If you were cold and aloof in your past life, why are you crying in this one?

After Xi Jian finished speaking, there was a long silence.

Yu Liang stared at Xi Jian, his gaze gradually turning cold.

"Brother Xuanping, it's better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester. If our two families join forces, even the Langya Wang Clan is no match for us. Do you really want to fall out with me over such a trivial matter?"

"I have always acted with a clear conscience," Xi Jian said firmly. "But what use are all the material possessions I have if I can't even protect my own flesh and blood?"

Yu Liang lost his patience. "If you get involved in the Liuchuntang matter, you will be making an enemy of me."

Xi Jian remained unfazed. "If you have a clear conscience, I won't interfere. Do you dare to say that?"

Yu Liang's face turned ashen, then, as if remembering something, he said, "Now that you've experienced the power of my Yu family's medicines, aren't you afraid?"

He stared at Xi Jian and said, word by word, "Your precious daughter truly has the charm of your first wife. There are countless men in Jiankang who would like to pluck her."

Xi Jian raised his eyes, his gaze sharp. "Touch my daughter? You try it."

Yu Liang raised an eyebrow. "I know your bottom line, and you should know mine too; if you don't want me to touch your daughter, just pretend you didn't hear about this, otherwise..."

As the atmosphere grew tense, Xi Hui and Xi Yao slowly emerged from the corridor.

"uncle."

Yu Liang's expression softened slightly, and he went out to talk to his nephew and niece.

Xi Rui stared at his back, her gaze sinister, as if she wished she could devour his flesh and drink his blood.

Jiankang Palace

"Mother, do you think this outfit looks good on me?"

Empress Yu looked at her daughter, adorned with jewels and dressed in magnificent clothes, and asked, "Why are you all dressed up so beautifully? Where are you going?"

Princess Nankang blushed slightly. "Tomorrow is the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet at the Prince of Huainan's residence. Wang Jue will also be attending. I dressed up so that he could see me."

The daughter is in love with Wang Jue, and that man is all she can think about.

Empress Yu did not approve, but her daughter was spoiled and wouldn't listen to anyone's advice once she made up her mind.

"You, a princess, how come you're always chasing after a man?"

When the Crown Prince returned, he heard his younger sister's infatuation with Wang Jue, and he was quite displeased.

Princess Nankang scoffed: "It's only because I'm a princess that I can be so unrestrained. No other woman would dare to act like this..." Finally, she gritted her teeth, "Xi Lingxian doesn't count. She's shameless, but I'm of noble status and have nothing to fear."

The Crown Prince and the Empress looked at each other in silence.

"Have you met your uncle?"

The prince nodded and handed the brocade box to his mother.

Empress Yu was overjoyed.

"Mother, what is it that you treasure so much?"

"This is a treasure that can make everyone in the world talk to you obediently."

"Mother... what does this mean?"

Empress Yu took out two slender porcelain bottles from the brocade box, a hint of sinister and ferocious glint in her eyes.

"It's a rare occasion for all the noble families to gather at the Prince's mansion's chrysanthemum appreciation banquet. Wouldn't it be a waste not to take this opportunity to do something special?"

"What is the Empress Dowager's intention?"

Empress Yu's eyes suddenly deepened, and the corners of her mouth curled up. "I want... to make the Jingkou soldiers serve my son, and to make my son a true crown prince."

The prince's heart skipped a beat.

"Mother, are you... planning to harm Xi Lingxian?"

"Not bad." Empress Yu examined the porcelain bottle in her hand. "This bottle contains aphrodisiacs, which are nothing special. Compared to ordinary drugs of this kind, the only difference is the strength of the effect. But this is a good thing. It can make the person who has taken the drug completely lose their mind and obey the orders given to them without hesitation. Even if you tell them to die, they will not hesitate."

The crown prince was dumbfounded.

Can such a thing really exist in this world?

Princess Nankang leaned closer, looking with great interest at the things in Empress Yu's hands. "Mother, could you give me some too?"

"What do you need this for?"

