Emperor Jinyuan rested his hands on the dragon throne, taking in everyone's petty schemes.
His expression darkened when his gaze landed on Xiao Yu, who was fast asleep with his eyes open.
A moment later, he looked away.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Seeing Emperor Jinyuan's displeasure, the ministers instantly fell silent.
This only made Xiao Yu's snores all the more conspicuous.
The ministers' expressions shifted.
How dare this mere brat behave so outrageously at court?
Utter insolence!
Some officials standing nearby even whispered among themselves, privately condemning Xiao Yu as an arrogant, ill-mannered whelp.
The Advising Grandee could bear it no longer and stepped forward to impeach him-
"Ahem!"
Emperor Jinyuan coughed heavily in warning.
Xiao Yu slowly woke.
He glanced up at Emperor Jinyuan, then turned his head away, ignoring him.
[You incompetent emperor!]
[If you dared drag me out of bed before dawn, you should have expected this!]
Emperor Jinyuan: "..."
To save face, he turned to the other ministers and said casually, "My ministers, present your memorials if you have any."
The ministers' hearts lurched. The incompetent emperor's gentle tone and the hint of a smile on his face all pointed to his being in a good mood today.
This was bad!
Something major was bound to happen soon!
The ministers all frowned.
They considered what significant matters might have escaped their attention lately, hoping to prevent events from slipping beyond their control.
Uneasily, they glanced toward Chancellor Cui. Seeing him as composed as ever eased their minds considerably.
But the next moment, Senior Grand Secretary Su stepped forward, and their hearts leaped into their throats again.
"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present."
Su Yan stepped forward and said, "I heard Your Majesty mention a few days ago that the treasury was empty and military funds were running short. I am willing to do my humble part by donating a hundred thousand taels for our soldiers on the border!"
A hundred thousand taels!
For the senior grand secretary, who had always prized thrift, that amounted to his entire fortune!
If they donated, they could hardly be too stingy or hold anything back!
The ministers' faces instantly turned green.
Damn you, Su Yan!
His Majesty had finally forgotten about this. Why did you have to bring it up again?
Besides, hadn't His Majesty just confiscated the Vice Minister of War's property? They had heard that a million taels had entered the treasury!
How was that empty?
Their own pockets were emptier!
"Excellent! Excellent! Minister Su, how public-spirited of you!"
Emperor Jinyuan rose delightedly. "Minister Su, you truly are a pillar of the nation and my trusted right hand!"
He did not forget to cast a sidelong glance at the other ministers afterward.
His meaning was obvious: Your turn.
The other ministers could not help looking toward the chancellor. Seeing him remain unshakably calm, they relaxed and decided to wait a little longer.
After Emperor Jinyuan finished speaking, Xiao Yu saw the court fall utterly silent. The other ministers seemed to have swallowed something that rendered them mute, not uttering a sound.
He lifted his eyes slightly.
[Sure enough, the moment donations come up, everyone retreats into their shells... Looks like having my uncle take the lead isn't enough.]
"I, too, am willing to donate a hundred thousand taels toward military pay," the Minister of Judicial Review said, stepping forward.
[Oh? Which official is this? He knows what's what!]
Emperor Jinyuan said, "Excellent! Minister Shen, how public-spirited of you!"
[His surname is Shen. Could he be Shen Wuji, the Minister of Judicial Review renowned for his uncanny skill at solving cases?]
Shen Wuji's steps faltered.
[What a pity he'll be replaced by an impostor in just two days!]
Emperor Jinyuan could not help looking at Shen Wuji. "..."
Even Su Yan could not resist glancing at him.
Shen Wuji: "??"
[Anyway, why has everyone suddenly gone quiet again? Is no one else donating?]
[Looks like I'll have to step in myself.]
Emperor Jinyuan: "..."
Couldn't he finish explaining one thing before moving on? He still wanted to know who would replace Shen Wuji!
Shen Wuji: "..." Who exactly was going to replace me, and what did that person intend to do with my identity?
Xiao Yu stepped forward. "To ease your pressing difficulties, Elder Imperial Brother, I am willing to donate the private savings I have accumulated over many years."
He deliberately stressed "accumulated over many years" to emphasize their importance.
"Very good! Despite his tender age, Prince Yu already understands loyalty to his sovereign and love for his country... You truly are my good imperial brother!" Emperor Jinyuan said without meaning a word of it.
He might have believed him if he had not known that Xiao Yu had just confiscated the commandant's estate.
Even a twelve-year-old child knew to share his sovereign's burdens. The ministers could no longer stand idle and began stepping forward to donate.
With a full treasury, there would be no need to fear floods, droughts, or other natural and man-made disasters next year, nor the displacement of the common people.
Emperor Jinyuan was delighted.
Seeing that almost all the ministers had donated while Chancellor Cui at the front had yet to make a move, the smile immediately vanished from his face.
"...Does the chancellor not intend to contribute as well?" he asked.
Chancellor Cui stepped forward unhurriedly. "I am ashamed, Your Majesty!"
