TGPSAC – Chapter 33

Chi Wan scoffed. “Prefect Wang, I wish to report on the very same matter as you. Why do you interrupt me? Are you afraid I will say something disadvantageous to you?”

Her words sparked the imagination of those present. Did she have some evidence that could overturn Wang Jin’s claims, making him afraid for her to speak?

“Fuma, this official acts for the sake of Great Zhou, for His Majesty, and for the common people. What is there to fear?” Wang Jin sneered, bowing toward the Emperor Shengyuan. “Your Majesty, the Fuma is being so domineering…”

“Who is the one being domineering!” Chi Wan grew angry. “I was speaking, and you interrupted me repeatedly, terrified that I might open my mouth. Can it be that in the court of Great Zhou, only your voice, Wang Jin, may be heard?”

“You are an official of Great Zhou, and I, Chi Wan, am also an official of Great Zhou. You are permitted to speak, so why am I not? Or is it that you look down on my noble birth?”

This remark caused many of the nobles to glare at Wang Jin. It was true that their influence was waning, but their ancestors had fought alongside Emperors Taizu and Taizong to establish the dynasty. What was wrong with them, the descendants, enjoying the titles their ancestors had earned? Why should they be looked down upon?

Chi Wan had successfully pinned a label on Wang Jin, leaving him too furious to speak. Everyone present was an official of the third rank or higher, and the nobles held even higher ranks. While his position as Prefect of Shengjing was significant, he dared not say more.

Immediately, another person stepped forward. “This subject, Earl Wukang, Duan Yun, Commander of the Left Guard of the Imperial Guard, impeaches Wang Jin for his presumption before the throne. His Majesty had not yet spoken, so on what authority did he interrupt the Fuma? The Fuma is a member of the imperial family. Who does Wang Jin think he is?”

The beginning of his speech was reasonable enough, but the end revealed his true nature as a military man.

Yet, this was precisely what Emperor Shengyuan liked about him. “Alright, Earl Wukang, step aside. Wang Jin, you will be silent. Fuma, you may speak.”

Chi Wan glanced at Duan Yun, understanding the situation. She then produced a memorial, its contents identical to the one she had previously submitted to Emperor Shengyuan, but this time with the evidence she had brought back from Qingyuan County tucked inside.

“Your Majesty, this is my memorial, along with the truth regarding the land annexation Prefect Wang spoke of.”

Emperor Shengyuan looked at her with satisfaction. She had not mentioned that she had already submitted a memorial once before. Otherwise, since he had burned it, where could it have been found? It wasn’t that he couldn’t have a eunuch from the Secretariat take the blame, but that would have made Chi Wan seem tactless.

Fortunately, Chi Wan was tactful. He waved his hand, and a eunuch came forward to take the items.

The memorial’s content was the same as he had seen before, but this time it included evidence proving that the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence was responsible for the land annexation, complete with signed confessions. The evidence Wang Jin had submitted had no such signatures.

The two sets of evidence were laid before the throne. Neither party knew the contents of the other’s evidence, especially Chi Wan’s, which was known to fewer than five people.

Lu Zhen, Chen Yuan, Yu Jiuzhou, and Chi Wan herself.

Emperor Shengyuan glanced at Prince Zhongshan, then at Yu Jiuzhou, and finally, his gaze fell upon the Marquis of Huai’an. The Marquis was frantic, terrified that Chi Wan’s evidence was aimed at him.

What if it was? He couldn’t just jump out and defend himself, as his name had not been mentioned. To do so would be to reveal his guilt.

Seeing the Marquis’s anxious state, his head beaded with cold sweat, Emperor Shengyuan made up his mind.

“Wang Jin claims that the Grand Princess’s Residence annexed commoners’ land and drove them to their deaths. However, the Fuma’s memorial, along with her evidence, points to the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence as the perpetrator.”

Emperor Shengyuan’s tone was deep, his thoughts unreadable. But the meaning of his words was clear. He referred to Wang Jin’s memorial as merely what Wang Jin “claimed,” while he mentioned that the Fuma’s memorial was backed by “evidence.” He also didn’t directly say the Grand Princess, but rather the “Grand Princess’s Residence.”

The difference of a single word was a world apart. The “Princess’s Residence” could easily blame its subordinates and servants.

