You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

February 3rd, morning, Daqing Hall.

Just past the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), the sky was still dark, but hundreds of giant tallow candles were already lit inside the hall, illuminating the carved beams, painted rafters, and golden pillars with coiled dragons, creating a solemn and magnificent atmosphere.

The civil and military officials stood solemnly according to their ranks, their breath condensing into white mist in the cold air. The vast hall was completely silent, save for the wisps of smoke rising and twisting from the bronze crane incense burner beside the throne.

Almost all the officials, regardless of rank, kept their eyes down and their minds at a loss, but their hearts were in turmoil.

The news that the Imperial City Guard had made a large-scale arrest last night, especially of several wealthy merchants with considerable backgrounds and the nephew of the Marquis of Jing'an, spread like wildfire throughout every household in the middle of the night.

Many of those standing here now have connections, open or covert, with the people on the list, and they are all feeling uneasy, wondering who this fire will burn.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

As the eunuch in charge of ceremonies spoke in a drawn-out, high-pitched voice, Lu Zuo, dressed in a robe with twelve imperial symbols and wearing a crown with the inscription "Tongtian," slowly walked out from behind the screen behind the throne and took his seat.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The roar of worship was deafening, and the atmosphere was more tense than usual.

"All of you, rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

At the start of the routine court meeting, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Works reported in turn on matters such as preparations for the Northern Expedition, spring plowing, and progress of the glass workshop.

But everyone seemed distracted, their eyes frequently glancing towards the first line of the Ministry of Works' column on the left side of the imperial steps, where it was completely empty.

Shen Gai, did you take the day off today?

Just as a memorial concerning the Grand Canal was finished being discussed and a brief moment of silence appeared in the hall, Gao Qian, the Chief Eunuch of the Palace Attendants who was standing by the imperial steps, stepped forward and unfurled a roll of bright yellow silk.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

"Shen Gai, the Minister of Works, has been entrusted with important responsibilities by the state for generations. He should devote himself wholeheartedly to the task and remain honest and upright."

"However, instead of serving the country, he disregarded the law and, since the first month of the lunar calendar, took advantage of the Glass Bureau's recruitment of new shares to accept bribes from dozens of wealthy businessmen, including Zhou Shi'an, Liu Decai, and Zhao Guangyuan."

"Their gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, and land deeds, worth a fortune, were used to facilitate their registration and allocation of new shares, severely disrupting the court's policies to benefit the people and undermining the moral order. Their actions are despicable, and their crimes deserve to be punished!"

A suppressed gasp filled the hall.

really!

Something bad has happened to Shen!

They even directly named Zhou Shi'an and others!

This is going to wipe them all out!

However, Gao Qian's voice continued, but the tone suddenly changed:

"However, upon investigation, it was found that Shen's ancestor had made minor contributions during the founding of the dynasty by Emperor Taizu. He was granted a special imperial edict by Emperor Taizu, which granted his descendants the grace of being pardoned from death or having their crimes reduced once."

"I, mindful of the benevolence of the founding emperor, extend this grace beyond the law."

"Immediately, remove Shen from his post as Minister of Works, strip him of his rank and salary, and send him to reflect on his mistakes in seclusion, to observe his future conduct."

"All the bribes and illicit gains he received were confiscated and used to fund the Northern Expedition."

"The evidence against the wealthy merchants Zhou Shi'an, Liu Decai, Zhao Guangyuan, and others involved in the bribery case is conclusive. The Ministry of Justice, in conjunction with the Imperial City Guard, is ordered to immediately confiscate their property and prosecute them strictly according to the law, without fail!"

"So be it."

A certificate of merit? Bestowed by the founding emperor?

Shen Gai was born into a commoner family, so where did he get the imperial edict and iron certificate from Emperor Taizu?

All the civil and military officials in the hall were stunned, looking at each other blankly, unable to react for a moment.

If Shen's ancestors truly possessed an imperial edict, what an honorable talisman it would be! It should have been enshrined in the ancestral hall long ago, known to all. Why had no one heard of it before?

