After making the arrangements, Chen Chu turned and walked toward the courtyard gate, vanishing into the vast night in the blink of an eye.
The afternoon conversation had not alerted anyone. After all, Ao Tian had been keeping watch nearby. That night, Chen Chu entered the imperial palace once more.
Xue Beng was merely part of his plans for the future. For now, he still needed to use Xue Ye's hand to begin laying out his own plans.
"Earl Chen, Your Majesty has not been well these past few days, and he is still handling state affairs late into the night. Be sure to watch what you say later."
The chief eunuch's words reminded Chen Chu, Xue Ye's health is worsening. He will inevitably make changes. The Crown Prince is gaining too much power—perhaps this is an opportunity for me.
"Understood." Chen Chu nodded. Though this young eunuch was no ordinary man and represented His Majesty, in Chen Chu's eyes, he was still not worth considering a person—merely a loyal dog, undeserving of too many smiles.
The chief eunuch led Chen Chu through the corridors to the entrance of the Imperial Study. Before they even reached the door, they could hear intermittent coughing from inside.
"Your Majesty, Earl Chen has arrived," the chief eunuch reported softly, knocking on the door three times.
"Let him in." Xue Ye's voice came from within, carrying obvious exhaustion.
Chen Chu pushed open the door and entered. Calming incense burned within the Imperial Study, its smoke curling through the air. Xue Ye sat on the Dragon Throne, with a stack of memorials piled before him. His fingers pressed against his brow, and his face was somewhat pale. He truly looked haggard.
"Your servant Chen Chu greets Your Majesty." Chen Chu bowed.
"Dispense with the formalities." Xue Ye waved his hand, then pointed to a chair beside him. "Sit. I summoned you because there is something I wish to ask."
Chen Chu sat down, his gaze falling on the teacup beside Xue Ye's hand. It was celadon from an official kiln, with tea stains still clinging to the rim. Clearly, Xue Ye drank this often.
"Please ask, Your Majesty. Your servant will report truthfully." Chen Chu sat on a pearwood stool to the side and quietly waited for Xue Ye's question.
"I heard your strength has improved, and you resigned from your post as a teacher at Heaven Dou Academy. That is understandable. But if I leave a talent like you unused, would that not make others think that I, Xue Ye, do not know how to employ people?"
"So, I summoned you this time to ask whether there is any position you desire. So long as you want it, there is nothing I will not grant."
Xue Ye stopped writing and quietly watched Chen Chu, waiting for his response.
Chen Chu looked up at him. Seeing that his expression remained blank, he immediately understood.
"Your servant will accept whatever arrangements Your Majesty makes. So long as I have sufficient time to cultivate, I can guarantee that within five years, I will become a Titled Douluo and protect the imperial family."
Chen Chu stepped forward and made his solemn pledge.
You want to assign me a post? Fine, assign whatever you like. But my talent is unmatched, and I can break through to Titled Douluo in just a few years. Decide for yourself—what could be more important than my breakthrough?
Xue Ye's fingers froze over the memorial. He raised his eyes to stare at Chen Chu, his gaze gaining a trace of scrutiny.
To become a Titled Douluo in five years—throughout the Heaven Dou Empire, no, throughout the entire Douluo Continent, not even Tang Hao of old would have dared make such a claim.
Yet when he saw the certainty and confidence in Chen Chu's eyes, and considered Chen Chu's current age and rank, he could not dismiss those words as the wild boasting of a youth.
"A Titled Douluo in five years?" Xue Ye rose to his feet and leaned forward slightly. "Do you understand the weight of those words?"
"Your servant understands." Chen Chu bowed, his tone not wavering in the slightest. "If I fail to become a Titled Douluo within five years, I am willing to leave Heaven Dou and never set foot within its borders again."
The Imperial Study fell silent for a moment. Xue Ye stared at him for a long time before suddenly laughing. It was not a hearty laugh, but one carrying a measure of relief. "That will not be necessary. So long as you become a Titled Douluo, I will reward you handsomely. Even granting you a kingship would not be impossible.
