Daming Palace was the center of power in Great Zhou. The hall for major ceremonies and grand court assemblies was Hanyuan Hall. North of Hanyuan Hall was Xuanzheng Hall, where the emperor held court, conducted the final imperial examinations, and received foreign envoys. It was the most frequently used hall. To the left and right of Xuanzheng Hall were the Grand Secretariat and the Secretariat, followed by the Censorate and the Hongwen Academy. The Hongwen Academy enrolled members of the imperial clan and nobility, a tier above the Imperial Academy.
The place where the emperor spent most of his time was Zichen Hall, which served as his bedchamber. Generally, only empresses, consorts, or close ministers were allowed inside. The Imperial Study was also located within.
Deeper into Daming Palace lay the rear court. The Empress resided in Zhengyang Palace. Only the residences of the emperor, empress, and crown prince could be called “palaces”; the consorts’ residences were merely “halls.”
Before Yu Jiuzhou had established her own residence, she had lived in Yong’an Hall. Though not the Eastern Palace, it was the highest-ranking palace in the imperial complex aside from the residences of the emperor and empress and the Eastern Palace itself, and it was situated next to Zhengyang Palace.
Chi Wan had crammed on her knowledge of the imperial palace the previous night. Her original self had a rough idea of these places, but not their specific locations. Without a map, she would surely get lost upon entering.
Therefore, she planned to stick to Yu Jiuzhou’s side like glue to avoid getting lost in the palace. If she were to break some taboo, even if she kept her life, she wouldn’t escape unscathed.
Just as the two arrived outside Zichen Hall, they were stopped by a eunuch. Chi Wan recognized him as the one who had delivered the imperial edict to her that day.
“This servant, Wang Hai, pays his respects to Your Highness the Princess.”
Yu Jiuzhou nodded. “Where is His Majesty?”
A hint of worry appeared on Wang Hai’s face. “His Majesty is in the Imperial Study. Lord Grand Secretary has arrived.”
Grand Secretary Gao Zheng. He had placed third in the imperial examination in the second year of the Shengyuan era and was appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. In the fifth year of Shengyuan, he was posted to a provincial position, returning to the capital ten years later. In the twenty-second year of Shengyuan, he entered the Grand Secretariat at the young age of forty. At fifty, he became Grand Secretary. This was his third year in the position.
The Shengyuan Emperor was fifty-seven, and Gao Zheng was fifty-three. They could be considered a sovereign and minister who had gotten along for a lifetime. But in the end, Gao Zheng had failed the Shengyuan Emperor.
Yu Jiuzhou frowned. “Didn’t you say Father Emperor was unwell? Why is he still seeing ministers?”
Wang Hai shook his head. “Your Highness is unaware. Lord Grand Secretary has come to offer his resignation.”
Resigning on New Year’s Eve? Wasn’t that just begging for the emperor not to approve it?
Gao Zheng was a scholar, but he was also a politician. His ambition would never allow him to resign.
Chi Wan had seen this name in the novel, though only briefly. She knew that Gao Zheng supported Prince Bao’an’s move to honor his own biological father as emperor and the Shengyuan Emperor as Imperial Uncle, rather than Imperial Father. Because of this, he had remained secure in his position as Grand Secretary after Prince Bao’an ascended the throne.
If Yu Jiuzhou was reborn, she would certainly dislike Gao Zheng.
Sure enough, she turned her head and saw Yu Jiuzhou’s tightly furrowed brow. But Yu Jiuzhou was very restrained; she appeared only to be worried about the emperor’s health.
Yu Jiuzhou then smoothed her brow. “Father Emperor has the utmost trust and regard for the Grand Secretary. He will certainly not permit his resignation.”
Wang Hai hesitated, wanting to say more. After a long pause, he finally said, “Your Highness, His Majesty’s health requires rest. There is still the New Year’s Eve banquet tonight.”
Some things needed only be said to this extent. The emperor’s health could not withstand long discussions of state affairs. Moreover, the Grand Secretary’s resignation was a blow. If the emperor’s health were to falter in full view of everyone, the various vassal princes would grow restless. The ministers who had not yet chosen a side would likely rush to do so.
