Chapter 75

Yan Donghuang ignored the eldest son of the Chu family, who was being punished, and Madam Chu’s pleading eyes and walked step by step into the main hall. She also ignored the pale and frightened expressions of the people kneeling on the ground and walked straight to the front of the emperor.

“These are the account books and registers I found in the secret compartment of Minister Chu’s study.” Yan Donghuang handed several account books and registers to Emperor Wu Lie. “Father, do you need to take a look?”

Emperor Wu Lie asked, “What account books?”

“Minister Chu accepted bribes, bought and sold official positions, embezzled military funds, used local officials to seize land from the people, and received regular tributes from court officials,” Yan Donghuang said. “The earliest records date back to twelve years ago.”

In her previous life, Yan Donghuang had seen these account books when the Chu family was raided.

Minister Chu’s corruption was not limited to delaying the military supplies that one time. Although that incident caused a delay in the supplies for the Qingluan Army, the estimated amount he embezzled from the military funds should not exceed one million taels—the real culprit for the delay was still Yan Ming. Therefore, a large part of the gold and silver in the Chu family’s treasury was accumulated from years of embezzlement.

Emperor Wu Lie did not look at the registers and account books, only saying, “Keep the account books and registers yourself.”

Yan Donghuang said nothing, putting the registers and account books into her bosom.

Emperor Wu Lie looked at Minister Chu: “Chu Jingyuan, do you have anything to say?”

Chu Jingyuan trembled and stammered for a long time: “I… I… I…”

“Enough, you don’t need to say anything more.” Emperor Wu Lie’s voice was calm. “Take him away.”

Two guards came in and dragged Minister Chu out.

“Minister Ye,” Emperor Wu Lie’s voice was calm, “Count the number of people in the Chu family, and execute them at the noon gate tomorrow.”

Minister Ye, the Minister of Justice, felt a chill in his heart and bowed his head: “Yes.”

“Father,” Yan Donghuang said calmly, “There are a few concubines and their illegitimate children in the Chu family who have been forced to live a life of hardship and are not even recognized in the family register. I think their lives can be spared.”

Emperor Wu Lie frowned slightly: “Donghuang, kindness, and softness are the greatest taboos for an emperor.”

“I do not consider myself a kind person, but I believe in distinguishing right from wrong,” Yan Donghuang said calmly. “They are indeed innocent, forced to comply, forced to bear children, yet unable to protect their own children. Their fate is already tragic enough, and it would be unfair for them to be implicated by the Chu family and executed.”

Emperor Wu Lie was silent for a moment, recalling Yan Donghuang’s unhappy childhood, and finally relented: “Minister Ye, spare the concubines and illegitimate children under fifteen who are not in the family register, and execute the rest.”

Minister Ye accepted the order: “I obey.”

“Go and handle it.”

“Yes.”

Minister Ye got up from the ground, his legs aching, but he did not dare to rub them and left stiffly.

Emperor Wu Lie looked at the people kneeling in the hall, his voice cold: “Does anyone have anything to say?”

Everyone kept their heads down, and the hall was silent.

“No one objects?” Emperor Wu Lie frowned. “Weren’t you all shouting loudly just now?”

Consort De’s face was pale and on the verge of collapse. Yan Ming was as stiff as a wooden sculpture, and his expression was wooden. The other princes were like frightened birds, keeping their heads silent. The ministers were even more silent. One Minister Chu had been executed along with his entire family, and his eldest son had been beaten to death outside the hall…

Even his family’s private matters had been exposed, and his life and reputation were destroyed overnight. Such a deterrent method was indeed in line with the emperor’s temperament.

Who else would dare to step forward?

“Since no one objects, the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Rites will prepare for the ceremony to establish the crown princess. The Ministry of Works will send people to repair the Eastern Palace, and Donghuang will move in on an auspicious day.” Emperor Wu Lie waved his hand. “I am tired. You may all leave.”

Prime Minister Pei was the first to get up. He was in his forties, and in his youth, he had practiced martial arts to strengthen his body, so he was still in good health. However, he was later busy studying and the imperial examinations, and after entering officialdom, he was busy with his career, so he neglected his martial arts training. Kneeling for such a long time was hard for him. But more than the physical discomfort, it was the mental pressure.

Prime Minister Pei’s gaze fell on the row of princes in front, watching Yan Ming stagger to his feet, his legs weak and unsteady, clearly due to fear and despair. The fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh princes were the same.
Although today’s punishment of Minister Chu had nothing to do with them, the emperor’s pressure was terrifying, and few could remain calm.

Outside the hall, the cries of the Chu family’s eldest son had long ceased, and his body had been dragged away.

Minister Chu and Madam Chu were also imprisoned, waiting for the Ministry of Justice to count the exact number of the Chu family members, and they would be executed at the noon gate tomorrow.

