The day of the Southern Tour finally arrived.
At dawn, the Forbidden City was shrouded in a thin mist, and the palace servants and guards were already lined up to wait.
Lin Yun, dressed in light palace attire, stood beside the imperial carriage, holding the small hands of Hongyao and Zhaohua.
Emperor Yongzheng, dressed in casual clothes, glanced at the concubines and court officials who had come to see him off, and finally his gaze landed on Lin Yun. He said softly, "Is everything ready?"
Lin Yun nodded, a sly glint in her eyes: "Your Majesty, rest assured, everything is arranged properly."
Yongzheng smiled slightly and took her hand: "Let's set off."
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After the imperial procession left the palace, Changming stood on the palace wall, watching the departing entourage, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
To be absolutely sure, he decided to test the waters first.
So, he went to Consort Qi's Zhongcui Palace under the pretext of reporting on some matters.
Consort Qi was reviewing the monthly reports from various departments when Chang Ming entered. Without looking up, she asked, "What important matter does Chief Steward Chang have?"
Chang Ming bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, this servant is concerned that His Majesty has already made his southern tour. Perhaps the palace's expenses need to be adjusted? I have come to inquire."
Consort Qi then looked up at him: "Just prepare according to the old custom, why bother asking?"
A calculating glint flashed in Chang Ming's eyes as he lowered his voice and said, "Your Majesty may not know, but there are some provisions in the old regulations..." He deliberately hesitated before continuing.
Consort Qi frowned: "Speak plainly."
Chang Ming leaned closer, smiling obsequiously, "For example, the monthly stipends for palace maids and eunuchs used to be distributed through the Imperial Household Department, but now they're distributed uniformly by the Finance Department. This adds an extra step and makes errors more likely. This servant thinks it would be better to take this opportunity to restore the old system..."
Upon hearing this, Consort Qi's face darkened: "Chief Eunuch Chang, these are the rules set by Her Highness the Imperial Concubine; how can they be changed arbitrarily?"
Chang Ming quickly explained, "Your Highness misunderstands. This servant doesn't mean to change the rules, but rather that since the Noble Consort is not in the palace, following the old system would save a lot of trouble..."
"Silence!" Consort Qi interrupted sharply. "Before leaving the palace, the Imperial Concubine specifically instructed that everything remain as before. If Chief Eunuch Chang brings this matter up again, I will report it to the Emperor!"
Chang Ming was so frightened that he repeatedly agreed and slunk away.
Stepping out of Zhongcui Palace, his face immediately darkened, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "You won't listen to reason, so don't blame me for being ruthless!"
He decided to change his strategy and start with the lower-ranking palace maids and eunuchs.
These people are timid and easily controlled. As long as you use threats and inducements, you won't have to worry about them not obediently complying.
---
Meanwhile, Consort Yu was receiving an uninvited guest in her palace—Changming's trusted eunuch, Xiao Li.
"Your Majesty, Chief Steward Chang sent me to deliver a message to you." Little Li glanced around furtively and said in a low voice,
He said that as long as the Empress turns a blind eye during the Consort's absence from the palace, she will be richly rewarded in the future.
Consort Yu toyed with the teacup in her hand, a half-smile playing on her lips: "Oh? Does Chief Eunuch Chang intend for me to collude with him?"
Little Li quickly waved his hand: "Your Highness is too kind! Chief Steward Chang was just thinking that since the Imperial Concubine is not here, some rules can be... flexible."
Consort Yu sneered, then slammed her teacup down on the table: "Go back and tell Changming that while I am not some chaste and virtuous woman, I would never stoop to the level of a villain like him! If he dares to cause trouble in the harem, I will be the first to report to the Noble Consort!"
Little Li was so frightened that his face turned ashen, and he scrambled out of the room.
Consort Yu watched his disheveled figure, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.
She pondered for a moment, then summoned her personal maid: "Go, tell Consort Qi everything that happened today, and say... Changming is probably about to make a big move."
Chang Ming moved faster than expected.
The next day, under the pretext of "saving expenses," he ordered the imperial kitchen to change its purchasing records to "reporting every three days," and secretly instructed his confidants to overstate the daily quantity of ingredients by 30%.
Upon learning this, Granny Li feigned panic and approached Chang Ming: "Steward, this... if it's discovered, it's a capital offense!"
Chang Ming narrowed his eyes and patted her shoulder: "Don't worry, Granny. The Emperor is on a southern tour. The mountains are high and the roads are long. Who will check carefully? Besides, I personally reviewed the accounts. There won't be any mistakes." He lowered his voice, "After it's done, you'll definitely get your share of the benefits."
Granny Li feigned hesitation, but finally nodded "reluctantly": "This old servant will obey the steward."
In the following days, Chang Ming became increasingly unscrupulous.
He not only embezzled his monthly allowance, but also applied to the Ministry of Revenue for an extra 5,000 taels of silver under the pretext of "palace repairs".
Consort Qi pretended not to know, while Consort Yu and Consort Mao watched coldly, secretly recording every single one of his accounts.
Ten days later, a secret letter was delivered by fast horse to Emperor Yongzheng during his southern tour.
He unfolded it and his face turned cold: "Chang Ming really couldn't hold back anymore."
Lin Yun leaned closer and asked softly, "Your Majesty, is this news from the palace?" Yongzheng handed her the letter: "Chang Ming has embezzled nearly ten thousand taels of silver."
Lin Yun smiled slightly: "In that case, it's time to close the net."
A few days later, a group of guards quietly returned to the Forbidden City, carrying an imperial edict from Emperor Yongzheng, and went straight to the Imperial Household Department.
At this moment, Chang Ming was counting the silver in the room when he suddenly heard a commotion outside the door. Before he could react, the door was kicked open.
The head guard said coldly, "Changming, the Emperor has decreed: You have committed embezzlement and perverted the law, and the evidence against you is conclusive. You are to be imprisoned immediately!"
Chang Ming's face turned ashen, but he forced himself to remain calm: "Injustice! Someone has framed me!"
The guard sneered and waved for his men to search under his bed and find several boxes filled with forged ledgers and stolen silver.
Upon seeing this, Chang Ming's legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground.
Three days later, Yongzheng and Lin Yun received good news from the palace.
In her letter, Consort Yu wrote in detail: "Changming was executed, and his accomplices were all wiped out."
Lin Yun closed the letter and let out a long sigh of relief.
Emperor Yongzheng put his arm around her shoulder and laughed, “My dear consort, your plan is brilliant. It eliminates the parasites without alarming the court.”
Lin Yun leaned against him and whispered, "It's just that he was too arrogant and didn't even put the Emperor's people in his eyes."
Yongzheng looked down at her, his eyes full of mockery: "Indeed, how dare you offend our Imperial Concubine, you are simply arrogant."
Lin Yun looked up at the Emperor, and Yongzheng burst into laughter.
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