Chapter 5: Su Li, Silver-Tongued and Persuasive!

"Your Majesty!"
"I don't care, I don't care!"
Outwardly, Tang Yu played the fool, but inside, he was thoroughly delighted.
Ye Yue fixed her gaze on Tang Yu, and it took her quite a while to regain her composure.
"Very well, I agree." Seeing that Tang Yu was about to speak, she interjected, "Your Majesty, do not rejoice too early. Though I give you my word, before that, you must not overstep your bounds with me, or else you will bear the consequences."
The last four words were almost bitten out through clenched teeth.
Tang Yu shivered all over. If pushed too far, Ye Yue really might do something drastic.
He chuckled awkwardly, fearing she might change her mind, and hurriedly replied,
"Alright, alright, I promise you!"
As for other matters, there was no rush.
His gaze toward Ye Yue had subtly changed, as if he were looking at a betrothed not yet married, knowing she would be his wife sooner or later.
Ye Yue, knowing the matter was settled, schooled her features back into her usual cold composure and asked,
"What is the matter Your Majesty wished to discuss?"
Tang Yu glanced around to ensure no one was near, then stepped to Ye Yue's side and whispered in her ear.
Just as he began, Ye Yue dodged away, but Tang Yu pressed her shoulders and smiled,
"You'll be quite curious."
A look of puzzlement crossed Ye Yue's face, but as she listened to his next few words, her expression grew more complex until, at last, she looked more grave than ever before.
"Your Majesty, I will see to it at once."
...
The next day.
Along the official road in the palace, countless civil and military officials in brocade robes, embroidered with auspicious beasts, hurried anxiously to the morning audience. It was the first court session in a long time, announced so suddenly that none had been prepared.
"What happened? Did you hear? Early this morning, countless bodies were carried out of the palace—mostly guards, maids, and eunuchs. I heard they were all..."
A nearby official signaled him to be silent, and seeing no one else was within earshot, whispered,
"Do you have a death wish? They were all linked to Prime Minister Su—a matter of treason last night. All have been executed.
Prime Minister Su looks furious today—if he hears you, he'll use you as a scapegoat!"
"Yes, yes!"
The warned official nodded frantically, belatedly breaking into a cold sweat.
This was hardly a secret in Daxia anymore.
Overnight, Prime Minister Su's beloved daughter had been imprisoned, nearly a thousand people executed, their heads displayed on the palace gate's walls—merely a message for Prime Minister Su.
How could petty officials like them dare discuss such matters?
"Prime Minister Su."
A voice echoed out.
Instantly, the previously chattering crowd fell silent, bowing their heads as they hurried on.
Inside the Golden Throne Hall.
Tang Yu, clad in imperial yellow, crown upon his head, lounged against the Dragon Throne, eyes half-shut as he surveyed the assembled officials.
Civil officials stood to the left, military to the right. As they entered, all bowed deeply, crying,
"Long live Your Majesty, ten thousand years!"
Seated at the highest place, Tang Yu squinted, savoring the intoxicating taste of power.
He felt the touch of the Dragon Throne—so many had schemed and struggled for this very seat. Was this what it felt like?
To be worshipped by thousands, second to none, above all others.
And yet—
This throne was rightfully his, but someone had dared to covet it.
"Rise."
The simple command carried the weight of an emperor’s authority.
In just one night, he had adapted quickly. To be emperor—he’d watched enough dramas to at least act the part, let alone now, when he truly was the Son of Heaven of Daxia!
Only now did the officials dare lift their heads, though in this great hall, all shrank like ostriches, heads bowed low.
Tang Yu's gaze fell upon the instigator—Su Li!
In a corner, Su Li stepped forward and called out,
"Your Majesty, this humble servant has a petition."
His eyes were calm, betraying nothing of his thoughts.
Yet those few words changed the color of every courtier’s face; none dared look up, as though the entire court was ruled by him alone.
Tang Yu exuded an air of laziness, but his eyes were deep and sharp—none could afford to underestimate him.
"Speak."
He scrutinized Su Li—thin, frail, scholarly, with the air of a poor student and not the slightest look of a treacherous minister.
Yet a faint, inescapable sense of oppression emanated from him, and the vicious glint in his eyes could not be concealed.
Su Li slowly straightened, his gaze calm as he looked at Tang Yu, as if sensing something different about him.
"May I ask Your Majesty’s intention? Nearly a thousand were killed last night. Though lives are as grass, they are still subjects of Daxia. Such slaughter chills the hearts of all under heaven."
What a phrase—"as grass," what a charge—"slaughtering the people"!
He had immediately placed Tang Yu in the position of a fatuous, incompetent ruler. If word of this spread, what would the world think of him? There would be no shortage of rebels ready to rise up.
"Now the southern barbarians have repeatedly harassed our borders, yet Your Majesty does not send troops to punish them. Instead, you imprison the Empress? May I ask, what crime did Consort Su commit that Your Majesty could so mercilessly cast aside all sentiment?"
Tang Yu’s eyes lit up; he almost couldn’t help but exclaim in applause.
So this was Su Li?
His second statement accused him directly of ignoring foreign threats while attacking his own wife.
In short, it painted him as heartless and incompetent, caring neither for the nation nor the people.
Such an emperor—
If it came to forcing him to abdicate, who would object?
Even Tang Yu himself would not allow such a ruler to remain on the throne.
Ye Yue stood in an inconspicuous corner of the hall, arms crossed, looking at Tang Yu with concern.
This was why she could not move against Su Li.
If she did, Tang Yu’s throne would become unstable, and Daxia would surely fall into chaos.
Without the people’s hearts, could Daxia still be called a nation?
Disaster would inevitably follow, war upon war.
Tang Yu smiled lightly and retorted,
"Oh? Is Prime Minister Su unaware that Consort Su attempted assassination and plotted rebellion?"
He refused to believe this old fox didn’t know!
Su Li met the imperial gaze without fear, feigning ignorance and replying with a smile,
"Your Majesty, do you truly know my daughter better than I do? Since childhood, she has been innocent and playful, and you two were childhood companions. By nature, would Your Majesty not trust her?
I beg you, do not be swayed by slander."
As he spoke, he turned and fixed a dark, heavy gaze on Ye Yue and Murong Yun.
He had already learned the details last night and instructed Consort Su to insist she had nothing to do with the matter, blaming it on others.
The atmosphere turned icy.
Su Li, heedless of imperial authority, openly threatened Ye Yue and Murong Yun, sending chills down the spines of all present.
Tang Yu clenched his fists in secret. Just as the officials thought the emperor would yield—
He slapped the table and shouted,
"Insolent Prime Minister Su! Are you suggesting I have falsely accused Consort Su?!"
His tone rose, clearly daring Su Li to challenge him.
In that instant, every official looked stricken, as if shocked to the core. Had the emperor gone mad? On any other day, he barely dared to breathe!
Was this even the same emperor they knew?
Ye Yue, seeing the officials’ faces, couldn’t help but laugh aloud. It was a brilliant move—if Su Li dared answer, it would be an offense against the throne, and he could be punished for it!