Daily Life of a Villain at Work [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 45

Chapter 45: The Ninth Day of the Villain Being Emperor

“You hesitated slightly when seeing the list, but were decisive during the execution?” Wen Qingyun played with a piece of warm jade in her hand while listening to Weiyu’s report.

“What do you think of Chu Xin’s character?” Wen Qingyun asked.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, this subordinate feels that Master Chu possesses great resilience. I could sense that when Master Chu first saw a prisoner beheaded, her emotional fluctuations were significant.”

“But by the second time, Master Chu showed almost no discomfort, appearing pale only because she wasn’t used to the smell of blood.”

Weiyu’s official position required exceptional powers of observation; even though Chu Xin had tried her best to hide it, her emotional shifts were captured.

Wen Qingyun nodded slowly. As a protagonist, it was only natural to have some standout qualities.

“Choumou, what is your evaluation of Bai Siyang?” Wen Qingyun continued to ask.

Compared to Chu Xin, who needed Weiyu’s assistance to harden her heart, Bai Siyang was much more decisive. Perhaps because she had experienced similar hardships, she was ruthless when dealing with the wealthy households, while Choumou mainly provided protection.

“She appears gentle but is actually fierce. However, she is very protective of the common people. This subordinate feels that rather than the Ministry of Revenue, Master Bai might be better suited for the Ministry of Justice,” Choumou said.

Bai Siyang was ten years older than Chu Xin and had spent many years by Princess Herui’s side; such a temperament was understandable.

After a moment of reflection, Wen Qingyun made a slight adjustment to her original plan.

Bai Siyang didn’t seem to need much more seasoning; as long as her loyalty was confirmed, she could immediately become a blade in Wen Qingyun’s hand. Chu Xin, hindered by her lack of experience and young age, was still a bit too soft-hearted. Perhaps she could be sent out early as a local magistrate to be properly tempered.

…

Xiaofeng County was Chu Xin’s starting point, but it was not her destination.

As a Touring Censor, Chu Xin had the authority to supervise the entire Huzhou Prefecture. So, when Weiyu finished her duties and left, Chu Xin also moved from Xiaofeng County to other districts, intending to investigate all local officials within the prefecture.

With the blood-stained example of Xiaofeng County preceding her, officials elsewhere did not dare neglect Chu Xin. Prefects and magistrates of equal or higher rank were respectful, giving her whatever data she requested and letting her preside over court for as many days as she wished.

Chu Xin had learned a lot from Weiyu’s style. She followed the ledgers and began investigating household by household.

In over a month, she arrested two county magistrates and one sub-prefectural magistrate in Huzhou. Dozens of other officials were seized; Chu Xin personally sentenced ten to immediate execution, while many others received maximum penalties of exile or twenty years in prison.

The southern tour group was scheduled to return after the autumn imperial examinations in August. By the time they reached the capital, the Mid-Autumn Festival had passed, and it was late August.

Wen Qingyun was not stingy with praise for Si Yu during the imperial court session, promptly granting her the vacant position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

“This subject knocks her head in gratitude for Your Majesty’s grace,” Si Yu accepted without hesitation.

“I have read Bai’s memorial; you have done well. Those powerful clans who dared to oppress the people while I was thousands of miles away should be killed, and their properties confiscated to fill the national treasury.”

Wen Qingyun paused. “I see you have a talent for criminal matters. You are promoted to Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Justice. I permit you to review all Ministry files. If you find issues with dossiers submitted by local officials, you may dispatch personnel to investigate on your own.”

“This subject obeys the decree,” Bai Siyang knelt formally and kowtowed.

Wen Qingyun curled her lips into a smile, her gaze skipping over the slightly nervous Chu Xin to land on someone else. “Right Vice Minister of Justice, I leave Bai in your charge. If she has any issues, help her resolve them.”

“This subject obeys,” the Vice Minister of Justice accepted quickly, feeling a sense of relief. The Emperor’s willingness to let him mentor Bai Siyang was a sign that he was in her good graces—for now, his position was safe.

“Chu Xin,” Wen Qingyun called her name directly.