Yesterday, they were still influential relatives of the emperor and important ministers in the court, but tomorrow, they would be executed at the noon gate. Who wouldn’t be terrified? Who wouldn’t be scared?

The concubines were supported by palace maids, trembling as they left.
The princes were all pale, and before leaving, they looked deeply at Yan Donghuang, their eyes filled with doubt, unwillingness, resentment, and fear, very complicated. However, such looks did not affect Yan Donghuang at all; she didn’t even bother to respond.

As Emperor Wu Lie got up, he brushed off Rong Chun’s hand and signaled Yan Donghuang to help him into the inner hall: “Donghuang, do you have anything to add about today’s matter?”

Yan Donghuang helped him and walked into the inner hall: “I want to annul my engagement with Sheng Jing’an.”

Emperor Wu Lie looked at her in surprise: “Why?”

“I have someone I love.”

“That’s no problem,” Emperor Wu Lie said indifferently. “You are the country’s future ruler, and a harem is essential. Whoever you like, you can bring into the palace.”

Yan Donghuang said, “Sheng Jing’an cannot be in my harem.”

Although Emperor Wu Lie did not know why she was so determined, he thought for a moment and nodded: “Since that’s the case, I will give you an edict to annul the engagement, and you can use it when the time is right.”

The Duke of Zhenguo had been dead for less than a year, and annulling the engagement now would make people think that they were abandoning him after his death.

Yan Donghuang nodded: “Okay.”

She was not in a hurry. In her previous life, she married Sheng Jing’an two and a half years after the new emperor ascended the throne. At this time, Sheng Jing’an was still in mourning, unable to enter the court or get married, so there was no rush to annul the engagement.

In fact, even without this edict, she could find an excuse to sever ties with the Sheng family. In her previous life, Sheng Jing’an was easily used by Yan Ming. Before marrying her, he had already made Shen Yun pregnant, proving that he was not a man of integrity but a selfish, despicable, and spineless person. Such a person must have had many dirty deeds even in ordinary circumstances, and it would be easy to ruin his reputation.

Chapter 76

Palace maids supported Consort De as she stumbled out of the sedan chair. As soon as she stepped into the gate of Ganquan Palace, she collapsed to the ground.

“Your Highness!” The head palace maid, Hua Ping, hurriedly helped her up. “Are you alright, Your Highness?”

Alright?

Consort De was in a daze as she was helped up, almost being half-dragged and half-carried up the stone steps to the hall. Two palace maids supported her into the hall and helped her sit on the couch.

Consort De leaned against the brocade couch, exhausted and lifeless, her face as pale as a sheet.

Hua Ping poured her a cup of tea. “Your Highness, have some tea to warm up.”

Consort De stared at the tea in her hand, her expression changing from blank to venomous. Suddenly, she grabbed the cup and smashed it to the ground. “You wretch!”

Hua Ping and the other palace maids turned pale with fright and hurriedly knelt down.

“You heartless creature, after all I’ve done for her!” Consort De cursed, then suddenly burst into heart-wrenching sobs, crying out in despair and resentment. “Yan Donghuang, what have I ever done to you to deserve this? Why do you want to exterminate me completely? What did I ever do to you?”

“Your Highness, Your Highness!” Hua Ping quickly got up to stop her.

“Please be careful with your words!”

“What do I have to fear now that my entire family is gone?” Consort De’s voice was sharp, and her expression twisted. “I won’t let her get away with this. I will make her pay!”

She was determined to make Yan Donghuang pay for this!

“Consort De!” A woman hurriedly entered the hall. “I heard the Emperor will make the Grand Princess the Crown Princess? Is that true? It can’t be just a rumor, right?”

As she spoke, she saw Consort De’s face, pale as paper, and was shocked. “What… what happened?”

This woman was Noble Lady Wei, who lived in Ganquan Palace under Consort De’s jurisdiction.

Noble Lady Wei was not very old, only twenty-eight. She entered the palace late, held a low rank, and had no children. Because she was good at currying favor and being submissive, she had a relatively good life under Consort De and did not suffer much oppression.

Consort De had a temper and would lose control when things didn’t go her way, sometimes even crying and making a scene, but Noble Lady Wei had never seen her so disheveled and out of control, as if she had just experienced a great shock.

A sense of foreboding rose in Noble Lady Wei’s heart.

Consort De looked at her coldly. “Are you here to laugh at me?”

Noble Lady Wei quickly knelt. “I wouldn’t dare. Please, Your Highness, understand.”

Consort De propped her head up and sneered. “I can’t even protect myself now. Even if you laugh at me, I can do nothing to you.”

Since the Emperor had ruthlessly executed the entire Chu family, how could he care about her, Consort De? If she dared to do anything inappropriate, the Emperor would deal with her just as harshly.

