TSLSILMH Ch 47

by berry

Chapter 47

Xie Shu pulled out a chair for Yu Chuxi to sit, then poured him a cup of tea and passed it over. “Young Lord, will you tell me about it?”

Yu Chuxi only pressed his lips faintly together, accepting the cup but not drinking. His fingers unconsciously traced its surface before he said: “Today Lord Gu sent men to return the salt permits that were withheld yesterday. After that, everything was as usual…”

Hearing this, Xie Shu did not loosen. If things were truly so simple, the Young Lord would not wear such an expression.

Yu tapped his fingers lightly against the cup and sighed. “I then sent men to ask among the other families. Only then did I learn the truth. This Liu eunuch had demanded silver donations from the other salt merchants for building the imperial palace for the tour—but not from us.”

Understanding struck Xie Shu instantly. No wonder he had sensed something awry earlier.

Yesterday they already knew the eunuch was extorting merchants. A grievous thing—who wishes to suddenly bleed out such wealth? But worse—the injustice. When everyone is fleeced except one spared—then envy festers into knives.

Xie Shu’s brow furrowed. “Young Lord, what do you think will happen, should others learn of this?”

Yu answered slowly: “Let me be plain. Five great salt houses rule Jinling. Our Yu family controls three-tenths of the entire share. Enough to spark greed. For years, rivals have held back, weighing risks. Commerce is battlefield—always trickery and blades. So the balance held.

But strength has shifted. The Su family has long pressed forward, ambitious. If word leaks I alone was spared, the others will surely rally, turn their knives to me.”

Xie Shu could well picture it.

And worse—what if this demand of donations truly came from the Emperor? Then the Yu family’s refusal would look like defiance of the Throne. What fate then?

He kept that fear in his heart, unspoken.

Yu took a sip of tea, smiling coldly. “But I will not let it pass in silence. Some silver, though accepted, burns the hands that lift it…”

He stopped himself there, glancing at Xie Shu. Whatever plan he nurtured, he spoke no more.

Xie Shu did not press him. He only said gently: “Young Lord, let this rest a while. I wish to face Liu myself.”

Yu frowned, worry written in his gaze. “He targeted you deliberately. If you face him, beware—it may only embolden him.”

Xie Shu shook his head with a light smile. “Not by going to his house. I will meet him in the yamen.”

—

The salt merchants had each been bled for one hundred thousand taels of silver. Enough to ache, though not ruin them. Yet they gritted their teeth and smiled, for two reasons:

First, they believed—the palace was for the Emperor. A vein of glory touched them thereby.

Second—they rejoiced at Yu’s exclusion. This exile from favor meant their chance to devour his portion. Without salt, the Yu fortunes would topple, and the scraps would be theirs.

But their joy froze the next morning—when the Yu still held righteous permits in hand, their business running as before.

Shock. Then fury.

A hundred thousand taels? For nothing? Why Yu escapes, they pay?

They dared not confront Lord Gu, nor Liu the eunuch. Instead their gaze turned in unison upon the Yu, spearheaded by the Su family—their long-smoldering rivals.

The Su hailed from Anhui, iron-backed merchants, who had been humbled in Jinling beneath Yu’s weight. Now at last, they schemed alliance with the others.

The net drew tight.

—

Meanwhile, in the yamen, Xie Shu awaited. Lord Wan was absent—his clerk, Li Ming, brought tea.

Xie Shu asked lightly: “Brother Li, has there been word about the one who shadowed my servant?”

Li’s eyes flickered. He knew—but only smiled. “Not yet settled. Too soon to say.” But after a glance, lowered his voice: “This touches Liu Gonggong. In his hands lies the answer. To my eye, he does not seem inclined to shield the culprit.”

Xie Shu’s heart shifted. He thanked the man and waited.

At length Liu Qiang entered, tardy and grand in his raiment. He strode with guards thick at his back, clad in fifth-rank eunuch robes—a rare python robe of brocade, ostentatious indeed.

His narrow eyes swept over Xie Shu. His voice was neutral. “So—you are Xie Shu?”

Unshaken, Xie Shu bowed slightly. “Yes. At your service.”

Liu examined him, then waved attendants away. A thin smile spread. “Before arriving, I heard Master Jiang had taken a fine disciple. Today, I see. I admired Master Jiang long in the capital, but service kept us apart—what pity.”

Words of courtesy—yet hollow. Xie Shu neither flattered nor replied.

Liu’s eyes chilled. He was used to deference. Prefects bowed. Salt inspectors fawned. But this youth, newly taken as disciple, dared such aloof spirit?

Still, Liu reconsidered. Perhaps it was this spirit Jiang valued. And Xie Shu’s precise art he had glimpsed yesterday impressed him.

So Liu continued coldly: “Let us be frank. Zhou Ming was mine. Yet his action was not at my command. Still—I care not to hide. I will give you truth.”

Xie Shu kept calm, smiling faintly. “So I expected. Rest assured, no blame falls on you.”

Liu was caught. Was this feigned serenity—or real? Usually, mention of royal princes turned men to trembling. And he? Unmoved.

A sudden sharpness crossed Liu’s face. “So—you seem composed. Yet while your husband is pressed harder each day, you sit here sipping tea.”

Xie Shu met his gaze directly. His voice slow, steady. “Liu Gonggong, I came for one reason—only to remind you. What you make here in Jiangnan today—tomorrow may hang a sword above your neck.”

The words pierced.

Liu started, then erupted—slamming his cup to shards. “Bold! Do you jest with me?”

Guards stormed in, circling.

But Xie Shu glanced around, tranquil still. “You know whether it is jest. Do not feign.”

For in truth—he had seen the cracks. This eunuch and the Prince were not aligned in heart. Why then did he act in accord with Gu Zhong? Why the secrecy? Only because a third hand tied them. Only the Third Prince could.

Which meant—Liu himself leaned unwilling. He knew he was yielding a lever into another’s hand. Surely he chafed.

And it was this chafe Xie Shu pressed.

Liu’s gaze wavered. A storm raged in his eyes. Then, slowly, he waved the guards back.

Cold as iron, he said: “Xie Shu—if you cannot give me an account worth my hearing—you shall not leave this gate alive.”

—

Footnotes

行宮 (Xinggong / Imperial Palace) – Temporary palaces built for emperors traveling on tours. Expensive and forced upon local resources.
五大家 (The Five Great Salt Houses) – Refers to the five leading merchant families controlling Jinling’s salt trade. Their rivalry forms constant intrigue.
秦良玉蟒服 (Python Robe) – Exquisite Ming/Qing-era embroidered robe, often granted by the Emperor to officials of high merit or favor. Here, Liu flaunts unusual honor for eunuchs.
懸頸之劍 (A sword hanging by the neck) – Metaphor for peril—choices that seem gainful now may later become the very instrument of one’s destruction.