Lou Jianshan’s unfocused eyes remained fixed on the ministers.
Cold sweat had long since soaked the ministers’ backs. As they stared at the grim figure standing with his hands behind him, they felt both fear and reverence. His Majesty was even more terrifying than before!
Knowing that he was doomed, Liu Xi lay on the ground in despair and allowed the Dragon Shadow Guard to come forward and take him away.
Yun Yaoyao’s gaze swept over the ministers. “Fang Wucheng, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards!”
Fang Wucheng hurried out of the line. “Your subject is here!”
“Lead the Imperial Guards to the residences of the Ministry of Revenue officials listed in the records of crimes. Seize their property and send them to the Imperial Prison!”
“Your subject obeys!”
Fang Wucheng left the secret chamber in a whirlwind.
That low, icy voice rang out once more.
“Zhou Siren, Vice Minister of the Treasury Department, went undercover in the Ministry of Revenue, gathered evidence of their crimes, and eliminated a great threat. He has rendered outstanding service and possesses both virtue and ability, as well as exceptional courage and resolve. Since the position of Minister of Revenue is vacant, Vice Minister Zhou shall take the position in due course!”
“Lin Qingti, Compiler of the Hanlin Academy, devised strategies and laid out the overall plan. Brilliant and resourceful, he has contributed greatly to the purge of the Ministry of Revenue. He is hereby promoted to Erudite of the Hanlin Academy!”
“Di Shunzhi, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, faithfully fulfilled his duties and worked in perfect coordination with the others. He, too, has rendered meritorious service. I shall grant him one wish, which he may present to Me at any time in the future.”
“As for the remaining rewards, once the Lou family’s property has been confiscated, the three of you will be richly rewarded!”
Di Shunzhi was extremely satisfied with His Majesty’s reward. If he rose any higher, he would have even less time to write his novels. His current position suited him perfectly.
And this wish was an excellent reward. It would be just the thing to let him confess that he was actually Master Wealth and Prosperity. His Majesty truly understood him!
Di Shunzhi knelt on the ground, his eyes filled with gratitude—and a cloying, almost nauseating devotion. “Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Zhou Siren, meanwhile, dropped to his knees with a thud. His fervent gaze was fixed on that stern and dignified face, tears glistening in his eyes.
He had originally thought he would have to outlive Lou Jianshan before he had any chance of rising to the position of minister. Yet he had never expected that His Majesty’s previous promise of the ministerial post was not an empty consolation. His Majesty had genuinely recognized his abilities and taken him into consideration.
For such a wise ruler who valued him and treated him sincerely, Zhou Siren was determined to follow him to the ends of the earth.
“This humble subject thanks Your Majesty!”
“This humble subject swears to follow Your Majesty until death!”
This time, every word came from the depths of his heart.
Lin Qingti likewise knelt on the ground, his emotions surging. “This humble subject thanks Your Majesty!”
What a pity that Yun Liang was not here. He could not personally witness the moment Lin Qingti returned to glory.
But it did not matter. He would be next.
Guan Wanyu stood quietly to one side, watching the few who had received rewards with undisguised envy. Yet when she thought of her current circumstances, that envy turned into bitterness.
They were powerful people who stood at the top. As for her, after what had happened, she had become mud that anyone could trample beneath their feet.
She had been forced to abandon all dignity and sell her beauty just to win a sliver of hope for survival.
What right did she have to envy them?
Lost in thought, she vaguely heard that cold, commanding voice ring out again.
“Guan Wanyu, a commoner, went undercover at Liu Xi’s side alone, obtaining intelligence and securing the account books. Quick-witted and resourceful, she possesses both courage and wisdom, and I greatly admire her. Therefore, she is hereby appointed an official and made Palace Affairs Officer.”
The Palace Affairs Officer was a relatively low-ranking position among female officials, responsible for matters concerning the palace gates and inner chambers.
However, genuine female officials had existed only during the Jing Dynasty, four hundred years ago. Ever since then, the position had remained merely ceremonial, with female officials lumped together with imperial consorts and granted no real authority.
The moment these words were spoken, the ministers—who had been barely maintaining their composure—immediately lost it.
“Your Majesty, we have no objection to your promotion of Vice Minister Zhou and the others for their efforts in eliminating the Ministry of Revenue. But this woman is merely a commoner—and a woman at that! How can a woman serve as an official?”
“I second that motion. Women should remain in the inner quarters, support their husbands, and raise their children. To enter court service and expose themselves to the public—what kind of propriety is that?”
“Your Majesty, if this precedent is set, all rules and order will be thrown into chaos. This must never be allowed!”
“Your Majesty! A woman without talent is virtuous…”
Yun Yaoyao flung back her sleeve and looked at them with a cold laugh. “Which article of the Yanchi Dynasty’s laws states that women may not become officials?”
“Guan Wanyu went undercover at Liu Xi’s side alone, uncovered a great deal of valuable intelligence, and obtained the most crucial account books. Which one of these accomplishments is not merit? Tell me—could any of you have done the same?”
“A woman without talent is virtuous?” Yun Yaoyao sneered. “If women had no talent, how could they manage your inner households so efficiently and keep your estates in perfect order?”
“If women had no talent, then the daughters in your families would not all be skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, nor would they be so adept at needlework. Music, chess, calligraphy, and painting cultivate the spirit, while needlework gives them a practical skill. If that is not talent, then what is?”