Consort De lowered her eyes, a look of ruthless determination flashing through them. She couldn’t lose her position as Consort De. Even if she was out of favor, even if the Emperor despised her, she had to keep her position so that her son would have a chance to turn things around.

“Get up.” Consort De’s voice was tired and weak. “The Emperor has indeed made Yan Donghuang the Crown Princess. For this, he even executed my brother—just because my brother opposed the Grand Princess becoming Emperor, the Emperor unhesitatingly ordered the execution of the entire Chu family.”

Noble Lady Wei turned pale and panicked. “Then… then is Your Highness just going to accept this?”

Consort De mocked, “What else can I do? I’ve treated Yan Donghuang sincerely all these years, only to raise a wolf. It’s my own blindness that led to this.”

Noble Lady Wei was horrified, not expecting the Emperor to have the idea of making the Grand Princess the Emperor.

She steadied herself. “If the Grand Princess really becomes Emperor, Your Highness and the second prince’s lives will be in danger. Your Highness, the Emperor’s health is failing, and he doesn’t have much time left. We must quickly come up with a solution to change the Emperor’s decision.”

Consort De looked at her blankly, then suddenly thought of the account books and registers in Yan Donghuang’s hands, a glint of hope appearing in her eyes. “Yan Donghuang found a register and several account books in the Chu family. If I remember correctly, your father’s name should be on that register.”

Noble Lady Wei turned pale. This was exactly what she feared. If the Chu family were directly executed, it would be fine. However, if the Ministry of Justice interrogated them or the Crown Princess continued investigating officials with ties to the Chu family, the Wei family would also be doomed.

Noble Lady Wei clenched her hands, telling herself to stay calm. She needed to find a way to turn the tide.

“Your Highness, when did the Emperor order the execution of the Chu family?”

“…Tomorrow.” Consort De twisted the handkerchief in her hands, staring intently at Noble Lady Wei. “Do you have a way to save them?”

Noble Lady Wei’s face changed. Tomorrow? That meant they only had one day to come up with a plan?

Noble Lady Wei’s mind raced. After a moment, she lowered her voice. “Please dismiss everyone.”

Consort De raised her hand. “Everyone, leave.”

Hua Ping stood up and led the palace maids out, bowing as they left.

“Your Highness,” Noble Lady Wei stepped forward and whispered, “If the Emperor were to die suddenly…”

Consort De’s heart skipped a beat.

“The Emperor is going to die anyway.” Noble Lady Wei gritted her teeth. “As soon as he dies, the princes will immediately start fighting for the throne. Who would agree to have Yan Donghuang become Emperor? The ceremony to establish the Crown Princess hasn’t been held yet. If we insist that the Emperor was bewitched… the civil and military officials probably wouldn’t agree to a woman inheriting the throne.”

Consort De was shocked, and her heart pounded. She wanted to stand up, but her legs were weak, and she could only sit back down, shaking her head slowly. “No, Yan Donghuang has military power. If there is a rebellion, she is still the most likely to succeed.”

“Has Your Highness forgotten about Sheng Jing’an?” Noble Lady Wei narrowed her eyes. “Sheng Jing’an is the Crown Princess’s fiancé and has inherited the title of Duke of Zhenguo. The old duchess has just lost her husband and needs comfort. If she invites Yan Donghuang to the duke’s residence, would Yan Donghuang refuse?”

Consort De twisted the handkerchief in her hands, thought for a moment, and slowly nodded. “You’re right.”

“The Crown Princess and Sheng Jing’an grew up together and have a deep bond. She should trust Sheng Jing’an completely.” Noble Lady Wei took a deep breath. “Consort De can find a way to get some colorless and tasteless poison and have the old duchess put it in Yan Donghuang’s tea. Once Yan Donghuang is dead and the Emperor dies suddenly… the princes will be too busy fighting for the throne to care about the Chu family. Wouldn’t that buy time for the Chu family?”

Consort De’s face was filled with fear. To poison the Emperor and Yan Donghuang? This was extremely dangerous. One mistake… one mistake could lead to the execution of their entire families.

Consort De was in a panic, but then she thought about the Chu family’s imminent execution tomorrow.

What could be more terrifying than that?
Whether it was the execution of three families or nine, what difference did it make to her?

As long as there was a glimmer of hope, she couldn’t give up.

“If the old duchess can’t do it, isn’t there still Princess Fengyang?” Noble Lady Wei thought for a moment, her voice turning colder. “Princess Fengyang and the Crown Princess are very close, having depended on each other since childhood. If Princess Fengyang takes action, the Crown Princess will surely fall into the trap.”

Consort De forced herself to calm down and slowly nodded, a murderous intent gradually appearing in her eyes.

She was right. For the sake of the Chu family and Yan Ming, she had to take the risk.

Yan Donghuang, don’t blame me for being ruthless. You brought this upon yourself.