Qin Zheng heard the urgent report and knew it was Qi Yanzhou's scheme, finally easing his tense heart.
Eunuch De immediately stopped the imperial guards from arresting Qi Yanzhou.
"Wait a moment."
After speaking, he turned to the Emperor, whose face was dark with anger.
"Your Majesty, it would be wise to hear the urgent report first before punishing Prince Chen."
The Emperor could clearly see that the urgent report was Qi Yanzhou's doing!
Furious, his chest ached, but he had no choice but to relent.
The common people were already deeply dissatisfied with him. If he wrongly punished Qi Yanzhou, he would be branded a tyrant!
"All of you, step back. Bring the urgent report forward and read it!"
The imperial guards quickly withdrew from the throne hall, and a eunuch presented the report to Eunuch De.
Opening the memorial, Eunuch De read aloud, "Heavy rains in the Jiangnan region have persisted for over half a month, causing severe flooding. Over twenty cities have been submerged, with more than ten thousand casualties and countless displaced. Thousands of acres of fertile farmland have been destroyed. We humbly request Your Majesty to allocate provisions and funds for disaster relief. Submitted by Suzhou Prefect, Guan Hong."
As soon as the words were spoken, the officials erupted into discussion.
"Jiangnan is the kingdom's granary. With the spring planting ruined by floods, this year's harvest will surely plummet."
"Over twenty cities flooded—the cost of relief in silver and grain will be staggering."
"Money is the least concern. The real fear is that with so many dead, a plague will spread once the skies clear."
"If the displaced masses aren't properly settled, chaos will surely follow."
Qin Zheng seized the moment. "If the people learn how severe the flooding is, they will surely blame Zhang the Taoist for his evil deeds, believing the heavens have cursed Beichen Kingdom. Rumors against Your Majesty will only grow worse!"
A censor added, "With the 'Eighteen Hells' and 'Taoist Dooms the Kingdom' scandals, followed by Zhang the Taoist killing children for elixirs, the people will see every misfortune as divine retribution for Your Majesty's patronage of such a monster."
"Your Majesty, to quell public anger and restore faith, we implore you to issue an Edict of Self-Reproach."
Three censors knelt in plea.
Officials with a shred of conscience—long discontent with the Emperor—followed suit.
"Your Majesty, issue the Edict of Self-Reproach!"
Seeing the Emperor trembling with rage, Eunuch De fanned the flames.
"Your Majesty, issue the Edict!"
At this, over half the court officials knelt.
"Your Majesty, issue the Edict of Self-Reproach!"
Their voices thundered, shaking the palace.
The Emperor, enraged beyond measure, spat blood and collapsed into darkness.
The court descended into chaos.
Some worried for the Emperor's health, while others fretted over the unresolved Jiangnan disaster.
Eunuch De swiftly declared, "This court session is adjourned. The Edict and Jiangnan relief will be decided once His Majesty revives."
He ordered attendants to carry the Emperor to his chambers and summon imperial physicians.
As officials dispersed at dawn, the streets were still quiet, save for breakfast vendors hawking their wares.
Qi Yanzhou headed to a teahouse for morning tea.
Before long, news of the Jiangnan floods spread like wildfire.
Ye Chutang had retired early and risen with the sun.
After sipping spiritual spring water, she practiced martial arts in the rear courtyard.
An hour later, as daylight crept in, her maids finally stirred.
Dan'er and Le'er fetched ingredients from the main kitchen to prepare breakfast.
Upon returning, Dan'er brought news of the Jiangnan floods and the Emperor's impending Edict of Self-Reproach.
Ye Chutang knew the wretched Emperor would never issue such an edict willingly.
Curious, she asked, "Who forced his hand?"
"This servant doesn’t know, but the master surely does."
Wiping sweat from her brow, Ye Chutang said, "Heat water for my bath while cooking."
Hongxiu emerged from the side chamber. "Young Mistress, this servant will prepare the water."
"Good. Summon me when it's ready."
With that, Ye Chutang sat cross-legged on the veranda, meditating with steady breaths.
Once Hongxiu had the bath ready, she freshened up.
After her bath, she took out brush and paper, copying three timeless poems.
Post-breakfast, she summoned Steward Chen and handed him the calligraphy.
"These are the pieces Second Prince requested. Deliver them at once—ten taels of gold per scroll."
Amid recent chaos, she’d nearly forgotten this golden opportunity.
Steward Chen accepted the papers, hesitating.
"Young Mistress, the Second Prince is imperial nobility. Sending a servant to collect payment is beneath his dignity."
"Whether he receives them or not matters little—only the gold does. If he refuses, have the servant make a scene. Since he asked for these, he wouldn’t dare lose face by reneging."
Steward Chen: "..."
Any servant who dared such theatrics wouldn’t return alive!
But the master had warned not to cross the Young Mistress lately. Her word was law.
"This old servant understands."
Once Steward Chen left, Hongxiu knelt before Ye Chutang.
Her tongue injury had healed well; though her speech remained slightly slurred, it was clear.
"Young Mistress, this servant can never repay your lifesaving grace. Now that I’ve recovered, may I retire to the countryside estate?"
Staying in the Minister's Mansion only dredged up memories of Young Master Ye Anzhi’s torment.
Nightmares plagued her sleep.
She longed to leave, to heal fully before returning to serve.
Noting the shadows under Hongxiu’s eyes, Ye Chutang nodded.
"I’ll arrange a carriage at once. Part of the estate burned down, but you may stay while repairs are made."
She’d intended to wait until Hongxiu’s tongue fully healed.
Hongxiu kowtowed in gratitude.
"Young Mistress, this servant has savings. I’ll handle the repairs myself."
Ye Chutang didn’t insist, helping her up.
"Very well. Are any from Wenbo Courtyard joining you?"
"When I asked earlier, Xiu'er and Xinghua wished to come."
Many maids had suffered under Ye Anzhi, but those remaining believed he’d reformed—that the mansion was safer than the countryside.
"Tell them to pack. You leave within the hour."
"Yes, Young Mistress."
As Hongxiu left for Wenbo Courtyard, Ye Chutang found Steward Chen to arrange the carriage.
Task done, she headed toward Liuli Courtyard but encountered Ye Jingchuan returning home.
After court, Ye Jingchuan had met officials over tea to discuss Jiangnan’s crisis.
The devastation demanded three thousand tons of grain and two hundred thousand taels of silver.
Though Beichen had enjoyed bountiful harvests lately, the treasury—emptied by the Emperor’s excesses—held under five million taels.
Officials’ salaries and military pay alone cost a million monthly, barely sustainable till autumn.
Any extra expenditure pained him.
Spotting his agitation, Ye Chutang asked, "Father, I heard the Emperor must issue an Edict of Self-Reproach. Who orchestrated it?"
"Prince Chen. Why do you ask?"
"Just curiosity."
"Stop gallivanting with men. It invites ridicule."
Ye Chutang scoffed. "Let them mock me to my face at the Minister's Mansion. I’ll send them home in tears!"
Ye Jingchuan: "..."
Utterly impossible to reason with!
"Chu'er, you—"
Ye Chutang had no interest in listening to Ye Jingchuan’s lecture and cut him off immediately.
“They all pretend to be noble gentlemen, yet gossip behind people’s backs—utterly shameless!”
“Father, if anyone dares to mock me again, use those words to shut them up.”
With that, she gave Ye Jingchuan a pat on the shoulder and headed straight for Liuli Courtyard.
