Chapter 123

Chapter 123: Roping the Emperor In as a Partner

Even well-traveled Yu Zhi Yi was stunned. The Great Sheng Empire had been around for hundreds of years. Back when it was still called the Sheng Kingdom, there had never been a State Preceptor. “State Preceptor” did not just sound grand. The office had no fixed duties, but could speak straight to the throne and sway the emperor’s will. In some ways, its power could be greater than the Chancellor’s, since the Chancellor had to follow rules, while a State Preceptor, to outsiders, seemed to follow no rules at all and did everything by “Heaven’s will.” But what is Heaven’s will? Who can prove the “Heaven’s will” she speaks of is real and not made up?

In the former dynasty, the last emperor was lazy, greedy for life, and afraid of death. He believed Daoist cultivators could grant long life. He kept a crowd of monks and Daoists and even appointed a State Preceptor. After that man rose, the last emperor built Daoist temples everywhere. In a few short years, hundreds of temples sprang up. Many people abandoned their fields to seek cultivation. Farmland went to waste. The people suffered. After the Sheng Kingdom was founded, that office was abolished.

Yu Zhi Yi had not expected the emperor to be so willful. With no warning at all, he offered her a huge bright “pie” right to her face. [This feels like a trap. What do I do?]

She said calmly: “Your Majesty, my learning is shallow. I cannot carry such a heavy load. Also, my Mystic Sect has rules. We may not meddle in the Imperial Court. Please take back your order.”

Serving as a Ministry of Justice official only touched ministry matters. As long as she did not reach into other affairs, it did not break too many taboos. But if she became State Preceptor, the ties would spread wide. Not to mention she still bore the identity of the Chancellor’s Manor daughter-in-law.

In her last life, she had pushed Zhang Tian Shun to grow. As he grew, she grew too, learning checks and balance while dealing with many kinds of people. The difference was that Zhang Tian Shun served far away. As a commander, as long as he did not return to the capital and did not rebel, he ruled his own land. Her balance then was about managing those below. Now she was the one being managed, so her view had become balancing those above. She only wanted to gather merit and try to ascend early. Why was it so tiring? She let out a silent sigh.

The emperor raised his brows, while Princess Feng Xiang rolled her eyes and said: “Are you silly? This is a windfall. Anyone else would be so happy they would lose their way.”

Yu Zhi Yi’s tone stayed firm as she refused again and said: “Your Majesty, once a person of the Mystic Sect touches court matters, the cause and effect cannot be explained with a few words. Cultivation goes against heaven. When one reaches a certain level, Heavenly Punishment will fall. If I become State Preceptor, my fate will bind to the Great Sheng Empire’s fate. When Heavenly Punishment comes, it will not be only me crossing a tribulation. The whole Sheng Kingdom would cross it with me. For the sake of the realm and the people, please take back your order.”

The merit of a nation was too heavy. Her small strength could not bear it. And she was not lying. If she tied herself to the Sheng Kingdom’s luck, only if the country did well could she do well. If the country sank, she would sink. Helping a nation through hardship would burn time and spiritual energy. With her current strength, even if she could do it, it would empty her. The senior uncle who had been carried off by a flood of merit stood as a warning in her mind.

The emperor looked at Yu Zhi Yi for a long moment, then said: “Fine. Minister Yu, continue as a Ministry of Justice official.”

Yu Zhi Yi said: “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

This time she did not refuse. The recent events had taught her how helpful it was to have an official post. If it were someone else, solving the Gaoliang County matter might have taken endless wrangling. She only had to show her token to overawe villains.

She remembered her reason for coming to the palace and said: “Your Majesty, as I said, I started a charity to help those in need. But my strength alone is limited. May I borrow a few people from Your Majesty?”

The emperor lifted a brow and asked: “You do good deeds, yet you want my people to work for you?”

Yu Zhi Yi answered without guilt and said: “I am not doing good only for myself. I am doing it for the Great Sheng Empire and for Your Majesty. I believe that only when the poor at the bottom live better can the Great Sheng Empire be better.”

The emperor laughed in anger and said: “You want me to work for free for you, and you came up with such a grand excuse.”

Yu Zhi Yi said with a steady face: “How could Your Majesty think that? I am your subject. My actions stand for Your Majesty. When I do good, the people will remember Your Majesty’s kindness. If my status were not low and if trouble might not come that I cannot handle, I would not bother Your Majesty.”

Her words sounded helpless, but her wooden face looked so justified. The emperor nearly rolled his eyes and said: “Minister Yu, your tongue is sharp.” He pulled out a token from his robe and tossed it to her with a look of disgust.

The gold token read four large characters: As If I Were Present.

The emperor said: “Seeing this token is like seeing me. If you meet trouble you cannot settle, show the token. It means I have taken over.”

He narrowed his eyes and warned: “If I learn you used this token to do evil, I will not forgive you.”

Yu Zhi Yi stared at the token in shock, then said after a moment: “Please rest easy, Your Majesty. I will not fail your trust, nor dare to stain your name.”

The emperor waved his hand and said: “Enough. Go back. People will be sent to your manor shortly.”

Yu Zhi Yi finally smiled and said: “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Princess Feng Xiang watched, dumbfounded, then whispered to the empress: “Empress Mother, why do I not get this? Emperor Father just gave her the gold token? She refused the State Preceptor seat but took the token? I thought she was some person without desire, but she fooled me. What a greedy woman.”

The empress frowned and said: “Do not talk nonsense. Your Emperor Father knows what he is doing.” In her heart she also felt unsure, but she never spoiled the mood before the emperor, and she feared her daughter might anger him, so she quickly hushed her.

Yu Zhi Yi ignored what Princess Feng Xiang thought. With the gold token in hand, she felt the trip was worth it. Her goal in coming today was to give Yiluan Charity a bright, open path before the emperor, and then pull the emperor in as a partner. Red Luan had said Yiluan Charity would become a thorn in many eyes and would face arrows both open and hidden. Since she could not sit there every day to guard it, she had to lower the risk. Now that she had drawn the emperor into the game, when the work was done, the merit would go to her, to Red Luan, and to every worker in Yiluan Charity. The praise would go to the emperor. That would save a lot of trouble. Why not do it?

All of a sudden, she stopped walking and frowned at the gaudily dressed man blocking the path. His slender, snakelike waist swayed as he sashayed toward her.

Yu Zhi Yi thought: [What is this now?]