Chapter 1542: Petty Conduct

"Those literati and scholars are the most troublesome. You didn't use any excessive means during your investigation, did you?" In the corridor, Zhang Dejun suddenly asked.

The question was somewhat superfluous. Could anyone truly expect an institution like the Palace City Office to operate entirely by the rules? Ruthlessness and utter disregard for constraints—that, in essence, was the greatest difference between the Palace City Office and the Wude Office.

Though inwardly unimpressed, Zhang Jinjie answered obediently: "Rest assured, Father. The literati may be pedantic, but they are also spineless—easily frightened. I only resorted to a bit of intimidation, no harsh torture was applied."

"However..."

Recalling Zhang Dejun's earlier attitude, Zhang Jinjie showed some hesitation. Seeing him hem and haw, Zhang Dejun's brow furrowed slightly: "However what? Speak at once!"

As his voice rose, Zhang Dejun's tone grew noticeably shriller. Not daring to delay, Zhang Jinjie lowered his head and said: "When screening the scholars present at Plucking Flower Tower that day, in order to clarify the personnel situation, I interrogated the establishment's proprietor."

Pausing for a moment, Zhang Jinjie delivered the most crucial point: "This Plucking Flower Tower is property of the Duke of Luan's estate..."

The Duke of Luan, Murong Yanchao, was already nearing seventy. Though he had retired from office several years prior, old in years but not in spirit, after returning to private life he devoted himself wholeheartedly to managing his lands, manors, trade, and taverns—all his enterprises thriving briskly.

All the court and the realm knew: the Duke of Luan loved money, loved making money, and had a knack for it. But if anyone affected his ability to make money, the old fellow would fly into a rage.

"Well, well!" Hearing this, Zhang Dejun couldn't help but laugh, though somewhat sullenly: "One Prince of Qin isn't enough—now we've dragged in the Duke of Luan as well. A prince and a duke—imperial kin, members of the royal clan. Do you think my Palace City Office can truly act without any restraint?"

"This son was reckless!" Seeing this, Zhang Jinjie hurriedly admitted his fault: "This son was only wholeheartedly serving Father, wanting to do the job well!"

"If not for that, do you think you could have escaped a beating?" Zhang Dejun shot him a glare, then said: "Learn from your elder brother—use your head when handling matters!"

"Yes! Father's instruction is right!" Zhang Jinjie displayed his obedience.

Only a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth revealed a hint of mockery and derision. Of course, this derision was not directed at Zhang Dejun, but at the "elder brother" he mentioned.

Zhang Dejun's four adopted sons—the Four Great Vajras of the Palace City Office—were clearly not a harmonious bunch. All had acknowledged him as their adoptive father for power, for wealth and glory, and their rivalry for favor was fierce. In Zhang Jinjie's eyes, the so-called elder brother Wang Shouzhong only knew how to flatter and fawn over Zhang Dejun, and was thoroughly hypocritical—when it came to actual competence, Zhang Jinjie held him in complete contempt.

Though his mind was occupied with other matters, Zhang Dejun's ability to read people allowed him to catch the meaning in Zhang Jinjie's expression. Still, he said nothing more. He was well aware of the conflicts and discord among his adopted sons, but he didn't care. Every man in a position of authority hoped for some competition among his subordinates—so long as it didn't interfere with business.

At this point, Zhang Jinjie raised another matter: "During my investigation, I discovered that someone else is also pursuing this case, trying to uncover the mastermind behind it!"

"Oh?" Zhang Dejun abruptly turned his head: "Who?"

"Through tracking and surveillance, the trail points to Supervising Secretary Murong Defeng!" Zhang Jinjie said with certainty.

Hearing this, Zhang Dejun was somewhat surprised, and also somewhat reflective. He murmured: "It seems our Crown Prince is also on his guard! Well then, this gives us one more piece of intelligence to report!"

"Additionally, I uncovered another piece of information, though I'm not sure if it's related to this matter. That Xu Shilian has some connection to the Duke of Rong—his father, Xu Qibiao, married the Duke of Rong's paternal aunt!"

"This affair grows ever more interesting..." Hearing this news, Zhang Dejun couldn't help but marvel: "It must be a coincidence! The Duke of Rong surely couldn't be implicated in this!"

While Zhang Dejun was vexed by the investigation results at the Palace City Office headquarters, at the Prince of Qin's residence south of the imperial city, having received word sent from the mansion, Prince of Qin Liu Xu hurried back home.

This movement alone made those familiar with him sense something unusual. According to his normal routine, unless it was a rest day, he would always remain at his office—returning late, never leaving early.

