Chapter 170: Who’s Worse Off—Lord Yingcheng or the Heir Destined for Nanfeng Pavilion? (1 / 2)

Who on earth had their brain kicked by a donkey to dare corrupt Little Bai Ze!

Lord Yingcheng betrayed no unusual expression but cast his gaze uneasily among the assembled court officials.

Could it be the Deputy Commander of the Central Military Office? No way, right? Just because his youngest son punched the man’s adopted son? And over what? A fight for the last jar of “Drunken Heavens” wine at a restaurant! Surely that wasn’t enough to make trouble over, was it?

Or maybe it was the Censor from the Ministry of Revenue? That seemed more plausible.

This particular official had been at odds with his subordinates, constantly engaging in bureaucratic power plays. Today, he might draft an imperial edict, only to have it rejected the next day. Or he might oppose a certain policy on one occasion, only to advocate for it later to see it implemented. The situation had turned into a battle of egos. On one side was the Censor from the Ministry of Revenue, also serving as a Hanlin scholar. On the other was the Censor from the Ministry of War. Their feud had escalated to public bickering over the past several days.

Or perhaps it was the Minister of Personnel…

As Lord Yingcheng mulled over the possibilities, he suddenly realized, with a jolt, that he had too many enemies to narrow it down!

Politics, after all, is full of rivals—some open, some hidden. But not being able to pinpoint the culprit made things much trickier.

Oh, why couldn’t it have been him who got chosen by the divine artifact?

Lord Yingcheng clenched his teeth, his gaze involuntarily drifting toward Xu Yanmiao again and again.

—”Who’s behind you? Can’t you at least give me a hint?!”@@novelbin@@

On the golden dais.

The old emperor nearly burst out laughing.

He had assumed Xu Yanmiao would accuse Lord Yingcheng of being overbearing or list some misdeeds. Who would’ve thought Xu Yanmiao would take such a wildly creative approach instead?

Even if Lord Yingcheng admitted guilt, he’d still suffer. Unless he dismissed his concubines—hahaha! Otherwise, he’d have to spend his days constantly satisfying the needs of twenty concubines!

Hahaha!

The old emperor laughed so hard he nearly fell off his dragon throne, though he tried his best to do so silently as a form of respect for Lord Yingcheng.

[Wow! Judging by everyone’s reactions, this impeachment went really well!]

[Good thing I had the emperor’s hint! This time, I’ll definitely complete the mission!]

Gasp—

Wait, so it was the emperor who had encouraged Little Bai Ze to come up with this ridiculous plan?!

The court officials were collectively dumbfounded.

“…”

The emperor’s laughter abruptly ceased.

His eyes widened as he desperately racked his brain—

When did I give any such hint?! I didn’t!

This kind of mischief is beneath me!

But down below, Lord Yingcheng had already bought into it, his accusatory gaze fixed on the golden dais.

It all made sense now. Why else would Xu Yanmiao suddenly target someone? Only the emperor could order him to act! No one else would dare risk Xu Yanmiao spilling their secrets.

“When the crafty hare is killed, the hunting dog is cooked; when the birds are gone, the fine bow is put away!”

Lord Yingcheng raised his face, forcing back the bitterness welling in his eyes.

“Your Majesty, the matter of Xu Yanmiao’s impeachment is true. This subject… has nothing to say in defense.”

The old emperor: “…”

Had this man forgotten about his allegiance to the Prince of Jibei?

—Indeed, Lord Yingcheng had genuinely forgotten.

Or rather, after Xu Yanmiao exposed the Prince of Jibei’s rebellion, Lord Yingcheng had spent months trembling with fear, worried that one day the imperial guards would burst into his home, accuse him of being a co-conspirator, and execute him on the spot. But as over a year passed without incident, his vigilance waned, and he began to relax, even as he reminded himself to stay cautious.

“Since you have nothing to say, then say no more.”

From the golden dais, the old emperor gazed forward, avoiding the eyes of his courtiers.

“Lord Yingcheng has violated propriety. You are hereby confined to your residence.”

Lord Yingcheng looked up in surprise and delight.

House arrest?!

Could it be… he had misunderstood His Majesty? Perhaps the emperor wasn’t planning to purge his loyal ministers after all?

The old emperor stroked his beard, a faint smile on his face.

Look! Look at this! I’m benevolent! Not like a certain someone surnamed Xu!

Meanwhile, Xu Yanmiao exclaimed inwardly, [So generous! But judging by this, the old emperor probably doesn’t know about Lord Yingcheng secretly calling him a nouveau riche. Otherwise, why would he be so lenient…?]

The old emperor paused, his smile fading as he let out a cold laugh. Then, as if remembering something, he added, “When you have made up for the time owed to your concubines, your confinement will end. During this period, you must still observe the daily rituals of propriety.”

Translation: For every night you missed with your concubines before, you’ll have to make up for it now. In addition, you still need to fulfill the usual quota of satisfying twenty concubines per day.

In truth, the rules for “propriety” weren’t usually so rigid. Most people managed their households however they wished, as long as no one made an issue of it. But thanks to Xu Yanmiao’s “helpful reminder,” the old emperor suddenly recalled how he himself had been mocked as a nouveau riche for daring to live in a fifty-square-meter bedroom.

This required investigation. Retribution was necessary!

Upon hearing the emperor’s decree, Lord Yingcheng’s face turned ashen, and he swayed on his feet.

“Your Majesty…”

Twenty concubines a day, plus making up for lost time?! This was a death sentence!

[Wow! I wonder who’s worse off—Lord Yingcheng or the Jibei heir about to be sent to the Nanfeng Pavilion!]