Chapter 87

The chill of early morning had yet to fade.

Grand Tutor Tu stood outside the Hall of Political Affairs, his old face black as soot.

The reason was simple.

The late emperor’s edict in his possession had actually been stolen!

Anyone with half a brain could tell that the emperor had sent someone to steal it.

What a foolish ruler!

What a treacherous ruler!

Once the court officials had finished their morning audience, he would get ahead of the emperor and force him to reveal the whereabouts of the late emperor’s edict in front of everyone!

Several eunuchs nearby respectfully brought over a chair, tea, and water. Afraid that his old bones might catch cold, they even thoughtfully brought him a wool blanket.

Grand Tutor Tu was already furious. He angrily refused everything and added sarcastically, “The things in the imperial palace are far too precious. This old man wouldn’t dare accept them!”

The eunuchs secretly rolled their eyes, gathered up the items, and left.

But he waited nearly two whole hours.

In the meantime, Grand Tutor Tu’s mouth went dry and his legs grew sore. Gusts of chilly early-winter wind scraped across his face, nearly freezing his cheeks numb.

He glanced toward the eunuchs not far away, only to find every one of them staring at the ground without sparing him so much as a look.

What a bunch of utterly clueless fools!

Grand Tutor Tu could not possibly bring himself to ask for anything, either. He gave a cold snort, and the fire burning in his chest grew even hotter.

At last, just as Grand Tutor Tu was about to anger himself into unconsciousness, a bright-yellow figure slowly emerged from the Hall of Political Affairs.

“Your Majesty!” he bellowed, his voice faintly laced with anger.

Perhaps his legs had gone stiff from standing for so long. The moment Grand Tutor Tu took a step, his legs gave out beneath him. With a thump, he fell to his knees.

His head followed through with a resounding bang as it struck the ground in Yun Yaoyao’s direction.

Yun Yaoyao burst out laughing.

“Grand Tutor Tu, please rise! If you have something to say, just say it. There’s no need to give me such a grand salute!”

Grand Tutor Tu had intended to seize the initiative and open with a devastating blow. Instead, he had made an utter fool of himself on the spot!

His old face went from green to white, white to red, and red to black, resembling a living color palette. Everyone present stared at him in stunned silence.

Grand Tutor Tu scrambled to his feet, suppressed the embarrassment and humiliation burning in his heart, and spoke in a sonorous voice. “Your Majesty! This subject has an important matter to report—”

Before he could finish, he was interrupted again.

Zhou ​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‍Siren stepped out from among the court officials, his expression filled with grief and indignation. “Your Majesty, this subject humbly begs Your Majesty to seek justice for him in one matter!”

Yun Yaoyao turned around. “Speak.”

“Yesterday, my residence was robbed. The thief was both vile and brazen. Not only did he steal my valuables, he also left a fresh pile of night soil in my chamber pot as a taunt!”

Yun Yaoyao looked astonished. “Such a thing actually happened?”

Di Shunzhi also stepped forward and cupped his hands. “Your Majesty, my elder sister’s valuables were stolen as well.”

Once two “victims” had spoken up, quite a few others immediately joined in.

In the end, they all knelt on the ground and cried out in unison, “We beg Your Majesty to seek justice for us!”

Yun Yaoyao angrily swept her sleeve. “How outrageous! This Phantom Thieves’ Guild is far too arrogant. They might even dare to break into the imperial palace next!”

“Minister Ning, you will take full responsibility for investigating this Phantom Thieves’ Guild. Within half a month, you must apprehend them, behead them in public, and give the court officials an explanation!”

Minister Ning solemnly cupped his fists. “Yes, Your Majesty!”

The victims surrounded Minister Ning and wailed their complaints. “Minister Ning, you must help us reclaim justice! Boo-hoo-hoo!”

Grand Tutor Tu was completely thrown off balance. The words at the tip of his tongue were swallowed back down.

Among those whose homes had been robbed were supporters of the emperor, neutral officials, and members of Prince Ze’s faction. Besides the late emperor’s edict, Grand Tutor Tu had also lost some valuables.

Had the so-called Phantom Thieves’ Guild really done this? Or was the emperor putting on an elaborate act?

