Chapter Six, Half of the Spring Breeze

She cupped her hands in a gesture of respect and said, "Lord Nan, the imperial decree from the palace, may you proceed with it?"

Upon exiting the Li Zheng Hall, a eunuch from the official court was already waiting outside the palace gate. Seeing her approach, he smiled broadly and stepped forward to pay his respects, clearing his throat to say: "Congratulations to Lord Su, I am Ye Jinchun, and from today onwards, I shall serve you. It is arduous for you to travel daily between the Eastern Palace and the official court, and the Crown Prince has issued an imperial decree to prepare a small sedan chair for you. I shall assist you in carrying the chair."

He stood up and slowly walked to the rosewood desk, picked up a document from the desk, and handed it to her, "This is your appointment letter, Deputy Commander of the Control Army Division, from today onwards, you will be in charge of all cases involving the female members of the official residences in the capital."

Loyalty is not something that is precious when merely spoken. The Crown Prince's calm voice flowed like a clear spring, elongated in tone as he said: "Rest assured, I will naturally guide you to a good marriage in the future, and you will not be wronged."

She lifted her robe and entered the yamen, where the rotating thousand households were all in the hall. The ones in front avoided her, which led to a series of awkward situations. When they finally met, who would have the nerve to show their displeasure? So, they pretended to be casual and congratulated her, saying: "Oh, look who it is, our newly appointed deputy commander, isn't it?"

This statement is quite hurtful. She has handled several cases at the Control and Command Department, and while her methods may be somewhat questionable, it was all in the interest of successfully completing her duties. In the political arena, those who are slick will respond to your kind words with insincerity. Not only her, but even Nan Yushu employs similar tactics. Why is it acceptable for men to resort to coercive interrogation, but not for her?

The room is piled high with bookshelves, blocking out the sunlight from outside, leaving only a row of skylights under the eaves, gently allowing light to filter in.

Upon reconsideration, she is openly a female official, yet secretly a member of the Crown Prince's inner circle. Since she is closely connected to those in power, if I were to oppose her, would I not be offending the Crown Prince? After all, how many women throughout history have achieved great things? If I let my emotions get the better of me and treat her as a man to contend with, it would only reveal my own pettiness.

She raised her eyes and saw a blue sedan chair carried by four men, which had just stopped at the bottom of the steps. The curtains of the chair fluttered gracefully, adding a touch of elegance compared to the men's sedan chairs. However, she did not accept it; only the noble ladies in the palace were entitled to ride in sedan chairs. What status did she have to deserve such treatment

Sighing, she realized she should not have spoken out of turn; he could do as he pleased. After all, this hat had been worn for so many years, continuing to wear it was of no consequence.

Xinghe accepted the appointment and bowed down, feeling some suspicion about whether he had discovered that this task was recommended by Left Zhaoyi. It was inconvenient to inquire further, so he did not say much, only responding with a firm "Yes".

Although our conversation was not pleasant, I still must express my gratitude. Xinghe's attitude is sincere, as if the ideal husband is right before my eyes, smiling shyly. "I am indeed getting older; in two years, I will ask my master to find someone for me. I do not require immense wealth, just someone who is talented and good-looking, and treats me well."

The female minister has a decisive temperament, and as she strolled through the archway of the Yiqiu Palace, Ye Jinchun followed behind, panting heavily.

It is not far, yet the palace is heavily guarded. Even if one takes a shortcut from the Eastern Palace, after exiting the Xuande Gate, it is still necessary to walk a considerable distance north. The Control of Barbarians Office is located on Baimi Xiejie Street by Shichahai.

Everyone engages in superficial pleasantries, making forced small talk. In fact, she was never easy to get along with before, and now with her elevated status, it makes those who are beneath her feel even more uncomfortable.

Xinghe never thought of using marriage to gain anything, and being a housekeeper was not her aspiration. It is said that the person who understands you best in the world should be your opponent, yet the Crown Prince seems to have never paid attention to her, or perhaps he never considered her qualified to be an opponent

Has this been acknowledged before the Emperor? In order to cover for oneself, is there a complete intention to ruin her? Heaven, how can such a thing exist in the world! The galaxy is filled with sorrow, and yet it is inappropriate to scold him. After holding back for a long time, I calmed myself and cautiously advised: "You should not deceive the Emperor. The Emperor misunderstands the matter as trivial, which could delay the master, and that would be serious. I and the master do not have that kind of relationship, so the child naturally cannot be discussed. If the Emperor waits for your news every day, and you remain silent, what if he suspects that you cannot bear children? That would be greatly detrimental to your future. You are not unaware that Prince Jian and Prince Min are eyeing you covetously. Do you wish to hand over the crown prince's throne to others?" I pleaded earnestly for a long time, pressing my chest and saying, "Please heed my advice, take a proper crown princess. In the future, if you establish a great rule, the more sons you have, the more stable the kingdom will be, which is entirely beneficial to you."