But the imperial edict had already been issued, and its words were law.

Moreover, the imperial edict stated that Shen Gai's crime was accepting bribes, and his punishment was dismissal from his post, confinement for reflection, and confiscation of the illicit gains.

For wealthy businessmen who offer bribes, their property will be confiscated and they will be severely punished according to the law.

The distinction between what is important and what is not, and the sudden appearance of the imperial edict that no one can verify...

Some quick-thinking officials, such as Wang Ciweng, the Minister of Personnel, and Wang Jue, the Minister of War, had already realized what was happening.

That's it!

This is not because Shen Gai really has any iron certificate; it is clearly a charade put on by His Majesty and Shen Gai!

Shen Gai was ordered to collect gifts and keep accounts. Now that the matter is over, His Majesty used a fabricated imperial edict to exonerate Shen Gai.

Removing someone from their post is a way to silence public criticism and demonstrate the court's determination to punish corruption.

The real targets, those incredibly wealthy sheep who are trying to monopolize the glass industry, are the ones His Majesty is sharpening his knives against!

The spoils from the confiscation of property were just enough to cover the expenses of the Northern Expedition!

This move killed several birds with one stone: it raised funds, cleared the area, gave a warning to the officials, and completely seized control of the new glass policy!

"What a brilliant scheme... truly a brilliant scheme!" Wang Ciweng lowered his eyelids and sighed inwardly.

This emperor is so cunning and ruthless that he inspires fear.

"Your subject... this guilty subject Shen Gai accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude."

"We kowtow in gratitude to Your Majesty for sparing our lives, and we kowtow in gratitude to the spirit of the late Emperor Taizu!"

A slightly hoarse voice, filled with sorrow and gratitude, came from the entrance of the palace.

Shen Gai was not wearing official robes, but only a plain cloth robe. With his hair down and bare feet, he hurried into the palace and kowtowed heavily before the imperial steps, his forehead hitting the ground with a loud thud.

His face was haggard, and his eyes were bloodshot. He seemed to have aged a lot overnight, perfectly portraying the image of a criminal who had narrowly escaped death, was grateful but ashamed to face anyone.

Lu Zuo sat high on the throne, his voice coming through the crown, devoid of emotion: "I hope you will stay behind closed doors and reflect deeply on your mistakes."

Lu Zuo sat high on the throne, his voice coming through the crown, devoid of emotion: "I hope you will stay behind closed doors and reflect deeply on your mistakes."

"The Iron Certificate of Emperor Taizu is a one-time event."

"I hope you will take good care of yourself."

"This humble subject...will remember Your Majesty's teachings!"

Shen kowtowed again, and was then helped out of the Daqing Hall by two palace guards.

"Zhang Fu, Minister of Justice, and Pei Xuan, Commissioner of the Imperial City Guard," Lu Zuo called out.

"Your Majesty, we are here!" The two stepped forward.

"As ordered, proceed with the confiscation of property immediately."

"We must ensure that the evidence is conclusive and the accounts are clear. All the confiscated property must be registered and reported to the Ministry of Revenue for special use in the Northern Expedition."

"Anyone who resists or conceals assets will be severely punished."

"We obey your command! We will not fail you!"

"Your Majesty is wise! You have eliminated the treacherous officials, cleansed the filth, and replenished the national treasury to facilitate the northern expedition!" Immediately, officials stepped forward and loudly praised the emperor.

.....

Shortly after the court session ended, a swift and unexpected raid was launched simultaneously inside and outside Yingtian Prefecture, with the cooperation of the Imperial City Guard and the Ministry of Justice.

In the east of the city, in Furui Lane, lies the residence of Wang Dafu, the owner of Wangji Silk Shop.

This is a large mansion with five courtyards, high walls and vermilion gates, and deep courtyards.

At this moment, the once bustling atmosphere has vanished, replaced by a deathly silence and bewilderment.

The main gate was guarded by officers from the Ministry of Justice, and faint sounds of ransacking, shouting, and crying could be heard from inside the courtyard.

