CHAPTER 655: CHAPTER 655 CLEANUP

「Imperial Study Room」

Fan You knelt on the ground, his back already drenched with cold sweat. Ever since he had been appointed the so-called Protectorate Duke, he had been placed under house arrest. This was the first time he had seen the Emperor.

Although he had cursed the Emperor thousands of times over.

But now, he had no choice but to bow his head.

"Your Majesty, this old official has fought on the battlefields for the Great Chu Dynasty for so many years; if not for merit, then at least for the hardships I’ve endured..."

If not for the hardships, then for the exhaustion, right? How could I deserve such an end?

So, Zhao Junyao quickly rose and courteously helped him to his feet. First, he consoled him with kind words, and then he apologized. He said very guiltily, "Father-in-law, you are unaware. Regarding the matter at Yanguan City... if I did not punish, it would be unjustifiable. I have wronged you during this period!"

Fan You was somewhat stunned. For so many years, the Emperor had always harbored resentment, unwilling and reluctant. Now, he was actually willing to speak up proactively. He was momentarily unable to adapt. But Fan You, that old fox, was very cautious and quickly feigned tearful gratitude.

"This old official wouldn’t dare!"

In fact, he was very satisfied. Hmph, the little Emperor is finally getting sensible!

Zhao Junyao, seeing his slight smugness, curled his lips into a smile. "I hear that Father-in-law’s eldest son currently seems to have nothing to do. Why don’t I assign him a task?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Fan You could no longer laugh. His mood turned rather complicated. His legitimate second son, whom he had spoiled, had committed a capital offense, and the Emperor had him beheaded. He only had this one eldest son left. Although he lacked ability, he had married and fathered sons, ensuring the Fan family line would not end. Though foolish and cowardly, it was still better than him causing trouble outside. Now the Emperor wanted to assign a task to his eldest son...

Given his eldest son’s incompetence, the mere thought was disheartening.

Earning merits was out of the question; it would be a blessing if he wasn’t duped and killed by others.

At this thought, Old Master Fan became very worried. "Your Majesty! My son... he hasn’t studied much and even struggles to write. I fear he isn’t capable of serving Your Majesty or alleviating your burdens!"

Zhao Junyao laughed. "That’s no problem. Which scion of a martial arts family excels at scholarly pursuits?"

"Father-in-law, you need not worry!"

Old Master Fan added, "My son has little worldly experience; he acts timidly and without method..."

Zhao Junyao replied, "Father-in-law, you are too modest. He has spent years with you at the border. If he is still considered to lack worldly experience, then what can be said of the young men in the Capital City?"

Fan You, seeing the Emperor’s insistence, felt even more apprehensive. But with every excuse he offered being dismissed, he had nothing more to say. In the end, he could only express his gratitude for the Emperor’s grace.

"Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace!"

Zhao Junyao glanced at Li Shengan, a knowing smile on his face. Li Shengan pursed his lips, suppressing a laugh, as he took out the imperial edict and recited it aloud. It was a string of florid officialese, and Old Master Fan hardly understood any of it.

But... Director of the Imperial Stud? What kind of official position was that? Why had he never heard of it?

The Ministry of Imperial Stud? In charge of horses and chariots... it doesn’t sound too treacherous. So... could this actually be a good thing?

Old Master Fan, still in a daze, offered his thanks once more.

Zhao Junyao was quite pleased. "Since Lord Fan has no objections, you may withdraw. I still have memorials to review!"

His beaming expression made Old Master Fan’s skin crawl and sent a chill down his spine.

His instincts screamed that this was definitely not a good thing!

...

Upon returning to his residence, Old Master Fan immediately sent someone to inquire. The news that came back left him dumbfounded.

"What? There’s no such official position?"

Fan You already had a sinking feeling. This feeling was confirmed when his eldest son, Fan Changning, went to report for duty at the Ministry of Imperial Stud!

Fan You exploded with rage. "What! A horse groom?!"

The son of Fan You, the Protectorate Duke of the first rank, was to tend horses?!

