Chapter 112: Truly Deceitful

According to the original plan, Jing Heng was supposed to visit the Four Directions Tower first, then proceed to the Hidden Dragon Hall. However, after being flatly refused at the Four Directions Tower and even mocked, Jing Heng, furious, stormed back to the Ministry of Revenue, cursing Long Chen as a dead eunuch all the way.

Upon entering the main hall and taking a seat, one of his subordinates approached and said, “Sir, all the silver in the Ministry of Revenue is currently stored in the national treasury. The Ministry only handles the accounts; there is no silver here.”

Jing Heng had just picked up his teacup when he heard this and, in a fit of rage, hurled the cup across the room.

“What? The Ministry of Revenue has no money?”

The official, his clothes stained with tea and leaves, looked embarrassed as he explained, “This is Long Cheng’en’s rule. The Ministry only manages the income and expenditures; all the silver is centralized in the national treasury under the emperor’s direct control.”

Jing Heng cursed loudly, “Then what the hell is the Ministry of Revenue for? Am I just an accountant here?”

What he had thought was a great opportunity turned out to be an empty bluff.

The officials fell silent under his scolding until Director Liu whispered, “Sir, the Ministry of Works is currently the most lucrative office. Perhaps... you should consider exchanging the Ministry of Revenue for the Ministry of Works.”

The Ministry of Works oversees the production of all popular goods and is the most prosperous among the six ministries.

Jing Heng cooled down and pondered. Indeed, in the past, the Ministry of Revenue was the best among the six. Now, the situation had changed—the Ministry of Works was the most profitable.

“Go back and discuss with the master about taking over the Ministry of Works,” Liu advised softly.

“Long Cheng’en can hold the titles of both Minister of Works and Minister of Revenue simultaneously. You can follow along,” Tang Wei whispered.

Jing Heng found the suggestion reasonable. If a eunuch could hold two ministerial posts, and he was the son of the Grand General, why couldn’t he?

“Makes sense. I’ll consider it after I return,” Jing Heng said.

He appointed Director Liu to manage the Ministry of Revenue temporarily and headed home immediately.

...

In the Western Palace, at the Autumn Sentiment Hall.

Long Chen took a deep breath and slowly woke from his sleep. Xiang Ning, sensing the movement, nestled her little head into his arms.

This jade-like beauty wore a hint of fatigue on her face, like a bewildered kitten curling up in its mother’s embrace.

Outside, the wind had ceased, but snow continued to fall. The white snow’s reflection brightened the windows beautifully.

Long Chen released Xiang Ning and climbed out of the quilt. Hearing the movement, Zhang Qian also got up to dress.

“Hand me my breastplate,” Long Chen said.

Last night, Xuan Yi and Qing Yue had been playful; initially, they undressed Xiang Ning, then proceeded to strip Zhang Qian, but the breastplate remained across the room.

Long Chen picked up the pink breastplate, examining it, then asked, “Have you grown again?”

Zhang Qian snatched it and put it on, teasing, “It’s all your fault.”

Qing Yue, hiding under the quilts, looked at Zhang Qian’s astonishing figure with envy and said, “Lately, Little Dragon has been taking good care of me. Why have you grown bigger? It doesn’t make sense.”

Xuan Yi smiled mischievously, “Haven’t you noticed? Little Dragon only makes moves on you.”

Qing Yue thought carefully and realized this was true. Long Chen often teased Zhang Qian verbally.

“Little Dragon, I want some teasing too,” Qing Yue said earnestly.

Long Chen had already dressed, and Zhang Qian stepped off the bed. A kettle of warm goat’s milk was heating by the stove.

Zhang Qian poured a bowl for Long Chen, who drank it and smiled, “A cup of milk in the morning is the best nourishment.”

Zhang Qian retorted, “Don’t you drink it at night?”

Long Chen grinned, “That depends on whether you give it to me.”

The two women burst into giggles. The laughter woke Xiang Ning, who slowly got up to dress.

Opening the door and windows to air the room, Di Luoxi entered from outside.

“Your Highness, Princess,” all four greeted her together.

Zhang Qian tidied the kang bed, and Di Luoxi sat down.