In the main hall of the rear courtyard, a woman of about twenty-five or twenty-six years old... They paced back and forth like ants on a hot pan.

She was Wang Dafu's second wife, whom he had married only two years prior. Her maiden name was Liu, and she was known as Wang Liushi.

This girl was extremely beautiful, with almond-shaped eyes, peach-blossom cheeks, skin as white as snow, and a curvaceous and voluptuous figure.

She wore a light purple brocade jacket and skirt embroidered with gold butterflies, which made her more beautiful than the flowers. However, her hair was slightly disheveled, and her hairpins and ornaments were askew. Her pretty face was full of panic and anxiety, and her eyes were red, which added to her pitiful and charming appearance.

Wang Liu was originally the daughter of a well-known silk shop owner in the south of the city. She was quite beautiful and shrewd. After marrying Wang Dafu, who was even wealthier, she was only thinking about enjoying a life of luxury. Little did she know that before she could enjoy her life of wealth and luxury enough, the sky would fall!

"What to do... what are we going to do?!"

"The master has been arrested by the Imperial City Guard and we haven't heard from him since. Now they're coming to confiscate our property!"

"How are my son and I supposed to survive from now on!"

With a sob in her voice, Wang Liushi urgently spoke to one of her trusted maids.

The maidservant, named Chunxing, was brought from Wang Liushi's maternal home. She was quite clever, and she lowered her voice and said, "Madam, don't be anxious."

"This servant heard... heard that the Imperial City Guard was acting on His Majesty's orders."

"Your Majesty...His Majesty..."

"What's wrong, Your Majesty? Tell me quickly!" Wang Liushi grabbed her wrist.

Chunxing leaned close to Wang Liushi's ear, her voice barely audible, like a mosquito's buzz: "I overheard Xiao Liu, the errand boy from the front yard, whispering that everyone outside is saying His Majesty... His Majesty seems to be quite fond of women."

"Not to mention Consort Li and Consort Bao in the palace, even the pretty nun Jingchen from Shuiyue Nunnery is said to have become His Majesty's... bedmate."

"His Majesty favors her greatly."

Wang Liu was taken aback, a strange light flashing in her beautiful eyes.

Chunxing continued, "Madam, think about it. What our master did was, in the end, bribery. Whether the family fortune can be saved or not depends entirely on His Majesty's word."

"It seems this confiscation of their property is inevitable now, but if..."

"If His Majesty could show mercy and spare the lives of the Madam and Young Master, or even... leave them some money to live on, who knows!"

"With your beauty and grace, Madam, if..."

Wang Liushi instantly understood what the maid meant.

Use your beauty to seek a way to survive, or even to pursue a greater fortune!

She was always very confident in her looks, and Wang Dafu was so infatuated with her that he defied all opposition to marry her.

The emperor was also a man, and a man who held the power of life and death!

If only I could gain even a sliver of his pity...

"Jingchen... Shuiyue Nunnery..."

Wang Liu murmured, the panic in her eyes gradually fading, replaced by a resolute determination and a hidden ambition.

She can't just sit and wait to die!

We can't let that useless Wang Dafu sink with us!

"Chunxing, quick! Find me some simple clothes, but... but ones that will flatter my figure!"

"Don't wear too much jewelry; you need to look pitiful, but not lose your charm!"

Wang Liu quickly ordered, "Go to the accounting office and bring me the pair of pearl earrings from the bottom of my sandalwood jewelry box, and that gold and kingfisher feather phoenix hairpin!"

"We're going to Shuiyue Nunnery!"

"Yes, Madam!" Chunxing was also excited when she saw that Madam had an idea, and hurriedly went to make preparations.

......

About half an hour later, at Shuiyue Nunnery.

After presenting her visiting card and a pair of valuable pearl earrings as a gift, Wang Liushi was quickly led to a quiet meditation room in the backyard.

Inside the meditation room, Abbess Jingchen sat by the window, reading a Buddhist scripture. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, with delicate features and flawless skin. She possessed an otherworldly air, yet her eyes held a natural allure.

"Madam Wang, what brings you here?"