You are the first envoy of the Control and Military Department, and you hail from my Eastern Palace. You must remember that every word and action reflects on the dignity of my Eastern Palace. Perform your duties well and serve the Emperor faithfully. If you engage in favoritism or corruption that tarnishes the reputation of the Eastern Palace, even if I care for you, I will not tolerate you. Do you understand

She felt a surge of joy in her heart, not expecting the decree to arrive so quickly. She hurriedly knelt down to receive the command, raising her hands high and proclaiming loudly: "Thank you, my lord, for your cultivation. I will certainly do my utmost and will never betray your high expectations."

The small carriage swayed as it passed through the streets and alleys, arriving at the Control Military Office. On the other side, a decree was issued from the palace, and the office received the news promptly. Normally, with a new official taking office, all the clerks in the office would come out to welcome him, but unfortunately, Xinghe did not receive such treatment. When she arrived at the door, only two minor officials stood by the doorstep, their faces blooming with smiles, yet they could not conceal the hint of a sidelong glance.

Xinghe did not pay much attention to them; the only person she needed to deal with was the commander. She asked where Lord Nan was. The thousand households nodded towards the archives room. She placed the appointment document on the desk and headed west along the corridor.

Xinghe conveyed the meaning of thoroughly investigating the officials in the capital as instructed by the Crown Prince

Ye Jinchun stood there in a daze, momentarily at a loss for words. Although she intended to make things difficult, in the end, she did not stubbornly cling to her own views, as it was not worth it to go against her own interests. Moreover, Jinchun's words held some truth; depending on one's position, one must wear appropriate attire. If one appears too shabby, no one will take you seriously; what people really notice is that imposing aura.

Commander Nan Yushu was likely unhappy due to being undermined by a woman, but it did not matter much, as he would only grow increasingly discontented over time, eventually becoming accustomed to it.

Her tone was somewhat stubborn and a bit unwilling; he had grown accustomed to her occasional sharp retorts. Although they might sound displeasing at first, he would not take them to heart.

Xinghe smiled after listening, "What? There is no ceremony, does Lord Nan still not recognize me as this brocade-clad envoy?"

"How are you?" He tilted his head to examine her, "There are probably not many people in this world who dare to treat you well."

What keen insight this is, that he could see through it! Although Xinghe agreed, he did not hesitate to put on a face of surprise, "I have never dared to express any grievances to my lord. I have been in charge of the Eastern Palace for many years, and my lord understands me. I am not a young lady from a boudoir, and I do not indulge in that kind of coyness. If my lord says we have an affair, then we have an affair. Not to mention taking the blame, even if it were to turn a pretense into reality, I would not even blink an eye."

Her eloquence is commendable, and her lengthy discourse is quite reasonable. Nan Yushu is, after all, a rough person, and at this moment, his anger has dissipated by half

The Crown Prince was clearly unwilling to hear her speak on this matter, and with a cold expression, he said: "Lord Su has overstepped his bounds. My private affairs are not for you to comment on. What value is there in having a son? It can be done at night without wasting time. A man should focus on achieving success and making contributions; such matters are not to be neglected, but they must be approached with the right person."

Nanyu Shu furrowed his brows in contemplation: "There are over a hundred officials of various ranks in the capital. Where should we begin? Does His Royal Highness have any instructions?"

The Milky Way smiled faintly and said, "Don't call me that, we are all old acquaintances, it feels too distant this way."

She approached the door and saw Nan Yushu standing in a beam of light, flipping through documents. He was dressed in a qilin robe, with a phoenix belt cinched at his waist. Years of experience and countless life-and-death situations had chiseled his face into one of determination and sternness. He was genuinely a military general, having previously been responsible for reconnaissance and capture, and he had gradually climbed to his current position, proving himself to be no ordinary individual. However, this man's character had a fatal flaw: he was overly impatient and prone to impulsiveness. Having worked with him for five years, Xinghe was already well aware of those subtle shortcomings.

Ah no..." She hurriedly waved her hand, "To be able to share the worries of my master is a blessing for a subject.

Indeed, she is not wrong. The Control Army Division and the Six Doors are completely different institutions. Both investigate cases, but the Six Doors emphasizes law and human sentiment; it is a bureaucratic office with flesh and blood. As for the Control Army Division, it establishes the Zhao Prison and employs extrajudicial punishment. No matter who it is, once they enter that large gate, they should not expect to come out unscathed.

As soon as she spoke, the Crown Prince was taken aback, a profound astonishment reflected in his eyes. However, in an instant, he let out a soft chuckle and said, "You think too highly of yourself."

She tucked her hands and said, "The yamen is not far from the East Palace, I can just walk there."

The words were laced with sarcasm, which anyone could easily discern. She was not offended; instead, she stepped into the room, walked slowly to stand before him, and smiled with great grace.

But this fortune has tarnished your reputation, and I know you harbor resentment towards me

Xinghe slowly shook his head, "In my humble opinion, it is necessary to test a few officials in charge of finance, such as the Minister of Revenue, Gui Fohai, and the Minister of Works, Yue Xiangxian. Additionally, those related to criminal justice should also be investigated. I have heard that in the office of the Minister of Justice, a single case can yield a bribe of one hundred thousand taels of silver, but I do not know if this is true..." After finishing, he smiled gently, "This is just the right opportunity to stretch the muscles of the cabinet officials, what do you think, my lord?"