When ministers scrambled to pick sides, imperial authority would wane. As the emperor grew older, he could feel the power in his hands slipping away.
Compared to the Grand Secretariat, the Shengyuan Emperor trusted the Secretariat more. The eunuchs within were all loyal to him. To put it bluntly, they were a group of servants he could kill at will.
Chi Wan knew Yu Jiuzhou wanted to go to the Imperial Study but needed a reason. She spoke up at the right moment, “Your Highness, why not go and try to persuade him?”
Before Yu Jiuzhou had her own residence, she was able to review memorials with the emperor, which showed that he did not mind her involvement in politics.
Hearing Chi Wan’s words, Wang Hai gave her an appreciative glance. He hadn’t expected the Fuma to be so perceptive. He also said, “Your Highness, His Majesty must not be allowed to tax his mind any further.”
He hadn’t said anything directly, merely acting as an old servant concerned for his master, letting the master’s daughter go and persuade him.
Those who could climb to such a position in the imperial palace were all shrewd individuals. It seemed he had said nothing, but in reality, he had said everything, absolving himself of responsibility while taking the credit.
Yu Jiuzhou was used to this. “Fuma, come with me.”
Chi Wan: “…” If the emperor got upset, he certainly wouldn’t do anything to his own daughter, but she, the Fuma, was another story.
But since Yu Jiuzhou had spoken, she had best not refuse.
Chi Wan kept her goal firmly in mind, and the process of achieving that goal was to never, ever make Yu Jiuzhou angry.
Today, in the carriage, it was obvious that Yu Jiuzhou’s attitude had softened. She couldn’t let things regress to how they were before.
However, Yu Jiuzhou gave her no chance to refuse, striding towards the Imperial Study first.
Chi Wan had no choice but to follow. Thinking that she was about to meet the emperor, she couldn’t help but wonder which of the many emperors in movies and TV shows was the most realistic portrayal.
Just as they reached the outside of the Imperial Study, they heard Gao Zheng’s voice confessing his guilt. “His Majesty is of sacred virtue. It is all this minister’s fault. This minister never imagined that his own son would be so wicked. This minister begs Your Majesty to execute this rebellious son. This guilty minister is also too ashamed to continue serving as Grand Secretary.”
Chi Wan felt like she had stumbled upon some major gossip. She moved closer to Yu Jiuzhou and asked, “What did Gao Zheng’s son do? Does Your Highness know?”
Yu Jiuzhou raised an eyebrow. If this person was reborn, why didn’t she know what Gao Zheng’s son had done?
She turned her head and saw Chi Wan’s lips, so close to her own. Her eyes darkened, and she quickened her pace without a word, putting some distance between them.
Chi Wan: “?”
Why wouldn’t she tell her?
Yu Jiuzhou stopped outside the door of the Imperial Study, with Chi Wan standing beside her.
Wang Hai hurried in to announce them. A moment later, he walked out quickly. “Your Highness, Fuma, His Majesty bids you enter.”
Yu Jiuzhou stepped inside, with Chi Wan following half a step behind.
From Wang Hai’s expression, she knew the atmosphere inside was not good.
Chi Wan lowered her eyes and followed Yu Jiuzhou in, staring at the tips of her own feet, determined not to let her gaze wander.
Then, Yu Jiuzhou took the lead in saluting. “This subject pays her respects to Your Majesty and wishes Father Emperor well.”
Chi Wan mumbled along behind her, glad that no one was paying her any attention.
“You’re here,” the emperor’s majestic voice sounded. Chi Wan looked up and saw the emperor seated on a arhat bed, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe. When he raised his eyes, it was as if he were looking down upon all of creation.
The emperor’s brow was tightly furrowed, seemingly troubled by the Grand Secretary’s resignation. In terms of sheer presence, Chi Wan was reminded of the lofty gods and buddhas in a temple, inspiring a deep-seated reverence.
So this was the emperor? His bearing was truly extraordinary.
Yu Jiuzhou smiled in acknowledgment, then turned to Gao Zheng, who had risen to bow to her. “Grand Secretary, please rise.”
