The hall of Tiandou Palace reverberated with accusations.
The puppet-controlled official of the Household Ministry, his eyes burning with strange conviction, raised his voice for all the empire to hear:
"According to our investigations and transaction records, the Household Ministry concludes that senior officials of Fasno Province's deputy bank have plundered Tiandou's people, amassing illegal wealth far beyond reason!"
Gasps rippled through the rows of ministers.
The man did not stop. His body trembled as words poured like a flood.
"The only reason Xingluo Empire maintains 'harmony' with Fasno isn't diplomacy, but corruption! That deputy official secretly sends treasures across the border every year, bribing Xingluo to buy peace. Worse still, he bribes officials within our own court, purchasing protection against turmoil!"
He shouted, voice cracking, yet blazing with feverish righteousness. "This so-called offset of merit and error is shameful! Treasonous!"
The words struck in waves, each heavier than the last. Ministers stiffened, color draining from their faces.
"And more!" the puppet declared, trembling on the edge of hysteria. "The famine that broke out last year in the western provinces? Sanctions! Neighboring officials deliberately cut commercial flow, collapsing the system, draining coin into their coffers while starving Tiandou's own people!"
His accusations rang like thunder.
Around the court, whispers exploded. Who gave him such courage? Was this all prearranged?
On his throne, Emperor Snow Night frowned deeply, rubbing his temples. This was not what he had planned. He wanted dissent controlled, not chaos unleashed. Yet now, an obscure mid-level official ripped corruption into daylight like a mad prophet.
Subei's masked eyes glimmered from his corner seat. Puppet strings pulled tight. He doesn't know it, but I've used his buried conscience like a blade. Now bleed, court vermin.
The manipulated man staggered on, oblivious. "And as for the deaths of the Princes? Ridiculous that people whisper blame on His Highness! His record is pure, his nature noble! Only fools suspect otherwise!"
For the first time, the military minister slammed a hand against his desk. "Enough! The Household has long mismanaged the economy. This is no revelation. But to drag such matters here, today—this is treachery!"
The trembling official glared in return. "Treachery? Every gold soul coin you misused is recorded in our ledgers. Hundreds of millions bleed yearly into your halls! And speaking of secrets…" His lips twisted, and ministers flinched as though lightning struck near.
"I know who among you keeps a mistress… who lies with the wives of their peers. The documents exist! Go home and wonder—if you find your wife in another's bed, perhaps this emperor will be shocked indeed!"
The hall exploded.
"This man is mad!"
"How dare he—!"
"Expose such filth in front of His Majesty—!"
Even Snow Night Emperor stiffened, a vein rising on his temple. This… this was too far. Tiandou's mask of grandeur snapped into farce. Ministers' secrets spilled across marble floors like sewage.
Even Xue Qinghe blinked, momentarily shaken. She swept the room quickly, suspicion razor-edged. In her heart, one thought pierced clear: This was not Father. He would never expose the court so crudely. Then who—?
Her golden eyes cut sideways. Through the veil of incense and chaos, her gaze fixed upon one figure in the corner. The boy in the mask. His shoulders relaxed, his fingers idly playing against his sleeve as if plucking invisible strings.
Imperial Brother… was this you?
Her cheeks threatened to heat. What manner of child are you? What storms do you stir with just a flick of your hand? If it's truly you… then— her lips quirked to hide a rare smile—then I might never let you go.
But the emperor could no longer delay.
Snow Night raised a hand, silencing the hall with authority. "Enough. This is not the day for farce. These men have lost their senses, speaking nonsense in their fever. Guards—take them to the Meridian Gate! Execute swiftly. Their prior service earns them quiet burials. No publicity, no spectacle. Make this end here."
The eunuch at his side echoed coldly: "By Imperial command!"
Soldiers surged forward. Golden knights in heavy armor seized the raving official by his arms. He fought, shouted, his voice raw with desperate truth.
"Your Majesty, I am not mad! Every word is true! I speak for Tiandou, for the throne, for the Crown Prince! Don't let the dogs of court devour this kingdom! I… am a loyal minister!"
His voice cracked into terror as he was dragged toward death. "Your Majesty! Don't kill me! I only—"
His screams echoed out of the hall and into abrupt silence.
At last, Subei loosened his grip. The man's body went limp, consciousness fading like a snuffed candle. Only then did he realize, dimly, what had been forced from him. Sweat poured down his back, his knees buckled, and he lay sprawling on the marble tiles.
What… what have I done? He recalled speaking names, spilling crimes, revealing adultery before the Emperor himself. Shame crushed him. His heart fell hollow. I'm dead. Even if His Majesty pardons me, those I shamed will not. I… I gambled everything and lost.
"Your Majesty," the Household Minister seized the chance to recover, his face shadowed with cold fury, "my subordinate is deceived, babbling chaos, impersonating justice. His crimes resound to heaven and earth. Evidence, too, is twisted! Yet…" He smirked darkly, pulling out a scroll thick with numbers. "I have here the true records of embezzlement. His theft totals—five million, eight hundred seventy-one thousand, four hundred twenty-six gold soul coins, seven silver, three copper. Pathetic scraps compared to truth."
A collective hiss swept the chamber. Details upon details, to the coin.
At least this part he rehearsed, Subei thought, amused. Household vermin never come without shelter. Documents at hand, numbers ready. The devil is always prepared when he himself is the guilty one.
The Emperor rubbed his temples with weary exasperation. How untidy. This coronation was supposed to suppress, to delay power without bloodletting. Instead, the veil ripped aside, court's corruption displayed to the world.
Yet, through the storm, Xue Qinghe bowed deeply, her voice calm, unwavering:
"Your Majesty, your son accepts the chaos. But Tiandou cannot stand leaderless. Let the East Palace be established now, so the people may at least rest."
The Emperor's eyes lingered long upon her—half pride, half unease—before his voice rang clear and resolute:
"So be it!"
"The Crown Prince shall rule in the East Palace! The matter is sealed. No more discussion!"
The hall fell prostrate, waves of black-robed officials kowtowing to the golden-crowned figure.
Subei exhaled softly through his mask. Task complete. You're safe, Xuemei.
A clear chime echoed in his mind.
[System Reward Granted:]
① Angelic Sacred Blood – divine purity infused.
② Body doubled in strength; equivalent to Soul Respect in current endurance.
③ One immortal herb of choice.
[Additional Favor – Qian Renxue's Mystery Raised:]
① Primary System Privilege unlocked.
② First Soul Ring age increased to 1,000 years.
③ Preliminary access to Dragon God's second skill – Son of Dragon's Negation.
A cruel smile touched his young lips. Perfect.
Above, Qian Renxue lowered her gaze only half a step, glancing once more toward the masked boy. Heat lingered in her gaze, her lips curving faintly, a secret only the two of them shared.
--
Unlock 50 exclusive advanced chapters for just $10 – don't miss out! Check the synopsis/description for the link! 🚀
Loved this fic? 🔥 Then you'll absolutely binge my other hits — "Douluo Dalu: Ten Thousand Years Early System!" & "Douluo Dalu: The Godly Drunkard System" — don't miss out!