This wasn’t Zhou Fugui, the eldest grandson of the Zhou family, trying to secure a connection with Xu Changyue’s merchant line by offering his subordinates free accommodation in this estate—Xu Changyue was well aware of the arrangement.

Now that he had secretly entered the capital, he recalled that this estate was in a prime location, discreetly positioned among households of modest wealth, unlikely to draw scrutiny—perfect for hiding. So, he took refuge there.

"Tch! A single key passed through so many hands, yet Madame Sun, the owner, remained clueless. How utterly foolish!"

"Exactly! Madame Sun doted on that impostor Yu Ningrou, and Yu Qinchun treasured them both. In the original timeline, this fraud not only married one of Xu Changyue’s illegitimate sons through Zhou Fugui’s connections—

At first, the Yu family had no idea that the match Madame Sun arranged was tied to Beili spies. But when the outer capital fell, Yu Ningrou, eager to secure merit for her husband,

brought him to the Yu family to persuade her grandfather to surrender to Beili. When the old man refused, and the city was breached, Yu Ningrou schemed to have the fleeing Yu family captured—all for their wealth. The Yu family was wiped out on the seventh day of the nation’s fall!"

"Wiped out on the seventh day! Annihilated!"

These words echoed relentlessly in the ears of the Yu father and sons. Were it not for the decorum of the court, Yu Chongshan would have fainted from rage by now!

Third Master Yu! Third Master Yu! His eyes bloodshot, he glared venomously at his third son, while Yu Zhongchun, the eldest, fixed his younger brother with a piercing stare.

The Yu family had nearly been destroyed because of this third branch!

Emperor Mingxi observed the expressions of the Yu family men. Though the third branch was incompetent, the elder Yu had integrity. Moreover, with Yue Fuguang’s presence, aside from Third Master Yu, the emperor intended to favor the Yu family.

Emperor Mingxi declared, "Since the guilty have confessed, let the Three Judicial Offices proceed according to the law."

Minister of Justice Cai Xian promptly stepped forward. "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Justice, along with the Censorate and the Court of Judicial Review, has prepared the sentences for the involved parties. Please review."

He presented a memorial with both hands. Eunuch Qian Gui swiftly retrieved it, scurrying with remarkable speed to deliver it to the emperor.

Yue Fuguang watched, stunned. "Eunuch Qian is in such good shape! Those quick little steps—I couldn’t keep up. Truly, age hasn’t slowed him down!

No wonder, a decade from now, he’ll fight to the death against Beili soldiers who breach the palace, killing eleven before falling in a mutual strike with the last. What a legend! More of a man than some here!"

The praised Qian Gui: Bad news—he didn’t have many years left. Good news—he’d die standing his ground! He’d live and die worthy of His Majesty’s trust!

The court officials: Could you be any vaguer? Who exactly are "some here"? Name names!

Leaving them hanging like this was torture!

Now, they eyed each other suspiciously, every colleague a potential traitor. Thanks to Yue Fuguang, trust was shattered.

Unfazed, Yue Fuguang kept ranting.

"These so-called scholars of virtue—where’s their integrity? Eunuch Qian outshines them all. They’ve stuffed their books down the dogs’ throats! Preaching morality like saints, yet when the nation’s at stake, they’re the first to kneel. Pathetic!"

The system, egging her on, chimed in: "Right? After Emperor Mingxi’s sudden death, they’ll push his most useless son onto the throne.

With a weak ruler, the ministers will scramble for power like flies to dung—even as the enemy knocks at the gates!

Those who surrender won’t last three years. Betray your country, and why would foreigners trust traitors?"

The courtiers paled, wishing they couldn’t hear these thoughts.

Being insulted without retort—agonizing!

Especially learning their brilliant emperor would die abruptly, and their peers would squabble blindly—were they among the fools?

The thought turned their faces grimmer than a funeral.

Though the Great Yan Dynasty was prosperous, internal cracks were showing. If the emperor died suddenly, their reforms…

Their gazes slid to the crown prince at the forefront. They’d elevate the most useless son?

Surely not the shrewd and capable Crown Prince Xie Zhiyan. So… where would their crown prince be?

Dreadful theories sprouted, including in the prince’s own mind.

Had he not outlived his father? How? Illness, or…

The crown prince looked up, meeting his father’s eyes across the hall.

Silently, both acknowledged: There was still time. Their glances flicked to Yue Fuguang, now snacking after her tirade.

With her here, the Great Yan Dynasty might yet be salvaged—if they played their cards right.

As for the "most useless son/brother," both emperor and prince turned toward the cluster of princes.

The Second, Third, Fifth, and Sixth Princes stiffened under their gaze, as if targeted by a primordial beast.

Their father and eldest brother’s stares were terrifying!

The princes inwardly groaned. Could the "most useless" perhaps not be present?

Six more "dear brothers" lurked behind them—who’s to say it wasn’t one of those?

The Sixth Prince whispered to the official behind him, "Minister Qian, who among us princes do you think is the most useless?"

"Who’s the most useless prince?" Sixth Prince, have you lost your mind?

Qian Dayong had done nothing to deserve this death trap of a question!

Unaware of the mental chatter, he watched his colleagues’ faces twist as if mourning their entire clans—over an unrelated verdict list!

Their despair surpassed even bereavement!

What fresh madness was this?

The Sixth Prince studied Qian Dayong’s constipated expression—part confusion, part grievance, mostly "Are you insane?"

A rare pang of guilt struck him. Why bother a deaf-and-dumb mortal with celestial drama?

These princes practically itched to rush over and shake Yue Fuguang, demanding she spill the rest of her words.

Just who was that useless son their father, the Emperor, despised the most? Did they dare to name him outright?

If it really was one of them, they’d accept it—after all, nothing had happened yet. At worst, they’d be confined by their father, left to idle away and produce heirs.

But now, left hanging like this, their curiosity gnawed at them, desperate to know which brother it could be!

Yue Fuguang ignored the princes’ repeated glances as she took a delicate bite of the sweet pastry, a mischievous glint suddenly flashing in her eyes.