Chapter 13: It's Very Fake

The next morning.

As Qingfang dressed Xie Jiu, she spoke of the happenings outside the palace with great glee.

Chunrong couldn't help but laugh along with her.

However, Xie Jiu’s face showed no sign of joy.

The more useless Wu Que proved to be, the more Xie Jiu felt that her father Xie Mingshen’s affection for her was utterly fake.

When she was still a maiden at home, her father had told her that the Wu family were descendants of a founding general, a military nobility holding significant military power, and the foremost family in the capital.

Wu Que was an only son, of upright character and appearance, with a limitless future.

Once she married him, she would be the Consort of the Heir Apparent, and in the future, a Marquise. She would receive her official title at a young age, and her life ahead would be nothing but wealth and prosperity.

Back then, she had believed those words and married him happily.

Although she felt there were discrepancies between his words and reality after meeting Wu Que, and she did not particularly like him, she could accept a marriage of mutual respect.

It wasn't until later, when Wu Que led troops to suppress a rebellion but surrendered without any backbone after repeated defeats, that Xie Jiu truly began to look down on the man from the bottom of her heart.

She was young and had had no contact with Wu Que before the marriage, so it was one thing that she didn't know his true character; but could Xie Mingshen really not know?

Yet, he had coaxed and deceived her, marrying his own daughter off.

Thus, this marriage had been entirely a political alliance, never once considering Xie Jiu's happiness.

Originally, Xie Jiu had thought that perhaps her father had truly loved her in the past, and that it was only later, influenced by the changing political landscape, that he had conspired with Wu Que to force her into the palace to offer herself.

Looking at it now, that paternal love had likely never truly existed.

Since that was the case, she would not blame herself for disregarding their bond as father and daughter.

"The news regarding the Xie family—has it been delivered?" Xie Jiu asked in a low voice, her eyes cast down.

Chunrong immediately tucked away the smile from discussing the scandals of the Marquis of Weiyuan's manor and nodded solemnly. "Rest assured, Madam. I handled it personally yesterday; there will be no mistake."

Hearing this, Xie Jiu seemed somewhat relieved. She picked up an earring and put it on herself while looking into the bronze mirror.

"Father is being cautious now. With the court investigating corruption, he is likely terrified of being implicated. Once he receives the news, he should make a move in the imperial court today."

She paused, a trace of mockery appearing in her eyes.

"I wonder which unlucky souls will be pushed forward this time."

Based on Xie Jiu's understanding of Xie Mingshen, to show his loyalty, he would certainly take the initiative to impeach a group of officials with "unclean" hands.

He had used this tactic before.

When Zhao Xingjin had marched into the capital, the late Emperor had been so terrified that he committed suicide within the palace. Using his position as the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, Xie Mingshen had ordered the arrest of a large group of people who had encouraged the late Emperor to reduce the power of the regional lords, as well as those who had devised plans to assassinate Zhao Xingjin, personally delivering them to Zhao Xingjin.

He had then launched a full-throated, indignant accusation against the late Emperor's incompetence, claiming the Emperor should have perished long ago and that he was now willing to support Zhao Xingjin as the new monarch, and so on.

He was quick in action and ruthless in execution, leaving no room for others to find fault with him.

The newly conquered empire was, after all, obtained through rebellion, and the greatest fear was an unstable populace. For the sake of the political situation, Zhao Xingjin had been forced to keep Xie Mingshen and continue to grant him the position of Grand Secretary.

Otherwise, in the eyes of many scholars in the world, Zhao Xingjin would be seen as having killed a great, loyal official who had remained untainted by the mud, endured humiliation for many years, and finally waited for the peace of the realm.

And Xie Mingshen knew in his heart that he had forcibly schemed against Zhao Xingjin once. Because of this, he was constantly uneasy, fearing that Zhao Xingjin would find an opportunity to strike at him.

Xie Jiu had precisely seized upon this psychological state of Xie Mingshen to quietly set her trap.

And just as she expected.

During the morning court session, Xie Mingshen submitted several consecutive memorials impeaching corrupt officials.

When fat sheep were delivered to his door, Zhao Xingjin naturally did not stand on ceremony.

He immediately sent people to "slaughter the sheep."

All that bright silver would go into the national treasury, and Zhao Xingjin enjoyed the slaughter immensely.