Gao Zheng stood by the brazier, where there was also a small stool. He was rather portly; if he were to sit on that small stool, the stool itself might disappear from view.
“Does the Grand Secretary have matters to discuss with His Majesty? Should I take my leave?”
Yu Jiuzhou asked, knowing full well the answer. Listening from the side, Chi Wan lowered her eyes, a faint smile touching her lips.
This was the first time she had seen this side of Yu Jiuzhou—obedient before her father, polite and proper before a minister. No wonder the emperor was willing to discuss state affairs with her.
Before Gao Zheng could speak, the emperor said coldly, “What a fine Grand Secretary, the head of all scholars. Ready to throw in the towel for an unfilial and disloyal son.”
Yu Jiuzhou feigned surprise. “Father Emperor, the Grand Secretary has served the country and its people. How could it come to this?”
Gao Zheng had already knelt on the floor when the emperor lost his temper. Chi Wan silently took a step back, finding an inconspicuous spot to watch the drama unfold.
No one was paying attention to her at this moment. The emperor’s voice was chilling. “Gao Zheng, if you will not be Grand Secretary, then We will execute your entire clan.”
Why was the emperor forcing him to stay?
Gao Zheng buried his head low. “Gao Beiwang formed cliques for personal gain and accepted bribes. This guilty minister failed to discipline his son. I beg Your Majesty to punish me.”
He made no further mention of resigning.
Chi Wan finally understood. Gao Zheng’s son, Gao Beiwang, had committed a crime that had reached the emperor’s ears. He wanted to trade his position as Grand Secretary for his son’s life.
But the emperor refused. He wanted Gao Zheng to abandon his son and continue as Grand Secretary. Furthermore, the emperor was furious that Gao Zheng would dare to use the official position he had bestowed to bargain with him.
Yu Jiuzhou immediately went to soothe the emperor, then turned to rebuke Gao Zheng. “Insolence! The sovereign’s favor is not something you can cast aside at will.”
“Gao Zheng, you are the dignified Grand Secretary. His Majesty has shown you the greatest favor. Both punishment and reward are the grace of the sovereign. Is this how you repay His Majesty?”
“This minister deserves ten thousand deaths,” Gao Zheng quickly admitted his fault.
Perhaps because his daughter had scolded on his behalf, the Shengyuan Emperor’s anger subsided somewhat. “Enough, Gao Zheng. Go back.”
Gao Zheng, not having achieved his goal, did not want to leave. He only knelt lower.
Seeing this, the emperor was about to flare up again. Chi Wan hesitated, wondering if she should sneak out. But she worried the emperor might lash out and punish Yu Jiuzhou. She could only remain.
Chi Wan looked at Yu Jiuzhou, trying to signal for what to do next. To her surprise, Yu Jiuzhou shot her a look.
What? Did she want her to speak? What could she possibly say?
Chi Wan’s mind raced. Then she stepped forward. “Your Majesty, this subject believes that the Grand Secretary is advanced in years. To lose his son at this time, he may damage his health in his great sorrow. This subject has a proposal to present.”
Her sudden interjection stunned everyone.
Especially Yu Jiuzhou. She had signaled for her to leave the Imperial Study for the time being. Why was she being so reckless as to offer the emperor advice?
Gao Zheng, on the other hand, wondered what connection he had with this Fuma that she would speak up for him.
The emperor sized her up, somewhat pleased. He hadn’t wanted to do anything to Gao Zheng in the first place and just needed a way to step down gracefully. What a good Fuma.
The emperor thought: If she can make a good point, We shall reward her handsomely.
Chi Wan braced herself and stepped forward. “Your Majesty, is there evidence of Gao Beiwang forming cliques and accepting bribes?”
“None for forming cliques, but there is for corruption.”
Whether one was forming a clique was merely a matter of the emperor’s word. If he said you were, you were. If he said you were just a few friends gathering, then you were just friends gathering.
So-called evidence all depended on whether the emperor wanted to act on it.
Hearing the emperor’s words, Chi Wan understood his meaning. “Your Majesty, Gao Beiwang is guilty of corruption and bribery. This subject believes he should be made to pay back ten times the amount he stole, with the full sum going to the national treasury. As for him, he should be stripped of his post and sent back to his hometown, forbidden from returning to the capital for life. This would also spare the Grand Secretary the pain of a white-haired man burying one with black hair.”
