I Can Hear Your Voice 05

"You can coordinate with the Ministry of Revenue later... This year, the palace will keep all festival celebrations simple, and the silver saved will be used to subsidize the soldiers."

"Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty!"

Some wanted to dissuade him, while others were astonished. Xu Yuanzhi never expected Fang Zhiyi to actually agree, and he immediately became a little emotional.

"I thank Your Majesty on behalf of the soldiers!" With that, he knelt down, and soon everyone else followed suit, singing Fang Zhiyi's praises in unison.

Only that inner voice remained jarring.

"Stealing the credit, huh? It was clearly my dad's suggestion, but look at him, he just turned around and claimed all the credit for himself! I take back what I said yesterday. This emperor is indeed too scheming. Dad, don't kneel to him. You're the one who fought for these benefits for them."

Xu Yuanzhi's face turned pale. He did not dare to look up at all.

If it weren't for the fact that His Majesty couldn't hear it, they would be doomed!

After the court session, Fang Zhiyi deliberately kept the Xu father and daughter behind. Of course, Xu Jiao was merely tagging along. Fang Zhiyi simply spoke to Xu Yuanzhi about having him personally escort the supplies and taking the opportunity to see his son. Moved, Xu Yuanzhi repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

While he was expressing his gratitude here, Xu Jiao was complaining about Fang Zhiyi in her heart right behind him.

Xu Yuanzhi could hardly understand why his daughter had such an aversion to the emperor. This would not do; he had to find an opportunity to educate her.

"Oh, right. Xu Jiao, come with me. The Empress Dowager saved some pastries for you," Fang Zhiyi said as if suddenly remembering. Upon hearing about pastries, Xu Jiao immediately beamed with joy and followed him. Xu Yuanzhi wanted to follow, but was stopped by a eunuch.

"Old General, are you afraid that I might eat your precious daughter?" Fang Zhiyi teased.

Xu Yuanzhi smiled awkwardly and stood where he was.

Not long after, Xu Jiao came out with the pastries, and the father and daughter returned home together. Along the way, Xu Yuanzhi kept beating around the bush to ask Xu Jiao about her views on the emperor. Xu Jiao dealt with him perfunctorily with her words, while inwardly complaining about her own father as well.

This felt terrible, especially for a loyal subject like Xu Yuanzhi. How come he never noticed that his daughter was someone whose words did not match her thoughts? Could it be the result of him spoiling her too much?

Little did he know, it was because Fang Zhiyi had not only heard Xu Jiao's inner voice but also locked up the Crown Prince, who had been shielding her and acting as her tool. How could Xu Jiao not direct her frustration at Fang Zhiyi?

That afternoon, the Minister of Revenue's residence was suddenly raided. The leading official claimed they had received a secret report. Sure enough, the Minister of Revenue was not clean. This incident caused a huge sensation; the head of one of the Six Ministries had suddenly fallen.

If one were to ask who was the happiest, it was naturally his deputy.

"Why did the emperor suddenly raid Liu Yuezhang's home? This doesn't make sense," a few gathered officials discussed.

"Gentlemen, there is something I want to share with you all," one official said, as if having made a great resolution.

The others all looked at his solemn face.

"Perhaps you might think I'm crazy, but actually... I can hear the inner voice of that daughter from the Xu family!" As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the several people at the table varied.

"You must believe me! I heard it. Today, it was that demoness who said in her heart that Lord Liu was embezzling and taking bribes..."

An official patted his shoulder. "We believe you, we believe you. I heard it too."

"You can hear it too?"

"Yes, and me."

The last remaining person threw his hands up. "I heard it as well."

"You actually heard it but didn't say anything!"

"Who would dare to say it? Such an unimaginable thing!"

After a period of silence, someone spoke up in confusion, "Then could the emperor be..."

Someone shook his head. "The emperor probably can't hear it. I observed carefully. Even when that demoness was cursing the emperor in her heart, the emperor didn't show the slightest hint of anger. I'm afraid only we can hear it."

That day, a piece of news quietly circulated among the court officials, and everyone finally learned of the bizarre phenomenon where they could all hear the inner voice. Everyone except the Xu family, that is. The Xu family was currently behind closed doors, educating their daughter on the concepts of loyalty to the sovereign and patriotism. Xu Jiao had a well-behaved look on her face, but in her heart, she was constantly complaining. This greatly shocked the Xu couple; why was their daughter like this?

But fortunately, her inner voice could only be heard by her family, so it would be fine as long as she spoke less.

Another rumor also spread from a certain eunuch in the palace.

Xu Jiao had stayed alone with the emperor after the court session. It was unclear what was said, but they only knew that after Xu Jiao left, the emperor's expression changed, and then the Minister of Revenue met with disaster.

When they attended court again, the officials were all preoccupied with their own thoughts. Previously, they were just enjoying the gossip, but now they realized the severity of the problem.

Setting aside why they could hear the demoness's inner voice, the terrifying part was that the demoness actually knew the secrets of many high-ranking court officials! Although the emperor couldn't hear her inner voice, the demoness dared to directly file complaints relying on her status as an Investigating Censor!

Xu Jiao had no idea what they were thinking. After all, she was completely unaware that her psychological activities were being broadcast live the entire time.

"Why isn't my Crown Prince brother back yet? It's so annoying to look at that emperor all day."

"Hehe, the Minister of Revenue Liu Yuezhang had his home raided. Serves him right for doing so many bad things. Most importantly, he actually pinched my cheeks when I was little!"

Some people's breathing became heavy.

Fang Zhiyi still maintained his usual expression.

"That's the Right Chancellor, isn't it? What is he going to do? Oh, report on the disaster? I was wondering why Guo Hongru wasn't here; he was sent to provide disaster relief? This kind of thing should be done by my Crown Prince brother. If he doesn't go, who will expose the true faces of these corrupt officials? Sending Guo Hongru is just like throwing a rat into a rice bin!"

"Speaking of which, this Right Chancellor isn't a good person either. He seems to be the protective umbrella for those corrupt officials."

The elderly Right Chancellor took a deep breath. Don't be angry, don't be angry. The emperor can't hear it anyway.

"No, if the Crown Prince brother doesn't go, the plot will be stuck. I... Oh right, Dad went to prepare to escort the winter clothes and provisions. Good thing I'm a censor now. I need to speak up!"

At almost this exact moment, all the officials coincidentally shut their mouths.

"Your Majesty!" The young girl's voice was incomparably crisp. "I, your subject, petition to have the Crown Prince brother go provide disaster relief, as a way to... make up for his mistakes with good deeds." As she spoke, she even blinked her eyes, her voice carrying a hint of coquettishness.

Fang Zhiyi smiled.

Seeing Fang Zhiyi smile, the ministers subconsciously smiled along.

"Are you dissatisfied with how I discipline my son?"

Xu Jiao paused for a moment. "No, I just think the Crown Prince is more capable. If he goes to provide disaster relief, the disaster victims will definitely be deeply grateful to the imperial court..."

Fang Zhiyi looked at her. She had finally taken the bait; all he wanted was for her to speak up.

"So, are you teaching me how to do things?"

All the courtiers were dumbfounded, and quite a few gloated over her misfortune. Xu Jiao was doomed!

Xu Jiao was not a complete fool. After all, she had been listening in on the court sessions for so long. Feeling wronged, she shut her mouth, but in her heart, there was a string of complaints. Listening to it made the ministers' hearts twitch with anxiety; taking out any single sentence from it would be enough to get her killed!