Madam Wang was surprised when she heard this, quickly waving her hand to decline, saying, "I can't accept this, I mustn't take advantage of you."

But Liu Ermazi seemed to not hear her, deftly wrapping the fish with lotus leaves and stuffing it into Madam Wang's bamboo basket, smiling broadly and saying, "Your husband has provided so many blessings for the common folk, what's a fish as a gift?"

Madam Wang looked at the fish in the bamboo basket, feeling a mix of gratitude for the kindness and a vague sense of unease.

On her way home, Shopkeeper Zhou, who sold silk, "just happened" to pass by as if he had timed it perfectly.

As soon as he saw Madam Wang, he hurried over to greet her with such enthusiasm that it was hard to refuse: "Madam Zhang, long time no see! I've just received two bolts of excellent Su embroidery. The colors and textures are perfect for making new clothes for the kids. You must accept them." As he spoke, he forcibly handed the silk to Madam Wang.

Madam Wang couldn't refuse; she reluctantly accepted with blushed cheeks.

That evening, Zhang Huairen returned home to find a fragrant steamed perch on the table. After a busy day, he failed to notice that the price of this fish equaled half his monthly salary at market value.

He simply sat down to enjoy dinner as usual and smiled at Madam Wang, saying, "This fish looks really good today."

Madam Wang opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but seeing her husband's happy face, she swallowed back the words.

Zhao the Secretary's brother-in-law used to be a laborer carrying bags at the dock, working hard every day for scanty wages. But recently, he was inexplicably promoted to accountant by the Cao Gang.

This news shocked Zhao's family.

When the Cao Gang's steward visited with Jinhua ham, he smiled broadly and said, "Your relative is great at accounting, it would be a shame for him to be overlooked, so we specially invited him to help."

Hearing this, Zhao the Secretary felt something was amiss.

Yet the mother-in-law was happily saying, "It's worthy of an official's family face. Your second sister doesn't have to sleep in a leaky house anymore!" Zhao wasn't aware that the newly built bluetiled courtyard had brickwork containing Wuyi rock tea powder tributed by tea merchants, a secret for termite prevention.

He only felt things were developing unusually and couldn't bring himself to voice opposition amidst the family's joy.

…

…

Beneath the seemingly calm officialdom of the Great Yu Dynasty, an undercurrent was quietly stirring.

On ordinary days, every gesture among officials in court, every discussion within mansions, even every exchange of pleasantries in the streets and alleys concealed mysteries.

These seemingly mundane interactions were, in fact, the tip of the iceberg in power struggles, where every detail was like a hidden current in the deep sea—appearing calm on the surface but holding a flow beneath. Each seemingly ordinary conversation, every unintentional gift, could be a critical piece in this silent contest.

Li Xiwen, the astute clerk who had emerged in governmental circles, through persistent exchanges with likeminded colleagues under the Wutong Tree's shade, keenly sensed something amiss.

Actually, he had gone through many things, navigating piles of paperwork and one engagement after another, deepening his understanding of officialdom.

Before colleagues, he always wore a suitable smile, chatting amiably and joking as if handling everything with ease.

But only he knew that his heart was like a taut string, a touch would send ripples of anxiety.

Li Xiwen didn't immediately alert others. While serving in Yingtian Prefecture, he chose a grey dawn on a day off to make his move.

At that hour, the light was dim; the world had yet to fully awaken from sleep. A thin mist covered the streets, occasionally accompanied by the bark of dogs.

Li Xiwen avoided the bustling crowd, moving swiftly like a shadow and quietly arrived at Yan Mansion.

The vermilion-painted gates of Yan Mansion were tightly shut, flanked by stone lions baring teeth and claws, majestically guarding them, seemingly declaring the dignified prestige of this newly powerful residence. Standing before the gates, Li Xiwen took a deep breath to quell his nerves, and raised his hand to gently knock on the door knocker.

In a short while, after notification, Li Xiwen met Yan Shan.

Yan Shan had long heard of Li Xiwen, the clerk noticed by Xu Qing.

Upon Li Xiwen's visit, a warm smile immediately spread across Yan Shan's face. He personally welcomed him from outside, his smile like the gentle sun, making people feel close. He enthusiastically led Li Xiwen into the elegant interior, where writing materials were orderly arranged, permeated with a faint book fragrance.

Yan Shan ordered the servants to brew a pot of premium fragrant tea, its smell rising warmly.

Once seated, Li Xiwen took the teacup, sipped lightly, letting the rich aroma spread in his mouth, momentarily soothing his strained nerves. But he was aware, he was not here to enjoy this momentary leisure.

He cautiously lifted his eyes to look at Yan Shan, filled with caution and tension, speaking softly: "Master Yan, there are matters I'd like to discuss with you alone." Yan Shan understood, motioning to dismiss the others.

Once alone, Li Xiwen leaned forward slightly, practically whispering, sharing his worries—all the anomalies hidden in the depths of officialdom—one by one, without reservation.

Yan Shan listened quietly, his expression gradually grew solemn, his originally relaxed brow furrowed into a deeply contemplative 'Chuan' character, sinking into deep thought. His eyes revealed concern and reflection, as though sorting through the complex web of clues in his mind.

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