Chapter 481 - 259: Kill 1,000 Enemies, Lose 1,000 of Your Own

Chapter 481: Chapter 259: Kill 1,000 Enemies, Lose 1,000 of Your Own

Song Yunzhao had no idea that after she handed over the account books, the Emperor had people work through the night auditing and cross-referencing them. He even sent men to rush back to the Capital City overnight to retrieve the corresponding ledgers from the Ministry of Revenue.

After handing the items over, she had Nanny Yu send a message to Consort Shu. After all, she had benefited from the situation and felt she should at least put the other woman’s mind at ease.

In truth, Consort Shu couldn’t be at ease. Song Yunzhao had only said she gave the ledgers to the Emperor, not whether he would show her father any leniency.

However, she also thought that since she was the one who provided the ledgers, it should at least help quell some of the Emperor’s anger toward her father.

With the outcome still uncertain, Consort Shu was truly unable to find peace and could only endure the agonizing wait.

Song Yunzhao was never one for going out, and ever since the incident where Xie Linlang and the others were injured, she felt that even though the plot had gone off the rails like a runaway horse, stories with strong female leads always had a reversal. When the heroine hits rock bottom, she’s bound to soar back up with a stunning counter-attack.

This rule of thumb, especially after what happened last time, put her on high alert. With Qin Xiyue becoming subdued after Grand Tutor Qin retired to his hometown, the Empress Dowager and An Shutong keeping low profiles, the three concubines staying inactive, and the Emperor busy with state affairs... the only one left was her, the "villainous supporting female character," pregnant with a royal heir. It was the perfect opportunity to be throwing her weight around.

This situation gave her a strong sense of crisis, so she decided to lie low for a while longer and see how things played out.

The Left Minister was also dragged into the quagmire. Song Yunzhao received a letter from her first aunt, which said that her father’s attempt to see the Left Minister had failed. Unsurprisingly, the Left Minister had refused to see him.

’The timing is all wrong. The Left Minister is in a desperate situation; how could he possibly be concerned with some life-saving favor someone did for his son?’

Song Yunzhao wasn’t surprised. She wrote back to her first aunt, telling her not to worry about it. They had done all they could, so there was no need to feel uneasy.

In a few more days, the Xie family would arrive at the traveling palace. As for what they would do, Yun Zhao had no intention of getting involved.

’With Linlang’s intelligence, she should know how to explain the matter to her family. And with Xie Jinshu there as well, they’ll surely handle it properly.’

After two or three pleasant days of eating fruit, fishing, and idly picking flowers, she received a visit from the three inseparable friends. Feng Yunjin and the others had come to visit.

Song Yunzhao was startled when she saw Lu Zhixue. "How did you get so thin?"

’Ever since this girl let herself go, she’d been eating and drinking to her heart’s content. Her waist had even gotten a little thicker. To think she’s slimmed back down now—what on earth did she go through?’

Lu Zhixue looked dejected. "Don’t ask. The local food and water didn’t agree with me."

Song Yunzhao gave her a pitying look. ’How unfortunate.’

’An inability to acclimatize can really wear you down. It’s not a fatal illness, but if you don’t manage it well, it’s a forced diet. Just look at how thin Lu Zhixue’s waist has gotten.’

"Why didn’t you say anything to me?" Song Yunzhao asked, looking at her.

Lu Zhixue said dismissively, "The Imperial Physician said it wasn’t a severe case. I just had to take some medicine and get through a few days, and I’d be fine. And I am fine now! Everything tastes delicious again."

’Comparisons are infuriating,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’If Ji Yunting found out about this, he’d probably bang his head against the floor. Other people have trouble acclimatizing, and a few doses of medicine fix them right up. His body, on the other hand? If one bout doesn’t get you, it’ll just hit you again and again.’

She couldn’t dwell on it. Just thinking about it made her want to laugh.

’That poor, top-tier male supporting character.’

’Ever since the plot went off the rails, his life has been forced off the rails too. There’s always some unexpected setback waiting for him.’

Tsk, tsk.

"That’s good, then. You should focus on nourishing yourself for a while. Look how pale your little face is." Song Yunzhao decided to rummage through her personal stores and send some nutritional supplements over to her as a small token of her affection.

