After leaving the dungeon, Xin Long did not return to the Cold Palace.
Instead, under the cover of night, she headed swiftly toward the imperial treasury.
The treasury was divided into two sections: the Outer Treasury stored ordinary gold, silver, and grain, while the Inner Treasury housed the empire’s true treasures.
Naturally, the Inner Treasury was her target.
The massive vault doors were no obstacle to her. She slipped past layer after layer of guards with ease, like a ghost in the darkness, without alerting a single soul.
Inside, the dazzling collection of treasures nearly blinded her.
Stacks of gold ingots, glittering jewels, priceless antiques and paintings, and utensils crafted entirely from solid gold shimmered enticingly beneath the dim candlelight.
“Tsk. That damned emperor has squeezed quite a fortune out of the common people.”
She sighed as she mercilessly swept everything into her space.
The imperial treasures poured endlessly into her storage space like a flowing river.
Not a single pearl.
Not even the tiniest gold fragment.
She left absolutely nothing behind for the emperor.
Before long, the Inner Treasury was completely empty, as though nothing had ever been stored there.
Satisfied, Xin Long dusted off her hands and left the treasury.
Rather than retracing her steps, she chose a more secluded route.
Outside the Cold Palace, two guards leaned against the wall, dozing soundly, utterly unaware that the imperial treasury had been cleaned out.
Xin Long quietly slipped past them without making the slightest sound.
Returning to the Cold Palace, she flashed into her space.
The area that had once been reserved for supplies was now piled high with the gold, silver, jewels, and priceless treasures she had looted from the treasury.
She carefully sorted everything, organizing the treasures by category.
Once she finished, she stretched lazily and yawned.
“After working all night, it’s finally time to get some rest.”
Stretching once more, she headed into the bathroom.
Warm water cascaded over her body, washing away every trace of exhaustion.
Closing her eyes, she savored the rare moment of peace.
After her bath, she sat before the vanity and carefully applied her skincare products while looking into the mirror.
Reflected there was an exquisitely beautiful face.
It bore some resemblance to the original princess’s appearance, yet looked even younger and more delicate, with flawless, porcelain-like skin.
After finishing her skincare routine, she changed into comfortable pajamas and lay down on the soft bed.
The silk bedding carried a faint, pleasant fragrance.
Before long, Xin Long drifted into a deep sleep.
She knew the emperor was currently preoccupied with dealing with the Xiao family.
He wouldn’t have time to concern himself with her for a while.
So she slept soundly.
The next morning.
Sunlight filtered through the carved windows of the Golden Throne Hall, casting mottled patterns across the polished floor.
The faint fragrance of dragon’s musk incense lingered in the air, yet it couldn’t completely mask the subtle scent of something burnt.
Several ministers arrived unusually late, staggering into the hall as though they had survived a catastrophe.
Their official robes were wrinkled and tattered, looking as if they had been dragged from a fire. Several holes exposed scorch marks on their arms.
Prime Minister Yan Lexian’s hair had been singed into a charred mess that resembled a bird’s nest. His face was streaked with soot, making him look like a rat that had barely escaped disaster.
Minister Wang of the Ministry of Personnel looked even worse. His official hat was nowhere to be found, and he had wrapped a filthy piece of cloth around his head to cover his burnt hair.
Vice Minister Li of the Ministry of Revenue was covered in ash from head to toe, looking as though he had just crawled out of a coal mine.
Their appearance instantly turned the solemn court into a ridiculous spectacle.
The well-dressed ministers who had come prepared to enjoy the morning assembly struggled to suppress their laughter, their shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
“Tsk, just look at Prime Minister Yan. He looks like a beggar.”
“Exactly. I heard his treasury caught fire last night. The losses were enormous.”
“And the Ministry of Revenue’s granary burned too. They’re going to be crying for a long time.”
Seated upon the dragon throne, the emperor’s face darkened like an approaching storm.
He had slept poorly the previous night, and ever since waking, his right eyelid had been twitching nonstop.
Now, seeing several of his most trusted ministers arrive in such a disgraceful state only worsened his mood.
“What happened?” the emperor demanded in a low, imposing voice, barely containing his anger. “Look at the way you’re dressed! Have you no sense of decorum?”
With a mournful expression, Yan Lexian dropped to his knees.
“Your Majesty! This humble subject… was robbed last night! My treasury and granary were plundered and burned! I… I couldn’t even find a proper official robe to wear!”
The Minister of Revenue also knelt.
