Chapter 384: Secret Deliberations at the Ducal Mansion

After a brief silence, Li Shaoyou let out a soft sigh and raised his eyes to look at Hou Zan. He said nothing, but through Li Shaoyou's gaze, Hou Zan knew that he wanted his opinion—after all, the conversation had already reached this point.

Lowering his head in thought, actually taking a moment to organize his words, Hou Zan cupped his fists and reported: "According to reports from our agents in Hedong, Wang Jingchong, during the destruction of Buddhism in Xin and Dai prefectures, abused his authority for personal gain, amassed wealth on a grand scale, lined his own pockets, bought popular support, and cultivated his own claws and fangs—he likely harbors treacherous intentions. If I were to report this up and request Your Majesty to punish him, what does the Commandery Duke think?"

Li Shaoyou answered almost without hesitation, speaking directly: "He has just rendered great service and is likely in His Majesty's good graces right now. If you take these baseless matters to report, wouldn't you just be asking for trouble? Even if they were true, do you think His Majesty cannot tolerate a bit of greed? During this destruction of Buddhism, how did we underlings conduct ourselves? Everyone's hands are less than clean. To accuse him on these grounds—aren't you afraid of weaving a cocoon around yourself?"

A string of rhetorical questions left Hou Zan speechless, his small eyes darting repeatedly toward Li Shaoyou's face. This young superior of his was truly no ordinary wastrel scion.

Not adopted, Hou Zan felt no frustration, but once again cupped his fists: "According to reports, the civil unrest at Wutai has spilled over into three counties. Wang Jingchong directly connected with local prefectural and garrison troops and led them to suppress the rebellion. Can the crime of overstepping authority to mobilize troops be established?"

"Touching on military power?" Interest bloomed on his face. Li Shaoyou glanced at Hou Zan, pointed a finger, and remarked with admiration: "The army has always been His Majesty's reverse scale—touch it and he rages. This kind of situation can truly hit the mark. I never thought you had such insight."

"However..." Before Hou Zan could react, Li Shaoyou leisurely added: "But with unrest imminent, everything takes suppressing the rebellion as priority. In urgent matters, one acts flexibly, and besides, the Wutai unrest falls under the destruction of Buddhism. Before His Majesty sent him north, he already granted him the authority to act as circumstances required. If I were Wang Jingchong, I would have plenty of excuses to exonerate myself, and might even turn around and falsely accuse us."

"This..." Hou Zan's spirits sank somewhat. He pondered for a while longer, his eyes darting evasively, then said hesitantly: "Wang Jingchong wishes to adopt the Commander of the Dai Prefecture cavalry as his adopted son—can we charge him with privately forging ties with a border general?"

"What do you think?" Li Shaoyou responded.

Hou Zan's confidence grew increasingly weak, even somewhat bewildered. He had come in high spirits, wanting to share his superior's burdens, yet never expected such a result.

Facing Li Shaoyou's increasingly bright gaze, Hou Zan's heart suddenly panicked, and out of habit he rose and prostrated himself: "Your subordinate is dull-witted and ill-considered in his thoughts. I beg the Commandery Duke's forgiveness?"

"No need!" Li Shaoyou's tone was short and forceful, his eyes fixed brightly on him: "That you would proactively consider matters for me—this sentiment, I accept!"

Letting out a breath of relief, but seeing Li Shaoyou's expression even more composed and confident than at the start, Hou Zan couldn't help but put on a fawning look: "I imagine that with the Commandery Duke's shrewd wisdom, you surely have a fine strategy for dealing with Wang Jingchong. Your subordinate dares to request your instruction!"

The corners of Li Shaoyou's mouth curled up, forming an arc of wisdom in hand, learned very much in imitation of Liu Chengyou, seemingly with a certain charm. Leisurely, Li Shaoyou said: "At present, moving is ultimately not as good as staying still. Wang Jingchong has just rendered great merit; I dare not accuse him under any pretext. Before His Majesty, it would hardly avoid the impression of striking back in retaliation. Moreover, with only the matters you've stated, it would be difficult to wound him to the bone. For a man like Wang Jingchong, if one cannot strike a fatal blow, it's better not to move at all! His Majesty once said a phrase that I find very reasonable: if you strike a snake but don't kill it, you leave yourself its harm!"

