Logically speaking, the empress's position is second only to the emperor in rank, and she can be considered the mother of the nation.
Even though the emperor only said it like that, it made Zhao Yan feel a little sweet inside. But soon she shook her head repeatedly, feeling guilty, and then began to speak with remorse.
"Your Majesty, let's drop this matter! I've already wronged my sister terribly, how could I possibly compete with her for the title?"
"If word gets out, people will laugh their heads off, and I'll be scorned and cursed!"
Qin Yu was completely unconcerned about Zhao Yan's worries, and then gave a wicked laugh.
Why worry so much?
"If all else fails, we'll just have two phoenixes side by side!"
With an emperor and two empresses, and top-notch sisters, wouldn't the happiness be doubled, and the ultimate bliss be unparalleled!
Unbelievable! Zhao Yan felt that the emperor's statement was simply outrageous!
A flush ran down her neck, around her spine, and throughout her body; she was so ashamed that she buried her head deep in her chest.
"What? Your Majesty! This is outrageous!"
Zhao Yan's coy and affected expression reignited Qin Yu's lust. He grabbed her slender leg and began to speak with a wicked smile.
"Since your sister's not here, we should cherish this time!"
Just as they were about to make a final push, there was a knock on the palace door.
Zi Yan's somewhat anxious voice suddenly came through.
"emperor!"
"Minister Tan has arrived at the Imperial Study. He is eager to see you, saying he has important matters to discuss!"
Upon hearing this, Qin Yu chuckled inwardly.
Old Deng finally couldn't hold back anymore!
But then again, who could withstand such open and covert pressure from me?
Even a cornered dog will jump over the wall!
"Your Majesty, please go and attend to your duties!"
Zhao Yan obediently got up and dutifully helped him get dressed, and then tidied up his appearance.
Qin Yu felt that this girl was a thousand times more sensible than her older sister.
He couldn't help but affectionately rub her little head and praise her again.
"Yan'er, you are so obedient!"
After saying this, he left a kiss on her forehead before leisurely heading to the study.
"Your Majesty... someone is plotting to harm me! You must avenge me!"
As soon as Qin Yu stepped through the doorway, Tan Wu rushed over and poured out his grievances.
"Oh? Minister Tan, let's go inside and talk!"
Qin Yu plopped down on the dragon throne and asked a question he already knew the answer to.
"What's going on? Is someone trying to harm the current Minister of the Imperial Court?"
His expression was one of utter grievance, like a wronged little wife.
"It's Wang Ziru! It's that group of officials who owe me money. I had just returned home when a sharp arrow flew by with the two big characters 'Pay back the money' on it. This must be their doing!"
Qin Yu shrugged, his expression one of utter helplessness.
"Alas! My dear minister, the law does not punish the masses. This matter is inconclusive and there is no clear direction in the investigation. Surely I cannot dismiss all the officials?"
Hearing this, Tan Wu felt even more aggrieved, but he had no way to refute it.
Indeed, even if we do catch them, so what!
The government is in debt, and this incompetent ruler has no grounds for owing money.
I almost lost my life today, so I can only swallow my pride and bear it!
Tan Wu bowed and begged directly.
"Your Majesty, I can only endure it. After all, I am serving Your Majesty!"
"But the national treasury is currently severely depleted. Yesterday, I led a team to carefully count the funds, and we found that there was only less than 300,000 taels of silver. As Your Majesty knows, I am usually honest and frugal and have never had any other income. I have no extra silver to repay the national debt."
"Now that Wang Ziru and his group of officials are pressing us hard, what should we do? Please give us your guidance, Your Majesty!"
Honest and frugal?
Pfft! Qin Yu almost burst out laughing.
Which of these four characters is related to you?
That old Deng is utterly shameless!
Now that he has gained some leverage over me by using the shooting incident as an excuse, and is taking the opportunity to bring it up, I really can't refuse directly.
However, he had arranged everything afterward himself, so how could he let that old man succeed?
Qin Yu put on a serious expression and solemnly made a promise.
"Minister Tan! Don't worry!"
"I will certainly give you all help, except for tangible assistance! I am with you!"
Tan Wu's lips twitched.
This tyrant is playing me for a fool!
Just as he was about to speak and argue his point, the emperor suddenly changed the subject.
"However! The matter of national debt needs further consideration. Let's talk about something else first!"
"I heard your father is dead? His head was chopped off by bandits and his body is lying at your doorstep?"
"Although I am deeply saddened by your father's unfortunate fate, according to the law, Minister Tan, you are required to end your mourning period, aren't you? Moreover, you are unable to handle the matter of the national debt. Therefore, I hereby grant you permission to return to your hometown immediately to end your mourning period!"
When his father was mentioned again, Tan Wu felt a pang of pain in his heart, but he repeatedly denied and explained.
"Huh? My father isn't dead! Someone is deliberately framing me and making fun of me! After all, I'm also deeply resented because of the national debt issue!"
Qin Yu pretended to suddenly realize something and acted as if he believed it without a doubt.
"Oh! I see! I heard you were kicking and stomping on that corpse, so it must not be your father!"
Tan Wu didn't want to recall that day's events, and now he felt extremely ashamed, but he still had to grit his teeth and respond.
"Yes! Why show mercy to people who are unrelated to me? My father is alive and well! I visit him every day!"
"Filial piety! Absolutely the most filial piety imaginable! To hold such a high position and still possess such a filial heart, I hereby write down 'The Most Filial Piety Under Heaven' for you to take back, to awaken the people of the world, how about that?"
Qin Yu's lips kept turning upwards as he tried his best to suppress his laughter.
Tan Wu, who was standing there, had an extremely dark face. He remained silent for a long time without giving a response.
It seems this incompetent ruler is using the poor handling of the national debt issue as an excuse to cause trouble again. If he really investigates thoroughly, he will probably be exposed, because the truth will eventually come out!
Tan Wu frantically expressed that he had no desire to seek help from this tyrannical emperor.
"Filial piety is the foremost virtue of our Great Xia Dynasty. As the Minister of Revenue, this is only to be expected of you. There is no need to mention it!"
"Regarding the national debt, I believe I can still think of a solution!"
Qin Yu nodded repeatedly and waved his hand.
"In that case, my dear minister, you shall go and do it quickly!"
"yes!"
The reason he was in such a hurry to send people away was simply that he couldn't hold back any longer.
After seeing that he had completely walked away, Qin Yu finally burst into unrestrained laughter!
"Hahaha, Anfu at the door was startled and hurriedly walked in."
"Your Majesty! What's wrong with you?"
"It's nothing, I just thought of something good to do for filial piety!"
"Oh... by the way, General Zhu heard that Your Majesty is working hard day and night, so he specially brought you deer blood to nourish your kidneys and requests an audience with Your Majesty!"
Qin Yu immediately became cautious, glancing towards the door where he saw several eunuchs approaching.
With an excited expression, Qin Yu chuckled wickedly, "Oh? General Zhu is truly thoughtful! Quickly, let him in!"
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