Chapter 1443: Forever on the Road of Suspicion

"They say the Palace City Office's spies reach from princes and dukes above to the common streets below—and indeed, the saying rings true. You've even planted your eyes and ears inside the Prince of Qin's household......"

Reclining in his chair in a somewhat languid pose, Emperor Liu cast a sidelong glance, his calm tone carrying a hint of complexity—part surprise, part reflection—which made Zhang Dejun, standing dutifully at his side, feel somewhat ill at ease.

"The Palace City Office acts entirely according to His Majesty's will. We lowly ones always keep this in mind. If Your Majesty finds it inappropriate, we shall withdraw the men at once!" With caution and prudence, Zhang Dejun spoke humbly.

Zhang Dejun had been coming to the palace to make his presence known before Emperor Liu for over half a year now, and this time was no different—reporting to Emperor Liu on the public sentiment both inside and outside the court that his subordinates in the Palace City Office had gathered from the Western Capital.

This time, however, what Zhang Dejun reported concerned some movements in the household of the Prince of Qin, Liu Xu. Specifically, Liu Xu had received his cousin Geng Jixun—which was hardly surprising, for after some deliberation, Liu Xu had indeed transferred Geng Jixun back to the capital. What drew the attention of the Palace City Office's spies was that the two had closed the doors and spoken privately for a long while, though the specific contents of their secret discussion had not been ascertained.

Seeing Zhang Dejun's nervous and anxious demeanor, Emperor Liu revealed a smile, and his tone softened somewhat as he said: "No need. I do not intend to reproach you. Your loyalty to me, I understand well. Your diligence and thoroughness in handling affairs, I am equally aware of!"

"His Majesty is most discerning! This lowly one thanks Your Majesty for the trust!" Zhang Dejun immediately put on a look of profound gratitude.

Giving him a couple of appraising looks, Emperor Liu sighed lightly and said: "I merely wish to remind you—the court has its own laws and regulations. Diligence and conscientiousness in one's work deserve praise, but one must still act according to the rules, and not run wild without restraint.

I have heard that your subordinates in the Palace City Office are often overly bold in their daily conduct, acting willfully and without scruples! Both in and out of court, those dissatisfied with you number more than one or two.

I trust you, and I am willing to shield you. But if you incur the wrath of all, and commit some irredeemable act, then even if I wished to protect you, I might not be able to keep you safe!

I hear you have taken four adopted sons, whom you rely upon heavily—each a capable officer of the Palace City Office—but they have stirred no small amount of criticism. I naturally care nothing for those slanderous rumors, but in your daily conduct and dealings, you should still maintain some sense of reverence......"

Emperor Liu's words were delivered lightly, yet Zhang Dejun listened with cold sweat streaming down. Hanging his head, his voice even carried a note of agitation: "Your Majesty's concern moves this lowly one to tears of gratitude. Your Majesty's admonitions are engraved upon my heart. I will surely discipline my subordinates well, and not allow them to act willfully or violate the nation's laws, and I will never cause Your Majesty difficulty!"

Seeing Zhang Dejun's oath-like words, Emperor Liu revealed a hint of approving smile, and his expression turned genial: "I have no intention of blaming you. You are my claws and ears. Since ancient times, such duties have always invited criticism—they are not easy to perform, and I understand that. But as for my reminders—if you have such faults, correct them; if not, take them as encouragement. You yourself must grasp the proper measure!"

"Yes! This lowly one understands!" Zhang Dejun did not even dare to wipe the sweat from his brow.

"And one more thing—you must remember this firmly! The Prince of Qin is, after all, my son, and a Prince of the Great Han!" Emperor Liu's tone turned stern.

"Yes!" Zhang Dejun instinctively bowed as he replied, his heart twitching rapidly several times. How could he not understand—this time, he seemed to have patted the horse's rear end.

"You may go!"

After Zhang Dejun withdrew, full of worry and with a reflective look on his face, Emperor Liu once again regained his composure and calm, the sharpness in his eyes also settling into tranquility.

Yan Tuo waited silently at the side. On his aged face, a trace of hesitation surfaced. His eyes glanced toward the direction Zhang Dejun had departed, then fell upon Emperor Liu, before quickly lowering his head.

He had heard the entire exchange between Emperor Liu and Zhang Dejun. With his shrewdness, he naturally discerned that Emperor Liu was rapping Zhang Dejun on the knuckles. As the only eunuch within the palace who could contend with Zhang Dejun, seeing Zhang Dejun catch a scolding naturally gave Yan Tuo a feeling of schadenfreude.

What Yan Tuo hesitated over was whether to seize the opportunity to pour more salt on Zhang Dejun's wounds. Though his expression remained unchanged, Emperor Liu—like a beast with an extraordinarily keen sense of smell—suddenly turned his head and fixed his gaze on him: "It seems you have something to say?"

