Chapter 125

After the morning court session, in the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Apart from the Minister of Works, Qi Jian, who was absent, all the other ministers of the Six Ministries had gathered there, along with Di Shunzhi, the Chief Justice of the Dali Temple.

The new trusted aide, Gao Dexiang, was like a blooming social butterfly, enthusiastically exchanging pleasantries with the other officials.

He put his well-honed skill at flattering people to full use. Before long, he had hit it off with all the emperor’s other trusted ministers.

“Minister Gao, you certainly have a way with words. Listening to you is like basking in a warm spring breeze.” After hearing all those pleasant words, Zhou Siren felt that even his mildly aching hemorrhoids had improved considerably.

“Not at all, not at all. It is speaking with Lord Zhou that has truly broadened my horizons,” Gao Dexiang replied with a smile.

The members of Yaoyao’s trusted faction all got along harmoniously—except for the Minister of Justice, Yan Qinghong, who sat in a corner, staring at everyone with a dark, twisted grin and letting out sinister cackles.

A flicker of suspicion passed through Ning Shouli’s aged eyes.

His Majesty had summoned his trusted ministers to discuss the imperial expedition. So why was that terrifying Yan Qinghong here?

Could it be…

As he pondered this, two figures entered the study.

Yun Yaoyao smiled and nodded at the gathered officials. “Sit.”

The trusted ministers hurriedly turned toward His Majesty.

Tu Shanjin said, “Sit. The empress will accompany me on this southern expedition.”

Lin Qingti and the others quickly took their seats, their darting eyes shifting between their emperor and empress.

What was going on? They couldn’t shake the feeling that something was strange.

His Majesty, who had always been approachable and warm, had suddenly become more distant and cold. Meanwhile, the usually aloof and noble empress seemed remarkably friendly.

As His Majesty’s loyal subjects, they had never believed the rumors. His Majesty was still His Majesty—the wise ruler who recognized their talents, employed them, and trusted them. Whatever happened, they would remain eternally loyal to him.

Under the table, Yun Yaoyao was viciously pinching Tu Shanjin’s thigh.

He couldn’t act so cold and intimidating in front of his trusted aides!

Tu Shanjin understood at once. He turned toward his ministers and forced a smile that was meant to look as kind and benevolent as possible.

“My loyal ministers, the weather has grown cold lately. Be sure to wear more layers.”

•ᴗ•

Yun Yaoyao: “…”

She had told him to smile kindly, not to smile like something out of the underworld!

What was the difference between this and a middle-aged man trying to relate to young people by sending them a death smile emoji?!

Yaoyao rubbed her forehead, looked up at the ceiling, and let out a deep sigh.

As expected, the members of Yaoyao’s faction immediately shivered. Inwardly, they wondered whether they had somehow offended His Majesty.

“Let’s discuss serious matters.” Yun Yaoyao stepped in to save the situation and formally introduced Yan Qinghong. “Lord Yan is one of His Majesty’s eyes planted in the imperial court. He was instrumental in eliminating the Du faction, and he deserves considerable credit.”

The members of Yaoyao’s faction were once again awed by their emperor’s abilities and methods.

After playing a role for so long and wearing his mask for so many years, Yan Qinghong found himself somewhat unaccustomed to finally revealing his true identity.

After much thought, he made a suggestion to Tu Shanjin. “Your Majesty, this humble subject is willing to continue serving as the eyes you have planted in the imperial court. I can stab any treacherous official in the back at a moment’s notice and secretly clear away every obstacle in Your Majesty’s path!”

Tu Shanjin nodded. “Granted.”

Yan Qinghong was satisfied. He continued immersing himself in his dark, villainous persona and let out another low, sinister chuckle.

The members of Yaoyao’s faction: “…”

The group began discussing the details of the imperial expedition to quell the rebellion in Shu.

One had to admit that Tu Shanjin was rather capable in this regard.

With a single move, he arranged every aspect of the campaign swiftly and decisively.

This time, Yun Yaoyao didn’t need to think or say a word. All she had to do was listen.

As the saying went, “A monk strikes the bell for every day he is a monk.” She had spent each day pretending to be the emperor and having a breakdown, and now she could finally take a break~~

As the discussion drew to a close, the members of Yaoyao’s faction began arguing over who should accompany His Majesty and the empress to Shu.

Although Lord Ning was already advanced in years, his decades of experience commanding troops and fighting battles were not to be underestimated. He therefore volunteered to go.

Lin Qingti might not be much of a fighter, but he was exceptionally resourceful—almost unnaturally clever—and wished to accompany the army as its strategist.

Di Shunzhi revealed his trump card: he was none other than the “Gentleman of Fortune.” He might be neither a skilled warrior nor a brilliant strategist, but he knew how to control public opinion. After all, whoever won the hearts of the people would win the realm.

Seeing that the others were still arguing, Yun Yaoyao quietly added, “Lord Ning’s military achievements are illustrious, so you have an even more important task: you must guard the capital for His Majesty. Lord Di will assist you.”

“For this campaign, Lord Lin and Lord Ning’s beloved daughter, Ning Ying, will accompany us.”

“After all, when husband and wife work together, their combined strength can cut through metal.”

“Lord Lin, rest assured. Once the rebellion in Shu has been put down, His Majesty will arrange your marriage to Ning Ying~”

Tu Shanjin hurriedly echoed his wife’s words. “The empress is right. That is how we shall proceed.”

The moment he finished speaking, the study fell utterly silent.

Lin Qingti, whose face had always been pure and unblemished, as calm and pale as still water, showed an emotion called embarrassment for the very first time.

He looked at Ning Shouli, whose eyes had widened, and gave an awkward laugh. “Lord Ning, about this…”

Ning Shouli roared, “I regarded you as a fellow official, yet you regarded me as your father-in-law?!”