"Impossible!" Tu Shanjin scoffed coldly.
Yun Yaoyao said, "What are you thinking? I mean, just imagine yourself as a lark, and make some 'ah ah' and 'mm mm' sounds for about half an hour, so they'll think we're doing that thing."
Tu Shanjin laughed bitterly, "You think this is a good idea?"
Yun Yaoyao smiled sheepishly, "Well, what else can we do? We can't pretend that you, a mighty king, are impotent, can we? Won't those ministers impeach you then? An infertile, impotent king - think of all the ammunition that would give people!"
Tu Shanjin fell silent, realizing she had a point.
Yun Yaoyao sighed and continued to persuade him earnestly, "Tu Shanjin, I know how hard it was for you to reach this position. Do you want it all to be in vain now?"
"A true man knows when to bend and when to stand firm. Only if we create the impression that you favor me can we act more freely later."
"Come on, just imagine you've turned into a lark. Follow my lead: mmm~ aah~ ooh~"
"Women know how to flirt, men will... oh no, that's not it. Men's souls will soar, make your voice more coquettish~"
"Yes, louder, let the whole Palace of Cultivated Mind hear Tu Shanjin the lark sing~"
"Now try saying 'Your Majesty, you're so amazing'~"
"Yun Yao-yao!" Tu Shanjin finally snapped.
The sounds from inside the palace grew more intense. The eunuchs outside listened with red faces, whispering among themselves.
"Who would have thought His Majesty would be so passionate once he got started?"
"At this rate, they must have gone at least three or four rounds tonight. Quickly, tell them to prepare more hot water."
"Who would have guessed that Consort Miao would turn misfortune into blessing and catch His Majesty's eye? The court is going to be in an uproar again."
That night, palace maids entered and exited the Palace of Cultivated Mind thirteen times!
The next morning.
As Yun Yaoyao was sleeping groggily, a hand kept pushing her, accompanied by a harsh voice.
"Get up."
"Mmm..." Yun Yaoyao rolled over and continued sleeping.
"Get up now."
"Don't bother me..." Yun Yaoyao grumbled unhappily, burying her head in the blanket.
"Get up!" A thunderous shout exploded in Yun Yaoyao's ear, making her jump up in fright.
"Tu Shanjin, what are you doing?!"
Yun Yaoyao looked at the light outside the window. It was barely dawn, probably only five or six in the morning.
She grew even more annoyed.
Tu Shanjin was already standing by the bed, fully dressed, looking down at her with disdain. "Even the Book of Life and Death likes to sleep in?"
"It's already the fifth watch. In half an hour, it will be time for the morning court session."
"We haven't attended for six days. If we don't go today, it will surely arouse suspicion."
"Yun Yaoyao, wasn't it you who said you wanted to save the Yanchi Dynasty and change my fate?"
I didn't say that, yesterday's Yun Yaoyao said it. What does that have to do with today's Yun Yaoyao?
Ahhhhh, she just wanted to sleep!
Seeing Yun Yaoyao's frustrated and annoyed expression as she pulled at her hair, Tu Shanjin felt his long-suppressed mood lighten a bit, his lips curving into a pleased smile.
But when he saw that Yun Yaoyao was pulling at her own hair, causing quite a few strands to fall out, Tu Shanjin felt a surge of irritation in his chest again.
"Stop pulling! Call Xiao Wuzi, get ready, and prepare for court."
Resigned, Yun Yaoyao called for Xiao Wuzi. After dressing and washing up, she was led by him towards Xuanzheng Palace.
Xiao Wuzi was an "old hand" who had been serving by Tu Shanjin's side since he took the throne. Though young, he was reliable in his duties.
However, he was always on edge around Tu Shanjin, never quite figuring out what was on His Majesty's mind.
Like now – His Majesty had favored a woman for the first time, and his mood seemed to have improved. Even the aura around him no longer felt as cold as icicles hanging from the eaves in winter.
Should he take this opportunity to flatter His Majesty?
As he was pondering, a voice came from behind.
"Xiao Wuzi, you've been with me for almost a year now, haven't you?"
Hearing this, Xiao Wuzi's knees went weak. He fell to the ground with a thud, his heart filled with fear: "Your Majesty, this slave has served you since you ascended the throne. As of today, it has been eight months and nine days. I have never harbored any disloyalty towards Your Majesty!"
Oh no, could it be that His Majesty was suspecting his loyalty? The last palace servant suspected by His Majesty was already a cold corpse!
His life was over!
