From cute to empress

After the court session, I immediately summoned the Supreme Court Justice and laid before him all the evidence I had gathered. This evidence, some from the magic circle records, some from Zhen Youcai's covert investigation, was sufficient to expose the crimes of Concubine Yang and Internal Affairs Supervisor Sun to the world.

"I want you to personally try this case. You must be fair and just and give an explanation to the people of the world!" I said in a deep voice, with unquestionable majesty in my tone.

The Dali Temple official took his orders and left. I rubbed my swollen temples. This fight was far more thrilling than I'd imagined. If it weren't for the magic circle's timely warning, I'm afraid I would have fallen into their trap.

Three days later, the Dali Temple convened to try the corruption case of Concubine Yang and Internal Affairs Director Sun. I, dressed in my dragon robe, sat upright on the throne, looking down at the two men kneeling in the hall.

"Yang Fei, do you admit your guilt?" I asked coldly.

Yang Fei raised her head, her once charming face now filled with resentment. "When you want to accuse someone, you'll always find a pretext! You planned all this. You've been wanting to kill me for a long time!"

I sneered and signaled the Supreme Court Justice to present the evidence. Each shocking piece of evidence, each account book of corruption and bribery, and the testimony of the palace maids and eunuchs they had tortured, all turned into sharp blades, nailing the crimes of Concubine Yang and Housekeeper Sun to the pillar of shame.

The court was in uproar, with ministers whispering and discussing the matter. I looked at the shocked and angry expressions on their faces, but I felt no sense of pride, only deep sorrow.

"Today I will reorganize the harem and clean up the mess!" I declared loudly. "From today on, all harem expenses must be strictly implemented according to the regulations. No one is allowed to embezzle money under any pretext. The Ministry of Internal Affairs must also strengthen management and put an end to all corruption!"

I looked around and my eyes fell on those officials who had colluded with Concubine Yang and the Internal Affairs Manager Sun. They all lowered their heads at this moment and did not dare to look me in the eye.

"I know that some of you are involved in this. I will give you a chance. If you take the initiative to stand up and confess your crimes, I can spare your lives!" My voice was icy and piercing, echoing in the hall for a long time.

After a brief silence, several officials staggered out of the queue, knelt on the ground, and confessed their crimes in trembling voices.

I looked at them, feeling a mixture of emotions. This storm had only just begun...

"Pass on my order..." I spoke slowly, my tone firm, "Concubine Yang..."

"Pass on my decree..." I spoke slowly, my tone firm, "Concubine Yang, strip you of your title, demote you to a commoner, and immediately banish you to the cold palace!"

My words echoed throughout the hall. Concubine Yang looked up in disbelief, her eyes fixed on me with resentment, as if she wanted to tear me apart. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something more, but was dragged away by the guards, leaving only shrill shouts and curses echoing through the hall.

"Eunuch Sun, as an official appointed by the imperial court, has no desire to serve the country. Instead, he has accepted bribes and murdered loyal officials. His crimes are unforgivable!" I cast a sharp gaze on the collapsed Eunuch Sun. "Dismiss him from his post, investigate him, and confiscate his property!"

Internal Affairs Manager Sun looked as pale as death. He knew that severe punishment would be waiting for him, and his greedy life would come to an end at this moment.

Other officials implicated in the case were dismissed from their posts, exiled to remote areas, and some, whose crimes were less serious, were demoted and had their salaries fined. Looking at them, I felt no joy, only a heavy sense of responsibility.

After this storm, the entire harem seemed completely renewed. I appointed an upright and honest official as the head of the Imperial Household Department and selected several highly skilled physicians from the Imperial Hospital to oversee the palace's daily medical affairs. Thanks to their efforts, order was restored to the palace, and the harem finally regained its long-lost peace.

In the dead of night, I stood alone in the Imperial Garden, gazing at the starry sky, my heart filled with exhaustion. Although I had won this struggle, it had also made me see the wickedness of human nature and understand the weight of power.

"Your Majesty, it's late, you should rest." Zhen Youcai's voice sounded behind me, pulling me back from my thoughts.

I turned to look at him. In the moonlight, his face was filled with worry. He had been running around investigating the crimes of Concubine Yang and Housekeeper Sun, and he had lost a lot of weight.

"Youcai, this time it's all thanks to you." I walked over to him, gently held his hand, and said sincerely, "If it weren't for you, I..."

