Jia Lingyun stood frozen, offering an awkward smile. When he had first met Qingniao last night, he had been deceived by her appearance. Thinking of those novels where the protagonist dotes on beautiful maidservants and starts a family, he had felt a surge of ambition—never expecting...
"Get lost, you jerk!"
"This lady sells her talent, not her body! One more move like that and I’ll pierce you through with my spear!"
Though she was technically his personal maid, she wouldn’t touch a single dirty or menial task. If he asked her to pour tea, she’d drink it all herself. If he asked for a massage, she’d likely break his bones. She didn’t have an ounce of coquettishness in her; it was a total waste of such an enchanting, femme fatale face!
A new face in the Chancellor's Estate, and she was already restructuring the workplace!
Most importantly, other girls gave their weapons delicate, melodic names—things like "Mandarin Duck Sword" or "Tender Affection Blade." Qingniao named her silver spear "Overlord Spear." That was just how formidable she was!
The officials present, seeing Qingniao’s ruthless strike, exchanged nervous glances and dared not say a word. Though they didn’t quite understand what Jia Lingyun meant by "intangible cultural heritage," they knew better than to provoke such a volatile maid.
Seeing that Qingniao had brought the room to order, Jia Lingyun seized the momentum.
"The Empress Dowager just said that matters of state cannot be decided by one person’s word alone. I find that reasonable. Everything should be handled with democracy; we should all discuss things together!"
Jia Yi’s expression soured. He had gone to such lengths to intimidate these people, and now this? Democracy? What was he thinking?
"Third Brother, stop playing around! At a time like this, who cares about some bull-headed democracy? Just ask the Empress Dowager to issue the decree now!"
"Not so, not so. Second Brother, you are mistaken!"
Jia Lingyun began to explain his logic to Jia Yi with calm, measured tones.
"If I were to rashly ask for the decree, even if I became Prime Minister, I fear no one would be convinced. But if it’s a democratic election—a vote—it’s different. Whoever refuses to accept the results of a democratic vote will be an enemy of our Dawei!"
The tide turned; the ministers secretly wiped the sweat from their brows. There was still a chance to flip the situation! *What a fool,* they thought; he must have spent too much time reading dusty books!
Jia Yi’s eyes darted around as he grasped Jia Lingyun’s implication. The vote involved everyone. While there were many ministers, the Imperial Guard was larger and could outvote them all! If it came to a vote, the position of Prime Minister would be his Third Brother’s for the taking.
A smile appeared on Jia Yi’s face. "Third Brother is wise; I cannot compare!"
Murong Chong also sensed something amiss and quickly interjected, "Young Master, the position of Prime Minister is a grave matter. The Imperial Guard are merely soldiers; they do not understand statecraft and should not participate in the vote. I believe only the ministers should participate so that the result is more convincing!"
"Agreed!" Jia Lingyun replied. "And what if someone opposes the results?" he asked coldly. "Let us swear by the heavens: whoever reneges shall be an enemy of Dawei and must commit suicide to pay for their crimes!"
Murong Chong’s eyes lit up, his smile impossible to suppress. "Yes, yes, yes! Whoever opposes the voting results shall commit suicide!"
The ministers hurriedly echoed the sentiment. "Swear by the heavens! Whoever reneges shall commit suicide!"
Jia Lingyun had agreed so readily that Jia Yi couldn't stop him in time. He could only stand to the side, heartbroken and beating his chest. "Third Brother, you are muddled! Do you truly believe any minister would support our family?"
Jia Lingyun laughed softly, his confidence unshaken. "Don't worry, Second Brother. I believe justice resides in the hearts of the people."
Jia Yi heaved a long sigh, lamenting his brother’s lack of sense. "Didn't they say your madness was cured? Why are you being so foolish at such a critical moment? Third Brother, oh Third Brother, what am I to do with you? How can you be so naive? I fear that after this vote, the foundation our father built and the lives of the entire Jia family will be ruined by your hands!"
Seeing Jia Yi so exasperated, Jia Lingyun comforted him thoughtfully. "Second Brother, didn't you and Eldest Brother say you would die for me? Surely you didn't mean that as mere words?"
Jia Yi rolled his eyes at him. "I can't be bothered with you, you idiot!"
Murong Qingqing’s eyes were filled with confusion. This was a suicide mission! Yet looking at Jia Lingyun’s calm and collected demeanor, what exactly was he planning? A vague sense of unease took root in her heart. Did Jia Lingyun have some hidden plot? Why was he so confident? Could it be that some ministers would support him? Or did he have another card up his sleeve?
"Please, Empress Dowager, issue the decree to begin the vote!"
The ministers felt victory within their grasp and, fearing Jia Lingyun might backtrack, urged Murong Qingqing to act. She had no time to think! This was her only chance to defeat him.
"Very well. As the ministers request, let the voting begin. Those who favor Jia Lingyun for Prime Minister, stand to the left; those who do not, stand to the right; those who abstain, stand in the center!"
The ministers didn't hesitate. After a brief flurry of movement, the answer was clear. Only Fa Yun, a rank-eight official, stood on the left. Every other minister had chosen the right!
Jia Yi’s face went livid. "How about that! Is this the democracy you wanted? I told you no one would support us!"
Jia Lingyun, eyes half-closed, sat on the jade steps with his sword, ignoring the chaos around him.
Jia Ruoxiang pointed at Fa Yun. "At least we have one person supporting us."
Jia Yi sputtered, spitting as he roared at Jia Ruoxiang, "One person is worth nothing! Even with the four of us, it’s not enough!"
"A fool is not worth consulting!"
The ministers began to mock Fa Yun, while others scrambled to curry favor with Murong Chong.
"Look at that rank-eight official; I wonder how many heads he has to lose!"
"Choosing the Jia family at a time like this—he truly doesn't know life from death. He’ll surely face the execution of his entire clan!"
"Lord Murong, if you ascend to the Prime Minister’s seat today, please don’t forget our contributions!"
The matter was settled! Murong Qingqing felt the weight lift from her heart, her grip on the phoenix throne loosening. Jia Lingyun was truly a fool; she had been overthinking it. This child was no threat at all.
Murong Qingqing smiled faintly. "Since the results are in, Jia Lingyun, it seems you are not destined for the position of Prime Minister. You would do well to be content as a wealthy man. In consideration of Jia Tu’s contributions, I will treat your family with generosity."
She emphasized the word "generosity," already calculating when she would seize the Imperial Sword and when she would send men to ransack the Jia Mansion.
Jia Lingyun slowly opened his eyes and swept his gaze over the officials. "Empress Dowager, isn't it a bit early to declare the results?"
Murong Chong’s expression shifted. He couldn't let the Prime Minister’s seat fly away now that it was in his hands. "Jia Lingyun, we have already sworn by the heavens. Whoever refuses to accept the vote must commit suicide. Don't tell me you wish to be a backstabbing villain?"
Jia Lingyun stood up, his presence so overwhelming that the ministers below the jade steps held their breath, not daring to look him in the eye.
"No, no, no! The oath to the heavens is certainly binding. What I mean is, the voting time is not over yet. What if someone changes their mind?"
*Shing!*
The Imperial Sword left its sheath, spilling out ripples of cold light. Jia Lingyun’s voice was heavy, filled with an unwavering dignity.
"From this moment on, every time an incense stick burns down, I will pick one person from the group on the right and kill them—until everyone agrees that I should be Prime Minister!"