The Child Emperor

Inside the Hall of Diligent Administration, there were only six ministers: Chancellor Yin Wuhai, Left Chief Censor Xiao Sheng, Right Chief Censor Shen Mingzhi, Minister of Personnel Feng Ju, Minister of Rites Yuan Jiuding, and Minister of War Jiang Juying. Han Ruzi had met them all before. There was also a eunuch with an unfamiliar face who appeared to be the newly appointed Director of Palace Attendants based on his attire.

Attendants were not allowed to enter the hall. Han Ruzi and Prince Donghai personally carried their official seals for the six ministers to inspect.

The entire process was very brief, almost perfunctory. The ministers didn’t even come close to examine the seals, only glancing at them from afar. Yin Wuhai simply asked, “No problems?” and the others nodded in unison.

Xiao Sheng’s expression was slightly stern, but he remained silent. Standing in the Hall of Diligent Administration, he maintained the dignity of a senior minister, keeping his thoughts carefully concealed.

The eunuch escorted the two visitors out of the hall. Standing at the bottom of the steps, Prince Donghai asked puzzledly, “That’s it?”

“This is just the beginning.”

The four contenders still had half a year to gain the ministers’ support.

“I mean, was checking the seals supposed to be this simple? Why even include this step? It seems pointless,” Prince Donghai remained confused.

The two parted ways outside the palace gates. Prince Donghai mounted his horse and said, “Don’t go out this afternoon, I’ll come find you.”

Han Ruzi went to the Chief Commander’s Office to officially return the seal. The receiving official examined it meticulously, ensuring all that there were no new nicks and dents.

On the way home, Du Chuanyun let out a long breath, then said disappointedly, “I thought we might run into some trouble, maybe get into a fight.”

“What kind of trouble were you hoping for?” Han Ruzi asked with a smile.

Du Chuanyun rode his horse forward to ride alongside the Weary Marquis. “You know, someone trying to steal or snatch the seal. I stayed up all night patrolling the manor with grandfather, but didn’t even see a mouse. I thought something might happen during the day, but it was all so peaceful. Boring! Remember those days right after you left the palace? Now that was exciting.”

Han Ruzi laughed heartily. In hindsight, surviving danger might seem interesting, but as the person involved, he hoped for a peaceful future, even if it meant being utterly boring.

“The longer the wait, the harder the strike,” Han Ruzi said.

“Who will strike? Us or others?”

Han Ruzi smiled without answering, because he wasn’t sure. Even Yang Feng couldn’t predict it, only advising the Weary Marquis to observe quietly, build connections, and wait until he could truly consolidate the various forces before making plans.

For Han Ruzi, everything was indeed just beginning. The same was true for Prince Donghai, and Prince Ying and his fate seer. Only the Champion Marquis was different – he was just one step away from the throne and couldn’t wait to seize it.

“Let’s eat at the Drunken Immortal Inn,” Han Ruzi suggested.

Du Chuanyun cheered and led the way. The group of seven or eight people headed straight to the Drunken Immortal Inn. Despite it being noon and quite crowded, Du Chuanyun, who had only visited occasionally half a year ago, acted very familiar, warmly greeting the owner and staff as if he were a regular. Given the large group, the inn treated them with extra attention.

The group was led to a private room upstairs. Han Ruzi told his followers not to stand on ceremony – since there were no other guests, everyone could eat together at one table.

These followers weren’t household servants but bodyguards recruited by the Du grandfather and grandson. They were from the pugilist world and weren’t overly formal. The Weary Marquis was relaxed, so they were even more at ease, though they remembered their duties – they could ignore etiquette but couldn’t drink recklessly.

Du Chuanyun was salivating, even asking for a bowl of vinegar to temporarily suppress his urge to drink. Although his grandfather Du Motian had stayed at the manor, he still didn’t dare to drink.

Except for the lack of alcohol, the meal was very enjoyable. The food was excellent, the Weary Marquis was easy-going, and everyone shared interesting stories from the pugilist world, laughing frequently.

Reckless was the chef here. Han Ruzi wanted to invite him over, but Du Chuanyun shook his head, “Reckless is an odd one, never disturb him while he’s cooking.”

As they were finishing their meal, a commotion broke out outside the private room. It sounded like a group of people demanding wine and food rudely, mixed with cursing. They did not sound like ordinary customers.

The noise grew louder. Without waiting for the Weary Marquis’s permission, Du Chuanyun darted out of the room, exchanged some words, and returned, but the commotion continued.

“There really are troublemakers, and it’s not the first time. The owner says these people come every few days, for about half a year now.”

“Don’t meddle in others’ business, the inn can handle it,” one attendant said.

“Hehe, this isn’t really meddling – we know some of the troublemakers,” Du Chuanyun said mysteriously, reaching for a plate with leftover fish and cleaning it completely.

Soon after, someone came to pay respects at their private room. It was indeed someone Han Ruzi knew – Ironhead Hu San’er, a tall, strong dark-skinned man who had once protected him.

Hu San’er saluted and squeezed past Du Chuanyun to sit beside the Weary Marquis. “Sorry to disturb your meal, if I’d known you were here, we would have come tomorrow instead.”

Han Ruzi smiled, “Brother Hu, long time no see. What are you doing here? Collecting debts from the Drunken Immortal Inn?”

“I’m indeed collecting debts, but not from the inn. It’s from Reckless.”

“Reckless? How much does he owe? I’ll pay for him.”

