Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

In the Eastern Palace.

Ling Fusheng had come with Xiao Rui.

He had wanted to leave the palace with Grand Preceptor Li Chuntian, but he had been stopped by the imperial guards. When he learned that Ye Xuan wanted to see him, an ominous premonition struck him.

In the Golden Palace, Li Chuntian killed Qian Feng in anger because he was afraid that he would reveal what had happened between them in his desperation.

Now that Ye Xuan had summoned him alone, no matter what he said in the Eastern Palace, Li Chuntian would not believe him.

Just now, when he was coming to the Eastern Palace, Li Chuntian had not forgotten to remind him to be careful with his words and actions and also not to forget about his family in the residence. This was a blatant threat.

In the main hall, Ling Fusheng bowed. “Your Highness, Lord Xiao is here.”

Ye Xuan’s eyes fell on Xiao Rui. “That’s enough. You can leave!”

Ling Fusheng left the hall, leaving Ye Xuan and Xiao Rui alone. The latter said in a deep voice, “I don’t know why Your Highness called me here.”

Ye Xuan raised his hand slightly and motioned for Xiao Rui to take a seat. “I’m here to talk about the recruitment of soldiers. The war in the north is tight, and the number of the empire’s army is rapidly decreasing. We need to recruit new soldiers to strengthen the three armies.”

When Xiao Rui heard that Ye Xuan wanted to discuss the recruitment of new soldiers, his hanging heart instantly relaxed. “Your Highness, the front line has been defeated one after another. It’s not easy to recruit soldiers now.”

“And the training of new recruits consumes manpower, material resources, and financial resources. They can’t participate in the war in a short time.”

He paused for a moment and continued, “Your Highness, this lowly subject is already advanced in age and is preparing to resign and return to his hometown. As for the matter of recruiting new soldiers, Your Highness should find someone else.”

It was really obvious who was better.

Ji Ye, the hundred-year-old man, appeared in a fury.

Xiao Rui was in his sixties, but he was preparing to resign.

Ye Xuan laughed and said, “Since Lord Xiao is ready to resign, let’s talk about something else.”

“I don’t know what else Your Highness would like to talk about,” Xiao Rui said.

“Let’s talk about Qian Feng,” Ye Xuan said.

Xiao Rui’s heart skipped a beat. “Your Highness, Lord Qian is already dead. What is there to talk about?”

Ye Xuan slowly stood up and walked toward Xiao Rui. “Lord Xiao, why are you acting dumb? I know that Qian Feng is embezzling money, but do you think I don’t know what you and the Grand Preceptor are doing in secret?”

Xiao Rui’s figure trembled slightly as he saw Ye Xuan’s gaze fall on him. That sharp gaze could penetrate people, and he seemed to have no privacy in front of Ye Xuan.

Ye Xuan continued, “Lord Xiao, I didn’t punish you in the Golden Palace because I wanted to give you a chance. I also know that you’re just their chess piece. The Grand Preceptor is the main culprit.”

“You saw with your own eyes how the Grand Preceptor killed Qian Feng in the Golden Palace. Tell me, if I were to tell the Grand Preceptor that you betrayed him, what would the result be?”

Xiao Rui was terrified. “Your Highness, I didn’t say anything.”

Ye Xuan stepped forward and patted Xiao Rui’s shoulder. “Lord Xiao, you didn’t say anything, but from the moment you stepped into the Eastern Palace, the Grand Preceptor no longer trusted you.”

He paused for a moment and continued, “The opportunity is right in front of you. It’s up to you to grab it.”

Xiao Rui knelt down with a thud. “Your Highness, the Grand Preceptor forced us to do this. If we didn’t follow the Grand Preceptor’s orders, he would have killed our families.”

“Minister of War, Lord Hong refused to listen to the Grand Preceptor and was bedridden after being poisoned.”

Ye Xuan nodded. “I know all this. Tell me something I don’t know.”

Did he really know?

What did he know?

All is fair in war, and he had been lying from the beginning.

