Consort Zhen entered the palace less than two months ago, and her pregnancy caught many people off guard. The Emperor was naturally overjoyed. There hadn't been any imperial princes or princesses born in the palace in recent years, and no emperor would overlook the importance of heirs. The Emperor immediately bestowed Consort Zhen with precious treasures and rare medicinal tonics.

Compared to the Emperor's delight, the Empress Dowager's smile was a bit faint. Although she was happy to have another grandson, the only downside was that this child was conceived by a woman of the Zhen clan.

The Empress Dowager smiled slightly, "Consort Zhen is young and in good health. She is indeed blessed. Bestow upon Consort Zhen a pair of jade ruyi." The Empress Dowager called Zhen Si to come closer, held her hand and looked at it, smiling, "Consort Zhen is still young after all, and this is her first pregnancy. You must be careful in all matters."

Zhen Si had just learned about her pregnancy and was both shocked and delighted. She nodded and smiled, "This concubine understands. This concubine will certainly be cautious in all matters and not let the Empress Dowager worry."

The Empress Dowager nodded with satisfaction and turned to Consort Li, "Consort Zhen is with child. Remember to tell her mother to visit the palace often."

Consort Li nearly gritted her teeth into pieces. She forced a smile and nodded, "Yes, this is such a joyous occasion. When this concubine's family learns of it, they will naturally be delighted as well."

Chu Shaoling watched Consort Li's expression and chuckled lightly as he picked up a pastry and ate it.

After the evening banquet, the Emperor went to Yongfu Palace. Concubines Shu and Li first accompanied the Empress Dowager back to her sleeping quarters. After leaving Ci'an Palace, Consort Shu smiled and congratulated Consort Li, "Sister, your maiden family is truly blessed. Not only did you give birth to an imperial prince, but now Consort Zhen is also pregnant. I imagine the Zhen household must be overjoyed."

Since learning the news at the evening banquet, Consort Li had reached her limit and had no energy to bicker with Consort Shu. She only said coldly, "Naturally they are delighted. Sister is so enthusiastic. When my mother's family visits, this concubine will certainly invite Sister to gather at Linzhi Palace."

Consort Li suppressed her anger and returned to her sleeping quarters. She didn't remove her makeup or change her clothes, but stood there blankly for a moment. Granny Lai, who was beside Consort Li, approached and advised, "Your Highness, please rest early. Tomorrow we must prepare congratulatory gifts for Yongfu Palace. It will be a busy day."

Granny Lai's words were like knives stabbing into Consort Li's heart. Consort Li gritted her teeth and said in a low voice, "That Si girl is pregnant. Why should I help make arrangements and busy myself?"

Granny Lai knew Consort Li was upset and could only console her gently, "Your Highness, just think of it as doing it for your own niece. Your Highness's surname is Zhen, and Consort Zhen's surname is also Zhen. This is all glory for our Zhen household. Your Highness, please be more tolerant."

"What tolerance?! How much more should I tolerate?!" Consort Li could no longer suppress her emotions. She flung her sleeve, sweeping the bronze mirror on the dressing table to the ground, and said fiercely, "It was for the glory of the Zhen family that I put in so much effort! In the end, it sent Zhen Si into the Emperor's bed, and now she's even pregnant with an imperial heir. Haven't I tolerated enough? Haven't I?!"

Granny Lai didn't expect Consort Li to be so furious. She could only continue to console, "Your Highness, this old servant knows your heart is bitter. It hasn't been easy for Your Highness to endure until now. Your Highness..."

Consort Li looked at the mess on the ground and slumped onto the couch, muttering a curse, "Back then, why did I make the wrong move and try to send her to that venomous snake Chu Shaoling? It's all because I wasn't ruthless enough..."

Seeing Consort Li becoming more and more unlike herself, Granny Lai quickly dismissed the palace maids and personally attended to Consort Li with a few trusted female officials, helping her wash up and go to bed.

Early the next morning, Wei Ji returned to the palace. Unlike usual, before going to Bitao Palace to change his plaque, Wei Ji wanted to find Chu Shaoling first.

Wang Muhan personally delivered the waist plaque to Wei Ji and smiled, "General Wei, has your family been well this day?"

