Chapter 393: Chapter 388: Imperial Concubine
Lord Huang, whom Ye Qiu named, serves as the Minister of Justice. At over sixty years old this year, like Qiao Zhenglian and Old Zhang, he is an experienced minister who has served through three dynasties. He comes from a longstanding second-class aristocratic family and is known for his integrity and gravity.
According to Ye Qiu, although Lord Huang came to see the Emperor at the palace with Qiao Zhenglian, he is not one of Qiao’s followers. Even though Qiao is an elder, his family background is not substantial enough to warrant a scion of an aristocratic family risking his life for him.
Perhaps, it is precisely because he has seen many such aristocratic scions that Qiao Zhenglian is so intent on climbing higher. Being an elder is not enough; only if his granddaughter becomes the Empress and his great-grandson the Crown Prince will the standing of the Qiao Family rise to be on par with other aristocratic families.
"Lady, whether they are Imperial Relatives or commoners, defying an imperial decree is a capital offense," declared Lord Huang seriously.
Ye Qiu laughed lightly: "Mr. Qiao, did you hear that? Do you really intend to defy the decree?"
With a stern face, Qiao Zhenglian indeed had the air of a loyal official: "Imperial Concubine, you are misinterpreting my intentions. Please ask His Majesty to come out; I have urgent matters to report to His Majesty."
Ye Qiu stared at him, her aura suddenly intensifying as she coldly questioned: "Misinterpretation or misunderstanding, today I sit here as per the Emperor’s will. The Emperor is currently unwell, and the Imperial Physician has advised rest. Mr. Qiao, do you really want the Emperor to strain himself over your nonsense? Could you bear the responsibility if it worsens His Majesty’s condition?"
Looking uneasy, Qiao Zhenglian knelt down: "I dare not."
Apart from Old Zhang, the other ministers, taken aback by Ye Qiu’s imposing manner, exchanged incredulous looks, thinking, Is this truly the Imperial Concubine? She seems even more commanding than the late Emperor!
Mr. Du, the Minister of Revenue, finally understood why the Imperial Concubine didn’t mind during the previous selection of concubines when his daughter participated. How could such a person care for the petty intrigues and clever tricks of the harem? With this thought, he startled himself: since the Imperial Concubine disregards the petty struggles of the harem, what is she really after? Does she truly dare to defy all norms and tread this thorny path?
Old Zhang sighed, "Times are changing. As it turns out, one should never underestimate a woman, but her path remains fraught with difficulties. If Mr. Qiao, the stubborn old fool, leaves the palace gate today, tomorrow he can rally scholars from across the world to cause trouble."
Ye Qiu did not ask Qiao Zhenglian to rise but addressed the others directly: "If there are any matters, gentlemen, please address them directly to me today. Old Zhang, you go first."
"Lady, the Imperial Examination is upon us soon; I’d like to ask if the Lady examiner has set out the rules?"
The others looked at Old Zhang, never expecting him to yield so readily. Were they really going to obey a woman in the future?
They glanced again at Old Qiao, still kneeling on the hall floor. Well, they thought, that’s a matter for another day; dignity and life are most important.
Seeing that everyone seemed tacitly to accept Ye Qiu’s role in governing, Qiao Zhenglian’s expression darkened even further.
"Let Mr. Zhang and Lord Chang together draft the list of candidates, and set the examination questions once the candidates are decided." Lord Chang is the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, one of the earlier ones to find out about Ye Qiu handling state affairs on behalf of Ji Fei. However, he neither pledged allegiance to Ye Qiu nor disclosed it, and since he has been performing his duties well, Ye Qiu continued to engage with him.
"Yes."
"Lady, I have a matter to report," spoke up Mr. Lin, the Minister of War. This Mr. Lin is interesting; although not one of Qiao Zhenglian’s partisans, he has a strained relationship with the Ye Family, often withholding their weapons and supplies. Yet, when Qiao Zhenglian earlier came out accusing Ye Qiu, Mr. Lin did not step forward.
"Speak."
"Recently, pirates have been harassing fishermen in the maritime area of Fujian Province, and several fishing villages along the coast have also been plundered by pirates, with casualties reaching over a hundred. The General in Quanzhou City is asking whether to dispatch troops."
Ye Qiu gently tapped the armrest of her chair. These pirates were indeed troublesome, which is why the late Emperor implemented a policy of isolation, but this resulted in reduced international trade and thus lower tax revenue. She had her uncle fully oversee the production of cannons at the Firearms Camp not only to defend against the Liao People and the bandits from the Southern Border but also to combat the pirates, intending to respond by sea this morning.
"The Firearms Camp has improved the cannons today, with large ones now reaching up to two kilometers, easily capable of destroying ships carrying more than a hundred people. There’s also a lighter cannon, although it has a shorter range, its accuracy is high. I have already had them shipped to Fujian, where orders will be given to the General in Quanzhou to strike against the pirates."
Hearing about the two types of cannons that Ye Qiu described, not only the Minister of War, but also the other lords present trembled. The Firearms Camp is managed by Imperial Concubine’s uncle, Ye Xiuming. With such powerful new cannons, who could resist if Ye Qiu decided to act?
"Are Lady’s words to be taken seriously?" asked the Minister of War, excitedly.
"Mr. Lin, if you don’t believe me, you can visit the Firearms Camp tomorrow. Of course, if the other lords also wish to see, I will inform Lord Ye in advance." Ye Qiu scanned the crowd, finally resting her gaze on Qiao Zhenglian, who had been kneeling for a long time and was visibly infuriated, his body swaying slightly.
"Mr. Qiao is still kneeling. Stand up. It is truly commendable that Mr. Qiao, at such an age, remains so concerned about state affairs. The palace especially grants Mr. Qiao a month’s rest. An Fu, later go to the Imperial Hospital and ask the Imperial Physician to visit Elder Qiao’s residence."
"Chirp!"
Seeing the Emperor’s former chief eunuch now so obedient to Ye Qiu, the ministers’ hearts were filled with mixed emotions.
"Do the lords have any other business? If not, you may leave. Once the Emperor’s health improves, he will naturally meet with the lords."
Although Ye Qiu said this, everyone present today felt that the Emperor probably wouldn’t appear in court anymore. However, seeing what happened to Qiao Zhenglian, no one dared to speak a word.
"This is too much, simply too much!" Qiao Zhenglian slammed his hand on the desk as soon as he returned home.
"Father, what has happened to you?" Qiao Bozhi, Qiao Qingyue’s father, came in, not daring to even breathe heavily, and asked cautiously.
"What else could it be, if not the Evil Concubine of the Ye Family?" Thinking back to the morning’s events in Yangxin Hall, Qiao Zhenglian was furious, having lost both face and dignity. What were his colleagues thinking? Would they really prefer a woman to rule over them?
"Is she tormenting Qingyue?" Qiao Bozhi frowned.
"Qingyue? Your daughter probably still has no clue about what’s happening. Hurry and write to your daughter to find out what she’s really doing. How can she be unaware of the Evil Concubine meddling in politics?"
Thinking about it made Qiao Zhenglian even angrier. He had thought his granddaughter was clever and had even won over the Emperor, but to think she can’t even compare to a finger of that woman!