Now that Qian Feng was exposed, Xiao Rui had no reason not to believe Ye Xuan when he said that he had evidence of everyone’s crimes.

Cold sweat broke out on Xiao Rui’s forehead. He knew that Li Chuntian would make a move on his family, but if he didn’t tell the truth, he wouldn’t even be able to walk out of the palace. “Your Highness, the Grand Preceptor, the Left Minister, and the Grand Tutor are actually the three malignant tumors of the empire. His Majesty has always known that they are harming the empire.”

“Three years ago, during the battle at Hantian Pass, the entire army of Xia was annihilated and lost to the Tianyu Empire. It was not because Empress Yu had leaked military secrets, but because the Grand Preceptor had secretly sent someone to spread the news.”

“From what I know, the Grand Preceptor, the Left Minister, and the Grand Tutor all have the support of a mysterious force. They are making a fortune through their hands. Qian Feng is just the tip of the iceberg. Their disciples are spread all over Great Xia.”

Ye Xuan nodded. “Continue.”

Xiao Rui suddenly thought of something and said, “Your Highness, I once heard the Grand Preceptor mention that the force behind the Left Minister is hidden in Chang’an Academy. He also said that the world will be completely unified in the future and there will be no more competition between countries.”

“Your Highness, I only know this much. Your Highness, please spare my life and save my family.”

Ye Xuan said, “The Grand Preceptor threatened you with your family.”

Xiao Rui nodded. “Just as Your Highness said, I am only the smallest chess piece in their hands, so I can’t come into contact with many core members.”

Ye Xuan raised his hand slightly and motioned for Xiao Rui to get up. “Lord Xiao, you didn’t say anything just now. You were discussing the recruitment of soldiers with me. Do you understand what I mean?”

Xiao Rui shook his head. “I’m slow.”

Ye Xuan said, “If you want your family to be safe, you have to make the Grand Preceptor believe you. In the future, you will be my spy. I will ensure your safety. This is your chance to atone for your crimes.”

Xiao Rui was speechless.

He knew that no matter what, he couldn’t stay out of this. Now that he had become the crown prince’s chess piece, his life would be like walking on thin ice. It was too exciting.

Ye Xuan waved his hand. “Lord Xiao, you may leave. If there’s anything, I’ll send someone to find you.”

Xiao Rui left the Eastern Palace in a daze. As he moved forward, his mind was filled with thoughts. It was too difficult to think of a way to make Li Chuntian believe him.

Ye Xuan looked outside the hall. “Commander Ling, inform Cao Zhengchun to enter the palace.”

Ling Fusheng bowed outside the hall and left quickly with the broadsword at his waist.

At this moment, Gao Ying appeared outside the hall. “Your Highness, the Xuanyuan family has sent someone.”

The Xuanyuan family?

Ye Xuan gestured for Gao Ying to enter the hall. “What’s the situation with the Xuanyuan family?”

Gao Ying replied, “Your Highness, the Xuanyuan family is one of the four largest Chambers of Commerce in the capital. The treasure auction house and the slave market are their businesses. As for why the head of the Xuanyuan family is here, I have no idea.”

Ye Xuan nodded. “Since they’re here, we’ll meet.”

Just as Gao Ying was about to leave to summon the Xuanyuan family head into the hall, Ye Xuan said in a deep voice behind him, “Eunuch Gao, wait.”

“Your Highness, what is it?”

“Eunuch Gao, my father clearly knows that there is something wrong with the Grand Tutor, Grand Preceptor, and Left Minister. Why did he allow them to exist until now?”

“Your Highness, the Grand Tutor, Grand Preceptor, and the Left Minister’s problems were known to His Majesty three years ago. He did not attack them because he was afraid of the sects behind them. He had the three of them remain in the court so that they could keep each other in check.”

Gao Ying said in a deep voice.

Ye Xuan was suspicious. How strong were the forces behind the three of them to be able to threaten an entire empire? It seemed that things were much more difficult than he had imagined. “Go and summon the Xuanyuan family into the palace.”