Chapter 41

Inside the Hall of Heavenly Purity, Tu Shanjin was earnestly reviewing memorials.

Recently, Yun Yaoyao had become obsessed with Mr. Fugui’s storybooks. She was sprawled on the couch, reading a particularly passionate romance novel with great relish.

Just as she reached a crucial passage, Xiao Wuzi’s voice came from outside the hall.

“Your Majesty, Imperial Academy Reader Lin requests an audience!”

“Tell him to wait until I’ve finished dealing with this matter.” Yun Yaoyao did not even look up from the book.

Outside the hall, Xiao Wuzi gave Lin Qingti an apologetic smile. “Reader Lin, you know how it is. His Majesty is busy with state affairs—sometimes so busy his feet barely touch the ground. He even forgets to eat!”

“Of course I understand. His Majesty’s diligence in serving the people is a blessing to Yan Chi.” Lin Qingti was filled with admiration. If even the Son of Heaven was this busy, what right did a mere subject like him have to complain about being tired?

From now on, he would cut another half an hour from his sleeping time and learn from His Majesty!

After a long bout of self-inflicted psychological torment, a weary, low voice finally came from inside.

“Come in, my dear subject.”

The moment Lin Qingti stepped into the hall, he saw the man in dragon robes setting down a memorial. On the nearby chaise longue, Yao’er was holding a storybook.

Tu Shanjin, who had just switched places with Yun Yaoyao, let his gaze fall upon the book. The instant he saw it, his ears flushed crimson with embarrassment.

What kind of shameless material was she reading? It was a disgrace to civilized conduct!

He closed the book and took a moment to calm himself before opening it again and continuing to read.

Lin Qingti cupped his hands and bowed. “Greetings, Your Majesty! Greetings, Consort Miao!”

“Rise, ​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍my dear subject.” Yun Yaoyao’s expression was kindly. “Have you brought news from Madam Yun?”

“Yes.” Lin Qingti nodded, then glanced at Tu Shanjin.

Yun Yaoyao waved a hand. “This matter concerns my consort as well. I trust both you and her, so speak freely.”

That single word—trust—warmed the loyal subject’s heart to the point of overflowing. He immediately presented a memorial.

“Your Majesty, following your suspicions, I investigated the matter thoroughly and discovered several points of concern.”

“On the eve of the autumn hunt, Concubine Yan returned to the Yun residence.”

“Before Your Majesty went to Mingguang Temple, Concubine Yan also returned to the Yun residence. The day after she returned to the prince’s manor, she requested an audience with Prince Ze. After that meeting, Prince Ze resumed favoring her.”

“Before the beast-medicine powder and the powder that prevents conception appeared, Concubine Yan had always visited Madam Yun. Therefore, I believe those powders came from Madam Yun.”

Lin Qingti handed over another memorial. Yun Yaoyao opened it. This one recorded events from more than a decade ago.

“After giving birth to Concubine Yan, Madam Yun spent a period of time frantically seeking prescriptions for bearing a male heir and curing infertility. She eventually gave up. After that, no matter how many concubines Yun Liang took, he was unable to father any more children.”

“Madam Yun was originally the daughter of Li He, an assistant county magistrate in Shouchang County. Once Yun Liang established himself in the court, the entire Li family moved to the capital and settled in the Li residence in the eastern part of the city. With Yun Liang’s influence behind them, they have now become half a respectable household.”

“Li He had one son and two daughters. His eldest son had no children whatsoever; his second daughter was Madam Yun. His third daughter, who was not favored, was raised in the countryside by a wet nurse from a young age. She had one son, while her husband died of illness.”

“Given this exceedingly suspicious timeline, I suspect that after growing up, Madam Yun somehow obtained a powder that prevented conception. She gave it to her father, Li He, and her elder brother, ensuring that neither could ever have children again. Her younger sister escaped this fate only because she had not been raised in the Li residence.”

Yun Yaoyao nodded and closed the memorial.

It was exactly as she had guessed. Madam Yun had used some vicious method of sterilization—one she had no idea where the woman had learned—to first render her own father infertile, then do the same to her elder brother. Clearly, she had no intention of letting them challenge her claim to the Li family fortune.

After giving birth to Yun Yanyan and discovering that she could no longer conceive, Madam Yun had simply sterilized Yun Liang as well, ensuring that no one could threaten the mother and daughter’s position.

