Gong Jun had not yet stepped through his front door when he sneezed heavily.
He covered his nose with one hand, a foreboding feeling rising in his heart.
“Has the deputy commander returned?”
The steward, responsible for all household affairs, hurriedly came to greet him.
Unlike other officials, as the Deputy Commander of the Jinyiwei, except for maids and servants doing heavy chores, Gong Jun’s steward was officially registered under the Southern Town Fusi, considered a colleague in deeper terms, a peculiar custom left over from the Chen dynasty’s factory guard system.
“How is everything at home?” Gong Jun asked as he walked.
Gong Jun had no wife or children, and his salary was not tight. Minor household affairs were managed by trusted subordinates, so his question was really only about his cat.
Recently, Gong Jun had finally ended his busy days away from home and brought his civet home from a colleague’s place.
Perhaps because it had been taken away for too long, the eight cats at home were not very friendly towards Gong Jun, spending their days on the roof, refusing to come down except at meal times. Even when they did come down, they would snatch some fish and meat from the bowl and leave.
Gong Jun was prepared for this, pampering them with good food and buying several colorful bell balls that children in Taijing recently enjoyed, to entertain the eight civets and prevent them from fighting and injuring their paws and fur.
“You better see for yourself.” The steward looked troubled and hesitant.
Gong Jun’s heart skipped a beat, and he took two steps at a time to enter the house.
“What exactly happened?” Gong Jun’s tone became stern.
The steward, also trained in martial arts, barely kept up with Gong Jun’s pace, explaining as he ran behind, “People from the palace came, saying it was a reward from His Majesty, but I never expected that they would also—”
His words were cut off as the scene in the front courtyard came into view.
Round pebbles lay beside a clear pool, the moss on the banks meticulously scraped away.
Next to the pool stood a strange swing, equipped not only with armrests but also a back panel, with colorful plush balls tied to its long ropes. At the moment, a tabby-patterned civet was squatting on it, swaying over the pool.
On nearby railings and treetops, the eight cats were scattered.
Their fur varied, some old with areas of bald patches from fights, merely lying down staring at the swing, while others, small in size, arched their backs and provocatively meowed non-stop at the cat on the swing.
“…They brought another civet over.” The steward finished his sentence nervously.
Gong Jun stood at the courtyard gate, his expression blank.
The eight cats at home noticed Gong Jun, their cries growing even sharper, the previously motionless old cats now raising their voices too.
Everyone couldn’t help but cover their ears, Gong Jun caught in a dilemma.
The eight house civets had gradually accumulated; some were born to the old cats at home, others were small cats Gong Jun specifically hired seeing them being docile and lovely at other homes. However, no matter how well-behaved or cute these civets’ kittens were, once they arrived at Gong Jun’s home, they became little tyrants, aggressive and feisty. Catching mice was their forte, and so was their proud record of climbing roofs and lifting tiles.
If it weren’t for the house being large enough for them to frolic and play, and Gong Jun knowing how to keep them from running off to other homes, he might very well become the first official to be impeached because of his house’s civets.
How could such a group of cats fall short today? To be overtaken by Emperor Yongchen’s cat named Ah Hu, occupying the swing?
Could it be that the Emperor’s cat carries an aura of sovereignty, causing other cats to dare not approach?
Gong Jun was so shocked that he was left expressionless, while Ah Hu remained leisurely squatting on the swing, lazily glancing at Gong Jun who was sought out by the eight cats, even casually yawning.
Anger surged in Gong Jun’s heart. Even if it was His Majesty’s cat, it shouldn’t bully his own civets like this.
And this was his own home!!
Wait, this mansion was a gifted residence, the court not only had the right to reclaim it, but could also require officials to move out—so calling it his own home wasn’t entirely appropriate.
Gong Jun’s anger deflated. He used his lightfoot skills to leap onto the swing, tentatively reached out, and successfully picked up the tabby cat that had thrown his residence into chaos.
It was so effortless that Gong Jun doubted this cat’s combat prowess.
“Steward Chen.” Chief steward Chen appeared out of nowhere.
—Actually, he had been in the front yard, drinking tea and enjoying the scene.
