Chapter 38: Zhuge Kong

The Empress coughed earth-shatteringly, her cold and alluring face flushed a deep crimson. Her magnificent, ample bosom rose and fell, causing the loose robes she wore to ripple in waves that were dizzying to behold.

The scene was incredibly striking.

Zhao Yi’s Adam’s apple bobbed uncontrollably; he was almost drooling.

*This damn woman... she’s really well-endowed.*

The coughing finally subsided.

Wu Mingkong wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and looked up, meeting Zhao Yi’s direct, undisguised, and predatory gaze.

She did not fly into a rage.

Instead, a playful curve formed on her face, which was now regaining its color. She spoke slowly, in a tone that was both languid and dangerous.

"Lord Zhao."

"Do you still want your manhood?"

*Boom!*

Zhao Yi’s brain buzzed. A chill shot from the soles of his feet straight to his scalp; he felt a drafty sensation in his trousers.

"Your... Your Majesty, I take my leave!"

He scrambled away from the side of the daybed, turned, and bolted outside, faster than a rabbit.

"Get lost, then."

Behind him came the Empress’s voice, laced with a hint of amusement.

...

Leaving the imperial palace, Zhao Yi felt his legs still trembling.

*This damn woman is too terrifying. She’s always talking about castrating people.*

He patted his chest, his heart still racing.

*The day’s work is done; time to find some fun.*

With his hands tucked into his sleeves, he strolled casually until he found himself at the Baile Pavilion.

The place was as bustling as ever. On the high stage, a figure in light purple was holding a pipa, singing softly.

It was Liu Ruyan.

After not seeing her for a few days, the worldly aura of the courtesan had completely faded from her, replaced by the composure and confidence of someone who held real power.

*So smooth.*

Zhao Yi found a corner to sit in, listening to the music and sipping wine, feeling that his mood—disturbed just yesterday—was finally settling.

By the time the song ended, the sun was setting. Zhao Yi grabbed a quick meal at a roadside stall and headed toward his secret base outside the city.

Before he even reached the gates of the estate, he saw a scene of frenetic activity. The original dilapidated manor had more than doubled in size. Dozens of shirtless men were chanting in rhythm, using a grey mortar to stack high walls and erect brand-new buildings.

More than half of the concrete structures were already complete. The number of people at the base had grown several times over; it had truly become a small, heavily guarded fortress.

"Holy crap, these two guys are actually somewhat useful."

Zhao Yi nodded in satisfaction as he took in the sight.

"Young General! You’re here!"

Speak of the devil. The brothers Li Jin and Li Yin popped out from some corner, scurrying over to Zhao Yi with fawning smiles plastered across their faces.

"Young General, look! Everything is proceeding according to your instructions! The brothers are working with great enthusiasm!"

"Not bad." Zhao Yi patted one of the walls; it was incredibly solid.

He inspected the place, very satisfied with the changes to the base, and turned to leave. Just as he reached the gate, a voice called out from behind him.

"Lord Zhao, please wait."

Zhao Yi turned to see a young man in the official robes of the Ministry of Personnel standing not far away, bowing respectfully. The man was about thirty-five or thirty-six, thin-faced, but his eyes were sharp and steady.

"Who are you?" Zhao Yi asked, eyeing him askance.

"Your subordinate is Zhuge Kong, a director in the Ministry of Personnel."

"Pfft..."

Zhao Yi nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.

*Zhuge Kong? Why don't you just call yourself Sima Zhong while you're at it?*

The man was taken aback by Zhao Yi’s reaction but maintained his respectful demeanor, offering a bitter smile.

"I apologize for the spectacle, my lord."

The two sat down at a roadside tea stall. Zhuge Kong poured tea for Zhao Yi personally before speaking slowly.

"Your talent is truly stirring, my lord; I am filled with admiration. That old dog Wang Defa has been acting against the natural order, forming factions for personal gain—he has long since provoked the wrath of heaven and the resentment of the people. Now, with a simple stratagem, you have led him onto a path of no return. Such intellect is beyond my reach."

"I dare predict: within three days, Wang Defa will fall!"

Zhao Yi paused, his teacup halfway to his mouth. He looked up, re-evaluating the young man before him. *This guy... he’s got something.* He had actually managed to see through the entire situation so clearly.

"You didn't just come to me to offer a few compliments, did you?" Zhao Yi set his cup down.

Zhuge Kong stood up and bowed deeply to Zhao Yi.

"I am untalented, but I possess ambitions that have nowhere to go. I wish to join your ranks, my lord, and serve you with the loyalty of a dog or horse!"

Zhao Yi didn't speak. He watched Zhuge Kong with a blank expression. Seeing his silence, Zhuge Kong assumed Zhao Yi doubted his competence and hurriedly added:

"The entire court knows that you, my lord, are in high favor with the Emperor, coming and going from the palace as if it were your own home. Such grace is unprecedented in history!"

"They all say, my lord, that you are..." He hesitated, then finished the sentence. "That you are... relying on your handsome face to live off a woman."

Zhao Yi’s face turned black instantly.

"Screw your mother!"

He slammed the table, stood up abruptly, and pointed at Zhuge Kong’s nose, cursing.

"Do you think I’m that kind of person?!"

"I rely on my talent! On my intellect! On my deep-seated patriotism!"

"My relationship with Her Majesty is pure! As white and clean as a blank sheet of paper!"

He roared with righteous indignation, his spirit soaring to the heavens. But inwardly, he was bleeding.

*Damn it? Is this label of 'living off a woman' never going to be peeled off?*

Seeing Zhao Yi’s exasperated state, Zhuge Kong actually laughed.

"My lord, please calm your anger. I spoke out of turn."

"It is precisely because of this that I wish to follow you all the more. Because I can see that you, my lord, are completely different from those sycophants who only know how to flatter."

Zhao Yi was left speechless by this entire operation. He sat back down, took a sip of tea, and calmed his mood.

"I will consider your request. Go back for now."

After dismissing Zhuge Kong, Zhao Yi immediately sought out Tian Yi.

"Go, investigate every single ancestor of this Ministry of Personnel director named Zhuge Kong, back to the eighteenth generation!"

Only after making the arrangements did he head home, his face still dark.

...

The next day. The Golden Throne Hall.

The Empress was still "unwell" and did not hold court. The atmosphere in the hall, however, was heavier than ever.

Prime Minister Wang Defa stood at the head of the officials, his old face as pale as paper. He trembled as he stepped out of line, falling to his knees with a thud, facing the empty dragon throne.

"Your Majesty!"

His cry was heart-wrenching, enough to make the listener sad and the onlooker weep.

"Your humble servant... your humble servant is wronged!"

He wailed with snot and tears, sprawled out on the cold floor tiles, his entire body convulsing.

"Throughout my life, I have exhausted my efforts for the Great Zhou, giving my all until the very end! My loyalty to Your Majesty is witnessed by the heavens and attested to by the gods!"

"Now, there are treacherous people spreading rumors, slandering me and offending the dragon’s body! Such a great humiliation... I could die a hundred times and still not be redeemed!"

As he wept, he slammed his head against the floor—*bang, bang, bang*—until he was covered in blood.

"To prove my innocence, I implore you: let the Imperial Guards search my estate! Even if they dig three feet into the ground, I will have no complaints!"

"If they find nothing, I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice for me and punish those treacherous villains!"

"But... if they do find something..."

He looked up, his blood-and-tear-stained face filled with determination.

"I am willing to die to prove my intent!"

The attitude could not have been more sincere. The display could not have been more tragic.

*Damn.*

*This old bastard... he’s putting on one hell of a performance.*