Mythical Qin: I, Gao Yao, will never be a eunuch!

Upon hearing his mother's name, Fan Xian's fingers tightened slightly. This was precisely why he had faked his death to escape and secretly investigate—he was increasingly realizing that his mother's death was far more complex than it appeared, and that the roles played by Emperor Qing and Chen Pingping in this matter were far more intricate than he had imagined.

"Alright, let's not talk about that." Gao Yao changed the subject. "Young Master Fan, you didn't risk seeing me just to warn me to be careful of Emperor Qing, did you?"

Fan Xian took out a letter from his pocket: "Li Yunrui has been making a lot of moves lately. She seems to have realized that you and I are in contact and is investigating the background of the Gao family business. This is a list of spies she has planted in Jiangnan, and three of them have already infiltrated your caravan."

Gao Yao took the letter, glanced at it, and sneered: "Her Highness the Princess is truly cunning. Unfortunately, she doesn't know that one of those spies is already one of my men."

Fan Xian raised an eyebrow: "You knew all along?"

"In the business world, without this kind of vigilance, I would have died ten or eight times over." Gao Yao lit the letter on the candle flame and watched it turn to ashes. "But I still want to thank Young Master Fan. I will remember this favor."

“I don’t need your favors.” Fan Xian stood up. “I only hope you remember that the premise of our cooperation is that we will not betray each other. If you fall, I will protect myself; if I am exposed, you don’t need to show mercy. But before that, we have a common enemy.”

Gao Yao nodded: "Understood. So, what are Young Master Fan's plans next?"

“I will continue my investigation in secret.” Fan Xian walked to the door, glanced back at Gao Yao, and said, “As for you—be careful of Wang Wenyuan. Although he backed down today, I know him, and he will definitely have a backup plan. Emperor Qing will not let this go so easily.”

"I'll be waiting." Gao Yao's smile appeared profound and unfathomable in the candlelight.

After Fan Xian left, the study returned to silence. Gao Yao sat alone in the darkness, his fingers lightly tapping the table. He knew Fan Xian was right; Emperor Qing wouldn't let it go easily, and Wang Wenyuan would definitely have a backup plan. But he also knew that he held more leverage than anyone else could imagine.

It wasn't just the grain he hoarded, nor just the dirt on those officials, but more importantly, a trend—a trend that even Emperor Qing couldn't reverse.

Deep within the palace, in the imperial study.

Emperor Qing stood by the window, gazing at the sparse stars in the night sky. His shadow stretched long in the candlelight, appearing both lonely and majestic. Wang Wenyuan had been kneeling on the ground for nearly half an hour, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

"So, he refused." Emperor Qing finally spoke, his voice calm and unwavering.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Wang Wenyuan bowed his head. "Gao Yao demands a monopoly on the grain industry in Qing Kingdom, leaving only the imperial court and the Gao family's business. I believe this condition is absolutely unacceptable, so I dared not agree to it on my own."

Emperor Qing turned around, his face revealing neither joy nor anger: "He said that if we were to harm him, how would the people view the court, and how would they view me?"

"Yes... that's what he said."

A moment of silence followed. Wang Wenyuan could hear his own heartbeat, exceptionally clear in the quiet imperial study.

"Get up," Emperor Qing finally said. "This is not your fault. Gao Yao is smarter and bolder than I imagined."

Wang Wenyuan breathed a sigh of relief, his legs feeling a little numb as he stood up: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I believe that Gao Yao's confidence stems from his accurate assessment of the current situation. The war in the north is not yet over, and there is unrest in the west. If the capital region falls into chaos due to famine, the consequences will be unimaginable."

“I know.” Emperor Qing walked back to his desk, his finger tracing the unfolded map. “So we can’t touch him now. But we can’t let him grow too powerful either.”

"Your Majesty means..."

"Isn't he trying to monopolize the grain industry?" A cold glint flashed in Emperor Qing's eyes. "Then give him—temporarily."

Wang Wenyuan was startled: "Your Majesty, this..."

"Minister Wang," Emperor Qing interrupted him, "do you know why I've been able to hold onto this position?"

Wang Wenyuan bowed his head: "Your subject is foolish and dull."

"Because I know when to advance and when to retreat." Emperor Qing slowly sat down. "Gao Yao now controls the grain and the hearts of the people. A head-on confrontation will only result in mutual destruction. But the grain will eventually run out, and the hearts of the people will eventually change."

"His Majesty means to grant his demands first, and then..."

"Good." Emperor Qing nodded. "Issue an imperial decree to establish the Grain Industry Supervision Bureau, effective immediately, with Gao Yao as its director, to oversee the purchase and sale of grain nationwide. However, the Supervision Bureau must be subject to the control of the Ministry of Revenue, and all grain transactions must be meticulously recorded for verification."

Wang Wenyuan immediately understood Emperor Qing's intention—a veiled promotion with apparent control. Giving Gao Yao an official position would allow him legitimate control over grain, but at the same time, court regulations would constrain him, placing his actions under supervision. This temporarily appeased Gao Yao while also laying the groundwork for future retribution.

"Your Majesty is wise," Wang Wenyuan sincerely praised. "However... Gao Yao may not accept this arrangement."

“He will accept it,” Emperor Qing said confidently. “Because it is the best offer he can get right now. Moreover, with an official position, he can more legitimately manipulate grain prices and make more profits. A greedy person will not refuse meat that is offered to him.”

Wang Wenyuan nodded in agreement, but doubts remained. Based on his observation of Gao Yao, this man was far more than just an ordinary, greedy merchant. His willingness to challenge the imperial court suggested he had something to rely on. While Emperor Qing's plan was excellent, Gao Yao might not follow it entirely.

"There's one more thing," Emperor Qing suddenly said. "Is there any news from Fan Xian's side?"

Wang Wenyuan's heart tightened: "According to news from Northern Qi, Fan Xian has been confirmed to have died in an ambush by the remnants of Shangshan Hu's gang. Although his body has not been found, his jade pendant and a large amount of blood were found at the scene, making his chances of survival extremely slim."

Emperor Qing paused for a moment, then asked, "What's Chen Pingping's reaction?"

"Dean Chen... seems to have believed the news of Fan Xian's death, and the Supervisory Council has begun preparations for his memorial service."

"Is that so?" Emperor Qing's tone was devoid of emotion. "Then let him be dead. Issue an order to posthumously confer upon Fan Xian the title of First-Class Earl of Loyalty and Bravery, and to give him a grand funeral."

"Yes."

It was late at night when Wang Wenyuan left the Imperial Study. He walked along the palace corridor, his mind filled with a myriad of thoughts. Gao Yao's arrogance, Emperor Qing's scheming, Fan Xian's death... behind it all, it seemed, an invisible net was tightening. And he stood at the very center of that net.

The fury that Wang Wenyuan had anticipated from Emperor Qing did not materialize. On the contrary, Emperor Qing actually backed down, and by a significant margin. This finally made Wang Wenyuan realize why Gao Yao had been so arrogant before. Now, Wang Wenyuan seemed to be finally understanding something.