Lu Zhixue nodded emphatically. "I definitely need to. I feel completely drained."

’It was such a waste! All that good food I ate, all that flesh I put on.’

After teasing Lu Zhixue, Yun Zhao looked at Han Jinyi and Feng Yunjin. "You two seem to be in good spirits. What made you suddenly think to visit me? Is something going on?"

It was probably because Yun Zhao was pregnant and the weather was hot that they didn’t usually disturb her. They were all considerate, knowing that summer was hard on pregnant women, who couldn’t use too much ice to cool down.

Feng Yunjin glanced at Han Jinyi.

Han Jinyi looked at Yun Zhao. "My father has been appointed by the Emperor as the minister in charge of investigating the government treasury accounts from all regions. I heard there will be a joint trial by the Three Judicial Departments afterward. It sounds quite scary."

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

’It seems the Emperor is really seizing this golden opportunity to further weaken the Left and Right Ministers. Especially the Right Minister—with a fire breaking out in his own backyard, so to speak. His own daughter delivered the evidence of his crimes right into the Emperor’s hands. If not for this unexpected proof, the Emperor’s actions certainly wouldn’t have been so swift and decisive.’

’This drama is so juicy.’

Feng Yunjin looked at Yun Zhao and said softly, "My father was ordered to return to the Capital City overnight to make arrests."

Song Yunzhao was taken aback.

’Feng Yunjin’s father is the Director of the Capital. Having him make the arrests instead of the Ministry of Justice... they must be afraid of tipping someone off. The Emperor is using a military officer to arrest a civil servant. It’s a clear case of using martial power to control the bureaucracy, preventing the civil servants from colluding to protect each other. This is a massive move.’

Seeing Yun Zhao’s astonished expression, Feng Yunjin sighed softly. "You can’t blame the Emperor for being so ruthless. The local government treasuries weren’t remitting their tax silver, leaving the National Treasury empty. The Ministry of Revenue kept making excuses before, refusing to take decisive action. But this time, the Emperor declared the National Treasury empty and delayed the courtiers’ salaries. That finally got the Ministry of Revenue scrambling. They’re being much more diligent about their duties now."

Song Yunzhao clicked her tongue. ’As expected. These people only work hard when their own interests are at stake.’

Han Jinyi nodded. "The Emperor’s move was brilliant. A lot of people outside are trying to find out who gave him the idea."

Song Yunzhao remained silent. ’Do a good deed and walk away!’

Hearing this, Lu Zhixue piped up, "My mother said my father has been very busy lately, too. I don’t really get it. What does this have to do with my dad?"

"How could it not be related?" Feng Yunjin said. "The transfer and appointment of officials everywhere is the responsibility of the Ministry of Personnel. No matter who committed a crime, the Ministry of Personnel will have to investigate their background."

Han Jinyi chimed in from the side, adding a sharp dose of reality, "Yun Jin is being too subtle. There are a lot of backroom dealings involved in official appointments and transfers. If an official’s appointment was improper, the Ministry of Personnel will definitely be held accountable."

Lu Zhixue was shocked. "Really? My dad won’t be in trouble, will he?"

’Who could possibly know?’

Seeing the expressions on everyone’s faces, Lu Zhixue became worried. "Is he really in trouble?"

"You don’t have to worry too much," Feng Yunjin said. "It mainly depends on whether the appointments of the offending officials violated any laws. Minister Lu has always been cautious and fair in his work, so he should be fine."

Lu Zhixue said grimly, "That’s not necessarily true."

The other three were speechless.

’That’s something only a biological daughter would dare to say.’

"Why? Did Minister Lu really do something against the law?" Han Jinyi asked in surprise.

"The court officials are all part of a tangled web. Have your families never pulled strings for friends or relatives?"

’A question that cuts right to the soul. And the answer is yes, they have!’

All four of them instantly fell silent.

Song Yunzhao looked at Lu Zhixue, dumbfounded. ’This one’s destructive power is on par with Consort Shu’s. They both attack friend and foe alike.’

’Kill a thousand enemies, and lose a thousand of your own!’