Chapter Nine: Xingyuan of the Ministry of Justice

The dim corridor was remarkably wide. After walking for about a tenth of the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the light suddenly became dazzling, making Jiang Lan squint uncomfortably. When she opened her eyes again, she was immediately captivated by the scene before her. Exiting the corridor, they found themselves in a vast underground exhibition hall. They walked along a circular balcony built into the terrain above the hall. The balcony was not wide, accommodating at most two people walking side by side.

Beneath the mountain’s circular balcony was a round platform, upon which stood more than a dozen square pillars shrouded in black cloth—clearly the exhibits for today. Beside the round platform, rows of seats rose in tiers, encircling the platform, the highest reaching nearly a hundred feet tall in Jiang Lan’s estimation.

“Are we going down there?” she asked.

Xue Mingzhao glanced at Jiang Lan, then withdrew his gaze. It was Xue Mingrui who answered gently, “Elder brother has a private room here, on the second floor. Let’s go there.”

“Oh,” Jiang Lan replied, feeling a pang of sourness in her heart. Both were young lords—why was there such a difference between them?

Calling it a “private room” was truly modest; exquisite jade and gold inlay would not have been too much to say. Jiang Lan noticed Xue Mingrui’s probing gaze and felt a wave of anxiety. “Why are you looking at me like that, second cousin? Is there something on my face?” She rubbed her cheek casually—there was nothing.

“No,” he said, “I’m just curious. Ever since we arrived, you’ve been so excited, marveling at every little thing. But now that we’re in this elegant room, you seem indifferent.”

Jiang Lan only smiled, then nonchalantly knelt on the seat beside Xue Mingrui, the one furthest from Xue Mingzhao. “This place is so well hidden. The owner must have gone to great lengths and possess remarkable skill. What are these common trinkets worth?” After all, she’d lived long enough—how could her judgment be so poor?

Xue Mingrui poured tea for the two of them. “You see things clearly, Lan. When elder brother first brought me here, I was dumbfounded, marveling at the objects for a long while.”

Jiang Lan merely smiled in silence. This second cousin of hers looked like a jade figurine and possessed a gentle temperament. His greatest talent, however, was not in scholarship or officialdom, but in antiques and treasures.

It was said that a few years ago, the Empress Dowager—Jiang Lan’s aunt—accidentally came into possession of a string of relics left by a revered monk from a foreign land. The very next day, Xue Mingrui pleaded with the family to bring him into the palace to have a look. Xue Mingrui was, after all, a distinguished young gentleman who was well-liked wherever he went. Even the Empress Dowager took a great liking to this sweet-mouthed, well-mannered, and rather handsome young man, and gifted the relics to him on the spot. That only fueled his passion, and now his interest in such things was all-consuming.

“Second cousin, aside from grandmother’s birthday, are you planning to acquire something for yourself this time?”

A blush crept over Xue Mingrui’s face as he leaned closer to Jiang Lan’s ear. “Lan, you don’t know. A while ago, I made the wrong bet and lost quite a bit of silver. I’m not exactly flush at the moment. Even the present for grandmother relies on help from elder brother. As for buying anything for myself—well, that’s just a dream for now.”

Seeing her second cousin looking so pitiful and aggrieved, Jiang Lan’s heart softened, an inexplicable urge welling up in her blood—she just wanted to hand over money.

“Second cousin, why don’t you let me…” She’d barely taken out a silver note before a glare from afar made her shrink back.

“Elder cousin,” she murmured.

Xue Mingrui had also felt his elder brother’s silent threat and quickly surrendered. “Lan, I really won’t buy anything. You keep it for yourself.” Then, with a kindly warning, he added, “Things at Spring Pavilion are outrageously expensive. Be sure to look carefully before making a move.”

Jiang Lan thanked him openly, then glanced around the room before looking down below.

By now, quite a few people had trickled into the venue. The lights inside had grown dim, except for the single bright beam illuminating the center of the round platform; elsewhere, it was so dark you couldn’t see your own hand.

“This is for privacy,” Xue Mingrui explained. “Some buyers don’t want others to know what treasures they’ve acquired, nor do they wish to invite trouble. That’s why it’s arranged this way. Some things arouse suspicion and envy; if the proceedings weren’t kept private, even those wishing to buy might not dare to act.”

Jiang Lan nodded, curiosity piqued. “Second cousin, are you planning to buy anything today?”

The mention of treasures immediately excited Xue Mingrui. “I heard Spring Pavilion has acquired a jade Guanyin statue, almost ten feet tall. Grandmother is a devout Buddhist—after much thought, this seemed the most fitting gift.”

Jiang Lan nodded. Among mortals, the elderly often believed in Buddhism or Daoism. A jade Guanyin of such size was indeed rare; it would make an excellent gift.

She thought, these two cousins must have come prepared. With grandmother’s birthday only days away, they wouldn’t have forgotten—the elders at home would have reminded them, and at the very least, there were household servants to help. Clearly, they were determined to secure this treasure.

“Lan, have you decided what to buy for grandmother’s birthday?” Xue Mingrui asked.

Jiang Lan shook her head—honestly, she’d only just remembered the occasion. The Duke of England’s Xue family would certainly invite their grandchild, and the gift was unavoidable.

But what should she buy?

“I haven’t thought of anything yet…”

Xue Mingrui patted her shoulder with heartfelt earnestness. “If you see something suitable, don’t hesitate—there’s a certain someone here with very deep pockets!”

Following Xue Mingrui’s hint, Jiang Lan looked over and, sure enough, saw the formidable figure radiating an icy aura.

She’d been going through this sacrificial business for days now, usually meeting others with calm composure, occasionally feigning innocence as the original Jiang Lan would. Yet, in front of her elder cousin Xue Mingzhao, she felt like a mouse before a cat—an instinctive reaction left by the original host, which Jiang Lan herself couldn’t control.

When that little fox returned from the heavens, she’d have to ask if there were any side effects.

They were chatting when a commotion erupted outside. At first, it was easy to ignore, but soon the noise became impossible to overlook.

“Someone dares to cause trouble at King Anping’s establishment?” Jiang Lan glanced at Xue Mingrui.

He shook his head. “Lan, you’ve likely been buried in your studies; it seems the Duke hasn’t discussed these matters with you.”

“Is it some kind of secret?”

They sat down, and Jiang Lan poured tea for Xue Mingrui, adopting a most attentive and obedient demeanor.

“It’s not exactly a secret. When the late emperor passed, His Majesty was still a boy. State affairs were entrusted to King Anping and your aunt, now the Empress Dowager. Now that His Majesty is coming of age, the Empress Dowager wishes to reclaim the real power from King Anping and pave the way for the emperor’s personal rule. Their falling out became open conflict earlier this year, and it’s still ongoing.”

After more than half a month of investigation, Jiang Lan had only a general understanding of court affairs. But with Xue Mingrui’s explanation, she could guess most of it. “So the person outside is on my aunt’s side?”

Xue Mingrui nodded, lifting a corner of the window curtain for Jiang Lan to see. “That man in the bright blue brocade robe is Xing Yuan, the eldest son by a concubine of Minister Xing’s household. His mother is a favored concubine, ranked just below the legitimate third young master.”

Jiang Lan withdrew her gaze, her thoughts spinning in circles, her mind filled with questions.

The concubine-born eldest son stood openly with the Empress Dowager’s faction, humiliating King Anping in public at such a venue; meanwhile, the legitimate third son, during Jiang Lan’s recent illness, had been aggressively trying to seize the Jiang family’s assets—her family, the Empress Dowager’s maternal clan. Just what kind of game was Minister Xing playing?