Wang Liu fell to her knees with a thud, tears streaming down her face before she could utter a word. She was already beautiful, and her weeping made her even more pitiful, like a pear blossom in the rain.

"Master Jingchen, please save me!"

"My family has suffered a terrible calamity. My husband has been arrested by the Imperial City Guard, and our family property is about to be confiscated..."

"I have heard that His Majesty favors my master greatly. I humbly beg my master to have mercy and speak well of my mother and me before His Majesty. We do not ask to preserve our family's property, but only that His Majesty grant us, a widow and orphan, a chance to survive!"

As she spoke, she took out the red-gold and kingfisher feather phoenix hairpin from her sleeve and presented it with both hands: "This is a small token of my faith, a humble offering, but I earnestly hope that my master will grant it to me!"

Jingchen looked at the priceless phoenix hairpin, then at Wang Liushi kneeling on the ground, whose graceful figure was no less than her own, and even more charming. A complex emotion flashed in her eyes.

She naturally knew about Wang Dafu's affair and was even more aware of the emperor's attitude towards this group of wealthy merchants.

The woman before me wants to walk the same path I have walked.

Help her?

Perhaps we can form a positive connection...

Jingchen hesitated for a moment, then reached out to help her up, saying, "Madam Wang, please rise."

"Since you are so sincere in your request, this humble nun... will pass on a message for you."

"As for whether His Majesty will see me or not, and whether he will grant me mercy, that is not up to me."

Wang Liu was overjoyed and repeatedly kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!"

"If Master is willing to help, I will be eternally grateful!"

Jingchen had someone arrange for Wang Liushi to wait in the adjacent clean room, while he himself picked up a pen and wrote a note, called over his confidant and whispered a few words of instruction, ordering him to send it to the palace as soon as possible.

.....

In the afternoon, the sun was beginning to set.

The back gate of Shuiyue Nunnery quietly opened, and a carriage went directly to the depths of the monastery.

Lu Zuo arrived in plain clothes with only two personal eunuchs.

A young nun respectfully led him to the meditation room where Wang Liushi was, and whispered, "Your Majesty, the abbess is waiting inside."

Having said that, he quietly withdrew.

Lu Zuo pushed open the door and entered, but Jing Chen was not the one who came into view.

A slender figure dressed in a moon-white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and a silver-gray vest was seen kneeling on a prayer mat with her back to the door, silently shedding tears in front of a Guanyin statue on the wall.

Hearing the door open, she seemed startled and trembled slightly before slowly turning her head around.

A face washed clean by tears appeared even whiter and more translucent, with slightly reddened eyes and long eyelashes. Her almond-shaped eyes looked even more watery.

The simple dress, worn while kneeling and slightly turned to the side, perfectly outlined her chest, slender waist, and rounded hips.

The neckline had loosened slightly due to the movement, revealing a small section of her delicate, jade-like neck and exquisite collarbone.

Upon seeing Lu Zuo, she instantly recognized him and hurriedly turned around, touching her forehead to the ground: "This humble woman... this humble woman, Wang, pays her respects to Your Majesty!"

Wang Liu quickly explained her situation and pleaded, "Your Majesty, I know that my husband deserves to die, and I dare not ask for Your Majesty's forgiveness."

"I have no complaints about the confiscation of my property. I only beg Your Majesty to leave me a thatched hut to shelter me from the wind and rain, and a bowl of thin porridge so that I won't starve to death..."

"This humble woman is willing to serve Your Majesty like an ox or a horse to repay Your Majesty's boundless grace!"

As she sobbed, she secretly raised her tearful eyes and looked up at Lu Zuo, who was standing at the door.

That angle was perfect for showing the other person the most perfect profile, her tear-filled eyes like those of a startled fawn, and her full breasts covered by her clothes.

Wang Liu knew her own strengths, and even more so, she knew that a woman who was desperate but quite beautiful... .

At this moment, her sorrowful, vulnerable, and submissive demeanor has an undeniable impact on men, especially those who hold the power of life and death...

A moment later, Lu Zuo's voice came to my ears.

"Put your hair up in a bun."