“A mere low-ranking female official is enough to make all of you panic, enough to supposedly bring the entire order of society crashing down? Then what use are you ministers?”
“You might as well all smash your heads against the dragon pillars in Xuanzheng Palace at tomorrow’s morning court!”
The ministers’ faces reddened beneath her scolding. Though they remained dissatisfied in their hearts, they could find no grounds to argue. Their lips trembled as they sighed and lamented, ultimately accepting the decision in silence.
Tears slid soundlessly down Guan Wanyu’s face. Yun Yaoyao’s words continued to echo in her heart. She fell to her knees, unable to calm the turmoil within her for a long while.
In the end, all the words she wished to say became a single sentence.
“This commoner… this humble subject thanks Your Majesty! I, Guan Wanyu, swear to follow Your Majesty until death!”
Yun Yaoyao gave Guan Wanyu a slight nod. “Mm. Rise.”
Yun Yaoyao had not originally considered creating a female official position. But Guan Wanyu’s performance this time had genuinely pleased her, and Yun Yaoyao was willing to give her another chance.
They were both women, and Yun Yaoyao knew how difficult the path could be. As for what came next, that would depend on Guan Wanyu’s own abilities and fortune.
Tu Shanjin stared intently at Yun Yaoyao’s back. Through this body of his, he saw another intelligent and powerful being.
She did not follow convention. At times she was lazy and casual, yet that only made her forward-thinking nature and distinct personality stand out all the more.
There seemed to be some kind of magic about her, drawing people’s eyes to her despite themselves.
Seeing that matters had more or less been settled, Yun Yaoyao raised her foot and prepared to leave the secret chamber.
She had felt as though breathing was becoming somewhat difficult.
Could it be because the chamber was sealed and the oxygen was running low? With so many people breathing in here, would they soon run out of air?!
If they did not open the secret passage immediately, they might all die together!
With that thought, Yun Yaoyao quickened her pace. She did not forget to take Tu Shanjin’s hand as she strode toward the passage.
As she passed the entrance, her foot happened to catch on Gao Chongguang’s body.
Yun Yaoyao was just about to pull her foot back when a muffled groan came from the ground. Gao Chongguang slowly opened his eyes.
“Your… Your Majesty…”
Yun Yaoyao: ?! Lou Jianshan had stabbed straight through him, and he still wasn’t dead?!
Making Gao Chongguang a key part of the plan had been Lin Qingti’s idea. When she first heard it, she had thought it was brilliant. Then she had wondered whether her uncle, beneath that exterior as pure as green bamboo, might be hiding a dark and calculating heart—and whether he had deliberately used the plan to get revenge on Lou Jianshan.
Still, she had not felt much sympathy. With the way Gao Chongguang conducted himself, he was bound to run into trouble sooner or later—or end up being carried straight to his funeral.
She had never expected him to survive.
What a scourge. They really did live for a thousand years!
Yun Yaoyao ordered, “Send for the physician from the Lou family residence.”
“Your… Your Majesty…” Gao Chongguang sobbed. “That old bastard Lou Jianshan attacked me from behind and tried to kill me! He has no sense of honor!”
Gao Chongguang lodged his complaint while coughing up a mouthful of blood. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Lou Jianshan, dead with his eyes still open. He first burst out laughing, then launched straight into a taunt.
“His Majesty is wise, mighty, and considerate of his ministers—he avenged me! You mangy cur, you wanted to kill me, but who would’ve thought you’d turn your own birthday celebration into a memorial service? Are you mad about it? If you’re angry enough to come back to life, then come and try to kill me again! Hahaha!”
“Pfft!”
In his excitement, Gao Chongguang spat out another mouthful of blood.
He panicked and shouted at the Dragon Shadow Guard, “Hurry and call the physician from the estate! I feel like I can’t breathe—I’m about to die! Get the physician here and save me! Boo-hoo!”
Yun Yaoyao: “…”
Out of sight, out of mind. She quickly took Consort Tu by the hand and left.
This time, the confiscation of the Lou estate and the estates of the other corrupt Ministry of Revenue officials lasted a full seven days.
One fully loaded cart after another emerged from the various estates and headed for the imperial palace, eventually making its way into the treasury.
The treasury, which had once stood empty, was not only filled to the brim after this haul—the unused palaces within the imperial compound had to be commandeered to store everything as well.
Even so, a great deal of gold, silver, jewelry, antique paintings, porcelain, and other valuables remained.
Every day after court, Yun Yaoyao would go to the treasury, leaving the palace servants with the solemn, contemplative silhouette of her back. In reality, she was grinning from ear to ear and laughing like a goose.
There was no room left—none at all! There was so much that the treasury simply couldn’t hold it!
Lou Jianshan was rich enough to rival a nation, while the Ministry of Revenue was practically dripping with wealth. That wasn’t an exaggeration!
Now there was plenty of money not only for the canal project, but for the imperial family to spend as well.
Yun Yaoyao spread her arms wide as the autumn wind whipped her robes around her.
This feeling of being the richest person in the entire country was absolutely amazing!
She, Yun Yaoyao, was now the wealthiest woman in the Yanchi Dynasty!
From now on, everyone could call her Rich Lady!
