MCUS Chapter 74

“That unfilial child!”

After the fire in the Lengmei Garden of the Bai Residence was extinguished, only two charred bodies remained. At first, Bai Shuli thought that the accidental fire had killed Wei Niang and his second son. But in less than two days, someone reported to him that they had seen Bai Jushen at the Linlang Pavilion. He personally went to find Bai Jushen for a clear explanation, but not only did Bai Jushen pretend not to know him, he also used the excuse of hindering business at the Linlang Pavilion to have him sent to the authorities. It was then that he realized that Bai Jushen had somehow tampered with his and Wei Niang’s household registration and assumed new identities. They both became people unrelated to the Bai Mansion!

“Father, calm down. This matter must be related to Young Master Qin, the boss of the First Company,” Bai Juyao speculated.

Bai Shuli’s anger instantly diminished by half. “Young Master Qin? We can’t afford to offend him… The Zhao family serves as a warning. I’m afraid we can only let it go.”

“Father, Bai Jushen has defied and disrespected you. Can you swallow this?” Bai Juyao asked. He had long been considering splitting the family property, but the laws of the Great Han stipulated that illegitimate sons could only receive forty percent of the family’s assets. If he didn’t completely beat Bai Jushen to the ground, he wouldn’t be able to rest easy.

“Even if I can’t swallow it, what can I do? That unfilial son!” Bai Shuli hadn’t completely lost his wits yet. “Let’s drop this matter and not mention it again. Unless you want to wager the entire Bai family.”

Bai Juyao smiled and approached him. “Of course, we don’t have to take matters into our own hands. Young Master Qin has plenty of enemies. Yiyi is not loyal to his boss, Bao Zhiheng of the Zhuguang Pavilion, and Liang Jian of the Kang Family’s Writing Shop also hold a grudge against him. With a little instigation, there will be a good show. Even Zhang Mo from the Clothing Workshop can be used. His son was recently poisoned in the Intelligence Toy House. If there’s another incident of poisoning related to the First Company, Zhang Mo will surely turn against Young Master Qin. Perhaps it won’t greatly impact the First Company, but at least it will allow us to vent our frustrations!”

“I didn’t expect you to appear decent on the surface, but be so ruthless inside.”

Suddenly, a man’s voice came from outside the study. Bai Juyao and Bai Shuli both exclaimed, “Who’s there!”

Bai Juyao opened the door, and in the courtyard stood two men in black, holding swords in their arms, their faces expressionless as they looked at them.

“Who are you?” Bai Juyao cautiously assumed a defensive stance.

“Us?” one of the black-clad men smiled coldly and leisurely replied, “We are under the employ of Master Huang. We heard your conversation very clearly, and we understood it very well.”

Bai Shuli and Bai Juyao’s faces changed drastically, and they inwardly cursed.

“No, no, it’s actually a misunderstanding—”

“Rest assured, we won’t harm you.” The other black-clad man interrupted him. “But…”

Bai Shuli and Bai Juyao’s hearts hadn’t settled down yet when they were raised once again.

“In the future, whether it’s Young Master Liao, Bao Zhiheng, Kang Jian, or Zhang Mo causing trouble for Young Master Qin, we will hold you responsible. If you don’t believe it, you can try. Heh heh, goodbye.”

The two black-clad men exchanged glances, their figures suddenly disappearing like black mist.

Bai Shuli and Bai Juyao looked at each other, slumping to the ground. With great effort, they managed to muster the strength to stand up.

However, the two shadows returned. Father and son looked at them and simultaneously asked, “Why did you come back?”

The first black-clad man raised his hand and slapped Bai Shuli and Bai Juyao across the face, saying, “I almost forgot. Master Huang ordered me to do this. He said those who dare to oppose Young Master Qin must be rewarded.”

Bai Shuli and Bai Juyao slumped to the ground once again, holding their chests and not daring to make a sound.

Suddenly, the second black-clad man also raised his hand and gave Bai Shuli and Bai Juyao each a slap.

The first black-clad man looked at him.

The second black-clad man said, “Well, I had also forgotten. This is from Young Master Qin. He said those who dare to have designs on Master Huang must be taught a lesson.”

The two men exchanged glances, nodded, and disappeared once again.

