Chapter 452

"What discovery?"

Thus: 【1】 "What discovery?"

"The officials who handled this case back then have all passed away."

Long Yelin furrowed his brows: "The Chu Yuanhai corruption case has already been a full nineteen years in the past; even if the officials who handled that case were still alive, they would be on their last legs, so it's no surprise they've passed away."

Need to keep quotes. Use English quotes.

Zhou Ruizhen shook his head: "Not only the presiding Minister of Justice Xiao Guorang, not limited to his deputies, but even including the constables and soldiers who participated in the search and seizure back then, without exception, all have passed away!"

Long Yelin only now realized how unusual this was, astonished: "How could that be?" If saying the officials died of natural causes is still plausible, given their ages, but those constable soldiers were mostly young and able-bodied back then, now only in their forties or fifties—how could they all have died? There must be something fishy.

Long Yelin only now realized how unusual this was, astonished: "How could that be?" If saying the officials died of natural causes is still plausible, given their ages, but those constable soldiers were mostly young and able-bodied back then, now only in their forties or fifties—how could they all have died? There must be something fishy.

Zhou Ruizhen said: "I had people look into it; those who handled the case back then all died within ten years—some were killed for wrongdoing, some died of sudden illness, and there were various accidental deaths; few met a peaceful end."

Long Yelin said: "How could this be?"

Zhou Ruizhen said: "Perhaps Chu Yuanhai's ill-gotten wealth goes far beyond this; perhaps there is some hidden circumstance behind his corruption." His implication was that these people should all have been silenced by some mysterious force.

Long Yelin slapped the desk and said: "This matter, my royal father, must be crystal clear."

Zhou Ruizhen said: "Your Majesty, this matter is not simple. If there were some hidden mechanism behind the Chu Yuanhai case back then, the search and seizure would merely be superficial; what is the true secret hidden behind it?"

Long Yelin whispered: "If His Majesty is concealing something in this matter, what exactly does he want to cover up? Dakang clearly belongs to our Long clan; why would he embezzle his own property?"

Zhou Ruizhen was about to speak but stopped. Although Dakang is the Long clan's realm, not everyone in the world bears the Long surname; the silver in the state treasury is not the Long clan's private property—it is taken from the people and used for the people. Even if the emperor uses money from the treasury, he must seek the opinions of his ministers; it is not a matter of doing as he pleases. Wanton extravagance aside, almost every emperor, besides the treasury, has his own private vault, and the Retired Emperor Long Xuan'en is no exception. Zhou Ruizhen's purpose in saying this was to remind Long Yelin that the old emperor very likely has a secret vault that has never been exposed. Zhou Ruizhen said: "Your Majesty, Dakang's finances are strained. We must resolve this as soon as possible; if we drag it into this spring without improvement, the accumulated hidden dangers may all erupt." The true state of Dakang is worse than he said; Zhou Ruizhen did not tell Long Yelin the full situation, judging from Long Yelin's expression. This new ruler also does not want to know.

We need to keep line as single line. Ensure we translate all sentences.

Long Yelin couldn't help but sigh; since ascending the throne, internal and external troubles have left him harried. The two people he trusts most are Quan De'an and Zhou Ruizhen, yet their advice to him differs: Zhou Ruizhen suggests he focus his efforts on governing the state, while Quan De'an advises him to eliminate rivals early to avoid future complications.

Zhou Ruizhen felt toward his former student. Now the Son of Heaven of Dakang is increasingly disappointing him; Long Yelin's vision and breadth are even narrower than he had imagined, and as the ruler of a state he cannot see Dakang's true crisis, while Ji Feihua's ambition is evident to all. However, this person's wings are already full; to remove him still requires long-term planning. The urgent priority is to stabilize relations among all parties and fully develop Dakang's economy. The Dakang dynasty is already on the brink of collapse; lost power can still be reclaimed, but once the people's hearts are scattered, the state is finished—what kind of emperor would you still be? Zhou Ruizhen cannot say these things, for given his understanding of Long Yelin, if he spoke thus he might arouse Long Yelin's suspicion. Not everyone can let go of the hatred in their chest, nor can everyone achieve great deeds.

As Zhou Ruizhen left the Imperial Study, he left a remark: "Once Your Majesty's health recovers, you may have a chance to go outside the Imperial City and have a look." The high walls of the Imperial City have given the royal family its dignity, while also separating the royal household from the outside world; this new Son of Heaven, Long Yelin, does not know the true situation outside.

Zhou Ruizhen felt like a weary tailor desperately mending Dakang's ragged garment; as soon as he finished patching one spot, a larger tear would immediately appear, leaving him helpless, for the thread and fabric he has on hand are already scarce.

When Hu Xiaotian returned to Zilan Palace, the sky was already filled with evening clouds; just as he entered the palace gate, he met Zijuan head-on, who couldn't help but scold: "Hey, Eunuch Hu, you're so carefree, you went out and played all day, leaving the princess alone in Xining Palace."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Older Sister Zijuan, it's not that I abandoned the princess; it's the princess who rented me out to the little princess."

Almost every palace maid and eunuch has had a taste of the little princess's spoiled and hard-to-please nature; hearing this, Zijuan burst into a giggling laugh: "People aren't things, yet they can be rented out—Eunuch Hu must have had a most splendid day today." After saying that, she realized she had inadvertently insulted Hu Xiaotian, and laughed even more heartily.

