Daily Life of a Villain at Work [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 47

Chapter 47: The Eleventh Day of the Villain Being Emperor

Wen Qingyun never adhered to the rules of “no speaking while eating or sleeping.” However, noticing that every time Chu Xin answered a question, she would set down her chopsticks, straighten her back, and lower her head in respect, the Emperor stopped making small talk during meals. She didn’t want her favored official to end up with only a few measly bites of food by the end of dinner.

It was September, the height of late autumn, and the night air carried a slight chill.

Wen Qingyun, who made it a habit to walk after meals, had added a cloak to her ensemble. Turning her head, she saw Chu Xin still wearing only her blue official robes. When the breeze brushed past, her hems fluttered, making her look like a stalk of green bamboo standing in the distance—upright and full of character. Yet, upon closer inspection, Chu Xin looked a bit too thin, making her robes appear overly spacious.

Wen Qingyun withdrew her gaze and said to a servant, “Fetch my bright white cloak.”

Receiving the cloak embroidered with soaring dragons and auspicious clouds, Wen Qingyun walked over to Chu Xin and draped it directly over her shoulders.

“Your Majesty, I am terrified,” Chu Xin’s first reaction was to kneel. How could she wear the Emperor’s cloak? Even the most powerful officials did not behave so audaciously.

Predicting the move, Wen Qingyun stepped forward and used her shoulder to block Chu Xin’s descent. “What is there to be terrified of? I gave it to you, so wear it.” She personally adjusted the garment and then unceremoniously pulled Chu Xin upright by her shoulders.

“Put your arms through the sleeves yourself; I won’t help you with that,” Wen Qingyun said, a smirk playing on her lips. “This is an imperial order: wear the cloak properly.”

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Chu Xin could only tremblingly slip into the cloak—a garment whose regulations made wearing it a form of high treason—under the Emperor’s watchful eye.

“When you were drafting the edicts, did the ministers say anything?” Wen Qingyun walked in front, with Chu Xin following half a step behind.

“In response to Your Majesty, the Minister of Revenue mentioned that if so many edicts are issued at once, it might be difficult to monitor their implementation. He felt it would be better to release them one by one. The officials from the Ministry of Rites, however, felt there was no need to separate them. Since there are new policies, it is better to push them through all at once; once the people know, they will adapt and accept them in time.”

Chu Xin tactfully relayed the opinions of the Minister of Revenue and the Acting Minister of Rites.

“Chu Xin, what do you think?” Wen Qingyun stopped by the lake, resting her hands on the railing to admire the night view.

“Your Majesty, I believe these policies are beneficial to the people and are interconnected. It is perfectly fine to choose a suitable time and push them through in one go.”

Wen Qingyun asked, “And what about taking in those women to form an army? Do you think they will possess combat effectiveness and become soldiers capable of the battlefield?”

Chu Xin thought seriously. “Your Majesty, for them, joining the army is a dream opportunity. I cannot guarantee everyone feels this way, but I believe more than ninety-nine percent of them will cherish this chance. They were in the mire; how could they not wish to break free and walk a broad road? These women were forced into brothels, forced to learn how to please others. I believe they can persevere in the barracks and become a women’s army that rivals any local garrison.”

Her tone was firm. If women could endure starvation, waist-binding, and day-and-night dance practice, how could they fail at daily training once they were fed?

“Your Majesty, I wish to ask for a favor,” Chu Xin said.

Wen Qingyun leaned her head slightly to look at her. “What favor do you seek?”

“When I go to Anji to take up my post, I would like to borrow several imperial physicians skilled in women’s health. Also, I would like a budget from the Ministry of Revenue to purchase medicinal herbs. If high-intensity training starts immediately, their bodies might not cope. I want to let every woman who arrives at the Anji camp nurse her health for a month before starting training.”

Wen Qingyun tapped her fingers against the stone railing. “I can give you the physicians, and the military pay will be distributed according to the actual numbers. But the farmland for the barracks and all other expenses… you must earn those through your own efforts.”