"Are we simply to let Wang Jingchong continue growing in power?" A hint of barely concealed disappointment appeared in his eyes, and Hou Zan's tone was unwilling.

"Heh heh..." Li Shaoyou's mocking laugh actually made Hou Zan feel at ease: "That Wang Jingchong does things with too little regard for means, and his lust for power burns too fiercely. In these past six months or so, he has offended more people than I have in two or three years. In seeking His Majesty's trust and appointment, isn't he bent on being a lone minister? Then let him continue. I'd like to see what sort of end he meets!"

"No matter what, I am the Empress Dowager's own nephew and His Majesty's childhood friend. I want to see how he plays with me next!" Li Shaoyou hummed through his teeth.

"However, for situations like Wang Jingchong's, continue collecting and recording them in the files. If they're useless today, they may become the weapon to take his life in the future!" Li Shaoyou spoke rapidly without pause: "Also, from now on within the Wude Office, we must not yield to Wang Jingchong's people. If he dares to reach out and break the rules again, handle everything according to the Wude Office's regulations."

"That's about enough! Always enduring and yielding—that's not my nature!" Li Shaoyou said coldly.

"Yes!" Hearing such instructions, Hou Zan was clearly full of spirit.

"If there's nothing else, withdraw!" Li Shaoyou dismissed him directly.

But Hou Zan paused and did not leave. Facing Li Shaoyou's questioning gaze, he stepped forward a little, a fawning smile appearing on his face: "Your subordinate's family has brought back two dancing girls from Jiangdong. They are truly rare beauties. Your subordinate is a base person and dares not enjoy them myself. I wish to present them to the Commandery Duke, to serve in your household..."

Hearing this, Li Shaoyou's eyebrows jumped, and his spirits immediately perked up several notches. Without any pretense, he waved his hand and said: "I've long heard that Jiangnan women are gentle and elegant, tender as water. I was just wanting to see for myself. In a few days, send them to my residence!"

"Mm..." Pleased by this catering to his tastes, Li Shaoyou was clearly in a good mood, and added: "Do one more thing for me!"

"Happy to serve!" Hou Zan beamed with joy.

"The Fourth Prince's full-month ceremony is approaching. As his maternal cousin once removed, I cannot go without a gift. Prepare a suitable present for me!"

Such an instruction made Hou Zan overjoyed, his smile nearly splitting his lips: "Rest assured, Commandery Duke!"

After Hou Zan took his leave, Li Shaoyou's expression grew ever more composed, a faint smile of derision on his lips. Hou Zan was, to him, merely a minor figure—handy to use. Giving him opportunities was of no great concern.

Auspicious snow heralds a bountiful year. Another stretch of consecutive snowfall announced the arrival of the winter month.

Within the palace city, in Saihua Hall, it was very lively. The Emperor and his entire household, along with relatives, were all present—the full-month ceremony of Liu Chengyou's fourth prince.

The atmosphere in the hall was excellent, warm and harmonious, seemingly filled with familial warmth. Voices of discussion did not cease, and words of praise flowed continuously.

Perhaps due to good genes, the little prince was robust—the kind one could rest assured would not die young. Passed around through everyone's arms in a full circle, he returned to the embrace of Worthy Consort Lady Zhe.

Having borne a child, the young Lady Zhe's body increasingly exuded a mature charm. One should know, the young lady was still shy of turning eighteen by a few days. Compared to before, the greatest change was that her figure had filled out considerably, and her chest had also become notably more ample.

Lady Zhe was very happy—not only because of His Majesty's favor, the prince's health, and everyone's blessings, but also because her grandfather Zhe Congruan had come to the capital from his frontier command.

"This old man is a military officer, so I'll take this sword as a gift. May the prince grow up strong and vigorous!" The old man, face full of smiles, set down an exquisite short sword.