Chapter 146: Cannot Hide from Eunuch An
Early morning at the end of summer, in the Prime Minister’s estate in Chang’an.
The moment Xiao Ji opened his eyes, he found two Imperial Guards standing before him. He had no idea how these two experts had managed to infiltrate the Prime Minister’s residence so silently, which only deepened his awe and fear of the armed forces under the little Emperor’s command by another thirty percent.
Despite the fright, Xiao Ji recovered his composure as quickly as possible, maintaining the demeanor of a Chancellor:
“For what matter has His Majesty sent you to invite me?”
The two Imperial Guards exchanged a glance but said nothing. They flanked Xiao Ji, hoisted him up by his arms, and took off. They flew through the air, skimming over the walls of the estate, taking shortcuts through side gates, and entering the Imperial Palace.
Finally, with Xiao Ji so dizzy he was on the verge of vomiting, they deposited him inside Zichen Palace.
The door to the Zichen Palace study was closed.
The morning light was clear, but it could barely penetrate the semi-transparent window screens. The little Emperor was not wearing his dragon robe but was dressed in snow-white innerwear. His complexion was terrible, practically waxen, and he coughed listlessly a few times.
“Cough, cough cough.” He looked like a small, sick animal.
Xiao Ji’s heart tightened, and forgetting his own nausea, he hurriedly asked, “Is Your Majesty unwell? Have you summoned an imperial physician?”
Unexpectedly, the sallow-faced little Emperor didn’t answer his question at all, but simply said on his own:
“Our intention to pacify the Turks this time will inevitably harm many lives.”
“We feel that this violates the harmony of heaven, so We intend to close the doors and pray for blessings within the palace. There are many affairs in the court that must be temporarily handled by Chancellor Xiao.”
As Wei Wanlan spoke, he coughed fitfully again. His skin looked even paler and more miserable, his small face seemingly devoid of its usual vitality.
How could the little Emperor, who he had just seen yesterday, turn into a sick little cat today?
Xiao Ji couldn’t help but feel extremely puzzled.
But the more puzzled he was, the more it seemed to prove the rationality of supernatural explanations. Even though Xiao Ji didn’t believe in ghosts or gods, he felt a little murmur in his heart.
But he couldn’t very well say, “Because this subject doesn’t believe in that, Your Majesty should persist and continue holding court.”
As a subject, the Emperor’s health was naturally the priority.
Xiao Ji bowed his head. “This subject shall lead the officials and do my utmost.”
Wei Wanlan said, “Unless there is a matter of sky-shattering importance that is difficult to decide, do not come to disturb Us. This is an imperial decree.”
Xiao Ji was terrified, feeling that the little Emperor was definitely hiding something from him, but he couldn’t guess what it was. He could only kowtow: “This subject obeys the decree!”
Issuing a decree was the most effective method for dealing with an official like Xiao Ji, who possessed both high capability and a strong moral compass.
He was a good official recognized by the System. If there was a “sky-shattering matter” that even he couldn’t handle, then even if it were reported to Wei Wanlan, there would be little the Emperor could do.
However, Wei Wanlan wouldn’t say this aloud.
He had to at least let Xiao Ji think there was a trump card, right?
“You may withdraw. We should recover in about a month or two.” Wei Wanlan issued the order to leave.
It wasn’t that he wanted to be rude to the fierce warrior; in fact, he really wanted to say a proper goodbye to him.
But for something like swapping the Emperor, the fewer people who knew, the better. He was afraid that if the warrior stayed too long, he would notice the little Emperor in the seat wasn’t the real person. He was also worried Xiao Ji would try to dissuade him from getting involved in the Turkic battlefield.
But he had so many reasons why he had to go…
Wei Wanlan hardened his heart, and the puppet waved its hand.
Xiao Ji retreated out the door respectfully.
Because it was a secret summons, the moment he left the study, the two Imperial Guards appeared swiftly, grabbed Xiao Ji’s left and right arms, and prepared to fly him back to the Prime Minister’s estate.
They completely ignored Xiao Ji’s wailing: “Let go! Just send me directly to the Secretariat!!!” He would probably be recorded as late for work today.
The silicone puppet sat obediently.
