Xin Zizhao didn't want the ministers to know that Wei Shuxuan was leaving the palace again. He knew they would surely make a big deal out of it. To avoid this, he decided to let Wei Shuxuan leave the palace one night.
After sharing his idea with Wei Shuxuan, she thought it made sense and agreed to his proposal.
During the morning court session, Minister Zhang stepped forward, bowed slightly, and reported to Xin Zizhao, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."
Xin Zizhao lifted his eyes slightly and looked at Minister Zhang. This Minister Zhang was one of those who had planned the coup. He was a fool, but quite good at inciting people. He remained calm on the surface, but his mind was buzzing like boiling water. However, his words showed nothing of his thoughts. "Speak."
"Your Majesty, recently, due to the disappearance cases on the border, many people from the border area have fled to Baiyang Town. The population there has increased sharply. The town is small, and many people have nowhere to live. May I ask how Your Majesty plans to solve this problem?"
"Exempt Baiyang Town from tax for the next three months. Transfer the extra people in the town to other nearby small towns. Start collecting tax again after they have settled down, but the tax can be reduced by half. Do as I say."
"... Yes, Your Majesty."
Minister Zhang originally wanted to embarrass Xin Zizhao, but he didn't expect Xin Zizhao to come up with a solution so quickly. He had intended to cause trouble but ended up being the one embarrassed. He bowed to Xin Zizhao and stepped back. Then he looked at Grand Scholar Jin standing on one side. Grand Scholar Jin didn't even give him a glance. He knew that his move must have seemed redundant in Grand Scholar Jin's eyes.
Grand Scholar Jin didn't quite agree with Minister Zhang's high - profile attempt to embarrass Xin Zizhao. Although they were dissatisfied with Xin Zizhao as the emperor of Yulong Kingdom, he was still the ruler of the country, with power above theirs. No matter how dissatisfied they were, they had to show him some respect.
"If any of you are still dissatisfied with me, you can just say so. I will follow your wishes," Xin Zizhao curled his lips, "and strip you of all your official positions. Then you won't have to be dissatisfied with me anymore. Court is adjourned!"
After the court session, Minister Zhang and Grand Scholar Jin walked side by side. Minister Zhang still looked very dissatisfied. Grand Scholar Jin advised him, "Don't show such an expression here. Walls have ears."
"Once Prince Eleven has enough troops, I'll make that man pay!" Minister Zhang said angrily.
"Didn't I tell you that it's not the time to expose ourselves yet? If Xin Yelin discovers anything amiss with us, he's not a fool. He's very shrewd. If we're not careful, they'll surely find out. You don't want all our efforts to go to waste, do you?"
Minister Zhang was silenced by Grand Scholar Jin's words. " ... I know. I know what to do. I won't make this mistake again."
"That's for the best."
Grand Scholar Jin knew Minister Zhang very well. Although he said he wouldn't make the mistake again, he would probably repeat it next time. As the saying goes, it's easier to change a mountain's shape than a person's nature.
"Your Majesty, Minister Zhang was so arrogant during the morning court session just now. Why didn't you teach him a lesson?" Xiaogaozi felt indignant for Xin Zizhao.
"There's no need. Anyway, I'm already so unpopular. Since I'm going to be hated, I might as well be the most hated one. That way, they'll be even more dissatisfied with me."
Xiaogaozi didn't quite understand the power struggles between the emperor and his ministers. He only knew which side he should be on for the time being.
Xin Zizhao returned to Fenghe Hall. He didn't see Wei Shuxuan in the main hall. Usually at this time, Wei Shuxuan would be in the main hall eating pastries. Now that she wasn't there, he saw Chief Eunuch Li passing by outside the main hall and called him over. "Chief Eunuch Li, where is the Empress?"
"Your Majesty, the Empress said she was going to her room to pack her things. I think she should be in her room."
"All right. You can go back to your work."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
When he entered the room, Xin Zizhao saw Wei Shuxuan with her back to him. From her movements, she seemed to be packing. "Are you packing so quickly because you can't wait to leave me?"
Wei Shuxuan, who was concentrating on packing her bag, was startled by Xin Zizhao's voice. The clothes in her hand fell back onto the bed. Her heart skipped a beat. She suddenly turned around and saw Xin Zizhao standing behind her. "Why did you suddenly stand behind me? Do you want to scare me to death?"
Wei Shuxuan's tone was both urgent and sweet. It sounded as if she was angry, but also as if she was coquettishly complaining. Xin Zizhao smiled and hugged her from behind. "Sorry, I didn't mean to. Don't be angry with me."
"Just don't scare me from behind in the future," Wei Shuxuan wasn't really angry with Xin Zizhao. She just felt a bit unhappy because she was going to leave Xin Zizhao that night. It was as if there was a lump of air in her heart that she couldn't let out. "If you scare me, I'll just stay here and not leave."
"How dare I scare you?" Xin Zizhao gave a helpless smile. This little girl was getting more and more difficult to please.
"Humph, I'll surely find out the truth about the disappearance cases on the border quickly. Then I'll come back to you."
"I'll be waiting. I'll miss you very much after you leave."
Xin Zizhao looked cold on the outside, but sometimes the sweet words he said were so warm that they made people's hearts flutter. Although Wei Shuxuan didn't say it out loud, the upturned corners of her mouth betrayed her inner sweetness.
At night, Xin Zizhao escorted Wei Shuxuan to the city gate. "Once you reach Baolan Town, you must send me a message to let me know you're safe, okay? Also, don't take risks on your own. You'll be alone now. Wei Wei won't be there to protect you. The secret guards I've assigned to you aren't extremely skilled, but they should be able to protect you."
"I know. I find you've become more talkative than before. You just wait here for good news from me, okay? Don't let anything happen to you before I come back!" Wei Shuxuan grabbed Xin Zizhao's hand and turned to look at Xin Shang. "Xin Shang, you must protect your master well."
"Your subordinate understands."
Xin Zizhao stared at the carriage in which Wei Shuxuan was leaving and didn't leave for a long time.