Xiao Yinzi didn't get what he wanted, so he had to retreat in dejection.
After he left, Xiao Fuzi spat in the direction of his retreating back, resentfully saying:
"Your Majesty, this Xiao Yinzi is fickle and unsteady. Is this the kind of person Your Majesty still wants to use?"
Of course, Zhao Hua understood where Xiao Fuzi was coming from.
Xiao Yinzi had just said that Xiao Jingheng gave him the silk purse and asked him to take it to the Secret Service for verification himself.
If he was truly loyal, he should have reported this to Zhao Hua first, instead of justifying himself after the fact and trying to curry favor.
But compared to Xiao Fuzi's indignation, Zhao Hua appeared quite calm and said evenly:
"Xiao Yinzi hid it from me first and followed the Emperor's wishes to take the purse to the Secret Service for verification. He did this solely to save his own skin.
Think about it - if he had told me first, and that purse turned out to be problematic, leading the Emperor to face some kind of consequence, how could Xiao Yinzi, a mere eunuch, possibly escape responsibility?
So he hid it from me and had it verified first to put the Emperor's mind at ease, as well as his own. I won't hold these things against him."
As she spoke, Zhao Hua used a silver spoon to sprinkle fragrance powder into the incense burner and ignited it.
"From start to finish, Xiao Yinzi's aim has been very clear - he wants to save his own life and keep his privileged position. Earlier, he surrendered to me to save his life. Now, he's wavering to save his life. We never had any deep connection to begin with, so how could I expect him to be wholeheartedly loyal to me? It's simply a relationship of mutual exploitation and checks and balances."
Xiao Fuzi nodded, saying: "Your Majesty speaks true. It's fortunate that the purse showed no obvious issues, otherwise..."
"There is no 'otherwise'," Zhao Hua calmly interrupted Xiao Fuzi, smiling wryly. "I never take on tasks without being certain of the outcome."
She gently closed her eyes and lightly inhaled the faint fragrance wafting from the incense burner, saying with satisfaction:
"The Purple Incense Scent blended by your brother is truly exquisite."
Every stitch used by Zhao Hua to make the purse was soaked in the Auspicious Brain Fragrance carefully prepared by Judge Zhang.
That substance has an invigorating and refreshing effect that causes no harm to the body even with daily use - its benefits far outweigh any drawbacks.
And the Purple Incense Scent burned in Zhao Hua's palace just happened to amplify the effects of the Auspicious Brain Fragrance.
Moreover, the tonic Judge Zhang prescribed for Xiao Jingheng also contained ample ingredients to enhance vitality and energy.
With this three-pronged approach, Xiao Jingheng's physical condition became unprecedented - lively and tireless.
The less fatigued a person feels, the more they subconsciously feel their body is in peak condition, leading them to carelessly expend energy until their internal reserves are depleted, resulting in a deceptively strong exterior covering an increasingly weakened interior.
By then, their body is like a leaky vessel that cannot be refilled, too late for remedy.
Furthermore, when one's energy peaks, especially for an energetic man, desire and need for sex naturally increases as well.
Just look at how frequently the concubines have been entering and leaving Chaoyang Palace these days -
Xiao Jingheng has regained the vigor of his youth, eager to have all the beauties bow to his masculine prowess.
But even as Emperor, there are still limits to how much indulgence is permitted.
According to ancestral rules, aside from staying in the Empress's quarters on the 15th of each month, the Emperor cannot exceed nine instances of "flipping the placard" requesting a concubine's company per month in total.
Yet not even halfway through the 10th month, Xiao Jingheng has already exhausted his quota of flipping the placard.
If the Emperor wishes to request a concubine's company beyond the limit, the eunuchs of the Palace Eunuch Office must ask the Empress to advise him first.
That evening, after Zhao Hua and the children finished dinner and were playing in the courtyard, Zhang Jiugui came with a troubled expression, awkwardly saying:
"This servant pays respects to the Empress. Your Majesty, please have pity on this servant. It's only the 11th of the 10th month, but the Emperor has already flipped the placard ten times, practically summoning concubines to his bedchamber every night...
You know the ancestral rules set by our forebears. This servant dares not advise the Emperor directly, but these records will be preserved, which could tarnish the Emperor's reputation. I am truly at a loss, so I must request that the Empress advise the Emperor..."
Seated under the courtyard phoenix tree, having removed her armor to help the children peel pomegranates, Zhao Hua lightly asked:
"How many years has Palace Eunuch Zhang served in the palace?"
Zhang Jiugui was taken aback. "In response to Your Majesty, this servant has served in the palace since the time of the late Emperor - over twenty years now."
Zhao Hua smiled. "Having served for twenty years, it's no wonder Palace Eunuch Zhang still clings to these outdated rules and regulations. No wonder the Emperor has always treated the Palace Eunuch Office with indifference, not even raising your salaries for years."
"This... This servant is ignorant. Please enlighten me, Your Majesty."
Zhao Hua said, "Let Palace Eunuch Zhang think about it himself - our ancestors set those rules to prevent the Emperor from indulging in excessive desires that distract from governing. But times have changed. Now that the realm is united and at peace, with no threats from abroad, the key issue is 'internal worries'.
The Emperor currently has few offspring, with only my two sons Cheng Yu and Cheng Ye as princes, far fewer than the late Emperor. Ensuring the imperial bloodline is the foundation of the nation. The Emperor's diligent efforts to sire more descendants is for the sake of the nation's great cause, is it not?"
Zhao Hua paused, her bright eyes gazing at Zhang Jiugui.
"Therefore, not only will I not advise the Emperor, I urge you not to bring up a single word before him, lest you hinder the nation's vital affairs and become a sinner whose foul reputation lasts for eternity.
As for the records of the Palace Eunuch Office, falsify the public logs and send the true records to me to keep on file. Do you understand?"
Trapped by ancestral rules, Zhang Jiugui was in a difficult position.
Of course, he did not wish to dampen Xiao Jingheng's enthusiasm.
Now that Zhao Hua had spoken, providing a solution to this hot potato issue, Zhang Jiugui hurriedly agreed with a smile:
"The Empress is truly wise. This servant understands and will not disrupt the Emperor's interests or impede the nation's vital affairs!"
Zhao Hua nodded with a gentle smile, exuding the dignified grace of the Mother of the Nation, and said solemnly:
"Since you understand, then quickly send young and lovely beauties to the Emperor's quarters."
