Chapter 41: Let Alone the Empress's Arrival

"Oh? Since you are important figures from the capital, do you carry your official tallies? If you cannot prove your identities, please forgive this official for not being able to receive you!"

The prefect cast a suspicious glance at the two of them. Even though he could not detect any sign of falsehood in Yang Chuan's words, caution was still necessary.

If there was even a shred of deceit in what these two said, and he were to be fooled by it, the consequences would be unimaginable!

"The items to prove our identities are naturally with me. I must ask Your Honor to first bring us into the manor, and we can discuss all other matters in detail."

Hearing this, the prefect sized Yang Chuan up once more, while simultaneously sensing that this young gentleman indeed exuded an aura of profound nobility.

Hah, how strange! The aura and presence exuded by the two persons he met tonight could rival that of sovereigns. Could it be...

Just letting his thoughts wander one step further made the prefect shudder involuntarily.

In the end, he decided to summon a squad of guards from within the manor first and have them "keep an eye" on the two as they entered.

Should they harbor ulterior motives, these guards could bail him out.

Soon, the three of them were seated inside the prefect's office.

To show his respect, the prefect instructed his servants to pour hot tea for Yang Chuan and his companion.

Only then did he take his seat at the master's place and begin conversing with them.

"Now, can the two of you prove your identities?"

Hearing this, Tian Yueying first glanced at Yang Chuan, and upon receiving an affirmative nod, she produced an intimate personal item of hers.

Years ago, when the late emperor was establishing the new ruler, he had displayed a piece of jade pendant to all subjects and citizens of Great Qi.

The underlying meaning was to inform all subjects and commoners of Great Qi that whoever could wear this jade pendant was the sole monarch of Great Qi.

From then on, should the monarch encounter danger outside or need to prove their identity, the sight of this jade pendant would signify that the bearer was the sovereign of Great Qi!

The moment this object was revealed, the prefect was instantly struck dumb with astonishment.

He felt his arms trembling uncontrollably—not out of fear for the empress due to any personal guilt,

but because he could never have imagined that the Empress would suddenly make a personal visit to Xiao City for no apparent reason!

In this era, officials in any region were required to prepare everything three days in advance when important figures from the capital inspected the city,

and to venture far outside the city to welcome them before their arrival.

Let alone a personal visit from the Empress herself!

And he had not even caught wind of the slightest whisper of news, thus stumbling into a chance encounter with the Empress right outside the county government office!

Instantly, like a child who had made a grave mistake, the prefect hurriedly abandoned the master's seat and dropped to his knees before Tian Yueying with a thud.

"Your Majesty! This subject was unaware of Your Majesty's gracious arrival in Xiao City and failed to make any preparations. I beg Your Majesty to punish this subject for his crimes."

"I am traveling incognito, so how could you possibly have known of my arrival? Rise and speak first."

At this moment, Tian Yueying resumed her imperial bearing, every word and gesture revealing the majesty of a sovereign.

Hearing that the Empress was deliberately traveling incognito, the prefect felt a great deal of relief.

Yet, recalling the scene he had witnessed outside the county office—where the Empress and the young man beside her had addressed each other as husband and wife—he grew puzzled.

He had heard rumors of the Empress searching for the elixir of immortality a few years ago, but he had never heard anything about the Empress getting married!

"May I be so bold as to ask who the person standing beside Your Majesty is?"

Emboldened, the prefect asked another question.

"Oh, this person? He is the peerless governance genius I brought back from the State of Kang, Yang Chuan, Prince Yang, who stands as my equal."

Giving some thought to Yang Chuan's plethora of "titles" of late, and since only the two of them were traveling out this time, it would be best to introduce his status as Prince Consort and Co-Ruler to all regional officials.

"This subject kowtows to Prince Yang!"

Hearing that the handsome man beside him was considered the equal of the current Empress, the prefect dared not be remiss in the slightest, and hurriedly kowtowed in salute to him as well.

"Alright, alright. You can dispense with these tedious formalities from now on."

Yang Chuan cleared his throat and went straight to the point. "Prefect, I am new to governing the Qi State. May I ask if there are any corrupt officials within this so prosperous Xiao City?"

Such a direct question startled the prefect all over again.

Seeing him stammering for a long time, he finally gritted his teeth and said, "Reporting to Prince Yang, this subordinate has striven diligently over the years and managed Xiao City with great care. Thus far, no corrupt officials have been discovered!"

"Oh, is that so? Well, since there is no corruption below, the greatest corrupt official must be you, Prefect?"

Yang Chuan detested the empty diplomatic pleasantries of officials to the very marrow of his bones.

These fellows knew his identity was extraordinary, yet when questioned, they should have answered according to the facts. What diligent striving? What careful governance?

Reality had always taught Yang Chuan one rule: no matter how pristine a place appeared, there would always be stains in places beyond the line of sight.

Xiao City was so prosperous that it was beginning to surpass the capital; if every official here were truly upright and honest, not even ghosts would believe it.

Seeing Yang Chuan pin such a massive accusation directly onto him, the prefect's face instantly twisted into a bun.

For a moment, he had no idea how to respond.

What on earth was this Prince Yang getting at?

He, a mere prefect, had walked on thin ice for years, terrified of making any mistake that could give others a handle against him.

Yet today, he was being slapped with a charge of corruption for no reason at all?

"Prefect, I know you are not a pedantic official. Prince Yang's original intention was for you to speak the truth. If, during your routine interactions with the officials of this city, you have noticed any signs of corruption in anyone, you may speak of it truthfully. Both I and Prince Yang will certainly help you thoroughly investigate the matter."

"Oh—oh! So that is how it is. So that is how it is!"

Drawing a heavy sigh of relief, the prefect thought carefully and indeed came up with the name of an official.

However, upon associating him with his powerful backing, he could not help but shudder once more.

This person was none other than the Right Administration Commissioner of Xiao City, Yuan Tianze.

Speaking of his backing, it was none other than the Chancellor of two reigns, An Xunlu.

Back when the regional offices of Xiao City were first established, Yuan Tianze had been placed here to serve as an official by An Xunlu.

And what he had managed over all these years was the financial treasury of Xiao City.

Because this man had such formidable backing in high places, even Prefect Li Yunshan had never been regarded by him.

Consequently, although Xiao City had developed with great economic prosperity over the years, exactly how much silver was stored in the treasury and how much tax was delivered to the imperial court each year were matters completely unknown to him, a first-rank local official.

"Prefect, why have you stopped speaking? Could it be that there are connections here which make you hesitant?"

Seeing Prefect Li Yunshan suddenly fall silent, Yang Chuan insightfully perceived his thoughts.

Tian Yueying seized the opportunity to offer reassurance.

"Prefect, today I have personally come to help you rectify the officialdom of Xiao City. If you have any worries on your mind, feel free to speak them. Both I and Prince Yang will surely back you up!"