Chapter 192: Night Visit to the Grand Marshal

Your loyal and brave heart truly moves me.

The Empress's eyes flickered, and her gaze toward Jiang Xiaomu gained a touch of admiration.

I wish to promote you to Leader of the Imperial Guard; what do you think?

The Leader of the Imperial Guard, a Fourth Rank post, oversees the safety of the Imperial Palace inside and out, takes direct orders from the Emperor, and is a high‑authority position.

Jiang Xiaomu secretly rejoiced, knowing this was his chance to advance further.

He feigned alarm and said, "I, your humble servant, am of modest talent; I fear I cannot bear such a great responsibility……"

"No need for false modesty," the Empress waved her hand, "I have faith in your abilities."

"I thank Your Majesty for your great favor!" Jiang Xiaomu quickly knelt to express his gratitude.

"Rise, dear minister." The Empress's tone softened a bit,

"I am weary; you too should return early to rest."

Jiang Xiaomu bowed and withdrew, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

Wang Shouren's downfall was merely the first step of his plan.

Next, he will use this opportunity to gradually dismantle other opposing forces at court and consolidate his position.

After Jiang Xiaomu left the hall, the Empress wearily rubbed her temples.

"All of you, withdraw; I wish to be alone for a moment."

The palace maids and eunuchs filed out, leaving the vast Golden Throne Hall with only the Empress alone.

She slowly descended the steps, her slender fingers stroking the cold dragon throne, her heart in turmoil.

Wang Shouren, her own uncle, had actually rebelled!

How could she not feel anguish? From childhood, Wang Shouren had lavished care upon her, and even after her father emperor's passing, it was Wang Shouren who overrode opposition to support her ascension.

She had always regarded him as her closest elder and most trustworthy pillar of the state.

But now, the veil of that trust has been ruthlessly torn away, revealing the ugly truth beneath.

She closed her eyes, recalling scene after scene of her time with Wang Shouren.

His kind smile, his caring words—could they all be a facade? Did he truly harbor no affection for her, even plotting her death?

"Imperial Uncle…" the Empress whispered, her phoenix eyebrows knit tightly together.

They say the Emperor is heartless, but as a mere mortal, how could she be heartless?

Merely because she sits atop this cold pinnacle of power, having weathered countless storms of blood and intrigue, she has grown accustomed to concealing joy and anger, forever the dignified sovereign of a nation.

She could not fathom whether power truly mattered enough to sacrifice kinship and betray the nation.

……

That night, Jiang Xiaomu returned home to find his sister Jiang Xiaoyu had already prepared dinner.

"Xiao Yu, your health isn't fully recovered; why did you cook yourself?"

Jiang Xiaomu hurriedly took the bowl and chopsticks from Jiang Xiaoyu's hands: "Do you feel any better today?"

"Mm, much better! Brother, why did you come home so late today?" Jiang Xiaoyu asked anxiously.

"Some matters at the palace delayed me today."

Jiang Xiaomu said offhandedly, not wanting his sister to know too much of the palace intrigue, only wishing her to keep a pure heart.

"Oh." Jiang Xiaoyu nodded obediently, ladled a bowl of soup and handed it to Jiang Xiaomu: "Brother, drink the soup."

Jiang Xiaomu took the soup bowl, took a sip, and a warm current surged through his chest.

He knew that no matter where he went, his sister would always be his strongest support.

After dinner, Jiang Xiaomu returned to his room, yet he could not sleep.

His mind kept replaying everything that had happened today in the Golden Throne Hall.

Now stationed at court, every step he takes must be weighed with utmost caution.

Just then, Jiang Xiaomu suddenly heard a faint rustling from the roof.

The next moment, a bamboo tube flew into his window.

Jiang Xiaomu silently drew the dagger at his waist and flashed outside to investigate.

Outside, there was no one in sight.

Returning empty‑handed to his room, Jiang Xiaomu opened the bamboo tube; the slip inside read:

In two hours, meet at the Grand Marshal's Residence; there is an important matter to discuss.

It was signed by Huo Yunsheng, the current Grand Marshal.

【Ding! Huo Yunsheng, office Grand Marshal, temperament odd and unpredictable.】

【Refuse the invitation, and the host will be secretly harmed by Huo Yunsheng under the pretext of eliminating rivals.】

【Accept the invitation, and Huo Yunsheng may either patronize or kill the host; survival odds 50%】

The system's mechanical tone sounded timely in Jiang Xiaomu's mind.

Truly, one trouble follows another; according to the system, even if he knows it's a Hongmen banquet, he must still go.

But the Grand Marshal and he have had no prior dealings—why would he send someone for a midnight visit?

After a brief thought, Jiang Xiaomu understood.

This Grand Marshal was the mortal enemy of the former premier; now that Wang Shouren has fallen, he surely seeks to seize the opportunity to rise.

As the saying goes, the enemy of one's enemy is a friend; seeing Huo Yunsheng expose Wang Shouyi's treason, he is now a favorite before the Emperor, so he intends to win him over.

Jiang Xiaomu let out a breath; then he would go meet this Grand Marshal!

Let's see what medicine Huo Yunsheng is selling from his gourd.

Jiang Xiaomu changed into casual attire and hid the dagger in his sleeve.

The Grand Marshal's Residence lies at the northwest corner of Jingcheng, heavily guarded. When Jiang Xiaomu arrived at the gate, a steward‑like man stood there to greet him.

Lord Jiang, please follow me. The master is already waiting for you in the guest chamber.

The servant led Jiang Xiaomu through the corridors, all the way to an elegantly furnished guest chamber.

Inside, sandalwood incense curled faintly, and from behind the screen came the distant sound of a guqin, lingering and melodious.

Lord Jiang, the master is inside; please enter. The steward said, then bowed and withdrew.

Jiang Xiaomu pushed the door open and saw a middle-aged man in a brocade robe sitting with his back to him at the desk, plucking a guqin; the music alternated between gentle as flowing water and fierce as war drums.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, the man stopped his motion and slowly turned around.

His face was gaunt, he wore a goatee, his eyes deep and sharp—he was none other than the current Grand Marshal, Huo Yunsheng.

Jiang Xiaomu cupped his hands and said, "Grand Marshal, summoning me at this late hour must be for an important matter; I wonder…"

Huo Yunsheng smiled and gestured for Jiang Xiaomu to sit.

He clapped his hands, and two beauties presented wine and cups; Huo Yunsheng poured wine into the two cups:

Lord Jiang, please try this Jade Grape Wine from the Western Regions; this wine consumes great material and human effort in both production and transport, so I only share it with honored guests.

Indeed, fine wine. Jiang Xiaomu drank it all in one gulp:

Lord Huo, I believe you summoned me for a secret midnight meeting not just to share drinks; if there is something, please speak plainly.

Lord Jiang, you are indeed blunt and straightforward. Not bad; I invited you today precisely because I have a request. Huo Yunsheng's tone was flat, giving no hint of joy or anger.

Now the court is in turmoil; Chancellor Wang Shouren rebelled and was executed, leaving the chancellorship vacant—I wonder what Lord Jiang thinks? Huo Yunsheng got straight to the point.

Jiang Xiaomu understood in his heart; as he had suspected, Huo Yunsheng's interest was not in the wine—he was aiming for the chancellorship.