Chapter 51
After hearing the ministers’ memorials at court that day, Yun Yaoyao fully demonstrated the fine virtue of a benevolent ruler who cared deeply for her subjects.
“Minister Zhou, I hear that you have been working diligently at the Ministry of Revenue while also overseeing the canal budget. Your old ailment has grown quite severe. I am gratified by your dedication, but I am also deeply concerned for you.”
“This is medicine prepared by Imperial Physician Shan at My request. Drink it after dissolving it in water every day. It should greatly alleviate your constipation.”
Zhou Siren looked moved. “Your Majesty…”
“Minister Di, I have recently obtained a prescription that can improve congenital ailments. Take it back to your residence after court. Only when your family is free of worry can you work with a truly undivided mind.”
Di Shunzhi’s gaze turned clingy and fervent. “Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“Minister Lin was injured by an assassin and is gravely ill in bed. I am deeply concerned. When the two of you visit him later, take him several stalks of thousand-year-old ginseng and lingzhi on My behalf.”
After this barrage of favors, some of the ministers could not help feeling sour inside.
Envious? Not a chance. They were not envious in the slightest!
Yun Yaoyao then looked toward a certain official standing at the very end of the Ministry of Works’ ranks.
“Is Assistant Minister Liao Zhihan present?”
Liao Zhihan, who had been gazing reverently at the emperor seated above, shuddered and immediately stepped forward with cupped fists. “Your Majesty, this subject is present.”
“Minister Liao, there is no need to be nervous. I know that you have always been an incorruptible official, pure of character and unstained by corruption. I have also learned that your first wife actually stopped taking the medicine that sustained her life in order to ensure that you would not waver from your principles. I am deeply moved.”
“Therefore, I hereby posthumously confer upon your late wife the title of Noble Lady of Lofty Virtue and grant her an imperial commendation!”
Liao Zhihan raised his head in disbelief, his eyes burning as tears nearly spilled over.
Many years ago, when he had first stood before the court and gazed at the sovereign seated above, he had been filled with lofty ambitions. He had said to himself: A subject’s loyalty must never bend; only then can he stand upright before the court!
Yet how difficult had it been to uphold those simple ideals of “high integrity and noble conduct” in the dark politics and corrupt administration of the previous dynasty? He had even begun to waver in his principles!
Fortunately… fortunately, all his years of perseverance had finally been rewarded!
And His Majesty had seen everything he had done in the past!
If his late wife was watching from the afterlife and could witness this day, how happy would she be to know that she had received an imperial title?
Liao Zhihan’s voice trembled. Several hot tears splashed onto his faded official robe. “This humble subject will continue to fulfill his duties, ease Your Majesty’s burdens, resolve the people’s troubles, and safeguard peace throughout the realm!”
“This humble subject thanks Your Majesty! On behalf of my deceased wife, I thank Your Majesty as well!”
A single affirmation that all his perseverance had been seen, coupled with an imperial posthumous title for his late wife, completely won Liao Zhihan over.
The other ministers cast envious glances at him. Once one had earned His Majesty’s favor, was that not the fastest road to promotion and a higher salary?
Ning Shouli, the first man in the Ministry of War’s ranks and its minister, could not help sighing inwardly as he watched.
His Majesty’s skill at winning people over had become truly terrifying.
Yet he never expected that, in the very next moment, the spectacle would involve him.
“Minister Ning, I hear that your daughter has entered the palace as the second female official. Such courage! Truly, like father, like daughter!”
Ning Shouli replied with a composed bow. “It is a source of shame to this subject. My daughter is stubborn by nature and has no desire to marry. Left with no choice, I made an agreement with her: she may serve as a female official for one year. If she cannot make a significant contribution to Yan Chi, she must resign and return home to marry properly.”
With just a few words, he separated Ning Ying’s decision to become a female official from the emperor’s policy of establishing female officials.
His attitude was unmistakable: Do not try to recruit us. We are not falling for this.
The other ministers understood at once. His Majesty was trying to make another move against the Ministry of War!
But Minister Ning Shouli was a stubborn old stone who never took part in factional struggles. He was ruthless, taciturn, and rarely even socialized with others. And he truly had the ability to back it all up.
He adhered to only two principles: protect Yan Chi and fulfill his duty.
If they had simply misjudged Zhou Siren before, then Ning Shouli was someone who absolutely could not be drawn into His Majesty’s camp this time!
