The Sickly Beauty Substitute Called It Quits

Chapter 138

The person hidden behind the King of Yue can be said to be a knot in Shen Yu's heart. In his previous life, he followed the King of Yue but never really had direct contact with that force. Unless the situation was extremely urgent, that force would not take action.

Shen Yu originally thought that force helped him because the King of Yue saved Young Master He, but this time, things were different. He learned some secrets that he didn't know in his previous life, and his perception of that force changed.

He wondered who they really listened to and what their purpose was, but he had little clue at the moment. Shang Junlin stroked Shen Yu's wrist and said, "I have been having the Hidden Dragon Guards investigate the King of Yue. They have also gathered information about the King's fiefdom while making donations. Speaking of which, the person who gave the King of Yue the maxim has been captured."

Shen Yu's thoughts immediately focused, "Your Majesty, are you talking about the one who orchestrated the meeting between the King of Yue, me, and Shen Qingran?"

"Yes, the Hidden Dragon Guards have secretly taken the person to the capital. They should arrive in a few days." Shang Junlin's tone carried a chilling edge when he mentioned that person.

"Your Majesty, please remember to take me to see him when the time comes." Shen Yu was curious about the authenticity of the maxim and why that person would say such things.

"I won't forget," Shang Junlin held Shen Yu's hand and brought it to his lips, giving it a kiss. "Regardless of the circumstances, Ah Yu can only belong to me."

Shang Junlin didn't care about the saying "Whoever obtains a member of the Shen family obtains the world." He only wanted one person, Shen Yu, from beginning to end.

"Naturally," Shen Yu embraced Shang Junlin's neck and smiled mischievously. "And Your Majesty can only be mine."

Shang Junlin's eyes darkened slightly as he held the back of Shen Yu's head, bringing him closer and kissing him passionately.

In the warm and peaceful palace, waves were stirring up in the former dynasty.

After announcing Minister Feng's crimes, Shang Junlin dismissed and imprisoned all the officials involved. No matter how much they were involved, they could never regain their official positions in this lifetime. This incident had wide-ranging implications. With officials being dismissed, vacant positions opened up, and everyone wanted a share of the spoils.

Minister Feng had operated in the court for many years, and there were many officials who served under him. Among them were third and second-ranking ministers. Now that these officials had been stripped of their positions and Shang Junlin hadn't appointed new officials immediately, both the noble families and commoners focused their attention on these vacant positions.

During the morning court, some officials proposed that Shang Junlin appoint new officials as soon as possible. Although the absence of a few officials wouldn't immediately affect the functioning of the court, instability for even a single day could lead to trouble.

Shang Junlin was aware of this, and he had some candidates in mind. After gathering a few important ministers for consultation, some positions found new occupants. These officials came from both noble and commoner backgrounds, achieving a delicate balance. However, the position previously held by Minister Feng remained vacant.

Originally, this position was filled by officials from noble families, and due to this, noble families had always maintained a firm advantage over the commoners. Now, with only one noble family official left in the cabinet, the noble families' influence was significantly weakened.

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Furthermore, Shang Junlin had promoted several new individuals, most of whom were scholars who had been sent away after passing the imperial examinations and were now returning to the capital. Their inclusion had a significant impact on the existing factions in the court.

"This time, Your Majesty has become the biggest winner." Shang Junlin shared everything he did with Shen Yu, and Shen Yu was delighted to see that Shang Junlin had managed to complete his plans ahead of schedule using Minister Feng's case.

"I never expected Minister Feng to do such a thing."

Many of Minister Feng's actions, taken individually, were crimes worthy of exterminating his entire family, not to mention the series of things he did. The Feng family, which had been hovering in the capital for years, was completely removed from the stage of history with his withdrawal from the Grand Court. It was almost impossible for them to make a comeback.

Shang Junlin wouldn't give them that chance, and neither would the other noble families.

"Minister Feng's actions were truly reckless." The influential figures of the major noble families gathered together to discuss what to do next.

"Not only did he implicate himself and the Feng family, but he also involved us. Now that the cabinet positions are vacant, His Majesty doesn't seem to have any intention of appointing anyone."

"I personally think that we have recommended so many candidates, yet His Majesty hasn't made a decision. It's already quite clear."

"I'm afraid His Majesty already had someone in mind. As long as Official Fang doesn't return, the cabinet will remain vacant."

None of the people present had made it this far by being foolish. They had already arranged people for other positions, but the cabinet remained untouched, indicating that either Shang Junlin was dissatisfied with the current nominees or he already had someone in mind.

All signs pointed to the latter being more likely.

"His Majesty has been wanting to make changes to the cabinet for a while now. If he had the opportunity, do you think he would allow the noble families to dominate for so long? We all know what kind of person His Majesty is. In the previous incident with the women entering the court as officials, both Minister Feng and Minister Duan refused to back down. But His Majesty found another way to force them to yield."

"What can we do? Just watch as someone else takes that position?"

"What else can we do? The Feng family holds considerable power, and many noble families had alliances with them before this incident. Right now, everyone is concerned about protecting themselves. Who has the energy to resist whatever His Majesty plans to do?"

After these words were spoken, a brief silence fell in the room. Not to mention others, even their own families had ties with the Feng family. They were afraid of being implicated inadvertently and only wanted to ensure their own safety. They had no mind to do anything else.