"I failed to teach my daughter properly, allowing her to lose sight of right and wrong and harm Your Majesty. I have been unable to eat or sleep in peace!"
"To atone for my daughter's sins, I have already given away my entire fortune to provide porridge to the starving across the country for a hundred days!"
"I have not a penny left and truly cannot afford another donation..."
Chancellor Cui spoke through tears, making the corner of Emperor Jinyuan's eye twitch.
"Your thoughtfulness is appreciated, Chancellor..." he said consolingly.
Whether that thoughtfulness was genuine or concealed ulterior motives remained unknown.
But given such a charitable deed, he could hardly keep pressing the matter.
"Having ministers such as you is a blessing for me and for the people of the Jin Kingdom!"
The matter of military donations was concluded.
Emperor Jinyuan asked, "Do any of you have further memorials to present?"
Having just lost a considerable sum, the ministers felt as though a piece of flesh had been carved from their hearts. How could they have any interest in presenting memorials?
Seeing no one step forward, Emperor Jinyuan continued on his own. "Since no one has a memorial, I have an announcement to make."
"The nation is now peaceful, the people secure, and the treasury full. With the crisp autumn weather, both the season and circumstances are favorable. Such an auspicious time is fitting for a joyous occasion."
"Consort Wan, of the Fang family, is pure-hearted and discerning, endowed with virtue and talent, gentle and gracious. She has won my deepest affection. I hereby appoint her empress, to govern the Jin Kingdom at my side and serve as a model mother to all under heaven-"
"Your Majesty, you must not!"
The ministers dropped to their knees. "Fang suffers from madness and behaves strangely. How can she be made empress?"
"Who says she is ill? She merely misses her child! What, do none of you have mothers or children in your families?" Emperor Jinyuan demanded angrily.
The ministers: "..."
The Advising Grandee stepped forward. "Your Majesty, setting aside that Consort Wan's birth is inferior to that of Consort De, the Worthy Consort, and the other consorts, she has no son. The imperial succession is the foundation of the nation. That reason alone makes Fang unfit to be empress..."
Consort De was the Protector General's daughter, the Worthy Consort was the Prince of Zhennan's niece, while Consort Wan was merely the Vice Minister of Justice's daughter.
Seeing them treat his Wanwan with such disdain,
Emperor Jinyuan's face immediately fell, and his gaze turned icy.
He looked at them, his tone edged with severity. "Are you questioning my virility?"
"I am only thirty-eight, young and strong. If I want an imperial son, I can have one anytime!"
The Advising Grandee had not expected Emperor Jinyuan to speak so bluntly. His old face flushed crimson, and he froze on the spot, speechless.
The other ministers likewise lowered their heads, their faces reddening.
Who would dare question His Majesty's virility?
Just listen to that ringing voice and look at his vigorous stride! With such strength, fathering a child every year or two in three years would surely be easy!
[Shameless.]
[This incompetent emperor is getting more shameless by the day, talking obscenities in broad daylight at court!]
[You can have an imperial son anytime? Can you give birth yourself? You still need my imperial sister-in-law to agree! What's the point of fantasizing all on your own?]
Caught short by those words, Emperor Jinyuan flushed bright red.
The brat was right. He had indeed been a little rash. Wanwan would still have to agree.
The thought of his Wanwan sent his heart fluttering and his imagination wandering.
Then he suddenly remembered that he was still holding court and shook his head.
Begone, impure thoughts!
He glanced at the utterly insubordinate Xiao Yu, then turned back to the ministers.
"Have you forgotten that I have already appointed a Crown Prince?" he continued. "Why worry that the succession has no heir?"
The ministers: "..."
They had nearly forgotten that there was still a Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace.
But was he not the deposed empress's son?
Judging by His Majesty's current attitude, he did not seem to intend to depose him...
It seemed they would have to pay closer attention to developments in the Eastern Palace.
Seeing the ministers begin to relent, Emperor Jinyuan glanced at Chancellor Cui and continued, "On the day of the empress's investiture, a general amnesty shall be granted!"
"All prisoners shall be released except those sentenced to death for treason or murder for financial gain. Consorts deposed for wrongdoing may also have their ranks restored!"
After hearing the final sentence, Chancellor Cui lowered his eyes.
He sent a meaningful glance to one of his students.
The man immediately stepped forward. "Your Majesty is benevolent! Your imperial grace knows no bounds!"
The other ministers could only echo him. "Your Majesty is benevolent! Your imperial grace knows no bounds!"
[The incompetent emperor really is going all out for my imperial sister-in-law. He's even restoring Consort Cui's rank! Isn't he afraid she'll poison him again?]
[Still, after this incident, she should behave herself for a while.]
Emperor Jinyuan looked entirely confident.
He was not worried about Consort Cui at all.
If she knew what was good for her, he could overlook her past deeds. After all, she had yet to harm him in this lifetime.
If she remained unrepentant, he could banish her to the cold palace just as easily as he could restore her rank.
Having achieved his goal, Emperor Jinyuan had no interest in further wrangling with these crafty old men. He swept his sleeve and declared, "Court is dismissed!"
Before you continue