Yun Yaoyao nodded in understanding, then smiled without saying a word.
Ning Shouli silently returned to his place, unmoved.
After their eyes met, Yun Yaoyao’s competitive spirit was thoroughly aroused.
Minister Ning, we have plenty of time. Besides, she firmly believed in one principle: as long as one wielded the hoe well enough, there was no corner that could not be pried loose!
After court ended, a guardsman suddenly hurried over and reported anxiously, “Your Majesty, something has happened in the Cold Palace. Your Majesty must make the final decision!”
Another guardsman approached Ning Shouli, who was just about to leave the palace. “Minister Ning, this matter is also somewhat related to you. This subordinate suggests that you come with us as well.”
Was this the “good show” Tu Shanjin had mentioned?
Growing interested, Yun Yaoyao immediately strode toward the Cold Palace with the swagger of someone who feared nothing.
One hour earlier.
Guan Wanyu and Ning Ying had each sneaked away from their posts and arrived at an abandoned palace.
The Dragon Shadow Guard secretly monitoring them immediately reported the news to Dong Guang, the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards.
Dong Guang gave a cold laugh, a vicious glint flashing through his eyes. “At last, I’ve caught you two in the act!”
Several days earlier, Consort Miao had actually reported his bullying of the female officials to His Majesty, and he had been fined half a year’s salary.
As someone whose pettiness was greater than his backside, Dong Guang had developed a deep grudge against Guan Wanyu and Ning Ying.
He had therefore sent Imperial Guards to secretly monitor the two women, and at last he had discovered their secret.
Guan Wanyu and Ning Ying had developed feelings for each other. They had repeatedly taken advantage of the night to be alone together and share their innermost thoughts!
This discovery had thoroughly excited Dong Guang. It was a serious offense—and with two female officials involved in an illicit relationship, he could even use the matter to abolish the system of female officials altogether!
Now that his surveillance had finally captured evidence, Dong Guang immediately took several guardsmen with him toward the Cold Palace. At the same time, he sent one of his trusted men to Xuanzheng Palace to deliver the news.
“Go summon His Majesty. And summon Ning Shouli too. Let him see his daughter’s disgraceful behavior with his own eyes!”
When Dong Guang reached the Cold Palace, he happened to see Guan Wanyu and Ning Ying holding hands and leaning close together intimately, seemingly about to kiss.
Hiding atop the palace wall, Dong Guang clenched his fists in excitement. “Indulging in lewd conduct in broad daylight! Once His Majesty and Ning Shouli arrive, you two are finished!”
Little did he know that several people were hiding behind them as well.
They were Tu Shanjin and the Dragon Shadow Guard.
The Dragon Shadow Guard had originally been quite pleased when they learned that they would be assigned to Consort Miao that day. Consort Miao was cold and proud, a woman of principles.
Who could have known that after following her on a mission, they would discover that she operated exactly like His Majesty—sneaking around in the shadows and peeping at people.
Tu Shanjin ordered them, “You. Knock those people out from behind.”
The Dragon Shadow Guard suffered inwardly. They had gone from sneaking around to steal money, to spying on people, and now they were being made to carry out the despicable act of ambushing others.
Were they, the dignified Dragon Shadow Guard, truly going to sink farther and farther down the path of skulduggery?
꒦ິ^꒦ິ
A dangerous, icy gaze swept over them.
“Hmm?”
The Dragon Shadow Guard immediately jolted to attention and knocked Dong Guang and the others unconscious one after another.
Tu Shanjin poured aphrodisiac powder into the mouths of Dong Guang and the other guardsmen.
The two women who had been baiting the trap, Guan Wanyu and Ning Ying, heard the commotion and separated. They stepped out of the Cold Palace, bowed to Tu Shanjin, and hurried away.
Tu Shanjin then ordered the Dragon Shadow Guard to strip Dong Guang and the others completely, before throwing them into the Cold Palace.
The aphrodisiac powder soon took effect, and Dong Guang and the others became entangled with one another.
After finishing all this, Tu Shanjin hid in the shadows and watched.
Did you think that, after eliminating Dong Guang and the others, he would rein them in with checks and pressure before demonstrating his swift, ruthless methods? No. Tu Shanjin had decided to take the simple, crude approach.
The quickest way was also the most shameless!
The Dragon Shadow Guards had seen everything and could no longer bear to watch. They withdrew their gazes and exchanged glances, coming to the same old conclusion:
Sure enough, people who share a bed...