Meng Shuping shot him a resentful glare. "What could possibly happen to me? I just nearly had my throat slit and almost got hacked—just a massive scare, that's all!"
Jiang Cihe was alarmed by this. He quickly stepped closer to Meng Shuping, gently lifted his chin, and examined him carefully. "Let me see, where were you hurt?"
Meng Shuping hadn't expected Jiang Cihe to suddenly get so close. He hastily pushed Jiang Cihe's hand away and stammered awkwardly, "I'm fine—I mean, it was almost."
Jiang Cihe looked Meng Shuping up and down. Seeing no visible injuries, he breathed a sigh of relief, though he still asked worriedly, "You weren't injured anywhere else, were you?"
Meng Shuping shook his head. "No, no."
But as soon as he finished speaking, he immediately added, "Still, the fright I went through was real!"
[If I hadn't reacted quickly, what you'd be seeing now would be my coffin!]
Only after confirming Meng Shuping was unharmed did Jiang Cihe have the presence of mind to consider other matters. His expression darkened as he asked, "Who did this?"
Meng Shuping flinched at the icy chill in Jiang Cihe's voice, nearly forgetting to complain. He stammered, "J-just some guy named Fan."
[Whoa! That's terrifying! How can someone's demeanor change so drastically? Could he be one of those seemingly approachable but actually sinister and cunning villains?]
Jiang Cihe was already furious and shaken that Meng Shuping had nearly been harmed right under his watch. Hearing Meng Shuping's thoughts about him, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Helplessly, he asked, "Why did he try to attack you?"
At this question, Meng Shuping became agitated again. He said indignantly, "I was just going to the restroom, and he actually asked me what I was doing there! As if the restroom here could serve any other purpose?"
Jiang Cihe frowned. "How could that be?"
"Exactly!" Meng Shuping snapped. "So I asked him if he was here to eat, and then he tried to slash me!"
[Honestly, even if I was partly at fault, he wasn't completely innocent either, right?]
[Besides, I didn't start it. The one who provokes first is the jerk. If he's so tough, why not argue with me? If he can't win an argument, how dare he pull out a blade? Showing off?]
Jiang Cihe: "..."
For him to have survived this long, it must truly be due to sheer luck.
After venting about Fan Yu, Meng Shuping began subtly trying to turn Jiang Cihe against him. "Your Highness, it's not that I'm targeting him, but I really think his reckless and hot-tempered nature isn't suited for our Military Hall Department. We're in intelligence work—the most important thing is care and caution. If he loses his temper at the slightest provocation, how can he do his job well? He might even end up leaking our secrets!"
[It'd be best to dismiss him! At the very least, demote him, cut his salary, fine him! Since I'm Your Highness's personal guard now, shouldn't I be feeding you more 'advice'?]
Jiang Cihe: "..." Very good—quite the potential of a treacherous official.
But Fan Yu really was too reckless and unrestrained. Jiang Cihe had already been dissatisfied with him for a while and had been thinking about taking action. However, since he had only recently taken over the Military Hall Department, it wasn't the right time for major moves.
So he could only say apologetically to Meng Shuping, "I'm sorry you had to go through that. But regarding today's incident, it wouldn't be appropriate to punish him too severely. What if he claims he was just joking with you? What could you do then?"
Meng Shuping was somewhat disappointed. "Alright then!"
[I never expected that Fan guy to be so cunning! Does that mean my only option is to ambush him with a sack?]
Jiang Cihe coughed and said seriously, "However, I can assign all the tricky and troublesome tasks to him."
Meng Shuping stared at him in shock. [I never thought he could be so devious! Isn't this abusing power for personal revenge?]
Jiang Cihe gave Meng Shuping a surprised look. This fool didn't seem like the kind to be so righteous. Sure enough, the next moment, he heard Meng Shuping continue, [But I like it! Hahaha!]
Meng Shuping praised triumphantly, "Your Highness is wise!"
After finishing lunch, Meng Shuping hesitated and looked at Jiang Cihe. "Your Highness, maybe I shouldn't be your personal guard after all? I don't think I'm cut out for it."
[Sigh, I can't stand this wretched place anymore! It's too dangerous! A weakling like me would only end up getting slashed!]
Jiang Cihe glanced at him. "How about this: I'll give you an extra two taels of silver this month to help settle your nerves."
Meng Shuping immediately changed his tune. "Of course! As long as Your Highness doesn't mind, no matter how difficult it is, I'll strive to improve myself!"
[It's just a scare! A real man fears neither life nor death!]
A slight curl appeared on Jiang Cihe's lips. Little moneygrubber!
After calming Meng Shuping down, he instructed others, "Go summon Fan Yu."
Hearing that Jiang Cihe had called for him, Fan Yu let out a disdainful sneer. Hmph, so what if that little weakling complained? He hadn't actually hurt anyone—would the prince really take his side?
He went to Jiang Cihe's place without a care, appearing respectful but giving only a perfunctory bow. "Greetings, Your Highness. What matter does Your Highness have with this subordinate?"
Jiang Cihe, now unlike his calm demeanor with Meng Shuping, said sternly, "I heard you nearly cut someone this morning?"
