Chapter 186: Virtuous and Good

Words : 1482 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

Impeach court officials? Recommend virtuous talents? In just those few steps just now, who has offended her? Eunuch Fu pondered in his heart. He was somewhat worried if the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion intended to impeach the Empress. The Empress’s eyes were cold, "Impeaching court officials and recommending virtuous talents are matters for the ministers of the court, not something for you, an Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion, to meddle in." Su Jin looked at the Empress, puzzled, "Didn’t what the Empress just said amount to impeaching my father?" The Empress’s face turned cold. The Emperor smiled, "I’m rather curious, who do you intend to impeach?" Su Jin looked at the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, surely you have heard why I opened an ice shop. It’s because Song’s Ice Shop refused to sell ice to me and even spread the word throughout the Capital City’s ice shops, leaving me with no ice to buy." "The court has an ice well, which should have a large stock of ice, yet I heard the ice well leaks air every year, causing the stored ice to melt into water." "The one I want to impeach is the Ice Well Supervisor. If he can’t even manage an ice well, what’s the use of such an official?" "...." "Su Jin has virtuous talent in hand and can definitely repair the ice well to ensure the Imperial Palace’s supply of ice." "...." Eunuch Fu was once again stunned. The Empress did not want the Emperor to lend the ice cellar to the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion. The Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion directly recommended virtuous talent, effectively taking over the entire ice cellar. And she did this so openly, with reason and evidence, making it indefensible to refuse. Could it be that she knows the Ice Well Supervisor is one of Duke Chong’s people? The Empress’s face alternated between shades of blue, red, and purple. The Emperor looked at her and said, "Does the Empress have anything to say?" The Empress almost ground her silver teeth to powder. What could she say? The fact that the ice well leaks air every year, causing ice to melt, is undeniable. Without needing investigation, the Emperor could dismiss the Ice Well Supervisor from his position. Su Jin opened an ice shop, claiming to have virtuous talents, with the shop as the best proof. Beneath the phoenix robe, the Empress clenched her hands. She came to prevent the Emperor from lending the ice cellar to Su Jin for storing ice, yet the ice cellar ended up in the hands of this female bandit, turning her into the laughingstock of the Imperial Palace! The Empress looked at the Emperor and said, "There’s no ice in the ice cellar now, no need for supervision. The Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion’s recommendation of virtuous talent is nothing but a pretense for personal gain." Su Jin looked at the Empress and said, "Precisely because there’s no ice in the ice cellar, we need to replace the supervisor immediately. If the ice cellar is not repaired before winter, should we wait until after winter before fixing it?" "The ice well leaks air every year. I suppose the Ice Well Supervisor must have searched for the cause but simply couldn’t find it. Even if my people are skilled at storing ice, it will take time to discover the problem." Even if you tried to find fault in these words, you wouldn’t find a trace. The Empress was speechless. The Emperor said, "Relieve the Ice Well Supervisor of his duties and hand over the ice well to the person recommended by the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion for management." The Empress was so angry that she could taste blood in her throat. The Empress said, "Can the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion guarantee not to use public office for private gain?" "I definitely won’t use public office for private gain," Su Jin guaranteed. "The person taking over the ice well is someone I recommended. I’m responsible for helping him repair the ice well, so I’ll lend him a large amount of ice blocks to ensure the problem is found and addressed," Su Jin said earnestly. The Emperor, "...." Eunuch Fu, "...." This is blatant opposition to the Empress. And it’s not in a low voice, but a loud and clear proclamation. Eunuch Fu raised his hand to wipe away the sweat on his forehead. Did you think this was the most shocking? No! This isn’t it! Xingxing looked at the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, since my lady is so selfless, should you not reward her?" The Emperor, "...." Eunuch Fu, "...." Eunuch Fu worriedly glanced at the Empress. Seeing the Empress’s face turn blue, her lips trembling. He was a bit concerned that the Empress might faint from anger and end up being carried out of the Imperial Study. The Empress, trembling with anger, pointed at Su Jin, her gaze cold enough to freeze people, "Using public office for private gain and still asking for a reward?!" Su Jin blinked and smiled, "How can that be called using public office for private gain? At most, it’s killing two birds with one stone. I have a place to store ice, the court repairs the ice well, and next year not only will the Imperial Palace have ice available, but during the scorching heat, the Emperor can also reward court officials with ice, displaying the Emperor’s concern for his ministers." "I just don’t understand. An incompetent Ice Well Supervisor, the Emperor should have demoted him and sent him home long ago. Is it really worth it to let the court suffer a loss of at least ten thousand taels just because the Empress is annoyed with me?" The Empress coldly laughed, "The ice well leaking air benefits your ice shop. You wouldn’t be so kind as to repair the ice well, would you?" Su Jin faintly smiled, "Does this mean the Ice Well Supervisor didn’t repair the ice well because he’s afraid of offending Duke Chong? If that’s really the case, then it’s not just about dismissal but about confiscation of property." The Empress, "....!!!" This punch didn’t land on Su Jin, but rather on Duke Chong. Su Jin smiled, "The Empress can rest assured. Not to mention next year, but this year, I’ll also fully cover the ice used by the Imperial Palace to alleviate the summer heat." "Eldest Young Madam, you’re not joking, right?" Eunuch Fu swallowed and said. The ice used by the Imperial Palace is not a small amount. Su Jin faintly smiled and said, "However much ice the Imperial Palace used in past years, I’ll have people send just as much. Consider it a filial respect to the Emperor, and these words are said in front of the Emperor and Empress, definitely not empty talk." The Emperor smiled and said, "I remember there is a Jade Pendant made from Cold Jade, reward it to the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion." "And for the Ice Well Supervisor’s mansion, have someone confiscate the property," the Emperor said. Eunuch Fu, "...." The Emperor really rewarded the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion. And not only that, he also listened to the Eldest Young Madam and confiscated the Ice Well Supervisor’s property. Glancing at the Empress, whose face was nearly exploding in anger, Eunuch Fu silently went to find the Cold Jade. Su Jin received the Cold Jade and thanked the Emperor for his grace. After matters were settled, Su Jin bowed and took her leave, with Eunuch Fu escorting her out. Once outside the Imperial Study, Eunuch Fu said, "Eldest Young Madam, the Imperial Palace uses close to eight thousand ice blocks annually. If more banquets are held, the amount needed would be even greater." "I remembered, I’ll have people send the ice later," Su Jin said. "...." Eunuch Fu’s mouth twitched. His words weren’t meant that way. He just thought the Eldest Young Madam was unnecessarily wasting so many ice blocks for the sake of this rivalry with the Empress. Su Jin understood Eunuch Fu’s meaning and she laughed, "By sending ice blocks to the palace, Duke Chong’s Mansion can’t send theirs. I want their ice blocks to be saved for the winter." Eunuch Fu, "...." Today he was completely convinced. The Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion didn’t just want to drive Song’s Ice Shop out of business. She even plugged the last earning route of Song’s Ice Shop for this year. By giving it away for free, even if the Empress Dowager and Empress join forces, they can’t change the fact that Duke Chong’s ice blocks will have to be saved for the winter. He was indeed curious about how many ice blocks she had. Her confidence is so abundant it’s almost shining.

Chapter 186: Virtuous and Good

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