It turned out that the emperor, out of gratitude for the empress dowager's upbringing, had always held her in deep respect and love.
The empress dowager had originally refrained from meddling in politics and always knew where to draw the line. However, she was easily influenced. More and more people came to plead their cases with her.
The return of the Yianbo Mansion to the capital was neither the first nor the last such incident. It had become such a headache for the emperor that he didn't know how to say no.
So the emperor's intention was for Yi Qing to contain the Yianbo Mansion. It would be best if she could ruin their reputation and make the empress dowager feel guilty, so that she would stop interfering in state affairs and spare him the trouble.
Sure enough, he was being used as a pawn.
The emperor eyed Yi Qing askance. "You must succeed. There's no room for failure."
Yi Qing held out her hand. "What's in it for me?"
The emperor glanced at Xiao Tian and sighed deeply. "A man who can't assert his authority! Alright, what do you want?"
"All those expressions of concern are not as practical as gold and silver."
The emperor said, "... Are you crazy about money? Isn't there enough gold and silver in the general's mansion for you to spend?"
Yi Qing said coolly, "Those belong to Xiao Jinghan, not me. But I know that the national treasury is empty now and it's not easy for the emperor. So I don't want to burden you..."
"Just get to the point. It must be something bad." The emperor snorted.
Yi Qing rolled her eyes inwardly. As if what you've asked me to do is a good thing.
In the final analysis, isn't it because you've agreed to the empress dowager's requests that you're causing me trouble?
"Xiao Jinghan sacrificed his life for the country. As his widow, I can't let him down. I'm willing to donate all the wealth of the general's mansion." Yi Qing said meaningfully as she looked at the emperor.
As she spoke, she stood up, walked to the desk, picked up the ledger that Jushuang had given her this afternoon, and respectfully presented it to the emperor. "All the wealth of the general's mansion is recorded here. I think it won't cost you anything if you use the silver from the general's mansion to reward me. It's just moving it from one hand to the other."
What the emperor gave her would be something that no one else would dare to touch.
Her goal was to make everything in the general's mansion belong to the Yi family!
The emperor gasped. "You have quite an appetite!"
He couldn't help but look at Xiao Tian.
This woman was so outspoken and even had her eyes on his property. It was really intolerable!
Yi Qing said calmly, "It's the emperor who has given me this difficult task. The Yianbo is an elder. How can I not listen to him obediently?"
"You're trying to turn all the property of the general's mansion into your dowry through me! And," the emperor said angrily, "I still have to reward you. You'll get all the glory and the benefits!"
"Your Majesty, if you want the horse to run, you have to feed it." Yi Qing said. "Moreover, my things will eventually be left to Baozi. Do you want to see all the things that Xiao Jinghan fought for with his life taken away by the Yianbo Mansion?"
"That's not necessarily so." The emperor snorted and pointed at Xiao Tian, who was expressionless. "Don't you still want to marry him?"
He wanted to see how Xiao Tian would respond.
"I trust Xiao Tian, and I trust myself. He fell in love with me, not the wealth of the general's mansion." Yi Qing said calmly.
"What do you say?" the emperor asked Xiao Tian.
"I'll follow her lead." Xiao Tian looked at Yi Qing with admiration and doting in his eyes.
When he heard that the Yianbo was coming back to the capital, he had already prepared himself to lose some money. He never expected that Yi Qing would come up with such a brilliant plan.
On the surface, it seemed like the emperor was taking the initiative, but in fact, she had turned the tables on him.
Only she could come up with such an idea, and only she would have the nerve to ask for it. Yet, she was so straightforward.
The emperor said, "You're so spineless!"
Over the years, the emperor knew better than anyone how many things he had bestowed upon Xiao Tian. He never forgot to give Xiao Tian a share of all the good things.
Xiao Tian didn't seem to care, but the emperor did!
The emperor squinted at him, his eyes seemed to say, Think carefully. This is the wealth you've accumulated over half your life.
Xiao Tian looked indifferent, with only Yi Qing in his eyes.
The emperor cursed again and looked at Yi Qing with a hint of intimidation. "I've agreed to your excessive request. But if you fail to do the job well..."
"I'll accept whatever punishment the emperor deems fit." Yi Qing vowed.
At this time, Xiao Tian spoke up. "We might as well let the imperial censor submit a memorial to remind the empress dowager not to interfere in politics."
The emperor scolded, "She's so bold, but you're already thinking about finding a way out for her! No wonder she's so lawless. It's all your fault for spoiling her! I'd like to see how you'll cry when she rides roughshod over you in the future."
"My woman, I'm willing to spoil her."
It was over. This man was hopeless.
There was a sparkle of joy in Yi Qing's eyes. She loved seeing Xiao Tian make the emperor so angry.
She once said that the Yianbo was like a dog that couldn't change its eating habits. In fact, wasn't Xiao Tian's indulgence towards her also without any principles?
For her sake, he was even willing to give up protecting the property of his former master. Wasn't this being blinded by love?
However, she wouldn't let down his trust.
This matter was finally settled. The emperor then said, "Yi Qing, what's your relationship with the empress?"
This question was really out of the blue. Isn't the empress your person?
Yi Qing said, "I don't know her well. I only saw her from afar at the banquet you held when the southern border envoys came to the capital."
The emperor stroked his chin and said, "Do you want to curry favor with the empress?"
"No." Yi Qing said firmly.
She knew the emperor's nature very well. If he offered something to her voluntarily, it could only be a loss. Only what she asked for herself would be a gain.
The emperor said, "... I'll never depose the empress. Making friends with the empress will do you no harm."
"I'm afraid I can't handle the benefits." Yi Qing said. "Your Majesty, just speak your mind. If you can help me, then do so. Don't beat around the bush. I'm so stupid that I might misunderstand your holy will and end up doing more harm than good."
"You're stupid? I've never seen anyone as shrewd as you. Stop acting innocent after getting what you want." The emperor said. "I've done such a big favor for you. I deserve some interest. I don't like the empress, but recently she's been obsessed with having a son and has been using all kinds of strange methods. She might come to you. You're so sensible. Try to persuade her."
"Persuade her about what?" Yi Qing asked directly.
The emperor looked a bit embarrassed, but still said, "Persuade her to be more open-minded. Just like you, find something to do for herself. I'll give her all the honor she deserves. As for the rest, let her figure it out for herself."
Yi Qing was speechless. After a while, she said, "Your Majesty, shouldn't you let the empress's mother persuade her?"
"Her mother? She'll only teach her how to win your favor." The emperor said coldly.
Tsk tsk. Now he thinks she's good like this?
Yi Qing said, "If the empress summons me to the palace, I'll go. But I think Your Majesty shouldn't count on me. I'm afraid I'll say something like suggesting that she ask to step down voluntarily and keep a few lovers for fun."
The emperor: "..."
After seeing off the emperor, Yi Qing looked calm, but Xiao Tian could tell that she was in a bad mood.
"You don't have to worry about the empress's matter." Xiao Tian hugged her from behind. "I already have a plan for the Yianbo Mansion."
"Hmm? Tell me about it."