Gao Zheng: “…” His son had embezzled several million taels this time. Ten times that would be tens of millions of taels.
Great Zhou’s annual revenue was only about ten million taels. If he could actually produce that much silver, what would the emperor think?
Producing that much silver was a problem. Not producing it meant his son was gone.
After her initial surprise, Yu Jiuzhou picked up where Chi Wan left off. “Great Zhou’s annual revenue is merely ten million taels. Tens of millions of taels is too much to ask of the Grand Secretary. Father Emperor, this subject feels it should depend on the Grand Secretary’s sincerity, no?”
The Shengyuan Emperor pondered for a moment. Gao Zheng, as Grand Secretary, lacked the courage for major reforms, but he was sufficiently obedient. If he were to retire, a new, ambitious Grand Secretary might not be a good thing.
The power of the Grand Secretariat had been gradually increasing, far more than in the early days of the dynasty. This power belonged to the emperor, but now it had reached a point where Great Zhou could function normally even if the emperor didn’t hold court for decades.
This had led to the bureaucrats and gentry carving up Great Zhou. It was evident from the yearly decline in state revenue and the simultaneous expansion of their family fortunes that Great Zhou had reached a point where it must be broken to be remade.
The Shengyuan Emperor had fought with the bureaucrats and gentry his entire life and had finally found an obedient Grand Secretary. Naturally, he was unwilling to let him go just like that, but he also needed to give an account to the court officials and the people of the realm.
Chi Wan’s idea was good, but he feared the Gao family couldn’t produce that much silver. Jiuzhou’s addition was more reasonable.
“Since both the Princess and the Fuma have spoken thus, We will give you a chance, Zhuoshen. Do not disappoint Us.” Gao Zheng’s courtesy name was Zhuoshen.
The Shengyuan Emperor gave himself a way out and settled the matter.
The Shengyuan Emperor waved for the three of them to leave. It was obvious that his energy was failing. They saw it, but could not say it.
The emperor’s health was a topic no one could inquire about unless he himself was willing to speak of it. Anyone who dared to ask too many questions about the emperor had to consider how many heads they had to spare.
After the three of them left the Imperial Study, Gao Zheng bowed to them. “Many thanks to Your Highness and the Fuma for your assistance.”
Yu Jiuzhou’s voice was slightly cold. “The Grand Secretary had best keep his own son in line. I hear that outsiders call him the ‘Little Grand Secretary’?”
As if the Grand Secretariat was his family’s property, and anyone could become a Grand Secretary.
After saying this, Yu Jiuzhou walked away, giving Gao Zheng no chance to explain.
If she hadn’t pinched the back of her own hand, Chi Wan would have truly believed that Yu Jiuzhou helped people without expecting anything in return.
Chi Wan walked over to Gao Zheng’s side and said in a low voice, “Lord Grand Secretary, please don’t be offended. Her Highness is sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have spoken up for you.”
“The Fuma is right.”
Gao Zheng stared at Yu Jiuzhou’s departing figure for a moment, thinking: Could it be that Her Highness has some use for me?
Chi Wan nodded at him and hurried to catch up with Yu Jiuzhou.
After bidding the emperor good evening, they were supposed to go to Zhengyang Palace to pay their respects to the Empress.
On the way, Yu Jiuzhou waved her hand at Chun Gui and the others, and they knowingly fell back a certain distance.
Chi Wan was a bit baffled. She asked uncertainly, “Your Highness, should I perhaps walk with them?”
Since they had all fallen back, she couldn’t be so unperceptive.
But to her surprise, Yu Jiuzhou said coldly, “Why did you help Gao Zheng?”
“Huh?”
Chi Wan was stunned. “Wasn’t it Your Highness who gave me the signal?”
Yu Jiuzhou was speechless. “…”
Chi Wan thought of their recent teamwork and sighed, “Your Highness and I truly have great chemistry. Now the Grand Secretary owes Your Highness a huge favor.”
