After Entering The Abusive Novel, I Became The Empress - chapter 9

“The people are the foundation of the dynasty. Without the nourishment of the people, there can be no towering tree of Da Yin.”

The study was utterly silent. After reading the message on the paper, the three of them were stirred by different ripples in their hearts.

“Jingchuan, if I recall correctly, General Lu Zhong is your second uncle.”

Qin Yuqing returned to her senses, turned her head toward Lu Jingchuan, and carefully observed his expression.

Lu Jingchuan’s face remained utterly calm. He stared silently at the paper in his hand. The handwriting was unmistakably that of his second uncle, but for a moment, he did not know how to respond.

“Jingchuan?” The Emperor’s gaze carried a trace of fatherly affection, but far more sorrow. “Speak freely. There are no outsiders here.”

When Qin Yuqing saw the contents of the paper, she could somewhat understand why the Emperor had acted as he did. But understanding was one thing—accepting it was another. She could not approve of his method.

“It is indeed Second Uncle’s handwriting. As for the matter of the inside agent mentioned here…” Lu Jingchuan paused to think, then looked up at the Emperor and said bluntly, “I will investigate.”

Qin Yuqing turned her teacup slowly in her hand. A lock of hair slid down by her cheek, hiding her eyes. Lu Jingchuan’s reaction was truly fascinating—no wonder she had chosen him as her partner.

Lu Jingchuan could have asked the Emperor outright whether he wanted him to investigate. He was the only one with the authority—and the courage—to question the Emperor in anger.

Why did the Second Prince and the Yu family’s young master appear in the letter? Why were they connected to this inside agent? Why frame the Lu family’s army?

And why? Why place the lives of the common people in jeopardy?

Yet Lu Jingchuan did none of that. Instead, with a near-frenzied composure, he accepted the contents of the letter without protest. He did not question the authenticity, nor did he lose his composure. He merely followed the Emperor’s words and promised to investigate.

Qin Yuqing realized then—this man’s scheming ran deeper than she had imagined. Perhaps he had long grown accustomed to this way of survival, had long since discerned the Emperor’s temperament. He was like a wolf lurking in the shadows, bound only by the leash still holding him back.

She turned toward the Emperor. When Lu Jingchuan spoke, the Emperor showed no surprise, as though he had already predicted his answer.

Clearly, the Emperor knew what bound Lu Jingchuan in place—and knew that now was not the time to awaken this slumbering wolf.

For he still needed Lu Jingchuan. The dynasty still needed the Lu family.

“And you, Qing’er?” The Emperor looked from the letter in his hand back to Qin Yuqing. “How much of the information written here do you think is true, and how much false?”

Qin Yuqing let out a soft sigh. Did those in high positions always delight in testing others like this?

For some reason, the moment reminded her of her days before she “made it,” slaving away for her boss. Whenever she submitted a plan, her superior would always question her in the same tone:

“What do you think of your own work?”
“What do you think the client really wants?”
“What do you think the solution should be?”

“Replying to Father Emperor,” Qin Yuqing began. She knew that if she did not speak plainly today, if she left things half-said, then once she left this study, she might never get another chance.

“You said yourself that I grew up in the temple. Thus, I know little of Second Brother or the Yu family’s young master. I cannot say whether the accusations here are true. But from the current military reports, it is clear that the matter of an inside agent is no fabrication. This is no trivial issue—it concerns the fate of the dynasty. There can be no falsehoods in this.”

“Continue.” The Emperor’s gaze grew brighter with appreciation. In Qin Yuqing, he saw hope—the very image of the crown prince he had once poured his efforts into shaping.

But still too tender. She would need more tempering.

“Your daughter is willing to request a mission: to investigate the matter alongside General Lu,” Qin Yuqing said, rising and saluting him with neither servility nor arrogance. “If there is no evidence, then Second Brother is innocent. If there is evidence, then your daughter will personally execute Second Brother. His death will be justified as an accident, and the royal family’s face will remain intact.”