Hu Xiaotian sighed: "Splendid, supremely splendid." He glanced inside: "Is Her Highness the Princess inside?"

Zijuan said: "Today Miss Qin came, and the Princess has let her stay in the palace; the two are currently chatting inside."

Hu Xiaotian said: "In that case, I'd better not disturb them."

Zijuan laughed: "The Princess said, as soon as you arrive, go see her right away."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Oh, is that so!"

Long Xi Yue and Qin Yutong were playing a game of chess in the palace; as Hu Xiaotian entered, he happened to catch Qin Yutong admitting defeat midway through the game, and Qin Yutong said: "Your Highness the Princess's chess skill is superb; I, Qin Yutong, feel ashamed to be inferior."

Long Xi Yue laughed: "It's not that my chess skill is superb, but that you deliberately let me win; in the past we've always been evenly matched."

Qin Yutong said: "I haven't been letting you win; with such chess skill, I've done my utmost."

Long Xi Yue said: "Qin Yutong, you lost because you lack a competitive spirit, not because your skill is inferior."

Qin Yutong's watery eyes gazed upon Long Xi Yue's beautiful pair, and she softly said: "That remark of the Princess actually reminded me—before, the Princess also played chess without a competitive spirit, but today her style seems to have changed drastically; I wonder what happy event the Princess recently encountered, making her so proactive, striving to be first in everything?"

That sentence made Long Xi Yue's pretty face flush; if Qin Yutong hadn't said it, even Long Xi Yue herself might not have realized it—people's changes often occur unconsciously, and the one who notices such a change latest is often herself. Long Xi Yue whispered: "Perhaps it's because I'm about to leave; whether victory or defeat, it's still more memorable than a drawn game." Today, on the way to Xining Palace, from Empress Jian she learned that her marriage date to Da Yong had been moved up; Long Xi Yue did not therefore feel panicked, perhaps because in her heart she had already accepted the fact of marrying far away, and that day will come sooner or later.

Qin Yutong was about to speak when she heard Hu Xiaotian's shrill voice: "Your Highness the Princess, this servant has returned!"

Long Xi Yue's beautiful eyes naturally revealed a hint of joy; although she thought she concealed it well, she still couldn't escape Qin Yutong's notice.

Hu Xiaotian came before the two, bowed to Long Xi Yue, then bowed to Qin Yutong: "Little Beard greets Miss Qin; I wish Miss Qin a happy New Year."

Qin Yutong, hearing his shrill voice, felt a bit uneasy in her heart and softly said: "Eunuch Hu, auspiciousness."

Hu Xiaotian rolled his eyes and glanced at the chessboard: "This servant hasn't disturbed your game, has he?"

Long Xi Yue said: "Just finished; Little Beard, go prepare some food and drink—tonight Miss Qin will stay here."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Yes, this servant will take care of it."

Hu Xiaotian turned and went out; just as he stepped out of the palace chamber's main door, he heard an announcement from outside: "The Yongyang Princess has arrived!"

Hu Xiaotian froze for a moment; the Yongyang Princess is Qiqi. He had thought his troubles for today were over, but he didn't expect this girl to also come to Zilan Palace to join the fun—could she have come specially to find him?

At this moment, the little princess Qiqi, accompanied by two eunuchs, swaggered in; Hu Xiaotian met her face-to-face and, unable to refrain from greeting, cheerfully went up and said respectfully: "This servant pays his respects to Her Highness the Princess; may the Princess grow ever taller and more beautiful, study well, and make progress every day!"

Qiqi rolled her eyes completely and gave Hu Xiaotian a sideways glance: "You're insulting me? Do you think I can't tell?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "No, no, I can't praise you enough." He looked to both sides and asked: "You all say our little princess isn't growing taller and more beautiful, right?" A group of palace maids and eunuchs chorused: "Yes!" Who would dare say no?

Qiqi said: "In that case, I still have to give you a reward."

Hu Xiaotian laughed happily: "Thank you, Princess." He stepped forward and lowered his voice: "Reward is reward; shouldn't you first settle the account you owe me from this morning?"

The surrounding palace maids and eunuchs, hearing this brat openly demand payment from the princess, all tried not to laugh; yet facing the mercurial little princess, none dared to chuckle aloud, hastily lowering their heads for fear of being seen by Qiqi.

Unexpectedly, the usually temperamental little princess did not get angry, and told the eunuch beside her: "Give it to him!"

A young eunuch produced a money pouch and handed it to Hu Xiaotian; he weighed it—it was heavy—and, opening it in front of the little princess, discovered it was filled with gleaming gold leaves, many times more than the small sum he had lent the little princess today. Hu Xiaotian happily put the pouch away, clasped his hands toward the little princess, and said: "Princess Anping and Miss Qin of the Imperial Medical Institute are present; I'm going to prepare dinner—would the little princess like to stay for a meal?"

Qiqi said: "Nonsense, go to the imperial kitchen and order me a Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, a steamed bear paw, a crispy-skinned milk pigeon, and..." Qiqi then listed a series of eight dish names; Hu Xiaotian felt his head swell, silently cursed his own big mouth, how did I even think to ask her? Isn't that being meddlesome? But then I thought, it's also eating the Long family's own food; I'm just helping run errands. (To be continued~^~)