“Your Majesty, I am here,” Chu Xin stepped out from the ranks with a hint of excitement.

Wen Qingyun observed Chu Xin, noticing she was much more composed than when she wore her scholar’s robes, and she seemed to have grown a bit taller.

“You handled the task I gave you well. However, there are too many corrupt officials in Huzhou. Are you willing to continue sharing my burdens?” Wen Qingyun asked.

“I am willing to serve Your Majesty,” Chu Xin agreed immediately without asking questions.

Wen Qingyun was satisfied. “Then you shall fill the post of Magistrate of Anji Sub-prefecture. Take the sword I bestow upon you; any official of the sixth rank or below may be executed first and reported later.”

Chu Xin was surprised, but her kowtow was instant. “This subject obeys.”

The Emperor’s smile widened, making no secret of her appreciation. “It has been a long journey for you. Go to your post in October. In the meantime, serve as an Attendant Academician in the Hanlin Academy to draft edicts for me.”

“This… this subject knocks her head in gratitude.” Chu Xin’s response was a beat slow, her eyes filled with shock and joy.

Though the rank was still the same, an Attendant Academician in the Hanlin Academy was a confidant of the Emperor, seeing her almost daily. Usually, this role was a direct stepping stone to becoming a Minister; no one in this position failed to rise.

After rewarding the officials of the southern tour, Wen Qingyun’s tone shifted to a problem she had recently noticed.

“I have noticed from local reports that private brothels have shifted from nominal song-and-dance performances into venues for certain people to vent their lust. Have you all heard of this?”

The smile vanished from Wen Qingyun’s face. In just a few words, she had the court officials on edge. No one spoke for a long moment.

Chu Xin hesitated; she had mentioned the brothels’ lawlessness in her own reports. Was the Emperor planning a crackdown? Should she step forward?

“Minister of Rites?” Wen Qingyun called out before Chu Xin could speak.

“This subject… I have heard rumors, but when I sent subordinates to investigate, no physical evidence was found,” the Minister of Rites said, bracing himself.

“Investigate? When? Why did I not know of this? Are you intentionally deceiving me? Do you think I am easy to fool?” Wen Qingyun snorted coldly.

The Minister of Rites knelt immediately. “Your Majesty, forgive me! I had no such intention. I am old and muddled; I reported it to the Late Emperor last year but forgot to report it again to Your Majesty.”

Trying to use the Late Emperor as a shield? Wen Qingyun didn’t buy it. She had wiped out the Late Emperor’s sons before his funeral period was even over; she wasn’t going to change her mind for a Minister’s excuse.

“Since your memory is poor, we shall replace you with someone whose memory is sharp,” Wen Qingyun said coldly. “The Minister of Rites is old; I grant you permission to retire to your hometown.”

“Your Majesty! I can still serve! I still have strength!” The Minister of Rites panicked visibly. He couldn’t believe it—the Emperor wasn’t even giving him a chance to fix the mistake before firing him.

“Your Majesty, I know how to govern this phenomenon! Please give me a chance!” He desperately pledged his loyalty. He had survived the purges of her ascension and the new assessment policies; he couldn’t leave the court like this!

“Oh? You know how to govern it?” Wen Qingyun’s tone softened slightly. “Then speak. I am listening.”

“Your Majesty, according to the laws of the Great Gan, officials are strictly forbidden from entering the Music Training Department or private brothels. Your Majesty might push this law further: anyone with an academic title is forbidden from entering. If caught, their titles shall be stripped immediately.”

The Minister of Rites had risen through the examinations; he knew exactly where it hurt scholars. Any family with money hoped for their sons to enter officialdom. If this rule were enacted, the clientele of brothels would drop by more than half. With fewer customers, brothels would have to change their business model or go bankrupt.

Wen Qingyun remained silent, thinking. The Minister of Rites had managed to guess about a third of her intentions. Perhaps she could give him a chance.

“And?” she asked, neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.

