxian turned and descended the mountain, leaving the Liu Cabinet Elder alone on the peak. Like a flickering candle in the wind, the old man slowly rose, supporting himself against the coffin before the tomb. "Father, you too have not stepped out of the Liu family courtyard to see this world for a long time."