Chapter 29.
When Xue Shu left Jingren Palace, he headed straight back to the Western Bureau.
Since his triumphant return from Tianjin, bolstered by the Longfeng Emperorâs favor, the Western Bureau had undergone a complete transformation. Xue Shu first promoted a handful of standout soldiers from the five hundred men who had accompanied him to Tianjin to key positions. Then, he requisitioned three thousand elite troops from the Four Camps to bolster his ranks. Though his official rank remained modestâa mere "Commander of Justice"âevery soul in the Western Bureau answered to him and followed his lead without question.
The moment he stepped through the gates, a subordinate rushed to greet him. âInspector, would you like to rest in your quarters?â
Xue Shu waved him off, his voice cutting. âNo. Take me to see Chen He.â
Chen He, imprisoned in the Bureauâs dungeon, had already been interrogated once. The old man had proven resilientâloyal to Yin Chengjing to the bitter endâand had refused to confess.
At first, Xue Shu wasnât in a rush. He figured the manâs age would make him vulnerable to extended confinement. No need for heavy-handed methods just yet. For days, he left Chen He to rot in the pitch-black, soundless cell, letting despair do its work.
But today had pushed Xue Shu over the edge. Rage coiled inside him, sharp and unrelenting. He was done waiting. If Yin Chengjing wanted to play games, Xue Shu would turn the screws. No matter how stubborn Chen Heâs bones, heâd find a weak spot.
Everyone had one.
âBring him to the torture chamber,â Xue Shu ordered, his tone ice-edged.
Dragged from his cell after days without food, light, or even a hint of sound, Chen He was a shell of his former self. His gaunt frame sagged between two guards as they hauled him in. Bleary-eyed, he squinted at Xue Shu, recognition dawning before his rage flared.
âYou eunuch dog! What now?â
Xue Shuâs lips curved into a cold, slow smile as he sized him up. His voice, silky smooth and venom-laced, carried the kind of danger that made even silence feel heavy. âStill holding out, are we, Minister Chen? Interesting. The silver confiscated from your home doesnât match the figures provided by Wan Youliangâs confession. Care to explain?â
Chen He spat, his defiance sharp. âWan Youliangâs a lying scoundrel! His words mean nothing! Iâve served the court for decades, tirelessly and without reproach. You eunuch filth wonât break me! Kill me if you must, but I wonât confess to your lies!â
Xue Shu chuckled darkly, the sound low and unsettling. âImpressive backbone, Minister. I wonder, thoughâdoes your little grandson share that trait?â
Chen He froze, his expression tightening. âWhat are you saying?â
Xue Shu leaned back in his chair, his gaze searing. âYou didnât think sacrificing yourself would protect your family, did you?â
A sharp clap of his hands brought a guard forward, leading in a boy no older than six or seven. The child looked around, confused and frightened, before his eyes landed on the man bound to the torture rack. âGrandfather!â he cried, rushing toward him.
The guards caught him, holding him back as he kicked and wailed, tears streaming down his face.
Chen Heâs face twisted with anguish, his voice cracking with fury. âYou bastard! Heâs only a child!â
Xue Shuâs smile widened, cruel and deliberate. âI heard you dote on this grandson of yours. The stories seem true.â
He stood, slow and deliberate, picking up a pair of tongs that gripped a glowing red branding iron. Turning it in his hand, he let its heat radiate through the room. âNow, Chen He, letâs consider your situation. Your crimes donât warrant punishing your family. Your grandson still has a chanceâa bright future, perhaps even a comeback for the Chen family one day.â
He paused, stepping closer to the trembling boy. The iron hovered inches from the childâs cherubic face, the heat palpable. âBut if this iron leaves a mark, if your grandson carries a scar he can never hide... well, there goes your familyâs future, doesnât it?â
The boy screamed, thrashing as the iron edged closer. His cries tore through the room, each desperate âGrandfather!â lancing through Chen Heâs resolve.
The old manâs eyes bulged, veins stark against his temples, his breaths ragged and uneven.
Xue Shu watched him, calm and sure, the brand mere inches from the boyâs cheek. The room was silent except for the childâs terrified wails.
Finally, Chen He broke, his voice raw and guttural. âStop! Donât hurt himâIâll talk! Iâll confess to everything!â
Xue Shu smirked, pulling the iron away with a flourish. Tossing it aside, he barked, âTake the boy outside. Let them reunite once his grandfather has spilled every last secret.â
Chen Heâs gaze burned with hatred as he stared at Xue Shu, but he knew better than to test him further. The confession came, word by bitter word, leaving no detail unsaid.
