Inside Information

Seeing that Gu Chengyin had even brought up Emperor Luo, Cui Shifan naturally could not remain seated and do nothing.

He had no choice but to raise his wine cup, gesture toward the direction of the imperial palace, and drain it in one gulp.

He drank this cup faster than any previous sip.

Gu Chengyin picked up a cloth napkin to wipe the corners of his mouth and continued their previous topic:

But as far as this junior knows, according to the rules, shouldn't the court's memorials first go through the Grand Secretariat's review and drafting to filter out the important or urgent ones,

before being presented to the Emperor for his divine judgment?

Why would there still be such a massive backlog of memorials?

He looked at Cui Shifan, acting like a junior humbly seeking guidance.

A standard procedure like this shouldn't be a secret. This junior is dull-witted and hopes Elder Cui can offer some guidance.

This question was indeed no secret.

Anyone with a slight understanding of court politics knew the general process.

Cui Shifan picked up a boiled salted peanut, shelled it, tossed it into his mouth, and casually replied:

What you say is correct, virtuous nephew. The vast majority of memorials indeed must first pass through the Grand Secretariat before being presented to His Majesty for imperial review and vermilion endorsement.

This is also to share the Emperor's burdens and improve efficiency.

But not all of them. There are some channels that can reach the Emperor's ears directly.

Oh? Which channels? Gu Chengyin appropriately feigned curiosity.

For example, the Censorate, Cui Shifan explained.

The Left and Right Censors-in-Chief have the authority to supervise all officials. They can bypass the Grand Secretariat and submit sealed memorials directly.

Gu Chengyin nodded in understanding. The imperial censors uphold the law and discipline; they indeed should have the right to report directly to the Emperor. Are there any others?

There is also...

Cui Shifan glanced at Gu Chengyin and said slowly, Her Highness the Eldest Princess. As the Crown Princess, Her Highness has an independent channel for reporting matters, so naturally, she can submit them directly as well.

Gu Chengyin nodded again, then asked, Are these the only ones?

Cui Shifan was about to continue, but the words suddenly caught in his throat.

He blinked, swallowed his remaining words, and several thoughts instantly flashed through his mind.

The Second Prince, Luo Yanchen.

If the Crown Princess Luo Zhao could report directly to the Emperor, then Luo Yanchen, with his status as an imperial prince, naturally could too.

Coincidentally, this Second Prince happened to have submitted a memorial today.

Although the specific contents were still unknown.

But Cui Shifan could roughly guess that it must be about the pilot site selection for the two new policies.

If the Second Prince himself did not reveal the specific location, they would have to wait and see when Emperor Luo approved it.

After all, only approved memorials would be sent down to the Grand Secretariat and made public.

Cui Shifan's mind raced.

The wild ambitions hidden behind these two new policies were something only a handful of people in the entire court could see through.

Given the capabilities Gu Chengyin had displayed so far, he should be one of them.

So bringing this up suddenly was definitely not as simple as asking about the rules.

Could His Majesty have summoned him and Her Highness into the palace precisely because of this memorial?

For Gu Chengyin to bring it out now as a trade meant that this site selection was extremely important.

So important that the earlier one knew, the better they could seize the initiative and reap massive benefits from it.

Whether economically or politically.

Cui Shifan's heartbeat involuntarily quickened.

This kid was not only tactful but also quite generous.

This kind of insider information carried far more weight than mere wealth or empty promises.

Seeing Cui Shifan's words abruptly stop and his eyes flicker, Gu Chengyin knew the man had clearly grasped the unspoken implication.

Gu Chengyin no longer bothered with further buildup. A look of sudden realization appeared on his face as he raised his wine cup and spoke with a sincere tone:

Thanks to Elder Cui's teaching, this junior's doubts have been resolved.

This cup, this junior toasts to you.

With that, Gu Chengyin drained his cup again in one clean, crisp motion.

After drinking, he set down the empty cup but did not pour any more wine.

Instead, he extended his right index finger, dipped it into his water cup, and moistened his fingertip.

Then, under Cui Shifan's watchful gaze.

Gu Chengyin used his wet fingertip to casually trace three strokes on the mahogany table.

Mountain.

The water marks left a clear imprint on the wooden table.

Cui Shifan's gaze was instantly glued to this character.

His eyes became as sharp as an eagle's, the relaxed expression on his face vanishing, replaced by focused scrutiny and contemplation.

Mountain?

The Second Prince's memorial was about the pilot site selection.

Gu Chengyin had just come out of the palace and had seen the memorial.

In other words, it was a place with a mountain.

A map of the provincial capitals rapidly flashed through Cui Shifan's mind, especially locations with mountains that met certain conditions.

But the Great Luo was so vast; there were simply too many places with mountains.

Just then, Cui Shifan's eyes widened.

He clearly saw the water mark on the table gradually fading and slowly disappearing.

It wasn't until the last stroke of the mountain character completely seeped into the wood grain and vanished without a trace.

That Cui Shifan slowly shifted his gaze away.

He revealed a meaningful smile.

Heh... A light chuckle escaped his throat.

Cui Shifan took the initiative to reach out and pick up the pot of carefully warmed Luoshui Spring wine.

He steadily filled the jade cup in front of Gu Chengyin with the clear, mellow liquid.

Then, he picked up his own wine cup and raised it toward Gu Chengyin, his face full of emotion:

Some people's hands are truly reaching too far.

Junior Preceptor Gu.

Cui Shifan raised his cup a little higher. This cup, I toast to you.

Gu Chengyin smiled without a word, raising his cup and gently pushing it forward.

Ding.

The two jade cups clinked crisply in the air.

Cui Shifan tilted his head back first and drained his cup in one gulp.

After drinking, he twisted his wrist, turning the cup upside down, and placed it onto the mahogany table.

Having done all this, Cui Shifan began to casually pick up food with his chopsticks, savoring the delicacies on the table.

Gu Chengyin also said no more, leisurely drinking and eating as well.

Just a moment later, hurried footsteps came from outside the open pavilion.

The figure of the steward, Cui Fu, appeared outside the moon gate. He did not rush in rashly, but stopped outside the door, standing respectfully with his hands by his sides.

Cui Shifan raised his eyes. What is it?

Steward Cui Fu walked in quickly, leaned close to Cui Shifan's ear, and whispered a few words of report.

Upon hearing this, a look of distress immediately appeared on Cui Shifan's face. He put down his chopsticks, sighed, and turned to Gu Chengyin with an apologetic tone:

Ah, virtuous nephew, look at this mess.

That child Zilu has been restless ever since returning.

Making a constant fuss in the room, clamoring to see me, claiming to have suffered a massive grievance.

This child has truly been spoiled rotten!

I'm afraid I must excuse myself for a moment, otherwise, she might just tear the roof off.

Gu Chengyin immediately cupped his hands, a knowing smile on his face:

Elder Cui, you are too serious. Comforting her is what matters most.

This junior is in no rush, please go ahead.

Cui Shifan immediately stood up as if relieved of a heavy burden and cupped his hands, saying:

I have been a poor host, truly a poor host! Rest assured, virtuous nephew, I will return shortly!

With that, he delayed no further, turned around, and hurriedly left the open pavilion.