Shen Rui had made a serious mistake. He had believed that if he behaved well enough, the emperor would eventually forget about him. Unfortunately, the emperor appeared to have an excellent memory. “Young Master Shen, His Majesty has ordered you to accompany Minister Han to the Ministry of Revenue.” The palace attendant delivered the news with a polite smile. Shen Rui stared at him. I knew it. I should have pretended to be stupid yesterday. “At what time?” “Immediately after morning court.” Shen Rui’s face fell. Why does everything in this palace happen immediately? Can’t anything happen after lunch? The attendant lowered his head, hiding his expression. Shen Rui did not notice. He was too busy mourning his lost sleep. A Minister’s Suspicion The Ministry of Revenue was busier than Shen Rui had expected. Officials moved through the courtyard carrying documents, clerks hurried between buildings, and messengers arrived with reports from various provinces. Minister Han led him into the main records hall. “These are the grain shipment registers,” he explained. “The emperor wants us to review the records from the northern provinces.” Shen Rui looked at the shelves. There were hundreds of documents. He wants us to review all of these? Is the emperor secretly trying to kill me? Minister Han’s eyelid twitched. “Young Master Shen.” “Yes?” “Focus on your work.” “Of course.” I was focused. I was focused on how much I wanted to leave. Minister Han turned away. He had begun to suspect that Shen Rui’s reputation for laziness was not entirely undeserved. Yet the boy’s sharp observations from the previous day could not be dismissed. “Start with the shipment records from Yunzhou.” Shen Rui sat down. He opened the first register. Then the second. Then the third. His expression gradually became serious. Something was wrong. The missing grain wasn’t random. The records showed that shipments had been dispatched from three separate warehouses, yet all three had reported shortages within the same period. The names of the recording officials were different. The handwriting, however, was remarkably similar. Shen Rui placed the documents side by side. Someone is copying the records. He reached for another register. The same pattern appeared. He leaned back. This isn’t simple theft. Someone is making sure the numbers look legitimate. Minister Han approached. “Have you found something?” Shen Rui pointed to the documents. “These entries were probably written by the same person.” Minister Han bent over the table. “How can you tell?” “The characters are formed the same way. Look at the strokes in the word for grain.” The minister studied the pages. His expression slowly changed. “Bring me the original registers from Yunzhou.” A clerk hurried away. Shen Rui lowered his head. I should have kept my mouth shut. The Missing Registers An hour later, the clerk returned empty-handed. “Minister Han, the original Yunzhou registers cannot be found.” The room went quiet. Minister Han’s face darkened. “What do you mean, cannot be found?” “The records were transferred to the archives last month. However, the archive keeper says they were removed for inspection.” “By whom?” The clerk swallowed. “He doesn’t know.” Shen Rui leaned back in his chair. Convenient. Minister Han turned toward him. “Young Master Shen, what do you think?” Shen Rui stared at the minister. Why are you asking me? I’m fourteen. He glanced at the empty register shelf. “If someone wanted to hide the missing grain, they would first remove the original records.” Minister Han’s eyes narrowed. “Continue.” “They might also replace them with copies.” The minister immediately turned to the clerk. “Find out who requested the registers.” “Yes, Minister!” The clerk hurried away. Shen Rui picked up another document. He had intended to do as little as possible. Unfortunately, the more he investigated, the more obvious the problem became. If I ignore this, innocent people might suffer. His fingers paused. That thought was familiar. In his previous life, he had often been paid to eliminate problems rather than solve them. He had never considered himself a good person, but he had always disliked unnecessary deaths. He looked at the records again. Fine. I’ll finish this properly. Minister Han watched him silently. The seventh son of the Marquis of Yong’an was proving to be a far more complicated young man than expected. The First Enemy By afternoon, Shen Rui had identified four suspicious shipment entries. He was comparing the