This time, I will believe you. Since you need time to cultivate, I will not assign you a cumbersome post."
He raised a hand and said to the chief eunuch, "Go and bring the seal of the General of the Town Army."
The chief eunuch acknowledged the order and withdrew. Before long, he returned carrying a gilded seal case. Xue Ye opened it, revealing a large alloy seal engraved with the words "Town Army," its edges still bearing scratches from battles long ago.
"This seal of the General of the Town Army does not oversee routine military affairs; it only grants Command of the Capital's Defense." Xue Ye pushed the seal case before Chen Chu. "You need not visit the military camp every day. You need only go once a month to familiarize yourself with the defenses.
"The rest of the time, you may cultivate wherever you wish. You may also freely consult the soul master texts in the imperial palace's library."
Chen Chu looked at the seal case, at that great seal—Command of the Capital's Defense. This was military authority directly under the Son of Heaven. Only those the emperor trusted most could hold it. Xue Ye was trying to buy a horse with a fortune, then.
This was even better than he had expected. With this authority, he could openly come into contact with the forces of the Capital Garrison. When the time came to deal with the Palace Coup, he would have every justification.
"Your servant thanks Your Majesty for this grace." Chen Chu picked up the seal case and bowed. "Your servant will not fail Your Majesty's trust. Within five years, I will become a Titled Douluo and safeguard the stability of Heaven Dou."
"I await that day." Xue Ye waved his hand, exhaustion returning to his face. "You may leave now. I still have these memorials to handle."
Chen Chu bowed once more, then slowly withdrew.
The military and political authority of the capital region—this was the power to directly command the Imperial Guard. If he remembered correctly, this had originally belonged to Xue Qinghe, meaning it was secretly controlled by Qian Renxue. Now that it had been given to him, could it be that Xue Ye had begun to guard against his own son?
Then he would be directly opposing Qian Renxue from now on. But he did not care. With military authority, he could openly develop the Holy Spirit Cult. What money or resources could come faster than an army?
Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace, a young eunuch sneaked inside.
"Reporting to Your Highness, His Majesty summoned Earl Chen to the Imperial Study late tonight and bestowed upon him the seal of the General of the Town Army, granting him military and political authority over the capital region."
The young eunuch wore a fawning expression. Clearly, he was Qian Renxue's spy planted beside Xue Ye. This was far from the first time he had done something like this.
Qian Renxue sat in a rosewood chair in the Eastern Palace, listening idly to the news brought by the young eunuch. When she heard the words "military and political authority over the capital region," her eyes abruptly turned cold.
She still wore the Moon-white Brocade Robe Worn by the Crown Prince, her long hair tied up. The gentleness between her brows was replaced by a trace of viciousness, making her utterly different from the mild and refined Crown Prince she usually appeared to be.
"I understand." Her voice was low and devoid of emotion. "Leave."
The young eunuch hurriedly bowed in acknowledgment and tiptoed out. Qian Renxue was left alone in the hall. She raised a hand to remove the jade crown from her head, and her long hair spilled over her shoulders, revealing a hint of feminine softness. Yet the chill in her eyes grew even stronger.
"Has Xue Ye gone senile?" she snarled, disbelief written across her face. "He would give the most important military power in the capital to an outsider, yet refuse to hand it over to me, his 'son'?"
She rose and walked to the window, looking out into the night. The forces of the Capital Garrison were the most crucial part of her plan. So long as she controlled the Capital Troops, once Xue Ye died from the poison taking effect, she could immediately seize control of Heaven Dou City and ascend the throne as quickly as possible.
If there are any typos, please point them out. There are many characters I do not notice while typing, and some still slip through during proofreading. Please bear with me!
As always, please keep following the story. There have not been many new bookmarks these past few days, and it has mostly been longtime readers supporting me, which truly moves me. Please keep following, and I will write this story carefully. If you have suggestions or ideas, feel free to leave more comments.
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