Chapter 95

The atmosphere in the study was somewhat oppressive.

Prime Minister Pei had just convinced himself to accept the Grand Princess’s regency, but now the Grand Princess had done something shocking, forcing the court officials to protest directly outside her residence.

Taking in four male concubines at once?

This behavior… how is it different from a tyrant forcibly taking women?
Prime Minister Pei’s expression was pale, and after several attempts to speak, he finally said earnestly, “The Grand Princess, now the heir apparent, will eventually ascend to the throne. The three palaces and six courtyards are indispensable. Even if you want to fill the harem now, you should follow the rules for taking concubines, and moreover…”

He paused slightly, then continued frankly, “Isn’t it too humiliating for the sons of officials to become male concubines directly? If this matter escalates, it could be fatal to the Grand Princess’s reputation.”

Grand Tutor Qi nodded slowly, “The Grand Princess must have her reasons, but if this matter is not handled well, it will indeed greatly damage her reputation.”

Yan Donghuang sat in her chair, silently looking at the two old ministers, her expression slightly dazed.

Although Prime Minister Pei was somewhat stubborn, he was trustworthy. He wholeheartedly served the ruler and the people and had nothing to criticize. Grand Tutor Qi, as the Emperor’s teacher, was diligent and responsible. He had an upright family, and his children were all outstanding and without faults.

Yan Donghuang respected these two. So, she spoke honestly, without being too harsh, explaining the situation: “Princess Fengyang sent a message yesterday saying she was pregnant and invited me to the Marquis of Pingyang’s residence today to share the good news.”

Prime Minister Pei was slightly surprised. So, the Grand Princess did not deliberately leave them in the Qin Zheng Hall but went to the appointment because Princess Fengyang was pregnant?

Yan Donghuang picked up her teacup: “When I arrived at the Marquis of Pingyang’s residence, a servant led me to sit in the warm pavilion in the garden. None of the hosts came out. Do you think that’s normal, Prime Minister?”

Prime Minister Pei frowned, “It’s not normal. According to the rules, whether you are the heir apparent or the Grand Princess, the hosts, starting from the old lady, should come out to greet you and entertain you grandly.”

Even for ordinary guests, the host should not leave them alone in the garden.

“Princess Fengyang invited me, and the Marquis of Pingyang invited Shen, Sheng, Wei, and Du to the residence. They were talking loudly and venting their anger right next to the East Garden where I was.” Yan Donghuang smiled faintly, “Only a wall separated us.”

Prime Minister Pei was stunned and instinctively turned to look at Grand Tutor Qi.

Grand Tutor Qi was thoughtful.

The two old ministers were silent for a moment. One was the head of all officials, and the other was the Emperor’s teacher. Regardless of other aspects, at least their minds were sharp, and they wouldn’t lose in playing mind games. For this obviously clumsy scheme, they quickly understood the cause and effect, realizing it was a setup by the Marquis of Pingyang and Princess Fengyang.

“So, they didn’t know you were in the East Garden, which is why they dared to criticize the Emperor and insult you so recklessly?” Prince An, Yan Ling, frowned, “But the Marquis of Pingyang must have known. What was his purpose?”

“Purpose?” Yan Donghuang’s lips curled slightly, “Perhaps to let me hear how the sons of officials criticize me, hoping I couldn’t bear the criticism and insults and would give up on ascending the throne?”

The study was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

Yan Donghuang’s expression was cold, “They said the Emperor was senile, that my chastity was in question, that no man would want to share a wife, and… In short, if the Emperor heard what they said, it would be enough to execute their entire families, leaving no one alive.”

Feng Yaoguang said coldly, “So, Your Highness is still too kind. In my opinion, you should directly send troops to imprison their four families and execute them in three days. Let’s see if they dare to cause trouble outside the Grand Princess’s residence again.”

Grand Tutor Qi glanced at Feng Yaoguang. Although he respected military generals, he didn’t always agree with their tough and crude methods. After a moment of contemplation, he asked, “How does Your Highness plan to handle this matter?”

“Although I hold military power, I am not bloodthirsty.” Yan Donghuang said calmly, “Besides, if I really killed all the court officials, who would do the work? Since the Marquis of Pingyang orchestrated this, let the Shen, Sheng, Wei, and Du families go to him for an explanation. Shen Jingyan had his tongue cut off; the Shen family will be the first not to let this go.”

As for the sons of the other three families, they were still relatively intact, though those hundred slaps might have knocked out some teeth. But with them in hand, their families would still listen.

“Your Highness,” Yan Ling said gently, “Princess Fengyang has always been close to you. If this matter escalates, won’t it make her situation difficult in the Marquis’s residence?”

Yan Donghuang looked at him calmly, “She is a royal princess. Does she need to live under the Marquis’s thumb?”

“That’s not what I meant, but…”

“Everyone must bear the consequences of their actions.” Yan Donghuang’s voice was cold and ruthless, “No one is an exception.”

Prince An lowered his eyes, looking sad and disappointed, seemingly distressed by the current estrangement among siblings.

Yan Donghuang stopped the topic and picked up a memorial from the desk: “There is news from Jizhou that heavy rains in the summer flooded the crops, causing severe losses in the autumn harvest. Now, with the winter snow disaster, the people have almost no food for the winter and urgently need the court to send relief. Has the Prime Minister sent anyone to investigate this matter?”

Prime Minister Pei was slightly surprised, “Jizhou?”

“Yes.” Yan Donghuang’s voice was calm, “This matter needs to be investigated quickly, and reliable officials should be arranged to handle the disaster relief.”

