The emperor was not merely concerned about the phrase "the demonic Taoist will bring ruin to the kingdom."
What weighed heavier on his mind were the eighteen Jade Maidens who had perished in the "Eighteen Hells," bearing the burden of his sins in his stead.
The Jade Maidens were women of desire, proving that Heavenly Master Zhang had deceived him from the very beginning.
And Heavenly Master Zhang had been brought to him by Eunuch De!
A chill ran down Eunuch De’s spine as he sensed the emperor’s displeasure.
Yet, he showed no fear of the emperor’s wrath, casually bowing in a perfunctory manner.
"Your Majesty knows best of Heavenly Master Zhang’s capabilities. This servant believes he was framed by enemies, leading to his scandal with the Jade Maidens. It seems someone seeks to shake Your Majesty’s faith in the Dao and cut short your path to immortality."
Of course, he knew Heavenly Master Zhang was a lecher who indulged nightly with the Jade Maidens.
But what did it matter? The palace was already under his control—the emperor was nothing but a figurehead!
The emperor reflected on how, since embracing the Daoist path, his health had improved day by day, allowing him to bed multiple women each night with undiminished vigor.
Moreover, the Beichen Kingdom had enjoyed favorable weather, and no major crises had arisen in court affairs. Thus, he chose to believe.
"'The Phantom Thief' is audacious beyond measure, destroying our kingdom’s divine master and undermining our national fortune—a crime most heinous! Issue an imperial decree: whoever captures the Phantom Thief shall be rewarded ten thousand gold!"
Qi Yanzhou’s heart sank as he watched Eunuch De effortlessly manipulate the emperor.
Still, he pressed on, "Your Majesty, regardless of the truth, the people now firmly believe in the divine signs. If Heavenly Master Zhang is not dealt with, any future misfortune will be blamed on the 'demonic Taoist bringing ruin to the kingdom.'"
His words were tactful, but the emperor detected the underlying threat.
If Heavenly Master Zhang were spared, any future calamity would be deemed his fault!
"Heavenly Master Zhang is a man of the Dao. To execute him now, when he has been wronged, would be the act of a tyrant. Does Prince Chen wish to see me become a despotic ruler?"
With this accusation looming over him, Qi Yanzhou had no choice but to relent.
"Your servant is foolish. Your Majesty is wise."
The emperor set aside his displeasure and declared, "Prince Chen, continue your pursuit of the 'Phantom Thief.' As for Heavenly Master Zhang’s case, I entrust it to the Second Prince for a thorough investigation."
At this, the court understood—the emperor intended to protect Heavenly Master Zhang.
Officials aligned with the Second Prince promptly echoed, "Your Majesty is most wise!"
The emperor then turned to Minister of Works Gu Yuanshan. "Minister Gu, immediately select a site to rebuild the Purple Cloud Pavilion."
The alchemy chamber had burned, and the Tower of Ascension lay in ruins—ill omens demanding reconstruction.
Gu Yuanshan stepped forward to accept the decree. "This minister obeys."
Then, he glanced at Ye Jingchuan.
"Though I wonder if Minister Ye will allocate funds from the Ministry of Revenue for this project?"
In the years since the emperor had become obsessed with Daoist practices and immortality, he had ceaselessly constructed temples, held grand ceremonies, and purchased alchemical ingredients, draining the treasury.
Had taxes not been raised repeatedly and the estates of corrupt officials and merchants confiscated, the court would have long been unable to pay its officials.
But the emperor remained oblivious—Eunuch De had masterfully maintained the illusion of prosperity.
Ye Jingchuan winced inwardly at the mere mention of treasury funds.
Yet, he dared not oppose the emperor’s sacred project.
"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue can spare no more than ten thousand taels of silver for this endeavor."
Gu Yuanshan scoffed. "Minister Ye jests. Ten thousand taels wouldn’t even cover the cost of the timber required for the Purple Cloud Pavilion."
The pavilion demanded the most expensive golden nanmu wood.
The emperor’s displeasure turned toward Ye Jingchuan. "Does Minister Ye disapprove of my decision to rebuild?"
Ye Jingchuan immediately knelt. "Your Majesty, I would never dare! It is only that—"
Before he could explain the treasury’s dire state and the need to wait for autumn taxes, Eunuch De interjected.
"Your Majesty, do not trouble yourself. Minister Ye acts with your interests at heart. With rumors of 'the demonic Taoist bringing ruin to the kingdom' spreading, lavish spending now would harm your reputation and alienate the people."
The emperor despised nothing more than the word "people’s hearts."
As the sovereign, why should he care for the thoughts of lowly commoners?
"My pursuit of immortality is for the sake of all under heaven!"
"The people will surely recognize Your Majesty’s benevolence. Once the Second Prince clears Heavenly Master Zhang’s name, the Purple Cloud Pavilion shall not only be rebuilt but made grander than before."
Ye Jingchuan nearly fainted at the thought.
Even if the treasury were emptied, it wouldn’t suffice for such a project!
Still, delay was better than nothing. Once he was ennobled, he would resign as Minister of Revenue.
Though the emperor scorned the masses, he understood the adage: "Water can carry a boat but also capsize it."
"An’er, I give you five days to quell these rumors."
The Second Prince, Zhao Chengan, bowed. "As you command, Father."
Fatigued from a sleepless night, the emperor dismissed the court after concluding urgent matters.
Officials handed their memorials to Eunuch De before departing the Golden Hall, dispersing in small groups to discuss the Phantom Thief.
"What does the Phantom Thief seek? He steals and kills!"
"He clearly holds a grudge against Heavenly Master Zhang. If the emperor shields the state preceptor, will it provoke him further?"
"What if it does? His Majesty is the Son of Heaven—whether ghost or god, the thief must submit!"
"Let us pray he is captured soon, lest we become his next targets!"
As Qi Yanzhou walked the palace corridors, listening to these exchanges, a sense of powerlessness gripped him.
These officials knew Heavenly Master Zhang had corrupted the emperor and deserved death, yet none dared speak against him.
Even a thief had more courage than they!
Ningchu Courtyard.
"Achoo!"
Ye Chutang sneezed just as she prepared to step out.
Dan’er fretted, "Has the young mistress fallen ill? Should we summon a physician?"
Ye Chutang chuckled, ruffling Dan’er’s hair.
"One sneeze means someone misses me, two means they curse me, and three means a cold."
"Young mistress, be careful with your words! If overheard, others might think you... you..."
Ye Chutang supplied the term. "Yearning for love?"
Dan’er flushed. "Young mistress, you mustn’t say such things!"
"Very well. I won’t return for lunch."
As Ye Chutang left the Minister's Mansion, Ye Anzhi blocked her path.
His wounds still unhealed, his face bruised and his gait unsteady, he glared at her with fury, devoid of past lust.
"Stop! Give my mother the antidote now!"
His mother’s agonized wails from nearby Liuli Courtyard had robbed him of sleep all night.
Ye Chutang studied his exhausted, irritable expression and knew his concern was not for Kong Ru.
She retrieved a black pill from her spatial storage and forced it into his mouth.
"What you just swallowed is 'Gut-Rending Powder.' In three days, you’ll suffer as Kong Ru does—wishing for death."
Ye Anzhi’s eyes bulged. "Have you gone mad?"
He clawed at his throat, but Ye Chutang snapped his wrist and kicked him to the ground.
"Remember, your suffering stems from your mother. Kill Kong Ru before Ye Anling’s wedding, and I’ll give you the antidote."
"Oh, and don’t go spreading word of this poison—ruin my reputation, and the antidote vanishes."
