Chapter Twenty-Two: Applying Knowledge, Qin Zhiyi

“Consort Xie, don’t you agree?”

Consort Xie nodded in agreement. “With you two being the very embodiment of beauty, how could that woman from Crescent Moon Palace ever hope to stand a chance?”

“Elder Sister Shu, why don’t we join forces?” Consort Sun could no longer contain herself. “For so long, Jing Lanxi alone reigned supreme in the inner palace, and now Shen Fuyu has stolen all of His Majesty’s favor. If we don’t fight for ourselves, when will the emperor ever notice you or me? Let alone the other sisters.”

“You’re absolutely right,” Consort Shu answered, unwilling to resign herself. She adored Qin Zhiyi! If she could not become his empress, could she not at least have his affection? Why should she be overshadowed by that wretched Shen Fuyu? Even the eldest daughter of the Shen family was unworthy of such favor!

Consort Shu’s gaze sharpened. “His Majesty has recovered fully; he cannot remain in Crescent Moon Palace day after day. I will have someone inform my father that exclusive favor in the harem is unacceptable. I doubt even Shen Fuyu would dare monopolize the emperor’s affection!”

“From here on, let us plan carefully.”

…

Shen Fuyu had been the emperor’s sole favorite for half a month. Since the day His Majesty began visiting the harem again, he had not set foot in any consort’s chambers but hers.

In the outer court, the Shen family seemed poised for resurgence, on the brink of becoming pillars of the new emperor’s regime. With Shen Fuyu in favor and the family gaining power, the delicate balance among the court factions began to shift, making the officials restless and uneasy.

“Your Majesty, I must speak. Since your recovery, you have shown exclusive favor to Lady Xianfei, which is against established custom. Only by distributing your grace equally among your consorts can the imperial line flourish.”

“I second this!”

“I second this as well!”

Qin Zhiyi looked upon the mass of officials kneeling in the Golden Throne Hall, his expression darkening. After a long silence, he finally spoke. “Are these the weighty matters my devoted ministers wish to discuss? Whom I choose to favor in my private chambers—must that, too, be subject to your scrutiny?”

“We would not dare!”

The official who had first spoken pressed his forehead to the floor, but raised his voice. “Yet if there is discord in the harem, there will be unrest in court. If Your Majesty neglects the other consorts, the officials’ hearts will grow cold!”

“It seems to me your own hearts are most invested.” Qin Zhiyi’s thoughts were icy. In truth, these men cared only for their own interests; it was his heart as sovereign that had grown cold. Look at them—these were the officials of the Great Xun Empire: not one cared for the country or the people, but schemed endlessly over trifling matters!

Perhaps, by contrast, he found himself disliking Shen Fuyu less and less. The officials of the outer court all appeared dignified, yet not one ever did what was right.

With ministers like these, why strive to be a ‘wise ruler’? It was far more satisfying to be a ‘foolish king.’ “Since your hearts are cold, perhaps Lord Zhao no longer needs to serve. Guards, strip Zhao Qin of his rank and take him away.”

“Your Majesty!”

Zhao Qin trembled, lifting his head in disbelief at the emperor’s careless demeanor. What seemed like a jest had cost him his office and his future in a single stroke!

“Wasn’t this Lord Zhao’s own suggestion?” Qin Zhiyi, having learned from Shen Fuyu’s manner, appeared utterly unconcerned. “Since that’s the case, what more is there to say? Take him away.”

“Your Majesty, you mustn’t!”

Another official spoke out. “Lord Zhao has served the nation with diligence for many years. If Your Majesty acts thus, all the officials’ hearts will surely turn cold!”

“If he does not wish to serve, there are always others eager to take his place. The seat beneath Lord Zhao has always been in high demand.” Qin Zhiyi swept his gaze across the hall, then turned to the side. “Minister Shen, is there anyone you think suitable to replace Zhao Qin?”

Shen Shucheng, Shen Fuyu’s father, currently served as Minister of Revenue, while Zhao Qin belonged to the Ministry of Personnel.

Kneeling, Shen Shucheng pondered briefly before replying, “Your Majesty, in my opinion, Liu Qi of the Ministry of Personnel is well suited to the post.”

“Then Liu Qi shall take the position,” Qin Zhiyi declared with a wave of his hand, settling the matter on the spot. As Zhao Qin cursed him as a foolish ruler while being dragged out by the imperial guards, a brief silence fell over the Golden Throne Hall. The emperor tapped the armrest lightly and spoke again. “Are there any others whose hearts are chilled?”

Those who had echoed the earlier protest knelt, not daring to utter a sound.

“In that case, are there any other matters?”

No one spoke.

“Court is dismissed!”

…

“My lord, why have you returned from court so drenched in sweat? Did something happen in court today?”

At the Shen residence, Lady Gu, the principal wife, helped Shen Shucheng out of his official robes, noticing how damp they were. She frowned, tossed the garments to a servant, and sat beside her husband. “Tell me what troubles you. Perhaps I can help.”

He sighed. “It’s not a misfortune, yet my heart feels uneasy.”

She massaged his shoulders gently. “If it is not a bad thing, what could worry you so?”

In her husband’s presence, Lady Gu was always the gentle, understanding wife. With such a confidante by his side, Shen Shucheng shared many matters with her and had entrusted her with complete authority over the household.

“You don’t know—today, His Majesty dismissed Zhao Qin. Zhao was Vice Minister of Personnel. That is not my department, but His Majesty insisted on asking me for a recommendation.” Shen Shucheng sighed again. “Liu Qi is my wife’s sister’s husband; naturally, I must look after him. But the emperor’s sudden favor toward the Shen family strikes me as odd.”

Lady Gu hesitated slightly. “Isn’t it what you’ve always wished for, that our family regain imperial favor? Your sister and brother-in-law will surely be delighted at your support.”

“That is true,” Shen Shucheng admitted, gazing at his wife, then sighing once more. “I hear that Fuyu is now much favored in the palace. Zhao Qin was promoted by the Lin family, and today he accused the emperor of showing exclusive favor to Fuyu. That led to the entire incident.”

“Since her fall into the water, Fuyu’s temperament has changed—she is not as gentle as before. When the emperor was gravely ill, we had no choice but to send her into the palace. Who could have foreseen such fortune would befall her? Yet I feel uneasy—she has always been rather naïve; I cannot fathom how she has gained the emperor’s affections. I doubt it will last. If we had known His Majesty would recover, we should have sent Tang’er instead.”

“If Fuyu has won great favor, it is her good fortune. Besides, whether it is Fuyu or Tang’er, are they not both our daughters?” Lady Gu concealed her displeasure, speaking gently. “Though Fuyu is not of my own flesh, I have always treated her as my own. Her change in temperament may be due to the fright she suffered. If you are concerned, why not find a time to speak with her? She is a Shen daughter—she will surely act for your sake, and for the family’s.”