A Simple Request

Xie Jiu stepped forward.
“It’s a small matter,” she said.
“I need someone to fetch calligraphy books from the manor.”
“For the Princess,” she added.
Zhao Xingjin waved it off.
“Qing Dong can handle it.”
Shaking her head, Xie Jiu replied, “How could I trouble Your Majesty’s aide?”
“My maids can go.”
At this, Zhao Xingjin had Qing Dong give her a palace pass.
“For your comings and goings,” he said.
After all, Xie Jiu couldn’t stay in the palace forever.
She’d need to move freely.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Xie Jiu said, bowing with a smile.
Then, she called Chun Rong over, whispered instructions, and sent her off with the pass.

A Game and a Probe

Feeling refreshed, Zhao Xingjin invited Xie Jiu to play chess.
Standing around talking was dull.
Xie Jiu, skilled at chess, sat confidently.
“You saw your father earlier, didn’t you?” Zhao Xingjin asked, dropping a piece.
Surprised, Xie Jiu hadn’t expected him to bring it up.
They’d been chatting idly until now.
Clearly, he was probing.
“Yes,” she nodded.
“No wonder Your Majesty is so tired.”
“The entire cabinet was here.”
Zhao Xingjin placed another piece.
“Your evidence helped uncover many corrupt officials,” he said.
“Following the trail, we found more, even some who’ve retired.”
“But their crimes are old, from the previous dynasty.”
“A messy ledger.”

A Thorny Problem

Xie Jiu saw his frustration.
“After Your Majesty’s ascension, some likely stopped their schemes,” she said.
“Now, they appear clean, leaving no leverage.”
“Even with past merits, it’s hard to act without a solid reason.”
Indeed, some had become diligent, even earning praise.
Punishing them was tricky.
Even an emperor needed just cause.
Zhao Xingjin, a former vassal king, had rebelled under a banner of righteousness.
He’d vowed to forgive past sins and start anew.
Revisiting old crimes without clear justification could unsettle the court.
Killing corrupt officials filled the treasury, but stability mattered just as much for a new regime.
Zhao Xingjin glanced at her, chuckling.
“Too clever for your own good.”

A Fresh Angle

Xie Jiu smiled playfully.
“If Your Majesty wanted me dim, you wouldn’t share this.”
“Ministers think rigidly,” she continued.
“I’m just a woman from the inner quarters, offering a simple view.”
“Perhaps it gives Your Majesty a new angle.”
Her words lightened the mood.
Indeed, Zhao Xingjin wanted her perspective.
A different viewpoint could spark ideas.
He’d meant to caution her sharpness, but now he relaxed.
She was smart but wouldn’t overstep.
“Go on,” he said, nodding.
Xie Jiu continued.
“Officials often shield each other,” she said.
“They know who’s dirty.”
“Before, they were united, but now, under Your Majesty, they’re scattered.”
“To save themselves, they’d betray others.”

A Sly Strategy

“Let them turn on each other,” Xie Jiu suggested.
“No need for Your Majesty to investigate one by one.”
“Just wait for their accusations to flood the palace.”
Blushing, she added, “It’s how I dealt with dishonest servants in the manor.”
“A woman’s trick, Your Majesty must laugh.”
Zhao Xingjin’s eyes gleamed with thought.
The ministers had suggested tedious investigations or flimsy charges.
Her method, though underhanded, was efficient.
Spread the word, and the guilty would expose each other.
With corruption probes already underway, the timing was perfect.
Smiling faintly, he waved her to continue the game.

A Storm at the Manor

Meanwhile, Chun Rong reached Weiyuan Marquis Manor.
Hearing Xie Jiu sent someone, Wu Que couldn’t sit still.
Furious, he stormed to her courtyard.
He’d skipped court lately, humiliated.
All of the capital knew he’d been cuckolded.
If he’d gained something, he might’ve endured.
But now, with nothing but shame, he had to smile and thank the Emperor for favoring Xie Jiu.
He couldn’t eat or sleep.
The corruption probe loomed like a blade over his heart.
Wu Qingchan’s outburst yesterday only worsened his mood.

A Failed Plea

Another grievance gnawed at Wu Que.
Yesterday, hoping to ease his plight, he’d sought help from Xie Mingchen, Xie Jiu’s father.
They’d once agreed on how to handle her.
Wu Que thought they were allies.
Yet, his messenger was turned away.
Fuming, he cursed the Xie family as ungrateful.
His trusted steward, Chen Shun, bore the brunt, beaten daily.
Chen Shun, too, resented Xie Jiu for their downfall.
But they didn’t realize their current state was already a blessing.
That was a tale for later.
Still, Wu Que strutted like a marquis.
Facing Chun Rong, he held back his anger.
Fearing Xie Jiu’s favor with the Emperor, he didn’t dare lash out.
“What does she want now?” he demanded, neck stiff.
Yesterday’s delivery had caused chaos—he hadn’t forgotten.