“Your Majesty, the Music Training Department is mostly filled with the families of criminal officials, but women in private brothels are either there out of poverty or sold by fathers and brothers for silver. Your Majesty should revise the laws to severely punish those who knowingly break them, teaching the people to view selling daughters as a shame and raising them as an honor.”

No one becomes a Minister of one of the Six Ministries by being a fool. He hadn’t proposed this before simply because it didn’t affect him, but now his head was on the line.

“To come up with a strategy so quickly… it seems you are not too old yet,” Wen Qingyun leaned against the left arm of her dragon throne, her tone meaningful. “If this is given to you, how long until it is settled?”

“This subject… needs to consult with the Ministers of Justice and Revenue. It will take about a month.” He didn’t dare take the whole burden himself and tried to drag his colleagues into the water.

“I give you seven days. If the memorial you present does not satisfy me, I will let the Left Vice Minister take over as Acting Minister,” Wen Qingyun cut the time drastically.

The Left Vice Minister was dazed by this sudden opportunity. If he became Acting Minister, it would only take a few years to become permanent. Even if not, the power he would hold in the interim was immense.

The Ministers of Revenue and Justice looked grim. If looks could kill, the Minister of Rites would have been sliced to pieces for dragging them into this.

“This subject obeys,” the Minister of Rites dared not bargain. Seven days it was. He would not let his subordinate take his place.

He didn’t realize that with a single sentence, Wen Qingyun had turned him against his own staff.

After the session lasted a full hour, Wen Qingyun signaled for the dismissal. Those who hadn’t spoken were told to submit memorials to the Grand Secretariat first.

As the Emperor left, the officials finally exhaled and began to mingle. Si Yu, Bai Siyang, and Chu Xin were surrounded by ministers offering flattery and invitations. Chu Xin was the focus of much attention; Si Yu was a known confidant and Bai Siyang was linked to Princess Herui, making Chu Xin the most “approachable” target for networking.

Chu Qi, Chu Xin’s father who had previously been ignored, was now beaming with pride as he was congratulated. He felt his best decision had been pushing his daughter into the Imperial Academy last year. In just one year, she had become a fifth-rank official with a path to the Cabinet.

“Xin’er, when serving by the Emperor’s side, you must remain calm. The monarch’s heart is hard to fathom. She prizes you now, but if you do something she dislikes, she will discard you even faster.”

On the way home, Father Chu began lecturing his daughter. Having been Wen Qingyun’s tutor when she was a princess, he felt he knew her better than most.

“I must do whatever she asks?” Chu Xin asked.

“Yes. This Emperor hates being contradicted, lied to, or kept in the dark. Do not try to play clever tricks with her.”

He cited the Minister of Personnel as an example, who had tried to hide loopholes in a new law, only to be publicly humiliated and nearly fired once a younger official pointed them out.

“So remember, being with the monarch is like being with a tiger. The more she favors you, the more careful you must be.”

Chu Xin listened, though she didn’t quite believe her father. She felt the Emperor wasn’t fickle, just strictly meritocratic. If the Ministers had done their jobs, they wouldn’t have been “beaten.”

Seeing her expression, Father Chu sighed. “I’ve said my piece. You have achieved much, so she will likely be lenient with you. Just keep your wits about you.”

Chu Xin agreed quickly, already looking forward to her first day at the Hanlin Academy.

…

The court was held daily by rule, but Wen Qingyun didn’t attend every day. Usually, aside from the 1st and 15th, she only showed up randomly about ten days a month. On other days, ministers discussed matters and sent the results to the Qianqing Palace for her review.

Chu Xin’s first day at the Hanlin Academy happened to be the day the Emperor skipped court. After flipping through her books repeatedly, she was finally summoned to the Qianqing Palace.

With a mix of nerves and excitement, Chu Xin arrived in her blue official robes. Entering the hall, she stole a glance at Wen Qingyun, who was reviewing memorials, and knelt formally.

“Subject Chu Xin greets Your Majesty.”

“Rise.” Wen Qingyun crossed out a suggestion on a memorial and tossed it aside. She looked up to see Chu Xin standing nervously in the center of the hall, her joy barely suppressed.