Yun Yaoyao looked at the trembling little quail kneeling on the ground and remembered Xiao Wuzi's fate in the novel.
He had served the tyrant diligently, and although he was usually terrified of him, when Tu Shanjin was captured and those who turned on him threatened the palace servants to insult him, Xiao Wuzi didn't participate. As a result, he was killed with a single slash.
To maintain such integrity while working under Tu Shanjin's freezing cold pressure every day was quite admirable.
Yun Yaoyao decided to develop him into one of her die-hard loyalists.
"We understand. Xiao Wuzi, you have been by our side the longest among the palace servants. You have served well, and will be greatly rewarded later."
Xiao Wuzi's eyes were full of disbelief. His Majesty, who usually only punished and scolded people, had actually praised him!
His Majesty wasn't cold-blooded and heartless after all. The other servants who were punished must have deserved it. He had served wholeheartedly, and sure enough, His Majesty had noticed!
Deeply moved, Xiao Wuzi kowtowed repeatedly: "Thank you for Your Majesty's grace!"
From now on, he would serve His Majesty with even more devotion!
Yun Yaoyao nodded in satisfaction.
Meanwhile, inside Xuanzheng Palace, things were not so peaceful.
The waiting ministers stood in their positions, whispering to each other.
"I heard that yesterday His Majesty favored Consort Miao, and water was fetched more than ten times in one night. His Majesty truly has the vigor of youth." An old minister who was no longer capable sighed with envy.
"If the rumors are true, Consort Miao is indeed favored. The Yun Family will bask in imperial favor now." A minister whose daughter had failed to enter the palace felt unbalanced.
"It's been six days since the last morning court session. There must be a huge pile of memorials accumulated. We're in for a busy time." A workaholic minister felt a headache coming on.
"How can a regicide enter the harem? It's against tradition. I must submit a memorial to criticize this!" A remonstrating minister who specialized in finding faults with the emperor thought to himself.
The court officials all had their own thoughts, while Yun Liang stood awkwardly in his place.
The neutral faction, after witnessing the Yun Family's eldest daughter commit regicide only to be favored, thought Yun Liang had been pretending all along and was too scheming. They ignored him.
Prince Ze's faction felt that he had married the Yun Family's eldest daughter into the harem but betrothed the Yun Family's concubine-born daughter to Prince Ze, which was an insult to Prince Ze. So they ignored him too.
The royalist faction thought that since he had married the Yun Family's eldest daughter to His Majesty but promised the concubine-born daughter to Prince Ze, his stance was not firm. They also ignored him.
Thus, Yun Liang was isolated, out of place amidst the bustling atmosphere around him.
"His Majesty arrives! Ministers, attend the morning court!"
The shrill voice of a eunuch rang out from afar. Xiao Wuzi, pumped up with enthusiasm, shouted particularly loudly this time.
The ministers immediately fell silent and bowed respectfully.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live, long live!"
"Rise," Yun Yaoyao said, looking at the sea of ministers below. For the first time, she experienced the thrill of being above ten thousand people.
But when she thought about how almost everyone below wanted to get rid of her as soon as possible, she felt annoyed again.
The ministers began reporting one by one on the events of the past few days. After all the reports were finished, several ministers exchanged glances, and the main event of this morning's court session began.
An old man with a white beard suddenly fell to his knees with a thud. The other ministers widened their eyes, ready to watch the show.
Here we go again, these remonstrating officials who love to bash their heads against pillars and fall on their swords are about to start their performance!
"Your Majesty, forgive this minister for having to report something. The Yun Family's eldest daughter, Yun Yaoyao, committed regicide in public. It was already merciful of Your Majesty to spare her life out of your great righteousness, but how can you make her a consort?"
"Taking a regicide into the harem goes against propriety! It's also a huge hidden danger! This minister risks his life to beg Your Majesty to expel this woman from the harem!"
Another remonstrating official knelt on the ground.
"If the Yun Family dares to commit regicide today, they might usurp the throne tomorrow! We implore Your Majesty to reconsider!"
Yun Liang's knees went weak, his face turned pale, and he too fell to his knees.
Bastards, so they were targeting him!
He quickly wailed pitifully, "Your Majesty, although my daughter's method was wrong, she never truly intended to commit regicide. The Yun Family is utterly loyal to Your Majesty and would never dare to overstep our bounds. We beg for Your Majesty's clear-sightedness!"
Inwardly, Yun Liang was shedding tears as wide as noodles. That wretched girl Yun Yaoyao had really gotten him into deep trouble!
