Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1239: Still Alive

Recalling the essay penned during the Imperial Examination and the bold proclamation made at the Qionglin Banquet, Qi Yi finally met Emperor Jingyuan's gaze. "Your Majesty, did you ever heed my staunch advice?" he queried.

Emperor Jingyuan's countenance darkened, his eyes like chips of ice fixed upon Qi Yi. "Are you accusing me of failing to raise taxes? But from where would the funds to combat Da Rong originate without increased levies? Should we arrest the noble families and seize their wealth? You yourself strongly advised against confronting the noble houses arbitrarily, so what is the meaning of your words now?"

Qi Yi responded, "Indeed, I uttered those words, yet I also opposed Your Majesty's decision to increase taxes. Great Chu has endured for merely three generations and has been locked in conflict with Da Rong for many years. The drought that plagued the Northwest a few years prior has not yet subsided. We ought to implement benevolent governance, reduce taxes, and allow the populace to recover. Subsequently, we should recruit more scholars from impoverished families, and within two decades, Great Chu shall flourish. Scholars from humble backgrounds will displace more than half of the existing noble families. At that juncture, Your Majesty may exact vengeance upon Da Rong and reclaim national honor!"

"Twenty years? I cannot afford to wait that long. I intend for Da Rong to be vanquished within five years!" Emperor Jingyuan harbored a deep-seated animosity towards Da Rong and was unwilling to defer their destruction for two decades.

Qi Yi stated, "Your Majesty, twenty years is already an accelerated timeline. To forge a dynasty that endures for a hundred generations, the foundational groundwork requires at least thirty to fifty years."

With a resounding crash, Emperor Jingyuan seized the nearby teacup and hurled it at Qi Yi's head, inflicting a wound. "Enough! Do you also deem my aspiration for a century-long dynasty to be the ravings of a madman?!"

"Calm your wrath, Your Majesty!" The Chief Eunuch, witnessing the ensuing chaos, swiftly directed all the palace maids and eunuchs to kneel.

His Majesty held Lord Qi in high regard. Should he truly strike down Lord Qi, he would undoubtedly regret it once his temper subsided, and in his remorse, he would then chastise these very servants for their failure to intervene.

Qi Yi, however, remained standing, his head bleeding, fixing his gaze directly upon Emperor Jingyuan with a sardonic smile.

Considering Great Chu's present circumstances, it was uncertain if even a century would suffice for complete stability. Would Heaven grant Great Chu such a span?

Qi Yi was a minister of profound passion. He had initially intended to voice these very sentiments, but then he thought of Ah Shu... She and their children awaited him at home, and he could not afford to perish within the palace walls.

If he were to perish, Ah Shu would be left a widow.

In such perilous times, how would she manage to survive with two young children?

Despite his inner turmoil, Qi Yi's mocking smile reignited Emperor Jingyuan's fury, further inflaming his rage. "Someone drag Qi Yi out and administer twenty lashes!"

Amidst a sudden commotion, a contingent of the Yu Lin Army stormed in with the speed of lightning, seizing Qi Yi and dragging him out to be punished beyond the gates of Mingwei Palace.

These were the formidable military whips wielded by the Yu Lin Army; a single lash was capable of tearing flesh.

Fortuitously, the Yu Lin Army colonel, aware of Qi Yi's favored status with the Emperor, exercised restraint and dared not inflict excessive brutality. Nevertheless, after enduring twenty lashes, Qi Yi lay severely wounded and unconscious.

A measure of relief washed over Emperor Jingyuan following the punishment... Regardless of who it might be, anyone advocating for leniency towards Da Rong deserved death.

He might overlook the noble families, or even Duke Wei's faction, but Da Rong must be annihilated!

"Send him home," Emperor Jingyuan commanded before turning back toward the harem, making his way to Princess Consort Yi's chambers.

Princess Consort Yi was none other than the esteemed Miss Ran.

Following the recovery of Miss Ran's legs, she was granted a period of rest. Subsequently, she ousted her stepmother and, through her family's arrangements, entered the palace. Now, alongside her son, she had been elevated to the rank of concubine.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," Princess Consort Yi knelt with her son, offering a salute to Emperor Jingyuan.

