The Palace of Ten Thousand Longevities was grander than Jade Brilliance Palace, so the square outside was naturally far more spacious as well.
Nor was it merely large. The square held all manner of statues and sculptures, along with flowerbeds planted with lush evergreen pines. Quiet and fresh.
Yet within a hundred meters of the Palace of Ten Thousand Longevities itself, there were no tall trees—only a few sculptures and bits of flowers and grass for decoration.
After all, Jiajing had quite the affinity for fire. One had to be exceedingly careful.
Wang Yan followed Lu Fang at an unhurried pace, his eyes admiring the sculptures around them.
Lu Fang smiled. "The suggestions you made were quite good. His Majesty takes a walk here every morning to look around."
"How could I possibly offer suggestions, Eunuch Lu? I merely thought we should spend more money so His Majesty could enjoy himself more. Silver should not be spent for nothing, after all."
"You are capable indeed. No wonder His Majesty values you most highly. Xu Jie and Gao Gong, all they think about is how to make His Majesty spend less, or even nothing at all. But with all the people and horses in the palace to feed, how could expenses possibly be cut? Only you have tried every means to bring money to His Majesty, afraid His Majesty might lack funds to spend."
"As a minister, it is only right to relieve His Majesty's worries. Xu Jie and the others are traitorous scoundrels. They commit vile deeds, yet still want a clean name for themselves. They are hypocrites to the extreme, shameless beyond measure."
Lu Fang had long since grown used to Wang Yan cursing Xu Jie whenever he found the chance. After all, Wang Yan had been cultivated by