The sudden statement shocked everyone present.
Qin Yu looked toward the speaker, who was none other than Xu Feng, the Imperial Secretariat’s Premier, Deputy Director of the Zhongshu Menxia Department, and current Grand Chancellor.
Xu Feng stood up and said to Qin Yu, “Crown Princess, investigation and evidence collection must follow procedure. The documents you submitted require the Censorate’s signature and the Court of Judicial Review’s third-party confirmation. This takes time. It is already late; why not discuss this another day?”
Qin Yu was momentarily stunned.
Why was Xu Feng butting in at this moment?
Then she recalled: at the court meeting the day after returning from Prince Changning’s residence, Xu Feng, Guo Qing, and several other ministers had jointly opposed the emperor’s plan to investigate Prince Changning.
This meant Xu Feng was very likely allied with Guo Qing!
Guo Qing’s corruption was shielded by Xu Feng, and Xu Feng probably pocketed a hefty share as well!
Moreover, Xu Feng and Guo Qing’s strong defense of Qin Yi at that time suggested they were likely in cahoots with Qin Yi too!
When court officials collude with feudal princes, it’s the prelude to rebellion!
Has Prince Changning Qin Yi really prepared to this extent?
Cold sweat ran down Qin Yu’s back.
She felt an invisible web closing in from the shadows, entangling both herself and her father.
And the one weaving this net was none other than her own uncle—Qin Yi!
This must be severed!
Qin Yu looked at Luo Shangyu with pleading eyes.
Luo Shangyu nodded slightly: decisive action.
Encouraged, Qin Yu turned to face Xu Feng and said, “If I recall correctly, isn’t there a portion of this embezzled money that belongs to you?”
Qin Yu feigned an accusation to test Xu Feng’s reaction before making her next move.
Xu Feng’s face instantly changed upon hearing Qin Yu’s charge.
But having risen to the rank of Grand Chancellor, he was a seasoned fox.
In a flash, his expression returned to normal.
Qin Yu’s sharp gaze caught this immediately.
Seeing Xu Feng’s reaction, Qin Yu realized her suspicion was probably right, so she unleashed her full force: “Embezzling military funds is no small matter. As Deputy Director, you should have thoroughly investigated it instead of delaying the inquiry! Clearly, I have every reason to suspect you colluded with Guo Qing in advance! You are forming factions and corrupting the court!”
Xu Feng opened his mouth to respond but couldn’t say a word.
The situation had taken him by surprise: the usually indifferent Crown Princess was now raising the stakes, exposing his crimes in front of all the court’s senior officials.
Guo Qing sat at his seat, barely daring to breathe.
After Xu Feng’s speech, Guo Qing thought his protector could shield him, but seeing Qin Yu’s fierce onslaught and Xu Feng’s faltering defense, he began to contemplate escape routes.
Beside Guo Qing sat Zhong Chang Gong, who looked at the Crown Princess with deep gratitude.
Zhong Chang Gong knew well that if not for Qin Yu’s unexpected intervention leading him to battle, he would have surely died on the battlefield.
Other Imperial Secretariat ministers remained silent, watching the quarrel between Qin Yu and Xu Feng unfold.
Though they knew of Xu Feng’s usual misconduct, none expected Qin Yu to publicly expose him like this in front of all the top officials.
Qin Ling sat silently on the dragon throne, watching Qin Yu and Xu Feng’s argument without a word.
Normally, he would have stopped Qin Yu and told her to continue the investigation later.
But now, knowing his days were numbered, Qin Ling chose to silently support Qin Yu to consolidate her position by asserting her authority.
Xu Feng’s face turned pale and flushed repeatedly at Qin Yu’s accusations.
Yet as a man of his rank, he quickly regained composure: “Crown Princess, your accusations are indeed grave. I have served diligently for years, managing state affairs with loyalty to the empire and His Majesty! Under my careful governance, the empire has flourished and its strength has grown. I implore you to see clearly and not wrong a good man, so as not to hurt the diligent officials’ hearts!”
His speech was polished, reminding Qin Ling of his hard work, boasting of his achievements, and warning Qin Yu that her behavior would damage officials’ morale.
Qin Yu snorted coldly, “Diligently governing? The governor of the prefecture near Jingyuan reported the Yang Brothers’ rebellion long ago. Why didn’t you act sooner? I think you’re nothing but a corrupt parasite occupying a post for a paycheck!”
