Chapter 36: Old Master You

“Your Highness, do you truly intend to support Lady Xiu? Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but Lady Xiu is not one who submits to others easily,” the lady-in-waiting whispered.

The Imperial Consort carried a finely woven flower basket, holding a silver pair of scissors in her hand. She clipped blossoms as she spoke, “That girl was never the quiet type, even as a child.”

“So Your Highness already has her own views. I was too forward,” the lady-in-waiting flushed immediately.

“No, your thoughts are good. I have no need for blockheads by my side,” the Imperial Consort snipped a fresh orchid, studied it carefully, then tucked it into her hair.

She wandered among the flowers, soon filling her basket with fresh orchids, yet her heart remained unsatisfied. For reasons unknown, a sudden sense of emptiness overcame her.

“What do you think the Empress is doing right now?” How is she coquettishly seeking favor beside Aye?

The lady-in-waiting heard the Consort’s murmurs but dared not respond; to spy upon the sovereign was a capital crime.

The Consort unconsciously touched her stomach and gave a bitter smile. “If only my womb were more fortunate. If all the princes and princesses came from me, even if I were not Empress, the Empress would have to show me respect. Then monopolizing Aye’s affection would not be impossible. We loved each other so deeply…”

She nearly dug her nails into her palm, but her face betrayed no sign of distress.

In the serene front hall, by the eastern window, Ji Aye sat across from a white-haired elder in plain robes; laughter and cheer filled the air.

This master and disciple had not seen each other for a long time.

“Sir, are you imitating the Gentleman of Five Willows, tending chrysanthemums by your fence?” Ji Aye teased, pointing to a speck of yellow mud on Grand Tutor Zhao’s sleeve.

“Bah! From ancient times to now, there’s not a single great scholar worth emulating. Who among them could compare to me?” The old man’s tone was brash and vigorous.

Ji Aye smiled knowingly. “You are just as you were before, unchanged in the slightest. That comforts me greatly.”

“Who says I haven’t changed? I’ve grown old, look here.” He tugged at his white hair with a helpless expression. “No matter how many classics fill my belly, they cannot withstand the erosion of time. I am aged and frail, while my wife remains in her prime, and my three sons are still babes. Sometimes I think, if one day I suddenly die, those orphaned and widowed will surely be bullied. Perhaps it’d be better if we all drank a pot of poison together—so even as a ghost, I wouldn’t have to worry about them.”

Ji Aye fell silent, then smiled with relief. “Rest assured, sir. With me, no one will dare harm your family.”

Grand Tutor Zhao’s cheeks reddened, and after a moment’s hesitation, he sighed deeply. “A life of wantonness, and in old age I too have become mundane. Imagine, I shamelessly ask you for a promise. But truly, I cannot let go of my wife and children; in the end, I have not attained detachment.”

Ji Aye knew his Grand Tutor had once dreamed of being a wandering monk, drifting through life. Yet, in his fifties, he met his eighteen-year-old wife.

“There’s no need to be stubborn, sir. Let things follow their course. I summoned you today to seek your counsel. Can you guess whose matter I wish to discuss?”

Grand Tutor Zhao, ever open-minded, quickly composed himself, stroked his beard, and smiled. “The General of Cavalry will soon return to the capital, yes?”

Ji Aye smiled, radiant as a lotus in bloom, his beauty astonishing. Grand Tutor Zhao clicked his tongue in admiration, sighing, “Your Majesty is not merely human, but divine.” He’d said the same when first meeting the young Crown Prince. Now, seeing the youthful emperor, whose brilliance only grew, he sincerely praised him again.

Ji Aye took it in stride and spoke of state affairs: “Since ancient times, famous generals and beauties never live to see their hair turn white. But I do not wish to be like Liu Bang—killing the loyal after the rabbits are gone. The Yu clan has rendered great service to the realm and shown me much kindness. Moreover, the old Yu patriarch was my martial arts master; all my skills are his true legacy. I cannot bear to see the Yu clan meet a tragic end. Yet, their power shakes the throne; they dominate the Ministry of War, provoking envy among the court. I can do nothing to halt their criticism. Sir, do you have a solution that satisfies all sides?”

Zhao Si’er gazed calmly at the emperor for a long while, then smiled suddenly. “Your Majesty was precocious from childhood; when I first met you as Crown Prince, I said you were destined to be a true emperor. Today you seek my counsel not because you lack ideas, but because you are undecided. Isn’t that so, Your Majesty?”

Ji Aye smiled. “Who else but you would dare speak so frankly to me? Indeed, I have an outline in mind, but any change will affect the whole. Given our current situation, any major reform will encounter resistance. I also worry the Yu clan is unwilling to relinquish power; their status as imperial kin is extremely sensitive.”

Grand Tutor Zhao, blessed with a keen mind, immediately teased Ji Aye, “In the end, Your Majesty has feelings for the Empress. I hear you’ve neglected sleep and meals, vanishing for half a day and night. This past month, you and the Empress have shared meals and chambers, side by side—how carefree!”

