Chapter 532 - 310: Brother Is Too Hardworking
Chapter 532: Chapter 310: Brother Is Too Hardworking
Chen Xuanji’s eyes were calm. Preoccupied with his thoughts, he gathered the Go pieces and the board, arranging them neatly.
Opposite him, a middle-aged man wearing a Dragon Crown simply smiled as he watched his movements without saying a word.
This was Emperor Wei, Wei Kai, also known as Emperor Anhe.
Once Chen Xuanji had finished putting the board away, Emperor Anhe gently waved his hand. Two cups of hot tea instantly materialized on the table.
"Tell me, when do you plan to ’return’ to Great Wei?"
Chen Xuanji glanced at his teacup and did not raise his eyes again, as if profound mysteries were hidden within the clear tea.
Five years ago, under the guise of an "ambassadorial mission to the Western Buddha Country," he had hidden himself in the Capital Prefecture to secretly command the White Tiger Guard.
He truly hadn’t gone to the Western Buddha Country, but someone else had gone in his stead.
Now that the situation in the Western Buddha Country had been thoroughly investigated, that person was about to return. This meant Chen Xuanji would have to reappear in the Great Wei Dynasty as well.
"The sooner, the better," Chen Xuanji replied.
"Oh? I thought you would delay it for a few more days. Why the rush?"
"A person who has been away from home for years is always eager to return. If I delay on the road, it will only allow those with ulterior motives to notice something."
"Those with ulterior motives..." Emperor Anhe scoffed. He picked up his teacup, twisting the lid twice with his other hand, and said, "Among the Court Officials, there are countless individuals who think highly of themselves, but how many can actually stand shoulder to shoulder with you, Xuanji?"
Chen Xuanji lowered his head further. On the white tiger pattern mask covering his face, only the faint outline of the character for "king" remained visible on its forehead.
"Your Majesty flatters me."
Emperor Anhe glanced at him, took a sip of tea, and smiled. "You deserve my praise.
"In the twenty-one years since I ascended the throne, you have schemed and plotted for me, roping in the northern nobility, filling the state treasury, and strengthening Ji State...
"You are so much better than those useless officials who occupy positions without doing any work.
"If the Court Officials had even a tenth of your ability, why would I ever worry about my grand ambitions not coming to fruition?"
Chen Xuanji respectfully raised his teacup with both hands and bowed. "This subject was merely fulfilling his duty."
He then took a small sip of tea to show his gratitude for the Holy Emperor’s reward.
"Heh, Xuanji, we have known each other as sovereign and subject for many years. Why must you be so reserved in my presence?"
"This subject would not dare overstep his bounds."
"Overstep your bounds?" Emperor Anhe shook his head with a smile. "You... you.
"Do as you please. It’s a trivial matter; I simply won’t pay it any mind."
Setting down his teacup, Emperor Anhe looked at Chen Xuanji, his smile unwavering as he continued, "I’ve heard that your son, who married into the Xiao Family, has gained quite a reputation lately. He’s being hailed as the modern ’Poetry Immortal’ of the Great Wei Dynasty, standing alongside the two Poetry Immortals of the previous dynasty, Zhou and Sun."
Chen Xuanji paused, then set down his teacup. "Your Majesty praises him too highly.
"My son merely possesses a little talent for poetry. It was nothing but good luck that he managed to write that ’Song of the Water Melody’ during the Mid-Autumn Festival."
"Then could his luck be even better, perhaps enough to pass the next imperial examination?"
"This subject does not dare speak out of turn."
"Haha... I simply have an appreciation for talent. A grand Calligraphy master who has reached Perfection in the Calligraphy Dao becoming a matrilocal son-in-law for the Xiao Family... his reputation will inevitably suffer a bit.
"If you are willing, help me persuade him. Serving the Imperial Court is always better than hiding away in an academy as an Instructor."
"This..."
"What? As his father, can you not even discipline him?"
Chen Xuanji hummed softly in agreement. "There is something Your Majesty does not know. Ever since my son went to Shu State, his temperament has changed significantly. He has become idle."
"Idle? Heh, haha... Then, wouldn’t that mean he’s unable to wield the Xiao Family as a Blade for me?"
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. This subject has failed to teach his son properly..."
Before he could finish, Emperor Anhe waved his hand dismissively. "Don’t try to brush me off with the same formalities others use on me.
"If he is unwilling, I have other candidates in mind. It matters not."
Chen Xuanji bowed respectfully and said no more. He certainly did not ask about the identities of those other candidates.
Emperor Anhe didn’t elaborate either. Instead, he shifted the topic, "I summoned you to the palace this time because there is another matter I cannot decide on.
"The Jing State Liu Family has repeatedly disregarded the law. Do you have a solution, Xuanji?"
Chen Xuanji raised his head slightly to meet his gaze and pondered for a moment. "I do have a solution."
"Tell me."
"If Your Majesty can punish Consort Liu, the Jing State Liu Family will naturally not dare to overstep the rules any further."
"Liu... Pick another."
"Then there is only one path left—eliminate them."
"Good. I will leave this matter to you."
"This subject obeys."
A short while later.
Chen Xuanji transformed into a streak of rainbow light. In the blink of an eye, he drifted down into the five-story wooden building closest to the Imperial City, heading straight into a dim Quiet Chamber deep on the fourth floor.
Inside this wooden building controlled by the White Tiger Guard, there was a Quiet Chamber belonging to him on every floor. Sometimes he would be on the second floor, sometimes on the fourth. It varied. Let alone the insiders of the White Tiger Guard, even he himself wouldn’t decide beforehand which Quiet Chamber he would use. Was it troublesome? Yes. But Chen Xuanji had long since grown accustomed to such caution.
As soon as his feet touched the ground, Chen Xuanji waved his hand to obscure the windowsill, and the oil lamp on the wall lit up on cue.
The dim yellow flame flickered wildly in the sudden draft, casting shifting, indistinct shadows over his figure. He scanned his surroundings, then slowly walked over to sit behind the desk in the center of the room.
Hidden beneath his mask, his expression was unreadable. Only a steady, measured breath escaped his lips.
"Phew..."
He thought, "Accompanying a sovereign is like accompanying a tiger... The Holy Emperor’s temperament has indeed undergone a drastic change in recent years."
Recalling his previous audience with the emperor, a flicker of contemplation crossed Chen Xuanji’s eyes.
The Xiao Family had deeply rooted themselves in Shu State for two hundred years. Even if they were gradually declining, they were not some weak pushovers to be manipulated at will.
He pondered, "If the ’Fledgling’ fails, who else can take command of the Xiao Family and the Dingyuan Army?
"The Commander-in-Chief, the Governor, the Inspector General... They have stayed in Shu State for many years and know full well how formidable the Xiao Family is. They will either go all out or do nothing at all.
"As for the others... The Vermilion Bird?"
Chen Xuanji had a vague inkling but didn’t delve deeper into the thought. He raised his hand and rang the Bell on the desk.