Then she raised the Crown Princess’s edict and announced: “Summon the Deputy Chief Censor of the Censorate and the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review to verify the authenticity of these documents!”
An attending minister immediately took the order and went to summon them.
After issuing the order, Qin Yu returned to her seat.
Seeing Qin Yu was serious about pursuing the matter, Xu Feng began to find fault: “Crown Princess, this level of investigation can’t have the Deputy Chief Censor and Chief Justice come directly. A decree must first be transmitted to the Secretariat, then—”
Qin Yu abruptly interrupted him, staring daggers at Xu Feng, “Shut up! Following a procedure like this only damages my reputation. Rules are for the weak to obey! You, Xu Feng, should reflect on your crimes!”
Xu Feng never expected the usually indifferent and careless Crown Princess to be so forceful this time.
He glanced at Qin Ling, hoping he would stop Qin Yu, but Qin Ling remained seated with eyes closed, appearing completely indifferent.
Qin Yu was truly enraged: how dare a mere Deputy Director openly defy her?
Colluding with a prince is no excuse!
‘Old fox, I’m going to expose you!’
Luo Shangyu watched Qin Yu’s rapid breathing and bulging veins, her agitation clear.
She gently stroked Qin Yu’s back, trying to calm her down.
Qin Yu patted Luo Shangyu’s thigh, “It’s okay, I’m perfectly calm.”
Luo Shangyu: (ー_ー)!!
‘Yeah right, who’d believe you’re calm looking like that?’
Inside the hall, Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu exchanged glances.
Qin Ling rested with eyes closed.
Guo Qing nervously stared at his toes.
Xu Feng was deep in thought.
The others quietly observed the situation from their seats.
The hall was deathly silent, only the sounds of breathing and the autumn wind rustling through the palace.
***
Soon, the Deputy Chief Censor and the Chief Justice arrived.
Seeing the oppressive silence, they said nothing and immediately began verifying the documents as instructed by Qin Yu.
Their inspection confirmed: the military fund expense report Qin Yu submitted, covering the Left and Right Yulin Armies, was genuine and rigorously documented, clearly proving the Right Yulin Army’s funds had been embezzled.
The findings instantly confirmed Guo Qing’s corruption.
Though Guo Qing bribed officials in the Censorate, they dared not cover for him under Qin Yu’s fury, and reported the truth faithfully.
Qin Yu stood and pointed at Guo Qing, “Vice Minister of War Guo Qing! You have embezzled military funds. What do you have to say for yourself? Confess and you may receive leniency; resist and you will be punished severely!”
Guo Qing, realizing all was lost and Xu Feng unable to stop the exposure, broke down and knelt, “I admit my guilt! I will reveal my accomplices in hopes of a lighter sentence!”
“Speak!” Qin Yu commanded.
Xu Feng panicked, powerless as his faction was exposed.
“Deputy Director of the Zhongshu Menxia Department Xu Feng! Deputy Director of the Right Division of Zhongshu Menxia…” Guo Qing’s confession spelled doom for Xu Feng’s small faction.
“Good!” Qin Yu ordered after receiving the list, “Imprison Guo Qing in Zhao Prison. Remove the others from office and await further interrogation!”
With Qin Yu’s decree, the Imperial Guards arrested Guo Qing, revoked Xu Feng’s official seal, and threw Xu Feng out of Weiyang Hall.
Qin Ling, seeing the matter finally resolved, opened his eyes and declared, “Dismissed!”
***
That afternoon, Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu spent their time at the Court of Judicial Review.
To find evidence of collusion between Xu Feng and Qin Yi, they had officials collect all Xu Feng’s correspondence for careful inspection.
But to their disappointment, Xu Feng had destroyed his letters with Qin Yi.
They found no leads the entire afternoon.
***
That evening, Qin Yu was bored.
The latest volume of the comic “David Dai’s Adventures” had been delayed, leaving her without fresh entertainment.
She walked outside the Eastern Palace gates and gazed at the starry sky, the dark night sprinkled with countless stars outlining the vast cosmic sea.
“Hm, maybe I’ll find Luo Shangyu to hang out!” Qin Yu turned and reentered the palace.
Luo Shangyu was sitting on the bed in her room, reading.
“Luo Shangyu?”
“Hmm?” Luo Shangyu didn’t lift her head, softly responding.