This former steward of the Eastern Palace, now promoted to a significant figure beside the Emperor, was flattered wherever he went. However, Chen’s character was eccentric; he often busied himself with tasks that seemed unfitting for his high status.
Like today, for instance, he personally delivered the Emperor’s gift.
Those unaware might think Gong Jun was an elder statesman or even the Prime Minister of Wenyuan Pavilion. Otherwise, why would such a prominent figure from the inner court come personally?
Officials often guessed the Emperor’s intentions based on the actions of the inner court servants. Who was sent out, the quality and quantity of the gifts given—all followed a set precedent. Yet the newly enthroned Emperor Yongchen did not follow these norms. He was meticulous in handling state affairs, but when it came to sending people for tasks, he was unpredictably imaginative.
The Censors were keen to advise, but with the new Emperor’s reign still warming up, it was a critical time to establish his authority—only a fool would stick their neck out at this time.
Chen didn’t mind not being beside Emperor Yongchen or losing the imperial favor to other servants. He merrily ran about outside, smiling at everyone he met, yet everyone who saw him felt a chill down their spine.
The so-called smile that doesn’t reach the eyes—Chen had mastered it.
Seeing Chen approaching with a beaming smile, Gong Jun’s heart tensed.
“Chief Steward Chen, what is this about?”
The household servants and stewards were shocked upon hearing this. Today, Chen had not worn the formal bright red python robe of the inner court, but instead, the blue cloth robe worn by servants on duty. Although by the rules, this attire was correct, during the reign of the previous emperor, would any of the “Inner Ministers” from the Ministry of Ceremonies dress so modestly?
The servants hurriedly bowed. Chen, indifferent, stood with several eunuchs and guards like pillars beside him, not sparing another glance at the tabby cat in Gong Jun’s arms.
“Steward Gong, this is all my fault. When I left the palace with the gift, this little ancestor took a liking to it. Unable to shake him off, I simply brought him to your mansion. We’ll be leaving shortly.”
Chen was very amiable, but Gong Jun felt indignant.
Did he look so easily fooled? The one who signaled Chen to bring the civet here was definitely Lu Huan.
Gong Jun felt a great contradiction in his heart. On one hand, he felt sorry for his own eight civets being bullied; on the other, he was worried about the Emperor’s illness. He did not favor the Sixth Prince as the Crown Prince or even the Third Prince.
If the Emperor was indeed on his deathbed and wanted to entrust his beloved cat, Gong Jun truly could not bring himself to refuse outright.
“Meow meow!”
The eight cats started a cacophony of cries that snapped Gong Jun back to reality.
Gong Jun: …He gritted his teeth, still able to muster an effort to refuse.
Chief Steward Chen observed the subtle changes in Gong Jun’s expression and, seeing this, sighed quietly before speaking seriously, “Steward Gong, may I have a word with you in private?”
The front courtyard of the mansion was typically used for receiving guests, and as the Deputy Commander of the Jinyiwei, Gong Jun rarely had visitors apart from a few colleagues. He usually sat in the main house, leisurely drinking tea while watching the pond. Now, with the doors closed and the spaciousness of the main house, unless one was a martial arts expert, even if someone pressed their ear against the door, they wouldn’t be able to hear the conversation inside.
Gong Jun entered the door with a grim face, thinking Chief Steward Chen was about to insist on leaving the cat behind. However, Chen instead brought up a completely different matter.
“What, Prime Minister Zhang is involved in the imperial examination fraud?” Gong Jun was shocked.
“Unraveling the threads, it traces back to a favored student of Prime Minister Zhang. As for the Prime Minister’s direct involvement, that remains to be confirmed by investigations from the Ministry of Punishments and the Dali Temple,” Chen explained calmly, pulling out an exquisitely bound booklet from his sleeve and handing it to Gong Jun.
Gong Jun skeptically took it and saw the cover titled “The Lotus Chronicles.”
Gong Jun felt a sense of absurdity as he opened the book, and sure enough, it turned out to be an erotic novel complete with finely drawn spring palace scenes.
“…”
Such books were not uncommon, but for a eunuch to carry it personally and discuss it behind closed doors was bizarre.
Could there be some mystery hidden within an erotic novel?