Fan Yu immediately put on a wronged expression. "Your Highness must be joking. This subordinate was just having a bit of fun with this young brother—how could it be considered cutting someone? How was I to know that as Your Highness's personal guard, he'd be so weak! But for Your Highness's safety, this subordinate must advise you to replace him with someone more skilled!"
Discovering that Jiang Cihe had been right, Meng Shuping couldn't help but comment inwardly, [Oho, and he thinks he's the victim! I never expected him to have such a terrible temper and no brains! Resorting to violence when he can't win an argument—how shameless and brazen! Honestly, I think he must have gotten in through connections. With such impulsiveness, how can he do his job properly?]
[I'd rather advise Your Highness to dismiss him sooner and replace him with someone with a better brain!]
Hearing this, Fan Yu's anger flared. He glared furiously at Meng Shuping. How dare this weakling talk like that?
Meng Shuping was startled by the sudden glare. [Whoa! The prince is still here, and he dares to glare at me? Does he not have any respect for the prince, for the emperor, for the imperial authority?]
[Yikes...]
[Could it be that he's plotting rebellion? No wonder! No wonder he didn't hesitate to attack the prince's personal guard! I bet he thought since slashing me wouldn't have consequences, he could act without fear!]
[Of course! Even if he's not rebelling, he might be colluding with other princes to overthrow Prince Zhao and seize power himself!]
Fan Yu shuddered and immediately looked at Jiang Cihe, only to find Jiang Cihe's gaze icy cold. He quickly lowered his head and said cautiously, "Of course, Your Highness may appoint whomever you wish. This subordinate has no right to interfere."
Even if he had grievances against Jiang Cihe, he wouldn't dare show open disrespect!
Seeing him suddenly become subdued, Meng Shuping couldn't help but remark, [Tsk tsk, realized he's showing his flaws and now trying to cover up?]
Fan Yu hated Meng Shuping intensely. No matter what he did, this weakling had something to say! But he didn't dare risk whether Jiang Cihe could hear these thoughts, so he held his breath even tighter, afraid Jiang Cihe would pin some crime on him.
What a joke—he was just discontent with Jiang Cihe, not actually trying to do anything against him. He valued his life too much.
But why wasn't Jiang Cihe saying anything?
Just as he grew more and more terrified, Jiang Cihe finally spoke. "I summoned you today because someone reported you..."
Hearing that someone had indeed reported him, Fan Yu was so scared he dropped to his knees with a thud. "Your Highness, please be discerning! This subordinate has never done anything against you or the emperor! That person must be slandering me! Please, Your Highness, you must investigate thoroughly!"
Meng Shuping's eyes lit up excitedly. [He must be guilty! So scared just hearing he's been reported! Investigate him strictly! We're sure to find something!]
Fan Yu was both furious and terrified by Meng Shuping's words. He desperately tried to recall what he'd done recently, wondering where the problem lay. But the more he thought, the more panicked he became—he had no clue at all.
Jiang Cihe paused before continuing, "Someone reported you... for willful destruction of public property."
Fan Yu instinctively cried out in protest, "Your Highness, this subordinate didn't... Huh?"
Meng Shuping said triumphantly, [That's right! I was the one who reported you! You little punk, think I can't handle you? This time I'll make you pay through the nose! How dare you raise a blade against me? How could you not pay a price?]
Jiang Cihe raised an eyebrow. "Are you implying that I've wronged you?"
Fan Yu quickly wiped the cold sweat from his face. "No, no, how could Your Highness wrong me? I just don't know which piece of public property you are referring to?"
Meng Shuping was astonished. [He's asking which one? Has he wrecked so much public property he can't even keep track?]
Jiang Cihe raised an eyebrow again. "You've damaged a lot of public property?"
Fan Yu hurriedly shook his head. "No, no! Perhaps it's been some time, and I just don't remember clearly. Could Your Highness please give me a hint?"
Meng Shuping said disdainfully, "Just this morning! You stabbed your blade into the roof—how could you miss such a big gash? And that building is made of wood! With one stab from you, it's ruined!"
Fan Yu felt cold sweat dripping down his back from their intimidation. Gnashing his teeth, he said, "I'll pay for the damages!"
Meng Shuping scoffed, "Just paying isn't enough! You're an official of some rank after all—how can you set such a bad example? Your punishment should be increased by one degree!"
Fan Yu, furious but not daring to show it, asked, "Then what do you want?"
Meng Shuping declared righteously, "Besides paying for the damages, you should also pay a five-tael silver fine and write a thousand-word essay reflecting on your mistakes!"
Fan Yu snapped, "Don't go too far!"
He could accept paying the fine, but writing a thousand-word essay of self-reflection? Wasn't that just making things difficult for him? He wasn't a scholar!
Meng Shuping immediately turned to Jiang Cihe. "Your Highness, look! He shows no respect for you! If he dares to ignore your words today, will he try to climb over your head tomorrow? Is he planning to join forces with the Military Hall Department to undermine your authority? I'm not exaggerating—he's just too arrogant and disrespectful!"
"Fine!" Fan Yu thought this little chick was way too good at exaggerating things. Compared to him, he seemed slow-tongued by comparison. To avoid being accused of even greater offenses, he suppressed his anger and said, "I'll go back and write a thousand-word essay reflecting on my mistakes!"