"Your Majesty, you are too kind. This is what I should do." Zhen Youcai lowered his head, and a strange light flashed in his eyes.

I looked at him, and a warm feeling welled up in my heart. Just as I was about to say something, I suddenly felt his hand tremble slightly...

What happened to his hand? I was confused, but it was difficult to ask directly, so I just followed his lead and said, "You must have put a lot of thought into this. Come to think of it, I haven't thanked you properly yet."

"It is my duty to share your majesty's worries." Zhen Youcai raised his head and looked at me with a burning gaze. "Everything I do is for your majesty and for the country of Da Niu!"

His eyes were sincere and passionate, and something in me moved. I avoided his gaze and said softly, "This incident has made me realize that governing a country is not an easy task. The crimes of Concubine Yang and Internal Affairs Director Sun are certainly hateful, but they are just the tip of the iceberg among the many corrupt officials. If we want to eradicate corruption, we have a long and arduous journey ahead."

"Your Majesty is wise and perceptive," Zhen Youcai praised. "I believe that as long as Your Majesty persists in your beliefs and works hard to govern, the future of Daniu will be even brighter!"

His words were filled with confidence and hope, and they resonated with me. I took a deep breath, suppressed my fatigue, and said, "You're right. I can't let the difficulties before me defeat me. I will strive to become a wise ruler and ensure that the people of Daniu live a peaceful and prosperous life!"

"Your Majesty can definitely do it!" Zhen Youcai's voice was firm and powerful, like a shot of adrenaline injected into my heart.

I looked at him, feeling an inexplicable surge of emotion. He had been by my side throughout this time, offering advice and helping me solve my problems. His support and encouragement had given me immense strength and instilled in me an indescribable dependence on him.

"It's getting late, you should go back and rest early." I collected my thoughts and said to him.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhen Youcai saluted respectfully and turned to leave.

I gazed at his back, a sudden pang of reluctance rising in my heart. Since crossing into this world, I've experienced so much, seen through so much of human nature. Only in his presence can I let down my guard and be my true self.

"Your Majesty..." Just as I was lost in thought, a timid voice came from behind me.

I turned around and saw a little eunuch standing not far away, holding a tray with a letter on it.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

"Your Majesty, this is a secret letter that has just been delivered. It says it is extremely urgent and must be delivered to Your Majesty personally." The young eunuch said as he handed over the tray.

I took the letter, opened it, and my expression suddenly darkened. It read: "My investigations have revealed that the Xiongnu in the northern border are stirring, seemingly intending to move south..." I rubbed my aching forehead, mulling over how to capture all of Concubine Yang and Chamberlain Sun's followers, and thoroughly overhaul the harem and the Imperial Household Department. This seemingly peaceful palace is actually fraught with undercurrents. A single misstep could spell disaster. I must tread cautiously to remain victorious in this game of thrones.

"Your Majesty..." Li Defu tiptoed in. Seeing I was awake, he hurried forward and asked, "Would you like to have dinner?"

I shook my head and asked, "Is there anything important today?"

Li Defu thought for a while and said, "Your Majesty, there is nothing important today, but..." He seemed hesitant and seemed to be a little hesitant.

"Speak, I forgive you." I said lightly.

"Yes," Li Defu finally said with courage, "I heard that during the morning court session today, several officials were arguing endlessly in the Golden Palace. It seemed that it was about the war in the northern border..."

Northern Xinjiang? My mind raced. Northern Xinjiang had always been turbulent, constantly at war with the Xiongnu. Could something have happened? Just as I was thinking, I heard hurried footsteps outside the door. Then, a young eunuch rushed in, holding a letter high in his hand. He shouted, "Your Majesty, urgent military information! It's urgent!"

My heart tightened, and I quickly stood up to take the letter. "Urgent, To Yourself," was written in large letters on the envelope. My hands trembled slightly, and a sense of foreboding washed over me. I took a deep breath and slowly opened the envelope. The handwriting was so strong it showed through the paper, clearly indicating the writer's deep anxiety.

"Your Majesty..." I quickly glanced at the contents of the letter, my face suddenly turned pale, and the letter paper in my hand fell to the ground.

Seeing this, Li Defu hurried forward and asked, "Your Majesty, what's wrong with you?"

I pointed at the letter on the ground and said in a trembling voice, "Look for yourself..."