Chapter 25
The Old Emperor Misses His White Moonlight
“Is that so? What a pity.”
Emperor Jingtai called out a few more names in succession, but unsurprisingly, all were refused.
At first, he had only wanted to embarrass these ministers a little, but as the refusals piled up, he truly grew angry. These people only cared about their own interests, never about actually getting anything done.
But before he could expose them, even those who didn’t want the post themselves didn’t want Ying Jiuque to have it.
For the first time, Emperor Jingtai understood so clearly that the hearts of his court officials were filled only with self-interest.
“Since none of you are willing, then why bother to dissuade others?! Enough! Stop saying useless things. If you refuse to let your sons or nephews take the position of City Inspector, then you can go yourselves! You’re all still young enough—just a city patrol, it won’t kill you!”
The hall erupted in shock. They had only been resisting out of habit—they had no intention of abandoning their bright futures to become a lowly sixth-rank petty official.
So they began their grand performances—some claimed poor health, some bad legs, some even cited their elderly parents’ fragile health.
The emperor couldn’t be bothered to listen to their excuses anymore.
Finally, the Minister of Revenue showed his cunning and “wisely” expressed his enthusiastic support for County Princess Ying (Ying Jiuque) to be appointed as City Inspector. After all, no one in the capital was more suited than her.
With their supposed ally turning on them, the rest had no choice but to “happily” echo the sentiment—each declaring that they too thought Ying Jiuque was the perfect choice.
But Emperor Jingtai wasn’t about to let them off so easily. Especially when the foolish Minister of Rites suddenly suggested arranging a proper posthumous ceremony for Yu Lang.
The emperor had been restraining his temper for quite some time—this time he completely exploded.
“Fine! Then bury him along with all the paintings he made while alive! Since none of your pampered daughters, granddaughters, or even your old mothers would ever dare show their faces in public, no one will recognize them anyway, and their reputation will stay perfectly clean!”
What—what did that mean?
The officials panicked. When they heard from Eunuch Jiu Fu roughly what Yu Lang had done, the very same ministers who had been loudly mourning him moments earlier suddenly turned rabid.
“Cut him to pieces! He must be torn to pieces! Such a man is unworthy of being called a scholar—it’s an insult to the sages’ teachings!”
“A filthy wretch like him standing in court as a model for all scholars under heaven?! Your Majesty, please, issue a decree to grind his bones to dust!”
Emperor Jingtai waved them away coldly. Watching them flail in desperation was satisfying enough. He refused to see them further.
Even though they tried to maintain solemn expressions as they left the palace, none of them felt comfortable.
They were already worrying—what if word of this leaked?
And truly—why hadn’t His Majesty told them earlier?
If they had known Yu Lang was that kind of person, they would’ve gladly trampled him themselves and destroyed his reputation.
Back in the Hall of Health Preservation, Emperor Jingtai sat brooding.
“Other emperors gained their thrones with the help of loyal and capable ministers—men who truly cared for the people.
So why is my court full of nothing but selfish parasites?!”
“If he hadn’t burned himself to death, the court today would be nothing like this!”
Eunuch Jiu Fu tactfully acted deaf.
He didn’t hear the emperor’s wistful tone as he recalled Prime Minister Pei, who had killed himself defending the fallen capital of the previous dynasty, nor the sighing over the loyal ministers who perished with him.
He didn’t hear the emperor’s bitter complaints about his current officials.
He was merely a dutiful, deaf old eunuch.
“Even that cruel, inhuman last emperor had someone like Prime Minister Pei—loyal to the end, burning himself alive rather than abandon his duty.
But look at my ministers! If I dropped dead this very moment, all they’d think about is how to help the next emperor ascend the throne, not how to save me!”
The more Emperor Jingtai spoke, the angrier he became, even forgetting his imperial manner of speech.
Jiu Fu, however, was used to this. The emperor always ranted for a while, and then he’d calm down again.
Indeed, moments later Emperor Jingtai soothed himself and even started laughing.
“But did you see their faces just now? Hideous! Serves them right! Hmph. Oh, and prepare an official decree for Ying Jiuque. I want the whole world to see—those who serve me well will be rewarded well!
Prime Minister Pei refused to follow me, but now I rule the four seas, and all the talent under heaven belongs to me. I don’t believe I can’t govern this realm even better than before!”
Eunuch Jiu Fu smiled as he carried the decree away—thus, Ying Jiuque became the first female City Inspector in history.
She could hardly refuse. The emperor even gifted her a carriage—and a beautiful white mare to go with it, lively and strong.
Jiu Fu smiled beside her.
“This mare is a descendant of His Majesty’s beloved steed, Chasing Clouds. Her bloodline is excellent—though young, she has the makings of a fine thousand-li horse. Even the imperial princes have begged for her, but His Majesty refused them all.”
The implication was clear—the emperor was showing great favor.
Ying Jiuque expressed her gratitude with all sincerity… though she was clearly reluctant when she departed to assume her new post.
Before taking office, however, she attended a small gathering organized by Xin Tanhua (the third-ranked scholar in the imperial exam). He had invited her and Chunyu Shuang, and even Wei Yuan was surprised—this refined scholar, a model among literati, actually invited him, a eunuch’s adopted son, the emperor’s hound?
Also present were Yu Lang’s nine mistresses.
Thanks to Xin Tanhua’s legal petition, they hadn’t suffered much punishment—the fines had even been paid by him.
As Yu Lang’s only surviving son, Xin Tanhua inherited all his father’s wealth and businesses, but he had no desire to keep them. After using part of it to atone to these innocent women, he divided the rest among them.
Life was already harsh enough for women, and as Yu Lang’s former mistresses, their futures would be even harder—but whatever life they chose, they would need money. With enough silver, they could at least live decently.
Lady Yun (Yunniang) blushed with shame.
“Master Xin, truly, there’s no need. We have our own hands and feet—we can support ourselves. You, on the other hand, are going all the way to Bingzhou; the road is long and costly. You should take more silver. Besides… we have no right to accept this money…”
As she spoke, shame filled their faces.
After all, how could they take money from the son of the man they had killed?
But Xin Tanhua truly didn’t mind.
“Honestly, I don’t want anything to do with Yu Lang. If you don’t take this money, the government will just seize it back.
Better you have it—as compensation. I know that bastard treated you all terribly. Spending his money until it’s gone—that’s what he deserves.”
