Ashes to Crown

Chapter 77: Chapter 40: Rampant

The favor of one’s superiors is never won by flattery.

It’s earned through exchange.

Deng Yi had always believed this. Whether with money or with other skills, it was always an exchange, never an act of currying favor.

Take Chu Ling, whom the officials had just been discussing, for example.

Everyone said Chu Ling had lost His Majesty’s favor, but no one seemed to notice that a man who had supposedly lost the Emperor’s favor had still held the position of General Wei at a key fortress in the Border County for over a decade.

That meant Chu Ling hadn’t won the Emperor’s favor by fawning over him; he had earned it through an exchange.

It was common knowledge that Chu Ling had once traded his talent for a meteoric rise. But after that, for him to be accused of a crime and yet go unpunished, there must have been another, unknown exchange.

Later, when the King of Zhongshan asked him to facilitate an acquaintance with Chu Ling if the opportunity arose, it only confirmed his suspicions.

He certainly didn’t mind helping.

Of course, he had no intention of befriending Chu Ling. He didn’t befriend anyone; he only made exchanges. However, getting to know someone better allowed for a more accurate valuation, which was why he didn’t mind the deliberate advances—or rather, the fawning—of Chu Ling’s daughter.

The girl had been unabashedly trying to curry favor with him from the moment they met.

Logically, she should try to appease him, since he was the one sent to arrest her. Yet her personality didn’t seem the type to submit to others. Even as she tried to win his favor, her eyes were filled with a defiant pride.

The recent incident with the Third Prince further confirmed his assessment. The girl had dared to stand her ground, even against a Prince.

’Bow her head and admit fault to the Third Prince? Curry his favor? She refused. She would only fight back.’

Chu Ling and his daughter were both very interesting people. Deng Yi smiled to himself.

He had now reached the Inner Court Gate, the most crucial checkpoint leading to the Emperor’s quarters. An official at the gate saw Deng Yi and greeted him with a smile. ”Lord Deng seems to be in a good mood today.”

Deng Yi grinned. ”That’s right. When we’re off duty, let’s go for a drink. My treat.”

The other officials all laughed. ”Alright, alright!” ”The wine Lord Deng serves is the best.” ”And the food he provides is exceptional too.”

As the group was laughing and talking, several eunuchs came striding quickly from outside. Upon seeing them, the officials hastily made way, but Deng Yi raised a hand to stop them.

The officials jumped, but before they could say anything, it was too late. Deng Yi had already spoken to the eunuchs. ”Waist cards.”

The eunuchs were also startled, staring at Deng Yi in disbelief as he blocked their path.

”Are you blind?” the lead eunuch cursed. ”Don’t you know who I am?”

One of the officials quickly forced a smile. ”Eunuch Zhu, please calm down. Lord Deng is new here.”

The other officials hurriedly whispered to Deng Yi, ”That’s Eunuch Zhu from the Crown Prince’s retinue,” urging him to apologize quickly.

Deng Yi stood his ground. ”I am aware of who Eunuch Zhu is. That is precisely why I am asking for a waist card.”

The expressions on the faces of Eunuch Zhu and the other officials instantly soured. Everyone knew exactly what he meant by that.

”Insolent!” Eunuch Zhu’s face flushed with anger. ”You dare disrespect the Crown Prince! The Crown Prince may enter and exit the court as he pleases—that is His Majesty’s decree! You, you mere clerk, how dare you try to sow discord—”

The eunuchs behind him glared menacingly. Because the Crown Prince favored archery, riding, and men of great strength, his attendants were all tall and powerfully built. For a moment, they cracked their knuckles, looking ready to tear the clerk to pieces.

If they were to actually tear an official to death, the Crown Prince wouldn’t just refrain from punishing them; he would praise them for their martial valor.

The other officials didn’t dare say a word. Only Deng Yi continued, ”But you are not the Crown Prince.”

Eunuch Zhu was about to make a move, but thankfully, a laugh echoed from within the palace gate.

”Eunuch Zhu, what took you so long?” The newcomer was also a eunuch, his hair completely white. His kind face held a hint of gentle reproach. ”His Majesty has already asked for you several times.”

Seeing this old eunuch, Eunuch Zhu dropped his ferocious demeanor, though he was still fuming. ”It’s not that this servant was late, Grandpa Qi. This servant couldn’t get through the gate.”

The old eunuch walked over, seeming to grasp the situation. He glanced at Deng Yi and said, ”Ah, we have a new man. This is Eunuch Zhu. He’s delivering something on behalf of the Crown Prince. His Majesty is waiting.”

Deng Yi looked at him. ”Waist card.”

The old eunuch was taken aback. ”Well now, you don’t even recognize me.” He shook his head with a self-deprecating smile. ”But I can’t blame you. I’m old and don’t get out much anymore.”

The officials hastily interjected, ”Lord Deng, this is Eunuch Qi, who personally attends to His Majesty’s daily needs.” Then they turned to Eunuch Qi to explain, ”He’s new. He used to be outside the palace, at the Weiwei Mansion. He’s never been in the court before and doesn’t know anything.”

Eunuch Qi let out an ”Oh.” ”Why would they send someone who doesn’t know anything?” He raised a long eyebrow, sizing up Deng Yi. ”You must have offended someone, haven’t you?”