Chapter 6: Deep Palace 2

“The essence of political maneuvering lies in this: if you wish to use corrupt officials, you must first fight against them. Only in this way can you deceive the common people, ensuring that both official and civilian attire serve to consolidate political power. There are no officials who are not corrupt, and officials do not fear corruption; what they fear is disobeying the Emperor. By using the guise of anti-corruption, one can eliminate the disobedient corrupt officials while retaining the obedient ones. In doing so, one can both eliminate dissent to consolidate power and deeply win the support of the masses.”

Ignoring her renewed shock, Qin Yihan asked urgently, “Using corrupt officials will inevitably provoke public resentment. Do you have a brilliant plan to prevent such a disaster?”

Yue Xiyan said disdainfully, “Raise the banner of anti-corruption to prove that the Emperor cares for the common people. If public resentment boils over, kill them!” Having said this, a killing move fell upon the board, not only disrupting Qin Yihan’s layout but also capturing over a dozen of his pieces in succession. Even though she was brimming with political wisdom, she held the clumsy tricks of the imperial family in utter contempt.

Before he could dwell on her words, she continued slowly, “While the Emperor is seeking justice for the people and winning their hearts, he can simultaneously funnel the wealth extorted by corrupt officials into the national treasury. In this way, he avoids the reputation of seizing the people's wealth while reaping all the benefits of it. This is the art of imperial politics.”

Use the corrupt to secure their loyalty; dismiss the corrupt to purge dissent; kill the corrupt to appease public indignation; and seize their wealth to fill the public coffers. Marvelous!

At this moment, Qin Yihan could not help but admire the small woman before him. Such wisdom—if she were a man, she could be a Prime Minister.

“I am very glad that Xiyan is the Empress of Chiyan,” he praised from the bottom of his heart. He had to thank that despicable fool Ji Nuohan for giving Yue Xiyan to him.

Yue Xiyan slowly placed her final piece, leaving Qin Yihan’s entire board decimated. Then, she gave a self-mocking laugh. “The Emperor should know that for this Cold Poison, only Ji Nuohan possesses the antidote, right? Could it be that the Emperor is not afraid that I might yield to Ji Nuohan’s wishes and fulfill his desires?”

Qin Yihan did not pay the slightest attention to his lost game. Staring into her eyes, he said confidently, “Yue Xiyan, you can only rely on me. Because your Cold Poison...” At this point, the corners of his lips curled into a heart-intoxicating smile, “...my Imperial Father has the antidote.” She could not possibly be content to be threatened and used by Ji Nuohan. If the world were unified and Yue Mulin were willing to surrender, he would return her brother to her.

She had never known that, in this world, there actually existed a man whose smile was as beautiful as her brother's. Suddenly, the man before her began to overlap with the image of Yue Mulin. Yue Xiyan called out uncontrollably, “Brother...” Her hand tentatively reached up to touch the man's cheek, and her blood-red eyes instantly turned as tender as water.

When she snapped back to her senses, she saw Qin Yihan looking at her with an unquenchable fury, glaring fiercely.

Yue Xiyan hurriedly withdrew her cold little hand. In her moment of embarrassment, Qin Yihan, with a dark expression, asked angrily, “Did you hear a single word I said?” *Damn woman, what was going through her head? She actually mistook me for Yue Mulin. In her eyes, is even her own life not as important as her brother's?*

Based on the reports from his subordinates, he had vaguely suspected something. But today, she had essentially admitted it herself. He couldn't quite describe the feeling in his heart; even Qin Yihan couldn't figure out what it was.

“I lost myself in thought. I hope the Emperor can be magnanimous and forgive my transgression. My body feels unwell, so I shall not kneel to receive my punishment.”

“You...” She always had a way of infuriating him. In all the world, who would dare treat Qin Yihan this way? Fine, he would not bicker with a woman. He said in a heavy voice, “Next month, when the Retired Emperor returns to the palace, I will personally ask him to resolve the Cold Poison in your body.”

Failing to receive the expected thousand thanks, Qin Yihan looked at her in confusion.

He saw only a bitter smile from Yue Xiyan. “Then, I thank the Emperor for his trouble.” The words were lukewarm, yet they revealed a sense of estrangement and irony.

Yue Xiyan was controlled by Ji Nuohan, and now the Cold Emperor was using Ji Nuohan's blackmail to blackmail her. How could she truly feel grateful to Qin Yihan? It was merely jumping from one pit into another. In the end, her clothes would be soiled and her feet injured.

“Xiyan, I hope you know that since you are my Empress, you belong to me for the rest of your life. You are a clever person; you should know how to make your life a little more comfortable. Opposing me will bring you nothing but harm and no benefit.” Why couldn't she be like the other fluttering beauties of the inner palace, catering to his whims and pleasing him? With her talent, he would never mistreat her.

Little did he know that acting this way was exactly what made her dislike him. To her, being loved by an Emperor was not a good thing. As long as he had a use for her, even if he disliked her, he would ensure her safety.

However, Yue Xiyan, who was usually infallible, had miscalculated this one matter. Human hearts are unpredictable and the seas are unmeasurable; she had underestimated her influence on Qin Yihan. The more she acted this way, the more she stoked Qin Yihan's desire for possession and conquest.

“Yes, I know. I will certainly stay obediently by the Emperor's side until my natural end...”

Her words were like a sedative, calming his heart. He suddenly realized where his strange emotions over this long period had come from. He wanted this woman to stay by his side for a lifetime.

He grabbed Yue Xiyan's hand, pulling her into his embrace, and gave a firm promise: “Xiyan, help me eliminate internal and external threats. When I unify the world, I will grant you a lifetime without worries.”

A lifetime without worries?

Her thoughts drifted away once more.

It was back when they were children. Her brother had held her small hand just like this, embracing her as she trembled in fear after seeing a murder scene for the first time, whispering comforts: “Don't be afraid. When Brother grows up, I will give Xiyan a lifetime without worries.”

She kept every word her brother said etched in her heart. Those once simple happinesses now brought her nothing but heartache. The sorrow frozen in the depths of her heart surged forth. A single tear slid down, drowning all the vows between them. All those memories that belonged only to her and him...

What a laughable "lifetime without worries." He was an Emperor; by what right did he make such a promise to her? Even her beloved brother had not achieved it; what right did he have? In this world, who could truly have a lifetime without worries? Fine, she was being too obsessive. As long as her brother was safe, why care about so much?

Since Qin Yihan had acted according to her expectations and proactively offered an alliance, the next steps would be easy to manage.

“The autumn night is as cool as water. Emperor, let me serve you to bed...”

For the following month, Qin Yihan stayed at the Fengyi Palace every night. Consequently, the Fengyi Palace, which had long felt like a cold palace, instantly became the target of everyone's scrutiny. The concubines of the inner palace naturally did not know that although the Emperor and Empress shared the Fengyi Palace, they slept in separate beds. It was inevitable that grievances would mount.