Xue Shu's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he gazed at the signed confession. Turning to Chen He, whose glare burned with resentment, he spoke, his tone sharp and unyielding:
"Master Chen, there's no need to look at me like that. You endured all this suffering in prison just to shield the Third Prince. Yet, have you ever stopped to think? If it werenât for me keeping an eye on things, your entire family wouldâve been ruined long ago. Funny how things workâturns out you owe me your gratitude for saving them."
With that, Xue Shu didnât bother sparing Chen He another glance. Taking the confession, he strode off to report to Emperor Longfeng.
The emperor was in the middle of a discussion with Ministry of Works officials about restoring a Taoist temple. Having recently confiscated wealth from several noble families, the treasury was flush with silver, and the emperor had taken a sudden interest in grand renovation projects.
When word came that Xue Shu sought an audience, Emperor Longfeng tossed the blueprints back to the newly appointed vice minister with a dismissive wave. "Not grand enough. Revise it again."
The vice minister, his face clouded with dread, clutched the blueprints and made a swift exit. As he passed Xue Shu, his gaze couldnât help but linger. Xue Shuâs cold, severe features and the barely concealed menace in his eyes sent a chill up his spine. Catching that glance, Xue Shuâs eyes flicked toward him with a cutting edge that froze him in place.
Shaken, the vice minister scurried away without daring another look.
Inside the hall, Xue Shu bowed.
The emperor leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees as his piercing gaze fell on Xue Shu. "Whatâs the matter?"
Xue Shu wasted no time on flattery or pleasantries. He was not like the other sycophants in the court. Without a word more than necessary, he presented the confession.
"Chen He has confessed. Here is the evidence."
The emperor took the document, casually glancing over itâuntil his eyes locked onto a name. His face darkened, storm clouds gathering.
"The Third Prince?"
Emperor Longfengâs brows knitted tightly. His third son, Yin Chengjing, had always been the carefree one, never meddling in court politics or associating with officials. He was indulgent, yesâoften consorting with actors and performersâbut the emperor had tolerated it, considering it harmless. Yin Chengjingâs mother, Consort De, had been with the emperor since his days as a mere prince. Though her beauty had faded, her gentle, understanding nature had earned his occasional fondness.
This indulgence was now crumbling under the weight of the confession in his hands.
The evidence revealed that while the emperor had turned a blind eye, Yin Chengjing had secretly colluded with Chen He, even taking a share of profits from the lucrative Changlu salt mines.
A wave of suspicion surged through the emperor. Yin Chengjing had always seemed harmless, but if he had been scheming in secret, who else in the court might be aiding him?
Could this be the only scheme, or were there more?
Until now, the emperor had viewed the crown prince as his sole threat, even using the second prince as a counterbalance. But now? It seemed the ambition for the throne wasnât confined to just one son.
Suppressing his fury, the emperor growled, "Summon the Third Prince!"
Yin Chengjing, summoned to the imperial study, was already uneasy. The recent incident at Jiaoyuan weighed on him. Though he had thoroughly covered his tracks, his instincts whispered danger.
Steeling himself, he entered the study.
The sight of Xue Shu standing silently by the emperorâs side made his heart sink. He bent to bow, only to have a heavy inkstone crash at his feet, splattering black ink across his robes.
Startled, Yin Chengjing dropped to his knees, his face pale with panic. "Father, please quell your anger! What has this unworthy son done to offend you?"
Emperor Longfengâs lips curled into a chilling smile as he studied his son, as if seeing him for the first time. Finally, he flung the confession at Yin Chengjingâs feet.
"Take a look yourself."
Yin Chengjingâs hands trembled as he picked up the document. A single glance sent a jolt through his chest. He pressed his forehead to the cold floor.
"Father, it was my momentary lapse in judgment. I beg you, do not harm your health on account of this foolish son!"
The emperorâs rage cooled slightly at his sonâs immediate admission. His tone turned cold, his expression unreadable.
"Explain yourself."
Yin Chengjingâs voice wavered, his eyes downcast. "Father, you know Iâve always been fond of performers. A couple of years ago, I became enamored with a certain star and wished to take him into my household. But my funds were tight. It was then, through drunken conversation, that I learned of a deal between Chen He and Wan Youliang. Temptation got the better of meâ¦"
As he trailed off, the emperorâs glare burned into him, a silent threat hanging in the air.
He knew better than anyone how wary Emperor Longfeng could be, so he framed all his dealings with Chen He as mere transactions of moneyânothing more.