"This time, it was easily achieved, thanks to the influence of the Feng family." In the afternoon, Shang Junlin and Shen Yu were resting in a pavilion, discussing court affairs.

"His Majesty is currently in a rage. Who would dare to provoke him at such a time?" Shen Yu chuckled. "If they remain obedient, it actually makes it easier for His Majesty to act."

Compared to uncertain power struggles, these noble families clearly valued their own interests more.

"The Ministry of Justice has gained a lot of information, but Minister Feng still refuses to admit his collusion with external enemies. No matter how they torture him, he insists that he knows nothing about it," Shang Junlin caressed the teacup in his hand, his eyes filled with complexity.

"Does His Majesty believe his words? Did Minister Feng have dealings with Beimo for a long time, or is it only related to this incident?" Shen Yu asked.

"It's not a matter of whether I believe him or not. I need a definitive answer. If he is truly colluding with Beimo, the court needs to prepare in advance."

Shang Junlin didn't tell Shen Yu that Minister Feng had tried to manipulate him. He received "special treatment" in the Ministry of Justice, making it highly unlikely that he was lying. But even if there was a one-in-a-million chance of him lying, it couldn't be allowed to happen.

Beimo had long held grudges against Da Huan. If they truly had inside information about the court, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The court's actions were significant, and the people of the capital sensed that something was amiss. The expressions on their faces were no longer as relaxed as before.

Regarding the matter of officials colluding with external enemies in Beimo, the court informed the public through newspapers.

"Damn it, it turns out that the ones who took away the disaster relief supplies were not bandits, but those high-ranking officials in Beimo? What are they trying to do?"

"If it weren't for His Majesty, Subei might not have returned to Da Huan. Those officials were born and raised in Da Huan. They knew what happened when Beimo was invaded. How could they not know?"

"They definitely knew. They just didn't care about the lives of the common people. Otherwise, why did they go to great lengths to hide the severe drought in Subei? They only cared about their own enjoyment. They are truly despicable!"

"They deserve to be executed. Traitors like them should be punished severely!"

"No wonder it rained in the drought-stricken Subei on the day they were executed. Even the heavens couldn't tolerate them. It rained as soon as they died."

"Thanks to His Majesty's keen insight, he sent Official Fang over there to expose their true nature."

"His Majesty is truly dedicated to the people. None of the confiscated items from the corrupt officials' mansions were added to the national treasury. They were all left in Subei."

The matter involving Minister Feng had not been made public yet, as a definitive conclusion had not been reached.

In the neighborhoods, people were discussing nothing but the affairs of Beimo.

The theater troupe that Shen Yu had guided earlier had prepared a new play based on the events in Beimo. After Shen Yu reviewed the script, it began its performance in the capital.

"The troupe master knows how to seize opportunities," Shen Yu remarked after watching the theater troupe's submitted script.

Shang Junlin glanced at it while reviewing the documents. "It's based on the play 'The Return of Spring' that you previously arranged, isn't it? The playwright is indeed clever."

The storyline of the play was inspired by the events in Beimo, but it was not an exact replica. However, it would make people inevitably reflect on the situation in Beimo after watching it.

After reading it, Shen Yu handed the script to Mu Xi and said, "Tell them they can proceed with the play, but they must not cross certain boundaries."

Upon receiving the order, Mu Xi left to carry it out.

"Is Ah Yu interested in these things?" Shang Junlin paused his writing, curious.

"Not really, I just glanced at the script that was sent over. I can't say I'm interested," Shen Yu replied, genuinely uninterested in such matters.

"By the way, how much does His Majesty know about 'Jun Ling'? It seems like it bloomed a few days ago."

"The plant that Physician Gu sent?" Shang Junlin had always been curious about the flower that Shen Yu treated with special care.

Shen Yu nodded.

Since Shang Junlin was almost done with his work, Shen Yu thought it would be a good idea to go and take a look together.

As they approached, a faint fragrance greeted their senses. Upon entering, Shen Yu discovered that a few days had passed, and the flower bud had already opened.

The flower was small, even in its fully bloomed state, it was no larger than a fingertip. The petals were tightly stacked together, with a light green outer layer that gradually turned whiter towards the center. The area near the center had a jade-like color.

Shen Yu had never seen "Jun Ling" in full bloom before and couldn't help but slow his breathing.

"It's truly beautiful."

"Ah Yu has taken good care of it." Shang Junlin glanced at the flower and then shifted his gaze to Shen Yu.

"Jun Ling" was a difficult plant to cultivate, and Shang Junlin didn't know where Physician Gu obtained this particular flower and why he chose to give it to Shen Yu. However, seeing Shen Yu's delight at the flower's bloom, a slight itchiness stirred in his heart.

"Ah Yu is happy?"

Shen Yu turned to look at Shang Junlin, his eyes filled with unhidden admiration. "I didn't expect it to be so beautiful when it bloomed."

Although it lacked the flamboyance of other flowers, its elegance was impossible to ignore. Shen Yu loved everything beautiful.

"If you like it, I'll have people find a few more." Shang Junlin cupped the young man's face and kissed those eyes that were even more dazzling than the starry sky.