A Night of Lanterns in Weidu

Zhao Qi sat in a chair in the Imperial Study, looking doubtful. "Prime Minister Jing, Eunuch Director Pei says you're using the emperor to command the feudal lords."

Jing Si raised her eyelids, entirely unruffled. "Your Majesty, do you know what it means to use the emperor to command the feudal lords?"

Zhao Qi scratched the back of his head. "More or less like yesterday, when I gave Xiao Shunzi a piece of candy and he let me go to the Imperial Garden to chase butterflies?"

Jing Si nodded approvingly. "Your Majesty has finally understood the art of bribery. I am deeply gratified."

After a moment's thought, she added in her pleasant feminine voice, "To explain it precisely, using the emperor to command the feudal lords would mean that one day, if I could gain the upper hand over Eunuch Director Pei, then I could truly be said to be using the emperor to command the feudal lords."

Zhao Qi asked her, still half confused, "You still can't get the better of Eunuch Director Pei, Prime Minister Jing? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Jing Si said, "If Your Majesty is truly willing to take my side, that would be wonderful. All you need to do is issue an imperial decree ordering Eunuch Director Pei to be castrated once more. That would help me tremendously!"

An eerie silence fell over the Imperial Study. Someone slammed a memorial onto the table with a sharp crack. The two of them turned together to look at Eunuch Director Pei, whose face was expressionless.

The person seated in the chair curled their lips into a faint, chilly smile and spoke gently. "Jing Si, are you planning not to sleep tonight?"

A woman became prime minister, enjoying good harvests and the support of everyone. Before she could even live the life of a powerful minister, The Outcast, second only to the emperor and above all others, the late emperor died, leaving behind a mess and a foolish crown prince who had yet to grow up. The famous, powerful Eunuch Director also seized the chance to get involved. What began as a struggle for power eventually became a pursuit of a person.

In this vast world, what is more satisfying: growing old together with one person, or wielding political power and becoming a treacherous minister?

The courtly tales of Eunuch Director Pei and Prime Minister Jing.