Chen didn’t seem uncomfortable at all. With a smile, he said, “To be frank with you, this matter was discovered by that person.”
He then quietly mentioned the name “Meng.”
Gong Jun immediately dismissed his scattered thoughts and began to examine the booklet more carefully.
“This tale describes an anecdote that occurred in the capital, involving many scholars and noble sons who encountered a mysterious beauty named the Lotus Fairy. She was only inches tall and appeared only on full moon nights to share a night of passion with mortals. To summon this fairy, one only needed to cultivate a pot of lotuses.”
Chen continued to narrate from the booklet without any embarrassment, whereas Gong Jun looked increasingly bewildered.
“The author of this tale, along with the illustrator of the spring palace scenes, are both key figures in the recent examination fraud case. They were coerced to take the exams at the Imperial Academy on behalf of others…”
“What?” Gong Jun was startled.
So, this erotic novel actually contained a hidden code?
Gong Jun quickly flipped through the pages as Chief Steward Chen spoke at a measured pace, “The book mentions several times a shop where lotuses are purchased, yet there is no such store in the east market, nor in the west market. Flower shops must be set up in designated areas, and there are none such in the alleys, unless carried by street vendors. But given such hints, it surely isn’t that straightforward. The underlying details will need diligent investigation by Steward Gong. Additionally, a witness has already been taken to the Northern Town Fusi by Officer Qian. His Majesty has instructed not to torture for confessions and not to disclose the whereabouts to the external court officials.”
After acknowledging this, Gong Jun realized that Master Meng had once again tasked him with a mission, as the Imperial Guards assigned to care for the Second Prince had brought back a case of examination fraud that could shake the official circles.
He solemnly bowed to Chief Steward Chen to bid farewell.
As soon as he opened the door, all eight cats came in.
They watched intently as Chief Steward Chen left with the tabby cat, and then began to meow in various tones, climbing up Gong Jun as if he were a tree.
The household steward: …
Without a good physique, one truly couldn’t withstand their weight.
Meanwhile, Chief Steward Chen, holding the cat, left the steward’s mansion, hunching his back and muttering softly as he walked, “Little ancestor, do you think this is the imperial palace? Must you dominate and occupy everything? Do you think you can just call out and the whole world will respond to you? Little ancestor, you’re far from His Majesty, as bold as a tiger, daring to provoke all eight civets? Now look, Steward Gong doesn’t want you, let’s see what you’ll do! Are you going to disappoint His Majesty’s kindness?”
“Meow.”
“Oh, still talking back, aren’t you! Last time I saw you chasing after someone, scratching and clawing. You don’t even look carefully at who you chase, that was the former imperial teacher. What if he gets angry and turns you into a pancake? Wake up, little ancestor, even His Majesty has to tread carefully around him!”
Chen rambled on, his smile deepening as he thought of the thick stack of letters the Second Prince had sent back to the palace.
From afar, he looked even less like a good person.
No help for it, after years in the inner court, he barely knew how to smile genuinely anymore, always greeting people with a polite but insincere smile.
The eunuchs close to Chief Steward Chen, his confidants, hearing his words and avoiding the gaze of the guards behind, whispered complaints, “That imperial teacher is truly malicious, abruptly taking the divine physician away to the south.”
The south was the domain of the Three Princes of the Chu Dynasty. Although Meng Qi was the imperial teacher of the Chu Dynasty, the Chu royal family had been unjust to their meritorious officials first. They didn’t believe Meng Qi would defect to the Three Princes of Chu. The fear was that the Chu people, desperate for the restoration of their country, might willingly stoop low and offer high positions and vast riches as a lure, thereby posing a threat to the Qi Dynasty.
“Enough, why do you worry?” Chief Steward Chen chided unhappily, “Does His Majesty need your guidance in his actions? Short-sighted like mice, if it were up to you, would the clues for this fraud case fall from the sky?”
“But Steward… you didn’t say this before…”
“I may not understand, but His Majesty is never wrong, shut your mouths.”
Chief Steward Chen scolded them sternly, holding Ah Hu as he returned to the palace.
At this very moment, Meng Qi had shaken off Lu Min and Mr. Jinshui, and along with Doctor Mo, was speeding in a carriage towards Yuzhou.