The result of the System’s processing arrived at this moment. Wei Wanlan received a message from the System, presented directly before his eyes as a pop-up window: 【Host’s request is reasonable. The Wise Ruler System has unlocked remote control and dialogue permissions for the puppet. Thank you for your feedback, Your Majesty.】
Just as expected, this System was likely a masochist.
Having handled the potential risks to the court after his departure, Wei Wanlan began to pack.
Since he was assuming the identity of the Prince of Cheng’en, he had to wear civilian clothes. Of course, he couldn’t just take one set; thick winter clothes, winter hats, and gloves all had to be prepared…
But while doing this, he realized that this was much harder than the little Emperor sneaking out to deceive the officials.
He couldn’t hide it!
He couldn’t hide it from Eunuch An at all!!!
Wei Wanlan wanted to find casual clothes, but he couldn’t find any. Since transmigrating into this book, he had never seen where his clothes were kept in Zichen Palace. He didn’t even know how many sets of clothes he owned.
The first time they did “dirty things,” the Regent had gone to find trousers for him. Where did he get them? Why had he been too shy to ask back then?
Wuwuwu, what should he do…
If he wore dragon robes to escort supplies, wouldn’t he be exposed on the spot?
If he went in pajamas, the Imperial Censors would impeach him until he vomited blood before he even left Chang’an!
Wei Wanlan suddenly realized that this time, he was truly traveling far away alone, without anyone accompanying him, to a destitute and bitterly cold region, while having to guard against enemy situations and conceal his identity as the Emperor.
This really wasn’t a game. QAQ
For the soldiers of Great Wei! For Mission Three! For the Regent!
Wei Wanlan shouted these slogans in his heart, filled with the joy of seeing Su Jingzhi again soon. His little brain spun and came up with a solution he thought was brilliant.
Wei Wanlan clapped his hands.
The two Imperial Guards, having just dumped Xiao Ji back at the estate, reappeared before the little Emperor: “What are your orders, Your Majesty?”
“Come closer and lend me your ears.” Wei Wanlan acted mysteriously.
The Imperial Guards received the little Emperor’s instructions in their ears, their expressions showing uncontrollable confusion. They found it even more baffling, but it was an imperial decree, so they accepted the order without question.
Then, continuing their light-footed flight, they darted into the new residence of the Prince of Cheng’en, found Wei Wanqing—that melancholy mushroom—respectfully said “Pardon the offense, Prince,” and began to rummage.
Wei Wanqing thought that after the house arrest, the Emperor was coming to raid his home. But the Imperial Guards brought a large amount of gold bestowed by the Emperor and only took away a few of his old clothes.
The Prince of Cheng’en felt even more baffled.
…
On the evening of the fourth day after the decree was issued, the Supply and Transport Bureau reported through the palace gates that the autumn and winter supplies were ready. Early the next morning, they would wait for the Prince of Cheng’en to lead the team to the main army.
Wei Wanlan felt a flutter in his heart—urgent, excited, and a little nervous.
That night, he had to change into Wei Wanqing’s clothes and sneak out. By the moonlight, he used a brush he had hidden in his sleeve to leave a note for Eunuch An in the study.
After all, as soon as he ran away, the dummy wouldn’t be able to fool Eunuch An for long.
In the letter, he explained the difficulties he could mention; Eunuch An would surely help cover for him a little.
After writing, Wei Wanlan lay on the bed and sighed:
“Sorry, Eunuch An. We didn’t mean to hide it from you until now.”
He picked up the brush again and drew a small flower at the end of the letter paper.
The small flower represented Little Wan. Little Wan was very sorry for making him worry every time.
After drawing that flower, his heart felt heavy. When he was acting as a little puppet, An Ruyi had taken great care of him. This time out, he absolutely had to protect himself well, otherwise, he would really be harming An Ruyi.
Wei Wanlan folded the letter and stuffed it under the pillow. He changed into Wei Wanqing’s clothes and deliberately applied makeup to alter his appearance, modifying the corners of his eyes and lips slightly, drawing lines downwards to resemble a melancholy mushroom.
Wei Wanlan tiptoed and pushed open a crack in the door.