Princess Nankang tilted her chin up and said, "Wang Jue is always cold to me. I don't know when I'll be able to win him over. Since my uncle has such a good thing, why not grant my brother's wish and grant mine as well?"

The Crown Prince sighed, "Nankang, I do not approve of your relationship with Wang Jue; Father and the Wang family have long been irreconcilable enemies, and sooner or later he will find a way to eliminate them."

Princess Nankang laughed without hesitation, "Wouldn't that be even better? I'll marry into the Wang family and become an inside agent for Father Emperor. Then we can work together to deal with the Wang family from the inside."

The crown prince seemed to have heard something out of the blue. "Deal with Wang Jue? You're willing to do that?"

"What's there to be reluctant about? If Father Emperor holds real power, what good things won't be mine? When the Wang family falls, Wang Jue will have no one to rely on but himself, and he'll have to depend on me. Then I can do whatever I want with him."

For a fleeting moment, Empress Yu and the Crown Prince even thought the idea was quite plausible.

In just a moment, Empress Yu regained her senses.

"I've already arranged for people at the Prince's residence to mix aphrodisiacs into the wine. As for the powder that makes her obedient, you'll have to feed it to her yourself when you see her. Once the deed is done, Xi Jian will have no choice but to accept it."

The crown prince's chest suddenly pounded violently. "Mother, isn't this too risky?"

"If discovered, Lord Xi will not let it go easily."

"By the time he finds out, you've already slept with him. Your reputation as a young woman is ruined. What else can you do but accept your fate and marry someone else?"

Empress Yu sneered: "A woman who could have an affair before marriage and has no chastity, yet you are still willing to marry her as the Crown Princess. What a magnanimous heart and deep affection you have! If Xi Jian doesn't know what's good for him, someone will speak up for you."

The crown prince lowered his eyes and remained silent.

Empress Yu gripped his wrist. "Did you hear me?"

"Mother, Your Majesty, I feel this is inappropriate. The Prince of Huainan's residence is full of people and eyes, and my uncle and Father are not of one mind. What if..."

Empress Yu closed her eyes again, realizing her son had once again failed her at a crucial moment.

"If you do nothing, are you going to sit idly by and watch the Jingkou troops fall into the hands of other powerful families, waiting for you to ascend the throne and become a puppet emperor just like your father?"

The crown prince's heart skipped a beat.

"Son, son will listen to his mother."

Empress Yu nodded. "That's more like it. Don't be afraid, your mother will help you, and your aunt from the Xi family will help you too."

Imperial Study

The court officials were discussing the transportation of autumn grain. After the discussion, as the officials were about to disperse, they were about to leave.

"Your Majesty," Yu Liang said respectfully, "I have a matter I would like to ask Grand Commandant Wang."

Wang Dun tilted his head slightly.

The emperor put down the report in his hand, leaned forward slightly, and asked, "What is it, Minister Yu?"

"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Personnel has decided on the candidate for the Prefect of Jiangzhou, and the name of the second son of the Wang family has been chosen. I have no objection to this. The young master Wang comes from a distinguished family and is exceptionally talented. It is entirely right for him to assume this important position."

He paused, then changed the subject, "However, I have heard that the young master has not yet left the capital to take up his post, and spends his days going in and out of the palace, associating with famous scholars, enjoying himself immensely. As for Jiangzhou, he has only sent a few officials to manage things."

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became more tense.

Several older courtiers exchanged glances.

The position of Governor of Jiangzhou is coveted by many.

Jiangzhou is located between Jingzhou and Yangzhou, and can control Jingzhou to the north and Jiankang to the south, making it a strategic location that military strategists must contend for.

"Your subject remembers that according to the regulations of the court, all those appointed as prefects of local areas must personally go to their posts to govern and ensure the well-being of the people, and cannot be appointed remotely. This was a rule set by Emperor Taizu in order to prevent the loss of local control and the neglect of government affairs."

He looked at Wang Dun, pressing him further, "Young Master Wang is a promising young man, receiving such an important position so early in his official career; it is a great favor from the court. Yet, instead of repaying this favor, he remains in the capital, holding the position of governor in name only. I would like to ask Grand Commandant Wang, is this not somewhat unreasonable?"