Bai Shuli and Bai Juyao sat on the ground, covered in sweat. After waiting for a long time without the two black-clad men reappearing, they dared to stand up.

Wei Niang had stayed at the First Company for a few days. Just as she was about to leave, she was stopped by Bai Jushen.

“Mother, where are you going?”

“After being away for so long, Mother wants to go back and see your father.”

“Mother, isn’t it good to live here? Boss Qin has been kind to us, and the people here are pleasant to be around. I want to call you mother, and you can have a new life here. You don’t have to think about returning to the Bai Mansion. That night, I set fire to the Lengmei Garden. Now, there is no Wei Niang in this world, and there is no Bai Jushen either. I changed my name to Wei Jushen. If you hate me, then hate me.” Wei Jushen finished speaking and turned away.

Wei Niang stood still in place, dazed. After a long while, she forced a bitter smile and said, “Silly child… how could mother ever hate you? Perhaps… all mother needed was a reason to leave…”

Another month passed in the blink of an eye.

With a sudden impulse, Yan Ge checked the system’s mission list and remembered that there was an unfinished side mission – to send Song Ruhao and Du Zhengfeng into the cold palace. Seeing Huangfu Yuchen sound asleep in bed, he tiptoed over and sat on the footstool. He pinched a strand of hair and tickled Huangfu Yuchen’s ear.

Huangfu Yuchen was in a deep sleep and only tilted his head slightly. Yan Ge continued tickling, and Huangfu Yuchen still didn’t open his eyes. He reached out his long arm and accurately pulled Yan Ge by the waist, exerting force to bring him onto the bed, causing Yan Ge to fall on top of him.

Only then did Huangfu Yuchen open his eyes, cupping Yan Ge’s face and giving him a kiss on the lips. His voice was slightly hoarse from just waking up. “Feeling bored all by yourself?”

“No,” Yan Ge replied. “Has there been any news from Chunfeng Palace recently?”

Huangfu Yuchen fully woke up and stroked his hair. “Song Guiren has been acting normally. As for Du Zhengfeng, I had him investigate who exactly is behind Xing’er, but unfortunately, there hasn’t been any progress. The other side is quite cautious. Why do you suddenly ask about this?”

Yan Ge felt a little disappointed. Du Zhengfeng was Huangfu Yuchen’s man, so he let it go. If Song Ruhao didn’t take any action, how could he find an opportunity to send him to the cold palace?

“It’s nothing. It just came to mind, so I asked. Go back to sleep.” Yan Ge playfully reached out and covered Huangfu Yuchen’s eyes with his hand.

“I think you’re intentionally provoking me,” Huangfu Yuchen said as he rolled over, pressing Yan Ge beneath him. “Since you’re so bored, I’ll play with you for a while.”

“What do you want to play?” Yan Ge pretended to be clueless.

“What do you think?” Huangfu Yuchen’s hand moved, and he unhooked the golden hook of the bed curtain, causing the heavily draped curtain to cascade down like water, concealing the scenery behind the bed.

—————

After class with the prince, Song Chaobang personally accompanied the young prince back to Yongyi Palace, as usual.

The empress also welcomed Song Chaobang as usual to show her respect.

“Empress, you seem a bit unwell. Please take care of your well-being.”

The empress forced a smile. Today, she saw Yan Cairen and the emperor enjoying themselves in the Imperial Garden, so naturally, her mood wasn’t good. However, Song Chaobang was an outsider, and she couldn’t bring up these matters with him.

“I appreciate the concern of the Grand Tutor. I am fine.”

Song Chaobang seemed to have something else to say, and she added, “If Grand Tutor Song has something to say, please feel free. Could it be that there are any problems with the prince’s studies?”

The senior palace maid Chunhui and the eunuch Xiao Xiang beside her also looked at Song Chaobang curiously.

Song Chaobang hesitated, “I’m just concerned about the emperor.”

The empress had someone take the young prince away and asked in surprise, “Why would Grand Tutor Song say such a thing?”

Song Chaobang said, “I heard from the Crown Prince that the emperor is showing excessive favoritism toward Yan Cairen… and I am genuinely worried. Such favoritism in the harem is not only detrimental to harmony within the palace but also detrimental to the harmony of the state. However, as an outsider, I…”

The empress’s breath hitched as the previously vanished heartache resurfaced.