Emperor Shengyuan had prepared two options for Yu Jiuzhou. To be precise, he wanted to cultivate Yu Jiuzhou, and she was his own daughter, representing his imperial dignity.

She was his only child, so her every move was watched by the entire world. Abroad, she represented the Emperor’s face. If he were to have a Qian Yuan son, the heir would be young and the state’s future uncertain. As the elder sister, the Grand Princess could then take on the heavy responsibility of regency. Her reputation could not be sullied by such a trivial matter. Coupled with other considerations, he did not want Yu Jiuzhou to be too affected by this affair.

This was why, in the previous life, Emperor Shengyuan had been so eager to close the case, pushing all the blame onto the subordinates and servants of the Grand Princess’s Residence. Unfortunately, Yu Jiuzhou’s reputation had still been damaged. This time, there was another option: the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence.

Getting rid of the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence would also damage Emperor Shengyuan’s prestige, but some things were a matter of comparison. His own daughter versus the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence—was it really a difficult choice?

Emperor Shengyuan glanced at the Marquis of Huai’an, who was anxiously trying to step forward and explain himself, then announced in a loud voice, “Today is New Year’s Eve. We do not wish to punish anyone. This matter will be addressed when the court reconvenes. Chi Wan, We bestow upon you the title of Loyal and Diligent Light Chariot Commandant and General of Manifest Might, and appoint you Imperial Commissioner. As for the magistrate of Qingyuan County, you will continue in that post for now. When a suitable replacement is found, We will assign you another task.”

Chi Wan was astonished. Was this a benefit the Emperor was giving her to smooth things over and make a big issue small?

A Light Chariot Commandant of the junior third rank, and one with an honorific title at that. Her titular post had changed from civil to military, making her a General of Manifest Might of the junior fourth rank, and she was also appointed as a Imperial Commissioner of the senior fourth rank.

The authority of a Imperial Commissioner could be great or small. When dispatched, they represented the Emperor, much like an imperial envoy. For instance, if she were sent to Wucheng for disaster relief, she would have the power to direct military, civil, and financial affairs, even making decisions on the spot that the Prefect of Wucheng would have to obey. If not dispatched, the position held little power. It was a temporary post. What was the Emperor planning?

Chi Wan looked toward Yu Jiuzhou. Seeing her nod, she stepped forward and bowed. “Your subject thanks Your Majesty for this immense grace.”

Except for major ceremonial events, it was not customary in Great Zhou to kneel at every turn, not even before the Emperor.

But with this promotion, her annual salary would probably reach five hundred taels, right? And here was Yu Jiuzhou, generously allowing her to spend a thousand taels a month.

“Your Majesty!” Wang Jin cried out in frustration. The Minister of Rites stepped forward. “The evidence has not been reviewed by the Ministry of Justice, the Grand Court of Revision, or the Censorate. How can it be believed?”

The Right Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate said coldly, “Your Majesty, this matter concerns the Grand Princess. If the Ministry of Justice and the Grand Court of Revision dare not investigate, my Censorate dares.”

The Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate thought, …Did you get my permission?

But his subordinate was extremely stubborn. The Right Censor-in-Chief continued, “The common people are already impoverished, and now they are to have their fields seized by a princess. Should this matter not be answered for to all the people under Heaven?”

Many other officials chimed in with their agreement. Wang Jin had no idea he had become so popular. Prince Zhongshan was also puzzled; he hadn’t arranged for so many people.

“Is it an answer to your Censorate, or an answer to the people under Heaven? His Majesty has already said the evidence is there and the matter will be tried when court reconvenes. Did His Majesty ever say it would not be tried? Your Censorate, in its desire to court a reputation for being upright, only hears what it wants to hear. Do you still have any respect for His Majesty?” Chi Wan’s words were a direct rebuke. She couldn’t stand these people who claimed to act for the country and the people. Did they not know in their hearts what they were truly after?

“You…!” The Right Censor-in-Chief trembled with rage, his face flushed red.

The Censor-in-Chief quickly spoke up. “Fuma, the words of the Right Censor-in-Chief represent only himself, not the entire Censorate.”

The Right Censor-in-Chief was speechless. Here he was, chattering away, and his superior was undermining him. This woman was simply detestable.

The Censor-in-Chief was a female Qian Yuan.

