The Golden Luan Hall.
The court officials had been waiting for a long time, assuming the Emperor would once again skip morning court today. Faint whispers, barely suppressed, had already begun to spread below.
Someone quietly glanced at the Left Chancellor standing at the head of the civil officials—Wei Chengdong, the former Grand Tutor. His back was ramrod straight, and though his temples had gone gray, he still stood there, steady and unmoving.
Right Chancellor Yuan Zhang caught sight of him from the corner of his eye, and the corner of his mouth curled almost imperceptibly.
So what if he had once taught His Majesty? The Emperor of today was capricious, mercilessly suppressing even the meritorious officials who had helped him ascend the throne.
“Lord Yuan, will court be dismissed today?” someone asked.
Before Yuan Zhang could answer, Wei Heci spoke up: “His Majesty has not arrived, and Eunuch Ji has not come to deliver any message. Why is Lord Liu in such a hurry?”
This was Wei Chengdong’s eldest son, the Rank-Two General of Agile Cavalry. The official called Lord Liu choked, not daring to talk back for the moment.
Yuan Zhang smiled. “General Wei, calm yourself. It’s just that it’s already the hour of Chen, and His Majesty—”
“What of the hour of Chen?” Wei Heci was not one to smile, and years of campaigning had given him a rough, soldierly air. “Until His Majesty speaks, Lord Yuan, as a subject, it is only right that you wait here all day if need be.”
Yuan Zhang’s smile did not waver, but his eyes slowly darkened.
After waiting a while longer, the light in Wei Chengdong’s eyes as he gazed at the throne gradually dimmed.
But the very next moment, a eunuch’s shrill, ringing voice resounded through the entire Golden Luan Hall:
“His Majesty arrives—”
Many eyes lit up. His Majesty had actually come?!
The Emperor, clad in bright yellow court robes, wearing his crown with the sash of rivers and mountains, walked with steady steps toward the throne.
The officials below knelt in unison, crying out “Long live the Emperor!”
“Those with matters, report. Those without, withdraw—”
All officials of Rank Seven and above in the capital could attend the grand court assembly. With His Majesty making a rare appearance, the ministers below threw themselves into their reports with all their might.
Yuan Zhang stood with head bowed beneath the vermilion steps, his hand quietly tightening around his tablet.
He cast a glance, and immediately an official stepped forward from behind.
“Your Majesty, the post of Vice Minister of War has long been vacant. Your subject has a candidate to recommend.”
“Whom does Lord Zhang recommend?”
Minister Zhang, head lowered, declared in a loud voice: “Your subject recommends Wang Qian, Commander of the Imperial Guard. Wang Qian is highly skilled in martial arts, has served in the Imperial Guard for many years with verifiable achievements, and was once deeply favored by the late Emperor. He is an excellent choice.”
He Yanchen’s emotionless gaze fell upon him, and he said flatly, “It seems Lord Zhang holds him in high regard.”
“Yes. Your subject ventures to recommend him and begs Your Majesty to decide.”
He Yanchen toyed with the jade thumb ring on his hand, his sword-like brows arching slightly. “Such fine skills—wouldn’t posting him to the Ministry of War be a waste of talent?”
Before Minister Zhang’s smile could fully form, a voice came from above: “By Our decree, Wang Qian is to be sent to guard the late Emperor’s mausoleum. He departs today, and may not return without an imperial edict.”
The moment the words fell, the Golden Luan Hall fell dead silent.
Minister Zhang’s mouth opened and closed, but it took him a long while to get out a single sentence: “Your Majesty, this—”
“What is it? Did you not say, Lord Zhang, that Wang Qian is highly skilled in martial arts and deeply favored by the late Emperor?” He Yanchen’s voice was languid. “Having him guard the late Emperor’s side is a blessing for the late Emperor.”
Hearing this command, Wei Chengdong swallowed the words of protest he had been about to offer.
Yuan Zhang’s mouth twitched. He closed his eyes briefly. Sent to the imperial mausoleum—the man would be utterly finished.
“Minister Zhang, We have heard that a Vice Director in the Ministry of War embezzled tens of thousands of taels of silver from the military examination funds. Is this true?”
Minister Zhang swallowed hard and said in a trembling voice, “Yes, Your Majesty. I have suspended him from duty and will await the Court of Judicial Review’s findings before deciding his punishment.”
“Embezzling tens of thousands of taels of silver, and all he gets is a suspension?” He Yanchen’s eyes turned suddenly cold and sharp. “It seems to me your Ministry of War is nothing but officials shielding one another—an utter disgrace!”
Minister Zhang’s legs gave way, and he crashed to his knees with a thud. “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I only wished to wait until the matter was fully investigated before taking action…”
“In my view, there is no need for an investigation. The Vice Director of the Ministry of War is to have his household confiscated and be beheaded as a public example.”
“As for you.”
He Yanchen rose to his feet, his deep, pool-like black eyes narrowing slightly. “Drag him out and beat him to death with rods right outside the Golden Luan Hall.”
Minister Zhang collapsed to the ground at once. “Your Majesty! Your Majesty, spare my life!”
