Leaving the imperial prison.

Jiang Chen went straight back to the Hall of Diligent Administration.

It was his day off, so there was no need to attend court. He planned to review the memorials submitted by local officials.

"Your Majesty, you're back!"

Jiang Chen had just stepped through the hall's entrance when a crisp greeting reached his ears.

He paused and looked at the petite young woman walking toward him, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

Wasn't this Yun'er's dowry servant? What was she doing here?

As if sensing Jiang Chen's confusion, Fu'er, dressed in a lotus-pink strapless dress, quickly curtsied and explained in a delicate voice, "Your Majesty, Her Highness sent me to serve you. Fu'er has been waiting half the night to see you…"

Serve him?

Jiang Chen's eyes darkened as he sized up the young woman before him.

Unlike usual, Fu'er was wearing lip rouge today. Her rosy pink lips were like ripe cherries, tempting to pick.

The palace dress tightly cinched around her seemed carefully chosen as well. The fitted cut outlined her proud curves, making it hard to look away.

Clearing his throat, Jiang Chen looked away, inwardly sighing.

Yun'er, that girl, really thought of everything for him, never considering herself. It was truly pitiable.

Thinking of that delicate and graceful figure, Jiang Chen's gaze gradually calmed as he said lightly, "I still have memorials to review. You may withdraw for now."

Fu'er's watery eyes widened, and a look of panic washed over her fair face. She rushed to Jiang Chen's side, knelt down, and grabbed the hem of his robe.

"Your Majesty, is there something Fu'er did wrong? Fu'er can change. Please, don't send Fu'er away!" Tears streamed down, wetting the hem of Jiang Chen's robe as Fu'er sobbed and pleaded, her delicate shoulders trembling.

"Fu'er is Her Highness's dowry servant. Her purpose is to serve Your Majesty. If you reject me, Fu'er will have no face to live in this world!"

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

"Take her to the side hall to wait," Jiang Chen said, looking at the palace servants standing to the side, his voice calm.

The servants bowed and left, some of the prettier maids revealing envy and a desire to ingratiate themselves.

This Fu'er had gained the Emperor's favor. They would have to be more respectful when they met her in the future!

Seeing everyone leave, Jiang Chen bent down, picked up Fu'er, and strode toward the rear.

Fu'er obediently lay in his arms, her tear-stained eyelashes fluttering, her face flushed with shyness.

Soon, she was placed on a soft couch.

Jiang Chen's gaze was possessive as it roamed over her full curves.

Although only sixteen, Fu'er's proportions were far superior to others her age, comparable to a mature woman.

Without hesitation, Jiang Chen reached out and began to explore her fair skin…

Two hours later.

Soft cries for mercy echoed through the side hall.

On the soft couch, Fu'er, covered in sweat and utterly exhausted, leaned against Jiang Chen, too tired to even lift her arms.

It was her first time, and she couldn't handle Jiang Chen at all.

But she was afraid that Jiang Chen hadn't been satisfied, so she forced herself to say, "Your Majesty, Fu'er can still serve you. If you want…"

Before she could finish, Jiang Chen pinched her chin and said with tenderness, "Rest if you're tired. You're my woman; you don't need to force yourself."

Hearing this, a look of emotion flashed in Fu'er's eyes. The beautiful eyes looking at Jiang Chen were soft enough to drip water.

These few short words were better than countless elixirs.

The ache in her body seemed to be relieved by this expression of concern.

Fu'er's slender hands climbed onto Jiang Chen's neck, her face flushed as she leaned closer to Jiang Chen…

"Your Majesty, Minister Yuan requests an audience!"

The report interrupted their intimacy.

Fu'er shrank back into Jiang Chen's arms like a startled kitten, burying her face in the man's chest.

Her shy and charming appearance stirred Jiang Chen's heart.

But thinking of Yuan Buyi waiting outside the hall, he sighed helplessly, wrapped Fu'er in the blankets, and consoled her, "There are matters of state that must be dealt with. Rest first, and I'll be back later."

Fu'er looked at Jiang Chen with longing, her heart filled with reluctance.

But she knew what was important and didn't cling to him. She nodded obediently and watched Jiang Chen leave.

Half an hour later.

Jiang Chen returned to the main hall, well-groomed and radiant.

In his past life, he hadn't even held a woman's hand, but now he had a harem of beauties waiting for him to favor!

Thinking of the crimson stain blooming on the blankets when he left, Jiang Chen smiled.

This kind of satisfaction was something that many men could never experience.

"Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"

Yuan Buyi saw Jiang Chen and quickly put down the scroll in his hand, standing up to salute.

Jiang Chen respected this loyal minister who was devoted to the country and personally helped him up, even ordering someone to brew a cup of ginseng tea.

Yuan Buyi held the teacup, his eyes red with emotion.

He secretly vowed that since the Emperor treated him so well, he would risk his old life to help him eliminate treacherous officials!

"Your Majesty, this is the account of the materials for the relief of the Wei River, personally handled by this humble minister and escorted under the supervision of General Xu. Every single coin and grain was used where it was needed!"

Jiang Chen nodded.

He had been following this matter closely and had sent several secret guards to supervise in the shadows, so he was aware of Yuan Buyi's hard work.

"Minister Yuan, you deserve the credit for this. When the disaster in the Wei River is alleviated, I will reward you."

Yuan Buyi didn't respond.

He stood up, bowed deeply to Jiang Chen, and said sincerely, "Your Majesty, compared to you, this humble minister's small contribution is not worth mentioning!"

"If it weren't for you overruling the objections of the court to stop the construction of the imperial palace, and finding ways to get the officials to donate, raising disaster relief materials… even if this minister had greater abilities, it would be impossible to fill the bellies of the people!"

As he spoke, he knelt on both knees and performed a kowtow.

"This minister, Yuan Buyi, thanks Your Majesty for your kindness on behalf of the people of the Wei River!"

Looking at the old man in front of him with a solemn expression, Jiang Chen was moved.

He knew Yuan Buyi and knew that this old man was not the kind of minister who flattered and toadied.

Making such a gesture was completely from the bottom of his heart.

Jiang Chen took a deep breath to calm his emotions. Just as he was about to speak, Yuan Buyi took out a palm-sized booklet from his wide sleeve and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, this is some information that this minister secretly investigated by contacting the Ministry of Revenue under the guise of disaster relief. The corruption and bribery involved are shockingly widespread, and more than half of the officials in the Ministry of Revenue are implicated!"

Jiang Chen's face darkened, realizing the seriousness of the problem.

He took the booklet and opened it to examine it carefully.

The names listed on it were very familiar; almost all of the officials above the fourth rank in the Ministry of Revenue were on it!

As for the reasons for soliciting bribes, they were varied.

For example, the Vice Minister of the Right of the Ministry of Revenue took his eighteenth concubine last month, and a group of officials rushed to send congratulatory gifts, such as golden desks, pearl coral trees… Roughly estimated, the total value of the congratulatory gifts was at least fifty thousand taels of silver!

But a while ago, the surplus in the treasury of the Great Wei was only five hundred thousand taels!

Thinking of this, Jiang Chen's face was livid, and he slammed the booklet on the table with a bang!

"The officials of this Ministry of Revenue are truly skilled at making money!"

"Just taking a concubine can bring in fifty thousand taels of silver in congratulatory gifts, which is much richer than I am!"

As he spoke, Jiang Chen's tone became increasingly cold, his handsome face filled with murderous intent.

"Keep an eye on them!"

"I want to know where all this money came from!"