TPATTHU Chapter 74
by VolareChapter 74: Your Subjects Humbly Congratulate Your Majesty on Finding a Wonderful Match——!!
Just then, Minister of Revenue Zheng Qi, holding his official tablet, stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, your subject has something to say.”
Xiao Zhinian had no objections and approved it, saying succinctly, “Granted.”
Zheng Qi slowly elaborated, “Fang Shiyuan, as a Vice Minister under the Ministry of Revenue, has been working diligently since the late Emperor ascended the throne, without any personal gain or selfish desires. All of us have witnessed this. The urgent task at hand is to relieve the people of Qingzhou from their suffering. The matter of accountability is secondary. Your subject implores Your Majesty to allocate funds for disaster relief.”
As everyone knew, Fang Shiyuan was a *dengke jinshi* during the Shuncheng Kaiyuan reign and was personally selected by the late Wu Kun Emperor as *tanhua* (third place) in the imperial examination. At that time, nearing thirty, he was favored by a noble lady in the capital and brought into her household.
This noble lady was Zheng Qi’s own beloved second daughter, who was sixteen years old. From a young age, she had been willful and unreasonable. Everyone said that Fang Shiyuan was an old ox eating young grass, but they were unaware of the many secrets within the boudoir.
Fortunately, although he was unsuccessful in love, he was carefree in his official career. With the support of his father-in-law, Zheng Qi, he advanced smoothly and steadily, rising to the position of Vice Minister of Revenue today.
Working together in the Ministry of Revenue, it was inevitable that people would have doubts.
Prime Minister Hu hated such nepotism the most in his life and immediately said righteously, “Disaster relief is imminent and must be handled urgently, but accountability cannot be avoided. Your subject believes that both matters should be handled simultaneously. I hope Your Majesty will approve.”
Everyone knew that Prime Minister Hu and Minister Zheng had a feud. They glared at each other, disliking each other. Publicly challenging each other was not a new occurrence.
Zheng Qi glared and said, “Your Majesty is wise enough to discern what is important.”
Xiao Zhinian pondered for a long time and then said, “Fang Shiyuan, I will give you a chance to redeem yourself. You will still be responsible for the disaster relief in Qingzhou. As for the whereabouts of last year’s funds, you better investigate them thoroughly for me. Otherwise, you will be held accountable. Also—”
Having learned the art of checks and balances from Shen Zhejiang for so many years, Xiao Zhinian was naturally well-versed in it. What court officials feared most was imbalance.
His gaze swept over every official and finally settled on Han Zitang, “Minister Han.”
Hearing this, Han Zitang’s calm eyes flickered, and he responded, “Your subject is here.”
Xiao Zhinian caressed the patterns on his ring and said, “I order you to assist the Vice Minister of Revenue in investigating this matter. Depart immediately and do not delay.”
To be honest, this was indeed mixed with Xiao Zhinian’s personal grudges. In this way, at least no one would be an eyesore in front of him these days.
But it was not without reason. Han Zitang was the Minister of Justice, fair and just, not biased towards any party. Dispatching him to investigate the case was most appropriate.
Han Zitang said in a low voice, “Your subject accepts the decree.”
Seeing him agree so readily, Xiao Zhinian nodded in satisfaction, secretly thinking to himself.
If he dared not agree, he would accuse him of openly defying the imperial decree and send him to a remote place to take office, so he would not mess with the affairs between himself and Shen Zhejiang.
“Does anyone else have any important matters to discuss?” Xiao Zhinian asked. Seeing that they were all silent, he stood up and said, “I have something to announce. I believe the news that I brought back a beautiful woman from the commoners has spread among you all recently. This is indeed true. Since she is in the harem, she should have a title. I intend to issue an edict to make her a *fei*, bestowing the name ‘Shen’. Does anyone have any objections?”
“……”
These words entered Han Zitang’s ears without missing a single one. He was greatly shocked and suddenly looked up straight at Xiao Zhinian on the high seat. The fingers holding the official tablet were exerting force and trembling slightly.
Others might not know, but Han Zitang clearly knew that the person Xiao Zhinian was talking about was Shen Zhejiang.
Xiao Zhinian was actually going to make Shen Zhejiang a *fei*?!