Du Chuanyun stood aside grinning, but Hu San’er remained silent.

“Brother Hu, don’t you trust me?”

Hu San’er lightly slapped the table, “Since you’re here, I’ll speak frankly.”

“Please do.”

Hu San’er glanced at the others; most of the bodyguards nodded at him, clearly acquainted.

“Does the Weary Marquis remember Tailor Kuang from Three Willow Lane?”

Han Ruzi certainly remembered. Tailor Kuang had once helped persuade troublemakers to leave the Weary Marquis’s mansion, but was later killed by Reckless with two strikes by the river. At the time, Reckless claimed Kuang was a spy among the pugilists.

Hu San’er continued, “Reckless said Kuang met with two imperial agents in the Drunken Immortal Inn and worked for the ‘Guanghua Tigers’, but he never provided evidence. We were Kuang’s friends, so naturally we can’t let this matter remain unclear.”

Du Chuanyun squeezed onto a seat with an attendant and laughed, “Ironhead, since when were you friends with Kuang?”

“Friend of friends, is that not allowed?” Hu San’er snapped, glaring at Du Chuanyun before softening his expression and addressing the Weary Marquis, “This matter doesn’t concern you, I just wanted to let you know since we happened to meet.”

“Reckless killed Kuang because of me,” Han Ruzi couldn’t stay uninvolved – Reckless had killed Kuang to protect him.

Hu San’er shook his head, “The Weary Marquis isn’t from the pugilist world, and many people saw Reckless strike suddenly without warning. You knew nothing beforehand and certainly didn’t order it, right?”

Han Ruzi reluctantly nodded.

Hu San’er stood up, “I hear the Weary Marquis is involved in important matters. Don’t waste time dealing with us crude pugilists.”

Du Chuanyun laughed, “Kuang died over half a year ago. Have you just been coming here to eat and drink? Why haven’t you fought Reckless?”

“None of your business, go ask your grandfather,” Hu San’er strode out of the room. He was quite familiar with the Du family – his words were harsh but their friendship was deep.

Du Chuanyun remained unconcerned, still smiling, “Don’t worry, Weary Marquis. These guys are afraid of Reckless and won’t dare fight him. After a few more free meals, they’ll probably quiet down.”

Reckless never appeared.

When Han Ruzi left, he saw the troublemakers – eleven people including Hu San’er – gathered around a table, eating and chatting, occasionally shouting loudly, drawing glances from nearby diners. The waiters remained calm, serving wine and dishes normally, treating them just like particularly rowdy customers.

Back at his manor, Han Ruzi summoned Du Motian.

Du Motian already knew about this and smiled, “The Weary Marquis needn’t worry. This is just a small grudge in the pugilist world. Kuang had some friends, and while Reckless isn’t very popular, he has a few close brothers too. Everyone knows someone who knows someone else – they’ll sort it out eventually. The pugilist world has its own ways of resolving things, just leave it be.”

Han Ruzi still felt something was odd, but he truly didn’t have the energy to get involved.

Near dusk, Prince Donghai rushed over, with Manor Clerk Zeng behind him, unable to announce him properly in time.

Prince Donghai burst into the study and asked directly, “Have you heard?”

“Heard what?” Han Ruzi put down his book. Yang Feng and Meng E hadn’t returned yet, so he hadn’t received any special news.

Zeng bowed to the Weary Marquis and left the room.

“Prince Ying went to return his seal at the Hall of Diligent Administration this afternoon. You’ll never guess who his recommender was.”

“Who?”

“The Empress Dowager!” Prince Donghai studied Han Ruzi. “You’re not shocked?”

“What could be more shocking than competing for the previous emperor’s position? Besides, Prince Ying’s age and personality are just what the Empress Dowager would favor.”

“But isn’t the Empress Dowager… mad?” Prince Donghai sat down angrily.

“They say she has good days and bad days. This was probably arranged during a lucid moment.”

Prince Donghai snorted but said nothing more.

“Does the Empress Dowager count as a first-rank minister?” Han Ruzi asked.

“The Empress Dowager is Rank One and has a seal, but no one can call her a ‘minister’ – it’s a loophole the fate seers deliberately left,” Prince Donghai stared intently at Han Ruzi. “Could it be that while we’re fighting the Champion Marquis to the death, weakening each other, the Empress Dowager will suddenly strike and eliminate all threats? Perhaps she’s just pretending to be mad!”

“I’ll always be wary of the Empress Dowager, whether she’s truly mad or not.”

“I should contact my mother quickly, she’s in the palace and must know something…” Prince Donghai stood up and left without saying goodbye, running into Yang Feng.

“Do you know…”

“I know.”

Prince Donghai hesitated, then left – he was too proud to seek advice from Han Ruzi’s strategist.

“Is the Empress Dowager going to make her move?” Han Ruzi asked.

“Probably not. Don’t worry about her now. Tomorrow I’ll take you to meet Guo Cong.”

Yang Feng always focused on different matters than others. The Empress Dowager, Champion Marquis, fate seers… these seemingly immediate threats didn’t seem to concern him much – he only wanted to “please” the scholars.

“I saw people causing trouble for Reckless at the Drunken Immortal Inn today.”

Reckless had been introduced to the Weary Marquis by Yang Feng, and compared to the Du family, this chef seemed more like Yang Feng’s “confidant.”

“He can handle it himself,” Yang Feng was even more dismissive than Du Motian. “Send word to the Northern Army – those noble sons can go home now.”

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