Chapter 1921: A Hidden Arrow

"Are you certain these words were spoken by Wang Yansheng?" A low voice echoed through Chuigong Hall, like the muttering of a ghost.

"How would I dare deceive Your Majesty!" Serving below the throne was Wang Ji'en, Commissioner of the Palace City. Seeing Emperor Liu's suspicion, he immediately declared with feigned righteousness: "What I report is absolutely true. If even half a sentence of that wild, insolent talk is false, I am willing to bear the crime of slandering a meritorious veteran minister!"

Seeing Wang Ji'en's solemn, oath-swearing demeanor, Emperor Liu fell silent for a moment, then demanded coldly: "If you managed to learn the words spoken after the Meritorious Ministers Hall gathering so clearly and precisely, why did you wait over a month before reporting them!"

Though Wang Ji'en felt himself honest and clear of conscience in this matter, facing Emperor Liu's cold, indifferent gaze, he could not suppress a shudder of fear. Not daring to be remiss, he steadied himself and explained quickly: "In response to Your Majesty, it was not negligence on my part. I only happened to receive this information not long ago. As it involved Commandery Duke Wang, I dared not be careless, fearing I might wrong a meritorious veteran minister. Thus I spent additional time carefully verifying the facts before daring to report! When Commandery Duke Wang made his reckless remarks, Minister Yang and Count Kang Yanze of Hechuan were both present!"

Wang Ji'en's explanation carried some logic, but Emperor Liu's doubts were clearly only dispelled to a small degree. When he heard the names Yang Ye and Kang Yanze, his aged eyes had nearly narrowed into slits.

Sensing the increasingly dangerous aura emanating from Emperor Liu, Wang Ji'en no longer dared hold anything back. Feigning a pause, he added: "The source of this information is none other than Count Kang Yanze of Hechuan, who revealed it to me..."

At these words, the clouds of doubt immediately dispersed, and the sky of truth became clear. Likewise, Emperor Liu's mood was instantly and utterly consumed by gloom.

After a long silence, Emperor Liu let out a few harsh, grating laughs, like the chanting of an evil ghost, utterly chilling. His aged eyes gradually deepened with a terrifying darkness. Emperor Liu sneered: "It seems our Commandery Duke Wang has many things in his heart that he wishes to say but dares not. This outburst must have been far more satisfying than playing deaf and mute, wouldn't you say?

Everyone says Wang Yansheng is a rough, crude fellow, but those words were spoken with remarkable coherence. Over these past years, he must have rehearsed them countless times in his heart!

He has grown considerably! Back in the Huainan campaign, when merits were assessed and rewards distributed, feeling himself wronged, he dared to force his way into the chancellor's residence to demand an explanation. Now, he can endure for so many years, keeping his words hidden in his heart. I must look at him with new eyes!

Speaking of which, when did Wang Yansheng start putting on this act? Five years? Eight years? Or ten?"

As he spoke, Emperor Liu's tone grew unsteady, his breathing quickening somewhat. He paused to compose himself before continuing. With a grim face, he pondered for a moment, then said to Wang Ji'en in a sinister tone: "Go to the Wang residence. On my behalf, ask Wang Yansheng a few questions!

Is it not good to enjoy your twilight years in peace, playing with your grandchildren?

Having held it in for so long, does it not pain you?

If you had something to say, why not say it directly to me? Why must you deceive me with false pretenses? If you were going to pretend, then pretend thoroughly! Why must you lose control and grumble like a resentful wife? Are you still worthy of being that 'Ear-Biting General' who once awed the Western Rong?"

Whether Wang Yansheng would be affected by these questions was unknown, but at least Wang Ji'en, hearing them with his own ears in the hall, felt his hair stand on end. Without the slightest hesitation, he replied with utmost deference: "Yes! I obey your command!"

Seemingly shaken, Wang Ji'en stood frozen for a moment after accepting the order, like a crooked withered tree rooted in place, until Emperor Liu cast him a sidelong glance. Only then did he bow and withdraw, exiting Chuigong Hall as carefully as if escaping a tiger's cage.

