Chapter 108 - The Unfeeling Emperor

Chapter 108: Chapter 106: The Unfeeling EmperorVice Minister Zhang?

Ye Qiu remembered, this man was the top scorer during the late Emperor’s era. Back then, while his literary grace wasn’t the most outstanding, his writings were the most practical. The late Emperor, pleased upon seeing them, exceptionally promoted him to top scorer. Unexpectedly, he turned out to be a student of Minister Liu.

Having thought this, Ye Qiu also had a foundation in his heart. Since Vice Minister Zhang was not only the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue but also a student of Minister Liu, even if he gained a position, Ye Qiu wasn’t afraid of Prime Minister Xiao’s underhanded tactics. He had already made up his mind.

"We are informed. Xiao Shun, escort Minister Liu out."

Seeing Ye Qiu nod, Minister Liu knew that his words had been taken to heart, and couldn’t help but feel a trace of joy. Not that he was selfish, but he truly believed that his student was the most suitable person to fill his position.

After the court session, the Empress Dowager had already received a hint from Prime Minister Xiao and specifically invited Ye Qiu for lunch. Upon arrival, Ye Qiu found that Noble Consort Xiao was also there to serve, which did not surprise him.

During the meal, seeing Ye Qiu earnestly eating, Empress Dowager Xiao did not find it appropriate to speak. Finally, when the dishes were cleared away, she hurriedly began talking.

"Qiu’er, your uncle has been posted outside to Jiangxi for five years now, and the Shen Family recently sent a letter saying he hasn’t been well. The Empress Mother is very worried about him. What do you think... the local customs there are quite fierce, isn’t it time to recall him back to the capital?"

Ye Qiu nodded: "Empress Mother speaks reasonably. Uncle indeed deserves recognition for his hard work. I will issue the decree once I return."

Before Empress Dowager Xiao could rejoice, she heard Ye Qiu continue: "However, in the future, it would be better for Empress Mother not to mention these things again, lest the Imperial Censors take hold of this as an excuse to accuse you of intervening in politics from the harem. Although your son knows this is not your intention, it is hard to stop those outside from gossiping. Don’t you agree?"

Empress Dowager Xiao, like her younger brother, did not inherit the shrewdness of Prime Minister Xiao. She said impatiently, "Why are these Imperial Censors everywhere? They are too idle."

"Empress Mother, even in your own palace, please refrain from saying such things. Otherwise, those old officials would be heartbroken if they heard it, and it would only create more trouble with their petitions," Ye Qiu patiently advised.

Empress Dowager Xiao, clearly having suffered from these Imperial Censors in her youth, held back despite her displeasure and refrained from discussing courtiers any further. She then joyfully took Noble Consort Xiao’s hand, "Alright, I won’t say too much. I’ve heard you haven’t visited Rourou’s palace for several days now. Today, you must spend some good time with her."

"Yes, when have I ever not listened to Empress Mother’s words," Ye Qiu replied, following her lead. Now was not the best time to act against the Xiao Family, and he did not mind appeasing these two women for a while longer.

Ye Qiu continuously spent two nights in Ganquan Palace, and Noble Consort Xiao resumed her formerly haughty and despotic manner. The rumors in the harem about the Noble Consort losing favor naturally disappeared without a trace.

"The Noble Consort is still highly favored, I think Father is just worrying too much," Xiao Qi complained to his wife, Zheng, while lying in bed.

However, his wife was worried about something else. Zheng expressed her concern in a low voice, nudging her husband’s back, "I heard that Father is planning to recall big brother and his family back, is that true?"

"Seems like it’s true, what about it?"

"What am I supposed to do when big brother returns?" Zheng fretted.

"What are you supposed to do?" Xiao Qi asked, puzzled.

"The management of the household, do I have to hand it over to her when elder sister-in-law returns?" Zheng, unsatisfied with her husband’s response, sat up.

"As the Head of Family, it’s only natural she takes over when she returns," Xiao Qi stated matter-of-factly.

"Then what about us?"

"What on earth is it?" Xiao Qi was losing his patience.