Chu Xin blinked. “How should I put in the effort to earn these expenses?”

“Investigate the corrupt officials in your jurisdiction who haven’t been cleared, and the wealthy families who feign compliance with the new policies,” Wen Qingyun said, straightening up. “I’m giving you the post of Touring Censor for a reason. Once you take office, you may keep half of all confiscated wealth and property to manage as you see fit. Whether you use it on the women’s army or the local people is up to you, as long as it is reasonable.”

Chu Xin swallowed hard, remembering the sheer amount of loot she had uncovered during her previous raids. “This subject knocks her head in gratitude.”

“Stop kowtowing. You’re wearing my clothes; I permit you to forego the kneeling rites today.” Wen Qingyun caught her with one hand and turned back toward her living quarters.

Chu Xin was still mentally mapping out how many “slippery fish” were left in Anji, following submissively until they stepped into the Eastern Warm Pavilion—the Emperor’s bedchamber. Only then did she realize the impropriety.

“Your Majesty, should… should I stay elsewhere?” Chu Xin asked dryly.

“Just come in, I’m not done discussing things with you.” Wen Qingyun beckoned. Chu Xin hesitated, moving at a snail’s pace.

Wen Qingyun sat on the soft couch and, seeing Chu Xin’s slow movements, intentionally put on a stern face. “Must I invite you to sit?”

“I wouldn’t dare.” Chu Xin squeezed out a smile and sat tremulously on the other side of the couch. Sitting on the same couch as the Emperor was incredibly against the rules! If she were a consort, fine, but she was a minister!

“During the southern tour, Si Yu presented many reports. To put it bluntly, the Jiangnan region is practically running its own little court; they don’t take me seriously at all,” Wen Qingyun said.

“Your Majesty, ‘Under the wide heaven, all is the king’s land.’ They only dare to oppress the people because they think Your Majesty cannot see what is happening thousands of miles away. I am willing to share your burdens and bring those deceivers to justice.”

Seeing Chu Xin about to leave the couch to pledge her loyalty, Wen Qingyun quickly said, “Just sit and talk.”

“Yes.” Chu Xin scooted back. “Your Majesty, whether it’s the new assessment laws or the edicts from today, they are national policies that benefit the people. Once implemented, the people of Jiangnan will revere you from their hearts. If the people support you, any disrespect from the elite will be met with public outcry.”

Wen Qingyun nodded slowly. “But the elite have many hidden lands and households. If they join forces, they could piece together an army of two hundred thousand. Do you think they will rebel if my edicts push them too hard?”

“I personally believe they wouldn’t dare,” Chu Xin said seriously. “The Jiangnan elite value civil arts over martial ones. They have guards, but they lack armor, weaponry, and knowledge of military formations. How can they compete with garrisoned soldiers who train daily? Not to mention Your Majesty has 270,000 elite troops in the Capital Camp—warriors who can take on ten men each.”

Wen Qingyun picked up a pastry, looked at it, and handed it to Chu Xin. “I didn’t expect you to have such insights into military affairs.”

“I merely asked a few questions of the garrison commanders during the southern tour.” Chu Xin held her hands out to catch the pastry.

“Open your mouth,” Wen Qingyun commanded. Chu Xin blinked, but obeyed. “Come closer.”

Guessing what was happening, Chu Xin clenched her fists and leaned forward. After successfully stuffing the pastry into Chu Xin’s mouth, a hint of satisfaction appeared in Wen Qingyun’s eyes. She then tossed a second piece into her own mouth.

“I will speak with General Wang. I’ll have her send some female officers to train the recruits,” Wen Qingyun said while chewing. “Do you know General Wang Yuejiao?”

Chu Xin swallowed the pastry quickly. “Is it General Wang Yuejiao? I know of her.”

