Chapter 70: Even a Thief is Better Than This

The Emperor’s concerns weren’t just about the four words “demonic path destroys the nation.”

He was more troubled by the eighteen jade maidens who died in the “Eighteenth Layer of Hell,” who bore the sins for him.

The jade maidens were lustful women, indicating that Zhang Tianshi may have been deceiving him from the start.

And Zhang Tianshi was someone the imperial eunuch De Gonggong had found!

De Gonggong sensed the coldness in the Emperor’s words.

He wasn’t afraid of the Emperor’s wrath at all and casually bent over to perform a salute.

“His Majesty knows best the abilities of Zhang Tianshi. This servant believes he was schemed against by enemies, which is why he engaged in carnal acts with the jade maidens. It seems someone is trying to break the Emperor’s will to cultivate the Tao and cut off His Majesty’s path to immortality.”

Of course, he knew that Zhang Tianshi was a lecherous man, indulging with the jade maidens every night.

But so what? The palace was under his control, and even if the Emperor had old women inspect the jade maidens, they would only find they had just been deflowered.

Upon hearing De Gonggong’s words, the Emperor immediately believed him.

Since he began cultivating the Tao, his body had grown more and more debauched, and he was always energetic when sleeping with multiple women.

Moreover, the Northern Chen kingdom had been peaceful, with no major incidents in the court.

“The ‘ghost thief’ is audacious, ruining our national master and destroying our kingdom’s fortune. Such a crime is utterly heinous! Issue an imperial decree—whoever catches the ghost thief will be rewarded with ten thousand gold!”

Qi Yanzhou felt his heart sink when he saw how easily De Gonggong had fooled the Emperor.

He still tried to argue, “Your Majesty, regardless of the truth, the people firmly believe in the miraculous events. If Zhang Tianshi is not dealt with, whenever something happens, the people will always think of ‘demonic path destroys the nation.’”

He spoke tactfully, but the Emperor sensed the underlying threat.

If he didn’t kill Zhang Tianshi, any future natural or man-made disasters would be his fault!

“Zhang Tianshi is a cultivator. If he is framed, and I do not seek justice for him but take his life instead, that would not be the behavior of a wise ruler. Does the Prince of Chen want me to become a foolish ruler?”

With such a heavy accusation, Qi Yanzhou was silenced.

He wanted to tell the Emperor that there was no peace, only the suffering of the common people.

But he knew very well that no one could wake up someone who was pretending to sleep!

“I am ignorant, Your Majesty is wise.”

The Emperor suppressed his displeasure and said, “Prince Chen, you continue investigating the ‘ghost thief,’ as for Zhang Tianshi, I will have the Seventh Prince thoroughly investigate the matter.”

Upon hearing this, everyone knew the Emperor was protecting Zhang Tianshi.

Officials loyal to the Seventh Prince immediately said, “Your Majesty is wise!”

The Emperor looked at the Minister of Works, Gu Yuanshan. “Gu Aiqing, immediately select a site to rebuild the Ziyun Pavilion.”

The alchemy room had burned down, and the Tianjian Tower was also destroyed. It was unlucky, so it needed to be rebuilt.

Gu Yuanshan stepped forward to accept the order, “I will obey.”

Then, he turned to look at Ye Jingchuan.

“I wonder if Minister Ye’s department can allocate funds to the Ministry of Works for the reconstruction?”

The Emperor had spent the past few years focused on Taoist cultivation, continuously building Taoist temples, praying for good fortune, and purchasing alchemy materials, gradually draining the national treasury.

Had it not been for the recent tax hikes and seizing from some officials and merchants, they might not have been able to pay salaries.

The Emperor was unaware of these issues, as De Gonggong had always been covering up the financial troubles.

Ye Jingchuan felt a headache just hearing the request for silver from the Ministry of Finance.

He knew the importance of Ziyun Pavilion to the Emperor and didn’t dare to speak against it.

“Your Majesty, the Ministry of Finance can allocate at most ten thousand taels of silver to the Ministry of Works.”

Gu Yuanshan replied, “Minister Ye, are you joking? Ten thousand taels won’t even cover the cost of the timber for rebuilding Ziyun Pavilion.”

The timber used to build Ziyun Pavilion was the most expensive golden silk nanmu.