Qin Yu sat at the edge of the bed and called again, “Luo Shangyu?”
This time, no reply came.
Qin Yu looked at Luo Shangyu, who had her legs tucked under the covers and was propped against the headboard, holding an ancient grimoire.
Not calling out again, Qin Yu decided to take action.
She climbed onto the bed on hands and knees, crawling toward Luo Shangyu.
Using her arms to support her upper body in midair, Qin Yu hovered over Luo Shangyu, then placed her right knee between Luo Shangyu’s slightly parted thighs.
Next, Qin Yu pressed her thigh against the insides of Luo Shangyu’s legs, forcing them apart.
She then slid her knee upward along Luo Shangyu’s thigh, pressing at the root.
The sudden move caught Luo Shangyu off guard.
Just as she was puzzled, Qin Yu knocked the book out of her hands.
Qin Yu leaned close, her face inches from Luo Shangyu’s, and whispered, “Why are you ignoring me?” (′へ`、 )
Luo Shangyu’s heart raced, staring into Qin Yu’s large blue eyes.
Their noses nearly touched, and the warm breath from Qin Yu’s nostrils was especially comforting in the autumn night.
“Ah… uh…” Luo Shangyu stammered, unable to find words.
Through the girl’s clear eyes, Luo Shangyu saw her own reflection.
“Hm?” Seeing Luo Shangyu silent, Qin Yu pressed her knee harder and gently pressed her nose against Luo Shangyu’s.
“Ugh!” The unusual sensation made Luo Shangyu groan softly, “Don’t be so cruel!”
Seeing Luo Shangyu finally say something coherent, Qin Yu eased the pressure on her leg.
“Come play with me for a bit!”
“Play what?”
“Uh… let me think…” Qin Yu propped herself on one arm and rested her chin on her hand, pondering.
***
Outside the Eastern Palace, Qin Ling stepped down from his sedan chair.
“Is Qin Yu inside?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, in her chambers.” The maid answered cautiously.
Qin Ling walked in the direction the maid pointed.
Luo Shangyu saw Qin Yu deeply thinking, realizing her chance to change the situation had come.
She stretched out her arms and hugged Qin Yu’s waist from below, then pulled her close.
Qin Yu lost balance and was drawn into Luo Shangyu’s embrace.
Luo Shangyu rolled over and pinned Qin Yu beneath her.
“Ah!” The sudden reversal made Qin Yu cry out.
Luo Shangyu’s body pressed down on Qin Yu.
Though light, it was enough to make Qin Yu struggle for breath.
Qin Yu noticed the blanket had slipped aside.
Both wore thin cotton pajamas.
Their hearts were closer than ever before, each clearly hearing the other’s heartbeat.
Luo Shangyu’s eyes sparkled with the confidence of the dominant party.
“Luo Shangyu, I’m sorry… please get off… this posture isn’t very appropriate, is it?” Qin Yu’s voice was barely audible, weak as a whisper.
It wasn’t that Qin Yu couldn’t breathe but that, in her past life as a boy, this situation made her feel awkward.
“Now you admit your mistake?”
“Yeah!” Qin Yu nodded.
Luo Shangyu’s golden hair brushed against Qin Yu’s cheek, tickling her and triggering a sneeze.
‘Hold it! Hold it!’ Qin Yu thought desperately, refusing to sneeze in front of Luo Shangyu!
Qin Yu’s face flushed red from holding back, tears welled in her eyes.
“Oh, your face is red!” Luo Shangyu teased, bending closer.
The tears glistened in the light.
“Please, Luo Shangyu, let me go! If the maids see us like this, it won’t be good!”
“The maids don’t dare enter your room casually. If they did and saw the Crown Princess who challenged the Grand Chancellor this morning now being bullied like this… tsk tsk tsk.”
Luo Shangyu’s threat painted a grim picture in Qin Yu’s mind.
This must never happen! She had to regain control!
Qin Yu struggled to take the initiative, but the difference in strength was too great.
‘Is there no way out?’ Qin Yu thought despairingly.
She uttered a string of moans as she struggled.
“Haha, feel what it’s like to be dominated!” Luo Shangyu mocked, “So weak, yet still want to be at the top?”
Just as Qin Yu was about to retort, the most terrifying sound appeared.
“Creak—”
The door to the room was pushed open.
Qin Ling strode in: “Qin Yu, I… have… come…”