Chapter 6: An Eye for People

"Your subjects pay their respects, Your Majesty!"

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, more than a dozen civil and military officials paid their obeisance, their expressions reverent. Yet, as Zheng Yi, surrounded by several Divine Guard soldiers, looked into their eyes, he caught a glimpse of indifference.

A new emperor brings a new court. The second prince was about to ascend the throne—so what did that make an old man like him?

Heh...

Zheng Yi cared little, continuing forward.

Second Prince Zheng Yuansen quickly stepped up. "Your son greets Father Emperor."

"Hmm. Yuansen, what matter have you summoned me for?" Zheng Yi took his seat before the Dragon Throne and asked with some puzzlement.

He had already agreed to abdicate—shouldn’t they be preparing the ceremony? Why call him here again?

Zheng Yuansen replied respectfully, "Father Emperor, your son has already arrested all those involved in the rebellion of the Crown Prince and the Third Prince, together with their followers."

"However, most of those involved were high-ranking ministers, which leaves the court’s administration in disarray."

"Therefore, your son has recommended several loyal and capable men to replace those traitorous officials."

Now Zheng Yi understood—they wanted him to appoint the new officials.

Without legitimacy, nothing could proceed smoothly.

He was still the Emperor of Yu. The appointment and dismissal of court officials was his prerogative, even if it was merely a formality.

Glancing at those before him, Zheng Yi paid them no heed and asked directly, "Where is the list?"

"Please, Father Emperor!" Zheng Yuansen produced a memorial from his sleeve and handed it over.

Zheng Yi’s gaze fell upon it, and the first thing he saw was the position of Grand Chancellor.

Yang Xuanhe, who had been arrested and imprisoned, along with over a hundred civil and military ministers—this was a calamity for the Yu Kingdom.

Yang Xuanhe had been the very first Grand Chancellor, as well as a lifelong friend of Zheng Yi. But he was also the Crown Prince’s father-in-law, his daughter being the Crown Princess.

He had always supported the Crown Prince, serving as his strongest pillar.

Alas.

With the Second Prince's coup at Xuanwu Gate, the Crown Prince was slain, and Yang Xuanhe was also taken and imprisoned.

A lifetime of achievements, gone in an instant.

And now, in the memorial Zheng Yuansen presented to him, the man to replace Yang Xuanhe as Grand Chancellor was named Lü Renliang.

Zheng Yi glanced at those assembled; among the group, the one at the fore was indeed Lü Renliang.

About fifty years old, lean of frame, robed in blue—he seemed cultured and refined.

This man was the Second Prince’s chief advisor, a former top scholar of the previous dynasty, renowned for his wisdom and mastery of court affairs.

That the Second Prince entrusted him with the position of Grand Chancellor spoke volumes about his abilities.

Zheng Yi’s eyes moved down the list, and his lips twitched.

Xu Sheng as Minister of Rites, Shentu Hao as Minister of Works, Liu Shang as Minister of Personnel, Shen Wanhai as Minister of Revenue...

Nearly all the ministers and vice-ministers of the Six Ministries had been replaced—every one a devoted follower or advisor of the Second Prince.

This was truly a case of a single man’s rise lifting all in his train!

Zheng Yi couldn’t be bothered to look any further. He simply picked up the imperial seal and stamped it.

As the jade seal pressed down upon the memorial, more than a dozen people present let out a collective sigh of relief.

Though they had already seized control of the Martial Yu Emperor, if he had refused to cooperate, they could hardly force him in public view.

Now that he was so obliging, their ambitions were fulfilled.

Even Zheng Yuansen was visibly elated, bowing deeply. "Thank you, Father Emperor!"

"By the way, Father Emperor, the Astral Court’s scholars have determined that seven days from now is an auspicious date. I plan to hold the abdication ceremony then. What do you think?"

"Do as you see fit. I trust you."

"Thank you, Father Emperor!"

Seeing Zheng Yuansen’s excitement, Zheng Yi said, "Yuansen, there’s something I wish to ask you."

Zheng Yuansen paused. "Please, Father Emperor, ask whatever you wish."

The Second Prince’s confidants instinctively looked over.

Zheng Yi was unconcerned and asked directly, "What of my former consorts in the harem? May I have some of them to attend me?"

"I am old now, and wish only to spend my remaining years in peace and comfort."

Zheng Yuansen’s mouth twitched; he exchanged subtle glances with his followers.

Just yesterday, after discussion, and due to the Crown Prince and Third Prince’s rebellion, most of the Martial Yu Emperor’s consorts had either been imprisoned in the Celestial Prison or relegated to the Cold Palace.

Now the Emperor was asking for his consorts—where was he to find any?

Moreover, those women all had ambiguous connections to the late princes—a lingering threat if left alive.

If you leave the roots, spring winds will make them sprout anew!

Zheng Yuansen, bold enough to stage a coup, understood this well.

He steeled himself and replied, "Father Emperor... Consort Zhang, Lady Yin, and others secretly colluded with the Crown Prince in his treason. The rest of the consorts were also implicated."

"Thus, Consort Zhang, Lady Yin, and the others have all been imprisoned by your son."

"Oh?" Zheng Yi’s expression was odd. "So swift?"

He hadn’t even had a proper look at the Emperor’s harem, and already they’d been swept away?

Though he did have a fondness for young maidens, surely the consorts of a founding emperor were beauties worth seeing. He wouldn’t have minded.

He hadn’t expected his convenient son to act so ruthlessly.

Noticing Zheng Yi’s expression, Zheng Yuansen quickly added, "But rest assured, Father Emperor, there are still many pure maidens in the harem. I will immediately select suitable ones to serve you."

"After the abdication ceremony, I will issue an imperial edict to select new beauties for the palace."

"Once chosen, they will be sent to you at once to attend you properly."

Zheng Yi nodded with satisfaction. "Very good."

"Well, I won’t disturb you further. I’ll take my leave."

"Father Emperor, wait." Zheng Yuansen said again, "The Purple Pavilion is rather small. I have ordered the Xingqing Palace to be thoroughly cleaned; you may move there."

"Once the Daming Palace is completed, that will be your new residence."

"Xingqing Palace?"

A glimmer passed through Zheng Yi’s eyes. The current capital of Yu, called Yudu, had once been the capital of the former Jin dynasty.

Within the capital were two great palaces: the Tai Chi Palace, the heart of government, and the Xingqing Palace.

The Xingqing was not as grand as the Tai Chi, being a vast garden palace, part of the inner court, located in the southern part of Yudu, adjacent to the Tai Chi Palace.

It was lush with vegetation, teeming with flowers, birds, and fish—a fine retreat for leisure and health.

Now, Zheng Yuansen designated it as Zheng Yi’s retirement residence—a filial gesture.

Compared to the cramped Purple Pavilion, Xingqing was far superior.

Zheng Yi merely nodded. "Very well. Arrange as you see fit. I’ll be going now."

"Respectfully sending off His Majesty!"

As Zheng Yi left the Hall of Supreme Harmony, he could still hear the low voices of the Second Prince and his confidants behind him.

"The retired emperor is already sixty, yet still wants to select beauties?"

"At such an age, he still can’t give up those consorts..."

"Ever vigorous in old age! So vigorous indeed!"

"Xu Sheng! The matter is yours—make sure to pick a group of obedient and lovely maidens to serve the Father Emperor."

"Your servant obeys!"

Zheng Yi’s lips twitched. He almost wanted to turn and tell them he wasn’t that sort of man.

But...

Thinking of the Compendium of Beauties, he could only sigh inwardly, "You... have judged me well."