“Come here,” Wen Qingyun gestured.

Chu Xin obeyed, walking quickly to the desk.

“Grind the ink for me,” Wen Qingyun leaned back in her chair.

Chu Xin was nervous, but she could handle such a simple task. Soon, the rhythmic sound of grinding filled the room. Wen Qingyun picked up another memorial but kept her eyes on Chu Xin—observing her neat hairline, her thin profile, and her slender neck.

Most of Chu Xin’s skin was covered by her robes, leaving only her hands exposed as she worked. She held the ink stick in one hand and lifted her sleeve with the other to keep it clean. It was a graceful, rhythmic sight.

No wonder the emperors of old never had ugly attendants, Wen Qingyun thought. A beauty by one’s side improves the mood.

“How old are you?” Wen Qingyun asked.

Chu Xin paused. “In response to Your Majesty, I am eighteen.”

“A year younger than me,” Wen Qingyun remarked, playing with the warm jade at her waist.

“Yes.” Chu Xin didn’t know how to follow that, so she kept grinding.

Wen Qingyun: “I appointed you as a Magistrate but kept Bai Siyang in the capital at the Ministry of Justice. Do you feel any resentment? Do you think I am biased toward her?”

“I have no resentment. I feel I am the one favored by Your Majesty,” Chu Xin replied steadily. “My only wish is to share Your Majesty’s burdens. Even if I were a mere county magistrate, I would be happy. As long as I can serve you, I will do anything.”

Chu Xin was talented, but she hadn’t learned to flatter her superiors with flowery words. Her blunt sincerity sounded more genuine to Wen Qingyun.

“Then shall I change your appointment to Xiaofeng County?” Wen Qingyun joked.

“I am willing,” Chu Xin replied without a second thought.

Wen Qingyun laughed—a genuine, visible laugh. “Being a county magistrate would be a waste of your talent. You are the first Top Scholar I personally chose; you should shine in the right place. Be a good Magistrate for one term. The new assessment law starts next year. In two years, I will have a position ready for you in the capital. Chu Xin, I have high expectations for you.”

“I thank Your Majesty. Please be at ease; I will govern the prefecture well and ensure the people’s prosperity.” Chu Xin started to kneel in thanks.

“That’s enough, stand up.” Wen Qingyun anticipated the move and grabbed Chu Xin’s belt, preventing her from kneeling.

“Your Majesty…” Chu Xin felt awkward, staring down at the Emperor’s hand on her waist. She was stuck in a half-crouch.

Wen Qingyun, feeling playful, pulled the belt toward her. Chu Xin didn’t dare resist with force and ended up stumbling right next to the dragon throne.

“This belt looks too plain. Why don’t you hang something on it?” Wen Qingyun asked.

“I… I feel this is enough. I am young and shouldn’t be extravagant.” The proximity made Chu Xin increasingly nervous, her voice trembling. The faint scent of ambergris from the Emperor filled her nose, making her swallow nervously.

“But I think you should be a bit more extravagant.” Wen Qingyun slowly let go. “What do you think?”

“I… I will find some accessories to wear when I return.” Chu Xin kept her head low, but the bright yellow imperial robes remained in her field of vision.

Wen Qingyun didn’t speak but looked at her own belt, which held a piece of warm jade, a sachet embroidered by her mother, and a protective wooden plaque. After a moment, she detached the warm jade she liked to play with and hooked it onto Chu Xin’s belt, slowly and deliberately tying it to her side.

“I like this jade very much. I’ll lend it to you for now. When you finish your term as Magistrate, bring it back to me.”

Wen Qingyun gave Chu Xin’s waist a light squeeze, causing her to stiffen instantly.

“You’re a bit too thin. Before you leave, you shall have lunch with me every day. I intend to use your services for forty or fifty years; don’t fall ill before I’m done with you.”

Chu Xin stammered an acceptance. As Wen Qingyun returned to her memorials, Chu Xin retreated to her spot and went back to grinding ink, her head down.

What she didn’t know was that the blush on her face didn’t fade for a long, long time.