After all, a hedonistic, reckless son entangled in salt trade scandals for the sake of indulging performers was far less threatening than a cunning, ambitious prince scheming to win over ministers and eyeing the throne. That narrative would put the emperorâs suspicions at ease.
Sure enough, Emperor Longfengâs expression softened somewhat after hearing him out. However, ever the distrustful man, the emperor didnât fully believe him. His face darkened as he declared, "Whatever your motives, meddling in salt affairs is a grave mistake. Since itâs your first offense, Iâll be lenientâyour salary is docked for a year, and youâre confined to your estate for three months. As for the performers in your household, theyâve become far too disruptive. Disband them all when you return.â
The prince remained calm as the emperor handed down the punishmentâuntil the mention of dispersing the performers. For a moment, his eyes betrayed his turmoil.
Fines and house arrest meant little to him. But those performers werenât just for showâmany of them were carefully trained spies, using their roles as cover to relay crucial information. If forced to scatter them, his network would be severely crippled, leaving him at a disadvantage.
He opened his mouth to plead his case, but the emperor raised a hand, cutting him off with an impatient wave. He had no intention of listening further and dismissed him on the spot.
Gritting his teeth, the prince bowed and left, swallowing his frustration for the time being.
Nearby, Xue Shu watched the scene unfold, a barely perceptible smirk curving his lips.
After the prince departed, the emperor turned to Xue Shu and shifted to a different matter. "I heard the Crown Prince summoned you today.â
The question sounded casual, but Xue Shu didnât miss the probing glint in his eyes.
âYes, Your Majesty,â Xue Shu replied without hesitation, bowing deeply. âHis Highness drank a bit too much and, perhaps reminded of an old grudge from our time in Tianjin, made me kneel for half an hour. Afterward, he gave me a set of his worn clothes and told me to wash them.â
His tone was as composed and indifferent as always, his head bowed low.
The emperor blinked in surprise at such a peculiar answer but then burst into laughter. âThe Crown Prince is usually so mild-tempered. How is it that he only targets you?â
âMy personality isnât the most likable,â Xue Shu replied, as serene as ever. âItâs no surprise His Highness dislikes me. But so long as I have Your Majestyâs trust, that is more than enough.â
The emperorâs laughter deepened, his eyes losing their edge of suspicion.
This was precisely why he favored Xue Shu. Unlike the smooth-talking flatterers in court who ingratiated themselves with princes and ministers, Xue Shuâs unlikable demeanor made him a perfect, reliable tool. The more complaints against Xue Shu, the more reassured the emperor felt.
In high spirits, the emperor commended Xue Shu before dismissing him for the night.
By the time Xue Shu left the study, night had fallen. He cast a glance toward Ciqing Palace, knowing all eyes would be on the Crown Prince tonight. Discretion won over, and he made his way back to the Western Bureau instead.
Though now the undisputed master of the Western Bureau, Xue Shu still resided in the modest room assigned to him at the beginning. The sparse furnishings held only the bare essentials, reflecting his disciplined lifestyle.
Once inside, he closed the door and windows, lit a lamp, and finally retrieved the bundle heâd been given earlierâthe Crown Princeâs clothes.
The garments, carelessly stuffed into the package, were wrinkled. Xue Shuâs fingers smoothed over the creases with deliberate care, tracing the fine fabric. The silken texture was exquisite, cool and supple beneath his touch, reminiscent of the softest skin.
Unbidden, his mind returned to the silhouette heâd glimpsed through the paper-thin screen.
That night, the screen hadnât been enough to conceal the faint sounds or the faintly shadowed movements on the other side.
Xue Shu closed his eyes, the scene playing vividly in his mindâthe Crown Princeâs lips curving in that imperious smirk, the effortless dominance in his gaze as he flung the discarded clothes his way, and the barely veiled invitation in every deliberate motion.
It was a trap, of course. An irresistible snare designed to pull him deeper and deeper into dangerous waters. But he stepped willingly, eagerly, unable to resist the allure.
Lifting the pristine inner robe to his face, Xue Shu inhaled deeply.
The mingling scents of winter plum blossoms and faint osmanthus lingered in the fabric, cool and delicate yet tainted with a faint undercurrent of desire. It was intoxicating, maddening, and utterly irresistibleâan aroma that teased with promises of conquest and possession.
And so he succumbed, lost in the pull of that forbidden craving.
âââAuthor's Note:
Dog: His Highness is clearly seducing me.
His Highness: ...
âââTN:
The Crown Prince is intentionally, irresistibly, and unapologetically turning up the heat, seducing with calculated charm and an undeniable charm.