seals when a man in dark official robes entered the hall. He was in his thirties, with a narrow face and sharp eyes. “Minister Han.” Han Zhi turned. “Deputy Minister Zhao.” Zhao Qian’s gaze shifted to Shen Rui. “Who is this?” “The seventh son of the Marquis of Yong’an. He is assisting with the records.” Zhao Qian looked amused. “The marquis’s seventh son?” Shen Rui continued reading. Zhao Qian smiled. “I heard he was incapable of even passing the basic academy examinations.” People in this place really enjoy discussing me. Shen Rui raised his eyes. “Deputy Minister Zhao, have we met before?” “No.” “Then you must have heard a great deal about me.” A clerk nearby lowered his head. Zhao Qian’s smile faded slightly. “I merely meant that the Ministry of Revenue is not a place for children to play.” Shen Rui glanced at the documents. “Then perhaps you should tell the people responsible for losing the original registers.” The room froze. Minister Han slowly closed his eyes. Zhao Qian’s expression changed. “What did you say?” Shen Rui blinked. “I said the records are incomplete.” Why is everyone so sensitive? Zhao Qian stepped closer. “You should learn to speak carefully, Young Master Shen.” Shen Rui looked at him. “I’ll try.” Though I don’t think you’ll like it when I stop trying. Zhao Qian’s jaw tightened. Before he could respond, footsteps sounded from outside. A palace eunuch entered. “His Majesty has ordered the records concerning Yunzhou to be delivered to the imperial study.” Minister Han immediately bowed. “Yes, Eunuch.” The eunuch’s gaze passed over Shen Rui. Then he looked at Zhao Qian. “Deputy Minister Zhao, you are also summoned.” Zhao Qian’s face paled. Shen Rui lowered his head. Oh. He suddenly felt much more awake. This is getting interesting. A Question from the Throne Shen Rui stood in the imperial study beside Minister Han. Deputy Minister Zhao knelt several steps away. The emperor sat behind his desk. The atmosphere was oppressive. Shen Rui had attended morning court twice, but he still hadn’t become accustomed to standing in the emperor’s presence. The man’s silence alone was enough to make the room feel colder. Xiao Jingyuan looked at the documents. “Minister Han, explain your findings.” Han Zhi stepped forward. “Your Majesty, the shipment records from Yunzhou contain multiple discrepancies. The original registers have also disappeared.” The emperor’s gaze moved to Zhao Qian. “Deputy Minister Zhao.” The man lowered his head. “Your Majesty.” “Who authorized the removal of the original registers?” Zhao Qian’s forehead touched the floor. “This subject is unaware.” Shen Rui remained silent. That’s a lie. The emperor’s eyes shifted toward him. “Shen Rui.” Shen Rui stiffened. “Yes, Your Majesty?” “What do you think?” The room went still. Shen Rui looked at Zhao Qian. The deputy minister’s hands were clenched against the floor. His breathing was controlled. His expression was frightened. But not surprised. Shen Rui had seen that look many times in his previous life. It belonged to people who already knew they were in danger. “This subject believes the registers were removed deliberately.” “Why?” “The missing documents concern the same shipments where shortages were reported. Someone may have wanted to conceal the original figures.” Zhao Qian suddenly raised his head. “Your Majesty, this young man is making unfounded accusations!” Shen Rui glanced at him. I didn’t even mention your name. Xiao Jingyuan’s gaze turned cold. “Silence.” Zhao Qian immediately lowered his head. The emperor turned back to Shen Rui. “Can you prove your suspicion?” Shen Rui hesitated. “No, Your Majesty. Not yet.” “Then find the evidence.” Shen Rui’s eyes widened. Why me? Xiao Jingyuan continued. “You will accompany Minister Han until the investigation is complete.” Shen Rui stared at him. My salted-fish life is officially dead. The emperor’s gaze lingered on his face. “Do you object?” Shen Rui lowered his head. “This subject would never dare.” I object with my entire soul. For a moment, silence filled the study. Then Xiao Jingyuan looked away. “Dismissed.” A Warning Outside the imperial study, Minister Han walked beside Shen Rui. The older man remained silent until they reached the corridor. “Young Master Shen.” “Yes?” “You should be careful around Deputy Minister Zhao.” Shen Rui glanced at him. “Why?” “Because you have drawn his attention.” I noticed. Minister Han sighed. “The Ministry of Revenue has existed for many years. There are people who will not