“Do you know what crime Gao Beiwang committed?”
Yu Jiuzhou had just glanced at the memorial. “It was a report submitted by the Imperial City Division. It said that Gao Beiwang formed cliques for personal gain and embezzled over three million taels of silver.”
“The combined salaries of Gao Zheng’s various posts amount to five hundred taels a year. A few years ago, when the state of Yue invaded, Great Zhou’s army of one hundred thousand fought them for half a year, and it only cost a few million taels of silver.”
“This year, for the floods in Yongjia, the disaster relief fund was two hundred thousand taels.”
Yu Jiuzhou wanted to contend for the throne, but if she let a scoundrel go because of it, what difference was there between her and those people?
This was the first time Chi Wan had heard Yu Jiuzhou say so much. She spoke so much that Chi Wan thought a different person was standing before her.
So she analyzed these words, character by character, in her mind and understood Yu Jiuzhou’s meaning. “Your Highness thinks Gao Beiwang deserves to die?”
“Does he not deserve to die?”
Chi Wan raised an eyebrow. “Of course he deserves to die. But his father deserves to die too. Sparing the son has already used up all of His Majesty’s affection for Gao Zheng. Without the emperor’s favor, how long can the Lord Grand Secretary remain in glory?”
“As for Gao Beiwang, how can a person accustomed to throwing his weight around ever learn to behave?”
When the emperor still had affection for someone, no matter how great a mistake that person made, the emperor would protect them. Anyone who tried to force the emperor to kill someone would only die a more miserable death later on.
When Chi Wan received Yu Jiuzhou’s signal, she had thought it through carefully. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have stepped forward so readily.
The Imperial Study had been filled with a dangerous atmosphere, rife with killing intent. If she hadn’t prepared a draft in her mind, how could she have dared to speak?
Yu Jiuzhou knew Chi Wan was right. She had had the same thought, but she didn’t want a villain like Gao Zheng to continue holding the position of Grand Secretary of Great Zhou.
At the same time, she knew in her heart that the emperor would not allow Gao Zheng to retire for the time being. Chi Wan’s actions would make the emperor feel gratified by their sensibility, and it would also put Gao Zheng in their debt.
More importantly, after today, Gao Zheng would have no more favor to speak of in the emperor’s eyes.
Chi Wan had clearly misunderstood her meaning, yet the two of them had cooperated to accomplish something with great chemistry.
“Chi Wan, if we hadn’t gone to the Imperial Study, do you know how Gao Zheng would have escaped this disaster?”
There was a trace of displeasure in Yu Jiuzhou’s voice, not directed at Chi Wan, but at these officials who were nothing but parasites in their positions.
Especially Grand Secretary Gao Zheng. The dignified head of the Grand Secretariat, yet all he did was dirty business.
Chi Wan recalled the contents of the novel. Gao Zheng later threw his lot in with Prince Bao’an. It was Prince Bao’an who sent someone to swap a death row inmate, getting Gao Beiwang out. Only after he ascended the throne did Gao Beiwang dare to walk in the open again.
She remembered, but she didn’t plan to say it. Instead, she shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“Swapping a prisoner on death row.” Yu Jiuzhou said only these four words.
Chi Wan’s heart pounded in her chest. At this moment, she finally confirmed it: Yu Jiuzhou was reborn.
No wonder she had done so much, yet Yu Jiuzhou’s eyes were still filled with killing intent, her attitude as cold as an iceberg.
If Yu Jiuzhou was reborn, then to her, all the evil deeds of the original owner had already been done, and all the suffering had been endured. Even if she had made timely amends in this life, it was of little use.
Currently, Chi Wan had no good way to completely change Yu Jiuzhou’s opinion of her.
She worried that a single misstep would make Yu Jiuzhou think the original owner had also been reborn, when in fact, she had no connection to her at all.
From now on, she had to be even more cautious.
Chi Wan didn’t notice that while she was lost in thought, Yu Jiuzhou’s expression was complicated. Chi Wan’s performance today had been too good, not at all like that foolish scoundrel.
A fool being reborn didn’t mean she was no longer a fool. Intelligence was fixed. Even if she were reborn, it was impossible for her to become so clever.