"Very well. Thank you, Eunuch Wang, for escorting me back yesterday." Wei Ji greeted Wang Muhan properly. Although Wang Muhan's position was not higher than his, Wei Ji was respectful to all the elderly people who had served Chu Shaoling for a long time. With matters on his mind, Wei Ji asked directly, "Where is His Highness?"

Wang Muhan smiled, "He went to listen to the morning court session. Now that the Fourth Prince has returned and the southern tax revenue has been handed over to the Ministry of Revenue, I heard there is a lot to be busy with. His Highness might not even be able to return to the palace for lunch. Before leaving, His Highness instructed that when General Wei returns, he should just rest. His Highness has people by his side, so General Wei doesn't need to go over."

Wei Ji was anxious but had no choice. He nodded, "Thank you, Eunuch Wang, for your concern. I'll say it again."

Wang Muhan nodded and left.

Wei Ji took his belongings and returned to his sleeping quarters, looking at his personal package with unease.

Yesterday was the Mid-Autumn Festival. The servants beside Wei Ming also returned home for a visit to pay respects to Old Madam Wei on behalf of Wei Ming, bringing well wishes to the family. They also brought a package for Wei Zhan.

When the family servant delivered the package to Wei Zhan, Wei Ji happened to be in Wei Zhan's room. Wei Zhan didn't hide anything from Wei Ji. He opened the package on the spot. Inside were just a few half-worn clothes. When Wei Zhan lifted the clothes, a thick envelope fell out from inside. Wei Ji picked it up and was startled when he saw it.

Inside the envelope was a stack of banknotes. Wei Ji counted roughly and was shocked to find it amounted to a staggering twenty thousand taels of silver!

There was also a short letter in the envelope, with Wei Ming instructing Wei Zhan to make arrangements up and down in order to seek a promotion.

Wei Ming's news at his post was not as timely as in the imperial city. He didn't know yet that Wei Zhan was going to become an imperial son-in-law. The two brothers, Wei Zhan and Wei Ji, looked at this stack of banknotes and felt uneasy. Since Wei Ming had taken up his post, how much silver had he already sent back?

The silver sent to Chu Shaoling as a show of filial piety had already passed through their hands many times. Just those alone had already alarmed Wei Zhan. Now seeing this, it wasn't just this amount!

Originally, the frequent silver sent back by Wei Ming had already made Wei Zhan very uneasy. Now with this added, even Wei Ji could see that something was wrong.

The two brothers still knew a bit about Wei Ming's character. After some thought, Wei Zhan found another envelope to wrap up the banknotes and took some from the banknotes Chu Shaoling had given to put together. Wei Zhan handed this silver to Wei Ji, telling him to make sure Chu Shaoling accepted it.

Wei Ming had embezzled this much in just half a year at his post. Both Wei Zhan and Wei Ji were a bit panicked.

The only solution now was to present the silver to Chu Shaoling as a show of filial piety. Wei Ming's superiors were all Chu Shaoling's people. If they informed Chu Shaoling in advance, perhaps if something happened in the future, they could beg Chu Shaoling to spare Wei Ming's life.

Wei Ji took out all of Chu Shaoling's private money. The two brothers pooled together a total of fifty thousand taels of silver, all carried into the palace by Wei Ji.

Wei Ji held a pouch of hot silver, not knowing what to do. He was worried about his father getting into trouble in the future, and also felt guilty for the favor Chu Shaoling had shown him. He never expected his own family to cause such trouble for Chu Shaoling. Wei Ji was so anxious that he couldn't calm down.

Unfortunately, Chu Shaoling was very busy that day. Not only did he not return for lunch, but even after dinner, there was still no sign of him. It wasn't until the second night watch when the lamps were lit that Chu Shaoling and his entourage finally returned.

Chu Shaoling had sorted out most of the affairs at the Ministry of Revenue that day and was in a good mood. Seeing that Wei Ji had returned safely and looked well, he smiled lightly, "I came back late. Have you eaten?"

Wei Ji had something on his mind and didn't eat much at lunch or dinner. Seeing Chu Shaoling ask, he just nodded casually and hesitated before saying, "Your Highness, your servant has an important matter..."

