Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court

Night. Wu Ying Palace.

The old emperor surveyed the second-rank ministers below him with a solemn expression, as if facing a matter of national extinction.

Prime Minister Dou furrowed his brows in thought, the six ministers wore distressed expressions, and the newly appointed Left Censor-in-Chief, along with the 69-year-old Right Censor-in-Chief, both had sweat beading on their foreheads. The front, rear, left, right, and central military commanders exchanged glances before the Central Commander took a bold step forward and, with an air of confidence, declared:

“Your Majesty! My eighteen adopted sons will personally guard Xiao Bai Ze’s right flank!”

Initially, “Xiao Bai Ze” was merely a private nickname, but once it became public, everything changed.

“My eighteen adopted sons, each over nine feet tall, are extraordinarily brave. The eldest possesses the strength of nine bulls and two tigers, with excellent martial prowess! I will ensure they protect Xiao Bai Ze’s safety at all costs!”

The Front Military Commander stood abruptly, snorting: “I don’t know all the details, but my 49 household guards are stationed right next to Bai Ze’s residence. They’re elite soldiers, and anyone who wants to harm him will have to get past them first! Each one is skilled in riding and archery! I’ve even equipped them with firearms. Anyone who dares attack Bai Ze will be riddled like a beehive!”

The Minister of Revenue wasted no time: “The residents near Xiao Bai Ze’s home must be relocated. The Ministry of Revenue will cover the expenses.”

The Minister of Works smiled and said: “We won’t touch Xiao Bai Ze’s house, but we can renovate, reinforce, and fortify the surrounding properties. This matter is the responsibility of the Ministry of Works, but…”

The Minister of Works trailed off, looking at the emperor, signaling that the next steps depended on his decision.

The emperor leaned over a map of the capital laid out before him, tracing a line with his finger. “This entire area—complete reconstruction.”

The Minister of Works stepped forward, studied the map, his eyes flashing with astonishment before bowing and withdrawing without a word.

This behavior piqued the curiosity of the other second-rank ministers, who approached with the emperor’s permission. When they saw the area marked by his finger, their eyes widened—it was the entire Southern Thirty-Six Districts!

The Central Commander couldn’t help but exclaim: “Your Majesty! Are you evacuating the entire Southern Thirty-Six Districts? Do you realize how many people that involves?”

The emperor hadn’t spoken yet when Prime Minister Dou, fearing the emperor might hesitate, urgently stepped forward: “Your Majesty! My estate in the southern district can be demolished and rebuilt as new housing for the people!”

At his age, Prime Minister Dou sought nothing but a spotless reputation. If Xu Yanmiao were to die and the entire world learned about his multiple concubines, his bedroom habits, and how many of his descendants were honorable versus unscrupulous, he might as well die of shame!

The thought of his political rivals, his cherished juniors, and his respectful subordinates knowing such things was unbearable. He was determined to preserve his reputation!

Prime Minister Dou’s tone grew even more resolute: “Your Majesty, relocating the residents of the Southern Thirty-Six Districts is not a bad thing! The area is old and in need of repair. My estate spans hundreds of acres and can be demolished to provide new, spacious housing for the displaced residents. If the Ministry of Revenue lacks funds, I’m willing to donate!”

This relocation project must proceed! Anyone who tries to obstruct it will face his wrath!

The Minister of War became equally impassioned: “Your Majesty! I request that 20 of my household guards be stationed around Xiao Bai Ze’s home, standing vigil day and night! We swear to protect his safety at all costs!”

The Minister of Works raised his voice: “Your Majesty! I propose leveling the entire Southern Thirty-Six Districts for reconstruction. We can’t risk Xiao Bai Ze stumbling and injuring himself. If he were to—”

The Minister of Personnel cut him off sharply: “Shut up! Don’t jinx it!”

The Minister of Works quickly backtracked: “Yes, yes! I was wrong! That doesn’t count!”

The Left Commander stepped forward: “Your Majesty! I believe mere household guards and servants aren’t enough. Let me personally move next door to him! If anything happens, I’ll be the first to die in his place!”

Outside the palace, other officials were also in an uproar. Everyone had secrets they couldn’t afford to be exposed. Even if their lives weren’t at stake, their reputations certainly were!

Upon hearing the emperor’s intention to relocate the Southern Thirty-Six Districts, they unanimously submitted petitions in support, even offering to donate funds to ensure its success.

Some families volunteered their household guards or sons to reside in the area. These individuals, skilled in riding, shooting, and armed with muskets, swore to protect Xiao Bai Ze with their lives.

Any corrupt officials or enemies plotting against Xu Yanmiao would have to face this formidable defense first. They vowed that not even a hair on Xu Yanmiao’s head would be harmed before they all perished.

Meanwhile, Yongchang Marquis, a veteran of the emperor’s conquests, began preparing to relocate with his 80 adopted sons: “Whoever harms Xiao Bai Ze is my enemy! Anyone daring to use underhanded tactics will have to step over my dead body first!”

In the midst of this commotion, the Ministry of Works began urgent preparations, aiming to relocate all residents of the Southern Thirty-Six Districts except Xu Yanmiao as quickly as possible. Until then, the 36 households surrounding Xu Yanmiao’s home had already been replaced, with generous compensation provided for their relocation.

The emperor also stationed numerous imperial guards and soldiers among them, creating a mixed presence to prevent anyone from exploiting the situation to stage a rebellion in the capital.

“The Southern Thirty-Six Districts will retain its name for now,” the emperor decreed. “Once the new area is completed, it will be renamed ‘Liuqing District’—the Clear Reputation District!”

This decision was final.

Turning to Empress Dou, the emperor recounted the situation with lingering fear: “I suspected this might happen but didn’t expect it to escalate like this. Thank heavens I didn’t truly imprison or kill him back then.”

Otherwise, it would have been a disaster—everyone’s secrets would have been exposed, and life would have become unbearably stifling.

Empress Dou listened quietly as the emperor shifted topics, summoning several prepared portraits: “Empress, look at these illegitimate sons of Xian’er. Which one do you like best? Whichever you choose, I’ll make him the crown prince!”

Pointing to the portraits, the emperor began introducing them one by one: “This is Xian’er’s eldest illegitimate son. The imperial guards investigated him and found…”

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