Seeing the Order

Cui Shifan's face instantly darkened.

Having held a high position for a long time, it had been years since anyone dared to question him so directly in such an interrogative tone.

Not to mention the other party was merely a newly appointed marquis. Whether in terms of title, seniority, or official rank, he was far below him!

Slowly withdrawing his hand suspended in mid-air, Cui Shifan sat up straight, his back ramrod straight.

An authoritative aura radiated from him without reservation. His voice turned ice-cold, carrying a distinct tone of reprimand:

"Gu Chengyin, you are nothing but a mere marquis, a petty principal of the Internal Affairs Department."

"I am the Duke of Anguo, personally enfeoffed by His Majesty, and the Secondary Minister of the Grand Secretariat, holding a super-grade rank. Are you trying to commit insubordination?!"

Using one's title and status to suppress others was the most direct and common method.

However, Gu Chengyin acted as if he had not heard the reprimand at all.

Still pressing his hand on the account book, he shook his head and spoke neither haughtily nor humbly:

"Elder Cui, you came from the Ministry of Rites. No one understands etiquette better than you."

"How would this junior dare to show even a shred of disrespect, let alone harbor thoughts of insubordination."

Gu Chengyin paused slightly before his tone suddenly shifted, speaking with self-righteous indignation:

"It is just that my title as the Marquis of Bingjian was personally conferred by Her Highness!"

"Her Highness trusts me and has entrusted me with a heavy responsibility. I, Gu Chengyin, naturally must share Her Highness's burdens, pouring out my heart and blood, not daring to slack off or delay in the slightest!"

Gu Chengyin's voice suddenly rose, and at the same time, his other free hand reached into his robes!

The next second, a quaintly designed token was slammed heavily onto the desk.

"Bang!"

A crisp yet heavy sound echoed within the Grand Secretariat's duty room.

The token was neither gold nor jade, appearing in a dull, profound black. Its back featured a lifelike relief of a dark bird spreading its wings, encirching an ancient 'Zhao' character.

The Crown Heir Token!

Seeing this token was like seeing Luo Zhao in person!

Cui Shifan's pupils abruptly contracted!

All his anger, along with the words he intended to use for delay or suppression, instantly deflated like a punctured balloon at this moment!

Just a moment ago, he could forcefully suppress him with his status, but in front of this token representing the Crown Heir's authority, everything became pale and powerless.

No matter how high his status was, could it be higher than the future empress?

No.

Gu Chengyin's voice rang out again:

"Her Highness only has ten days."

"Within ten days, there must be a clear conclusion regarding the Ministry of Revenue's accounts."

"Currently, the audit is not going smoothly. If the Grand Secretariat takes a few more days to discuss, arguing back and forth and dragging things out..."

Gu Chengyin leaned forward, approaching Cui Shifan. He spoke word by word, his voice carrying an undisguised sense of oppression:

"Is everyone in the Crown Heir's Palace supposed to stop working? Is this empty state treasury supposed to be replenished or not?"

"Or should this Marquis immediately report back and invite Her Highness to come here to the Grand Secretariat's duty room in person."

"To wait for you all to slowly discuss and come up with a result?"

Her Highness coming to the Grand Secretariat in person to wait for a result?!

These words were like a thunderclap, making Cui Shifan's scalp go numb!

If Her Highness really came to the Grand Secretariat in person and sat on the side waiting for them to discuss.

Then it would no longer be an issue with the Ministry of Revenue's accounts, but would be seen as a political incident provoking the Crown Heir's authority!

By then, it would inevitably draw Emperor Luo to personally interrogate and punish them.

This consequence was absolutely not something he, Cui Shifan, or even the entire Grand Secretariat could bear!

Cui Shifan's face turned extremely ugly, shifting between pale and green.

Looking at the heavy Crown Heir Token on the table, then at Gu Chengyin's cold and hard face, and finally glancing at Shangguan Yuan, who was covering his eyes but also secretly observing on the side...

