Chapter Seventy-Two: The New Magistrate

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The Imperial Palace, Capital City.

Within the great hall, Emperor Qingyuan sat upon the dragon throne, his expression stern, exuding an aura of natural authority.

“The post of Prefect of Jiangnan—what are your thoughts, my ministers?”

At his words, a murmur rippled through the assembly.

After a moment, Xu Changfeng stepped forward and spoke: “Your Majesty, I do have a candidate in mind.”

“Speak freely,” the emperor replied.

Xu Changfeng paused, then answered, “Lu Xin, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.”

“This man is learned and capable, and well acquainted with affairs in Jiangnan. The matter is urgent, so I propose he be temporarily assigned as Prefect of Jiangnan, until a more suitable candidate can be found for a permanent appointment.”

“Lu Xin?” Emperor Qingyuan raised his brows. “I have heard of him.”

“It is said he hails from Ming Tower, and is a man of both virtue and talent—a true asset.”

As his words faded, Zhao Heng stepped forward and bowed. “Father, I believe this is unwise.”

“Oh? And why is that?”

“Lu Xin is indeed competent, but the Court of Judicial Review is already overwhelmed with its own affairs. To ask him to also serve as prefect would tax even his abilities.”

Emperor Qingyuan nodded slightly. “Not without reason.”

“And do you have a recommendation?”

“I do, Your Majesty,” Zhao Heng replied.

“Let us hear it.”

Zhao Heng bowed again. “Wu Jin, son of the Assistant Minister of Revenue.”

“He is exceptionally gifted and possesses true talent for governance. More importantly, having served in the Ministry of Revenue for years, he is intimately familiar with the taxes and economy of Jiangnan. I believe he is a more suitable choice for Prefect.”

Emperor Qingyuan exhaled thoughtfully, finding the reasoning sound.

After a long moment of contemplation, his gaze settled on Su Ming.

Whenever he was uncertain, Emperor Qingyuan habitually sought Su Ming’s counsel.

“Grand Minister Su, what is your view?”

Su Ming stepped forward and answered respectfully, “Your Majesty, I believe the Crown Prince speaks wisely.”

A flash of surprise crossed the emperor’s eyes.

“So, you too consider Wu Jin the ideal candidate for Prefect of Jiangnan?”

“I do,” Su Ming nodded.

After a brief pause, he continued, “However, I fear Wu Jin cannot take up the post.”

“Grand Minister Su, are you confused?” Zhao Heng retorted coldly. “If he is the best choice, why can he not assume the post? Is this not a contradiction?”

Emperor Qingyuan sensed intrigue and narrowed his eyes. “Grand Minister Su, what do you mean by this?”

Unfazed, Su Ming slipped a hand into his sleeve and produced a sealed letter bearing the official stamp of the Court of Judicial Review.

“This concerns a grave matter, Your Majesty. I dare not speak lightly—please see for yourself.”

Eunuch Hou, the emperor’s attendant, presented the letter.

Emperor Qingyuan wasted no time breaking the seal.

A dull thud echoed through the hall.

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A silver ingot tumbled from the letter, striking the floor with a heavy sound.

Zhao Heng’s face darkened sharply at the sight.

“That is the tax silver stolen from Yongzhou three years ago!” cried Chu Wen, Minister of Personnel, picking up the ingot.

The officials pressed in for a closer look.

“It is indeed the Yongzhou tax silver!”

“How did Grand Minister Su come by this?”

“Yes, Grand Minister Su! Where did you get this?”

Su Ming remained calm, his tone steady. “This was recovered by Lord Li from the residence of Song Yongnian, the Prefect of Jiangnan.”

The revelation sent a wave of shock through the hall.

“Song Yongnian? He was involved with the tax silver theft?”

“As I recall, the Song family are close to the Crown Prince.”

“Careful what you say...”

As the murmurs spread, Emperor Qingyuan finished reading the letter.

His brows knitted tightly as he cast a cold glare at Zhao Heng, anger rising on his face.

With a snort of rage, he left his seat abruptly.

Zhao Heng glanced at Su Ming, their eyes meeting—a silent current of murderous intent surging between them.