The Emperor looked displeased as he turned his gaze to Ye Jingchuan, “Minister Ye, are you dissatisfied with my decision to rebuild Ziyun Pavilion?”

Ye Jingchuan immediately kneeled, “Your Majesty, please understand. I have no such intention, it’s just…”

He was about to say that the national treasury was empty and would have to wait for the autumn harvest to replenish the funds, but he was interrupted by De Gonggong.

“Your Majesty, please do not be angry. Minister Ye is merely considering your reputation. With the rumors of ‘demonic path destroys the nation’ spreading, it would not be wise to spend large sums on rebuilding Ziyun Pavilion right now. It could harm your reputation and cause the people to lose faith.”

The Emperor hated the word “people’s heart” most of all.

He was the ruler of the nation, why should he care about what those lowly peasants thought?

“I seek immortality and the Tao for the sake of the people of the world!”

“Your Majesty is truly dedicated to the people, and the people will surely remember your kindness. Once the Second Prince clears Zhang Tianshi’s name, not only should Ziyun Pavilion be rebuilt, but it should be made even better.”

Ye Jingchuan’s vision blurred.

Even if the national treasury was drained, they still wouldn’t be able to rebuild Ziyun Pavilion!

But at least delaying for a while was better, once he was ennobled, he wouldn’t have to be the Minister of Finance anymore.

Although the Emperor looked down on the people, he understood the principle that “water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.”

“An’er, I give you five days to resolve the rumors.”

The Second Prince, Zhao Cheng’an, responded, “Yes, Father.”

The Emperor had not rested well the previous night, and after dealing with important matters, he dismissed the court.

After the officials presented their memorials to De Gonggong, they left the Golden Luan Hall and returned to their residences.

Officials gathered in twos and threes, discussing the “ghost thief.”

“What exactly does the ‘ghost thief’ want to do? He not only steals things but also kills people!”

“He clearly has a grudge against Zhang Tianshi. Will the Emperor’s protection of the national master anger him?”

“What if it does? The Emperor is the true dragon, whether he is a ghost or a god, he must be subdued!”

“I hope the ‘ghost thief’ is caught soon, otherwise, the next one to be stolen might be us!”

“…”

On the palace road, Qi Yanzhou listened to the discussions of the officials and felt a sense of helplessness deep inside.

These people clearly knew that Zhang Tianshi had caused disaster and death to the country, yet no one dared to speak up.

They were worse than thieves!

Ning Chu Courtyard.

“Achoo!”

Ye Chutang was about to leave when she sneezed.

Shan’er, concerned, asked, “Miss, are you feeling unwell? Do you need to see a doctor?”

Ye Chutang smiled and rubbed Shan’er’s head.

“One thinks, another curses, and then catches a cold. Someone must be thinking of me.”

“Miss, be careful with your words. If someone hears, they might think you… you…”

Ye Chutang smirked, “Thinking of love?”

Shan’er’s face turned red, “Miss, please don’t say such things again.”

“Tsk, I won’t be coming back for lunch.”

When Ye Chutang was leaving the Minister’s Residence, she was stopped by Ye Anzhi.

His injuries were still not healed, his face bruised and swollen, and he limped as he walked.

“Stop! Hurry and give my mother the antidote!”

There was no longer any desire in his eyes when he looked at Ye Chutang, only anger.

The Wenbo Courtyard was not far from the Liuli Courtyard.

His mother had been crying in agony all night, preventing him from sleeping.

Ye Chutang, seeing Ye Anzhi looking agitated and yawning, knew he wasn’t really concerned about Kong Ru.

She took out a black pill from her space and stuffed it into Ye Anzhi’s mouth.

“You just ate Duan Chang San. In three days, you’ll be in as much pain as Kong Ru. You’ll wish you were dead.”

Ye Anzhi stared at her in disbelief, “Are you crazy?”

He immediately started to gag, trying to vomit.

Ye Chutang quickly broke his wrist and kicked him to the ground.

“Remember, all the suffering you’re enduring is because of your mother. When Ye Anling marries, if you can kill Kong Ru, I’ll give you the antidote.”

“By the way, don’t spread the word about the poisoning. If you ruin my reputation, you won’t get the antidote.”