It was his idea years ago to marry Yu Daidai, using her to restrain the Yu clan and the Yu clan to counter the Lü family. He knew the inside story better than anyone.

Ji Aye’s cheeks flushed for a moment; he coughed lightly, not deceiving himself, and nodded, lowering his gaze in embarrassment. “Daidai is wonderful.”

He had watched Daidai coldly for three years, letting her suffer for three years. He did not wish to wrong his woman any longer. If his throne depended solely on destroying a woman, he would despise himself.

Grand Tutor Zhao laughed heartily until he saw Ji Aye grow embarrassed and angry, then straightened his posture and spoke seriously, “It’s been nearly three years since the Empress Dowager withdrew from court and you began your rule. You have earned some prestige among the people, but it’s not enough. I advise Your Majesty to tour the south, personally meet the people along the way, let them see you are determined to govern with diligence. This will quickly raise your prestige. You must also value local officials, allowing them direct access to the throne. The greater your authority, the more smoothly your policies can be implemented.”

“I have considered touring the south, but sir, the treasury has been short on funds for a long time. What I need most is a steward who can make money! The current Minister of Revenue, Yu Junshi, is upright and honest, but he only knows how to economize, not how to generate revenue.”

Since marrying his young wife, Zhao Si’er had settled in the capital, always ready to offer advice. He was intimately familiar with the city’s affairs—a true scholar who could know the world without leaving his door.

After pondering for a while, he brought up an apparently unrelated matter. “Does Your Majesty know the root of the Yu clan’s tight grip on the Ministry of War?”

“I used to think the Yu clan coveted power and wealth, since for a century our realm has been embroiled in war, and supplies constantly flowed to the Ministry of War—a lucrative position.”

“But after marrying Daidai, speaking with loyal servants from the Yu clan, and sending agents to investigate, I learned that the Yu family, with its century-long heritage, is not so shortsighted. So... do you know the real reason behind their control?”

Zhao Si’er nodded. “I discovered this by chance while reading the ‘Genealogy of Clans.’ A year ago, I became bird-keeping friends with the retired Yu Qi patriarch, and during our chats, connected his stories with the clan records and boldly guessed the reason. To confirm, Your Majesty should test the waters through the Empress.”

When Ji Aye was young, Zhao Si’er was his Grand Tutor, and Yu Qi was his Great Master—one scholarly, one martial. They had always gotten along, and now were bird-keeping companions. These two were never sticklers for rules. Ji Aye asked, “Please speak plainly, sir.”

“During the reign of Emperor Ai of Yan, the Yu clan wielded immense influence in the military. Their sons were as numerous as fish in the river; perhaps not all were born generals, but none lacked courage. At that time, the emperor was corrupt and the western Xirong tribes grew powerful and invaded. The Yu clan’s men both young and old went to war. I must say, it seems the Yu family was born for battle—they took pride in dying on the field. Yet, this loyal family’s men did not die at the enemy’s hands, but were betrayed by their own. It was a tragedy.”

Ji Aye grew solemn and respectful. “I have studied the clan records. In that battle, all the Yu men perished. By Heaven’s mercy, the Yu matriarch bore a posthumous son, and with that child, the family rose again after fifty years. From then on, in every conflict, there has been a Yu in the Ministry of War, until gradually, it became their exclusive domain.”

Zhao Si’er said mournfully, “All the men lost—if it had been a defeat on the battlefield, dying by enemy blades would be understandable. But they were betrayed by traitors. The Yu army held out for three months without a grain of supplies—they starved to death.”

Ji Aye felt ashamed; a month ago, he had rebuked Yu Hai for urgently demanding grain from the Ministry of Revenue.

“I understand your meaning, sir. I will weigh the matter carefully.”

Reflecting on history, Zhao Si’er continued, “The one I recommend to Your Majesty is the youngest son of the General of Cavalry, Yu Wu.”

“Yu Wu? The captain of my honor guard?” Ji Aye laughed in disbelief. “He’s a slippery fellow, eloquent and shrewd. And that little brother-in-law of mine has taken yet another sick leave—who knows where he’s gone. All year, I never see him seriously attend to his duties. I only tolerate it out of respect for the old Grand Master.”

Zhao Si’er smiled. “Your Majesty may not know, but in Yunzhou, near the capital, there’s a great merchant calling himself Master Wu. Who else could it be but your little brother-in-law? He’s opened brothels, warehouses, and taverns even in neighboring countries. The Yu patriarch and Minister Yu are well aware, but the whole family keeps it from the General of Cavalry.”

Ji Aye’s eyes widened in astonishment.

It was truly unexpected.

After a moment, Ji Aye burst into hearty laughter. “Now I know where to find silver for my southern tour!”

As the son of a military family, he doubted his brother-in-law paid proper taxes. Years of tax evasion—he’d squeeze him hard, and his tour’s expenses would be well covered.