Chapter 20: Held Accountable

An Awkward Encounter

The next morning, as Xie Jiu was leaving, she ran into Wu Que heading to court.

He’d been absent from court for days, claiming illness, but he could no longer avoid it.

Moreover, he wanted to gauge Zhao Xingjin’s attitude toward him.

After all, he hadn’t been able to bring himself to beg Xie Jiu the day before.

Their meeting at the estate’s gate was rather delicate.

Both were heading to see Zhao Xingjin, but for entirely different reasons.

Xie Jiu saw him and acted as if yesterday’s tension never happened, her face wreathed in smiles. ‘Is the Marquis off to court? Why not travel with me? It’s on the way, and we’d save using two carriages.’

Wu Que wanted to tear that smile off her face, but with so many eyes watching at the estate’s gate, he had to restrain himself.

‘No need. You go ahead.’

‘Very well,’ Xie Jiu said, taking Qingfang’s hand to board her carriage. ‘The Marquis will be back after court, but I suppose I’ll be waiting until evening.’

Her words made Wu Que’s hands, clasped behind his back, clench into fists. His glare was venomous.

But Xie Jiu didn’t care. As her carriage departed, she lifted the curtain and waved at him.

To an outsider, it might have seemed they were a loving couple, reluctantly parting ways.

A Public Display

Not long after, they crossed paths again at the palace gates.

One was headed to court, the other to the inner palace, entering through different gates.

Xie Jiu stepped down from her carriage, and Chunrong promptly raised an umbrella to shield her from the sun. Just then, Qingdong hurried over.

‘Madam, you’re here! The Emperor has arranged a sedan to escort you inside. The sun’s strong—don’t let it harm you!’

Xie Jiu gave a radiant smile, her beauty dazzling.

‘His Majesty is so thoughtful. I don’t know how to express my gratitude. Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch.’

‘You’re too kind, Madam. Please, board the sedan,’ Qingdong said respectfully, signaling the sedan forward.

Nearby, the ministers arriving for court witnessed the scene.

‘No wonder the Emperor favors this Xie lady,’ they thought. ‘She’s truly a beauty.’

Today, Xie Jiu wore a pale purple strapless, waist-cinched dress that hugged her graceful figure, accentuating her curves perfectly. Over it, she draped a slightly darker, loose, sheer long robe, adding an air of elegance and making her appear even more delicate and light.

Her hair was styled in a water-lily bun, adorned simply with a few pale pearl flowers, a pearl-and-jade lotus hairpin, and a pair of intricately carved silver butterfly pins—elegant yet refined. Teardrop-shaped mutton-fat jade earrings hung from her ears, while her neck was bare, free of necklaces or collars. The smooth, swan-like neck only enhanced her ethereal aura.

Even from a distance, where her features weren’t fully clear, her attire and poise marked her as extraordinary.

Wu Que’s Humiliation

The more radiant Xie Jiu appeared, the darker Wu Que’s expression grew.

Worse, several ministers deliberately approached to mock him.

‘Weiyuan Marquis, what good fortune! You have your wife accompanying you to court. Unlike us, trudging here alone. Truly enviable!’

‘Indeed! I need to have a word with my wife. How come she doesn’t have the talent of the Weiyuan Marquis’s lady, catching the Emperor’s eye and entering the palace to attend the princess? What an honor for the family!’

‘Why does the Marquis look so unwell? Still feeling under the weather? With your wife too busy to manage the household, you should take better care of yourself!’

The ministers’ barbed remarks made Wu Que’s throat burn with bile, his chest tight with pain.

Yet he could only endure.

This wasn’t his estate—it was the palace. Even if he fainted from rage, he couldn’t lose his temper. A reckless word could bring disaster.

Taking a deep breath, he forced his emotions down, pushed through the crowd, and sought a quiet corner, hoping court would start soon and silence the taunts.

A Shocking Confrontation

About half a stick of incense later, Zhao Xingjin arrived.

The hall fell silent, and Wu Que steadied himself, bowing with the other officials.

He thought Zhao Xingjin wouldn’t notice him so soon, but the Emperor’s first words singled him out.

‘Well, the Weiyuan Marquis is here today. Feeling better?’

Wu Que’s hands tightened, and he stepped forward to bow. ‘Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. I’m much improved.’

‘Good,’ Zhao Xingjin said, his face mild.

He seemed genuinely concerned for his vassal.

Wu Que, watching from below, couldn’t read his mood. He wondered if the Emperor, perhaps feeling guilty for taking Xie Jiu, might spare him in the military corruption purge.

But something felt off.

Xie Jiu had clearly despised him yesterday. Had she not whispered anything to Zhao Xingjin?

As Wu Que’s mind raced with guesses, Zhao Xingjin’s voice rang out again.

‘Since you’re well, it saves me the trouble of sending someone to your estate. Take a close look at these and explain yourself!’

With that, Yang Zhian presented a stack of ledgers to Wu Que.

Wu Que’s heart pounded wildly. The moment he saw the documents, his face went pale.

He knew exactly what they were.

His hands trembled as he flipped through a few pages, and his knees gave way, collapsing to the floor with a thud.

‘Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you mustn’t believe these! I’ve never embezzled or broken the law…’

‘So you’re saying I’m falsely accusing you?’ Zhao Xingjin’s cold gaze bore down, his authority chilling the room.

A Desperate Defense

Wu Que knelt, eyes wide, gasping in panic, his fear overwhelming.

Just moments ago, the Emperor had been amiable—how had he turned so quickly?

Wu Que’s heart wailed, but at Zhao Xingjin’s question, he frantically kowtowed.

‘I wouldn’t dare! I only mean there might be a misunderstanding. Please, Your Majesty, give me a chance to clarify this case. I’ve never been disloyal to you or the Great Jing!’

‘Well said. You haven’t been disloyal to me,’ Zhao Xingjin said, his lips curling with mockery and menace. ‘What your Wu family embezzled was the previous dynasty’s silver. Did you think I’d let it slide just because I now sit on the throne?’

His words froze Wu Que, leaving him speechless.

These words weren’t just for Wu Que—they were a warning to the other veteran ministers.

‘The army’s funds come from taxes, the blood and sweat of the people, meant to support our soldiers to defend the nation and ensure peace. Embezzling court funds is a grave crime, but stealing military funds is the gravest of all—it shakes the very foundation of the state!’

Zhao Xingjin rose, his eyes sharp, sweeping over the ministers with an aura of unquestionable authority.

‘Since I ascended the throne, the treasury has been empty. I thought it was due to the previous Emperor Hui’s extravagance. But no—the silver has been lining the pockets of corrupt officials! Before I took the throne, I swore to root out injustice and save the people. Now, it’s time to purge these conscienceless parasites who profit at the expense of the people’s and soldiers’ blood and sweat!’

His words left many guilty ministers sweating coldly.

Wu Que, kneeling on the floor, was nearly collapsing.

Xie Mingchen’s Move

Xie Mingchen, standing at the head of the officials, took it all in. Glancing at the kneeling Wu Que, he pondered briefly before stepping forward, his voice clear and resonant.

‘Your Majesty speaks wisely. Such parasites must not be spared. This investigation into military corruption is deeply tied to the Weiyuan Marquis. If the evidence is solid, I suggest starting with him, punishing all involved severely to set an example!’