The night was dark. Li Wei personally carried a lantern and led the way. Behind him was a man wearing a black cloak, the huge hood of which looked like the gaping maw of a monster, swallowing his entire face.

Upon reaching the entrance of the main hall, the sharp gazes of the imperial guards were all fixed on the people behind Li Wei.

"This servant will go in and report first."

A short while later, Li Wei came out again and told people to go in.

Yuwen Wuji was sitting at his desk, flipping through case files, when he saw the person enter and then looked up.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." Tong Qian removed his hood and knelt down.

"My dear minister, please rise and sit down." Yuwen Wuji looked at his old face, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

After taking office, Liu Jiaci reviewed the Ministry of Revenue's accounts several times and confirmed that it was indeed in deficit. Although he also reviewed the annual financial situation, Tong Qian always managed to provide funds when needed.

This is why Tong Qian was able to hold the position of Minister of Revenue for more than a decade.

“My dear minister, it’s not that I don’t want to help you, but the people’s hearts are with you now, and the people in the Ministry of Revenue don’t want you to go back.”

The officials and assistant ministers of the Ministry of Revenue jointly petitioned to have Liu Jiaci temporarily assume the position of Minister, while secretly holding onto the issue of problematic accounts belonging to Tong Qian's family, delaying the resolution of the case. Their intentions were clear: they did not want Tong Qian to return to the Ministry of Revenue and wanted to oust him.

Tong Qian was furious, thinking that if he returned to the Ministry of Revenue, he would definitely replace all these people.

"Your Majesty, I have been dutiful and devoted to serving you all these years. You know me well. I would never abuse my power for personal gain!"

"You may not abuse your power for personal gain, but do you think I don't know what you do behind the scenes! You said your relatives did the Wan Hua Lou incident, and I'll give you that face, but I don't believe anything else."

Tong Qian understood that the Emperor wanted him to hand over the "embezzled funds".

The money he earned from Wan Hua Lou was all his treasure! But he wasn't a miser who couldn't see the bigger picture. He could earn more money, but if he lost his life, he would lose everything.

Moreover, the emperor himself didn't know exactly how much he had earned; giving him a small portion to appease him was enough.

"Your subject is willing to offer up all the embezzled funds."

Yuwen Wuji was satisfied, but then he heard Liu Jiaci say, "Liu Jiaci is still young and has limited abilities. I'm afraid he won't be able to lead the Ministry of Revenue well. I beg Your Majesty to give me another chance."

Yuwen Wuji understood the unspoken meaning in his words. Liu Jiaci came over with the accounts and told him that there was no money in the accounts, which would make things difficult later on.

He just wants someone to manage his money, someone he can withdraw whenever he needs it. He doesn't want someone constantly nagging and demanding money from him. Is he looking for a money manager or a debt collector?

Compared to the other two, Tong Qian is still more useful.

"Go back first, and I will let you return to your rightful place."

"yes."

Tong Qian responded and went out. He looked up at the crescent moon in the sky and sighed, "It's not a full moon, which is a bit of a pity."

"It looks like it's going to rain." Li Wei had someone fetch an umbrella.

"Father-in-law, you're joking. The moon is so bright, how could it be raining?"

Li Wei didn't explain, but said, "The weather is often uncooperative, so please take the umbrella just in case."

Tong Qian looked at him, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

He was just a eunuch.

"You dog servant!" Gao Ping, her hair disheveled, grabbed something from the dressing table and threw it at the kneeling palace maid.

She gradually calmed down after smashing things until she was exhausted.

Gao Ruhai didn't return all night, and none of the men she sent back came back. The meaning was obvious: was she about to lose?

No, she cannot lose, and she will not lose!

"Do my hair and makeup." The palace maid who had been kneeling on the ground shakily got up, her hands trembling as if she were sifting flour.

When she had just styled her hair, she hadn't concealed the white hairs on the Imperial Concubine's head, and the Imperial Concubine saw them, which is why she was so upset.

"I don't need you, just bring Lingxiang!"

The palace maid, with red eyes, went out to call for someone, crying very sadly.

"Sister Lingyu, why are you crying like this?"

Ling Yu hid in a corner, her eyes swollen from crying. She saw that it was a young palace maid who had just entered Weiyang Palace, and shook her head helplessly to indicate that she was fine.

Things are different now than in previous years. When the Imperial Concubine was in power, everyone's life was good. Now that new concubines have entered the palace, the Imperial Concubine's power has been divided among the four other concubines. The Imperial Concubine is unhappy, and the servants are even less happy.

"Sister, don't be sad. I got some new pastries. Let's eat together!" The little palace maid took out some exquisite pastries and shared them with Ling Yu. The two hid in a corner and ate a few pieces of pastries.

In the afternoon, the palace maids couldn't find Ling Yu and the little palace maid anywhere. It wasn't until evening that they found their bodies in a corner behind the palace.

The sudden appearance of two corpses shocked the entire palace.

That evening, Yuwen Wuji arrived at Weiyang Palace and personally took charge of the situation.

"This servant has determined that the two palace maids died of poisoning; poisoned pastries were found in their stomachs."

"According to those below, today this little palace maid went to Consort Song's palace to deliver something. Consort Song praised her for being well-behaved and rewarded her with pastries."

"These pastries were delivered to Consort Zhaoyi by the people from the Imperial Kitchen."

Yuwen Wuji was greatly alarmed and hurriedly sent someone to inquire about Song Wenyue's situation.

The messenger quickly returned to report: "Your Majesty, Consort Zhao was so frightened by this that her water broke, and she is about to give birth!"

"Prepare the carriage!" Yuwen Wuji disregarded the matters at hand and went to check on Song Wenyue's condition first.

The delivery room for Song Wenyue has been set up, and the midwife and others are working hard.

"Hot water! Hasn't the hot water boiled yet?!"

"Her Majesty has fainted from the pain! How can she give birth now! Quick, the ginseng soup! Is the ginseng soup ready yet?!"

The room was in complete chaos, with no place for Yuwen Wuji to even step.

"Your Majesty, please move to the side hall. Giving birth is not a quick process. I will stay here and inform you as soon as Her Majesty gives birth!" Li Wei advised.

Seeing the chaotic scene, Yuwen Wuji was also annoyed. He ordered the Imperial Concubine to stay and quell the disturbance, and was about to leave when a palace maid rushed out of the room, saying, "Your Majesty, Consort Zhaoyi requests that you stay here!"

"She can't give birth right away even if I'm here." Yuwen Wuji was in a terrible mood tonight.

"Her Majesty said that the plate of pastries today was sent by the Imperial Concubine! She couldn't rest easy without you here!"

Upon hearing this, Consort Gao Ping's expression changed drastically.

"What nonsense! When did I send her pastries? She's about to give birth; she's more suited to drinking soup and broth!"

"Your Majesty, Her Majesty is currently at a critical juncture of life and death. Please, Your Majesty, grant Her Majesty's request, so that Her Majesty can give birth with peace of mind!" The palace maid pleaded, kneeling on the ground.

Yuwen Wuji took a deep breath and glanced at the Imperial Concubine.

Gao Ping looked flustered, but it wasn't the unease that comes from doing something wrong. He could tell she hadn't done it.

But now, everything is for the sake of my child.

"Guards, seize the Imperial Concubine!"