In particular, since Xie Mingshen was playing the villain, Zhao Xingjin only had to collect the benefits, so he was naturally delighted.

Thus, after the court adjourned and he returned to the Chengming Palace, Zhao Xingjin summoned Xie Jiu to share this amusing matter.

"Among this group, there are old subordinates who have followed your father for nearly twenty years. Your father is truly ruthless."

"If he didn't do this, how could he appear so righteous and impartial, with clean hands?" Xie Jiu timely offered a cup of tea.

Hearing her speak of Xie Mingshen in such a way, Zhao Xingjin felt that Xie Jiu's sarcasm and sharp tongue possessed a unique charm.

As he took the tea cup, he noticed her slender, pale wrists were empty and said, "Such beautiful hands shouldn't be left empty. Yang Zhian!"

"Your servant is here!" Yang Zhian hurriedly stepped forward with a bowed waist.

"Bring that pair of carved ice-jade bracelets from my treasury and reward the Madam." Zhao Xingjin had a smile on his face.

Yang Zhian obeyed and left immediately.

Xie Jiu curled her lips slightly into a faint smile and said gracefully, "This concubine thanks the Emperor for his grace."

"Is that all you have to say in thanks?" Zhao Xingjin raised an eyebrow.

His gaze swept over Xie Jiu with an extremely aggressive intensity.

If this were their first meeting, Xie Jiu's heart would have raced, thinking he wanted her to offer herself. However, after spending these past few days together, she had grasped some of Zhao Xingjin's temperament.

This man was someone who loved to tease people verbally; at most, he would be a bit more intimate, but he wouldn't easily make a real move.

So, Xie Jiu played along with him. Her waist swayed softly as she moved a few steps closer, and she whispered, "Later, shall I massage your shoulders and rub your legs for Your Majesty?"

As she spoke, her face seemed to hold a hint of bashfulness, and her beautiful eyes flickered slightly, giving off an air of "resisting yet inviting," which momentarily stirred the heart.

She clearly only said she would massage his shoulders and legs, yet one couldn't help but feel there was some other underlying implication.

Yet, it was inconvenient to state it plainly.

And it was precisely this hazy, ambiguous atmosphere that was most heart-stirring.

This was perhaps what was meant by "ambiguity."

Zhao Xingjin was a man, after all, and he was naturally happy to flirt with a beauty.

However, before he could make a move in response, Yang Zhian happened to return with the items.

He pushed the door open, interrupting them.

"Tsk." Zhao Xingjin couldn't help but frown.

He felt an inexplicable sense of displeasure.

Yang Zhian froze in place, cold sweat practically breaking out on his forehead.

What, had he returned at the wrong time?

Glancing sideways, he saw how close Xie Jiu and Zhao Xingjin were, and he understood immediately—he had indeed returned at the wrong time.

But since he was already inside, he had to brace himself and respond first.

Besides, he had other matters to report.

"Your Majesty, I have brought the bracelets," Yang Zhian said cautiously. "Additionally, someone from the Empress's side came by just now. They said Her Majesty has matters to discuss with Your Majesty and requests that Your Majesty visit Weiyang Palace when you are free today."

"Did they say what the matter was?" Zhao Xingjin asked.

Although his interest had been interrupted and he was somewhat displeased, it wasn't enough to cause a temper tantrum.

Furthermore, since the message was sent by the Empress's people, he treated it seriously.

Yang Zhian lowered his head. "They said that the Mid-Autumn Festival is in just over a month, and the palace will be holding banquets. This is the first Mid-Autumn Festival since Your Majesty's ascension. Her Majesty said it should be a grand celebration, so there are many details she wishes to discuss with Your Majesty."

"I understand." Zhao Xingjin waved his hand.

He then signaled for Yang Zhian to present the bracelets.

Yang Zhian did not dare to be slow and hurriedly stepped forward with the tray.

Following this, Zhao Xingjin took Xie Jiu's hand and personally put the bracelets on her.

"Not bad, they suit you perfectly." Zhao Xingjin held her hand to inspect them, then whispered, "Speaking of which, you have achieved another merit today."

Xie Jiu looked up at him, somewhat puzzled. "What merit does this concubine have?"

(End of Chapter)