AUBTN -Chapter 197 Hostage

Two days later, Yu Qing burst into the accounting room of Yuyuan like a whirlwind, slamming a thick stack of approvals onto the table.

“These dog officials who look down on people!”

Su Hewan was checking the accounts with an abacus. Hearing this, she looked up.

“What’s wrong? Have the deeds for those shops in the south of the city still not been processed?”

Yu Qing gulped down a large mouthful of cold tea, panting angrily.

“Don’t even mention it!”

“That old bastard, the Prefect of Jingzhao—today he says our shops’ feng shui clashes with the earth’s veins, tomorrow he says our signboards violate regulations!”

“Not only that, the batch of floral powders and spices we brought in from Jiangnan has been stuck at the city checkpoint!”

“The city guards insist our goods contain contraband and are demanding to inspect every single crate. It’s already been detained for three days!”

Su Hewan set down her abacus, her expression gradually turning serious.

“This is no coincidence.”

First, Shen Jue and Lu Yan were stripped of their power, and immediately after, their business began facing obstacles at every turn.

“It’s the Empress Dowager’s people making things difficult.”

Su Hewan pinpointed the core of the issue in one sentence.

This was a warning from the Empress Dowager—and also a way to force Shen Jue and Lu Yan to bow their heads.

Just as the group was at their wits’ end, trying to find a way out—

A message suddenly arrived from the palace.

The one delivering the decree was Li Fuhai, the most trusted chief eunuch by the Empress Dowager.

Holding a bright yellow scroll, he looked at the four people kneeling in the courtyard with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“By order of the Empress Dowager: Summon Dongchang Overseer Shen Jue, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Lu Yan, and Su Hewan and Yu Qing—enter the palace at once for an audience!”

The four exchanged glances, each seeing the same stormy tension in the others’ eyes.

“Eunuch Li, may I ask why the Empress Dowager has suddenly summoned us?”

Shen Jue stood up, casually slipping a gold ingot over as he probed in a neutral tone.

Li Fuhai accepted the gold without a change in expression, lowering his voice while deliberately putting on a mysterious look.

“Overseer Shen, this time it’s a case of the utmost importance!”

“You all should hurry along with us—Her Majesty is in Cining Palace, so anxious she’s practically furious!”

A case of utmost importance?

All four inwardly sneered.

The case was likely fake—the real purpose was the trap the Empress Dowager had set for them.

Half an hour later.

Inside Cining Palace, sandalwood incense lingered in the air, yet it could not mask the heavy oppression and deathly silence filling the hall.

The Empress Dowager was not seated upon the phoenix throne that symbolized supreme authority.

Instead, she reclined against a couch, holding a string of red sandalwood prayer beads, her brows tightly knit, her face filled with sorrow and worry.

“Your servants greet the Empress Dowager.”

The four of them saluted in unison.

“Rise.”

Her voice carried a trace of weakness and fatigue, as though she had truly been worn down by affairs of state.

She lifted her gaze, slowly sweeping it over the four below before finally settling on Shen Jue and Lu Yan.

“Shen Jue, Lu Yan—you are pillars of the state, and the Emperor’s most relied-upon right and left hands.”

The moment this flattering praise was laid upon them, both men’s hearts sank.

“Your Majesty overpraises us. We are unworthy.”

The two bowed respectfully, putting on a perfect display of humility.

The Empress Dowager let out a long sigh and slammed an urgent secret report onto the small table.

“Something has happened in the southern frontier.”

Five simple words fell like a massive stone into still water.

“The Prince of Zhennan, who guards Dongzhou in the southern frontier—his heir was married half a month ago.”

The Empress Dowager’s gaze suddenly turned sharp.

“However, on the very night of the wedding, the newlywed heir’s wife died mysteriously in the bridal chamber!”

The moment those words fell, Su Hewan’s heart skipped a beat.

The Prince of Zhennan!

【That is the only non-imperial feudal prince in the Great Wei Dynasty, commanding 300,000 troops along the southern frontier.】

【Even when the late emperor was alive, he had to treat him with considerable caution!】

Shen Jue glanced at Su Hewan, surprised that she knew so much about the Prince of Zhennan.

“The Prince of Zhennan is overcome with grief and fury. He has submitted a memorial to the court, claiming this was a deliberate murder—an attempt to cut off his bloodline!”

The Empress Dowager suddenly rose to her feet and began pacing across the hall, her tone filled with urgency.

“You should understand—he commands a massive army. If this matter is mishandled and arouses the suspicion of a feudal lord, it could shake the very foundation of the state and plunge the realm into chaos!”

“The emperor is still young, and the court has only just stabilized. I cannot stand by and watch the Great Wei fall into ruin!”

She stopped in her tracks, her gaze locking tightly onto Shen Jue and Lu Yan. There was no attempt to conceal the calculation in her eyes.

“I have considered this carefully. Among all the officials in court, none are capable of bearing such a responsibility.”

“Only by dispatching our most capable Commander of the Jinyiwei and the Director of the Eastern Depot to jointly investigate can this matter be handled properly!”

“Only if you go personally to the southern frontier can we demonstrate the court’s sincerity and reassure the Prince of Zhennan.”

What a ruthless move—cutting the firewood from under the cauldron!

Su Hewan sucked in a sharp breath inwardly.

This wasn’t about sending them to investigate a case—this was clearly a ploy to remove them from the center of power!

Once Shen Jue and Lu Yan left the capital for the distant southern frontier…

The capital—this court—would become entirely the Empress Dowager’s domain!

By the time they returned months later, the entire political landscape would likely have changed beyond recognition!

A storm of killing intent surged deep within Shen Jue’s eyes, yet his expression remained as obedient as ever.

“Your Majesty, it is our duty to share the burdens of the state.”

“However, the capital’s defenses and the many affairs of the Eastern Depot—”

“The affairs of the capital will naturally be handled by the Ministry of War and the Directorate of Ceremonial!”

The Empress Dowager cut him off without hesitation, her tone carrying a sharp edge of authority.

“What? When it concerns the fate of the Great Wei, are Director Shen and Lord Lu planning to defy an imperial decree?”

This was an open scheme that could not be refused.

She had seized the moral high ground—pressing them down with the weight of the nation itself.

To refuse would mean disregarding the state… defying the imperial order… treason.

Lu Yan clenched his fists tightly.

At that moment, the Empress Dowager’s gaze shifted, suddenly landing on Su Hewan and Yu Qing, who stood quietly in the back.

A gentle, almost benevolent smile appeared on her face.

“I know the journey to the southern frontier is long and arduous. The terrain is treacherous, and you are both key officials of the court—there will surely be danger and exhaustion along the way.”

She slowly rolled her prayer beads, her tone changing.

“As for these two girls, Su Hewan and Yu Qing—I find them quite likable. How could I bear to let such delicate young ladies suffer the hardships of travel?”

The moment those words were spoken, Shen Jue and Lu Yan’s expressions finally changed completely.

Seeing their faces shift, the smile at the Empress Dowager’s lips deepened.

She pretended not to notice.

“So I have decided—you two will set out immediately and must uncover the truth and pacify the Prince of Zhennan. As for Miss Su and Miss Yu…”

She paused.

“They will remain in the palace, under my personal care. That way, you won’t be distracted during your investigation or constantly worrying about matters in the capital. I will watch over them for you—rest assured.”

Rest assured?

This wasn’t consideration.

This was coercion.

A blatant act of taking hostages.