...

Three days later.

Jiangnan.

Linjiang Inn.

Outside Li Yunjie’s suite, an urgent knock sounded.

Shi Yi opened the door.

Three figures hurriedly entered.

“Greetings, my lord!”

“Jiang Kui?” Li Yunjie exclaimed in surprise. “What brings you here?”

Jiang Kui set down two heavy food boxes with a grin. “We’re here to escort Lord Lu to his new post in Jiangnan.”

“Lu Xin?” Li Yunjie’s brow furrowed. “He’s the new prefect?”

“That’s right.”

“Did he make a mistake?”

“No,” Jiang Kui shook his head.

“Then why the demotion?” Li Yunjie asked, puzzled.

According to the laws of Great Qian, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review held the fourth official rank, while the Prefect of Jiangnan was a sub-fourth rank.

Qin Fang interjected, “Lord Lu is merely serving concurrently as Prefect.”

Li Yunjie gave a long “oh”—so leaving the capital for this was still tantamount to a demotion.

“We owe this to Lord Li,” came a voice from the door as Lu Xin arrived, looking none too pleased.

Li Yunjie forced a smile. “It’s nothing—since it’s a temporary assignment, it shouldn’t last long.”

Lu Xin sighed helplessly, letting it pass with a rueful smile.

“My lord,” Chang Yuan squeezed forward, his face alight with excitement. “I’ve heard you recently invented a secret method for extracting fingerprints—is it true?”

Li Yunjie nodded confidently, “It’s true.”

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“My lord, you are a prodigy sent from the heavens!” Chang Yuan’s face shone with admiration—though tinged with a shiver-inducing bashfulness.

Li Yunjie tensed and quickly looked away.

“You all may leave for now—I have words for Lord Li in private,” Lu Xin instructed.

The others bowed and withdrew.

Once alone, Li Yunjie gestured for Lu Xin to sit.

“Well then, what message does my esteemed father-in-law have for me?”

Lu Xin was momentarily startled, then chuckled. “Lord Li, your intelligence is remarkable.”

Li Yunjie only smiled in reply.

It’s not that I’m clever; I just know my father-in-law’s ways all too well.

Lu Xin drew from his sleeve a folded sheet of fine calligraphy paper. “Grand Minister Su did indeed entrust me with something for you.”

Li Yunjie took the paper, frowning slightly. “This appears to be a prescription?”

Lu Xin nodded. “It is.”

“For whom?”

Lu Xin waved a hand, smiling. “This is a formula written by Gu Xian’er, master of Ming Tower herself.”

“She has long traveled the world incognito, and left behind few of her prescriptions. It took considerable effort to acquire this one from a disciple.”

Li Yunjie’s eyes brightened in realization. “I’d almost forgotten—you’re from Ming Tower as well.”

“Though I’m ashamed to say,” Lu Xin smiled wryly, “after more than ten years as a disciple, I’ve only met the master once.”

Li Yunjie immediately seized on the crucial point. “You’ve met Gu Xian’er?”

Lu Xin nodded.

“If she stood before you now, could you recognize her?”

“Absolutely,” Lu Xin replied firmly.

Li Yunjie stroked his chin, deep in thought.

No wonder Su Ming sent you to act as interim prefect—it’s all for this reason.

“It grows late,” Lu Xin said, rising. “I must return to the yamen to report.”

“We’ll speak another day,” Li Yunjie replied, bowing in farewell.

Lu Xin assented and departed.

Hardly had he left when Su Xiyan came dashing in.

She fixed her gaze longingly on the food boxes Jiang Kui had brought.

Li Yunjie opened one slowly, revealing fragrant osmanthus cakes from Drunken Moon Pavilion.

“Drawn by the scent?” he teased.

Su Xiyan moved to the table, swallowing hard, and nodded with a bright, adorable smile.

“Help yourself.”

Beaming, Su Xiyan began devouring the cakes, one after another.

“This little girl really can eat~” came Yun Xiw u’s teasing voice from outside the window.

Li Yunjie shivered and turned. “You were enticed by the smell, too?”