Wen Jiabao and Zhang Yuan instantly dropped to their knees, panic written all over their faces.
"Your Majesty, we are wronged! We would never dare to touch the silver!"
Li Jun narrowed her eyes. "First, why don't the numbers in the revenue ledger match the treasury records? "Second, the food expenses in this palace are absurd. Are we hosting feasts with dragon meat every day?"
Wen Jiabao had long taken advantage of Li Jun's negligence. With the Empress's reputation for indulging in pleasures, it had been easy for him to embezzle funds and blame it all on her personal expenses.
Every missing silver could be explained away as the Empress's lavish spending on banquets, clothes, and entertainment. No one dared to question it.
But now, the empress is difficult to handle, he never expected the lazy empress was reborn, and smart. This is bad, he thought, panic creeping in. He had no time to prepare. And the reports she held in her hands were the very evidence that could bring him down.
Li Jun, who had dealt with all kinds of people in the business world, could easily see that something was off about Wen Jiabao. His restless expression was full of suspicion.
"Commander Shen," she called, her voice clear and majestic.
Shen Yuqing stepped in immediately and bowed.
"Throw them into jail for further investigation!"
At that moment, the Prime Minister, Nalan Wenzheng, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, we cannot detain high officials without clear evidence."
Li Jun raised an eyebrow, her expression full of arrogance and displeasure.
"They will be released if they are innocent. My decision is final. Anyone who dares to interfere will be detained along with them."
The hall fell silent. They were shocked to see the young Empress speak so boldly against the Prime Minister. Of course, Li Jun did not know who he was. And even if she did, she might not have cared.
Shen Yuqing 's eyes fixed on the young Empress. The Li Jun who sat on the throne now a sovereign who ruled without fear. She did not flinch under pressure, nor bow to the weight of court politics.
Shen Yuqing turned to the imperial guards and spoke with a firm voice. "Take the two officials to jail."
At her command, the guards stepped forward and seized the men by the arms. Wen Jiabao, knowing escape was impossible, lowered his head in silence.
Zhang Yuan, on the other hand, looked toward the throne, his eyes full of pleading. He still hoped the Empress would investigate the matter thoroughly and judge with fairness.
Li Jun had no mood to stay any longer. She waved her hand to dismiss the court. She rose from her seat and turned to leave. Only after the Empress disappeared behind the golden screen did the court officials dare to lift their heads and quietly exit the hall.
At the foot of the hall, the Prime Minister remained standing. His face darkened, as though he had just swallowed a live frog. Those who looked closely would notice the flicker of hatred burning behind his calm gaze.
The Empress stepped into her waiting sedan chair. As the golden curtains fell shut, she leaned back and closed her eyes, seeking a brief moment of rest.
But peace did not last long. Not far from the path, the sudden sound of a woman weeping and a man shouting.
From inside the chair, Li Jun frowned. "What is happening out there?" she asked calmly.
Xiao Diaozi walked beside the sedan chair, bowed low and replied, "Your Majesty, the son of Minister Wen, Lord Wen is harassing a palace maid."
Wen Jiasong had come to the palace to pay a visit to the Empress. Unaware that his father had already been thrown into jail, he still acted as if the imperial palace were his personal playground.
When Shen Yuqing tried to stop him, he merely laughed and turned his attention toward her. "Miss Shen, why waste your beauty serving in the palace? If you become my concubine, you'll enjoy wealth and luxury for life."
A cold voice came from inside the sedan chair. "Bold!"
The curtain was lifted, and the Empress stepped out. She walked calmly to Shen Yuqing's side and asked, "Qing'er, are you alright?"
Shen Yuqing shook her head. Before she could speak, Li Jun had already stepped forward to protect her.
Wen Jiasong had always been close with the empress in the past. They often drank wine and played together.
He still thought she was the same girl. Wen Jiasong smiled confidently and spoke in a familiar tone.
"Your Majesty, didn't you say you would betroth Miss Shen to me…"
Before he could finish his sentence, Li Jun grabbed his wrist and twisted it hard. Crack! He cried out in pain. She lifted her foot and kicked him straight on the backside. He stumbled forward and fell hard to the ground, shocked and speechless.
