The Autumn Sacrifice Day was not only for honoring the autumn, but also for worshipping the moon.
After all the ministers present had paid their respects at the moon altar, tables were set and a feast began as they waited for nightfall and the bright moon to hang in the sky.
Soon, the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air as the banquet progressed with much toasting.
Taking advantage of this rare day off, Yun Yaoyao raised her cup to drink with the ministers.
After several rounds of drinks, everyone's tongues began to loosen.
One remonstrating official, not forgetting his duties and risking unpopularity, came forward to advise: "Your Majesty, I heard that you called for water twelve times in one night recently. While producing heirs is of utmost importance, you must also take care of your royal health!"
In ancient times, people of high status needed to cleanse themselves before each intimate encounter. The number of times water was called for was a euphemism for the number of times they had been intimate.
The implication was clear - don't let Seser drain your vitality.
Catching Tu Shanjin's knife-like glare from the side, Yun Yaoyao felt somewhat guilty.
To demonstrate her strong "dragon constitution," she had made Tu Shanjin play along and call for water over a dozen times in one night. She had gone too far.
Next time, calling for water three times a night would be enough.
"Your advice is well-taken. We shall be mindful," she replied, accepting the counsel.
This compliant response left the remonstrating official at a loss for further words, and he fell silent awkwardly.
Some ministers used the topic of "water conservancy projects" to vent their dissatisfaction.
Yun Yaoyao put on a stern face, but inwardly noted down this minister's face and name, planning to have the Dragon Shadow Guard stage another performance of the "Demon Thief Gang entering the capital" in the future.
Another minister curiously eyed the bell on Yun Yaoyao's table: "Your Majesty, this bell is clearly no ordinary item. Would you enlighten this humble servant as to its name?"
Yun Yaoyao immediately gave him an appreciative look. Finally, someone had noticed the Three Purity Bell she always carried! Talk about clouds and they appear!
"This is called the Three Purity Bell, a gift from Minister Di. We are most pleased with it," Yun Yaoyao said nonchalantly, caressing the bell beside her hand.
Everyone's gaze immediately fell on Di Shunzhi, who was trying his best to lower his presence.
Well, well, this Chief Minister Di usually kept such a low profile and maintained the most neutral stance, yet he had secretly curried favor with the Emperor by sending gifts!
The pro-emperor faction cast approving glances his way, while the neutral faction wore looks of betrayal. You fence-sitter, we agreed not to get involved in the muddy waters of court politics, yet you secretly clung to the Emperor's thigh!
Several ministers from the neutral faction immediately began to make sarcastic remarks about him.
Wrongly accused, Di Shunzhi was at a loss for words. His face remained serious and righteous, but inwardly he was cursing up a storm. Drink some horse piss if you think you're so high and mighty, dare to provoke this Master Fu and you'll be dancing with death!
Tonight when he got home, he would write them all into his novels, creating villainous characters with the same names!
But meeting the trusting gaze of the monarch, Di Shunzhi felt it didn't matter anymore. At this point, if he had to switch to the pro-emperor faction, so be it. Such an enlightened ruler was worth his loyalty!
So he formally declared his stance: "Your Majesty is wise and mighty, working tirelessly for the people. This humble servant deeply admires you. Never mind just a Three Purity Bell, even the heirloom of my family, I would willingly offer with both hands!"
Yun Yaoyao's face showed gratification and emotion: "Minister Di..."
Di Shunzhi's gaze turned sticky sweet: "Your Majesty..."
Pro-emperor faction: The young one can be taught.
Neutral faction and Prince Ze Faction: Pah! You make me sick!
To the side, Tu Shanjin could hardly bear to watch anymore. His cold and aloof emperor persona had been completely shattered by her.
In the crowd, Zhou Siren smiled without a word. This Chief Minister Di was still helping count the money after being sold out by the Emperor. How young and naive!
Soon, ministers from the Ministry of Revenue joined the conversation. Relying on their status as the empire's purse-keepers, with all officials depending on them, they usually carried an air of arrogance, looking down on others.
The Revenue ministers began to criticize the inappropriateness of the "water conservancy projects," both openly and implicitly.
This time, Di Shunzhi no longer remained silent. He immediately transformed into a little flamethrower, protecting the monarch and began to roast everyone present.
In the blink of an eye, an invisible cloud of gunpowder permeated the banquet.
At this moment, a small eunuch, actually a disguised Dragon Shadow Guard, whispered in Yun Yaoyao's ear: "Your Majesty, someone is trying to poison Deputy Minister Zhou."
