Chapter 3: The Court Is Full of Yes-Men

Chapter 3: The Court is Full of Useless Officials

Yun Ran narrowed her eyes, her right hand gently brushing over the scar as if to comfort it.

The heavy sorrow emanating from her gradually faded away.

Under the low snickers of the court officials, she walked step by step toward the dragon throne in a disheveled imperial robe.

"Is the Regent sitting in the wrong seat today?"

A sarcastic question boomed Yun Ran, echoing throughout the entire court.

Dan Yanzhi furrowed his brow.

*Is she courting death today? She usually calls me Imperial Uncle. Who gave her the courage?*

He shot Huang Fushun a venomous glare as he waited in the side hall, and when he raised his head again, his expression changed.

He broke into a warm, amiable smile.

"Since Junlin is so eager, this seat is only temporary for your Imperial Uncle."

He rose and stepped aside, flicking his wide sleeves, ignoring the stares of the courtiers, not even giving Yun Ran a perfunctory nod. He simply turned and made to leave.

Yun Ran narrowed her eyes and swept her gaze across the ministers below. Not a single one of them seemed to find anything wrong with this.

The Son of Heaven's majesty? There was none at all.

What a bunch of court parasites. Yun Ran suddenly let out a light chuckle.

Not a single good one among them—that made things way too simple.

After all, an agent could do anything. When it came to killing, if there weren't a hundred ways, there were at least ninety-nine.

"Imperial Uncle, after court adjourns, I have important matters to discuss with you. Please wait a moment for your nephew."

Yun Ran suddenly put on a fawning, deferential look.

*Hah, in the end, she's still scared. What's the point of pretending?*

Dan Yanzhi gave a sinister laugh, grunted in agreement, and left without looking back.

"Your Majesty, your subject has a memorial to present. Recently, Qianzhou has been hit by severe flooding, and the people are in dire straits. Relief is urgently needed, but the Ministry of Revenue won't release the funds..."

Before he could finish, another voice cut in.

"You're spouting nonsense! Your Majesty, the treasury is empty—there isn't a single spare coin left to squeeze out..."

Minister Huang of the Ministry of Revenue stepped forward to argue, his face red and neck bulging, yet he forgot the jade pendant at his waist was so fine and smooth it must have cost at least several hundred thousand taels of silver.

The court officials all seemed to be rushing to present their memorials, but Yun Ran saw right through them.

These old men were just putting on a farce.

Every one of them was fat and bloated, grabbing and taking at will, their robes about to split at the seams, yet they were still scraping flesh off the empty treasury.

Their intentions deserve death!

Besides, it was winter—where in Qianzhou could flooding come from?

Do they take me, Yun Ran, for a three-year-old? They just make stuff up.

"Silence!"

Yun Ran couldn't be bothered to listen to their drivel. She cleared her throat.

"I'm busy with affairs of state and have no time to handle each matter individually. Write down what you want to memorialize in secret memorials and submit them to me. I'll decide later!"

"Your humble servant..."

"Enough! If there is something to report, report it; if not, court is dismissed!"

With that, Yun Ran got up and left.

*You have business? I don't.*

"This, this!"

The ministers exchanged glances. The young emperor was this arrogant? Had he lost his mind?

Yun Ran had now fully inherited Dan Junlin's memories.

All the civil officials in court were completely controlled by four great aristocratic families.

They colluded with the Regent, carving up the empire's wealth together, squeezing the people's hard-earned money, and not caring about their lives.

The loyal generals who served the country faithfully had all been stripped of their military tallies and forced into retirement.

The generals in this court were actually family scions the aristocratic clans had brought in to fill the ranks!

What a bunch of rotten fish and shrimp.

Who allowed this? No need to guess.

To catch the bandits, catch the king first. Today, I'll uproot this rotten foundation completely.