After speaking, she looked up at Prime Minister Pei, her tone particularly stern, “Disaster relief funds, like military pay, are my bottom line. Anyone who dares to tamper with them, I will exterminate their entire family!”

Chapter 96

Today’s imperial city is in utter chaos. Due to the Grand Princess suddenly taking in male concubines, the households of the involved officials are in an uproar. After protesting at the Grand Princess’s residence, several officials went to the Marquis of Pingyang’s residence to demand an explanation.

The Marquis of Pingyang was forced to hide at home, not daring to come out. After being turned away at the Grand Princess’s residence, Yan Yushu returned to the Marquis’s residence only to hear about the officials causing a commotion. Feeling uneasy and not knowing how to appease the angry ministers outside, she hurried back to her room with her maids.
Neither she nor her husband dared to show their faces. But Shen Yunshan and Minister Du are both powerful court officials, so how could they let them hide?

The four officials split up: Minister Du questioned the servants, Shen Yunshan barged in to see the old lady of the Marquis’s residence, and Sheng Lanfeng sent for his wife to meet Princess Fengyang, determined to get to the bottom of this matter.

The Marquis of Pingyang’s residence was in complete disarray. Within just two hours, the news spread like wildfire, and all the noble families knew about it.

Yan Zhang and Yan Ming were injured and bedridden. One had just sent a message to King Wuyang, planning to bide his time, while the other had just been demoted to a prince and harbored a deep hatred for Yan Donghuang, naturally pleased to see her go mad. The crazier she got, the more the world would scorn her, the more the ministers would fear her, and the more isolated she would become, making the Emperor detest her sooner. The other princes had no interest in watching the drama unfold; they just wanted to avoid the storm and had no intention of getting involved.

It seems all brothers think alike. They just wanted to see Yan Donghuang self-destruct, even thinking of the saying: “Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad.”

The crazier, the better. They hoped she would offend all the court officials before the Emperor’s death so that no ministers would truly support her, even with the Qingluan Army in her hands.

While the princes decided to wait and see, Yan Donghuang calmly discussed disaster relief with Prime Minister Pei and asked him to recommend a candidate—though it was just a superficial decision.

Disaster relief is a matter of livelihood. If anyone embezzles funds, it will cost the people’s lives. Embezzling a thousand taels of silver could mean thousands of people starving to death due to a lack of food. So Yan Donghuang would not tolerate any mistakes in this matter. Important state affairs included not only disaster relief but also next year’s imperial examinations, the Emperor’s health, and who would replace the Minister of War’s family after their execution.

The vassal king guarding the border sent a memorial to the capital, requesting to petition the Emperor personally, and there were concerns about local officials’ performance, whether corrupt officials were exploiting the people, and whether local tyrants were forcibly taking women…

The discussion in the study lasted for two hours. Even the ministers’ lunch was brought to the study by maids, and they ate quickly before continuing. The process went smoothly, and by the time the discussion ended, it was evening. Prime Minister Pei and Grand Tutor Qi left to arrange the tasks assigned by Yan Donghuang.

Only Prince An remained. He wanted to talk to Yan Donghuang alone, and she agreed. The conversation took place in the garden.

Although a winter garden is not ideal for tea, the study was exhausting, and a scenic place was more relaxing for a casual chat.

The windows of the warm pavilion were slightly open, and the winter wind blew in like a blade, chilling to the bone.

Yan Donghuang, wrapped in a fox fur cloak, looked unusually relaxed, with a rare hint of laziness on her usually cold and distant face.

Chang Yue brought hot tea, serving Yan Donghuang and Prince An before quietly leaving.

Yan Ling looked at the teacup, his eyes somewhat dazed: “I couldn’t sleep at all last night.”

Yan Donghuang sipped her tea: “Neither did I.”

Yan Ling sighed softly: “Donghuang, I want to call you this way, to show closeness and familiarity, as family, not as distant ruler and subject.”

Yan Donghuang said nothing, gently blowing the foam off her tea.

“I couldn’t sleep last night, constantly thinking of the past.” Yan Ling’s face showed a hint of nostalgia, “In our youth, we were carefree, deeply bonded, with pure sibling affection, untouched by power struggles.”

Yan Donghuang’s voice was indifferent: “People have to grow up.”

“The cost of growing up is heavy.” Yan Ling smiled bitterly, looking desolate, “Donghuang, is power really that important?”

Yan Donghuang looked at him: “Since you say we are deeply bonded, I want to tell you that I am not fighting for this position solely for power but for the country, for the people, for my Qingluan Army. Do you believe me?”

Yan Ling said nothing.

“See, you don’t believe me.” Yan Donghuang sneered, “So don’t talk to me about deep sibling affection. It’s hypocritical.”

Yan Ling pursed his lips: “If another prince ascended the throne, they would also strive to make the country strong, to give the people a good life, and to treat the Qingluan Army well. It’s not…”

Yan Ling lowered his voice: “It’s not necessarily you.”

Yan Donghuang put down her teacup, relaxing in the large chair. “Who do you favor?”

Yan Ling’s expression changed slightly, and he honestly said, “I never truly favored anyone, but I thought you would support the second prince because you were close to him.”

“Since you don’t favor anyone, accept the current reality.” Yan Donghuang had no intention of discussing further, quickly ordering, “Someone, see the guest out.”

Yan Ling sat still, silently looking at Yan Donghuang, his eyes filled with emotions, like sadness and regret, but ultimately only a sigh. He resignedly stood up, respectfully bowed to Yan Donghuang, and left.

Yan Donghuang looked at his untouched teacup. Although her expression was calm, her gaze was growing colder by the moment.