I've been promoted again?
Walking out of the imperial study, Chu Chen felt a complex mix of emotions.
"Did I once again take a superior's official position?"
"I hope the Minister of the Ministry of Weapons won't be angry about this. A lateral transfer is also quite good; a change of post for a change of mood."
The next day.
In the Grand Hall of the Ministry of Works, Meng Yuan, upon receiving the latest news, wore a look of astonishment. "Chu Chen has been promoted again, replacing his superior? Chu Chen has already reached the position of Minister of the Ministry of Weapons. If he gets promoted one more level, he'll replace one of the Left or Right Ministers. Does that mean I'm next?"
"Then, Lord Minister, should we try to suppress Chu Chen?"
The Left Minister suggested uncertainly.
"How dare you! Am I, Meng Yuan, such an ungrateful person? If Chu Chen truly surpasses me through his own abilities, I would only be happy!"
"Do not speak of this matter again. Neither of you is allowed to harbor any malicious thoughts of suppressing Chu Chen. I will be watching you."
Meng Yuan warned them, threatening, "If I discover either of you suppressing Chu Chen, don't blame me for suppressing you both in the same manner!"
"Yes, yes, yes. Your subordinates dare not."
The Left and Right Ministers waved their hands repeatedly.
In a secret chamber of the Splendid Palace, the Second Princess of the reigning dynasty, Meng Die, glared coldly at the black-clothed man kneeling on the ground. "Is this what you call 'properly handled'?"
"Your Highness, your subordinate deserves to die for not supervising that fellow properly. Your subordinate's performance was unsatisfactory; please punish me, Your Highness!"
Cold sweat beaded on the black-clothed man's forehead, and he was filled with dread.
"Punishment? Will punishment recover the losses? Will it cause Chu Chen to lose his official hat?"
Meng Die grabbed a nearby teacup and smashed it onto the black-clothed man's head. "You useless fool! Not only did you fail to handle the matter, but Chu Chen has been promoted again. What use do I have for you, my princess?"
The black-clothed man dared not wipe the tea and blood from his forehead, repeatedly kowtowing. "Your Highness, your subordinate knows his mistake. Your Highness, spare my life!"
"Hmph, considering your consistent loyalty, I, this princess, will give you one more chance!"
Princess Meng Die suppressed her anger, picked up another teacup, and twirled it in her hand.
"Yes, yes. Please issue your command, Your Highness!"
The black-clothed man was overjoyed upon hearing this. He was willing to accept any task to save his life, without even knowing what it entailed.
"After you leave, first eliminate all those who know your identity. Then, lie low outside the palace and await my opportunity."
A cold glint flashed in Princess Meng Die's eyes. "As soon as you discover Chu Chen leaving Shuangyue City, assassinate him. Do you dare to do this?"
"This... yes! Your subordinate will definitely complete Your Highness's mission and will not disappoint Your Highness!"
The black-clothed man instinctively wanted to refuse, but realizing he had no right to, he gave a bitter smile and kowtowed.
"It better be so!" Princess Meng Die snorted coldly. "This is your last chance. If you fail, you need not return."
"Understood!"
"Begone!"
The black-clothed man stood up bitterly and left the secret chamber.
"Watch him. Once those who know of him are dead, assassinate this man."
Princess Meng Die looked in the direction the black-clothed man had left and suddenly spoke to the surrounding air.
"Yes, Master!"
A faint, indifferent response came from the dimness.
After calming herself, Princess Meng Die looked coldly at the portrait of Chu Chen hanging on the wall beside her and murmured to herself, "Chu Chen, oh Chu Chen, you are truly capable."
"You dare to refuse my invitation, refusing to join my faction, and instead return to my fifth sister's embrace, giving her such beautiful clothes, so beautiful that I envy and covet them!"
"Why wasn't it given to me? Why don't you belong to me?"
"Even if I don't know why I'm fond of you and have a good impression of you, I know you possess talent for earth-shattering strategies."
"But I cannot tolerate you not being used by me. Anyone who stands in the way of my ascent, even you! I will eliminate them!"
"Everything the most excellent in this world can only belong to me!"
Princess Meng Die's eyes, fixed on Chu Chen's portrait, gradually turned possessive.
If I cannot have it, no matter how cherished, it will never be mine. Since that is the case, then I shall destroy it!
East Palace.
Princess Baihua listened gently to her subordinate's report and said softly, "Is that so? Chu Chen has been promoted again? I understand. Please prepare a generous gift in my name and send it to Chu Chen."
"Uh... Your Highness the Crown Prince, Chu Chen's rapid promotions. Sending such generous gifts each time will deplete funds too quickly."
The Prefect pointed out with slight dissatisfaction.
"I am well aware of that, but there is ample wealth in the treasury. Spending a portion to win over Chu Chen, I believe, is very worthwhile."
Princess Baihua said calmly.
"However, Chu Chen accepts the gifts but remains unmoved by your attempts to win him over! Now that he has returned to court, he still aligns himself with the Fifth Princess. Such actions make it difficult for Your Highness to win him over!"
"Please, Your Highness the Crown Prince, reconsider!"
The Prefect earnestly advised, wishing to save expenses for Princess Baihua.
"No, you do not understand." Princess Baihua shook her head slightly and smiled. "Such great talent deserves my humble approach. Even if Chu Chen and I ultimately have no destiny as ruler and subject, we can maintain a good relationship."
"Neither favoring nor offending. Even if he doesn't pledge loyalty to me, it's not important. What matters is the attitude."
Princess Baihua spoke with hidden meaning.
"I see. Your subordinate understands."
The Prefect's eyes lit up with realization, and he said admiringly, "If that is the case, then I will immediately send someone with a generous gift!"
"Yes, go." Princess Baihua nodded and smiled.
After the Prefect left, Princess Baihua looked around. Seeing no one nearby, she took out a folded portrait from her embrace.
It was a portrait of Chu Chen.
Princess Baihua smiled lightly. "As the Crown Prince, I will eventually ascend the throne without any mistakes. No matter how much you help my fifth sister, the rules of this world are thus."
"At that time, both you and my fifth sister will be used by me, unable to escape my grasp."
Princess Baihua reached out and gently stroked Chu Chen's face on the portrait, her expression softening. "I truly look forward to the day after I ascend the throne when you 'work' for me. I only hope my fifth sister will not lose her reason."
Xuanli Palace.
"Your Highness, that Chu Chen has been promoted again. It's truly baffling. How can His Majesty grant him successive promotions and raises in less than half a year?"
The Chief Clerk said with a frustrated expression.
"Let's not worry about that for now. How is the matter I entrusted you with progressing?"
Princess Yunting felt a flicker of annoyance but suppressed it.
"Replying to Your Highness, your subordinate has found a suitable talent named Ximen Piao! This person is handsome with fair skin. While his handsomeness is slightly inferior to Chu Chen's, he is a few inches taller."
The Chief Clerk reported the situation and asked doubtfully, "May I ask why Your Highness is recruiting such a person?"
"Do I need to say? Of course, it's to create a second Chu Chen!"
"What!"
Princess Yunting snorted and gave him a foolish look, then said coldly, "Since that Chu Chen is unwilling to be used by me, then I will have someone imitate everything about him!"