A Shocking Dream

Qin Ruoyu strode forward and, seated, wasted no time in exchanging pleasantries. He pulled the letter from his bosom, handing it to Qin Rongchen with both hands, speaking rapidly, "Uncle Emperor, please take a look. This letter concerns the stability of the court and the suffering of the people." Qin Rongchen took the letter and read it carefully. His expression darkened, and his relaxed posture, leaning back in his chair, slowly straightened up, his eyes flashing with a cold light. Su Yijing, observing this, closed his folding fan and leaned closer. His eyes swept over the letter, and after a moment, he sighed, "This Xie Yuan has quite a big appetite. He's even reaching into the lifeblood of the country."

The letter detailed the various evil deeds of Pingding Hou Xie Yuan, including hoarding an astonishing amount of grain and fodder privately, like a hungry wolf hoarding food, in an attempt to strangle the court in years of disaster or war; secretly manipulating the salt market and driving up the price of salt, causing the people to have no salt to eat and no fire to cook, and suffering terribly; and there were also incidents of murder, arson, and rape of women. Every one of these was shocking, as if a picture of purgatory on earth was unfolding before the eyes.

Qin Ruoyu clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, and gritted his teeth as he said, "Uncle, if this thief is not eliminated, the court will be in turmoil and the people will have difficulty living. I want to plan immediately to uproot him and never let him act so recklessly again!" Qin Rongchen nodded slightly and looked at Su Yijing. The latter understood and tapped his folding fan lightly on his palm, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, "Don't worry, Prince. This matter requires long-term planning. Xie Yuan has many followers, and he has minions in the court and the army. If we act rashly, we may alert the enemy."

"Yijing is right, Ruoyu. Xie Yuan, the Marquis of Pingding, has made contributions to your father, yet no one dares to report his actions." Qin Rongchen's brows furrowed, his gaze deep as a pool, revealing the vicissitudes and worry of a man who has seen through the court's long-standing problems. His fingers unconsciously tapped the table, making a rhythmic sound, as if each tap struck at the tense nerves of the crowd.

Qin Ruoyu's face was solemn, he clenched his fists so tightly that his joints turned white from the force: "That's exactly what I mean, uncle! Xie Yuan had great military exploits in the past, but he deceived the emperor. The court officials were afraid of his power, but they also remembered their old friendship. Even though they knew of his evil deeds, they dared to keep silent and let the people suffer. If this continues, the country will no longer be a country!" After speaking, he slammed the secret letter in his hand on the table with a "bang". The paper trembled, as if he was also sad and indignant about this dirty situation.

Su Yijing waved his folding fan lightly, a sneer playing on his lips. "Hmph, this imperial court is like a terminally ill building. It looks majestic on the outside, but its beams and pillars are rotten inside. Xie Yuan is the termite gnawing at the foundation. He relies on his past achievements to act recklessly. His private hoarding of grain is a precursor to treason. He secretly controls the salt market and exploits the people. He rapes women and disregards the laws of the country. Every one of them is shocking!" After saying this, he suddenly closed his folding fan and pointed outside the hall. "Your Highness, Rong Chen, if we don't eliminate this great disaster, it will be too late once the disaster spreads across the land."

At that moment, a heavy, leaden atmosphere settled heavily within the room. Qin Rongchen paced with his hands behind his back, his robe trailing on the ground with a rustling sound, and every step seemed to tread on the tense nerves of the crowd. "This matter is of grave importance. If we tell His Majesty, some will inevitably hear of it and alert the enemy. We must conduct a secret investigation." Qin Rongchen's voice was low, but each word was like a hammer, hammering out the key to breaking the current dilemma.

Qin Ruoyu nodded slightly, his expression solemn and resolute: "What the emperor said is absolutely right. There have been undercurrents in the court recently, and Xie Yuan has many eyes and ears. If the news leaks out, he is very likely to destroy the evidence, or even rebel, endangering my father and the country. We must not act rashly." After speaking, he gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist, as if to pour all his anger and anxiety into this grip.

Su Yijing lightly waved his folding fan and walked forward. His leisurely pace was incompatible with the solemn atmosphere in the room. Only the cunning gleam in his eyes, like the sharpness of a night owl that sees through the darkness, broke the appearance of leisure.

"As for the secret visit, everyone knows that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and I are famous. If the Crown Prince shows up in Yingzhou, it will surely cause a great uproar. This matter needs to be carefully considered." He paused with his folding fan and pointed at Qin Rongchen. "Rongchen, you are the only one who rarely appears in the court. You are the only one who is suitable for this secret visit."

Qin Rongchen listened to Su Yijing's proposal, appearing calm and composed, yet deep down, his heart felt like it had been struck by a small stone, sending ripples of emotion. The thought of meeting his beloved Lin Wunian, whom he had longed for, while traveling to Yingzhou, had spread like wild vines, entwining his heart with a throbbing rage.

He knew the journey was arduous and dangerous. Xie Yuan's forces had woven a dense, impenetrable web in Yingzhou, and the slightest misstep would lead to his entanglement and ruin. But his yearning for her was like a poison, gnawing at his sanity. Even if Su Yijing changed his mind and refused to let him go, he knew he would find an excuse to go on his own.

Lin Wunian's smiles and gentle whispers often broke into his dreams without warning, disturbing him in the middle of the night and filling him with melancholy. The longing he had for her, which he hadn't seen for months, instantly ignited when he learned he had to go to where she was, burning away all his hesitation.

Qin Rongchen lowered his eyes, hiding the surging emotions in his eyes, and his mind quickly sketched out a preliminary plan. Upon arriving in Yingzhou City, the first thing to do was to conceal his whereabouts. Disguise himself as an ordinary merchant, mingle among the people in the market, and find a humble courtyard to stay. This would allow him to secretly observe Xie Yuan's movements while quietly approaching Lin Wunian's clinic.

During the day, he would pretend to be a person seeking medical treatment, hiding among the patients, stealing glances at her busy body to make sure she was safe; or he would pretend to be strolling around, following her in the streets to protect her, to prevent Xie Yuan's minions from causing trouble.

"Uncle, this matter concerns the country and the people. I wish to go with you." Qin Ruoyu stepped forward, cupping his hands, his posture erect, his expression filled with earnestness and determination. His eyes, blazing like two flames, not only pulsed with a burning determination to eliminate the treacherous Xie Yuan, but also concealed a subtle hope—to use this opportunity to see the long-cherished Kanan again.

Qin Rongchen frowned slightly, his face hesitant as he examined his nephew. He understood Qin Ruoyu's determination to punish Xie Yuan. The treacherous minister had committed monstrous crimes, each one shocking. As the crown prince, he cared deeply about the people of the world, and his passion for justice was unwavering. He was understandably determined to personally face danger and slay the treacherous official.

But the journey is full of dangers. Xie Yuan has been operating in Yingzhou for many years and has spies in every street and alley. If there is any mistake, the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace will be in dire straits and the foundation of the country will be shaken. The risk is too great.

"Ruoyu, I know what you mean. Xie Yuan's crimes are notorious and he must be severely punished. But this trip is too dangerous. You are entrusted with the important task of the Eastern Palace and the situation in the court is turbulent. If you make a mistake, the consequences will be disastrous. If the emperor's uncle goes alone, he can still maneuver flexibly and act in the dark to ensure that he will fulfill his mission." Qin Rongchen advised earnestly.