Chapter 16: The Looming Crisis

"I will obediently follow you to Nanman... I want revenge... I want that self-righteous wretch to pay the price!"

"What does the Noble Consort wish me to do?"

"Come closer, lend me your ear."

After hearing Noble Consort Su's plan, Yaksha did not immediately agree. He hesitated, saying, "If things get out of hand..."

Seeing his wavering resolve, Noble Consort Su stomped her foot in frustration and spoke venomously, "Yaksha, are you refusing to obey me?"

At this, her expression changed. She stroked her hair, forcing a smile, and seized Yaksha’s rough hands in both of hers, cooing, "Yaksha, you’ve been in the Prime Minister’s residence since childhood, like a brother to me. You wouldn’t stand by and watch me be bullied like this, would you?"

Yaksha, faced with this demeanor, could no longer restrain himself. He blurted, "Yaksha will obey everything Miss commands."

Noble Consort Su, hearing him call her "Miss" rather than "Noble Consort," smiled knowingly. "Then I’ll wait right here for your good news tomorrow."

After Yaksha left, Su Xin’er, face twisted with disgust, rubbed her hands vigorously on her clothes, muttering to herself, "Hmph, now not only the barbarians covet me, even a lowly servant dares to have desires. Tang Yu, Ye Yue, all of this is thanks to you treacherous lovers. If I do not avenge myself, I am unworthy of being Su Xin’er!"

The Palace of Moon Gazing was a unique presence within the imperial palace, specially prepared for Ye Yue by the late Empress Dowager, and usually no eunuch or maid was allowed near.

Silvery moonlight filtered through the carved windows and fell upon Ye Yue, who was meditating, casting her in an aura of sanctity.

"Ah, what is wrong with me..." Ye Yue opened her eyes once more, glancing at the incense burning nearby.

For years, she had no need for incense to aid her meditation, yet tonight, inexplicably, she could not calm her mind.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

The sound of the night watch echoed outside; the hour was late.

"Your Majesty... you are so vigorous..." Lan Jieyu’s tender hands traced Tang Yu’s chest, whether intentionally or not.

Tang Yu chuckled, "I’ve neglected my beloved concubine for so long; how could I not make up for it with some effort?"

Lan Jieyu blushed, burying her face in Tang Yu’s embrace, murmuring, "Your Majesty..."

Tang Yu laughed heartily, thoroughly delighted.

"Your Majesty... there’s something I wish to ask, but I’m not sure if I should..."

"My love, ask whatever you wish."

Lan Jieyu’s beautiful eyes flickered as she tentatively inquired, "I heard... I heard that Noble Consort Su attempted to assassinate Your Majesty... I wonder... I wonder how Your Majesty intends to deal with her?"

She asked because she knew Noble Consort Su’s reputation in the harem. While she was pleased to have received the emperor’s favor, it was also a double-edged sword. Should Noble Consort Su return to power, her own days would be numbered.

Tang Yu, seeing her thoughts, reassured her, "Her? Rest assured, my love, she will never again wield power in the harem."

Lan Jieyu’s eyes lit up with joy, "Truly?"

"I am the Son of Heaven. My word is law; it is true."

Lan Jieyu threw herself upon Tang Yu, laughing, "Let me serve Your Majesty once more..."

She thought to herself, such a rare opportunity... she must seize it. If she could be the first to bear the imperial heir, she would never again fear Noble Consort Su.

Tang Yu happily indulged himself; the two lost themselves in passion, entwined on the bed, oblivious to the coming dawn.

The next day, Tang Yu rubbed his aching waist as he left Lan Jieyu’s chambers, thinking that this first time was an exception, and he must exercise restraint in the future, or his days would be numbered.

Eunuch Feng stepped forward and reported, "Your Majesty, Commander Murong has arrived and waits outside the hall. Su Huan, Shi Lei, and the other ministers are already in the side chamber, awaiting Your Majesty."

Tang Yu’s face twitched, instantly understanding those emperors who lamented, 'The spring night is short, the morning comes too soon; from now on the sovereign no longer attends court early.' The court was just recovering; he could not afford any laxity.

"Let’s go, to the side chamber."

Eunuch Feng had thought that after last night’s exertions—and with Ye Yue absent—the emperor would surely take the opportunity to slack off. Yet, to his surprise, the emperor was truly reformed.

Thinking thus, he couldn’t help but feel pity for Tang Yu. "Your Majesty, the sun is still low; perhaps it would be wise to rest a bit before attending to matters?"

Tang Yu waved him off. "No need."

Upon stepping outside, he found Murong Yun approaching to pay his respects. Tang Yu asked, "Has there been any activity at the Prime Minister’s residence these past days?"

Since his rupture with Su Li, Tang Yu had ordered Murong Yun to keep the Prime Minister’s residence under close surveillance.

Murong Yun replied respectfully, "Many officials have been gathering at the Prime Minister’s residence daily, not leaving until nightfall."

"Have you recorded all their names?"

Murong Yun answered, "Every one."

"Hmph, such people still have no idea whose favor to seek even now. Their years have truly been wasted!"

The two proceeded to the side chamber. Not seeing Ye Yue’s familiar figure, Tang Yu felt unsettled and said to Eunuch Feng, "Order the imperial kitchen to prepare some of Miss Ye’s favorite dishes and send them over."

Eunuch Feng smiled, "Yes, I shall arrange it at once."

Murong Yun and the other ministers smiled at these words. They all feared the emperor might one day lose his wits and fall under the spell of that seductive consort. Now they were glad to see his affections tangled with Ye Yue instead.

"Your Majesty, these are the Ministry of Revenue’s accounts I have compiled over the past few days. Time was short, so this is only a rough summary; the details need more time," Shi Lei reported as soon as Tang Yu sat down.

Tang Yu glanced at the stack of accounts nearly as tall as the table and marveled inwardly—Shi Lei truly was capable.

"Is there anything amiss?"

Power is intangible, but silver is real. So Tang Yu planned to strike Su Li first through the accounts.

Su Li had controlled the court for so long that his cronies treated the Ministry of Revenue as their personal treasury. Their greed was boundless and impossible to conceal in the accounts.

As soon as Tang Yu asked, Shi Lei replied angrily, "Your Majesty, the accounts are not merely amiss; they are shocking! These men have embezzled so much silver, they no longer bother to keep proper records! Even a cursory glance reveals discrepancies everywhere!"

Tang Yu had expected this, so he smiled, "Since the accounts do not match, let those responsible explain. Minister Shi, draft a list of all officials involved. Commander Murong, I’ll trouble you to have them arrested."

Tang Yu stood, waving his hand grandly. "Let us begin with the Ministry of Revenue, peeling away Su Li’s claws and scales inch by inch!"

Shi Lei, Murong Yun, and the others witnessed this imperial vigor and all bowed low, chanting, "Long live the wise Son of Heaven!"

Just as they finished the Ministry of Revenue’s affairs, Eunuch Feng rushed in, panting as he supported himself at the door. "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"