The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 155

The Emperor watched the Minister of Justice’s expression, trying to discern the truth in his words. After the Minister of Justice finished speaking, the Emperor smiled. “If he can manage the Capital as smoothly and prosperously as Yuzhou, that will be sufficient. For the past sixteen years, Yuzhou’s tax revenue has even surpassed that of the Capital.”

Pausing as if recalling something from long ago, the Emperor narrowed his eyes slightly. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Let it be him then. Tomorrow, I will issue the Imperial Decree. Go meet him and make the transition. You will be colleagues from now on; it’s best to put aside any grudges.” The last sentence carried a playful undertone with an unclear meaning.

The Minister of Justice pretended not to notice, responding awkwardly but trying to appear unaffected, “There’s no grudge.” The Emperor’s anger, stirred by Palace matters, was somewhat alleviated at this moment. What he feared most was the Court Officials forming cliques for selfish gains.

Among his sons, the Emperor favored the Crown Prince the most. Besides personal feelings, it was because the Crown Prince never got too close to the Officials. Many courtiers wanted to support the Crown Prince, but he refused them all. This made the Emperor feel at ease. This is what a Prince should do. Otherwise, what were his sons trying to achieve by forming factions while he, their father, was still in his prime? A Palace coup to seize the throne?

With the matter settled, the Minister of Justice bowed and took his leave. As he stepped out, a young eunuch at the door of the Imperial Study reported, “Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince requests an audience.” The Minister of Justice paused upon hearing this, then continued as if nothing had happened.

From behind, he heard the Emperor’s voice, filled with disdain, “I won’t see him.” The young eunuch acknowledged the command and was about to leave. But then, the Chief Eunuch spoke up, “Did the Prince mention what it was about?” The Chief Eunuch, who was always by the Emperor’s side, rarely broke protocol like this.

The young eunuch glanced at the Emperor and said, “He mentioned it was about the gold.” The Minister of Justice, now at a distance, couldn’t hear clearly anymore. The Fourth Prince came to the Palace for the gold issue? Could it be that the gold matter was still unresolved? It shouldn’t be. The Minister of Justice frowned, pondering over it.

In the Imperial Study, the Chief Eunuch stood uneasily beside the Emperor. “Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking out of turn.” The Emperor glared at him. “You know you did.” The Chief Eunuch lowered his head further. “Your Majesty is in a bad mood today, I understand. But the Fourth Prince never enters the Palace without a summons, and now it’s night. I fear he might have something important that shouldn’t be missed.”

The Emperor sneered. “That rebellious son, what important matter could he have?” The Chief Eunuch, head lowered, said, “Your Majesty should still see him. I have a feeling that it might be significant. Otherwise, after what he experienced in the Palace today, he wouldn’t come at night.” The Chief Eunuch’s words only increased the Emperor’s anger.

That Shen Yue acted like a mad dog today! How dare he openly defy him. He hadn’t even punished him for disrespect, and now he dared to come again! With a dark expression, the Emperor snorted coldly. “Let him in.” The young eunuch at the door looked surprised but quickly complied and left.

Initially, he thought the Emperor wouldn’t see the Fourth Prince, so he had prepared to humiliate the Prince later. After all, the Fourth Prince made him take on this unpleasant task late at night. But now, the Emperor wanted to see him! Moreover, why did the Chief Eunuch speak on the Fourth Prince’s behalf? Did the Chief Eunuch receive some inside information? Thinking this, when the young eunuch met Shen Yue, he was exceptionally courteous in leading him into the Palace.

As Song Jin entered the Palace, the Empress Dowager received the news and immediately sent her trusted Old maid to wait outside the Imperial Study. The moment he came out, he was to be brought to her. Unaware of this, Song Jin braved the cold wind and finally entered the Imperial Study, facing the Emperor’s icy expression.

The Emperor looked at Song Jin with disdain. “Speak, what matter is so important that you disturb me at this hour?” Suppressing his murderous intent, Song Jin cupped her hands and respectfully said, “Father Emperor, regarding the Gold Mine matter at the Duke’s Estate, I overlooked something. I just remembered it today and thought it was important, so I came…”

“What is it?” The Emperor interrupted rudely. Song Jin lowered her head. “When the Gold Mine was discovered in Duke’s Estate, I overheard him telling his Steward that as long as the Empress was willing, they would be fine.”

The Emperor was stunned, his sharp gaze fixed on Song Jin. After a long silence, he furiously slammed the table. “Scoundrel, do you know what you are saying!” Song Jin replied, “I dare not hide anything.”

The Emperor glared at Song Jin, as if trying to bore a hole through him. After a while, the Emperor coldly asked, “What else did the Duke say?” Song Jin continued, “The Duke didn’t say much else. His Steward mentioned that with Consort Li in the Palace, the Empress would surely not abandon them.”

The Emperor frowned. Consort Li and the Empress were always at odds, that he knew. But how… The Emperor looked at Song Jin suspiciously. If Song Jin wanted revenge on Consort Li for causing trouble today, she could have directly targeted her. This matter, however, implicated the Empress instead.

Rubbing the beads in his hand, the Emperor turned and ordered, “Have the Ministry of Justice continue the investigation. Find out what’s between her and the Empress.” The Chief Eunuch quickly went to deliver the message. Song Jin stood there obediently.

“Anything else?” The Emperor glanced at him, as if looking at an enemy. Song Jin appeared hesitant. The Emperor sneered. “Stop pretending. Speak up or leave. You know I don’t want to see you.” Song Jin said, “I believe Noble Consort Shu is pregnant…”

The Emperor, who had been stunned earlier, was now shocked. “What did you say?” Song Jin looked up in surprise at the Emperor. “Father Emperor doesn’t know?” The Emperor… Damn it. The more he looked at Song Jin’s face, the more he wanted to strangle her! What kind of nonsense is this?

“Stop playing tricks. Speak plainly,” the Emperor said irritably. Song Jin replied, “The Duke said that Consort Li has leverage over both the Empress and Noble Consort Shu. He also said that Noble Consort Shu wouldn’t dare let you know about her pregnancy prematurely. It seems it’s true.” Song Jin looked at the Emperor with wide eyes, appearing just as puzzled.

His words were vague, but the Emperor’s expression turned grim. Noble Consort Shu pregnant?! Ridiculous! Given Noble Consort Shu’s figure, any pregnancy would have shown by now. But Noble Consort Shu… The Emperor suddenly remembered something.