Emperor Jingyuan observed her, personally assisting her to rise. "There is no need for such formalities, my cherished consort."

He then turned to reprimand the palace staff, "What is amiss with you attendants? How dare you permit Princess Consort Yi to personally tend to the Eighth Prince!"

All within Princess Consort Yi's palace hastily prostrated themselves in apology.

Princess Consort Yi offered a gentle smile. "I implore Your Majesty to quell your anger. It is not their failing; I myself wished to emulate the common folk and nurture Dun'er personally."

Princess Consort Yi's serene and comforting smile seemed to soothe Emperor Jingyuan. Embracing her, he declared, "Only you, my beloved consort, possess a heart untainted within this palace. Unlike those vipers, who were all dispatched by their fathers and brothers to spy upon me!"

Princess Consort Yi felt a jolt of surprise. What fresh agitation had befallen him now?

Princess Consort Yi, quite seasoned in such matters, addressed Emperor Jingyuan. "Your Majesty," she began, "you mentioned this palace is your home. Now that you are home, let us set aside those troublesome affairs."

She offered a gentle smile. "I have prepared millet porridge, stir-fried mulberry leaves, and some simple vegetarian cakes. The weather is warm, and this meal is perfectly suited. Would you mind holding Dun'er while I serve the food?"

"Certainly." Emperor Jingyuan, having held the Eighth Prince before, readily took the child. Princess Consort Yi then proceeded to serve the meal.

The palace eunuchs and maids observed this exchange, thinking to themselves: How cunning, truly cunning! Princess Consort Yi may not be the grandest beauty in the palace, nor does she hail from the most illustrious family, but her strategies are undoubtedly brilliant. She avoids conflict and strife, earning the favor of both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. Her interactions with His Majesty are akin to those of an ordinary couple, leading him to regard her palace as his home and even willingly assisting with the Eighth Prince.

Given another decade, she might very well ascend to the position of Empress.

Everyone within Princess Consort Yi’s palace understood this dynamic perfectly. Serving with even greater diligence, they recognized that if Princess Consort Yi were to become Empress and the Eighth Prince, the Crown Prince, their own futures would be exceedingly bright.

...

Emperor Jingyuan enjoyed a comfortable night within Princess Consort Yi’s palace. Meanwhile, the officials in Zhili found themselves in a state of utter misery.

They had initially assumed that following the mass suicides of the elderly, the Emperor would surely revoke the decree, or at the very least, reduce the taxes.

However, not only was there no reduction in taxes, but they continued to be rigorously enforced. The officials tasked with managing Zhili faced penalties such as salary deductions, demotions, and even received twenty lashes from the imperial envoys delivering the edict.

After the punishing floggings, the official delivering the edict declared: "His Majesty has decreed that the bloodbath at Longshan Prefecture by Da Rong cannot go unavenged, thus taxes must be collected without delay. Should the deployment of troops be hindered, the officials face the extermination of their entire clans."

With these words delivered, the officials in Zhili were left with no alternative but to employ even more brutal methods for tax collection, consequently leading to a greater loss of life within Zhili.

Young Master Dou had established informants within the Capital, and news of the grim situation in Zhili swiftly reached the new bank.

Gu Jin’an and the others were shocked upon hearing the reports, while He Jinseng and Gu Dexing were nearly overcome with fright.

Young Master Dou, too preoccupied to mock them, was equally alarmed by the news. The Emperor, he realized, was truly formidable. His experience in military camps was evident, and his methods were brutally direct, leaving absolutely no room for negotiation.

"Is there any news regarding Lord Qi?" Gu Jin’an managed to compose himself and inquired about Qi Yi's well-being. "Lord Qi has shown great kindness to my family. He is a man of integrity who cannot tolerate injustice. His presence by the Emperor's side fills me with worry for his safety."

Emperor Jingyuan was, without a doubt, a madman, possessing a violent and unpredictable temper. If Lord Qi could not refrain from speaking the unvarnished truth, he might indeed suffer greatly.

Young Master Dou replied: "Lord Qi was indeed struck by the Emperor, but he is not dead. He is alive and currently recuperating at his residence."