Chapter 34: Demotion

"Is there anything else you want to say?"

The morning light scattered about easily, and cast shadow after shadow in the square before the Shengru Palace. Jiang Changbai wore the full, bright yellow Emperor's robe, and sat atop the Dragon Throne, her expression cold and remote. Yet the one kneeling before the steps of the palace, head lowered and not speaking, was Xie Qianbing.

"It was this minister who was ineffectual; I beg Bixia to punish me," Xie Qianbing said, her complexion as pale as paper, biting her lower lip, her hands curled into fists, her nails deeply embedded in her palms. But she truly didn't feel any pain; in her eyes, almost level with the ground, was entirely self-recrimination and guilt.

Jiang Changbai sighed, her tone easing somewhat. "From the time We ascended the throne, We trusted and relied on you to a degree We fear has rarely been seen since the establishment of the Great Li. We broke the established tradition to promote you to a high position, entrusting you with an important task, merely hoping you could help Us revive the nation and bring peace and stability. But with this great drought in Boyang, you were actually this unable to solve it.

"We know well that relieving disaster demands immediate disaster; even though the state treasury was empty, We still allocated a great sum of money, in order to rapidly resolve the citizenry's hardship. But We appointed you to arrange the disaster relief, and not only didn't see any results, but in fact, the money was tossed away emptily; the common people met disaster, the land swarming with its victims like the plaintive whine of geese. This is dereliction of duty, and is truly difficult to forgive. We believed, in the past, you would be an assiduous official, and naturally wish to pardon you. But if We are excessively tolerant, how could We comfort the innocent souls of the deceased common peoples? So, this very day, you will be dismissed of your office as Vice Minister of Appointments, in order to serve as warning to others."

As these words were spoken, the entire arena fell into uproar. Of those in the court now, no one was unaware that Xie Qianbing was Jiang Changbai's former study companion; the two had grown up together, and the depth of their friendship was by no means a small matter. And from the time Jiang Changbai had ascended to the throne, Xie Qianbing had been placed in a position of multi-fold importance; all the memorials impeaching her for being promoted too quickly, that the masses would be hard to convince, each had, without exception, been sent back by Jiang Changbai.

Though the drought in Boyang was severe, in the end, it was only a natural disaster, not a human one. All the ministers of the court, even if they were to be more learned, were only ordinary people. Human-made disasters could be avoided, but as for facing natural ones, not a single person would dare to say they themselves could pull strongly against a ferocious tide. And now, someone like this receiving a punishment because of this, everyone's hearts were filled with some bafflement. But even so, there was no one who dared to say anything—besides one person.

Lin Yinqing strode out from within the group, and knelt at the stairs, raising his voice. "Bixia, this minister believes this punishment is too harsh. Human ability is hard-pressed to withstand natural disasters; more than that, Vice Minister Xie's assiduousness is clear for all to see; I beg Bixia to revoke this order."

Xie Qianbing had instinctively wanted to plead guilt and accept the punishment, but before she was able to speak, she heard these words of Lin Yingqing's. She raised her head, gazing at him with eyes full of disbelief. Lin Yingqing knelt by her her side, his back as straight as a brush, both frail yet resolute. Xie Qianbing was deeply puzzled; she herself had clearly just reported Lin Yingqing to the Emperor; how come now, when she herself had met with misfortune, he still came to plead for leniency?

What sort of tricks is he up to? she wondered to herself. Xie Qianbing had always felt that everything of hers had been given to her by Jiang Changbai, so even if her heart were even more wronged, she still didn't have the slightest desire to defend herself. So, the next moment, she kowtowed firmly towards Jiang Changbai once more. "This minister naturally knows that her work wasn't the best, and willingly accepts punishment. But regardless, this minister will always vow loyalty to the Great Li, and to Bixia."

Lin Yingqing was still kneeling on the ground his expression grave. Jiang Changbai didn't pay attention to him, but changed the subject. "And We also know that people are not sages who can be without error. Therefore, We especially command that you assume the office of Boyang's Inspector, and investigate deeply; be sure to investigate and ascertain the truth, and punish severely corruption, so as to ease the common peoples' minds. If you are further remiss, even the heavens cannot tolerate this, and We will also punish you severely."