Yun Yaoyao now turned toward Grand Tutor Tu. “Grand Tutor Tu, what were you about to say?”

Grand Tutor Tu froze.

Now that there was a Phantom Thieves’ Guild to blame, how could he dare question the emperor without evidence? He would only be digging his own grave.

For all he knew, the emperor might even accuse him of failing to safeguard the late emperor’s edict and losing it through negligence.

Not only could he no longer ask about it, he also had to conceal the fact that the edict was missing. He had no choice but to swallow his anger and bear the loss in silence!

Once he understood this, Grand Tutor Tu completely lost his composure. His lips trembled with rage, and he could only hastily invent some excuse for coming to the palace.

Forget it. He would wait another day and think of a way to come to the palace tomorrow to fish Prince Ze out…

Watching his disheveled retreating figure, Yun Yaoyao curled her lips into a smile.

Why bother? Wouldn’t it be better to retire peacefully? Now he had lost part of his pension money too, and the national treasury was a little fuller.

After the court officials dispersed, the Yun Yaoyao Militia cast off their earlier looks of indignation and began showering her with flattery.

Di Shunzhi said, “Your Majesty, this plan may have been a little underhanded, but it truly worked wonderfully!”

Lin Qingti nodded. “In war, deception is the way.”

Zhou Siren said, “So the Phantom Thieves’ Guild that stirred up unrest in the capital was actually Your Majesty’s handiwork! Your Majesty is truly farsighted and brilliant in your methods!”

Yet Yun Yaoyao could not help feeling that there was more to his words than met the eye.

During the canal-fundraising banquet, Zhou Siren had pretended to be poor and starved himself unconscious. That was why his residence had been the first one the Dragon Shadow Guards robbed that night.

Yun Yaoyao felt slightly awkward inside, but her face remained stern and dignified. “Everything was done for the sake of Yan Chi!”

With that, Yun Yaoyao set off toward Yun Ning Palace with a light step.

After another intense session with Tu Shanjin helped him recover, she finally left Yun Ning Palace and headed for Fuling Palace.

As Yun Yaoyao walked, she sighed with emotion. “Being the public cucumber isn’t easy. Once I’m done flaunting my affection with Du Luoling, I’ll have to leave the palace and meet that stubborn, lovesick pair of siblings…”

At that moment, Fuling Palace was bustling with activity.

The reason was that Du Luoling had been far too bored these past few days.

When she had first entered the palace, she had been uneasy and wary. Her mind had been filled with palace-intrigue schemes, and she had recalled all the household battles she had endured in the Du residence, remaining constantly anxious and on guard.

She had even assigned someone to keep watch over the peach tree by the entrance, fearing that someone might secretly bury a voodoo effigy beneath it to frame her.

Who would have thought that several days would pass without anything happening? Apart from the tea ceremony on the day they first met, no one had paid her any attention afterward.

Du Luoling had thoroughly become an idle person. Eventually, she had grown so bored that she lay sprawled on the chaise longue and thought in exasperation: This is even more boring than palace intrigue! At least palace intrigue gives you something to do!

So today, she had arranged this gathering. She wanted to test what these imperial beauties were really plotting.

The moment the beauties appeared, Du Luoling was stunned.

There was no heavy makeup or elaborate finery. Every one of them was dressed comfortably and simply. Some had even come straight from work in their official robes.

Their appearances varied, but they all possessed the same quality: confidence and uninhibited ease.

This left Du Luoling deeply confused.

She had sent her confidante to investigate and learned that each of them had responsibilities of her own and worked for the emperor.

Du Luoling thought: If they work for the emperor, doesn’t that mean they want to win his favor and catch his eye?

Yet their behavior gave her a sense of complete contradiction.

Thus, Du Luoling set aside the dignity of a noble consort and began chatting with them in a generous and approachable manner.

As they talked, everyone gradually opened up.

“Sister Shu, now that you’ve gone to the Ministry of Revenue, do you find it overwhelming? You’re so good at calculations and bookkeeping. Has anyone at the Ministry given you a hard time?”

Sister Shu smiled gently. “With His Majesty protecting me, they naturally have to show me some respect. There are many capable people at the Ministry of Revenue, and I’ve learned quite a lot of new things.”

