Inner Library Hall

Lyu Fang stood outside the door for a moment, the eternally respectful and meek expression on his face unchanging.

He then gestured to several eunuchs waiting under the corridor, signaling them to go in and serve carefully.

He straightened his cuffs and walked swiftly back in the direction he had come.

Before long, Lyu Fang returned to the door and pushed it open.

The scene inside the hall was almost exactly the same as when he had left.

Gu Chengyin was still sitting in the same armchair, his position unchanged, and even his posture barely altered.

He held a cup of tea in his hand; the color of the tea was pale, clearly having been brewed several times, yet he was still sipping it slowly and methodically.

Hearing the door open, Gu Chengyin turned his head. Seeing Lyu Fang return, he set down his teacup and stood up, ready to speak.

"Marquis Gu."

Lyu Fang beat him to it, raising a hand in a pressing motion to cut off his words.

The usual gentle smile on his face faded somewhat, replaced by an urgency and seriousness.

"Time is of the essence, let us dispense with pleasantries. I will take you somewhere, please follow me."

His words were concise and clear. Gu Chengyin asked no questions, simply nodding and saying, "I will trouble the Eunuch to lead the way."

The two exited the side hall one after the other. They did not return along the palace path they had come from, but instead turned toward a deeper area.

Passing through several festooned gates and bypassing a pine and cypress garden, a sizable hall suddenly appeared before them.

Suspended above the hall doors was a plaque with gold lettering on a black background, bearing three vigorous characters: Inner School.

The place was brightly lit. The faint sounds of rustling paper, clinking abacuses, and whispered discussions drifted from inside. Though not noisy, it exuded a busy atmosphere of high efficiency.

Lyu Fang paused briefly before the doors, glancing back at Gu Chengyin with a profound look in his eyes before pushing the doors open.

The moment the doors opened, a wave of heat mixed with the scent of ink, paper, and faint lamp oil rushed over them.

The scene inside the hall moved even Gu Chengyin's calm eyes.

This was an extremely spacious side hall, virtually transformed into a massive workspace.

Dozens of large desks were neatly arranged in the hall, and behind each desk sat one or more people dressed in various eunuch uniforms.

Some were burying their heads in rapid writing, their brushes moving like dragons and snakes; others were facing open ledgers and tables, their fingers flying over abacuses like butterflies, producing crisp, continuous clacking sounds.

Some gathered in twos or threes, discussing the documents in their hands in low voices and at a rapid pace.

Still other eunuchs held thick files, shuttling quickly between different desks and several tall filing cabinets in the hall, their steps hurried yet orderly.

In the four corners of the hall and at key passageways stood slightly older eunuchs, their eyes scanning the room like falcons to ensure everything ran without a hitch.

There were no maids here, no guards, only eunuchs.

The entire hall was permeated with a highly professional and disciplined atmosphere, like a massive, precisely interlocked machine operating at full speed.

Lyu Fang did not introduce the place immediately. Instead, he led Gu Chengyin slowly along a passageway on one side of the hall, allowing him to take in the entire scene.

It was not until they reached a spot overlooking the entire room that Lyu Fang stopped, turned around, and faced both the busy scene in the hall and Gu Chengyin.

"Please look, Marquis Gu."

Lyu Fang raised a hand, gently sweeping it across the silently busy scene before them.

"This is the Inner School, dedicated to assisting His Majesty in processing confidential documents, auditing the inner treasury, and archiving secret files."

"Thanks to His Majesty's heavenly grace and trust, the Internal Affairs Department has, over the years, accumulated some insignificant foundation."

He paused, his tone becoming meaningful. "I have heard that His Highness acted swiftly and decisively, moving the core ledgers of the Ministry of Revenue from the past ten years, especially the last five years, all at once back to the Crown Prince's Palace."

"His Highness cares deeply about state affairs and wishes to root out long-standing abuses. His ambition is commendable, and his actions are admirable."