Madam Yun really was ruthless. She had taken her sterilizing powder and spread it all over the world!

A smile curved Yun Yaoyao’s lips. She wondered what Yun Liang would think when he learned that his inability to father more children was entirely due to the woman who shared his bed.

Perhaps she should tell Yun Liang the painful truth first and let a fire burn in his household?

Just as Yun Yaoyao was thinking this, Lin Qingti handed over another memorial.

“Your Majesty, this contains information regarding Li He’s eldest son, Li Nantong.”

Yun Yaoyao accepted it curiously. Since Lin Qingti had specifically mentioned this man, he was likely an important part of the plan to come.

“After Yun Liang was promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Rites, he secured Li Nantong a position there as well. However, Li Nantong’s abilities were truly abysmal. Fearing that he might one day be dragged down by him, Yun Liang stripped him of his post. As a result, Li Nantong harbors resentment toward Yun Liang.”

“Later, because neither Li Nantong nor Yun Liang had a son, they both set their sights on the son of Li He’s third daughter. The boy is only eight years old but exceptionally intelligent. Both men want him to change his surname to theirs and raise him themselves. This is the second source of conflict between them.”

“Li Nantong is now an idle young master who does nothing but live off his family’s dwindling fortune. Every day, he either visits brothels, goes to gambling houses, or joins other wastrel sons in betting on crickets and listening to opera.”

“I believe we can use him as a starting point and have him fight Yun Liang. They may well expose something unexpected.”

“This plan is workable.” Yun Yaoyao liked dealing with clever people. It meant she had less thinking to do herself.

She set down the memorial and pondered for a moment before revealing a smile.

Tu Shanjin knew her well enough to recognize it at once. The foul schemes in that little Book of Life and Death of hers were bubbling up furiously again.

“Lord Lin, isn’t today the day you’re supposed to be assassinated?”

Lin Qingti nodded in confusion. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

This “day of assassination” had been arranged by Tushan Ze and Tu Shanjin during their secret meeting at Mingguang Temple. Tu Shanjin had sent word to lure Lin Qingti to a certain tavern in the capital, where Tushan Ze’s men would lie in wait nearby. The moment Lin Qingti appeared, they would kill him.

Yun Yaoyao gave him a mysterious smile. “Proceed with the plan as arranged. Lord Lin, you will play along and pretend to be gravely wounded. However, the location needs to be changed…”

*

Win-It-All Gambling House.

Excited cheers rose alongside cries of frustration and despair. The clatter of dice sent everyone’s blood racing.

The moment one stepped inside, one’s heartbeat instinctively quickened.

Disguised, Yun Yaoyao held a handful of silver and gazed curiously at the various gambling tables. Every now and then, she placed a wager herself.

The Dragon Shadow Guards, disguised as gamblers, had to place bets while keeping an eye on their emperor’s safety. They were utterly worn out.

What emperor in the world would secretly have his subordinates disguise themselves as him and remain in the palace, only to sneak out and visit a gambling house himself?

Perhaps she was enjoying a beginner’s lucky streak. Yun Yaoyao’s luck was astonishingly good this time. She guessed correctly every single round. Before long, her bulging purse was accompanied by the envious and resentful gazes of everyone around her.

“Brother, you look unfamiliar. Is this your first time at Win-It-All Gambling House? Judging by how generously you’re betting, does your family deal in commerce?” someone asked curiously.

Yun Yaoyao merely smiled without answering. If she told them she was the emperor, she was afraid they would be scared to death!

After she had had her fill of gambling, Yun Yaoyao moved to another table, where her gaze fell on a balding, overweight middle-aged man with a listless expression.

According to the portrait, this was Li He’s eldest son, Li Nantong, who spent his days doing nothing!

By then, Li Nantong had already lost round after round. Anxious, he slammed the last of his silver onto the table. “I’m betting big this time!”

“Open!”

The dice cup was lifted.

“Three, two, two—small!”

The dealer grinned as he raked all the silver over to his side. “Young Master Li, you’ve lost all your money for today. Would you like to borrow some?”

Regret and fury flashed across Li Nantong’s face as he punched the table. “No! Get lost! I should’ve bet small just now!”

At that moment, a light, airy voice drifted over from behind his neck.

“Brother, I’ve read your fortune with a quick calculation. You’re destined to suffer a calamity today. After losing your money, you’ll also face a bloody disaster.”

“But fortunately, you happened to meet me today.”