Guide to the Sickly Strategist’s Death Seek - Chapter 8

Coming at such an hour, Ruan Jinyu was relieved that Yan Yan did not take offense. He stated his intent directly: “Your Majesty, this servant wishes to request a leave of absence to exit the palace tomorrow.”

“For what reason?”

“An order from my elders; I suspect they simply miss me,” Ruan Jinyu replied.

To his surprise, Yan Yan pressed for more detail. “Which elder?”

Ruan Jinyu answered truthfully, “My grandfather.” Only then did Yan Yan nod in approval.

With his leave granted, he was set to leave the palace the following day. However, he did not receive the necessary palace permit immediately. Early the next morning, it was the Emperor’s own head eunuch who personally delivered the permit.

Ruan Jinyu accepted it, saying, “I have troubled you to make this trip personally, Eunuch.”

The eunuch smiled warmly. “It is only right, My Lord. Only right.”

Ruan Jinyu had originally intended to return home alone, but his attendant, Qian Qi, had been pestering him since yesterday. One moment, the lad swore he would stay by his master’s side until death; the next, he was pleading not to be left alone in the palace. Helpless, Ruan Jinyu agreed to take him along.

That morning, Eunuch Zhao was also busy bustling about the hall. When he saw that Ruan Jinyu had finished packing, he stepped forward, intending to take the luggage and serve him. Ruan Jinyu felt a bit awkward but told him, “Eunuch Zhao, there is no need for you to come. Stay here in the palace.”

Eunuch Zhao showed no outward emotion and followed the order. “Yes, this servant understands.”

With that settled, Ruan Jinyu took the palace permit and exited the hall, only to find the Emperor’s head eunuch waiting at the gate again. Before he could even bid farewell, the eunuch turned and fell into step beside him.

“His Majesty has commanded me to accompany the Imperial Preceptor out of the palace to ensure your safety and well-being,” the eunuch explained.

Since it was an imperial order, Ruan Jinyu could not—and dared not—refuse. “I shall trouble you then, Eunuch.”

Upon arriving at the gates of his grandfather’s estate, the head eunuch requested to stay behind. “It might be inconvenient for me to follow My Lord inside. I shall wait for you here.”

It was indeed inconvenient. As the Emperor’s personal attendant, everyone recognized him. He was the messenger of the Sovereign’s will; though he was “merely” a eunuch, his status was one that many would crawl over themselves to flatter. If he were to enter the Ruan residence alongside the Imperial Preceptor, the implications would be significant.

Ruan Jinyu had sent word through Qian Qi the day before, so his grandfather was expecting him. As soon as he reached the entrance, his grandfather and the rest of the household rushed out to greet him with an enthusiasm that left Ruan Jinyu momentarily dazed.

Inside, a massive feast had been prepared. Even the various elders and juniors of the family were present, giving the Imperial Preceptor an immense amount of “face.” However, the person sitting in the seat of honor was not the grandfather, but Ruan Jinyu’s uncle—the current head of the Ruan household and the Minister of Households.

His uncle was a stern, humorless man who rarely spoke. He ate with rigid precision, which forced the rowdy younger cousins to remain on their best behavior.

The grandfather, however, stayed glued to Ruan Jinyu’s side from the moment he arrived. The two shared a seemingly close bond. Amidst the silence imposed by the Minister’s presence, the grandfather was the only one who dared to speak freely. He held his grandson’s hand affectionately, smiling as he asked about life in the palace and piling food into Ruan Jinyu’s bowl.

Ruan Jinyu maintained a polite smile throughout, answering every question with measured grace.

“Among all the children in this generation, you are the most composed and elegant,” the grandfather praised. “The others cannot compare to you in the slightest.”

Hearing her own children disparaged, Ruan Jinyu’s aunt couldn’t help but pout and glance at her husband. The Minister, however, acted as if he hadn’t heard a word and continued eating. The other juniors had varied expressions, but none dared to speak.

Once the meal finally ended, the Minister ordered his wife to personally escort Ruan Jinyu to the neighboring courtyard, which had been specially prepared for him. Even if she disliked her nephew, the aunt did not have the courage to defy her husband’s command.

Back in his room, Qian Qi finally found the chance to speak. “Truly, times have changed!”

Ruan Jinyu gave a faint smile, not rebuking Qian Qi for the sarcasm. He knew that since his grandfather had sent the letter specifically stating he had business to discuss, the public banquet was just the opening act. He only needed to wait.

Sure enough, a moment later, there was a knock at the door. As the grandfather entered, Ruan Jinyu realized he wasn’t alone. Following behind him was a beautiful young woman.

The grandfather’s smile was as affectionate as ever. “A-Qiu, do you still remember this person?”

Ruan Jinyu didn’t need a second look. He nodded. “I do.”

The woman before him, with her pale skin and delicate, lily-like beauty, was his cousin, Ruan Lianjie. The moment he saw her, Ruan Jinyu knew exactly what his grandfather wanted.

