Chapter 38 : Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Grand Secretary

In Flying Cloud Courtyard, Consort Yun lifted her teacup, gently stirring the floating tea leaves with the lid, and said calmly: “Today, so many risked their lives waiting for your people to make contact, yet not a shadow appeared. If there’s no explanation for this, you won’t leave the prince’s mansion.”

I quickly pondered: Liu Shiyu of the Liu Family was close to Consort Jing, so why didn’t they contact her instead of Consort Yun?

Why didn’t Consort Jing know I was a Jing Dynasty spy?

Wait.

I suddenly recalled that lead-barium glass cup that caused Consort Jing’s miscarriage, as if an unseen thread was guiding me toward the truth.

“Why no answer?” Consort Yun asked gravely, the dignified princess seated on the grand master chair, the python pattern on her robe seeming to stare at me, imposing without anger.

I said softly: “The Liu Family had a major incident. The Secret Spy Division’s Jiaotu and Yunyang nearly uncovered something, so for safety, we temporarily halted the plan.”

In truth, that night I went to Zhou Chengyi’s mansion to tell him the delivery date, but I was killed by Yunyang and Jiaotu.

Resurrected, I knew nothing of this matter.

Consort Yun said calmly: “The Jing Dynasty Military Intelligence Division casually scraps agreed plans. This explanation alone isn’t enough. Have you thought of a better answer, or would you rather become fertilizer in my garden?”

I suddenly said: “The Secret Spy Division in Luocheng is a threat to both of us. Since you’ve shown sincerity, Madam, our Military Intelligence Division must display our strength. Yunyang and Jiaotu’s imprisonment today was our Division Officer’s plan. Are you satisfied, Madam?”

Consort Yun’s eyes lit up: “So, the one who sent the letter was from your Military Intelligence Division. Who is this Division Officer? Not only did he plant spies in the Secret Spy Division, but he also infiltrated the Liu Family undetected!”

My heart jolted. The morning’s events were known to Consort Yun by afternoon, indicating close contact with the Liu Family.

I lowered my gaze: “The Division Officer is naturally a standout in our Military Intelligence Division. The Division Lord sent him to ensure our cooperation goes smoothly.”

Consort Yun’s demeanor softened, no longer stern, now gentle: “When I first saw you, I thought the Military Intelligence Division sent a greenhorn to deal with me and slighted you. But at Evening Star Courtyard, you proved you’re no useless fool. Good. If the Military Intelligence Division’s spies in Luocheng are all elite, I’m at ease.”

I thought for a moment and answered: “Now that Yunyang and Jiaotu are in prison, while the Secret Spy Division’s new leader hasn’t arrived in Luocheng, our transaction can be foolproof. Madam, let’s replan the date and place.”

Consort Yun gave me a few extra glances: “Then tomorrow night, at the same place as last time.”

I didn’t know where the last meeting was or how to tell the Division Officer. I immediately said: “Not suitable. Our Military Intelligence Division never uses the same place twice… Please provide a new address, Madam.”

“You’re cautious enough,” Consort Yun thought for a moment: “This time, set it at ‘Gold Workshop’ in Red Cloth Lane, East Market. Find the madam and say ‘Luo Tian,’ and she’ll take you to the hidden goods.”

I weighed the pros and cons carefully and voiced my confusion: “Madam, our Military Intelligence Division has always had one question.”

Without knowing the full picture, I’d never hold the initiative.

Consort Yun lifted her teacup, sipping lightly: “Speak.”

“We learned Liu Shiyu is Consort Jing’s favorite nephew, her sister’s only son. We doubted he’d pass messages for you because we wondered why he didn’t contact Consort Jing.”

Consort Yun sneered: “My dear sister? The Liu Family can’t control her—how could they entrust her with their grand plans? Now, the Liu Family and I share common interests, so you needn’t worry.”

I stood: “Then I’ll…”

“Wait,” Consort Yun said.

I was puzzled: “Anything else, Madam?”

Consort Yun smiled invitingly: “Tonight, the Heir hosts a literary gathering, and your two direct brothers will attend. How about I send invitations to the clinic for you and your martial brothers to join?”

I thought for a moment: “No need. My identity is sensitive now; I don’t want to implicate them. I have to arrange the goods handover today, so I’ll take my leave.”

Leaving Flying Cloud Courtyard, I glanced back at that persimmon tree, then turned and left.

…

…

On Luocheng’s official road, a carriage rolled in from the north.

Plain in design, accompanied only by two mounted attendants, it was very low-key.

At that moment, hundreds of riders approached from the opposite direction on the road.

As they drew near, Yuzhou officials dismounted or stepped from their sedans, hurrying to the carriage to kneel in grand ceremony: “We welcome the Grand Secretary back to Yuzhou. Forgive us for not greeting you from afar.”

The Liu Family had managed this province for centuries, controlling over half its fields and tenants.

No matter who came to Yuzhou as an official, to collect taxes, conscript labor, or build achievements, they had to heed the Liu Family’s will.

Thus, except for a few noble sons here to gild their names, all officials knelt in welcome. Kneel, and the Yuzhou officialdom would accept you; refuse, and you’d find no foothold.