“He is your second brother,” the Emperor said, his eyes shadowed.

“Yes. But the people—they are the ones who bear us upon their shoulders.” Qin Yuqing met his gaze head-on, enduring the pressure. “If we fail them, then we are unworthy of the royal name.”

“I did not expect… that my Sixth Princess would dare such boldness!”

Qin Yuqing dropped to her knees with a sharp motion, yet kept her back straight. Her voice was resolute: “The people are the foundation of the dynasty. Without the nourishment of the people, there can be no towering tree of Da Yin.”

The Emperor’s gaze shifted back and forth between Qin Yuqing and Lu Jingchuan. At last, he laughed aloud. “The two of you are well matched. A pity, though—Qing’er’s heart lies elsewhere.”

Qin Yuqing only smiled faintly, saying nothing. Because she had her back to Lu Jingchuan, she did not see the loneliness flickering in his eyes.

“Qing’er, I hear the imperial examinations are soon to begin.” The Emperor suddenly changed the topic to something utterly unrelated. “Since my great-grandfather founded this dynasty, no woman has ever sat the imperial exams.”

Qin Yuqing had not expected him to bring this up. Just today, while toasting the Minister of Rites and his colleagues, she had managed to fish out some details.

The dynasty of Da Yin had been preceded by Da Yan. When Da Yin’s founding emperor—this Emperor’s great-grandfather—established the state, he decreed that Da Yan’s downfall stemmed from women participating in politics and throwing the court into chaos. Hence, he banned women from sitting the exams or serving as officials.

Over time, this had hardened into custom: women were confined to the inner chambers, their lives bound to husband and children.

“But I do not see it that way.” The Emperor’s eyes seemed to look past Qin Yuqing, toward some long-lost figure. “If you can persuade those old men, I will grant you special permission to sit the exams.”

Qin Yuqing had thought the hardest part would be winning the Emperor’s consent. After all, this was a rule laid down by the founding emperor—breaking it would surely stain his legacy in the histories.

“Your daughter thanks Your Majesty for such profound grace.” Qin Yuqing was no fool. She could sense the Emperor’s affection for her—but knew, too, that it was outweighed by his intent to use her. “Your daughter will not disappoint.”

“Go now. It grows late.” The Emperor waved his hand.

Qin Yuqing and Lu Jingchuan withdrew. Under Eunuch Zhang’s guidance, they left the palace and boarded the same carriage.

Before they departed, Eunuch Zhang stopped them. He handed Qin Yuqing a palace token. “His Majesty bids me give this to the Sixth Princess. With this token, the princess may freely enter and leave the palace.”

Then, turning to Lu Jingchuan, he produced a small imperial edict. “This is for the Young General. His Majesty leaves all matters to your discretion.”

At last, Eunuch Zhang pointed toward the carriages waiting outside. “Tomorrow, His Majesty will announce a gathering of all officials at Wenshan Palace to view the flowers. You two are to set out ahead of the court.”

“Those are His Majesty’s words. As for the rest—I know nothing and will say nothing. Please, this way.”

Qin Yuqing and Lu Jingchuan exchanged a glance. It felt as if they were pieces on the Emperor’s chessboard—and yet, perhaps, also the ones holding the pieces. But who was their true opponent in this game?

Qin Yuqing closed her eyes and leaned against the carriage. The original novel’s plot could no longer be followed as gospel—it was only reference now.

One thing was clear: whether the supposed male lead, or the Second Prince with all his suspicion, neither was qualified to be the Emperor’s adversary.

The Emperor knew everything, said nothing, did nothing.

What, then, did he truly want?

Her thoughts blurred as drowsiness overtook her, and she drifted into sleep.

Lu Jingchuan, eyes closed in meditation, suddenly felt a weight against his shoulder. His eyes flew open, hand darting toward the dagger at his side—until the faint scent of sandalwood reached him, one he had not smelled in so long.

He slid the dagger back into place, shifted his posture, and let Qin Yuqing rest against his lap.

Fortunate indeed… that you still live.