In the Xiao residence, Xiao Yan sat casually on a cushioned bench, the steam from boiling tea rising in delicate wisps.
Hearing Liang Guangyi’s words, he calmly slid a cup of hot tea toward Cao Dejiang before speaking with a faint smile. “What does Grand Preceptor Liang mean by this? The prince is the lord, and I am but a subject. How could I, a mere minister, interfere with his actions?”
Liang Guangyi looked at him. “You know what I mean.”
Seeing Xiao Yan casually sip his tea, showing no trace of courtesy, it was as if the last shred of civility between them had been torn apart after the palace banquet that night.
Liang Guangyi knew the man before him was no longer the cautious chief eunuch of old. His hair was streaked with white, and his tone carried a hint of concession as he spoke.
“The southern case has been concluded, and the prince has already sent people to purge the bureaucracy in Shezhou. After Xi Weifang’s execution, the Xi family was wiped out, and nearly all those involved in the past events have been dealt with. Yet the prince presses on relentlessly, using the twenty-year-old case to implicate others. If this continues, the court will be thrown into chaos, with no end to the panic.”
Xiao Yan toyed with the teacup in his hand, his expression languid. “Grand Preceptor Liang jests. It’s merely a matter of dealing with lawbreakers. The people outside praise the prince’s wisdom and valor, comparing him favorably to His Majesty’s sagacity. How does that become ‘relentless’ in your words?”
Liang Guangyi’s voice grew heavy. “How many of those praises are genuine, and how many come from opportunists fishing in troubled waters, seeking to climb the ranks while the prince revels in his vanity? Overseer Xiao knows this well.”
“When water is too clear, no fish can live. How many officials dare claim their sleeves are spotless, free of any personal gain? Even you, Overseer Xiao, or Lord Cao, or even General Yin and his ilk, none would dare say their actions are entirely selfless, let alone others.”
“If everything in the court is scrutinized to the core, nine out of ten positions will be empty, leaving a ruler with no ministers.”
“The prince has only just taken charge of the Eastern Palace, and His Majesty has not yet abdicated. The power of the Great Wei dynasty is not in the prince’s hands. I don’t know what Overseer Xiao truly wants, but if the prince continues like this, it will only lead to mutual destruction, benefiting no one.”
Seeing Xiao Yan unmoved, still idly playing with his teacup, the steam from the tea brazier obscured his face, leaving only his dark, cold eyes visible, glinting with a mix of mockery and scorn.
Liang Guangyi took a deep breath and turned to Cao Dejiang. “Lord Cao, you’ve long served in the court. You must understand the current situation. You’ve said yourself that Great Wei is far from stable, with feudal lords and neighboring states watching closely. His Majesty won’t remain unconscious forever. When he wakes, there will surely be a clash with the prince.”
“Though the prince has the support of Overseer Xiao and others, His Majesty is the true ruler of Great Wei. The prince’s ruthless purge is alienating the court’s loyalty, pushing hearts toward His Majesty. Moreover, the imperial family does not consist solely of the prince…”
Cao Dejiang spoke up. “Grand Preceptor Liang, you speak too gravely. Neither I nor Overseer Xiao approve of the prince’s actions.”
Liang Guangyi frowned.
Cao Dejiang continued, “After the trial at the Three Judicial Offices, the disaster relief case was clarified. Apart from Shezhou and the other regions yet to be fully purged, nearly all the main culprits have been dealt with. Neither I nor Overseer Xiao have interfered further, and even the Privy Council has ceased its investigations.”
Liang Guangyi said grimly, “But the prince…”
“The prince is the heir apparent. If he insists on ordering the Ministry of Justice to keep digging, who can stop him?”
Cao Dejiang took a sip of tea, his expression enigmatic. “This case already involves a wide net, and with the Lu family’s connections, not a single person uncovered has been clean.”
“The prince seeks to clear the names of wronged vassals and deliver justice for the people. His actions are reasonable and win the people’s praise. The Ministry of Justice is merely fulfilling its duty by following the lord’s orders to investigate thoroughly. I’ve discussed this with Overseer Xiao and even advised the prince, but the prince…”
He shook his head, holding his teacup.
“Grand Preceptor, you know the prince’s character. He doesn’t listen to advice.”
Though there was an element of theatrics, Cao Dejiang genuinely found the prince exasperating.
Xiao Yan had guided the prince, advising him to win over hearts, but somehow, in the past half-month, the prince’s foolish actions were too numerous to count.
On one hand, he courted military officials, trying to win over Di Tao and others, thinking himself clever by poaching Xiao Yan’s allies. On the other, he seized the chance to purge dissenters, installing his own people in key court positions.
The prince seemed to think everyone was a fool and the court a playground. A few praises had him floating, convinced he was a wise ruler in the making. If not for the court’s need for this “mascot,” Cao Dejiang wouldn’t spare him a moment’s attention.
Seeing Liang Guangyi’s furrowed brow, clearly skeptical of Cao Dejiang’s words, Xiao Yan set his teacup down with a thud and looked up.
“I only pushed the prince to his position on a whim, and his ascent to the Eastern Palace was merely because His Majesty’s duplicity was too shameful.”
“The He family’s exoneration required a voice from the imperial family, and the prince served to avoid complications. But perhaps because his rise to the Eastern Palace was sudden and his influence in the court is weak, he’s seizing every chance to build his own base to prepare for future changes.”
“I only want justice for the He family, not to make enemies of all court officials. Those executed at the market square weren’t all tied to the He family’s grievances. But as long as the He family’s name remains unrestored, the prince’s actions are justified.”
“He’s acting on my behalf, so it wouldn’t do for me to turn against him. What do you think, Grand Preceptor?”
What did he think?
He thought Xiao Yan was utterly shameless!
Speaking so righteously, playing along with that old fox Cao Dejiang, acting innocent and pushing all blame onto the prince, as if helpless to intervene. But who in the court didn’t know the prince’s current position rested on whose support?
Without their backing and Xiao Yan’s tacit approval, how could a powerless prince dare to act so aggressively or command the Ministry of Justice?
Liang Guangyi’s fists clenched, his heart cursing furiously, but his face forced a smile.
“Overseer Xiao speaks well. I, too, believe the He family suffered injustice. Third Master He died protecting the people, and now that the truth is clear, we must honor His Majesty’s earlier edict to restore their name, pardon their crimes, and enshrine their tablet in the Imperial Ancestral Temple for the world’s veneration.”
“I’m willing to petition the court on Overseer Xiao’s behalf, to have you inherit the title of Marquis Xuanyi and revive the He family’s glory.”
Xiao Yan smiled and declined. “Thank you for your kindness, Grand Preceptor, but the He family was slaughtered, their wealth lost, leaving me alone. I’ve always lived simply, how could I revive their legacy?”
Liang Guangyi maintained his smile. “Overseer Xiao is too modest. The clans are one family. Since you seek to clear the He family’s name and restore their honor, I will do my utmost to help revive the He family.”
“Is that so?” Xiao Yan leaned back. “But with the Liang family’s resources, could you possibly match the wealth the He family once had?”
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