Long Chen bantered flirtatiously with the beauties of the harem, but the princess showed no jealousy whatsoever.

At first, Long Chen found it strange that Di Luoxi didn’t mind. Later, he understood: the imperial palace represented the highest authority, and no one could impose restrictions there.

With no restraints at all, all laws and morals that bind men and women became void.

The people here, especially the Empress and the princess, acted solely according to their desires—doing whatever they pleased without oversight.

Di Luoxi felt comfortable with Long Chen’s playful touch and let them be, indifferent to his interactions with other palace maids.

Perhaps, in her eyes, watching Long Chen with Zhang Qian was like watching a private film.

When a person is freed from all constraints, he is both a sage and a beast.

Di Luoxi’s expression darkened. “Jing Heng took over the Ministry of Revenue and even dismissed all the existing staff.”

Long Chen finished washing up and sat facing Di Luoxi, accompanied by Zhang Qian and the others. Xiang Ning had gone out for water, having lost a lot of fluids the previous night.

“It’s nothing. All the silver is in the treasury, personally managed by His Majesty. The Ministry only handles the accounts now,” Long Chen explained.

He had no foresight and hadn’t anticipated Jing Heng’s attempt to reclaim the Ministry of Revenue.

This was all the Empress’s arrangement. After Duan Shuangshuang took over the Ministry, she centralized the silver in the treasury. The Ministry of Revenue merely handled bookkeeping. Long Chen had no intention of embezzlement, so he had no objections.

Di Luoxi was surprised. “Why didn’t I know this?”

Long Chen smiled, “His Majesty issued the decree personally. Since you don’t manage the Ministry of Revenue, I didn’t mention it either.”

Di Luoxi suddenly understood. “No wonder you’re so generous. The Minister of Revenue says yes, and you give—it turns out the Ministry is now just a hollow shell.”

Long Chen chuckled, “If there was money in the Ministry, why would I give it away?”

Qing Yue poured tea for Di Luoxi, who sipped slowly and asked, “What about the World Society and Dragon Gang? They have always been in contact with the Ministry of Revenue.”

Zhang Qian replied, “Lord Long already sent messages to the World Society and Dragon Gang. Now, Deputy Minister Xu Ming of the Ministry of Works handles the contact. The Ministry of Revenue no longer manages it.”

Di Luoxi nodded in realization. “Right, the goods have always been produced by the Ministry of Works. The Ministry of Revenue is dispensable.”

“You eunuchs are indeed cunning,” Di Luoxi remarked.

Long Chen gave a dry laugh, accustomed to her peculiar compliments.

After finishing her tea, Di Luoxi shifted in her seat and suddenly felt moisture beneath her palm.

“Who slept in this spot last night?” she asked disdainfully, raising her hand.

Qing Yue immediately fetched water, and Xuan Yi helped Di Luoxi up.

“Xiang Ning,” Long Chen said awkwardly.

Di Luoxi had arrived too early and hadn’t had time to change the bedding.

“This girl is so moist?” Di Luoxi climbed down from the kang, and Qing Yue brought hot water to help her wash her hands.

After washing, Di Luoxi returned to the Western Palace, while Long Chen took up his iron spear and trained in the courtyard.

In this world, martial prowess reigned supreme, and Long Chen never forgot that.

At Fengming Palace, in the study.

Duan Shuangshuang was reporting on the situation at the Ministry of Revenue. The Empress sneered, “This Jing Heng—when I told him to manage the Ministry properly, on his very first day, he replaced everyone.”

Duan Shuangshuang replied, “Your Majesty has foresight. Now there is no silver for the Ministry to embezzle.”

The Empress smiled, “Thanks to Long Cheng’en’s cooperation. No one else knew the Ministry’s silver was in the treasury. Jing Tianlie was left empty-handed this time.”

The Empress deliberately kept silent about the whole affair, and Long Chen cooperated by not revealing it either, so even Di Luoxi remained unaware.

“Jing Heng must be furious right now,” Duan Shuangshuang said with a smile, feeling some satisfaction.

The Empress laughed, “I bet Jing Tianlie is cursing Long Cheng’en as we speak.”