Chapter 44: The Fourth Princess’s Jest

"Spare me? If I spare you, will the Empress spare me?" Jing Heng cursed loudly.

"If you take the blame for everything, I promise to take good care of your son. I swear to heaven that I will ensure he enters the court and becomes an official, and his future will not be less than yours." Jing Heng raised his hand and made an oath.

Chen Hanying knew that the matter was too serious this time; someone had to bear the responsibility, and there was no escaping it. Jing Heng swore to heaven that he would look after his son and provide him with prospects. Chen Hanying resigned himself to his fate.

"Very well, sir. Do not forget your oath today." Chen Hanying left the Ministry of Revenue in a daze, went home to bid farewell to his parents, wife, and children, then headed to the Censorate to surrender himself.

Jing Heng sat at the case table, saying coldly, "My own blood, I will naturally take care of."

...

Western Palace.

A cold gleam flashed from a lance, whistling through the air. An iron spear deflected the lance, its red tassel fluttering. In the blink of an eye, they had already exchanged over a dozen blows.

Qingyue watched the two spar, evenly matched, and exclaimed, "Little Longlong is exceptionally gifted. In just one year, he can already spar with the Princess."

Xuan Yi nodded. "The Princess is holding back, but to reach this level in a year—he is a genius, nothing less."

Di Luoxi put away her lance. Qingyue brought over some water; Di Luoxi washed her hands and dried them with a towel.

"Little Longlong, with such talent for martial arts, why didn't you train before?" Di Luoxi asked, seemingly offhand but with a hint of interrogation.

Long Chen replied that he used to be a guard in the Long Family Army, just a lowly errand-runner. Yet now, his aptitude was exceptional, which seemed implausible.

"The Princess has a keen eye for talent and gifted me the Tyrant Dragon Spear Technique. I used to handle civil affairs, never realized I had this ability," he explained.

"Oh? Then I truly have found a treasure," Di Luoxi said, removing her outer garment. It was the height of autumn's heat, and their bout had left her glistening with sweat.

"Bath time."

Di Luoxi wore a light, sheer gown revealing pink undergarments beneath. Long Chen, well accustomed, placed his iron spear on the rack and followed Di Luoxi into the bath.

Xuan Yi and Qingyue accompanied Di Luoxi into the bath; Long Chen entered last, while Zhang Qian stood guard outside.

Long Chen washed himself first, drying his arms and chest with a towel, his masculine aura especially striking.

Di Luoxi looked at Long Chen's robust physique and asked, puzzled, "Little Longlong, you've been in the palace for a year now—why haven't your muscles faded?"

After castration, within three months, male hormones decline, muscles soften, definition fades, and one becomes an effeminate eunuch. Yet Long Chen still looked like a man after all this time, which was peculiar.

Long Chen chuckled, "Maybe it's because I've been training. Does the Princess suspect I'm a fake eunuch? We can verify it right here."

It was meant as a joke, but Di Luoxi, amused, pointed and said, "Verify him for me!"

Xuan Yi and Qingyue immediately rushed over, pinning Long Chen to the edge of the pool, each holding a leg.

"Please, Princess, verify his identity!"

The two cackled wickedly, joined by laughter from the palace maids in the bath.

Di Luoxi, feigning seriousness, stepped over to inspect, then clicked her tongue and sighed, "What a pity! Such a fine form, such talent, yet a eunuch. If not, I'd have made you my consort."

Long Chen flipped himself into the bath, resurfacing and saying, "Does the Princess keep her word?"

Di Luoxi, swimming like a sprite, approached Long Chen and teased, "I do. Now grow one for me, hahaha..."

Xuan Yi and Qingyue giggled, "That'll have to wait for your next life."

Zhang Qian couldn't help but laugh, "Your Highness, I’ve said the same—perhaps in the next life."

A dozen stunning beauties in the bath mocked Long Chen for being a eunuch.

Long Chen wrapped his arms around Di Luoxi, tracing circles with his hands. "Even a withered tree finds spring again—why should a eunuch not find rebirth?"

Di Luoxi laughed, "Rebirth? If you grow one, I'll cut it off!"

There was nothing to say after that.

"Your Highness, how do you think the Ministry of Revenue affair will be resolved?" Long Chen shifted the topic.

Di Luoxi stirred the water and replied, "What else? They'll find a scapegoat."

"The Eastern Zhou faces strong enemies on three sides. The Grand General’s Mansion guards the west and north. To strike at the Grand General’s Mansion is to strike at the foundation of the Eastern Zhou; it cannot be done."

Jing Tianlie's Scarlet Flame Army was the elite of Eastern Zhou, all men, courageous and formidable, guarding the western and northern gates—an immovable force. Even if Jing Heng embezzled the Ministry's silver, the Empress could do nothing to him.

"A nation that relies too heavily on ministers, especially military ones, risks losing control," Long Chen remarked quietly, his heart conflicted.

Did the Emperor of Southern Liang, Li Chengdao, design the destruction of the Long Family Army for the same reason?

"So Mother sent Third Sister to train troops in the north; Li Xiannian guards Linjiang City in the south. Only the west remains." Di Luoxi spoke solemnly, no longer playful.

The Empress’s actions aimed to weaken Jing Tianlie’s position, but he would not sit idly by.

"Enough of that. We’re here to bathe—give me the full treatment."

Di Luoxi lay on the edge of the pool, letting Long Chen tend to her.

...

Daming Palace.

The Empress sat at the head, her phoenix throne newly replaced. The ministers stood below in silence.

This court session had to resolve the deficit in the Ministry of Revenue—a matter of great import.

"Minister of Revenue, what is the result of the investigation I ordered?" the Empress asked directly.

Jing Heng stepped forward and bowed. "Your Majesty, after thorough investigation, I found Deputy Minister Chen Hanying guilty of dereliction and self-serving theft, deceiving superiors, and exploiting his position for immense profit. He has already surrendered himself to the Censorate."

"The list of all officials involved in the embezzlement, both at the Ministry and local branches, is prepared for Your Majesty’s review."

Jing Heng presented a roster. Ying Feng took it and handed it to the Empress.

The Empress glanced at it and passed it to Bai Anning, Censorate Imperial Censor. "Check the list!"

Bai Anning accepted the order.

"The Deputy Minister was the main culprit, but as Minister, you failed in oversight. If I do not punish you, the public will not be appeased."

"From today, you are to remain at home awaiting orders; you are relieved of your duties at the Ministry of Revenue."

The Empress stripped Jing Heng of his post; this was expected, and Jing Heng felt no resentment, relieved to be rid of a mess.

"Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace," Jing Heng said, returning to the ranks.

The case against the Ministry of Revenue was raised high and set down lightly. Everyone knew Jing Heng was the mastermind, but it was Chen Hanying who would die, and all knew it was because of Jing Tianlie.

Di Yuwei stepped forward and bowed. "Your Majesty, from Deputy Minister Chen Hanying’s home, 580,000 taels of silver were confiscated, and from other officials, a total of 230,000 taels."

"These confiscations cover part of the expenses, but there is still a deficit of over six million taels."

It was easy to investigate corrupt officials, but fixing the hole was a major headache.

"The Ministry of Revenue has a deficit of six million taels. How should this be resolved? Ministers, speak."

The Empress addressed the court.

No one spoke; the Ministry was a mess, and whoever took it would suffer.

At this moment, Jing Heng suddenly said, "Your Majesty, Minister of Works Long Cheng’en is wise and resourceful. Why not appoint him as Minister of Revenue? He will surely resolve the deficit."