Could it be that Shen Zhejiang, such a proud person, had willingly agreed?
Impossible.
Han Zitang refused to believe it no matter what.
Xiao Zhinian noticed the shock and doubt in Han Zitang’s eyes, snorted coldly, and gestured with his chin towards the eunuch beside him.
So the eunuch understood and raised his voice, “According to the imperial decree, the Imperial Academy will draft the edict, the Ministry of Rites will prepare what is needed for the *fei* conferral ceremony, and a auspicious day will be chosen for the wedding! By imperial order—!”
Prime Minister Hu and other old ministers who had long hoped for Xiao Zhinian to take a concubine were overjoyed, wishing they could move the auspicious day to today. They all shouted loudly, “Your subjects humbly congratulate Your Majesty on finding a wonderful match—!!”
Everyone present knelt down, except for Han Zitang, who stood there stunned.
Xiao Zhinian sneered, “Does Minister Han have any objections?”
Han Zitang: “……”
Prime Minister Hu was in front of Han Zitang. He immediately turned his head and winked at him, His Majesty is getting married, it’s a joyous occasion, what are you standing there dumbfounded for, say something!
After a long while, Han Zitang’s voice was slightly deep, “Your subject congratulates Your Majesty.”
–
Xiao Zhinian finally felt that he had turned the tables. He repeatedly rewarded all the palace servants in Yanqing Palace with a lot of silver, but having just beaten someone to death last night, he was now rewarding them generously. His unpredictable mood made the palace servants even more frightened.
Halfway there, Liu Bao ran over while shouting, looking anxious, “Your Majesty! Master Shen has fallen ill and has a high fever. What should we do?”
Xiao Zhinian was furious, “Summon the imperial physician! Are you waiting for me to teach you how to do things?”
Liu Bao was unsure. Shen Zhejiang’s identity in the palace was not easy to reveal, and only the palace servants who served him personally in Yanqing Palace knew about it.
Xiao Zhinian had issued a death order: if anyone dared to reveal Shen Zhejiang’s whereabouts, they would be dead.
Therefore, Liu Bao did not dare to act rashly. Now that he had received Xiao Zhinian’s order, he immediately instructed the palace servants to invite the imperial physician from the Imperial Hospital.
Xiao Zhinian quickly returned to Wenhua Pond, his eyes closely following the person on the bed inside. Seeing that Shen Zhejiang was already awake, his clothes were loosened by himself, and he was leaning against the head of the bed, his face flushed.
Shen Zhejiang’s head was dizzy and heavy, and his whole body was extremely hot, but when he heard the familiar footsteps approaching, he reached out and pulled the quilt to cover himself tightly, clearly intending to be angry with Xiao Zhinian to the end.
“Master.” Xiao Zhinian called out.
“Your subject cannot bear Your Majesty’s address. Please take it back.”
Shen Zhejiang was still angry about what happened last night. Rather than being angry, it was more like disappointment. After all, Xiao Zhinian could be considered to have been taught by him, but he did not expect Xiao Zhinian to make such a mistake.
Overnight, he saw another side of Xiao Zhinian. He knew that as an emperor, he must be cold-blooded by nature, but he still had hope.
How could the ferocity in his bones be easily removed?
Xiao Zhinian felt a lump in his throat, especially when he saw the complex emotions on Shen Zhejiang’s face. He walked over, saw the untouched porridge on the wooden table, and softened his voice, “Even if Master wants to be angry with me, you shouldn’t be angry with your own body. I was wrong last night, didn’t I already apologize to Master? What else do you want me to do?”
Shen Zhejiang could not do anything to Xiao Zhinian.
In terms of ruler and subject, Xiao Zhinian was the ruler, and he couldn’t even be considered a proper subject. What qualifications did he have to point fingers at Xiao Zhinian?
In terms of strength, Xiao Zhinian was naturally above him. He couldn’t beat Xiao Zhinian with this body.
In the end, Xiao Zhinian’s previous tolerance towards him was only out of that bit of pitiful affection. Being discarded like worn shoes would probably be his fate. Was it right or wrong to return to the capital with Xiao Zhinian from Luo City after all?
“Master is not speaking, is it because you haven’t thought it through?”