At these words, Yan Tuo gave a start. He stole a brief glance at Emperor Liu, then, frightened, hurriedly lowered his head: "No, no—this lowly one has nothing to say!"

"But I see you seem to be holding something back!" Emperor Liu sat up, regarding Yan Tuo with a playful gaze: "Do you have some thoughts you wish to keep hidden from me?"

With just that single movement, Yan Tuo seemed to feel the same pressure Zhang Dejun had faced moments ago. Under Emperor Liu's gaze, he stammered a couple of words, momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

"Is it related to the Palace City Office?" Emperor Liu asked again: "Speak, let me hear it. As it happens, I would also like to know—in your eyes, what sort of image does the Palace City Office have!"

Those words nearly cornered Yan Tuo. After hesitating for a moment, he slightly cupped his hands, his expression solemn, his voice low, and said: "Your Majesty, the Palace City Office has a formidable reputation in the capital—known to all, feared by all, almost omnipresent. I have heard that not only in the homes of princes and ministers, but even within the Eastern Palace, they have their eyes and ears......"

Having said this, Yan Tuo fell silent, quietly awaiting Emperor Liu's response. Yet he could clearly feel that with these words, the very air in the hall seemed to congeal, and the atmosphere grew oppressive.

"Oh!" After a moment of silence, Emperor Liu spoke, his gaze not shifting from Yan Tuo, but asking with curiosity: "How do you know this? Could it be that you, too, have your own eyes and ears within the Eastern Palace?"

These words were truly piercing. Yan Tuo immediately showed panic, nearly dropping to his knees on the spot, and hurriedly said: "How would this lowly one dare such an overstepping act? It is only that, being the chief of the inner attendants, rumors are never lacking within the palace, and I inevitably catch wind of such things......"

Yan Tuo's explanation was somewhat difficult to stand on, but Emperor Liu showed no intention of probing deeper, merely saying flatly: "Then you certainly have sharp ears and keen eyes!"

"This lowly one is fortunate to serve Your Majesty, ever at your beck and call—naturally, I must keep my ears and eyes clear!" Yan Tuo said, his panic tinged with a hint of embarrassment.

Regarding the discord between these two eunuchs, Emperor Liu saw it as clearly as fire—and it was something he was pleased to see. He also understood that even if Yan Tuo dared not plant agents in the Eastern Palace, it would hardly be surprising if he had some eyes and ears within the Palace City Office.

After a moment's thought, Emperor Liu withdrew that oppressive gaze and waved his hand: "Just do your own duties. Matters that are not your concern—do not inquire into them!"

"Yes!" Yan Tuo finally breathed a sigh of relief and responded immediately.

A bitter feeling swirled in his heart. Just moments ago, he had been gloating over Zhang Dejun's misfortune, yet compared to him, he himself seemed to have little to be smug about.

As Yan Tuo's emotions were struggling to settle, he heard Emperor Liu sigh softly: "This Zhang Dejun—he dares to plant spies even within the Eastern Palace. Then what of my own side?"

Hearing this, Yan Tuo felt goosebumps rise all over. Fear welled up from within, yet as he calmed down, a strange joy emerged—the Emperor clearly now had his own misgivings about Zhang Dejun.

However, the shrewd Yan Tuo did not rashly speak again. He did not even change his expression, as if he had not heard Emperor Liu's muttering, merely savoring the Emperor's words inwardly.

As for Emperor Liu's attitude toward Zhang Dejun, it was naturally equally complex. To say he had no complaints at all would be impossible—even someone as diligent and law-abiding as Li Chongju had been compelled to voluntarily resign to avoid disaster, let alone Zhang Dejun.

Zhang Dejun's advantage lay in being a eunuch—a servant who had come from Emperor Liu's own side. But given that he controlled an intelligence agency like the Palace City Office, how could Emperor Liu, with his suspicious nature, place complete trust in him?

At the very least, the warning of "eunuchs disrupting governance" occasionally circled through Emperor Liu's mind. Moreover, Zhang Dejun had controlled the Palace City Office for over a decade, having personally established and expanded it. No matter how obedient and loyal he appeared, Emperor Liu's suspicion would not dissipate—rather, it would deepen with the passage of time.

As for the Palace City Office planting spies in the Eastern Palace, Emperor Liu approved on one hand, because he needed a secret channel to understand the Crown Prince's movements; on the other hand, he could not help but fear that Zhang Dejun, this eunuch, would overstep his bounds wantonly.

Somewhat contradictory, but that was simply how it was!

Perhaps the Palace City Office ought to undergo some changes as well? The thought involuntarily surfaced in Emperor Liu's mind.