Many court officials also knelt and pleaded for mercy.
But He Yanchen simply flicked his sleeve and left, letting the officials who wished to plead remain kneeling where they were.
Zhuoyu Palace.
Lianqiao walked in carrying a bowl of cream custard. Yue Li was leaning against the daybed, lost in thought, and it took her a couple of breaths to come back to herself.
“Is the morning court session over?”
Lianqiao nodded and leaned in to whisper, “Mistress, I heard that today at court, His Majesty banished one man to the Imperial Tombs, confiscated another’s household, and had the Minister of War beaten to death outside the Golden Luan Hall.”
Yue Li slowly savored the custard and said, “They must have committed some offense, then.”
Lianqiao choked. “Well… I suppose that’s true…”
“Since they committed offenses, what’s wrong with His Majesty punishing them?”
Yue Li thought that it was only because the realm was at peace now. The late Emperor had ruled with a gentle hand, so the court officials simply weren’t yet accustomed to He Yanchen’s iron-fisted methods.
She had a deep bias in He Yanchen’s favor and didn’t believe he had done anything wrong.
He had saved her life—how could he be a bad man?
“Has His Majesty returned to Linde Hall?”
Lianqiao nodded, then shook her head. “I’m not sure, but in any case, he hasn’t entered the inner palace.”
Yue Li hastily set down her porcelain bowl and climbed up from the daybed. “Quick, help me change into different clothes. I’m going to see His Majesty.”
“Mistress, you only just went to see him yesterday…” Lianqiao was somewhat exasperated. Why was the imperial presence, in her mistress’s eyes, like a marketplace she could visit whenever she pleased?
Yue Li saw nothing improper in her behavior. Ever since she had been reborn yesterday, whenever she was away from He Yanchen, she felt an inexplicable restlessness in her heart.
She changed her clothes on her own and set off for Linde Hall with her attendants.
But as she passed through the Imperial Garden, someone blocked her path.
In the pavilion, Consort Jin was playing with the First Prince, with Beauty Zheng standing nearby.
The First Prince had been born to Beauty Zheng, but as her rank was too low to raise an imperial child, he was brought up under Consort Jin’s care.
Strangely enough, both the First Prince and Noble Consort Lin’s First Princess had been born three years ago, in the princely residence before He Yanchen ascended the throne. Yet in the three years since his coronation, not a single consort in the palace had borne a child.
In her past life, only Concubine Yi had briefly been pregnant for a few months before miscarrying.
Consort Jin’s maid, Qinxin, stepped in front of Yue Li.
“Beauty Yu, Consort Jin requests your presence.”
Yue Li entered the pavilion and bowed with bent knees. “Your servant pays her respects to Consort Jin.”
Consort Jin, holding the First Prince, said with a slow smile, “There’s no need for such formality, Beauty Yu. Please, sit.”
“Where might you be headed, Beauty Yu?”
Yue Li paused a moment before replying, “The sky has finally cleared today, so I came out for a stroll.”
Consort Jin knew that Yue Li had been heading toward the Emperor’s quarters earlier, but she didn’t call her out on it. Yue Li was beautiful and favored, but of lowly birth. If she could be used for Consort Jin’s benefit, she would be an asset—and there was no worry of her rising above Consort Jin’s head.
Consort Jin wanted to win her over, and for once lowered herself to chat with her. But Yue Li, whether out of foolishness or pretense, simply refused to take the bait.
Consort Jin’s expression gradually darkened. She said coldly, “They say Beauty Yu is a clever one. Now that I’ve met you, it’s certainly true.”
Yue Li smiled bashfully. “Oh no, it’s just the kind flattery of my sisters.”
Consort Jin: “…”
Seeing her coy manner, Consort Jin couldn’t tell for a moment whether she was truly dim-witted or just pretending.
She lost interest, her face turning cold. “I still have to keep the First Prince company. Beauty Yu, you may withdraw.”
“Yes. This concubine will take her leave then.”
Yue Li rose to depart, but as she passed the First Prince, she saw him stretching out his little short arms, reaching to grab the jade pendant hanging from her waist.
She instinctively moved to step back. She dared not let the Emperor’s only little prince touch her—if anything happened to him, the blame might fall on her.
Beauty Zheng had remained silent all along, merely watching the First Prince at Consort Jin’s side. Only when he reached for the jade pendant on Yue Li did her eyes flicker with movement.
Before Yue Li could even react, she hurriedly scooped up the First Prince and shoved Yue Li away.
Her movement was so sudden that Yue Li lost her footing and hastily braced herself against the pavilion pillar.
But the pillar was not smooth—its surface was covered in fine, rough protrusions. Instantly, a glaring red scrape was drawn across the woman’s fair wrist.
“My lady…” Lianqiao hurried to support her.
The pain made a mist of tears well up in Yue Li’s eyes at once.
For Consort Jin’s sake, she could endure it. But who did Beauty Zheng think she was, daring to push her?
She couldn’t take it anymore!
Right now! Immediately! This instant, she was going to go file a complaint!