Chapter 6: Vegetables in winter are treasures! (2/2)

After realizing what had happened, the officials avoided eye contact, looking at the sky or the ground but never at the Emperor sitting on the golden platform.

The old Emperor: “…?”

The chief eunuch beside him noticed the Emperor’s expression and nearly stumbled in fear.

What’s going on? Why did the Emperor’s temples suddenly bulge with veins? Who made him this angry? The last time the Emperor caught someone in the act of infidelity, he didn’t look this furious.

…Speaking of which, how did the Emperor suddenly learn about the Prince’s and Qin Guiren’s affair in the rockery?

The chief eunuch was confused.

The old Emperor took a deep breath.

I’m not angry, I’m not angry, I’m not angry... I won’t stoop to the level of the previous dynasty’s emperors, secretly convicting people for my own twisted purposes!

And…

The old Emperor silently thought of the name “Xu Yanmiao,” furrowing his brows as he remembered the solemn court session from half a year ago, when Xu Yanmiao’s thoughts had first been exposed.

It was the revelation of a fraudulent drought in Shandong.

For years, the Emperor and some central officials had believed that Shandong had been suffering from droughts, which prompted the court to send relief supplies. Shandong officials reported droughts, and scholars from Shandong attending the imperial examinations spoke of it as well. No one questioned it until Xu Yanmiao’s voice pierced through:

[Shandong officials have been pocketing disaster relief funds for over a decade! Shandong’s officials are truly something else! They’re usually so quiet, but when they make a move, it’s a huge one!]

The court and the public were shocked.

The Emperor sent spies to investigate…

Well, after the investigation, the officials from Shandong were found guilty, and the entire region was swept clean. During that time, anyone who passed the imperial examination could be sent to Shandong as an official, as many positions had opened up after the purge.

This was also when the Jinyiwei (Embroidered Uniform Guard) was established. This department was tasked with gathering intelligence for the Emperor and keeping an eye on the officials.

Over the past half year, the Emperor had learned a bit about Xu Yanmiao.

It seemed Xu Yanmiao was an ordinary man, but he had the rare fortune of being chosen by the artifact “System” to view the world, like the mythical beast Bai Ze. However, the artifact seemed damaged, allowing Xu Yanmiao’s thoughts to be overheard.

But not everyone could hear him—only those with an official seal or the Imperial Seal could hear Xu Yanmiao’s thoughts. Even the Prince, without an official seal, could not hear them.

Xu Yanmiao was uncontrollable and would reveal many dark secrets.

A fleeting flash of killing intent passed through the old Emperor’s eyes.@@novelbin@@

Meanwhile, Xu Yanmiao, oblivious to the danger approaching, happily continued flipping through gossip.

[Ah, the King of Nanyue plans to rebel against our Great Xia? He’s contacting Minyue and Dongyue about it?]

[Has he lost his mind? So eager? He should at least wait until the old founding generation dies out before making a move.]

The old Emperor shifted uncomfortably on his throne.

The chief eunuch leaned in: “Your Majesty?”

The Emperor cleared his throat. “As the year end approaches, the officials have worked hard. To show my appreciation, each of you will receive two taels of winter vegetables. May you continue to serve diligently and not slack off.”

The chief eunuch’s pupils contracted, swallowing nervously.

Winter vegetables? Such a rare delicacy! They were only grown in the special plots near the hot springs, and usually only the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince could enjoy them. On rare occasions, they were given to high-ranking ministers, but now they were being distributed to minor officials from the ninth rank?

And two taels for each of them?!

The chief eunuch ordered a junior eunuch to carry out the task, his heart sour with envy.

He had served the Emperor for decades and never received any winter vegetables. Yet, these low-ranking officials—what did they do to deserve such a gift?

Soon, the winter vegetables were distributed to the officials, and waves of gratitude filled the air.

Xu Yanmiao, after kneeling to receive the gift, stood up and stared at the slightly yellowed, wilted vegetables in his hands. For once, he had no thoughts to share.

Beside him, the Minister of the Army, whose face was streaked with dried tears, sniffled and even dared to speak to Xu Yanmiao.

“Xu Lang,” the Minister of the Army said, with a pointed look. “The Emperor’s favor is truly great. This winter, only Prime Minister Dou received the Emperor’s reward of winter vegetables, and even then, it was only half a jin…”

Above, the old Emperor had yet to hear Xu Yanmiao’s thoughts. However, he had his own suspicions.

“Are you so moved that words fail you?”

The Emperor looked toward Xu Yanmiao’s position, raising his brow with a smug smile.

“Moved, aren’t you? You should be! The winter vegetables that even I can barely bring myself to eat—aren’t you grateful enough to serve me with your life?”

At that moment, another basket of winter vegetables passed in front of the Emperor.

Usually, such rewards would be sent to the officials’ residences after the court session, but the Emperor, having risen from the lower ranks, knew better than anyone the value of “honoring someone’s face” and “bestowing glory.”

Handing the reward directly in front of all the officials, instead of delivering it later, would make it far more meaningful!

Didn’t you see that some officials were so moved they almost fainted?!

The Emperor, feeling a mix of pride and pain, watched the scene unfold.

He didn’t want to give away so many winter vegetables, but…

The things Xu Yanmiao revealed in his thoughts… were truly a delight.