Chapter 245: Heartless

Chapter 245

When Pei Changying and Pei Weiqi were previously engaged in internal strife, the Pei Family did not intervene. However, after Pei Changying's downfall, they began to emerge, attempting to constrain Pei Weiqi using moral ethics, ancestral laws, and other traditional rules.

Although Pei Weiqi would not be intimidated by their threats, the constant buzzing of these flies in her ear was undoubtedly irritating.

In modern times, few people identify strongly with their family clans, but in ancient times, clan rules were strictly observed. While one might not always heed their parents' words, when the family patriarch spoke, obedience was mandatory.

This tradition has existed since ancient times, and even in the modern era, some places still maintain it. Currently, the most respected elder in the Pei Family was Pei Weiqi's uncle.

Behind closed doors, he would pound his fist and exclaim, "How can a woman ascend to the throne? Preposterous! This is simply outrageous! How can the Pei Family face our ancestors?"

"How can we allow a woman to make decisions about matters of state? Their minds are filled with trivial household affairs. How can they be qualified to stand above the common people?"

"Let Pei Weiqi choose an infant from the Pei Family clan to be raised as emperor!"

"Her greatest use would be to marry a foreign prince for the sake of diplomacy. How can we allow a woman to meddle in affairs of state?"

"I object!"

Although Pei Weiqi paid no heed to their decisions, the Pei Family persisted, attempting to manipulate her through moral coercion.

Add to this the ministers at court who seemed to thrive on chaos, and even Gu Sang found herself with a splitting headache just thinking about these matters.

But the one-month deadline was tomorrow, and tomorrow she and her grandmother would have to return home. She could no longer offer any help in facing the difficulties that confronted Pei Weiqi.

In the Imperial Palace, night had fallen, but the newly crowned Empress Pei Weiqi was still reviewing official documents, far from rest.

The memorials on her desk were piled as high as a small mountain. This was not due to her laziness or negligence, but because the court officials did not respect her authority. They bombarded her with trivial matters, forcing her to make decisions on even the most minor issues.

These were matters that the officials could easily decide for themselves, but they seemed eager to see the Empress struggle.

Another mountain of documents on the desk consisted of memorials from ministers and the Pei Family, requesting that the Empress adopt an infant.

The candlelight on the desk flickered, and the Shadow Gate Leader appeared before Pei Weiqi.

The Shadow Gate members had all been recalled and secretly arranged by Pei Weiqi in the palace to protect her safety and carry out certain tasks for her.

Seeing Pei Weiqi look up, the leader placed five account books on her desk.

Pei Weiqi picked up the topmost book and opened the first page. Familiar names of ministers and officials greeted her eyes, followed by the amounts of bribes they had received.

She picked up another book, which contained the personal accounts of the Minister of War, detailing how much military pay he had embezzled.

Yet another book held the accounts of the Ministry of Works, showing how much had been spent on palace renovations and how much had been pocketed...

The ministers lowered their heads, secretly smirking and feeling contemptuous.

However, Pei Weiqi suddenly changed her tone and said, "But not all of these memorials are filled with such drivel. Some are quite interesting."

"For instance, this one. Lord Wang, on such and such a date, received fifty thousand taels of silver. Lord Zhang, on..."

With each name Pei Weiqi uttered, the color drained from the corresponding minister's face.

By the time she had leisurely finished reciting the list of bribes for all the ministers present, their backs were drenched in sweat, their clothes clinging uncomfortably to their skin.

"Your Majesty, have mercy!"

Hearing Pei Weiqi recite even the dates and locations, they realized that the matter had been thoroughly investigated and evidence had been gathered.

Therefore, they wisely refrained from denying the accusations and immediately kowtowed, admitting their guilt.

Pei Weiqi let out a cold snort but said nothing more, nor did she fly into a rage.

Yet this deathly silence was even more terrifying, leaving them unable to gauge her thoughts or predict whether they would be dragged out for execution in the next moment.

However, among the ministers were some particularly astute individuals who quickly guessed the Empress's intentions in summoning them in the middle of the night.

One such minister immediately began to plead his case while pledging his loyalty.

"Your Majesty, please understand. It was truly a desperate situation at the time. I had my reasons..."

"Your Majesty, I now realize my mistake. I beg you to grant me a chance to redeem myself."

"From now on, I will serve Your Majesty with unwavering loyalty, even unto death."

Seeing this, the other ministers also caught on and began to declare their allegiance one after another.

Pei Weiqi's expression finally softened, and she spoke in a gentler tone:

"You may rise. I understand that you all had your circumstances."

"For officials of your rank, the amounts you embezzled are not commensurate with your positions. It seems you are not the worst of the corrupt elements plaguing our court."

"While I detest corruption and wish to eradicate it entirely, I am not without compassion."

"As long as you do not repeat your offenses and serve me loyally, I am willing to let this matter rest."

"However, if you accept bribes again in the future, I will not hesitate to punish you for both past and present crimes! When that time comes, do not accuse me of being merciless."