Emperor Liu remained on the imperial throne, face cold, clearly in a foul mood. Evidently, Wang Yansheng had miscalculated. The words he had spoken outside the Meritorious Ministers Hall that day were not something Emperor Liu disregarded — on the contrary, he cared deeply. Some things were not a matter of the emperor knowing your temperament and thus allowing you to act freely without restraint. The key lay in his mood. There might be momentary magnanimity, but never lifelong tolerance — especially from Emperor Liu, who in his old age had grown stubborn and suspicious.

In truth, Emperor Liu had not been entirely unaware of Wang Yansheng's feigned deafness and muteness. There had simply been a certain tacit understanding between sovereign and minister. But as Emperor Liu's questions suggested — if you were going to pretend, pretend to the end. To utter such resentful words, and in front of Yang Ye, Emperor Liu's most trusted confidant — what was the intent? Could he no longer hold it in? Or was he testing the waters?

Whatever the reason, given Emperor Liu's current state of mind, he could only interpret it as Wang Yansheng breaking the tacit understanding maintained between sovereign and minister for years. To Emperor Liu, this was an extremely serious political problem...

"You heard Zhang Dejun's report as well. Give me your view!" Lost in thought and suspicion, Emperor Liu casually asked Yan Tuo, who had been silently attending at his side.

On this matter, Yan Tuo had originally wished to play dead. Facing this sudden question, he naturally treaded carefully, hesitating for a moment before replying cautiously: "The old Commandery Duke Wang has always been this way by nature. Speaking a few angry words and venting a bit is only normal..."

"There are things I can tolerate, but if anyone mistakes my tolerance for indulgence and tries to play tricks on me or test me, they've miscalculated!" Emperor Liu said coldly, his withered face nearly twitching.

Hearing this, Yan Tuo instinctively lowered his head.

"I know Yang Ye well — dignified and upright, not one to tattle. His relationship with Wang Yansheng has always been good. His silence on this matter is understandable!" Emperor Liu said after a moment's thought, uttering words that were clearly double-standard in nature.

Such was the old emperor now — toward those he favored, he favored them to the bone; everything about them was good, everything was understandable. But toward others, once their impression was ruined, the aversion could never be contained. Wang Yansheng had precisely become the latter.

"This Kang Yanze is rather interesting!" Emperor Liu said with a sardonic smile. "He was considered a capable strategist in his day, performing well on the battlefield. How is it that in his old age, he resorts to such base tricks of stabbing in the dark? And moreover, if he wished to report something, why not report directly to me? Why secretly leak it to the Palace City Office first? What is his relationship with Zhang Dejun?"

Hearing Emperor Liu's suspicion, or rather "analysis," Yan Tuo's eyelids twitched involuntarily. He had long considered this point but had not dared to voice it — not everything was suitable for casually poisoning the well.

It was best that His Majesty figured it out himself — that was both the best and the safest outcome. Thinking thus was the way. That old dog Wang Ji'en, still hoping to claim merit from this affair? Heh heh...

"Kang Yanze, as I recall, was implicated and stripped of his post because of his son's wrongdoing, was he not?" With only vague memories in his mind, Emperor Liu asked Yan Tuo uncertainly.

Yan Tuo confirmed: "Your Majesty's memory is remarkable. Indeed, it was so. His son Kang Mingzhao, while serving as Bureau Director in the Ministry of War, committed the grave crime of corruption and dereliction of duty, and was executed according to law!"

Emperor Liu frowned slightly and said: "What I'm curious about is — what grudge exists between Kang Yanze and Wang Yansheng that he would resort to such means? Both of them are sworn comrades-in-arms with Yang Ye!"

At this, Yan Tuo hesitated for a moment, then replied in a low voice: "I heard of a minor incident that occurred not long ago. I don't know if it's relevant, but Commandery Duke Wang's grandson beat Count Hechuan's grandson to serious injury..."

"Over what?"

"A quarrel over a courtesan!"

"Heh heh..."