Inside the Hall of Diligent Administration, there were only six ministers: Chancellor Yin Wuhai, Left Chief Censor Xiao Sheng, Right Chief Censor Shen Mingzhi, Minister of Personnel Feng Ju, Minister of Rites Yuan Jiuding, and Minister of War Jiang Juying. Han Ruzi had met them all before. There was also a eunuch with an unfamiliar face who appeared to be the newly appointed Director of Palace Attendants based on his attire.
Attendants were not allowed to enter the hall. Han Ruzi and Prince Donghai personally carried their official seals for the six ministers to inspect.
The entire process was very brief, almost perfunctory. The ministers didn’t even come close to examine the seals, only glancing at them from afar. Yin Wuhai simply asked, “No problems?” and the others nodded in unison.
Xiao Sheng’s expression was slightly stern, but he remained silent. Standing in the Hall of Diligent Administration, he maintained the dignity of a senior minister, keeping his thoughts carefully concealed.
The eunuch escorted the two visitors out of the hall. Standing at the bottom of the steps, Prince Donghai asked puzzledly, “That’s it?”
“This is just the beginning.”
The four contenders still had half a year to gain the ministers’ support.
“I mean, was checking the seals supposed to be this simple? Why even include this step? It seems pointless,” Prince Donghai remained confused.
The two parted ways outside the palace gates. Prince Donghai mounted his horse and said, “Don’t go out this afternoon, I’ll come find you.”
Han Ruzi went to the Chief Commander’s Office to officially return the seal. The receiving official examined it meticulously, ensuring all that there were no new nicks and dents.
On the way home, Du Chuanyun let out a long breath, then said disappointedly, “I thought we might run into some trouble, maybe get into a fight.”
“What kind of trouble were you hoping for?” Han Ruzi asked with a smile.
Du Chuanyun rode his horse forward to ride alongside the Weary Marquis. “You know, someone trying to steal or snatch the seal. I stayed up all night patrolling the manor with grandfather, but didn’t even see a mouse. I thought something might happen during the day, but it was all so peaceful. Boring! Remember those days right after you left the palace? Now that was exciting.”
Han Ruzi laughed heartily. In hindsight, surviving danger might seem interesting, but as the person involved, he hoped for a peaceful future, even if it meant being utterly boring.
“The longer the wait, the harder the strike,” Han Ruzi said.
“Who will strike? Us or others?”
Han Ruzi smiled without answering, because he wasn’t sure. Even Yang Feng couldn’t predict it, only advising the Weary Marquis to observe quietly, build connections, and wait until he could truly consolidate the various forces before making plans.
For Han Ruzi, everything was indeed just beginning. The same was true for Prince Donghai, and Prince Ying and his fate seer. Only the Champion Marquis was different – he was just one step away from the throne and couldn’t wait to seize it.
“Let’s eat at the Drunken Immortal Inn,” Han Ruzi suggested.
Du Chuanyun cheered and led the way. The group of seven or eight people headed straight to the Drunken Immortal Inn. Despite it being noon and quite crowded, Du Chuanyun, who had only visited occasionally half a year ago, acted very familiar, warmly greeting the owner and staff as if he were a regular. Given the large group, the inn treated them with extra attention.
The group was led to a private room upstairs. Han Ruzi told his followers not to stand on ceremony – since there were no other guests, everyone could eat together at one table.
These followers weren’t household servants but bodyguards recruited by the Du grandfather and grandson. They were from the pugilist world and weren’t overly formal. The Weary Marquis was relaxed, so they were even more at ease, though they remembered their duties – they could ignore etiquette but couldn’t drink recklessly.
Du Chuanyun was salivating, even asking for a bowl of vinegar to temporarily suppress his urge to drink. Although his grandfather Du Motian had stayed at the manor, he still didn’t dare to drink.
Except for the lack of alcohol, the meal was very enjoyable. The food was excellent, the Weary Marquis was easy-going, and everyone shared interesting stories from the pugilist world, laughing frequently.
Reckless was the chef here. Han Ruzi wanted to invite him over, but Du Chuanyun shook his head, “Reckless is an odd one, never disturb him while he’s cooking.”
As they were finishing their meal, a commotion broke out outside the private room. It sounded like a group of people demanding wine and food rudely, mixed with cursing. They did not sound like ordinary customers.
The noise grew louder. Without waiting for the Weary Marquis’s permission, Du Chuanyun darted out of the room, exchanged some words, and returned, but the commotion continued.
“There really are troublemakers, and it’s not the first time. The owner says these people come every few days, for about half a year now.”
Du Motian already knew about this and smiled, “The Weary Marquis needn’t worry. This is just a small grudge in the pugilist world. Kuang had some friends, and while Reckless isn’t very popular, he has a few close brothers too. Everyone knows someone who knows someone else – they’ll sort it out eventually. The pugilist world has its own ways of resolving things, just leave it be.”
Han Ruzi still felt something was odd, but he truly didn’t have the energy to get involved.
Near dusk, Prince Donghai rushed over, with Manor Clerk Zeng behind him, unable to announce him properly in time.
Prince Donghai burst into the study and asked directly, “Have you heard?”
“Heard what?” Han Ruzi put down his book. Yang Feng and Meng E hadn’t returned yet, so he hadn’t received any special news.
Zeng bowed to the Weary Marquis and left the room.
“Prince Ying went to return his seal at the Hall of Diligent Administration this afternoon. You’ll never guess who his recommender was.”
“Who?”
“The Empress Dowager!” Prince Donghai studied Han Ruzi. “You’re not shocked?”
“What could be more shocking than competing for the previous emperor’s position? Besides, Prince Ying’s age and personality are just what the Empress Dowager would favor.”
“But isn’t the Empress Dowager... mad?” Prince Donghai sat down angrily.
“They say she has good days and bad days. This was probably arranged during a lucid moment.”
Prince Donghai snorted but said nothing more.
“Does the Empress Dowager count as a first-rank minister?” Han Ruzi asked.
“The Empress Dowager is Rank One and has a seal, but no one can call her a ‘minister’ – it’s a loophole the fate seers deliberately left,” Prince Donghai stared intently at Han Ruzi. “Could it be that while we’re fighting the Champion Marquis to the death, weakening each other, the Empress Dowager will suddenly strike and eliminate all threats? Perhaps she’s just pretending to be mad!”
“I’ll always be wary of the Empress Dowager, whether she’s truly mad or not.”
“I should contact my mother quickly, she’s in the palace and must know something...” Prince Donghai stood up and left without saying goodbye, running into Yang Feng.
“Do you know...”
“I know.”
Prince Donghai hesitated, then left – he was too proud to seek advice from Han Ruzi’s strategist.
“Is the Empress Dowager going to make her move?” Han Ruzi asked.
“Probably not. Don’t worry about her now. Tomorrow I’ll take you to meet Guo Cong.”
Yang Feng always focused on different matters than others. The Empress Dowager, Champion Marquis, fate seers... these seemingly immediate threats didn’t seem to concern him much – he only wanted to “please” the scholars.
“I saw people causing trouble for Reckless at the Drunken Immortal Inn today.”
Reckless had been introduced to the Weary Marquis by Yang Feng, and compared to the Du family, this chef seemed more like Yang Feng’s “confidant.”
“He can handle it himself,” Yang Feng was even more dismissive than Du Motian. “Send word to the Northern Army – those noble sons can go home now.”
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