Chapter 188: Talking About Ideals with Wang An

For both Wei Zhongxian and Chen Hong, Wang An's reappearance before the world this time was not a good thing.

In their hearts, Wang An had already been stamped with the label of "finished." Wang An wasn't finished yet, but the time until he was finished wouldn't be long now, so Wei Zhongxian and Chen Hong both paid him no mind.

But who could have imagined that a man like this, at a time like this, would actually turn things around?

This made people unable to guess what was going on.

As for the Emperor's thoughts, Chen Hong truly couldn't understand them. In his view, shouldn't this have been his opportunity?

Wei Zhongxian went without saying—his position was above Chen Hong's; Wang An was also above him, but Wang An was already living from moment to moment. This time, the best candidate should have been himself—how did it become Wang An?

Although Chen Hong was deeply puzzled and somewhat aggrieved, he still didn't dare say anything, didn't even dare to ask.

Now that Zhu Youxiao had told him to go find Wang An, Chen Hong didn't dare be negligent. He hurriedly turned and ran out.

When Chen Hong arrived at Wang An's small courtyard, Wang An was planting peonies.

"Eunuch Wang is in good spirits. His Majesty summons you." Chen Hong gave a smile that didn't reach his eyes and flicked the horsetail whisk in his hand.

His Majesty summons me?

Wang An's hand, planting flowers, froze in mid-air for a moment. Wang An himself was also quite surprised at being summoned by Zhu Youxiao.

In fact, Wang An knew his own situation well—he was not favored by His Majesty. But he wasn't overly agitated either; a new Son of Heaven bringing in new ministers was only natural, let alone the fact that His Majesty had been dealing with the Donglin Faction all along.

As for His Majesty dealing with the Donglin Faction, Wang An actually felt rather anxious about it, because he felt that His Majesty was purging the loyal ministers of the court.

As for why His Majesty would do such a thing? Who had influenced him?

Besides Wei Zhongxian and Chen Hong, who else could it be?

Looking at Chen Hong, who wore a smile on his face before him, Wang An didn't give him a good expression in return.

In Wang An's view, this time he was probably in for more trouble than good, so he might as well be bolder—once he saw His Majesty, he would speak his mind to him, and that would count as his loyalty.

As for other matters, he couldn't concern himself with them anymore. He was probably going to go serve the late emperor soon.

"Wait a moment." Wang An scooped up a handful of clean water to wash off the dust, brushed the yellow mud from the hem of his robe, and only then followed Chen Hong to the Qianqing Palace.

The setting sun spilled across the golden glazed tile rooftops, casting a brilliant, dazzling glow.

"It's been so long since I last came to His Majesty's place." Wang An gazed at the plaque hanging above the main gate, his heart filled with a sudden daze.

After entering the hall, gazing at Zhu Youxiao from afar, Wang An knelt directly on the ground and said respectfully, "This old servant pays respects to His Majesty."

"Enough, rise!" Zhu Youxiao waved his hand with an expressionless face.

Wang An stood up from the ground. He was just about to speak when Zhu Youxiao interrupted him.

Zhu Youxiao was seen beckoning to Wang An, gesturing for him to come closer.

This made the words Wang An had been about to say stick in his throat, catching directly.

When Wang An walked up before him, Zhu Youxiao looked him over from head to toe.

Zhu Youxiao found that Wang An was rather good-looking—compared to Wei Zhongxian and Chen Hong, he looked more like a scholar, and moreover carried a bit more refined elegance.

Clearly this was the reason Wang An was close to the Donglin Faction—because he was a scholar.

Though whether he was actually accepted by the Donglin Faction was another matter.

"Is your body still holding up well?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Wang An and asked gently.

"Your Majesty, this old servant's body is still fine." Wang An hurriedly bowed and said.

"Good then. There is a matter I want you to handle. I had originally thought your body might not hold up, but since you're well now, that's fine." Zhu Youxiao nodded and said.

Wang An was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected His Majesty to have a matter for him to handle.

But he wasn't overly excited either—such matters could be good or bad. If it was a good matter, then naturally there was nothing to say; but if it was a bad one, then the outcome wouldn't necessarily be any better than simply having him killed outright.

Zhu Youxiao didn't look at Wang An's expression, but instead turned to Chen Hong and said, "Show him the thing."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong acknowledged, walked to one side, picked up a booklet, and handed it into Wang An's hands, then bowed and retreated to stand at the side.

"Take a look." Zhu Youxiao said.

After Wang An received the booklet, he quickly flipped through it.

This was a booklet for establishing an Imperial Household Department. After one glance at its contents, he knew how important this Imperial Household Department was.

This Imperial Household Department was practically the Emperor's grand steward, with very great power. At the same time, it could connect both outside and inside the palace—its strength was even greater than the Eastern Depot's.

Wang An didn't know why His Majesty was showing him this booklet. A thought occurred to him in his heart, but he didn't quite dare believe it.

"I intend to put the Imperial Household Department in your hands to manage. Besides you, there's also the Empress's father, and one more minister who hasn't been decided yet. That other minister is for oversight. I haven't yet thought of a name for that official post. Are you willing to do it?" Zhu Youxiao asked in a calm tone.

This was a good opportunity for Wang An—it could let him escape his current predicament.

If he didn't agree, then he would certainly be dealt with, so he had no other choice.

In fact, Zhu Youxiao hadn't given Wang An any other choice either. Other than agreeing, he had no second path to walk.

