Chapter 98

Minister of Punishments Wei Chenmu lowered his eyes, displeasure on his face, but said nothing.

As for the Minister of Personnel... Fine. She admitted she did not dare look at him.

She only knew he sat there without moving or speaking.

Why had he come to the council when he had not attended once since losing his memory? He had always clung to her, chattering and wheedling at her side. Yet from beginning to end, he had not said a word about her new appointment. It was as if his memories had returned overnight and he had finally seen their tangled history for what it was.

"Lord Nian, is this ledger your evidence that Lord Zhu took bribes and embezzled funds?"

His Majesty's voice pulled her back from her thoughts. She looked down and saw him bend to pick up the book that had left a red mark on her cheek, then turn its pages carefully.

As he read, Nian Youyu raised his brows and began listing her crimes. "The Library Pavilion burned to the ground. The plans for rebuilding it were already prepared by the previous Minister of Works. All he had to do was follow them, yet he insisted on finding a way to line his pockets. The sand and stone, bricks, timber, even the labor costs are nearly three times the market rate. Where could the difference have gone, if not into the pockets of His Majesty's new favorite, Minister Zhu?"

His Majesty examined every page before closing the ledger and turning his gaze to her. Her reddened cheek still throbbed faintly. "Lord Zhu, do you have an explanation for what Lord Nian has said?"

Zhu Bafu frowned. She had known that becoming an official meant staking her head on her hat: if one rose, so did