The door panel made a very slight creak. He didn’t dare make big movements, fearing the noise would startle the night-watch maids and eunuchs. Wei Wanlan carefully extended one paw-like foot out from the threshold.
No one noticed…
Great!
With his heart still drumming, Wei Wanlan pushed the door open a bit more, extended his second foot, and then his whole self emerged from the sleeping quarters.
He paused.
Insects chirped in the night, but there were no night-watch maids. He couldn’t even spot the patrolling Imperial Guards.
Feeling a bit strange, his toe suddenly hit something hard. There was a tray on the ground with several small porcelain bottles on it. Because Wei Wanlan had accidentally kicked it, they made a clinking sound.
The porcelain bottles all had paper strips pasted on them with writing.
Wei Wanlan squatted down to check:
“Xiasangju Powder, clears heat and detoxifies, ventilates the lungs and removes fire. One dose each time, take with warm water.”
“Golden Sore Medicine, for external wounds.”
“Bupleurum Dripping Pills, for reducing fever. Ten pills each time, avoid spicy and cold foods.”
“…”
The lacquered tray contained common medicines for external use, as well as An Ruyi’s token of the Chief Eunuch. All of these were prepared by An Ruyi.
Perhaps he had seen through the minute details of Wei Wanlan’s behavior and realized he was going to leave the palace again. He also knew he couldn’t persuade him or make him stay.
He could only express his care silently in this way.
Wei Wanlan’s doe eyes instantly turned red.
Wuwuwu Eunuch An QAQ.
He used to think transmigrating into this book was unlucky, but now he realized everyone was so good.
We will go save the entire army of Great Wei, and our court will only get better!
We are leaving now.
With An Ruyi’s Chief Eunuch token, plus his disguise as Wei Wanqing, leaving the palace was smoother than ever before.
It was still early when he arrived at the starting point of the expeditionary supply line.
The supply convoy stretched for a full mile. Sturdy horses pulled heavy wooden carts loaded with large mahogany chests containing charcoal and military uniforms.
While waiting, the horses pawed the ground, snorting and whinnying.
The primary transport officer was the Prince of Cheng’en.
The deputy was a military general selected from the Ministry of War. Wei Wanlan’s criteria for selection were good character and excellent martial arts skills because he had the self-awareness to know that he couldn’t transport such large quantities of supplies to the Turkic battlefield safely on his own.
The Deputy Transport Officer was a middle-aged general who looked like he had a bad temper. He assumed the Prince of Cheng’en was relying on his imperial bloodline to gild his resume on the battlefield. The army had seen plenty of these noble sons looking for easy military merits.
The Deputy Transport Officer clapped his hands.
Soldiers brought horses over—one big horse, one small horse.
Not wanting to have a direct conflict with the Prince, the Deputy Officer was simply presenting the objective reality. As for whether the Prince of Cheng’en wanted to pick the big horse and suffer, or pick the small horse and lose face, that was none of their business.
Wei Wanlan knew that the physique of the Wei family was being discriminated against again. The Wei imperial clan were all not very big.
Wei Wanlan didn’t ride either.
He didn’t know how to ride at all. If he rode a horse, he would just be embarrassing himself, losing face all the way from Chang’an to the Turkic lands.
He casually commandeered a relatively empty supply cart, climbed up, sat on it, and said:
“Since this is an escort of supplies, this Prince naturally has to watch over them personally. General Zhang, please lead the way. I will be responsible for observing from the rear. You and I will coordinate at any time. The goal is to transport the autumn and winter equipment to the front line quickly. Being new here, this Prince hopes the experienced General will offer much guidance.”
To deliver this equipment to Su Jingzhi, Wei Wanlan had practically emptied his little brain to come up with this speech.
The Deputy Transport Officer, having been both reminded of the mission and slightly flattered by the Prince of Cheng’en, felt that this little guy knew how to conduct himself. Even as a royal relative, he didn’t put on airs, so the general’s wariness dropped by thirty percent.
The Deputy Transport Officer cupped his fists: “Loyalty to the country is only natural.”
Wei Wanlan returned the gesture, standing on the supply cart to order: “Move out!”
All the vehicles began to move at that moment.
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