“In that case, I apologize to the Censorate,” Chi Wan said with a look of contrition, though she was laughing inwardly.

The Censor-in-Chief smiled. “The Fuma knows to correct her mistakes. This is truly a mark of virtue.”

“The Censor-in-Chief’s magnanimity is something I also admire.”

The two went back and forth, turning Wang Jin, the Minister of Rites, and the Right Censor-in-Chief into laughingstocks.

Chi Wan’s tone shifted again. “Your Majesty, your subject is well-versed in the laws of Great Zhou. May I ask, what is the crime for slandering Your Majesty and the Grand Princess?”

Wang Jin retorted, “Nonsense! When did we ever slander His Majesty?”

“You implied that His Majesty was protecting the Grand Princess. Is that not slander? And what’s more, you admit to slandering Her Highness the Grand Princess!”

Chi Wan continued, “The evidence is conclusive, and you are all free to verify it. If the evidence is proven to be authentic, are you not then guilty of slandering His Majesty and the Grand Princess?”

Wang Jin’s face turned shades of green and red. He looked pleadingly at the Minister of Rites, Xie Xuanfeng.

Xie Xuanfeng remained silent. Prince Zhongshan had been too hasty in this matter. The evidence was not the key; the key was the Emperor’s heart.

With so many people stepping forward to support Wang Jin’s words, His Majesty had likely grown suspicious.

The Right Censor-in-Chief spoke recklessly, “If this has nothing to do with Her Highness the Grand Princess, then are you saying, Fuma, that this was all done by your Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence? As a daughter of the Marquis’s house, for you to report your own father—what kind of principle is that!”

Good. This was the very sentence Chi Wan had been waiting for them to say.

The Emperor had granted her a promotion, wanting her to drop the matter for now and wait until court reconvened. She had to give the Emperor face. But since the Right Censor-in-Chief had brought it up, it was no longer her doing.

As expected, the Emperor’s face instantly darkened.

Chi Wan carefully considered her words, then bowed to the Emperor. “Your subject merely presents this evidence for Your Majesty’s sacred judgment. This is not an accusation. These are bloody facts. The Right Censor-in-Chief accuses me of denouncing my own father. I implore Your Majesty to punish him for the crime of slandering an imperial relative.”

“I may have come from the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence, but I am first and foremost Your Majesty’s subject and the Magistrate of Qingyuan County. It is only natural for the people under my jurisdiction to file complaints and seek the protection of their parent official. The sages taught us to ‘not favor one’s own kin, but only follow what is right.’ The people’s fields were seized, their relatives murdered. Should I not seek justice for them? Your Majesty personally decreed that I serve as the magistrate of Qingyuan County. Am I to deceive Your Majesty and commit an act of disloyalty? The Marquis’s residence has shown me kindness, but the Emperor’s grace is greater than Heaven, and the people are greater than Heaven. I am merely acting in accordance with the laws of Great Zhou, so that I may not fail the sacred grace and the people!”

Her words placed her firmly on the side of ritual propriety and righteousness. The scholar-officials constantly spoke of Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parent, and Teacher, with the ruler being supreme, and of serving the Emperor and the state.

With the Emperor’s grace first and the laws of Great Zhou foremost, no one could find fault with her. Strictly speaking, she was handing over evidence related to her own father, which was a gray area in terms of ritual propriety, but it wasn’t an official accusation. She was the Magistrate of Qingyuan County, and it was her duty to handle cases in her jurisdiction. Knowing her father and brother had broken the law, she certainly couldn’t cover for them, but she also couldn’t punish them herself. Thus, she brought the memorial and evidence to the Emperor for him to decide. This could not be linked to unfilial conduct.

So Chi Wan continued, “Your Majesty, although I have married into the Grand Princess’s Residence, and any children I have in the future will bear the surname Yu, like Your Majesty and the Grand Princess, I was, after all, born into the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence. If my parents are guilty, I, their daughter, will bear the punishment for them. I beg Your Majesty to pass sentence upon me.”

She was no longer a member of the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence, so what did their crimes have to do with her? Yet, out of respect for the grace of having been born to them, she was willing to take the blame for her father. Having gone this far, what more could be said?

