"Oh? Let them in."

Yun Beiye's face showed displeasure.

It seems that one or two of these ministers are disliked by Yun Beiye.

Yun Duoduo looked at the doorway, and the little eunuch lifted the thick curtain.

Chi Nanhou, Lord Huang, Lord Kang...

[The Marquis of Chi Nan, that scoundrel who harmed innocent young girls.]

That scoundrel, just looking at him would shorten my lifespan.

When we get back, I'll have to wash my eyes properly.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects." The three ministers bowed and greeted His Majesty.

Marquis Tan Biao of Chi Nan walked in with an arrogant expression. This man was tall and had a long scar on his face that ran from the corner of his right eye to his mouth. He looked very fierce and scary. It seemed that this scar also highlighted his great military achievements.

Yun Beiye nodded. "Please take a seat."

[You damned bastard! You came to see me this time wearing a yellow robe again, you really don't respect me at all!]

Tan Biao was wearing a light yellow robe.

This bright yellow color was reserved for the emperor of Nanyang, while Tan Biao's yellow robe was only slightly darker than bright yellow.

Such disrespect for imperial authority is enough to warrant a charge of serious disrespect against him.

However, the Tan family has soldiers, and most of the Tan family members are military generals with military achievements. Although Tan Biao's character is worse than ever before, Yun Beiye is not willing to easily touch him.

The minister's attire was not in accordance with regulations, and this should have been raised by a minister from the Ministry of Rites, who would then submit a memorial to the throne, giving Yunbei a pretext to deal with Tan Biao.

However, those who opposed Tan Biao were either insane or had encountered bandits, and the ministers of the Ministry of Rites dared not submit a memorial to impeach him.

Yun Duoduo glanced at Yun Beiye's face and saw a faint smile on his face.

Indeed, emperors are masters of disguise.

This is what they call someone who's all smiles on the surface but cursing inside.

"Your Majesty, we have important matters to report."

"Okay, go ahead and say it."

"Your Majesty, is it inappropriate for the Princess to be here?" Lord Huang bent over, glancing at Yun Duoduo.

[Wow, Lord Huang, you've gone blind so quickly?]

“Minister Huang, this is the Ninth Princess.”

“My most beloved youngest daughter,” Yun Beiye corrected.

"Ah, Your Majesty, please forgive me. This old minister was mistaken for General Jin's beloved daughter, Princess Jianing!"

"Are you getting old and your eyesight is failing? Judging by your age, you're probably in your prime, with a harem of wives and concubines, living a life of revelry every night!"

[You've seen me at so many banquets, are you pretending to have mistaken me for someone else?]

How can Princess Jianing look so much like Yun Beiye?

Can a subject's woman sit on the dragon throne?

Yun Duoduo glared at him with displeasure. It wasn't that she was overreacting or that she was too aggressive, but rather that deliberately calling him by the wrong name meant that he was dissatisfied with or disdainful of her.

"Speaking of the Jin family, this old minister is reminded of General Jin, who is also favored by the Emperor. Why doesn't he know how to share His Majesty's burdens and guard the northern frontier?"

[Wow, this Minister Huang really knows how to play the field, seizing every opportunity to sow discord!]

"Oh? Minister Huang, I've heard that your eldest son is also quite patriotic. Why don't you let him go and see the beautiful scenery of Nanyang and the northern frontier?" Yun Beiye raised an eyebrow.

Huang Meipin, the Prefect of Jingzhao, coughed awkwardly twice.

"Speak, what is it?"

"Your Majesty, the weather is cold in winter, and suddenly there are many more refugees begging for warm clothes in the capital."

"The influx of these refugees into the capital has greatly affected the city's security. Some unruly people, seeing that beggars are not getting anything, will directly rob them."

"Yes, I have heard about this matter. What do you, my esteemed ministers, think should be done?"

"Your Majesty, I believe that we should send troops to suppress them, and execute any unruly people who refuse to obey us on the spot!"

Marquis Chi Nan made a throat-slitting gesture.

[Killing the troublesome commoner is the most direct and convenient solution; if there's a pretty young lady with a round, plump bottom, then bring her back to the manor for a bit of fun.]

Marquis Chi Nan touched the corner of his mouth, revealing a greedy and lecherous expression.

Looking at this wicked beast, Yun Duoduo felt a tightness in her chest.

[Tan Biao is truly ruthless; is there no one who can control this beast?!]

"Well, or, I could send people to drive these refugees out of the capital." Huang Meipin felt that killing them directly was too cruel, but he couldn't directly refute Tan Biao.

“No, Huang Meiping, as the Prefect of the Capital, you can send troops to drive them out, but driving the refugees out of the capital will not solve the problem at its root.” Kang Fuguo’s face stiffened, and he waved his hands repeatedly.

[Huang, Huang Meipin? So this minister's name is Huang Meipin...]

Yun Duoduo carefully examined Huang Meipin.

Huang Meiping was chubby with narrow, almost closed eyes that squinted into slits when he smiled. His belly bulged outwards, and his palace attire seemed to struggle to conceal this unruly belly within its garments.

His face was shiny with oil, a sign that he had eaten very well.

[This is the capital, the Prefect of the Capital?]

Yun Duoduo was a little confused. "How much of a slacker must Huang Meipin be at work? A working-class person in charge of the capital's security, getting this fat—he obviously spends all his time giving orders and doesn't do any real work himself."

"Moreover, the people will be disheartened."

"If word gets out and Northern Liang and Western Chu find out, what will become of Nanyang's reputation?"

As the group discussed and argued, the imperial kitchen delivered porridge, snacks, and steamed buns.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!