The maid wiped her tears. She covered her mouth and whispered to herself in awe, "Her Majesty is… incredible…"
The imperial guards immediately stepped in and pinned both his arms. He struggled and shouted, "Let me go! Let me go! Your Majesty, you said it yourself, Miss Shen was to be given to me!"
Li Jun raised her hand and slapped him. A thin line of blood appeared on his lip. She leaned in close and said in a low voice, with a dangerous smile, "How dare you set your eyes on my woman?"
Wen Jiasong blinked in confusion, unable to understand what she meant. He frowned, pain and disbelief written all over his face.
"Take him away, let him accompany his father in jail."
"What?! No… no! Your Majesty, mercy! Please…!"
His cries echoed through the courtyard as he was dragged away by the guards, kicking and pleading until his voice went hoarse. Li Jun didn't spare him even a glance.
---
Li Jun had changed out her dragon robe into a plain scholar's robe. Her hair was tied into a neat knot, fastened with a jade hairpin. Seated behind the desk in the imperial study, she looked at Shen Yuqing, who stood by the door, dazed and silent.
How could she not know what the girl was thinking? Shen Yuqing was clearly upset after hearing Wen Jiasong's words.
The Empress gently set aside the ledger she had been reading and rose from her seat. She walked over and stood beside Shen Yuqing.
"Are you angry with me?" she asked softly.
Shen Yuqing lowered her gaze and shook her head slightly. "No, how dare I be?"
Li Jun gave a faint smile. She reached out and lightly tapped Shen Yuqing's nose with her finger.
"No means yes, and yes means no... You're upset because of what that bastard said, aren't you?"
Shen Yuqing stayed quiet. She wasn't just angry; there was also a strange sadness in her heart, though she didn't know why.
"Don't believe a word he said," Li Jun said firmly. "I will not give you to anyone. Even if it costs me my life, I'll protect you."
Shen Yuqing finally looked up and met Li Jun's gaze, those eyes full of calm sincerity. In that moment, all the confusion in her heart melted away. Those words… they might be the most beautiful she had ever heard.
Seeing Shen Yuqing remained silent, Li Jun's smile slowly faded. She hated being ignored the most.
With a dramatic sigh, she lowered her head, then peeked up again with big, watery kitten-like eyes.
"You don't believe me… I knew it," she mumbled sadly.
Her pitiful expression was so exaggerated that even the palace maids nearby had to lower their heads to hide their laughter.
"I… I believe you, Your Majesty," Shen Yuqing replied softly.
"No, you don't," Li Jun said at once. "If you truly believed me… then let me prove it."
Li Jun stepped closer and gently placed her hands-on Shen Yuqing's waist. Her gaze locked onto the girl's, as if trying to peer straight into her heart.
The closeness made Shen Yuqing's breath hitch, her heartbeat quickening with every passing second. "What is Your Majesty going to do…?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Li Jun didn't reply. Instead, she slowly leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Shen Yuqing's lips.
It was light, tender, and full of quiet warmth. Shen Yuqing froze, completely stunned. A bright flush bloomed across her cheeks.
The kiss was light, tender, and full of quiet emotion. Shen Yuqing froze in place, completely caught off guard. Her face flushed bright red.
When Li Jun finally pulled away, she cleared her throat awkwardly and turned quickly back to her desk, trying to maintain her composure. "Ahem… I've given you my first kiss… so you're not allowed to be upset anymore," she said, feigning seriousness.
Then, in a quieter voice, she added, "That was very precious…" Without looking up again, the empress began checking the ledger in front of her, as if nothing had happened. The tips of her ears, however, were slightly red as well.
Shen Yuqing came back to her senses. Li Jun had taken advantage of her! Anger rose in her chest.
But then she looked at Li Jun, the thief who had just stolen a kiss, now sitting stiffly at her desk and pretending to read.
Her fingers fidgeted slightly, and from time to time, she peeked up nervously, clearly worried Shen Yuqing would be angry.
She dares to kiss me without permission… Now she's scared I'll scold her?
The sight of Li Jun being so confident one moment, and anxious the next, made Shen Yuqing's heart soften. That little nervous look on the Empress's face was cute.
"…Coward," Shen Yuqing muttered softly, though a small smile tugged at her lips.
Li Jun looked up immediately. "Did you say something?"
"Nothing, Your Majesty," Shen Yuqing replied, still smiling. "Please continue pretending to read."
"…."