But she also emphasized one more thing: her future children with the Grand Princess would be named Yu. As she said this, Chi Wan couldn’t help but glance at Yu Jiuzhou. Your Highness, please don’t be angry. I’m only doing this to seize the moral high ground. These people want to use morality to trap me, but I’m standing on even higher moral ground, and just happened to dangle a carrot for the Emperor.

She didn’t care whose surname her children took, provided she and Yu Jiuzhou could even have children.

The Fuma marries in, so the Grand Princess’s children would be named Yu?

Emperor Shengyuan’s eyes lit up. That’s right, why hadn’t he thought of this before? If he truly couldn’t produce a Qian Yuan heir, could this be a solution? Such arrangements were not uncommon among the populace; there was no reason an emperor couldn’t do the same.

The Emperor slammed his hand on the table. “Nonsense! Even if someone were to take the punishment for their parents, it should be the heir of the Marquis of Huai’an, not you, who has already married into another family.”

With one sentence, the Emperor had settled the matter and was about to pronounce the guilt of the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence, thinking a simple dismissal from office would suffice. But just then, a eunuch rushed in frantically and knelt at Emperor Shengyuan’s feet.

“Your Majesty, a commoner has come to file an imperial petition against the Marquis of Huai’an, and… and he has killed himself by ramming into the palace wall.”

Emperor Shengyuan shot to his feet. In his fury, his chest heaved with ragged breaths, as if he might collapse at any second.

Yu Jiuzhou quickly reached out. Chun Gui, ever perceptive, poured a few heart-saving pills into her palm. She hurried to the Emperor’s side and supported him, first popping two pills into her own mouth. “Father Emperor, they are heart-saving pills.”

Seeing that she had taken them, Emperor Shengyuan accepted the pills and swallowed them. After feeling much better, he took a sip of tea.

His sudden rise, looking as if he were about to pass out, had scared the officials half to death. But seeing him still “drinking wine,” they relaxed.

Yu Jiuzhou hadn’t expected that the heart-saving pills she had prepared for Chi Wan would end up being used on Emperor Shengyuan.

Chi Wan’s performance had been far better than she had imagined. Earlier that day, Chi Wan had written out two prescriptions. Yu Jiuzhou had suddenly wanted to help her, so she had arranged for the Censor-in-Chief and Earl Wukang to step in at critical moments. Who knew she wouldn’t need them at all?

Chi Wan had debated three high-ranking officials by herself, and her final words had struck a chord right in His Majesty’s heart. “Marrying into the Grand Princess’s Residence” was essentially marrying into the imperial family, and “the children born will be named Yu”—the bloodline of the three princes was so distant from His Majesty, whereas a child born to his own daughter would be his direct grandchild.

These words had almost made Emperor Shengyuan mindlessly defend Chi Wan’s status as having married in. She had seemingly pleaded guilty to take the blame for her “parents,” but in reality, she was already disconnected from the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence, and Emperor Shengyuan would not allow her to be associated with them again.

No wonder Chi Wan had backed down after her first memorial failed. It turned out she was waiting for this moment.

Furthermore, she hadn’t exposed the fact that she had already submitted a memorial, which gave her father a preconceived notion of her tactfulness. This person was truly… intelligent.

Emperor Shengyuan steadied himself, though rage nearly consumed him. As an emperor, he could not let his emotions show. Beneath the long sleeves of his dragon robe, his hand clenched a corner of the fabric, forcing himself to remain calm, his expression unreadable. But the words he spoke swept over the officials like a tidal wave, reminding them once again that even an old emperor could still wield a sword to kill.

“The Marquis of Huai’an, Chi Mingwu, is to be executed. The heir, Chi Xu, is to be stripped of his title, reduced to a commoner, and exiled a thousand li. The title of Marquis of Huai’an…”

The Emperor spoke with great effort, his dragon eyes radiating an imposing aura without being angry. But at the critical moment, he reined in his fury. It was also because Yu Jiuzhou had squeezed his hand, bringing him back to his senses. “The Marquisate of Huai’an is demoted to an Earldom. The title will be inherited by Chi Qing, Reader-in-Waiting of the Hanlin Academy. Chi Qing will no longer serve as a Reader-in-Waiting and will be assigned a post outside the capital. This matter is to be handled by the Ministry of Personnel.”

