Chapter 237 - 198: Part 3

The line between a trusted Minister and a bone cancer is a fine one, decided in a single thought.

The Empress listened quietly for a long moment before smiling. "The Emperor’s favor has not been wasted on you. You truly understand him."

Jiang Xian neither confirmed nor denied it.

She did, of course, understand the Emperor quite well. ’But her understanding came from the detached perspective of a modern person who had studied history, looking down on the past. Any bit of knowledge from her time would be what the ancients considered a jealously guarded Dragon Slaying Skill.’ She then said aloud, "Thanks to my father’s incompetence, the Emperor can trust me completely. What Your Ladyship worries about will not come to pass. The Emperor will decide this himself—it is not my place to comment."

"It is good that you can think this way,"

the Empress nodded. "Looking at the entire Rong Family, the Noble Consort is the safest one. If others say too much, it will only end up harming her."

The Noble Consort had no son, which was the key to her safety.

If Jiang Xian were to jump up and fiercely defend the Rong Family right now, it would only serve to remind the Emperor—

The Rong Family may not have a Dragon Successor in their grasp, but Jiang Xian gave birth to his most outstanding and favored Eldest Prince. When did the private friendship between two concubines evolve into two families banding together, their ties becoming so dangerously close?

Undercurrents surged in the court, and the Emperor did not set foot in the harem for a full half-month.

It was said that in those days, the petitions to impeach the Rong Family were so numerous they required two strong eunuchs just to carry them.

That winter was the coldest in a decade.

The war in Beichuan showed no signs of improvement, even with reinforcements from the court. General Rong stopped requesting more troops and asked only for provisions. At the same time, he sent a long, impassioned letter detailing his hardships on the front lines. He argued that turmoil at court would only dishearten meritorious generals and pointedly criticized the ministers leading the opposition against the Rong Family. The message was clear: he intended to settle scores upon his return, and it would be best if the Emperor had the sense to deal with them beforehand.

The Emperor was so furious he laughed out loud.

He said nothing more. Sitting on the Dragon Throne for a moment, he realized he had no one he could deploy.

Regardless of whether the stalemate in Beichuan was of General Rong’s own design or if the battle was genuinely that difficult, the situation had become a hot potato. Most of the military generals supported General Rong. When the Emperor called on two of them by name, they stepped forward, knelt, and remonstrated that replacing a commander mid-campaign was a grave military taboo. The Emperor was almost angered into another apoplectic fit.

At a time like this, all the Emperor could do was cast a few more glances at the Minister of War.

This was because General Rong was no longer requesting soldiers, but instead demanding more gunpowder from the Emperor. The Minister of War had to be held up by his colleagues to keep from collapsing.

Looking out at his court of officials, he found not a single one he could use.

Sending a military general from General Rong’s faction would be no different from sending no one at all.

Just as the Emperor’s gaze turned cold, a young man standing near the back of the hall stepped forward, cupped his fist, and announced in a clear voice, "This servant is willing to try."

It took the Emperor a few seconds to recall who he was.

This was Jiang Yi, Lady Shufei’s cousin.

Originally, Jiang Xian had wanted to find him a position in the army, but the Emperor changed his mind and appointed him a Blue Feather Guard instead. Due to his outstanding performance, he received numerous promotions and was finally granted special permission to enter the Military Affairs Office. The Emperor had long seen his talent, which was why he had promoted him so unconventionally. ’Of course,’ he’d also thought, ’there was the matter of supporting my beloved concubine’s relatives. Her family is too humble. It’s an eyesore.’

But ultimately, it was because Jiang Yi had demonstrated his talent.

Jiang Xian’s own father, for instance, was still just compiling books every day in the Hanlin Academy.

Thus, the Emperor approved his request to go to battle. However, considering his lack of experience, he also appointed a senior, neutral Minister to accompany him and lend him gravitas.

After the morning court session, the Emperor summoned Jiang Yi to Qiankun Palace for a private discussion. What was said remains unknown.

Afterward, the Emperor granted him a special favor—

He would be allowed to meet with his cousin, the Pure Consort, before departing for Beichuan.

But Jiang Yi declined. "This servant has yet to achieve a single ounce of merit for Your Majesty," he said. "How could I brazenly accept a reward? I only wish that upon my victorious return, I might beg Your Majesty for a cup of wine at the Fourth Prince’s full-month celebration."

His humble attitude struck a chord, perfectly addressing the Emperor’s current frustrations.

’The competent military generals were all from the Rong Family or had been promoted by General Rong. They are arrogant, constantly citing their own achievements. The men they, in turn, promote are prone to forming factions for personal gain. They have become a thorn in my side.’

Jiang Yi’s cautious and respectful demeanor was exactly what he wanted to see.

’That’s right. Without a single accomplishment to his name, how could he be worthy of a reward?’

’The Emperor could bestow rewards out of pleasure, but for a subject to dare not accept them revealed a good character and a sense of propriety.’

"Very well," the Emperor said, pleased.

An emperor’s heart is as deep as an abyss.

Jiang Yi’s thoughts, however, were much simpler. ’On this trip to Beichuan, besides fighting, I also have to investigate the reason for the stalemate. The Emperor’s suspicion of the Rong Family is sky-high. I’m basically going there to investigate them. Since my cousin is good friends with Noble Princess Consort Rong, it’s best I don’t see her and avoid any suspicion!’

But Jiang Yi’s departure did not lift the dark cloud hanging over the Imperial Palace.

Secluded deep within the harem, Jiang Xian adopted a policy of hearing no evil and speaking no evil regarding the matter. Besides focusing on prenatal education for her unborn child, she also had to stay on top of Zhao’er’s schooling, making sure he knew that even with a new little brother or sister on the way, his mother’s love for him had not diminished in the slightest.