Grand Secretary Liu lifted the curtain, giving the kneeling officials a faint glance: “My father passed; I’ve no heart to chat with you all. Disperse.”

With that, the carriage moved slowly again. An official jogged alongside, speaking softly to Grand Secretary Liu behind the curtain: “Grand Secretary, the Eldest and Second Masters await you at home.”

But Grand Secretary Liu instructed: “I’m going to the ancestral graves. Have Liu Mingxian meet me there.”

The carriage reached Beimang Mountain. Grand Secretary Liu stood before the broken tomb, watching dozens of laborers haul new stones to rebuild it.

I don’t know how long he stood there.

Liu Mingxian hurried over, knelt before Grand Secretary Liu: “Father!”

He didn’t speak, letting his son kneel.

Only when Liu Mingxian’s knees ached and he shifted did Grand Secretary Liu ask slowly: “When I die, will my coffin be opened for inspection too?”

Liu Mingxian hurriedly lowered his head: “Father, never!”

Grand Secretary Liu dismissed everyone down the mountain, then lifted his robe hem to sit on a stone slab, saying slowly: “Liu Mingxian, today, for your so-called grand cause, you killed your grandfather. How do I know you won’t kill me tomorrow for that same cause?”

The mountain was silent, no one around. Liu Mingxian prostrated on the ground, wordless.

Grand Secretary Liu snapped: “Speak!”

Liu Mingxian hurriedly explained: “Father, that wasn’t my intent. I used Grandfather’s death to scare off the Secret Spy Division. Yunyang and Jiaotu are good at killing but lack brains; a scare should’ve driven them away. Who’d have thought they’d find Liu Shiyu’s crimes?”

“Then why kill your grandfather?”

“We got word the Secret Spy Division was coming to open the coffin. If they found it empty, our Liu Family would be guilty of deceiving the emperor! So I found ‘mandala flower’ for Grandfather to take, just to fake death in the coffin briefly. Who knew he was too old to withstand the mandala’s effects and passed away?”

Grand Secretary Liu was furious: “Still not telling the truth? Clearly, your grandfather opposed your collusion with the Jing Dynasty, so you seized the chance to kill him outright! Liu Mingxian, you’re too ruthless. I never imagined I raised a man-eating wolf in the Liu Family!”

Liu Mingxian suddenly raised his head, eyes fierce: “Father, since the Emperor ascended, he’s been scheming to eliminate our Liu Family. First, he used the Donglin Party’s censors to impeach us; now he incites the eunuchs to frame and slander. He won’t rest until we’re gone!”

“Father, twenty years ago, the court and provinces were full of our Liu Family’s people. Now? We can’t even hold Yuzhou posts. You know Chen Liqin came as Luocheng Deputy Prefect, and Xu Gong’s son-in-law Zhang Zhuo as Luocheng Prefect. Those two collude, vowing to audit our Liu Family’s fields and tenants.”

“Father, this is my desperate gamble. If we sit idly, the Liu Family’s centuries-old foundation will be lost!”

Mist drifted in with the mountain breeze. Grand Secretary Liu sat in it, looking desolate: “None of you listen to me, yet you still call me Father?”

“I told your aunt the Emperor is brilliant, mastering the art of rule from youth, uncontainable. But she wouldn’t listen. Since the Emperor ascended at eleven, she held the court, blocking his rule. He endured six years of hardship—how could he not hate our Liu Family?”

“Because he hates us, we have no way out. If we fight, we might not lose! This world isn’t the Zhu Family’s alone!” Liu Mingxian said fiercely.

Grand Secretary Liu suddenly slumped: “Fine, fine. One last question: when you gave your sister that glass cup, did you know it would cause her to lose her child?”

Liu Mingxian shook his head: “I didn’t know. The cup was exquisite; I thought my sister would like it.”

“Still lying!” Grand Secretary Liu kicked him to the ground.

Liu Mingxian didn’t kneel again but stood, dusting off his blue official robe, smoothing it: “Father, after she married into the prince’s mansion, her heart was only for Prince Jing, not our Liu Family. She thought only of bearing his child. I asked her to work for the Liu Family; she refused. So I cut off her hopes!”

“You’re too vicious!”

“Father, are the eunuchs any less vicious? If I’m not vicious, how do I fight them?”

“You…” Grand Secretary Liu’s words caught, unable to find voice.

He sat on the stone, silent for who knows how long, finally sighing softly: “Yunyang and Jiaotu were imprisoned today. Who tipped you off?”

Liu Mingxian, seeing his father’s tone soften, looked pleased, knowing a man in high office wouldn’t act on emotion.

He said respectfully: “I don’t know yet; we’re investigating. I’m unsure of their intent.”

Grand Secretary Liu’s face grew stern: “Friend or foe, someone like that nearby keeps me awake. Find them quickly. I’ll send men from Yanshi for you to deploy. These men are hard to use well—curb your arrogance.”

“Understood.”

Grand Secretary Liu waved: “Go. I’m tired.”

Liu Mingxian turned and left the mountain, leaving Grand Secretary Liu alone.

Like a candle in the wind, the old man slowly rose, leaning on the coffin before the tomb: “Father, it’s been a long time since you stepped out of the Liu Family Compound to see this world.”