The Marquis of Huai’an had suddenly become the Earl of Huai’an. A dignified marquis was sentenced to death, his heir exiled, and a daughter from a concubine was to inherit the title. It was a pity, though. A promising scholar from the prestigious Hanlin Academy was suddenly being sent to a provincial post. For a Jinshi who had worked so hard to become a Shujishi, this was like having half his life taken away. After all, in Great Zhou, one could not become a high minister without being a Jinshi, nor enter the Grand Secretariat without being from the Hanlin Academy. Chi Qing’s bright future was half-ruined. His Majesty was too ruthless.

Perhaps it was a case of feeling sympathy for one’s own kind. The officials felt that Chi Mingwu’s fate today could be theirs tomorrow, so they thought the punishment was too severe. After all, none of them had clean hands.

In reality, all the officials understood. His Majesty was acting out of consideration for the Grand Princess. No matter what, the Fuma had come from the Marquis of Huai’an’s… no, the Earl’s Residence. If the earldom were to be completely abolished, it would reflect poorly on the Fuma.

Chi Mingwu and Chi Xu had violated the laws of the state and heaven, an unforgivable crime. Yet, His Majesty, for the sake of the Grand Princess’s Residence, had not allowed the Chi family to be completely wiped out.

Since Chi Wan had declared she had married into the Princess’s Residence, she naturally could not inherit the title. That left only the other Qian Yuan daughter in the Chi family to inherit it.

“Your Majesty, spare me! The Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence has a cinnabar-inscribed iron plaque that grants immunity from the death penalty! Your Majesty, the Chi family will give up the title! Please, Your Majesty, spare our lives!”

Chi Mingwu shouted, and Chi Xu joined in. “Yes, our family has a cinnabar-inscribed iron plaque! Your Majesty, we don’t want the title anymore! I don’t want to be exiled!”

The father and son wailed, a pathetic sight of tears and snot. Some looked on with disdain, thinking them spineless cowards for crying.

But how could they not cry? One was to be executed, the other exiled. And the one exiled would not survive either. Of those sent into exile, not even one in a hundred survived; many died on the road.

Chi Wan lowered her eyes, her gaze icy. Why weren’t they crying when they were annexing land, bullying men and women, and killing commoners? The commoners had cried long ago, having lost their loved ones and the land they depended on to live.

When committing their evil deeds, these people had been arrogant and ruthless. When had they ever shown mercy to the people?

Perhaps it was the sudden sight of her that made Chi Xu suddenly shout, “Ah Wan! Ah Wan, save us! You’re the Fuma! His Majesty will surely spare Father and me!”

While Chi Xu begged for mercy, Chi Mingwu remained as arrogant as ever. “Treacherous daughter! Unfilial daughter! Even if your father made a mistake, as his daughter, you should have covered for him! If you truly had no choice, then you should have died! If you were dead, wouldn’t all this be over?!”

Chi Wan sneered and immediately knelt on the floor, facing Emperor Shengyuan, her face buried deep in the back of her hands. From behind, she looked to be in great pain.

Yu Jiuzhou, who was supporting Emperor Shengyuan, reprimanded them coldly, “You try to frame me, and you still dare to ask for help? Gag them and drag them out for a hundred strokes of the cane first!”

The execution would have been a quick death, but now they had to endure a hundred strokes first. The pain would be immense.

Yu Jiuzhou’s gaze rested on Chi Wan’s back for a long time before she looked away. She said gently to the Emperor, “Father Emperor, let your subject help you back to your bedchamber.”

“Mm.” Emperor Shengyuan knew he couldn’t hold on for much longer. He absolutely could not show any weakness in front of his officials.

“Summon the Fuma.”

Hearing Emperor Shengyuan’s words, Yu Jiuzhou was taken aback, but a nearby eunuch had already gone to call for Chi Wan.

“His Majesty is returning to the palace! The banquet is dismissed!” another eunuch announced. After such an incident, the New Year’s Eve banquet could not possibly continue. It was better for everyone to disperse.

Receiving the eunuch’s message, Chi Wan rose and followed behind them.

She heard someone snort coldly, “Selling out her father for glory.”

Chi Wan immediately shot a vicious glare in that direction. The speaker was Wang Jin. Her eyes were bloodshot, like a ravenous demon ready to tear Wang Jin apart at any moment.

