Chapter 383: Chapter 378: Imperial Concubine
The following day, the news that tens of millions of silver were seized from the house of Zhou Hong stunned the entire court, resulting in himself, his wife, children, and parents all being sentenced to immediate execution due to him having no relatives in his childhood poverty, thus sparing unrelated individuals.
After Zhou Hong’s death, what court officials were most concerned about was the position of Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Revenue that he had vacated.
Especially Qiao Zhenglian, Zhou Hong was his man, and also the highest-ranking official under him who was wholeheartedly loyal to him. How could he be content losing Zhou Hong, his moneybag?
Qiao Zhenglian began maneuvering in the court, a move that exactly caught Ye Qiu’s attention. Initially, Ye Qiu had no suspicions about his relationship with Zhou Hong, toppling Zhou Hong was solely because he embezzled military provisions from the border. She didn’t expect it to lead to such a big fish.
But why did Qiao Zhenglian care so much about the position of Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Revenue? Wasn’t he always loyal to the Emperor and never formed factions?
At this point, Ye Qiu began to recall her past life, where after Qiao Qingyue became the Empress, she had once come to the Cold Palace to flaunt her power and glanced at her, insinuating that her relationship with the Emperor started from their childhood?
So, not only did she know Qiao Qingyue from childhood, but they were in constant contact?
This just got interesting. Qiao Qingyue was merely a secluded young lady. How could she and the Emperor exchange fond feelings? If it wasn’t for Qiao Zhenglian’s instructions, Ye Qiu would never believe it!
So, the upright and clean Old Qiao was also continuously plotting for power and the next heir to the throne!
Then, is Qiao Qingyue’s relationship with the Emperor based on love or power?
Ye Qiu guessed there might be love, but power probably mattered more. Qiao Qingyue wasn’t twelve or thirteen and not of age to marry, so why didn’t she marry him when Ji Fei was still a Prince? Although Ye Qiu occupied the position of the main wife, if they really loved each other, becoming a concubine wouldn’t be an issue.
And the Qiao Family specifically waited until Ji Fei ascended the throne to let Qiao Qingyue enter the palace. It seems they initially didn’t have faith in Ji Fei, but who could have helped him but the Ye Family?
This way, Qiao Qingyue perfectly sketched an image in Ji Fei’s heart of someone who endures humiliations and is deeply affectionate and loyal, wouldn’t Ji Fei treat her differently?
Ye Qiu chuckled lightly, Old Qiao’s plan was really good, but she had already chosen someone for the position of Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Revenue.
Speaking of whom, it was a familiar person, none other than Du Zeshan, the father of Du Qingman who nearly faced charges after failing the selection process for draft into the harem.
These days, Ji Fei was so enchanted by Ye Qiu that he was clueless, and almost all decisions in court were made by Ye Qiu. It didn’t take long before the order for appointment reached Hebei.
This Du Zeshan is a good official; his political achievements over the years have also been very remarkable, and he has a good reputation among the local people. His promotion was just a matter of time.
Most importantly, in her past life, this man spoke up for the Ye Family. In the past life, his daughter Du Qingman was also not selected and yet wasn’t punished. Although she was domineering, it was not as severe as taking a life, and moreover, the accusations of her being domineering were mostly spread by Ji Fei. Du Qingman was almost made a scapegoat in both her lifetimes, but both times it was Ye Qiu who saved her.
Du Zeshan was a good official for the country and the people, whether it was for public or private interests, promoting him was the best choice. However, Ye Qiu was not a do-gooder who remained anonymous; when Du Zeshan received the imperial decree for promotion, he also knew that it was all operated by Ye Qiu in the background, therefore, he called his daughter Du Qingman, who had previously interacted with Ye Qiu.
"Have you been to the palace? Do you know what kind of person the Imperial Concubine is?" Du Zeshan asked anxiously with his hands behind his back.
Although Du Qingman was surprised that her father suddenly asked about the Imperial Concubine, she still shared her views: "People say that the Imperial Concubine is arrogant and cruel due to being doted on, but I don’t think so. When I faced the Emperor directly, it wasn’t the Imperial Concubine who accused me but the Emperor who said I offended the Imperial Concubine. In the end, if Imperial Concubine hadn’t spoken for me, I wouldn’t have been able to return home."
"What about the management of the harem under the Imperial Concubine?" Du Zeshan continued to inquire.
"Everything is in order, both the palace maids and the eunuchs follow the rules," replied Du Qingman as she recalled, "Did something happen?"
"It’s still not certain, but it would be troubling if it’s true." Du Zeshan sighed, since there have been cases where the harem had significant political influence due to the Emperor’s young age in the past. But the Holy Emperor is already twenty and has been in power since his ascension; there shouldn’t be a gradual transfer of power to the concubines in the harem.
What exactly is the Emperor doing? What does the Imperial Concubine want to do? What is her motive behind promoting herself?
However, since the imperial decree has already been issued, moving to the capital for his appointment is a settled matter, and in fact, he was somewhat excited about it. Although being a governor is leading a region, how many officials wouldn’t want to be an official in the capital?
Since the late Emperor’s time, the court started to deteriorate. Although the Holy Emperor intends to reform, unfortunately, he lacks the power to suppress the Ministers and the aristocratic families below him. If he became the Minister of Revenue, he would definitely not engage in corruption or bribery, as the people cannot endure further torment.
While Du Zeshan was packing with his family to head to the capital for his appointment, on the other side, the Imperial Censors started criticizing Ye Qiu for monopolizing the Emperor, resulting in the Emperor not attending court for ten consecutive days, and refusing to meet the ministers, only allowing documents to be submitted.
How can this be acceptable? Not to mention that the attention in the harem should be evenly distributed, even favoring a single concubine should not hinder state affairs!
Therefore, the Imperial Censors submitted petitions en masse, requesting a meeting with Ji Fei and asking him to discipline Ye Qiu, some even resorted to extreme behaviors to meet Ji Fei.
"Your Majesty, Anfu said another Imperial Censor has thrown himself against a pillar," Ye Qiuqing gently massaged Ji Fei’s temples while softly informing him of the recent incidents.
Then, watching Ji Fei’s brows furrow with satisfaction, "Those Imperial Censors are just that stubborn. Haven’t I, your beloved, been handling affairs across the regions well? What are they still unsatisfied with?"
Ye Qiu sighed, "Perhaps they fear that your concubine is an Evil Concubine, isn’t that what everyone is saying now?"
Ji Fei suddenly sat up and passionately grasped Ye Qiu’s hand: "My beloved, do not be affected by these rumors. Am I not aware of my own situation? Am I, the Emperor, not allowed to dote on a woman without them interfering?"
Ye Qiu looked troubled, "But if the Imperial Censors continue to create such disturbances, isn’t it problematic? If someone really dies, wouldn’t it affect your wise image, Your Majesty?"
Ji Fei turned to Anfu and said, "Tell them if they want to throw themselves, they should hurry up. If someone dies, I will indeed grant their family honor. If they survive, don’t blame me for punishing them and their families. If they dare not do it, let them roll back to where they came from."
Anfu looked at Ye Qiu fearfully and respectfully responded, "Yes! I will convey the message immediately."
The decree of Ji Fei was quickly passed on, and the Imperial Censors’ faces turned livid. Should they throw themselves or not? They all looked at Imperial Censor Zhang, as he was the one who led them to advise in the first place—it was appropriate for him to lead this action.