The emperor tapped his fingers lightly twice on the imperial desk, his gaze shifting back and forth between Wang Dun and Yu Liang.

Wang Dun sat there, his back straight, his expression unreadable.

"Grand Commandant Wang," Yu Liang turned around, his gaze fixed on Wang Dun, his face filled with righteous indignation and cold sternness, "your son is already a Gentleman of the Secretariat and also serves as the Prefect of Jiangzhou. He already holds multiple positions and wields considerable power. Now, he refuses to even take up his post as Prefect, remaining in the capital to hold it remotely, occupying both a central position and local authority. May I ask, does the Wang family want both, attempting to monopolize all the benefits?"

The hall erupted in uproar.

Yu Liang clearly came prepared today, and every word he uttered hit the nail on the head.

Being granted the title of governor in a remote manner is a common privilege among veteran officials with outstanding achievements, but Wang Jue is just a young scion of a noble family who is just starting out. Why should he enjoy such a privilege?

It is unreasonable, it is against the rules, and it is even more unreasonable in terms of sentiment.

The emperor picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip.

A slow, deliberate voice came from the palace gate.

"His Majesty."

All eyes in the hall turned to the entrance.

Wang Jue, dressed in court attire, entered the hall and first bowed to the emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, I am late. Please forgive me."

He straightened up, then turned to Yu Liang, nodded slightly, and said with a faint smile, "Just now outside the hall, I vaguely heard Secretary Yu mention Jiangzhou. Now that I have been appointed Governor of Jiangzhou, this matter concerns me. May I say a few words?"

Yu Liang had sharp eyes.

"Your Majesty, what I, the Secretary, said just now was entirely reasonable. I have been appointed Governor of Jiangzhou, but I have delayed going to my post and have been taking charge of the affairs remotely, which is indeed inconsistent with regulations. I am young and inexperienced, and I have been given such an important responsibility so soon after entering officialdom. I should be grateful and repay the trust placed in me by going to Jiangzhou in person to govern and bring peace to the people, so as not to fail the trust of the court."

"I dare to ask Secretary Yu a few questions."

"As Yu Zhongshu just said, Jiangzhou is a strategically important military town, controlling the throat of Jing and Yang, and is crucial to the safety of the court. I wholeheartedly agree with this statement."

He paused slightly, "It is precisely because Jiangzhou is so important that I dare not take up the post rashly."

Yu Liang frowned slightly.

Wang Jue continued unhurriedly, "Although I have been appointed as the Prefect of Jiangzhou, I have never been there. My knowledge of the local conditions, military affairs, and geographical features is merely theoretical. If I were to go and stay there, and something went wrong, I would not only betray the court's trust but also let down the people of Jiangzhou. I will stay in the capital and thoroughly understand the situation in Jiangzhou before leaving. If I were to take up the post without even knowing the local landscape, the distribution of troops, and the hardships of the people, that would truly be a case of holding a position without doing any work."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Yu Liang.

"If I remember correctly, the son of Yu Zhongshu is currently serving in the court as a Gentleman Attendant. A Gentleman Attendant is responsible for advising, serving, and advising His Majesty, and should logically be by His Majesty's side. However, it seems that the young master of the palace is often absent. I would like to ask Yu Zhongshu, isn't this somewhat unreasonable?"

Yu Liang's expression changed.

Wang Jue bowed and said, "I do not intend to implicate anyone, but I would like to say that the practice of granting titles remotely is not an isolated case in the court. The son of the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat can be granted the title of Attendant Gentleman of the Palace remotely, so why can't a member of the Wang family be granted the title of Governor of Jiangzhou remotely? If it is said that Jiangzhou is a military stronghold and cannot be held for long, then the Attendant Gentleman of the Palace is responsible for advising and serving the emperor, which concerns the emperor's eyes and ears. Shouldn't he also not be held for long?"

His words, each one sharp and deliberate, caused Yu Liang's face to darken inch by inch.

"As Yu Zhongshu just said, the Wang family wants everything and wants to have all the benefits. I dare not agree."