He knew that his plan to temporarily shelve the matter had completely gone bankrupt.

This Gu Chengyin simply would not accept any form of delay or perfunctoriness.

Continuing the stalemate would only make things slide in an even more uncontrollable direction.

Cui Shifan slowly took a breath and turned to the Grand Secretariat's subordinate official beside him, who dared not even breathe loudly. His voice returned to its usual steadiness, yet carried an unprecedented urgency:

"Go immediately and invite Elder Xiao, Elder Hu, and Elder Yuan to come to the Grand Secretariat for a discussion at once!"

"Just say... it involves a critical matter supervised by the Crown Heir, and requires an immediate joint discussion and decision. It brooks no delay!"

"Yes! Elder!"

The subordinate official had long been frightened out of his wits by the conflict just now. Hearing this, he felt as if granted a general amnesty, hastily bowing and accepting the order.

Not daring to pause his footsteps in the slightest, he almost jogged out of the duty room, his footsteps echoing rapidly in the empty corridor.

After finishing the arrangements, Cui Shifan finally looked at Gu Chengyin again and asked in a flat tone:

"Marquis Gu, are you satisfied with this arrangement?"

Seeing that his goal had been achieved, the overbearingness on Gu Chengyin's face melted away like spring snow, instantly turning into a genial smile like a gentle spring breeze brushing against one's face.

He cleanly and neatly withdrew the hand pressing on the account book, cupped his hands in a bow towards Cui Shifan, his posture respectful and his tone sincere:

"Elder Cui is too serious. How could this junior dare to speak of being satisfied? Elder handles matters fairly and with sweeping momentum. This junior is full of admiration."

"I am also just acting under orders to share Her Highness's burdens. With my heart tied to state affairs, it is inevitable that I was a bit anxious."

"If there were any offensive words or abrupt actions, I hope Elder Cui will be magnanimous and understand this junior's sincere heart to share the sovereign's burdens."

These words not only provided a way out to save face but also re-emphasized the legitimacy of his own actions, while simultaneously expressing a wave of loyalty.

Hearing this made the corners of Cui Shifan's mouth twitch uncontrollably.

This young man changed faces faster than turning the pages of a book. His words were even more slippery, using both hard and soft tactics. He was extremely difficult to deal with.

"Heh."

Cui Shifan squeezed out an ambiguous cold snort from his nose and said no more.

He lowered his eyelids, his gaze landing once again on the opened account book on the table. He appeared to be calming his mind, but deep in his eyes, a sharp gleam flashed past like lightning.

Seeing this, Gu Chengyin also said no more. He calmly turned around and went back to sit in his own seat. His expression was peaceful, as if the swords-drawn tension from just now had never happened.

Inside the duty room, the atmosphere was heavy and tense, like the final tranquility before a storm.

Not long after, hurried and chaotic footsteps came from outside again.

The subordinate official from earlier had returned. His footsteps were faster than when he left, and his expression was even more nervous.

He trotted to Cui Shifan's side, leaned over to his ear, and quickly reported a few words.

After the subordinate official finished reporting, Cui Shifan raised his head, looked at Gu Chengyin, and spoke to indicate:

"The three Elders will arrive shortly. This duty room is cramped and inconvenient for discussions. Please move to the Grand Secretariat's discussion hall, you two."

That last word please was said dryly, devoid of any sincerity, sounding more like a procedural notification.

Gu Chengyin did not care about this at all. Hearing this, he was the first to stand up, his movements crisp and neat.

"Thank you for the arrangements, Elder Cui."

After replying with one sentence, he strode out of the duty room under the guidance of the subordinate official.

Cui Shifan looked at his back, his eyes darkening, and also stood up to follow.

Shangguan Yuan hesitated for a moment, covering his eyes, and followed closely behind.

They passed through a long corridor with portraits of famous officials from past dynasties hanging on the walls on both sides.

Soon, they arrived in front of a hall with even heavier, more imposing doors.