“Your Majesty… I… I suffered the same fate… My residence caught fire… All… all… all my savings…”
He choked on his tears, unable to finish the sentence.
Minister Li was even more dramatic, collapsing flat onto the floor and wailing.
“Your Majesty! My… my entire home… is gone…”
Even as he cried, he secretly glanced sideways at his equally miserable colleagues.
One after another, the remaining ministers fell to their knees, tearfully recounting their own misfortunes.
For a moment, the Golden Throne Hall echoed with sobbing, making the imperial court resemble an opera stage.
The emperor’s lips twitched as he fought to suppress his anger.
“Enough! Stand up and speak.”
The ministers shakily rose to their feet, still sniffling.
The emperor cleared his throat.
“I understand. I will order a thorough investigation and ensure the thieves are brought to justice.”
After a brief pause, his tone became even colder as he narrowed his eyes.
“Prime Minister Yan. Minister Li. Is there anything else you wish to report?”
The atmosphere in the hall instantly became tense.
Yan Lexian and Minister Li exchanged glances.
They knew this was no longer the time to cry over their losses.
Wiping his face, Yan Lexian immediately knelt again.
“Your Majesty, I have an important matter to report.”
The emperor raised an eyebrow.
“Speak.”
“I hereby accuse Duke Dingguo, Xiao Jinghe!” Yan Lexian declared righteously. “He has secretly colluded with an enemy nation and plotted treason!”
The entire court erupted in shock.
Even those ministers who had been quietly enjoying the spectacle immediately fell silent.
The emperor narrowed his eyes.
“Oh? And what evidence do you have?”
Yan Lexian slowly withdrew an exquisitely embroidered brocade pouch from his sleeve.
“Inside are letters exchanged between Xiao Jinghe and the emperor of the enemy kingdom. I have carefully examined the handwriting. They are unquestionably written by Xiao Jinghe himself.”
He handed the pouch to a palace guard, who respectfully presented it to the emperor.
The emperor unfolded the letter and scanned its contents.
It was densely packed with writing.
Sure enough, it described plans to join forces with the enemy kingdom and launch a rebellion together.
Silence enveloped the Golden Throne Hall.
The air grew heavy and oppressive.
Only the faint rustling of robes and quiet breathing could be heard.
The ministers exchanged uneasy glances, none daring to speak.
In truth, many of them already understood that the emperor had long intended to bring down the Xiao family.
Serving the emperor was like living beside a tiger.
How tragic that the Xiao family had sacrificed so much for the empire, only to meet such an end.
“If the Duke Dingguo’s household truly plotted rebellion…” the emperor asked slowly as he closed the pouch, “…what punishment should they receive?”
Minister Li stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, if the accusation is true, the Xiao family cannot be shown leniency.”
The Minister of Revenue hesitated before saying, “Your Majesty, I urge caution. Even if certain members of the Xiao family have committed crimes, there are others who have remained loyal to the court. Perhaps only those directly involved should—”
He was cut off by Yan Lexian.
“Absolutely not! If traitors are allowed to escape punishment, how can justice be upheld? They must be severely punished!”
The emperor drew a slow breath and straightened on the dragon throne.
“In that case… Minister Li, Prime Minister Yan, what do you propose?”
Minister Li spoke first.
“Exterminating all nine generations of the clan would be excessively cruel. Instead, strip them of their noble title, confiscate their assets, and exile them to Nanling. That should serve as a sufficient warning to others.”
Yan Lexian quickly added,
“Your Majesty, Xiao Jinghe may escape execution, but he certainly cannot escape punishment. We must thoroughly investigate every act of treason he has committed. This humble minister is willing to share Your Majesty’s burden by personally leading the confiscation of the Duke Dingguo’s estate and purging these traitors for the throne!”
His impassioned speech earned several discreet eye-rolls from his fellow ministers.
Everyone knew Yan Lexian was notoriously greedy.
After his own fortune had been stolen the previous night, he was obviously hoping to replenish his losses by looting the Duke Dingguo’s estate.
Inspired by him, the other officials whose homes had also been robbed hurried to volunteer as well, each expressing their willingness to “share His Majesty’s burden” by participating in the confiscation of the Xiao family’s assets.
The emperor had little interest in the Xiao family’s wealth himself and didn’t mind letting his trusted confidants share the spoils.
After a leisurely nod, he made the final decision.
“Since the evidence is conclusive, Prime Minister Yan, you shall take charge of this case.”
Yan Lexian beamed with delight.
“This humble subject obeys Your Majesty’s decree!”