It was like a whisper in her ears: Your husband has been snatched away and your son is not far from being snatched away as well, who would be reconciled?

But the empress wasn’t foolish. There was a Song Guiren, the son of Song Chaobang, in Chunfeng Palace. She didn’t believe that Song Chaobang suddenly brought up this matter without any ulterior motives. Moreover, even if Song Chaobang had no ulterior motives, as the mother of the nation, she had to think twice before taking action. If her inappropriate behavior affected the Crown Prince, it would be sacrificing the greater for the lesser.

“I have heard about this matter. Grand Tutor Song’s words are reasonable. The emperor’s excessive favoritism towards Yan Cairen is not only detrimental to harmony within the harem but also detrimental to harmony within the state. However, as a mere woman, I don’t have any particular ideas. I wonder if Grand Tutor Song has any suggestions?”

“Well…” Song Chaobang pondered for a moment. “I can’t claim to have any exceptional ideas. As a current solution, both the harem and the court should speak to the emperor together.”

The empress’s spirits trembled, and she nodded. “In that case, I will join forces with Consort Rou, Consort Zhao, Consort Li, and Consort Zheng to submit a memorial to the emperor.”

“I, too, will devote myself wholeheartedly to serving the country,” Song Chaobang said.

Halfway through their dinner, Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen were interrupted by a shadow guard.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, the empress and the four consorts have jointly submitted a memorial requesting an audience with the emperor. It concerns Yan Cairen,” the guard said.

Yan Ge raised an eyebrow and continued eating his food.

Huangfu Yuchen’s silverware paused mid air. “The empress has been quiet for so long, but her sudden actions must have a reason. Have there been any suspicious individuals entering and leaving Yongyi Palace these past few days?”

The guard replied, “This afternoon, Prime Minister Song stayed in Yongyi Palace for a longer time than usual.”

Yan Ge’s eyes lit up. Song Ruhao and Song Chaobang were finally taking action? Could he seize this opportunity to send Song Ru Hao into the cold palace?

Huangfu Yuchen raised his hand to dismiss the guard. “Could it be that Prime Minister Song influenced the empress? It doesn’t seem like Prime Minister Song’s style. Yan Ge, you seem quite pleased?”

Yan Ge denied it. “No, not at all. Even when I’m not smiling, you think I’m smiling.”

Huangfu Yuchen smiled skeptically, not believing his words. “Deng Mande, invite Du Zhengfeng.”

He specifically mentioned Du Zhengfeng, not ‘Du Changzai.’ Soon after, Du Zhengfeng quietly arrived.

“This subordinate pays respects to Your Majesty,” Du Zhengfeng said.

“Has Song Ruhao shown any abnormalities recently?” Huangfu Yuchen asked.

Du Zhengfeng replied, “Your Majesty, yesterday, Song Guiren secretly met with Prime Minister Song. Song Guiren is worried that Yan Cairen will soon be promoted to Guiren status and urged Prime Minister Song to find a way to prevent it.”

Huangfu Yuchen dismissed him and stood up, embracing Yan Ge. After a moment of contemplation, he said, “Very well. Haven’t we anticipated this day? Are you prepared?”

“Of course,” Yan Ge replied confidently. “I want to see how they will try to pressure us.”

During the morning court session the next day, Huangfu Yuchen, dressed in imperial robes, approached the Hall. He scanned the neatly arranged civil and military officials, a faint trace of mockery curling up at the corner of his lips. Slowly, he ascended the steps and took his seat on the dragon throne.

The officials kneeled down and hailed, “Long live, the emperor! Long live!”

“Rise, my ministers.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“If you have something to report, speak up. If not, leave the court,” Deng Mande shouted with the usual rhetoric, but his voice was particularly loud today.

A few officials exchanged glances, their actions not escaping Huangfu Yuchen’s gaze as he sat in the elevated seat, seemingly oblivious. “If there’s nothing…”

The Left Censor stood up and said, “Your Majesty, I have something to report.”

“Speak.”

The Left Censor said, “News of Your Majesty’s singular favor towards Yan Cairen has reached the public. This not only undermines the harmony between the empress and the consorts but also undermines the harmony of the court. I, humbly, request Your Majesty to treat all with impartiality.”

Yan Xiaojing gasped inwardly. No wonder his right eyelid had been twitching incessantly since this morning.