Qing Yan smiled as well, her eyes shining like stars. “I’ve taken a master craftsman in the Ministry of Works as my mentor. Not only have I learned many new skills, but he recently agreed to teach me how to make iron fireworks.”

“‘A tree of fire and a silver garden beneath the sleepless sky’—that is the most magnificent and dazzling spectacle of all!”

“Wow!” Everyone stared in amazement, laughing and clamoring to see it.

Someone else said, “Among all of us, Sister Qing is still the most impressive. She has helped the Ministry of Justice solve one difficult case after another. She truly deserves to be called the greatest female coroner in the world!”

Qing Ganshi smiled indifferently, though her smile concealed a wealth of emotion.

When she had first entered the Ministry of Justice, she had been looked down upon and ostracized. Gradually, however, she had earned their praise and respect, until they were thoroughly convinced of her abilities.

When solving cases, she no longer needed to conceal her name or gender. Whether in the Ministry of Justice or among the common people, everyone now knew that there was a divine coroner named Qing Ganshi—and she was a woman!

Among the people, a small number of female coroners had emerged of their own accord. They paid no heed to the world’s judgment, taking her as their role model and allowing themselves to shine in the work they loved.

Qing Ganshi gazed beyond the high walls, her eyes filled with emotion. “Many of us sisters have chosen paths that ordinary women would never take. We owe it to His Majesty for giving us this opportunity.”

“We must work even harder and clear away every obstacle in our path, so that more women can walk the roads we have chosen in the future.”

Listening to them, Du Luoling suddenly felt a little ashamed of herself. There was no vying for favor in their words, only lofty ambitions.

Still, she could not help asking, “You are all, after all, imperial consorts. Do you truly have no romantic feelings for His Majesty?”

Everyone smiled gracefully and took turns explaining.

“To be honest with you, Your Highness, although His Majesty has given us the opportunity to make use of our talents, he has also said that if we ever no longer wish to remain in the palace, he will send us out and give us a generous reward. We will be free to find other men.”

“Besides, His Majesty doesn’t restrict us in our daily lives. Our days are incredibly fulfilling now. We have skills to rely on, opportunities to learn, and the chance to make ourselves useful. In the future, I even want to become a female official and stand in the imperial court!”

“I did have feelings for His Majesty at first, but little by little, I came to understand that a divine man like him is not someone the likes of us could ever hope to possess. It’s better to focus on improving ourselves.”

“I’m different. Once I can no longer learn anything in the palace, I’ll leave after repaying His Majesty’s kindness. I’ll open a fragrance house and establish an independent women’s household in the capital!”

“I’ll leave the palace too. Once my medical skills are mature enough, I want to become a traveling physician, wandering across the land to save lives and heal the wounded.”

“…”

As Du Luoling listened, she finally understood.

Women in ancient times were bound by countless restrictions, and there were even fewer ways for them to become self-reliant. Now that His Majesty had given them such an opportunity, how could they be so shallow as to focus only on competing for his favor?

Having a skill to rely on and the ability to support themselves—this was the foundation of their confidence and freedom.

“I really envy you,” Du Luoling said sincerely.

After completely lowering her guard around them, Du Luoling found herself feeling somewhat lost.

The women in the palace all had their own paths to follow.

Now that she had come to the palace as well, what path should she choose?

She had no particular talent, nor anyone she especially cared about. She already possessed wealth and power.

Wait—she did have one unshakable fixation: returning to the modern world!

At that thought, Du Luoling’s gaze hardened with determination.

She had to return to the modern world.

Yun Yaoyao might know how to get back to the modern world. She had to help Yun Yaoyao and work together with her to correct this ruined novel world!

The women of the inner palace were usually busy. After drinking a little tea and eating a few pastries, they each took their leave.

When Yun Yaoyao stepped into Fuling Palace, she happened to see Du Luoling sitting in the pavilion, deep in thought. A moment later, Du Luoling rose and walked toward her with determination.

“Your Majesty, now that Concubine Sha is unconscious, if there is anything you need me to do, please give the order. I will do everything in my power to fulfill Your Majesty’s wishes!”