“That’s her. I gave her a lot of money last year to recruit troops in the south. Last month’s letter said she has 50,000 recruits. You can write to her when you go to Anji.”

After more advice from the Emperor, Wen Qingyun finally stopped as it grew late. “Chu Xin, I think highly of you. Do not disappoint me.”

“It’s late. You’ll stay in the side room and attend the morning court with me tomorrow.” With that, Wen Qingyun waved her away, giving her no chance to argue.

Chu Xin couldn’t disobey an imperial decree. Guided by a servant, she went to the room next door. Seeing the dragon patterns all over the bed curtains, she turned stiffly to the female official. “Shouldn’t these be taken down?”

“Master Chu, the Emperor personally ordered you to stay. Rest easy.”

In the side room, there was a small bath and a set of new clothes. Chu Xin hurriedly bathed, refusing any help from the servants. When she put on the inner robes, she realized the fabric was far more comfortable than anything she usually wore. Then she noticed her old clothes were gone—whisked away by a servant without her noticing.

If my clothes are being washed, what will I wear to court tomorrow? she wondered.

Returning to the main room, she saw a crimson official robe hanging on a rack. Crimson was for officials of the fourth rank and above. She was only fifth rank… this was another transgression.

“Is this for me?” Chu Xin felt numb.

“Yes, the Emperor just sent it. This is a reward; Your Majesty can do no wrong,” the official reassured her.

With a sense of “breaking a jar because it’s already cracked,” Chu Xin lay down on the bed scented with ambergris and fell asleep within fifteen minutes, exhausted by the day’s shocks.

…

Only Chu Xin’s father knew she had stayed overnight. At court, when colleagues asked where she was, he just smiled politely. “I’m not sure; perhaps Her Majesty had a task for her.”

Then, the Emperor arrived. The officials knelt. Those in the back noticed a figure in red following the Emperor.

Chu Xin kept her head down and hurried to her usual spot, kneeling before the Emperor sat.

“Rise,” Wen Qingyun said, her eyes on the splash of red among the blue robes.

The officials realized Chu Xin was wearing a fourth-rank robe embroidered with a wild goose.

“Chu Xin spent the night discussing strategies with me. I hereby confer upon her the title of Grand Master of the Court (Chao Lie Da Fu),” Wen Qingyun said casually. This raised Chu Xin’s honorary rank to the junior fourth rank, surpassing her own father.

“This subject knocks her head in gratitude,” Chu Xin felt a weight lift. It was an honorary title—she got the perks of the fourth rank, but her actual job stayed the same. No big deal.

The ministers began to report, but many were thinking: How long has she been an official, and she’s already this favored? Is it because she’s the first female Top Scholar? Many began to hope their own daughters or granddaughters could become the “next Chu Xin.”

…

“Xin’er, what is going on? Did you give the Emperor a brilliant idea?” Chu Qi asked his daughter after court.

Chu Xin thought back. “I didn’t give a brilliant idea; rather, the Emperor gave me many instructions…” She told him about the upcoming policies.

Chu Qi, a veteran of the court, realized the Emperor was truly going to move against the elite families. He warned her that while the Emperor favored her, she had to be careful. “The elite will see this favor. If they can’t stop you, they might try to send handsome men to seduce you. Do not be fooled by those playing with poetry and wine.”

Chu Xin was stunned. I have to watch out for that, too?

“I will find some physician-maids for you to take to your post,” her father said, worried. “Perhaps your elder brother and his family should go with you so you have someone to trust.”

Chu Xin smiled. “Don’t worry, father. The Emperor said she will send some suitable graduates to work under me after the spring exams. And with the land recount coming up, the elite will be too busy to notice me.”

“Even so, I’m still worried,” Chu Qi said.

“Father, my brothers need to take the exams next year, but if my sisters-in-law are willing, I can ask the Emperor for permission to take them to Anji.”

“I… I’ll ask them first,” her father muttered, his joy replaced by a protective tension.