Wang An had no intention of refusing. Everyone knew what his position was now.

His Majesty was giving him an opportunity this time, and he had to seize it. So Wang An directly chose to agree, kneeling on the ground and saying respectfully, "This old servant is willing to exert every effort for Your Majesty."

"Good then." Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "The Directorate of Ceremonial will keep a brush-holder position for you, ranked above Wei Zhongxian. Give up the seal-holder position. Manage the Imperial Household Department well for me. If any mistakes occur, don't blame me for not giving the Empress face."

Wang An's heart stirred. The Empress's face?

No wonder he was able to step back into the light this time—it turned out the Empress had pleaded for him.

At this moment, gratitude toward the Empress welled up in Wang An's heart, and he also came to regard the Empress as a virtuous empress.

Even more crucial was that Wang An saw one thing—the Empress was able to remonstrate with His Majesty.

"Alright, you may go." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said.

"This old servant will take his leave now." Wang An acknowledged, bowed, and walked out.

But he didn't return to his own residence—instead, he headed toward the Kunning Palace.

Wang An was going to express his gratitude. Not going was not an option.

Watching Wang An's departing figure, Zhu Youxiao turned to look at Chen Hong and said expressionlessly, "Wang An's position—you'll take it over."

Hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Chen Hong was immediately overjoyed. He hurriedly prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed to Zhu Youxiao, "This servant thanks Your Majesty!"

Chen Hong was truly overjoyed, and the slight frustration he had felt moments ago was swept clean away.

The ranking of eunuchs within the palace was extremely strict, and the highest authority was the Directorate of Ceremonial, which was known as the "Inner Court."

Eunuchs who managed to enter the Directorate of Ceremonial were inherently a cut above the rest, something no one else could compare to.

And within the Directorate of Ceremonial, the hierarchy among eunuchs was also very clearly delineated.

Ranked first was the seal-holding eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, while all the others were brush-holding eunuchs. However, even among the brush-holding eunuchs, there was a ranking.

The person ranked second was actually Wei Zhongxian, who by imperial decree served as Director of the Eastern Depot. But now one more person had been added, and that was Wang An, Director of the Imperial Household Department, who had directly leapfrogged ahead of the Eastern Depot.

In Chen Hong's view, the person who would be most displeased in this whole affair was Wei Zhongxian, having been demoted a rank for no reason at all.

Originally, Wei Zhongxian had been second only to the seal-holding eunuch, and Chen Hong himself had ranked behind Wei Zhongxian.

But this time, His Majesty had not only let Chen Hong leap to the position of first seal-holding eunuch, but had also made Wang An the second, while Wei Zhongxian had been directly demoted from second to third — this was simply an unprovoked demotion.

However, regarding Wei Zhongxian's fate, Chen Hong's heart was filled with schadenfreude.

Did Zhu Youxiao not know the consequences of doing this?

Of course he knew, but he still chose to do it.

The eunuchs of the imperial palace were like ministers — what mattered was balance. Originally, things had not been very balanced, but now they were.

If Wang An were disposed of, then it would be a struggle between Wei Zhongxian and Chen Hong, which would not be good. But now with three people, a balanced dynamic would emerge.

Moreover, Zhu Youxiao had made Wang An the Empress's man, which was also for the sake of checks and balances within the palace, and additionally to help his wife more quickly secure her position as Empress.

Beyond that, it was to give his wife more say in the Imperial Household Department, which was equally important.

After arranging everything properly, Zhu Youxiao said to Chen Hong, "Alright, get up, no need to keep kneeling. Go to the Empress."

"Yes."

After saying this, Chen Hong stood up directly and walked toward the Empress's quarters.

By the time Zhu Youxiao arrived at Kunning Palace, Empress Zhang was already there waiting for him.

Upon seeing Zhu Youxiao, Empress Zhang, like a young swallow darting into the forest, flew straight to Zhu Youxiao's side, her face slightly flushed, staring at him with wide eyes, still a little out of breath.

This made Zhu Youxiao's appetite stir. Without the slightest hesitation, he stepped forward and pulled Empress Zhang into his embrace, then kissed her slightly parted lips.

Without any restraint.

Not paying the slightest attention to the people around them.

The people around them instantly seemed to cease to exist — everyone lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound.

After a long moment, Zhu Youxiao finally released Empress Zhang.

By now, Empress Zhang's face was already flushed crimson, and she didn't dare raise her head, simply burying herself in Zhu Youxiao's embrace.

Zhu Youxiao laughed and carried her into the palace.

Once inside the palace, Empress Zhang became more relaxed and slipped out of Zhu Youxiao's arms.

"I thought Baozhu was going to make me carry her all the way in," Zhu Youxiao said with a laugh.

"Your Majesty!"

Empress Zhang called out coquettishly, then pouted as she sat down beside Zhu Youxiao and said, "Wang An came by earlier to thank me. Your Majesty is so good to me!"

Although Empress Zhang was not very clear on palace affairs, she did have people around her.

Those who had been transferred to serve at Empress Zhang's side naturally knew exactly what was going on and had told her everything about Wang An.

Empress Zhang also instantly understood Zhu Youxiao's good intentions.

"As long as you understand my good intentions, then live a good life with me. Now, first give me a prince." With that, Zhu Youxiao directly picked up the Empress and carried her toward the bedchamber within.

The whole way was filled with Zhu Youxiao's laughter and Empress Zhang's coquettish protests.