Yu Jiuzhou thoughtfully asked another question, “The memorial said Gao Beiwang embezzled over three million taels. Do you think this number is high or low?”
“Low,” Chi Wan answered without hesitation. “It’s like a cavity. When a black line appears on the surface, the inside is already completely rotten. Over three million taels of silver might just be what he took in a single instance.”
“You also believe the Gao family can produce tens of millions of taels of silver?” Yu Jiuzhou used the word “also,” which meant she had a good idea of how much money the Gao family had embezzled.
“But even if the Gao family has that much silver, the Grand Secretary won’t take it out.”
Chi Wan clasped her hands inside her sleeves, then asked, “Does Your Highness know who the Grand Secretary is working for?”
She certainly wasn’t referring to the emperor. She wanted to remind Yu Jiuzhou that Gao Zheng might have already contacted Prince Bao’an.
Yu Jiuzhou straightened her posture. Gao Zheng had only chosen a side after Prince Bao’an saved his son. At present, he had not yet participated in the struggle for the throne.
She didn’t answer, so Chi Wan had to be more direct. “Be careful of him joining forces with Prince Bao’an.”
Chi Wan didn’t want Yu Jiuzhou to cooperate with Prince Bao’an again. In the future, the two sides would fight relentlessly. Moreover, Prince Bao’an was the protagonist. It would be best if he never even had the chance to ascend the throne.
As long as Prince Bao’an didn’t become emperor, he couldn’t do anything to the Grand Princess’s Residence, and she and Yu Jiuzhou, being one entity, could live well.
Yu Jiuzhou’s expression was complex. Chi Wan was a bit strange. If one were to say she was also reborn, there were many things she was clearly unaware of, like the Gao family’s situation. But if she wasn’t reborn, why did she know so much about her and Prince Bao’an?
She couldn’t help but wonder: if Chi Wan wasn’t that scoundrel, what was her identity in the previous life?
Some things were best left unsaid after a certain point. Chi Wan knew that with Yu Jiuzhou’s personality, she had to discover the truth for herself. Otherwise, she would rather not believe it.
As long as a seed was planted, it would sprout sooner or later.
Chi Wan suddenly thought of something and nudged Yu Jiuzhou’s arm with her own.
Yu Jiuzhou: “? Insolence!”
“What’s so insolent? Your Highness, we worked together very well just now.”
Even though they weren’t on the same wavelength, they had miraculously achieved their desired results.
Chi Wan smiled, looking like she was very capable and useful. Since she was so capable, could she perhaps not be killed?
Yu Jiuzhou was speechless and quickened her pace towards Zhengyang Palace, ignoring Chi Wan.
Chi Wan raised an eyebrow in confusion. She had played her supporting role so well just now. How was that not good teamwork?
Far ahead, a faint smile lifted the corners of Yu Jiuzhou’s lips. Suddenly realizing she actually found Chi Wan interesting, she pressed her lips back down.
It had to be said, Chi Wan had performed very well today. Not only had she secured a favor from Gao Zheng, but His Majesty had surely taken note of her good deed as well.
This favor might not manifest as anything for now, but in the future, as long as Chi Wan achieved even a small merit, she would receive a doubled reward.
Hmph, that bastard got lucky.
However, if Chi Wan truly wasn’t that scoundrel, she could perhaps find a way to help her rise through the ranks quickly.
The armies of Great Zhou were in the hands of the nobility. The Ministry of War was supposed to control all the troops in the realm, but in reality, when a general is in the field, he can disobey the sovereign’s orders, let alone an order from the Ministry of War.
Chi Wan came from a founding noble family. It was only natural for her to command troops.
The emperor had always believed that since she was a Kun Ze, it didn’t matter if she held power now; she could even help him consolidate imperial authority.
But there was a limit. She could hold political power, but not military power. This was the rule, and Father Emperor would not dare risk breaking it.
But Chi Wan was different.
Forget it. That bastard Chi Wan had ultimately bewildered her, making her even entertain such a thought. She would wait and see. Even if Chi Wan wasn’t that scoundrel, she couldn’t be trusted easily.
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