Chapter Twenty-Six: The Allure of Pleasure

The words of the Minister of Revenue were skillfully measured, neither shifting responsibility onto himself nor evading the matter before the court. In her previous life, or had Feng Yewu lacked irrefutable evidence, she might indeed have been brushed aside by his artful replies.

Feng Yewu let out a cold laugh, her gaze sweeping the surrounding ministers; it seemed the expressions of all present had relaxed considerably. The Minister’s statement not only deflected blame from himself but also provided the rest of the court with a convenient excuse.

“What eloquence, Minister. For the moment, even I find it difficult to pursue the matter further,” Feng Yewu declared, bluntly exposing the hidden intent behind his words. Rather than ceasing as others had expected, her tone became even more pressing.

“Your Majesty, my words are sincere; I have no intention of shirking responsibility,” the Minister of Revenue hastened to explain, unaccustomed to such unyielding force from Feng Yewu.

“Oh? So you mean to say I am being unreasonable here?” Feng Yewu paid no heed to the Minister’s pleading or the glances exchanged by the other officials. Her face flushed with anger as she slammed the table and rebuked him sharply.

“This… this… Your Majesty, please see clearly, I meant no such thing!” At her fierce rebuke, not only did the Minister of Revenue cower, but the other ministers also hastily dropped to their knees.

In that moment, the entire court seemed to forget that the ruler seated before them was a woman. The majesty of the sovereign was chilling and awe-inspiring.

As for the Minister of Revenue, targeted so mercilessly, he was soon weeping openly under her wrath.

“See clearly?” Feng Yewu sneered, surveying the trembling assembly, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. She slightly softened her voice, the corners of her lips curling with amusement as she continued, “Minister, it seems your courage grows with each passing day. See clearly? Are you implying that I am a muddled and incapable ruler?”

With this final remark, the last vestige of hope in the Minister’s heart was utterly crushed.

At this point, it was clear to all that Feng Yewu had set her sights on the Minister of Revenue, and no matter how clever or adaptive he might be, the charges laid upon him would only multiply.

Realizing this, the Minister fell silent, hoping only that Feng Yewu would deliver a swift end, rather than prolonging his torment. He had become indifferent to his career, wishing only that the promise between himself and the Prince of Pingyi might one day bear fruit.

Seeing that the Minister had abandoned all defense, Feng Yewu had no intention of letting the matter rest.

Amid the tense silence of the grand hall, she picked up the evidence long prepared on her desk and descended the dais step by step. While all the ministers knelt, Feng Yewu alone moved forward, her footsteps echoing loudly in the stillness.

Although the Minister of Revenue kept his head bowed, he could feel Feng Yewu drawing ever closer. Though he had resigned himself to being stripped of office, when the moment came to face her, apprehension still gnawed at his heart.

Each step Feng Yewu took was like a dagger thrust at the Minister’s chest—piercing but never through, only to be withdrawn before the next, each new step driving it deeper still.

The footsteps neared, and the pain grew sharper.

“Well? Minister, have you now given up any attempt to argue with me?” Feng Yewu finally stood before him, scoffing with obvious contempt in her eyes.

“I dare not argue, Your Majesty. All that you say is my responsibility,” the Minister replied, his voice trembling as he straightened his stiff back with what little strength remained, speaking with utmost deference.

“Well said—my responsibility. Minister, you are truly eloquent.” Feng Yewu burst into laughter, as though she had heard the greatest jest. Her laughter rang out through the vast hall, echoing long after her voice had faded.

“In that case, please take a good look at this responsibility!” Before the laughter had even died away, her expression turned icy. With a sharp glare at the Minister, she flung the evidence in her hand directly at his face.

The blow landed hard.

The Minister of Revenue scarcely needed to look inside; he recognized at once the ledger that had lain hidden for years in the secret study of his own residence. Now, cast before him by Feng Yewu, its appearance here spoke volumes.

If this ledger was in her hands, what need to ask about the rest of the evidence?

He had thought Feng Yewu’s summons today was born of mere personal displeasure, and that at worst he would be stripped of office. As a senior minister, he had always been cautious in word and deed, and did not believe she could easily pin a crime upon him.

But now—this ledger alone was enough to doom not just himself, but his entire family to execution.

His heart turned to ashes. All sense of courtly decorum forgotten, he collapsed where he knelt, his hollow eyes staring blankly at the floor.

It was all over. Completely over.

“Guards! Drag him out. Execute him at once!” Feng Yewu commanded.

Immediately, imperial guards stationed at the entrance seized the Minister, whose limbs had gone limp, and hauled him away. He never uttered another word, having long since given up the will to resist.

Feng Yewu’s resolute action sent a shudder through the court. Such decisive ruthlessness bore no resemblance to the empress they once thought they knew.

In their eyes, she seemed an entirely different person.

Having dealt with the Minister, Feng Yewu swept her gaze across the assembly. Wherever her eyes landed, the officials bowed their heads, not daring to meet her gaze.

“Court dismissed,” she declared, and turned away.

Only after her figure had vanished did the assembled ministers dare to let out a long-held breath. Many of the elder officials were drenched in sweat, finally sensing a chill run down their spines.

No one dared speak. After exchanging furtive glances, they hurriedly dispersed.

Though none knew exactly what evidence Feng Yewu had thrown at the Minister, it was clear that only a crime of the gravest sort could have left him so utterly broken.