"Your Majesty, I only know that the court should prioritize talent and virtue when appointing officials, and place the nation's interests first. If it is wrong for me to stay in the capital for a few more days of study simply because I come from a royal family, then I would like to ask: Is Yu Zhongshu's impassioned speech today for the sake of the court's discipline, or for something else?"

Yu Liang's face turned ashen. He wanted to retort, but found himself unable to find a word to say.

Wang Jue did not deny the matter of being granted the title remotely, nor did he even defend himself. He simply brought up the son of the Yu family in a casual manner, and then asked, "Is it for the sake of the court's discipline, or for something else?"

This statement hit the nail on the head.

If it's for the sake of discipline, then why is the son of the Yu family also in a remote command? If not, then what is the purpose of your attack today?

The emperor sat on his throne, and the corners of his mouth seemed to curve slightly.

Yu Liang took a deep breath. "Young Master Wang has excellent eloquence."

"Yu Zhongshu," Wang Jue interrupted him, "this junior still has something to say."

Yu Liang looked at him coldly.

"I will remember Yu Zhongshu's painstaking efforts today. I will also keep the matter of Jiangzhou in mind."

His voice was soft, but every word carried weight: "Next spring, I will take up my post. While I am away from the capital, I ask that you, Yu Zhongshu, take good care of yourself."

Yu Liang's expression changed completely.

He looked at Wang Jue's calm and composed face. This young man was more terrifying than his father.

The royal shield is like a knife, gleaming and sharp; everyone knows it's dangerous and therefore avoids it.

But Wang Jue was a pool of water. When you stepped in, you thought it was just a shallow area, but when the water reached your ankles, your knees, and your chest, you realized you couldn't get out.

After the court session ended, the crowd in the Taiji Hall surged toward the palace gates like a receding tide.

Xi Rui sighed softly as Wang Jue's figure turned past the palace wall and disappeared at the end of the passageway.

"What a pity."

Xi Jian glanced at his son.

Xi Rui slowed his pace. "Wang Jue is truly unfathomable. Yu Liang came prepared today, and every word he uttered hit the nail on the head. If it were anyone else, even if they weren't stumped, they would have been scrambling to offer some explanations. But he did it all. He shut Yu Liang down with just a few words and even dragged Yu's son into the mess."

He paused, a genuine regret creeping into his voice: "This man's character, skill, and courage are all first-rate. If the Wang family were in his hands, their future glory would likely surpass their present one. What a pity..."

Xi Rui sighed again: "It's a pity my sister is unwilling. Otherwise, this young master of the Wang family would be truly remarkable."

Xi Jian was silent for a moment, then said, "That's right."

Xi Rui's eyes lit up slightly.

"but--"

"This man is far too cunning. Who is Yu Liang? He has been navigating the political arena for decades. What kind of situation hasn't he seen? Yet today, he has been rendered speechless by a young man who has just entered the political arena."

"He clearly calculated every step. He knew exactly what Yu Liang was going to say; he had already thought about how Yu Liang would refute him. He even calculated exactly how Yu Liang's son would be involved and how Yu Liang would be embarrassed."

Xi Jian continued, "Such a person, placed in the imperial court, would be a pillar of the state, a vital asset to the nation. But placed at home, beside your sister—"

He suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Xi Rui also stopped.

"Your sister is naive," Xi Jian's voice suddenly softened, "Wang Jue is too cunning. If your sister marries him, I'm afraid—"

"I'm afraid they'll be eaten alive, leaving not even bones."

Xi Rui remained silent.

He thought of what Wang Jue had said in the palace, and of his unfathomable eyes, and a chill ran down his spine.

Such a person, if they truly care for someone, is naturally wonderful in every way.

But what if one day you lose your sincerity?

Xi Jian started walking again.

"In your sister's life, I don't ask her to marry into a wealthy family. I only wish for her to live a peaceful and safe life. To have someone who cares for her and is kind to her, so that she doesn't have to scheme against others or be schemed against, that's enough."

"No matter how good Wang Jue is, if your sister doesn't like him, I don't want him."