This look frightened Wang Jin, especially as Chi Wan started walking toward him.

“What… what are you doing? This is Hanyuan Hall,” Wang Jin stammered.

Chi Wan merely patted his shoulder. “Lord Wang, are you suggesting that I should be disloyal to the Emperor, to the laws of Great Zhou, and to the people?”

“You…” Wang Jin was speechless. His accusation was baseless. Chi Wan had already positioned herself on the high ground of morality and law. As she had said, she was merely presenting the evidence for the Emperor to decide. Was she really supposed to do as Chi Mingwu said and just die?

But even death would be an act of disloyalty to the ruler and the country, a betrayal of the law and the people. It would solve nothing. For them, when choosing between ruler and parent, no matter what they thought privately, they had to choose the ruler publicly.

Chi Wan said indifferently, “I will be waiting for Lord Wang to impeach me. Remember to repeat what you just said to His Majesty and to all the people under Heaven.”

As she patted Wang Jin’s shoulder, she sent a sliver of internal energy into his body. Before long, Wang Jin would find himself unable to leave the latrine.

The Right Censor-in-Chief chimed in, “Your father is dead. Shouldn’t you also die to atone for his sins?”

“According to the laws of Great Zhou, a Fuma is forbidden from taking their own life. If the Right Censor-in-Chief cannot bear to part with his colleague, he should go and die with him. Otherwise… how much longer do you think you have to live?”

“I forgot to tell you, I am skilled in medicine. Right Censor-in-Chief, you are in a warm hall, yet you are dressed so heavily. Are you feeling chills? Let me tell you, this symptom is consumption. If you don’t believe me, you can have an imperial physician examine you.”

After saying her piece, Chi Wan left, not bothering to speak with them any further.

The Right Censor-in-Chief was incensed and shouted in rebuttal, “Nonsense… cough!”

He quickly covered his mouth with his sleeve, but a mouthful of blood had already coughed out. Wang Jin, who was standing beside him, froze and quickly took several steps back.

Consumption was contagious.

This was actually a little trick of Chi Wan’s. The Right Censor-in-Chief did indeed have an ailment that made him feel cold, but it wasn’t consumption. She was just scaring him.

Now, everyone was keeping a distance of several meters from him, completely unwilling to get close.

“No… I’m not…”

But no one listened to his explanation. Wang Jin even said, “Uh, Lord Li, perhaps you should keep your distance from us. Why don’t you see an imperial physician first?”

The Right Censor-in-Chief was speechless. Seeing the disgusted looks from everyone, he wanted to cry but had no tears. But why did he cough up blood just as she said he would? And he did feel cold, a condition that never seemed to get better. Could it be…?

At this thought, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted on the floor. No one dared to step forward to help him, not even his own family.

In the end, it was the eunuchs who tied strips of cloth over their faces, grabbed him by the feet, and dragged him out of Hanyuan Hall to the imperial physicians.

Chi Wan observed the chaos in Hanyuan Hall before striding off to catch up with Yu Jiuzhou. These people wished her dead. Given that, her punishment had been quite merciful.

Emperor Shengyuan and Yu Jiuzhou, who had left before her, only learned of the events in Hanyuan Hall the next day. They didn’t care. A tactless official would be demoted sooner or later.

Yu Jiuzhou supported Emperor Shengyuan all the way to his bedchamber. Eunuchs helped him lie down, and an imperial physician who had been waiting in the chamber examined him. After a while, he said, “His Majesty’s dragon body is fine, just overcome by a fit of anger. You must rest well. This subject will go and write a prescription. As long as Your Majesty takes the medicine on time, you will be well.”

Yu Jiuzhou waved him away and stood worriedly by the window.

After a long while, Emperor Shengyuan propped himself up and said with difficulty, “Zhou’er, do you still resent your Father Emperor for making you marry Chi Wan?”

Yu Jiuzhou looked at the Emperor steadily, then feigned grievance. “Your subject does not resent Father Emperor. I only resent Chi Wan. She is a good-for-nothing, and her family has utterly disgraced me.”

Hearing her say this, Emperor Shengyuan understood why she had ordered the caning of the Chi father and son earlier. A look of satisfaction flashed in his eyes and was gone.

Otherwise, he might have thought she was lashing out in anger on the Fuma’s behalf.

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