Chapter Twenty-Four: Then Burn the Memorials in the Court Hall

“Someone, take that pile of memorials, along with the Lady Xian and the brazier, out of here.” Qin Zhiyi rolled his eyes. She was always the most argumentative; no one could win against her. Let her burn them, then. They were just greeting memorials, repeating the same few words over and over. He had grown tired of them, though those ministers seemed to relish submitting them day after day. Burning them was cleaner, after all!

Once Shen Fuyu had been thrown out of the hall, the room grew tranquil. After airing out the space, the palace attendants lit incense anew, isolating Shen Fuyu’s intermittent noise behind closed doors and windows. Qin Zhiyi felt elevated, his mood improved, and even the memorials seemed pleasing. He took up his vermilion brush and processed them one after another.

“Your Highness, is it alright to set the brazier here?” Yinling, holding her breath, motioned a few young eunuchs to place the brazier.

“That’s fine.” Shen Fuyu tossed in two more memorials, snatched the silk fan with the jade handle from Yinling, and fanned the flames vigorously. Thick smoke billowed in one direction, soon prompting coughing from within, followed by angry curses!

When it came to mischief, Shen Fuyu was truly adept.

Green Tea and White Lotus, still unable to get out of bed, were overwhelmed by the smoke Shen Fuyu deliberately sent their way. After their disgrace in the palace, though spared punishment, they remained senior maids of Crescent Moon Palace. But gone were the days when new maids fawned over them; now, without help and unable to leave, with Shen Fuyu stoking trouble outside, their anger boiled over, and they inevitably dredged up old grievances to hurl at each other.

Shen Fuyu listened with delight!

She loved a lively spectacle.

Yet too much smoke could be fatal, and Shen Fuyu had no intention of ending those two maids’ lives. After a while, she moved on, finding the novelty of the commotion fleeting—hearing the same arguments over and over grew dull. Returning to the center of Crescent Moon Palace, she had burned nearly all the memorials at hand, and couldn’t help but sigh at the monotony of imperial life. Had she not burned a hundred or so memorials today? They came from various ministers, all mere greetings.

What was there to ask?

If the emperor were truly ill, could he reply to their greetings?

Meanwhile, to avoid Shen Fuyu’s return and further burning, Qin Zhiyi’s memorial-approval speed soared; what should have taken three days was finished in one. He hurriedly called Changfu to collect the memorials and send them back to the imperial library.

Gazing at the empty desk, Qin Zhiyi leaned back with a sigh. Upon reflection, he found that Shen Fuyu’s presence wasn’t entirely a bad thing; after all, she compelled him to be diligent.

“Your Majesty!”

Just as he thought this, the annoying voice appeared again!

Qin Zhiyi frowned, retracting his earlier thought.

“Your Majesty, look! He insulted me! I’m unhappy!” The door swung open with a bang, and Shen Fuyu burst in, waving a memorial, pressing it to Qin Zhiyi’s face. “How dare he call me a femme fatale? I am virtuous and gracious—how could I be a femme fatale! Your Majesty, he lies through his teeth! Punish him!”

“…Actually, punishing you would be more fitting.”

Qin Zhiyi peeled the memorial off his face and read it through—nothing unexpected. Since he had begun “favoring” Shen Fuyu, the court had been ceaselessly scheming, and after making an example of Zhao Qin, trouble had quickly returned!

“How about… tomorrow you burn memorials in court?” Qin Zhiyi pondered if he ought to appear even more foolish. In ancient times, monarchs set fires to amuse their beloved; perhaps he could imitate that for once.

“…Wouldn’t that infuriate them to death?” Shen Fuyu, unusually conscientious, remarked. If they died, there’d be fewer rage points to collect—that wouldn’t do at all!

Qin Zhiyi set the memorial aside and looked at Shen Fuyu with disdain. As if she hadn’t already angered enough people to death—would she really worry about that?

“Your Majesty, I feel you’re inwardly cursing me!” Shen Fuyu put her hands on her hips. Was she really someone who delighted in enraging others? It was just the women of the harem who were so sensitive; how could she be blamed?

Honestly!

Shen Fuyu felt a touch of discontent. Since she started collaborating with Qin Zhiyi, her ability to provoke others seemed to have increased manifold.

“Absurd… utterly absurd! Unbelievable!”

In the Golden Throne Hall, Shen Fuyu, clad in splendid attire, stood amidst the assembled ministers. Her laughter, clear as silver bells, resounded through the hall as she tossed memorials accusing her of being a femme fatale into the brazier. Imperial guards blocked the path, and Qin Zhiyi himself stood by the brazier, helping her fan the flames. Several elder ministers watched their memorials burn; one collapsed, vomiting blood, and two more fainted on the spot!

“Beloved, be careful not to burn your hand.” Qin Zhiyi took Shen Fuyu’s hand, cradling it tenderly, smiling affectionately before his gaze turned cold. “It seems you’ve all grown too idle lately. Whom I choose to favor is none of your concern!”

“If anyone dares to follow suit in the future, I’ll have their head!”

“Your Majesty is wonderful—I love you!” Shen Fuyu entwined her fingers and pressed them to her cheeks, eyes full of bashful pride as she flaunted their affection. “Let them see that Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, ruler of the realm; whatever you say is law and none may dispute!”

“Well said, beloved. I love hearing you speak like this!” Qin Zhiyi gently wrapped an arm around her waist and waved a grand gesture. “Court dismissed! I will accompany my beloved to the lake!”

Countless ministers knelt on the floor. The young emperor, ensnared by beauty, had in just over a month shocked them with his sudden folly!

Moreover, the favored woman was no ordinary maiden but a daughter of the Shen family. With the Shen family’s backing, what did it matter if the emperor was foolish? Did any of them have the power to challenge Shen’s influence and install a compliant sovereign?

“Eunuch Chang.”

After court, before Changfu could catch up to the emperor, Shen Shucheng intercepted him.

Changfu was momentarily surprised, then smiled. “So it’s Lord Shen. Is there something you require? His Majesty is about to accompany Lady Xian to the lake; I fear it’s not convenient for him to meet with you at this time.”