"However, the Ministry of Revenue's accumulated documents are as vast as the sea, involving complex and tedious data. I fear it will be difficult to make sense of them and obtain conclusive evidence in the short term."

Lyu Fang's gaze swept over the eunuchs working diligently in the hall. "Coincidentally, things in the palace have been smooth lately, and with the eunuchs performing their respective duties, we actually have some spare hands."

"These people have been immersed in figures for money and grain, and official documents all year round. In matters of accounting, verification, and archiving, while I dare not say they have reached perfection, they are certainly useful."

At this point, his intentions were abundantly clear.

Gu Chengyin listened quietly. He did not show any joy or gratitude on his face; instead, he frowned slightly and raised a very practical and sensitive question:

"I accept Eunuch Lyu's intentions on behalf of His Highness, it is just..."

"The ledgers His Highness wishes to audit are of great consequence. If a large number of people are dispatched from the Inner School, should word get out, I fear..."

Hearing this, Lyu Fang's face showed no displeasure. Instead, a look of validation crossed his face as he said in a low voice:

"Rest assured, Marquis Gu. From top to bottom among the eunuchs, regardless of rank or age, the only one we are loyal to in our hearts, the only one we see in our eyes, is His Majesty."

"The rumors and gossip in the court and on the streets are nothing more than echoing others. They cannot be taken seriously, should not be listened to, and certainly will not affect what must be done."

Gu Chengyin's brow relaxed, and he asked again:

"But the Crown Prince's Palace is not an ordinary place after all. Who knows how many eyes are watching His Highness."

Lyu Fang seemed to have been waiting for him to ask this question and immediately replied, "How could I not know Marquis Gu's concerns?"

"It is just that after generations of management by the Internal Affairs Department, we do have some conveniences for extraordinary needs."

He paused slightly, ensuring Gu Chengyin heard every word clearly: "Inside the palace, there are secret passages."

Gu Chengyin's pupils contracted slightly.

Lyu Fang continued, "These secret passages extend in all directions. Some lead to places in the Divine Capital in case of emergencies, while others connect various critical locations... naturally, this includes the Crown Prince's Palace."

So that was it!

"The Eunuch's calculations leave nothing out; this junior is full of admiration."

Gu Chengyin cupped his hands solemnly and said, "I will return to the palace immediately and report this to His Highness in detail."

Lyu Fang nodded in satisfaction, the smile on his face finally becoming a bit more genuine.

"You are too polite, Marquis Gu. This is merely my duty."

He changed the subject, his tone carrying a bit of expectation for their future relationship: "Marquis Gu is young and promising, your future is limitless."

"I am simply a few years older and have spent a bit more time in this palace. In the future, we should grow closer and share what we have with one another."

Gu Chengyin naturally understood Lyu Fang's hint. He bowed slightly, his attitude humble: "I will engrave the Eunuch's guidance in my heart. Should I encounter any difficulties in the future, I will inevitably have to trouble the Eunuch for advice."

"Of course, of course," Lyu Fang agreed with a smile, then raised his voice and called out, "Li'er."

As his voice fell, a young eunuch trotted over from behind a nearby desk.

Lyu Fang pointed at Gu Chengyin and instructed the young eunuch, "From today onward, you will follow Marquis Gu and serve him. Marquis Gu's words are my words, do you understand?"

Li'er turned to Gu Chengyin and bowed deeply, his voice crisp and respectful: "This young slave, Li'er, is at Marquis Gu's disposal from now on."

"Mm." Gu Chengyin nodded at Li'er in acknowledgment.

After making the proper arrangements, Lyu Fang said to Gu Chengyin, "Marquis Gu, I have some urgent official documents that require my immediate attention, so I shall not see you out."

"I will have Li'er guide you out of the palace so you can return and report back. His Highness must be growing anxious from the wait."

"Thank you, Eunuch." Gu Chengyin cupped his hands in respect once more.

"This junior takes his leave."