He felt somewhat awkward and smiled, saying: "Lord Su, you are overthinking it. There was never such a matter, so how could there be any internal strife? Since the court has issued an order, you and I must work together in the future... Was this morning's court meeting not very smooth? Has there been a new decree from the palace?"

He speaks softly and sweetly, concealing sharpness within gentleness. If one perceives his usual good-natured demeanor and considers him an easy person to deceive, that would be a grave mistake

Surely, the adults must have some reservations about this? In fact, there is no need for such concern. Officials gather in the capital, and when issues arise, the offices are filled with men, making it quite inconvenient to investigate matters concerning the noble ladies. The establishment of the Jinyi Envoy is merely to fill this gap, continuing to assist the adults. Please do not misunderstand; there is absolutely no intention of dividing power. The Control of Military Affairs primarily oversees the conduct of the officials, and indeed, women rarely commit offenses. I suspect the court has created this position in response to the urgent needs of Princess Xialing; I need not elaborate on the reasons, as you, sir, are already aware. " She said with a smile, taking the documents from his hand, closing them, and placing them back on the shelf. "Sir Nan, five years ago, I entered the office with the Crown Prince to handle affairs. Over this long period, we have maintained a harmonious relationship, so please do not let such trivial matters cause any unpleasantness. To be frank, I am a woman and am in charge of the Eastern Palace. Once this matter is resolved, I will still return to the inner court. We are all serving the Crown Prince, and there should be no distinction between you and me. Before coming here, the master specifically instructed me to communicate with Sir Nan; it would be foolish for us to fight among ourselves and give outsiders something to laugh about.

The ceremonial robes fluttered gracefully before her, the edges of the garment cascading with the surging waves of the sea, stirring a burning sensation in one's heart. The Crown Prince extended his hand in a gesture of support, and beneath the wide sleeves adorned with purple sable, the tips of his fingers emerged, exuding an air of enduring elegance and refinement.

However, the Crown Prince seems to harbor significant dissatisfaction towards her. Of course, this dissatisfaction is not overtly displayed on his face; rather, it subtly emanates from the nuances of his words, exuding a chill that hisses with a sense of coldness.

Her hands were tightly clenched into fists within the sleeves, and she lowered her head, saying: "I believe that the process is not important; what matters is the outcome. If the Control of Military Affairs is like the Six Doors, it cannot instill fear in the civil and military officials."

Su Xinghe is ultimately a unique young woman. Back in the day, when she requested permission to handle the documents of the Control and Command Department, it truly took him by surprise. A young girl, interested in the warden's role, her ambition was glaringly evident. He simply wanted to see how far she could go with her abilities. He had many capable subordinates, but she was the only woman among them, so it was only natural for him to be somewhat partial and grant her certain privileges. Just like the ladies in the palace who keep those little trinkets, he indulged her within permissible limits, allowing her to act recklessly, because he enjoyed her fierce and carefree demeanor. He had many capable subordinates, but she was the only woman among them, so it was only natural for him to be somewhat partial and grant her certain privileges. Just like the ladies in the palace who keep those little trinkets, he indulged her within permissible limits, allowing her to act recklessly, because he enjoyed her fierce and carefree demeanor.

The university is probably not very willing to have any involvement with me, is it

Entangled with you, damaging your reputation, yet resolutely refusing to take the plunge, remaining both close and distant in this manner, the feeling of being at the mercy of others is truly unpleasant. Under the starry sky, Xinghe lowered his head, slightly furrowing his brows, bowing his head with a forced smile: "I merely spoke out of turn, just wanting to let my lord understand my loyalty."

The Milky Way blinked once, left speechless. After all, this gentleman held a distinguished status, and there was nothing he deemed worthy. Even the emperor could not rush him. She had once speculated that he had long seen through her identity and deliberately adopted such a posture to sow discord between Prince Jianping and the Su family. But upon further reflection, it seemed too convoluted; if that were the case, he could easily transfer her out of the Eastern Palace, so why bother keeping her in plain sight to perform daily theatrics

"Lord Su ... ... My Lord ... ... " He hurried over and gestured with his hand, "I had someone stop the sedan chair outside Xuande Gate, this way it does not exceed the bounds, and it also saves your strength. You are different now, you are a proper official of the Control of Troops, and soon you will have thousands of households and subordinates to command. That, that ... ... Lord Nan is the commander, coming and going with great pomp. ... . .. " That, that ... ... Lord Nan is the commander, coming and going with great pomp. ... . .. "

Nanyu Shu turned her face, showing no smile, and returned a salute, saying: "Congratulations, Lord Su. Since the establishment of the Control of Military Affairs Department in our dynasty, there has never been a female commander. You have set a precedent, which is truly admirable"

She did not mind and stood for a while in front of the door after getting off the sedan chair. Looking up, the imposing wooden door, which was split in the middle, stood arrogantly, having been weathered by wind and sun for many years, revealing a desolate mottled appearance that contrasted sharply with the shiny door nails crisscrossing it. In the past, she came and went frequently and never felt anything special about it, but today it felt particularly intimate, even those tough characters on duty seemed more agreeable.