Moreover, during this period, he had been closely following the turmoil in the northeast. The Wanyan Jurchen had already sent troops northward and were locked in battle with the Tulu Bu Shiwei. The situation there involved not only the political and military stability of Liaodong, but also the governance of the various vassal tribes. Liu Xu, who oversaw the Office of Barbarian Affairs, naturally paid it deep attention. Furthermore, the Jurchen-Shiwei conflict was something Liu Xu had vigorously promoted in accordance with Emperor Liu's will.

Even so, upon receiving the message from his residence, Liu Xu did not delay in the slightest and hurried back. Upon returning, he ignored even the concern and worry shown by his consort, Lady Bai, and went straight into his study, closing the door and allowing only his trusted senior administrator and steward to report.

The senior administrator of the Prince of Qin's residence, named Li Ying, was a jinshi graduate who had previously served as a censor, County Magistrate, and Bureau Director in the Ministry of Revenue. He wrote fine poetry and prose. At this moment, he stood before the desk alongside the steward, his expression calm, head slightly bowed.

In contrast, the steward beside him was far more nervous, his face filled with fear and trepidation as he respectfully confessed his fault to Liu Xu, saying he had handled matters poorly.

Though Liu Xu's expression was somewhat gloomy, seeing this, he still managed a slight smile and waved his hand forcefully: "Enough! At least you noticed something—you weren't so dull as to leave me completely in the dark!"

Liu Xu's words only made the steward more nervous: "It was this servant's failure to clean up the loose ends thoroughly. This servant is guilty!"

"Clean up how? Were you supposed to silence everyone?" Hearing this, Liu Xu grew irritated and rebuked: "Since this matter was undertaken, one must bear the risk of being discovered! It's just that..."

The young, dignified face of Liu Xu shifted through shades of uncertainty before he finally sighed: "The initial fault lies with me—I thought it too simple, and left too many traces. In the end, I never imagined the Palace City Office's people would have such keen noses. In such a short time, they've already traced it to the prince's residence!"

The steward was loyal. Seeing Liu Xu's reflective and troubled expression, he gritted his teeth and knelt: "Your Highness, this matter was entirely this servant's doing alone, unrelated to Your Highness. If trouble arises, this servant will bear the punishment!"

Hearing this, Liu Xu laughed, rebuking in a not-too-heavy tone: "Your loyalty is commendable! But you're rather foolish! With your status, could you even bear the weight of this matter?"

"This..." The steward suddenly realized. Indeed—what status did he have?

"Enough, get up!" Liu Xu waved his hand: "This matter is not that serious! Even if the Palace City Office investigates it, what can they prove? Can they convict me on this basis?"

"You may withdraw. Let me think things over." Liu Xu dismissed them with a somewhat listless air.

"Yes!" Seeing Liu Xu in such a state, the steward's eyes were filled with worry, but he withdrew together with the senior administrator Li Ying.

Liu Xu sat in his chair, his gaze fixed intently on Li Ying, who had remained largely silent throughout. His eyes were somewhat cold, and inwardly he had already resolved: this man could no longer be trusted.

This disturbance had indeed been secretly driven by Liu Xu, but the one who had proposed it was this Li Ying. Looking at the process and the outcome, it had indeed achieved some effect—it had even nearly dragged the Crown Prince into the mire. Even though it had ended smoothly, it had still gotten Li Fang exiled to Hubei.

However, viewed objectively, how much impact could it really have on the Crown Prince? It could count as a probing strike, but as things stood now, Liu Xu was quite dissatisfied.

Now that the Palace City Office had caught wind of it—and if Emperor Liu hadn't given his implicit approval, would those hounds of the Palace City Office have thought to pursue and investigate so relentlessly?

Clearly, Emperor Liu was also quietly watching the story behind the scenes. Seen this way, not only had it failed to cause much damage to the Crown Prince, it had instead put Liu Xu himself in an awkward position—a classic case of trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice. Looking back at the original decision, it became even more questionable.

Still, sitting upright in contemplation with an expressionless face, Liu Xu tried his best to cast aside his regret. At least he felt he shouldn't harbor such an emotion.

As he himself had said, this matter wasn't that serious—not enough to warrant prosecution or punishment. But some consequences might be more severe than direct censure.

For instance, after learning that Liu Xu had a hand behind this affair, how would Emperor Liu view him? Shooting arrows from the shadows—such behavior was the conduct of a petty man. Did this mean he would lose standing in Emperor Liu's estimation?

This—this was what Liu Xu truly worried about!

As for regret, Liu Xu absolutely did not regret it. When it came to the struggle for the succession, how could one afford to be tender-hearted? Petty conduct was nothing to be despised or mocked. The only thing that shouldn't have happened was doing it and then being discovered.

That night, Liu Xu locked himself in his study and did not emerge for a long time—not until the next morning. When the Prince of Qin Liu Xu appeared again, aside from the unkempt stubble spreading across his face, the man as a whole seemed even more withdrawn and restrained.