"Understood!" Xie Qianbing replied immediately, as if having not thought in the slightest about the reasons for it.

"We have already discussed the faults, and so We will also commend merits. This time, with the demon of drought wreaking havoc, it was fortune that Vice Minister Shen, Shen Yanyi, recommended a Daoist priest, who called on the rain to relieve the disaster. We are greatly pleased, and necessarily will bestow a reward." Having come to this point, Jiang Changbai paused, her gaze sweeping over the group of ministers at the base of the steps, yet she couldn't see Shen Yanyi's figure, and so she asked, "Where is Shen Yanyi?"

Now, the imperial censor standing at the corner stood up. "Shen-daren suddenly contracted a severe illness, and so couldn't attend court."

"Oh?" Jiang Changbai smiled, seeming to not have taken this to heart. "How is it that she's so coincidentally fallen ill? Ah, nevermind, once she's recovered, We will evaluate the merit of bestowing a reward; you dear subjects today can be Our witnesses, so as to avoid, when the time comes, her laughing at Us for being miserly."

It wasn't clear who took the lead to call out "Bixia is a brilliant master"; the countless ministers, as if following the tide, called out loudly in suit. Jiang Changbai, seeing that the ministers seemed to no longer have important matters to report, waved a hand to indicate for court to end. So, the people clad in court apparel, headed out of the Palace in groups of two or three, like trickling water. Only Xie Qianbing still remained in place.

Her mind was still somewhat perplexed. She'd already accepted the reality of being punished, but unexpectedly, Jiang Changbai had appointed her as Inspector. Although it could be said that the position of Inspector didn't sound as impressive as being an official, and the rank was also low, the degree of freedom was unmatched when compared to that of Vice Minister of Appointments. Thinking carefully, it was actually somewhat an appearance of having fallen, while secretly having risen. Yet Xie Qianbing couldn't understand; naturally, her ineffectiveness ought to be punished, so why was Jiang Changbai doing this? So, she lingered around the gate of the Shengru Palace, unwilling to leave, until all the other ministers had more or less left, and only then rapidly walked to the gate of the palace. "Qing Huai, could you announce me?"

Yet Qing Huai didn't pay her any attention, her head raised as if she were looking at birds playing about in the skies. Xie Qianbing hadn't met this circumstance before, and for a moment, she was somewhat helpless. Asking again, it was the same, up until Xun Zhu emerged from within the palace. Xun Zhu said softly, "Xie-daren, the weather's hot; go, head on home; Bixia says she won't see you."

"I," Xie Qianbing startled, only speaking half a word before she wasn't able to speak further. She could only slowly turn around, taking step after heavy step out of the Palace.

Xun Zhu watched her retreating figure, and felt that Xie Qianbing's entire frame was wrapped in an undispellable loneliness. Hesitating for a long while, she hurried after, calling out, "Xie-daren, please stop."

Xie Qianbing's footsteps stilled in a flash, and she turned her head. Her eyes flashed with a few threads of hope. "Is it Bixia calling for me?"

Xun Zhu shook her head, yet said, "But there's something I'd like to tell Xie-daren; do you by chance have the desire to listen?"

"Please, speak."

Xun Zhu softened her voice even further, until only the two of them could hear. "I only roughly know a few characters, and never studied at all, and on the topic of knowledge, naturally, I can't compare to Xie-daren. But even so, I've heard of the story of luck and misfortune being interdependent."

Once she finished speaking, Xun Zhu hurried back into the Shengru Palace, not staying even a moment. All that remained was Xie Qianbing, alone, dazed on the spot, her mouth muttering, "luck and misfortune are interdependent".

---

"Zhangguide, how about you go and walk about some. Sitting here so long, it's so depressing," A Ling, standing behind Chen Xun, somewhat anxiously urged her.

Actually, from that day that Qin Anhe had brought the three characters of "Honghailou", written personally by imperial brush, Chen Xun, who didn't usually come to Honghailou to watch carefully, had, day after day, kept watch from within the establishment.

At the moment, the room she was in was at the highest point of Honghailou, and, pushing the window open, every person who stepped into Honghailou could be seen clearly. It was incredibly hidden, drapery outside blocking it off, and regardless of who came, they'd only think that it was Honghailou's unique decoration. Even Qin Anhe didn't know of this place.