Zheng hesitated before finally speaking, "Your elder brother is the legitimate eldest son, and the noble concubine is his biological daughter. When the estate is divided, what will you be left with? I’ve only managed the household for two years and it’s been so hard to save some private money for our son, and just like that, we have to give it away?"

"We still have Dad, don’t we?" Xiao Qi retorted with a puffed chest.

Zheng, infuriated that her husband was not getting the point, pushed him and said angrily, "You know your father favors your elder brother the most. Once your elder brother returns, who will remember you? Do you really want to be inferior to your own cousin?"

"What’s the use of saying all this? I’ll earn my own future," Xiao Qi said as he pulled up the blanket and covered his head to sleep, but what he was truly thinking, no one knew. Both sons of the esteemed Prime Minister, the Empress Dowager’s brothers; one had been praised since childhood, the other ignored. No matter how broad-minded one was, years of this treatment would leave an impression. It was only because he was not in a position of power that his feelings had not erupted yet.

"I think you’re just a fool." Zheng could not hold back her anger, thinking about having to hand over her own money pouch, she couldn’t fall asleep at all.

Ten days later, Minister Liu successfully petitioned for his retirement due to his old age and hard work. Ye Qiu empathized with his contributions and allowed him to retire and return to his hometown. At this time, Prime Minister Xiao’s eldest son, Xiao Fu, along with his wife and son, returned to the capital.

Everyone knew that Prime Minister Xiao had his eyes on the position of the Minister of Revenue. Otherwise, why would he have his son transferred back to the capital at such a critical moment? But no one knew that Ye Qiuxin already had his ideal candidate for the real Chief of Staff role in mind, and this person was definitely not Xiao Fu.

"This servant pays his respects to Your Majesty," Xiao Fu, not only resembling his father in his schemes but also in appearance, was the spitting image of a middle-aged Xiao Bairen.

"Uncle, please rise," Ye Qiu said with a smile. "Xiao Shunzi, quickly offer uncle a seat."

"This servant thanks Your Majesty for his grace." Although Ye Qiu was very amiable in his demeanor, Xiao Fu did not let favor breed arrogance, and was impeccably polite in his manners, leaving no room for criticism from anyone.

Ye Qiu squinted his eyes; it seemed his uncle might be more troublesome than his father, Prime Minister Xiao. Being accustomed to the capital life and holding a high position, Xiao Bairen’s pride might have been inflated by years of adulation, but Xiao Fu did not show a single trace of arrogance.

"The Empress Mother mentioned that you’ve been quite unwell recently, uncle. I think it would be best if the Imperial Physician took a more careful look at you now," Ye Qiu said with a concerned look.

Xiao Fu hurriedly got up, apologetically saying, "It was my wife who exaggerated. It was just a minor cold and I’m already much better. To have caused Your Majesty concern was my fault."

"Ah," Ye Qiu waved his hand, "Uncle, you’re too polite. It’s still safer to have the Imperial Physician take a look."

"This servant thanks Your Majesty for his grace."

The Imperial Physician had been waiting nearby, and Eunuch Shun promptly invited him in.

Since checking the pulse required quietness, Ye Qiu drank his tea unhurriedly. By the time he finished a cup, the Imperial Physician had completed his diagnosis.

"How is it?"

"To report to Your Majesty, Mr. Xiao has indeed undergone a bout of cold. He has essentially recovered, but the long travel has inevitably taken a toll on his health. I will prescribe some nourishing medicine, and Mr. Xiao should be fine after some rest at home; nothing serious."

"That’s good to hear," Ye Qiu said, relieved, and then turned to Xiao Fu, "Uncle, you can go back and recuperate with peace of mind. The matter of your appointment can wait a few more days. I’ve also already considered a suitable position for you, but since it’s a very important job, you must first recover."

A very important job?

Xiao Fu looked down for a moment and a gleam flashed in his eyes; it seemed that the Emperor had indeed, as his father had said, intended to give him the position of the Minister of Revenue. With this thought, he finally felt at ease.