Chapter 15: Ruthless Enough

All the ministers in the court fell silent, not daring to raise their voices any longer. They knew well the Crown Prince’s power and would not risk provoking him at such a moment—especially with the Emperor’s health failing and the Crown Prince poised to ascend the throne at any time.

“If even one of you had any true ability or backbone, there would have been no need for Lord Ye to step in. Now that Lord Ye has restored our Great Zhou’s honor, how can you still slander him? Is that at all reasonable?” Taking advantage of the situation, Ling Xiaoyue rebuked the assembly, seeking to establish her authority. Only by blending favor with severity could she command their submission; endless patience would only make her appear weak.

“This time, Lord Ye has rendered great service. I hereby promote him to Grand Steward of the Crown Prince’s Palace and bestow upon him a thousand taels of gold as a reward.” Ling Xiaoyue announced the new appointment.

On hearing this, Director Li, standing aside, was so furious he nearly ground his teeth to dust, wishing he could tear Ye Cheng limb from limb. In the blink of an eye, that fellow had surpassed him. The title of “Grand Steward” clearly outranked his own.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Ye Cheng hastily expressed his gratitude, bowing low. Glancing up, he saw Director Li forcing a smile so twisted it was uglier than a grimace, attempting to curry favor with him—Ye Cheng could not have been more delighted.

“Old man, bet you never expected I’d climb over your head so quickly,” Ye Cheng sneered inwardly. He realized Ling Xiaoyue, fearsome as she was, knew how to reward merit without stinginess. Otherwise, how could he have risen to Grand Steward so swiftly?

“Minister Zhao, the three challenges your Jin Kingdom set for us have all been solved by Great Zhou. Have you anything left to say?” Ling Xiaoyue bit her delicate silver teeth, casting a triumphant glance at Zhao Qianli.

Zhao Qianli’s expression was as sour as could be. He managed a bitter smile. “Since our agreement was made, it is only right to finalize the details of peace between Jin and Zhou. From now on, my Jin Kingdom will present Great Zhou with two hundred thousand head of cattle and sheep each year, and an additional fifty thousand taels of gold.”

After all, this time Jin had come to seek peace with Zhou. Great Zhou was the stronger power; Jin had little choice but to offer tribute. Jin itself was beset by crisis: to its north, a new, powerful steppe nation had risen and repeatedly routed Jin’s armies. Not wishing to fight on two fronts, Jin’s rulers sent envoys to seek peace. On learning the Emperor of Zhou was gravely ill and that civil unrest might erupt, the envoys tried to delay talks with impossible challenges—yet Ye Cheng had overcome every one with ease.

Ye Cheng’s eyes brightened at this—so much tribute from Jin! Fifty thousand taels of gold alone. All at once, the thousand taels bestowed by Ling Xiaoyue seemed far less appealing.

“The specifics shall be drafted by Chief Minister Yang and Minister Zhao. Does that suit you, Minister Yang?” Ling Xiaoyue let out a sigh of relief as she turned to Yang Jianchang. At last, this troublesome matter was settled. One less problem to worry about. Any further delay could have led to disaster. Much of the court suspected her because she had no heir, and even the regional princes were growing restless.

“I understand, Your Highness,” Yang Jianchang nodded.

When the court session ended, Lin Yaoxue led Ye Cheng to the imperial gardens—his first visit there. As expected, it was a riot of color, flowers in full bloom, enchanting and irresistible.

“Chengzi, you were the Crown Prince of the previous dynasty and have a deadly feud with this Crown Prince. Why did you help him today?” Lin Yaoxue asked with a smile, every glance and gesture more alluring than the flowers themselves, enough to make one lose their senses. Ye Cheng could not help but marvel at her—truly a temptress, her charm as bewitching as a fox spirit’s. What man could withstand it? Though she might be a shade less beautiful than Ling Xiaoyue, she possessed a fatal allure that Ling Xiaoyue entirely lacked.

“Your Grace, I hadn’t thought that far. I simply want to rise in the world,” Ye Cheng answered honestly.

“At least you’re frank. It’s true you can’t yet contend with the Crown Prince—far better to serve him and wait for your chance,” Lin Yaoxue nodded approvingly, agreeing with his current strategy. “Now that the Emperor is gravely ill, the Crown Prince could become Emperor at any moment. When that happens, you’ll be the new sovereign’s favorite.”

Ye Cheng’s eyes lit up. Would he not become the most powerful eunuch in the land?

“Even if I become a favorite, I’ll always be Your Grace’s man,” Ye Cheng replied.

Lin Yaoxue nodded, satisfied. “You know where your loyalties lie, then.”

Ye Cheng managed a wry smile. His predecessor had left him in a sorry state. Had he not revealed his identity to Lin Yaoxue, he would not be so helpless now—entirely at her mercy.

The identity of the former Crown Prince was a ticking time bomb—ready to explode at any moment.

“Have you ever thought about hastening the Emperor’s death, so the Crown Prince could ascend sooner?” Lin Yaoxue suddenly asked, shocking Ye Cheng. He looked around nervously, terrified someone might overhear. To plot against the Emperor was a crime that would wipe out nine generations—a thousand deaths would not suffice.

“What are you afraid of? There’s no one within thirty paces. It’s just you and me. If the Crown Prince becomes Emperor sooner, both of us stand to gain,” Lin Yaoxue said, her lips curling into a wicked, captivating smile.

Ye Cheng went cold. This consort was ruthless—she even dared contemplate killing the Emperor.

“Once the Crown Prince takes the throne, I’ll be Empress, and you’ll be the most powerful eunuch in the land. Together, we could hold all of Great Zhou in our hands. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” Lin Yaoxue continued.

Ye Cheng sneered inwardly at her pretty words. To control the empire was no simple feat. Besides, neither of them had a real foundation in the court; to seize everything at once was a fool’s dream—unless the Crown Prince was an utter idiot.

“As I understand it, the imperial physician who knows the Emperor’s illness best is Doctor Dai. You were the Crown Prince of the previous dynasty—surely you still have some influence in the capital? Why not reach out to your old contacts and have Doctor Dai eliminated? Without him, the Emperor’s days would be numbered,” Lin Yaoxue said smoothly, lips barely parted.

Her words sent shockwaves through Ye Cheng’s heart. She was ruthless indeed—she’d even investigated the physicians attending the Emperor. Did she want to kill by proxy? Kill the physician and—

“Your Grace, I’ve been in the palace too long—I’ve lost touch with them,” Ye Cheng replied. This was true enough: he had gaps in his memory and had lost contact with his former allies.

Lin Yaoxue’s gaze darkened, and she let out a cold laugh. “Chengzi, give it some thought. I have other matters to attend to—I’ll be going.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

Ye Cheng thought he could finally breathe easy, but was startled to find Ling Xiaoyue standing behind him, her face icy. “Chengzi, what were you and Her Grace whispering about so secretively?”