Fan Changning rubbed his head and chuckled sheepishly. "Father, I think it’s quite good!"

Fan You was so furious he felt like he would explode. "Good, my foot! If you dare to go, then I, your father, will disown you!"

Lady Fan hurried in. She stroked her son’s head, her face full of relief. "Husband, it’s a good thing that Ning’er is willing to go. Our family isn’t what it used to be..."

Fan You glared fiercely at Lady Fan. "What do you mean, ’not what it used to be’? I’m not dead yet!"

"Bastard!" he seethed. "That absolute bastard!"

No wonder the young Emperor had suddenly summoned him to the palace.

No wonder the young Emperor had looked so cheerful, calling him ’Father-in-law’ this and ’Father-in-law’ that; he had been digging a pit here, waiting for him all along!

No wonder... he suddenly gave my eldest, that fool, such an errand.

So that was it...

The more Old Master Fan thought about it, the more aggrieved he felt, until he finally spat out a mouthful of blood, scaring Lady Fan half to death.

"Husband!"

"Call a physician! Quick, call a physician!"

The Fan residence was thrown into complete chaos.

Meanwhile, Zhao Junyao was in the Imperial Study Room, smiling like a sly fox.

That’s right. He wanted the Protectorate Duke’s eldest son to tend horses.

He wanted the Fan Family to become a laughingstock for the entire realm.

Only this could quell the anger in his heart.

As for the Shih Family, it was, after all, the Empress Dowager’s maternal family. With the Noble Consort, Jieyu, and the Third Princess also from their ranks in the palace, their connections were extensive. Zhao Junyao couldn’t openly disgrace them. However, the Shih Family didn’t escape unscathed. Zhao Junyao had dispatched men to seal the Shih Family’s largest businesses. Civil officials received modest salaries. Without their businesses, the Shih Family would have to tighten their belts and endure hardship for a good while.

Serves them right, doesn’t it?

Having dealt with everything, Zhao Junyao was very satisfied with the outcome.

In the palace, the Empress Dowager and the Empress were furious when they heard the news. It was said the Empress Dowager was so enraged she knelt in her small Buddhist shrine all night and didn’t emerge. Nothing was heard from the Empress, but her reaction likely wasn’t any better.

Under Zhao Junyao’s decisive measures, the matter was quickly suppressed. Not a whisper of the rumors could be heard in the palace.

By this time, Xia Ruqing had long since fully recovered and was enjoying her food immensely. She spent her days sleeping, basking in the sun, and when in a good mood, she would take her child out for a stroll. When in a bad mood, she would simply ponder what to eat next.

This life of idle comfort was simply too pleasant.

「Paying respects at Jiaofang Hall.」

Every day, upon seeing Xia Ruqing’s rosy cheeks, the Empress felt utterly vexed.

What kind of damned luck does this woman possess!

Then she thought, the grand selection is next year. Consort Xian Pin is just a grasshopper in late autumn; she won’t be hopping around for much longer.

Once the new women enter the palace, the Emperor will, at most, visit her only for the child’s sake.

She probably won’t be able to stir up any more waves then.

With this thought, the Empress managed to suppress the urge to continue antagonizing Consort Xian Pin.

Hmph! I’ll just wait and see how she meets her end!

To this, Xia Ruqing thought, My apologies, Your Majesty, but I’d also like to see how *you* meet *your* end!

Paying respects every day, those malevolent glares from the Empress were truly infuriating!

Xia Ruqing was no pushover.

They had already brought the fight to her doorstep. Even if she couldn’t strike back directly, she certainly couldn’t be without any defenses.

We’ll just have to wait and see. Soldiers arrive, use a general to block them; water comes, use earth to dam it. Let’s see who falls first!

As long as the Emperor lived, the Empress would remain merely an out-of-favor Empress.

Even if the Emperor were to unfortunately pass away, there’s a vast difference between an Empress with a son and one without.

Besides, Zhao Junyao wasn’t going to die anytime soon.

Clinging to this invincible, towering tree, what storms or tempests did she have to fear?