Chen Xun, hearing A Ling's words, shook her head. "I'm waiting for someone."

"Waiting for someone?" A Ling repeated Chen Xun's words under her breath, asking puzzledly, "then wouldn't just having the waiters look work, and then when the person comes, they can come find you? Why would zhanggui keep watch here yourself? Waiting from morning til night, what sort of reason is that?"

Yet Chen Xun only laughed softly. "This person I'm waiting for, the average person couldn't recognise. Is there news about Shen-daren?"

Chen Xun's words were incredibly cryptic, and, hearing them, A Ling's head filled with fog, and she didn't question further, earnestly replying, "Shen-daren's still ailing; I went thrice, and each time, I was stopped outside the gate."

"How truly cowardly." Chen Xun's tone was disdainful, as if she couldn't much bear to look at her. After, she didn't say any more, her gaze merely collecting on the ground below. The incense in the room behind her had yet to finish burning a single stick, when Chen Xun abruptly stood up, and said, "Ah, the person's come."

So, A Ling followed Chen Xun's line of sight to look downwards, yet she could only see the bustle of people downstairs. There wasn't anyone who was different from the others. "I truly can't see anything; zhanggui truly is amazing," A Ling murmured. Before she'd finished speaking, she hastily followed Chen Xun out, fearing she'd lag behind.

In a private room on the second floor, Xun Zhu was somewhat ill at ease. But even if she were unsettled, she wouldn't tell Jiang Changbai, and only furtively hid it in her heart, her eyes guardedly taking measure about this private room.

In all, Honghailou was made up of five levels; the further up one went, the more expensive the cheapest private room became. At the fourth and fifth floors, not even having money would be sure to allow one to be there. What was necessary was a high official's rank and nobility, and only then would one have the qualifications to ascend those stairs.

Jiang Changbai was mingling with people incognito, seeking to keep a low profile. As a result, she only came to the second floor's private room, seeking somewhere quiet. She couldn't not notice that Xun Zhu was unsettled, though, and so she spoke teasingly, "What is it, are you afraid I'll sell you?"

"Bi—xiaojie, what sort of talk is this; I'm just a little curious." Xun Zhu, speaking, had still thought of calling her "Bixia", and only once the first character had come out did she remember that now, the two of them weren't in the Palace, and so she had hurriedly modified her address.

The waiters in Honghailou were actually quite accomplished in their positions; they only focused on ordering dishes, not paying attention to what the two of them said in the slightest. After Jiang Changbai had, at a whim, chosen a few dishes, they lowered their heads and left, not looking twice at anything else.

Only once it was only the two of them in the room did Jiang Changbai smile faintly, and said, "Take a look; with this status, how could an imperial sign still be needed atop the door?"

"It's as xiaojie says."

She'd only just finished speaking, when the sound of a rap on the door rose. After calling out "come in", the person who pushed the door open and entered wasn't the waiter bringing the dishes, but a woman wearing bright red female attire.

This was, in fact, Chen Xun.

Yet, seeing her come in, Jiang Changbai's eyes didn't have the slightest hint of astonishment. On the contrary, she extended a hand to gesture to the chair by the door, indicating she sit down. "I'm not sure what your distinguished self is called?"

Chen Xun didn't reply, only waving to indicate to A Ling to leave. So, only the three of them, Jiang Changbai, Xun Zhu, and Chen Xun, remained. Only now did Chen Xun speak, saying serenely, "Doesn't Bixia know this lowly one's name?"

"There's no Bixia here," Jiang Changbai said, her expression turning cold, "I'm merely an ordinary patron."

"Alright," Chen Xun smiled, her fox's eyes curving upwards. "Then I'll introduce myself; I'm Honghailou's proprietor, Chen Xun. Will you two patrons move to sit upstairs with me?"

"No need," Jiang Changbai said, shaking her head, her refusal decisive. "Just here's fine, I quite like here. The atmosphere is quite good."

"Liking it's good." Chen Xun was somewhat hesitant to speak; luckily, just then, the waiter entered to deliver the food, happening to break this awkwardness. But now, if Jiang Changbai were willing to expend some energy to look out, she could see a familiar figure sitting by the window of the second floor.

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