“Grandfather sees that you are currently serving at the Emperor’s side with a limitless future,” the old man said solemnly. “The Emperor is looking to expand his harem, and your sister admires His Majesty’s majestic bearing. As her elder brother, A-Qiu, you could perhaps pull a few strings for her and fulfill her heart’s desire.”

Ruan Lianjie smiled happily, looking at Ruan Jinyu with total agreement.

Ruan Jinyu’s heart sank slightly, though his face remained a mask of placid calm. “The Empress Dowager has already organized the consort selection. If she admires His Majesty, she can simply go through the official process.”

He didn’t explicitly warn his cousin that entering the palace was like entering a “deep sea.” If she truly wanted to go, he would simply give her a standard answer.

The grandfather shook his head. “Ah, not so. A-Qiu, you only need to put in a good word to His Majesty—a single recommendation—and she can bypass that long, tedious process. Besides, the Imperial Preceptor is deeply favored by the Emperor. Surely His Majesty will give you this face. With you as her support, A-Lian will have a backing in the palace. Only then can I be at peace with her marriage.”

Qian Qi, who lacked a filter, looked ready to explode with indignation. In his eyes, this grandfather had been practically non-existent until today. He had served the Preceptor for years, and until this visit, the grandfather had rarely shown any concern for Ruan Jinyu despite being in the same city. The sudden warmth was nothing more than a desire to use Ruan Jinyu’s position as a shortcut.

Ruan Jinyu, however, remained composed. He even smiled as he replied, “Grandfather, why not let Uncle visit the palace instead?”

His uncle, the head of the house, was the Minister of Households. Surely a man of such high rank had more influence?

“You know how complex the court situation is right now,” the grandfather replied.

“I see,” Ruan Jinyu nodded. “I will not go against my cousin’s wishes. Upon my return to the palace, I will speak to His Majesty.”

“However,” Ruan Jinyu added, shifting his tone, “the Emperor’s will is not something we can presume to guess. If His Majesty is enraged and seeks to punish me, I will take the full blame to ensure the family is not affected. Grandfather, does that sound acceptable?”

“Good, good!” The grandfather’s face lit up with joy. Realizing he shouldn’t look so happy about his grandson taking a potential fall, he quickly composed himself. “A strategist like A-Qiu is someone others would beg for. Grandfather will naturally cherish and protect you.”

At this, Ruan Jinyu’s smile faltered slightly, but his voice remained gentle. “In that case, Grandfather, please do not say such things again.”

The grandfather praised him highly, yet dared not promise to protect him if he actually fell. It was laughable.

Once the grandfather and cousin left, Ruan Jinyu’s smile vanished completely; his face felt tired from the effort.

“My Lord, are you really going to recommend her to the Emperor?” Qian Qi burst out. He had heard that several officials who had recently tried to push their daughters onto the Emperor hadn’t fared well. It was clear the Emperor despised such behavior.

If Qian Qi knew this, the grandfather surely did too. Yet, he was willing to let Ruan Jinyu risk his life.

“We’ll see when I return to the palace,” Ruan Jinyu said.

Since the business was concluded, there was no reason to stay. By evening, Ruan Jinyu bid farewell to his grandfather and uncle to return to the palace. Having gotten his answer, the grandfather didn’t stop him—in fact, he seemed glad for him to go back sooner to get a result.

As he exited the estate, the head eunuch appeared out of nowhere. “Is the Imperial Preceptor returning to the palace tonight?”

“Yes.”

On the way back, Qian Qi kept his eyes on his master. Ruan Jinyu seemed lost in thought.

“Don’t overthink it. I know what I’m doing,” Ruan Jinyu comforted him. Seeing the boy’s distress, he added, “I told you not to come, yet you insisted. Now you’re trapped in your own worries.”

Ruan Jinyu knew his family’s nature and had tried to spare Qian Qi the sight of it.

“So, My Lord… you won’t actually speak to the Emperor, right?” Qian Qi asked, needing a definitive answer.

Ruan Jinyu didn’t respond.

At the palace gates, they headed toward the side hall of the Palace of Ultimate Bliss. Outside the hall, the eunuch said, “The Imperial Preceptor must be exhausted from the journey. Rest and tidy up; you may pay your respects to His Majesty tomorrow.”

The sky was pitch black. Whether the Emperor was asleep or not, it was improper to disturb him. Ruan Jinyu agreed.

However, once inside and settled, Ruan Jinyu turned to the lingering Qian Qi. “Eunuch Zhao just told me that the Emperor is still in the library handling affairs.”

This meant he could still go to Yan Yan tonight. Qian Qi understood immediately. If it were just a routine report, it could wait until morning. Going now meant Ruan Jinyu intended to fulfill his grandfather’s request.

“Why, My Lord? I don’t understand!” Qian Qi grew frantic. “The Old Master only sees you as a tool to climb higher. Even if you don’t speak to the Emperor, they would never know. Why risks your life?”

It was a valid point. Yan Yan was notoriously temperamental and hated being pressured about his harem. Ruan Jinyu risked not just his favor, but his life.

Ruan Jinyu rose from his chair and walked toward the door. Just as he reached the threshold, he turned his head slightly and said softly, “I must go… to test the waters of our Emperor’s true intent.”