appreciate someone examining matters they would rather keep hidden.” Shen Rui’s expression became thoughtful. “Minister, do you think the missing grain is connected to someone in the capital?” Han Zhi looked at him. “Why do you ask?” “The records were altered, the originals disappeared, and the discrepancies involve multiple warehouses.” Shen Rui lowered his voice. “Someone with access to official records is involved.” Minister Han’s eyes sharpened. “You are observant.” And you are asking me to work harder. The minister almost smiled. “You should not say everything you think.” Shen Rui looked at him in surprise. “Minister?” Han Zhi shook his head. “Nothing. Come. We have work to do.” Shen Rui followed him. Strange. He glanced back toward the imperial study. The doors were closed. The emperor was inside. Shen Rui quickly looked away. I hope I never have to stand before him again. The Emperor’s Decision That evening, Xiao Jingyuan sat in his study while a confidential report was placed before him. The report concerned Shen Rui. The boy had entered the Imperial Academy only recently, had no notable accomplishments, and had rarely been involved in public affairs. Yet within two days, he had uncovered irregularities in the grain records. The emperor tapped his fingers against the desk. “Have you found anything unusual about his background?” The attendant bowed. “Nothing significant, Your Majesty. The seventh son grew up in the marquis’s household. His education was ordinary, and he has no known connections to military or intelligence circles.” Xiao Jingyuan’s eyes narrowed slightly. Nothing significant. And yet the boy had noticed details that experienced officials had overlooked. “Continue monitoring the investigation.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” The emperor turned toward the window. Beyond the palace walls, the capital was settling into the evening. Somewhere in the Marquis of Yong’an’s residence, Shen Rui was likely complaining about the following morning. Xiao Jingyuan remembered the boy’s expression when he had assigned him the investigation. A mixture of disbelief, exhaustion, and silent despair. The emperor’s lips curved faintly. “Interesting.” A New Problem Shen Rui returned to his residence long after sunset. His feet hurt. His shoulders hurt. His patience had completely disappeared. He entered his room and found a folded document placed on his desk. He opened it. An official summons. Report to the Ministry of Revenue before sunrise. Shen Rui stared at the words. Then he slowly sat down. Before sunrise? He looked toward the window. The moon had barely risen. I have just returned. He dropped the document onto the desk. This is abuse. A servant entered carrying dinner. “Young Master, the kitchen has prepared your meal.” Shen Rui immediately sat upright. “Bring it here.” The servant placed the dishes on the table. Shen Rui began eating. For the first time that day, he felt slightly better. Then a knock sounded at the door. He froze. “Who is it?” A familiar voice answered. “Seventh Brother.” Shen Mingxuan. Shen Rui closed his eyes. What does he want now? “Come in.” The door opened. Shen Mingxuan entered, his expression unusually serious. “I heard you were summoned by His Majesty.” Shen Rui continued eating. “Yes.” “Why?” “Grain records.” Shen Mingxuan stared at him. “You’re investigating the Ministry of Revenue?” “Apparently.” The older brother frowned. “You should be careful.” Shen Rui looked up. “Everyone keeps telling me that.” “Because you don’t understand how dangerous the court can be.” Shen Rui lowered his chopsticks. For a moment, his expression became quiet. I understand danger better than anyone in this household. Then he smiled lazily. “Don’t worry, Second Brother. I’m very good at staying alive.” Shen Mingxuan stared at him. The words had been spoken lightly. But something about the boy’s expression made him uneasy. Shen Rui picked up his chopsticks again. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to eat before someone summons me to another meeting. Shen Mingxuan opened his mouth. Then closed it. He turned and left. Shen Rui watched the door shut. His smile disappeared. The room fell silent. He looked at the imperial summons lying on his desk. His instincts told him that the missing grain was only the beginning. Someone was hiding something. And now, whether he liked it or not, he had stepped into their path. …I really should have stayed useless.

The Ministry of Revenue Is Full of Trouble