Tonight, Yun Yaoyao had originally planned to give Zhou Siren a strong dose of medicine, so she had sent Dragon Shadow Guards to monitor every move related to Zhou Siren. She didn't expect such a windfall.
With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she ordered the Dragon Shadow Guard to switch the poisoned wine and keep a close eye on the poisoner, tracing it back to find the mastermind behind it.
Soon, the bright moon hung high in the sky, its light falling upon everyone, signifying the successful completion of this autumn sacrifice.
Yun Yaoyao raised her hand to grasp a beam of moonlight, her eyes full of excitement: "On a dark and windy night, it's the perfect time to strike..."
Then, she turned her gaze to Zhou Siren, who had risen to leave, presumably to attend to nature's call.
Estimating that the time was about right, Yun Yaoyao also stood up, using the excuse of returning to the palace to handle some government affairs, but actually heading in Zhou Siren's direction.
With Yun Yaoyao gone, Tu Shanjin had no desire to stay longer and also rose to return to the palace.
Prince Ze, who had been paying attention to this side all along, saw this and curled his lips into a smile. He stood up and bid farewell to the surrounding ministers: "It's getting late, this prince should return to his mansion. Please, don't see me off."
With that, his figure gradually disappeared into the vast night.
As Tu Shanjin passed through the imperial garden, the sound of a zither suddenly rang out. The music was pleasing to the ear, and upon careful listening, it seemed to be expressing the player's deep, lingering affection.
Tu Shanjin looked towards the source of the sound.
Under a pavilion, a man in moon-white brocade robes was intently playing the zither. The night breeze tousled the hair by his ears, revealing a face as clear and beautiful as a sunny day after rain.
The palace maids behind Tu Shanjin let out a collective gasp, and Niu Xiu'er was so entranced she couldn't move: "Wow, so beautiful..."
Tu Shanjin inwardly scoffed. Playing such melancholic music in the dead of night, those unaware might think it was a female ghost resurrected to claim lives. How creepy.
He was about to leave.
Tushan Ze, catching a glimpse of the graceful figure about to depart, immediately stood up, pretending to have just noticed him, his face showing slight surprise: "Consort Miao, I didn't expect to see you here."
As he spoke, Tushan Ze had already come before Tu Shanjin, his peach blossom eyes, which could make even a dog fall in love, fixed intently on him, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
If it were an ordinary noble lady, she would have already fallen for this gentlemanly and passionate offensive.
But Tu Shanjin was a straight man, and moreover, the brother of the one launching this attack. He only felt goosebumps all over his body and a chill run down his spine.
How had he never noticed before that Tushan Ze was like a flamboyant peacock, even daring to covet his sister-in-law!
Tu Shanjin could easily guess the other's intentions. His face turned unpleasant, his whole body emanating coldness: "What is it?"
Tushan Ze was taken aback. The other party showed no appreciation at all, this wasn't right!
When he raised his eyes in bewilderment to meet Tu Shanjin's gaze, Tushan Ze's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
This look was so familiar... it was exactly the same as Tu Shanjin's expression just before he got angry!
Quickly, he dismissed this ridiculous notion. Perhaps Yaoyao was just upset with him.
At this moment, Niu Xiu'er whispered in Tu Shanjin's ear: "My... lady, is he trying to seduce you?"
Niu Xiu'er thought her voice was very low, but in fact, her forceful whisper sounded particularly jarring in the night.
Sincerity is the ultimate killer move. The surrounding air froze for a good few seconds.
The expressions of all the palace servants and guards were like they had just eaten a huge melon. They all stared wide-eyed at their toes, not daring to make a sound, but secretly pricking up their ears.
Tushan Ze pretended not to have heard, and thick-skinned as ever, replied: "Nothing, I just didn't expect to meet the Consort here and wanted to say hello."
Niu Xiu'er's words had interrupted Tu Shanjin's train of thought.
He had originally intended to just turn away and leave, not deigning to waste time on such trivial matters.
But suddenly, he remembered something Yun Yaoyao had said before: "Tyrant, sometimes you handle things too bluntly and directly, which actually cuts off many opportunities hidden within. Like in the case of Minister So-and-so, blah blah blah..."
What would Yun Yaoyao do in this situation?
She would probably not follow the usual script, but go with the flow and use her superb acting skills to play along with the other party.
This time, he would try her method of handling things...
