Chapter 305: Rivalry Among Power Holders

Beijing’s first heavy snowfall since winter began lasted three full days. Amid the swirling snowflakes, the city was covered in a white veil; icicles hung from rooftops, and trees stripped of leaves were encased in thick layers of ice. Evergreen trees like pines and cypresses bore snow-laden branches, presenting a unique and picturesque sight from afar.

Early that morning, the snow finally stopped, but the wind grew even stronger, biting like knives against people’s faces. Many servants from the Zhang household came out with brooms to clear the snow—some struggled to clean the steps in front of their homes, while others cleared the snow from the pathways. Two older servants scattered coal dust on the roads using bags. Everyone wore thick cotton coats and hats, with only their working hands exposed, which turned red from the cold in no time.

“Damn this damned weather! It started snowing so early this year. We just cleared it yesterday, and it’s already that thick again!”
“Shut up! This is considered good weather. When I was with the third young master in Shandong, there was a severe snowstorm that blocked roads and collapsed many houses. It was truly tragic!”
“Speaking of which, I just heard from Hu’s wife in the kitchen that the third young master was up late again last night. Isn’t he supposed to be resting at home? Why does it seem he’s busier than the first and second young masters?”
“Don’t spread rumors! The emperor has taken a liking to our third young master and plans to use him for important tasks!”

As the two young servants with brooms chatted animatedly, they suddenly saw a group approaching. Noting the man at the head, dressed in a bright red robe with a black cloak over it, the servant who had hinted earlier pointed at him and laughed, “If you don’t believe me, I’ll bet you—he’s definitely here for the third young master!”

Before he could finish speaking, a gatekeeper rushed over and shouted, “Hurry and inform them! Lord Lu from the Imperial Household Department has arrived. Please ask the third young master to go to Ruiqing Hall immediately.”

Hearing this, the attendant who had been skeptical at first finally became convinced and gave his companion a thumbs up. The two of them continued to whisper to each other, but Gao Quan, who had heard the news, hurried over. Seeing them whispering, he scolded them and pushed them aside before respectfully leading the palace guest to Ruiqing Hall. Lu Feng didn’t act arrogantly either; after sitting down in the first chair on the left, he slowly sipped the tea brought by the servants, showing no signs of urgency.

After waiting for a full fifteen minutes, a young eunuch beside him couldn’t hold back any longer. Bending down, he whispered, “My lord, isn’t this taking too long? Even though you’re here by imperial order, even if you weren’t, you shouldn’t have to wait like this…”

Lu Feng spat out a tea leaf stub irritably and snapped, “Lord Zhang is our benefactor. Waiting for a short while, let alone an hour, isn’t a big deal. Besides, today’s task is crucial—nothing can be overlooked, so we must be careful! Xiao Jiu, use your brain when speaking and acting, don’t just know how to flatter others… Oh, Lord Zhang, you’ve arrived! Hmm, looking at you, did you stay up late last night?”

Seeing his once-arrogant superior suddenly smile and stand up to greet him, the eunuch Cheng Jiu was stunned. He had only recently been promoted from a minor servant in the Timber Conservation Department and only knew a few famous officials in the court; everything else was a mystery to him. When he saw Zhang Yue wearing a gauze headband, a green silk robe, and deerskin boots, he finally understood what was going on—after all, the main entrance was a three-bay, five-pillar gate covered in green tin rings, with the Marquis of Wu’an’s residence right next to it.

“I did stay up late last night. The reason I made Lord Lu wait was because there were too many items, and I didn’t expect you to arrive so early, so it took some time to organize everything,” Zhang Yue said as he took the bundle from Liansheng behind him. He added, “This is what I’ve copied and organized. I wrapped it in oilcloth because of the snow.”

“Lord Zhang is truly meticulous. Rest assured, I’m here precisely for this task.” Lu Feng’s eyes narrowed in a smile as he turned back without looking and ordered, “Xiao Jiu, why don’t you go get the items right away?”

Cheng Jiu finally came to his senses and rushed forward at a quick pace. As soon as he touched it, he was shocked by its heavy weight—was there stone in this bundle? Why was it so heavy? Yet, having just been scolded by Lu Feng, he didn’t dare question anything and quickly bowed his head and stepped back, pricking up his ears to listen to the two of them talk.

“I’ll take these items with me right away and ensure they’re delivered directly to the emperor’s hands, without passing through anyone else. But Lord Zhang, you shouldn’t overwork yourself either. Now that this task is done, you might as well rest and regain your strength. Although the emperor hasn’t said it outright, it seems likely there will be another summons in the coming days. It wouldn’t be good if you’re still exhausted then. Truly, the emperor is very generous to you—I heard he even bestowed a robe on the Fourth Prince out of favor for you. Tsk tsk, once you complete this task, your rise to prominence will be just around the corner!”

