Wei Zi had left.
In the Eastern Warm Pavilion, only Emperor Jing of Zhou and Wang Cheng remained, facing each other.
The emperor said nothing, and neither did the eunuch.
"Wang Cheng."
"Your servant is here."
"I once issued an order...
The amount of silver Wei Zi uncovered need not be audited by the Ministry of Revenue.
Whatever sum he reported, I would approve."
"You did indeed give that private instruction, Imperial Grandfather."
"Then tell me, did Wei Zi take any?"
Wang Cheng's heart gave a slight leap, but his expression did not shift an inch.
An emperor's question never asked, "Was there any?" It asked, "What do you think?"
The former sought confirmation; the latter was a test.
Today, the Imperial Grandfather had already approved Wei Zi's figure of three million two hundred thousand taels, yet still asked this extra question.
What troubled him?
Not the sum, but the human heart.
The emperor trusted Wei Nisheng's ability, yet still wanted someone else to affirm his loyalty once more.
Trusting his ability meant employing his talents.
Confirming his loyalty meant settling the emperor's own heart.
No emperor's thoughts were ever entirely unclouded!
Having served him for thirty-one years, how could Wang Cheng fail to understand that?
So, without the slightest haste or alarm, he first wreathed his face in smiles.
Then he bent his waist just a little, to precisely the right degree, his voice carrying an air of clear understanding:
"You jest, Imperial Grandfather.
Director Wei's wedding is fast approaching, and you personally promised to witness his marriage.
No one else in the entire court has received such an honor. Even a mountain of gold might not buy it.
Director Wei is a clever man. How could he damage this bond of grace with his Ruler-Father for a