Chu Shaoling found it amusing. Wei Ji had an "important matter". Chu Shaoling ordered everyone to leave, then took Wei Ji's hand and entered the inner chamber of the bedchamber, chuckling, "What's the matter? Is it about your brother's marriage?"

Wei Ji shook his head. Before he could speak, his face was already flushed with embarrassment. After hesitating for a while, he knelt down and said, "Your servant, on behalf of my father, pleads guilty before Your Highness. My father, he..."

Chu Shaoling laughed, "What's going on? Get up. What matter is worth this? Tell me slowly."

Wei Ji handed the prepared silver to Chu Shaoling and told him what he had been rehearsing all day. In the end, his eyes reddened and he said hoarsely, "My father has failed Your Highness's high regard and cultivation. Please take back my father's official position and let him live out his remaining years in peace."

As long as the Wei family could live peacefully, and Wei Ji and Wei Zhan were well, that would be enough.

Chu Shaoling looked at Wei Ji's uneasy appearance and chuckled. He pulled him into his arms and coaxed softly, "Do you really take your family's prince for a blind man? How much your father embezzled while in office, do you think I wouldn't know?"

Wei Ji was stunned. Chu Shaoling already knew?

Chu Shaoling held Wei Ji and kissed his brow, saying, "I have it all figured out. The governor above your father is my man. I've known about these things for a long time. The deficits that needed to be filled have long been filled. Would I still wait for you brothers to send the silver?"

Wei Ji's voice was hoarse, "Your Highness, you've been helping my father cover it up all along?"

Chu Shaoling smiled but didn't say anything. Wei Ji's eyes reddened and tears suddenly came out.

"Why are you crying? The older you get, the more useless you become." Chu Shaoling held Wei Ji in his arms, unable to bear seeing Wei Ji's grateful and ashamed eyes. No one would know that Chu Shaoling had a hand in Wei Ming's massive embezzlement.

Wei Ji and Wei Zhan were still too young and didn't understand the intricacies of officialdom. If Wei Ming alone could embezzle so much as a governor, then the common people of the world would have long been drained dry by corrupt officials.

From the moment Wei Ming took office, Chu Shaoling's subordinates had slowly lured Wei Ming into the trap that Chu Shaoling had set long ago. The embezzled silver that Wei Ji and Wei Zhan now looked at with trepidation was nothing more than Chu Shaoling's private property.

When Chu Shaoling first gave Wei Ming the post, he had guarded against this point. Rather than watching Wei Ming amass wealth while in office and ruin things, implicating Wei Ji, it was better for Chu Shaoling to set up a false scenario himself, using a few people to create a situation for Wei Ming to fall into, letting him embezzle as much as he wanted.

Of course, there was also an unspoken purpose that Chu Shaoling wouldn't tell outsiders. This way, not only did it preserve Wei Ming, but it also made Wei Ji and Wei Zhan completely devoted to him, right? After all, he now held authority over their father's life in his hands.

Being able to make Wei Ji feel so grateful and ashamed still felt pretty good. But seeing how scared Wei Ji was at first, Chu Shaoling still felt a bit distressed.

Chu Shaoling took a silk handkerchief and wiped Wei Ji's face, unable to resist teasing, "Alright, how old are you to still love crying? Are you acting spoiled with me? Hmm?"

Wei Ji blushed and shook his head. The past two days, his heart had gone through great ups and downs. Now knowing that Chu Shaoling had long ago arranged everything, he felt both grateful and upset. He couldn't help but get close and hug Chu Shaoling, burying his face in the crook of Chu Shaoling's shoulder. Although he didn't want to cry, his voice still choked up when he spoke, "Your Highness is too good to your servant. Your servant feels unworthy..."

Chu Shaoling's heart melted at Wei Ji's "Your Highness", spoken with seven parts guilt, two parts reliance, and one part grievance. Chu Shaoling hid the darkness in his heart and gently comforted Wei Ji, enjoying Wei Ji's complete dependence.

Author's Note:

Ah ah, Shaoling, you little gong, you're too bad, I can't stand you! Poor little loyal dog is still so grateful, sigh.