Even though he knew Lu Feng was just showing off his influence in the palace and trying to be helpful, Zhang Yue certainly wouldn’t refuse such an offer. He couldn’t help but be humble for a while before getting up to see them off. At the gate, seeing Lu Feng and the young eunuch board the carriage and leave surrounded by soldiers, he narrowed his eyes.

A few days ago, Hu Qi had brought two pieces of news: one was that Zhu Di had ordered the Jinyiwei to investigate his movements, and the other was that Emperor Yongle had already chosen someone to head the Eastern Depot—none other than Lu Feng. It had to be said that he might be able to change certain situations, but changing Zhu Di’s suspicious nature was nothing but delusion. Facing such an emperor, only a steady strategy could work—how many times had Zhu Di tested him from the beginning until now?

On his way back to the Western Palace by carriage, Lu Feng kept talking nonstop. Though he was young, he had spent a long time in the palace and understood the importance of cultivating loyal followers. Besides amassing wealth like other high-ranking eunuchs, he also remembered to win people’s hearts with small favors. Now, he gave Cheng Jiu a serious lecture, talking about Zhang Yue’s background and upbringing as well as the emperor’s personality. Finally, he said with envy, “That’s why, if Lord Zhang continues like this without making mistakes, his future is boundless!”

Cheng Jiu didn’t miss a single word of what had just been said; he remembered it all carefully. Now, inspired by luck, he flattered, “Elder Lord, there’s no need to envy Lord Zhang. Didn’t you also reach a high position at a young age? If you were in charge of the Eastern Depot, your powers and responsibilities would be comparable to those of a Censor-in-Chief from the Censorate, and you’d rise even faster! Besides, no matter how favored an external official may be, how can they compare to us inner officials?”
“Good boy! I really didn’t make a mistake promoting you—you have good judgment!”
As Lu Feng gave this praise, the carriage suddenly came to a stop. Cheng Jiu quickly lifted the curtain to look and saw that they had arrived at the Meridian Gate of the Western Palace. He hurriedly jumped out of the carriage and attentively helped Lu Feng down as well. Since the palace’s servants started cleaning early in the morning, there was no snow on the road leading into the palace. Moreover, because coal slag had been spread on it, it wasn’t slippery, though Lu Feng’s brand-new boots felt uncomfortable on it, so he was more careful where he stepped.
“Isn’t that Little Lu? Where are you in such a hurry?”
In the palace, it was customary to bow to those in higher positions. Lu Feng had often been ordered around by high-ranking eunuchs when he was of lower status, so he hated the term “Little Lu” the most. Hearing this clearly scornful voice, he quickly raised his head and saw the person standing a few steps ahead. His heart skipped a beat, and the arrogance he had shown moments ago vanished instantly, replaced by a sycophantic smile.
“It turns out to be Elder Huang. I’m on a mission ordered by the emperor and am heading to Renshou Palace.”
Huang Yan nodded arrogantly, his gaze falling on the large bundle in Cheng Jiu’s hands. After a while, he said indifferently, “There are many people of your age in the palace, but you’re the only one who’s diligent and capable. No wonder you’ve risen so fast! That bundle looks quite full—did you get some benefits outside the palace? Since you’ve run into me, everyone here gets a share!”
Although the two stood right in the middle of the road, one was the top eunuch of the Imperial Secretariat, while the other was the currently highly influential head of the Imperial Surveillance Department. As a result, passersby kept their distance, too curious to stay longer. Hearing Huang Yan’s words, Lu Feng, who had been bowing and fawning, immediately showed a fierce look, though he hid it in an instant.

“Eunuch Huang, please don’t joke with me. How could I have such boldness? These are important documents I just brought from the Zhang residence, specifically requested by the Emperor. If you don’t believe me, you can take a look.” As he spoke, he walked over to Cheng Jiu, eagerly opened the bundle, patted the thick stack of papers, and then said with a forced smile, “Eunuch Huang, would you like to check them?”

It was nothing but an obvious hint, yet Lu Feng never expected Huang Yan to walk over confidently with his hands behind his back, casually take a few papers from the bundle, flip through them, and then put them back as if nothing had happened. He even patted Lu Feng’s shoulder lightly—once gently, then with a bit more force.

“Young Lu, it’s certainly right to want things done quickly. But having someone carry such a bundle all the way from the Meridian Gate here—what would people think if they saw that? Isn’t it obvious that they’d say you’ve received favors from outside? I heard you’re about to become the supervisor of the Eastern Depot. Remember, caution ensures safety for a long time. If I just let you off easy, that would actually harm you.”

Seeing Huang Yan walk away laughing after saying those words, Lu Feng gritted his teeth in anger. Though he was a man of many schemes, he was no match for such a cunning old fox—what exactly did that inscrutable old fellow mean?