In the royal palace, the ministers are reporting the state of the empire to the emperor orderly but the emperor is visibly bored.
Every once in a while, the emperor would give a suitable response to the issues that the ministers raise. However, the orders that the emperor gives would be similar to the orders that the governor or magistrate would make and these orders would already be put into action by the time the minister reports the issue to the emperor.
The only issues that would be placed on hold for the emperor to take control of are those of state importance, and there is really no issue with the governor or the magistrate taking control of minor issues as long as it is settled properly. Despite that, these minor issues still need to be reported to the emperor so he is aware of what is happening in his empire.
"Your majesty, the tax collection this month is xx taels from the XX province."
"Your majesty, the tax collection this month is xx taels from the XX province."
"..."
Soon the boring taxation reports from the tax officers of various provinces start to report their monthly collections and the emperor closes his eyes to do some mental calculations. All the ministers are quiet as the amount of tax collections would determine their bonus and ministry's budget.
After the last tax collection official makes his report, there is a silence that makes you feel like shouting out for a few minutes, and then the emperor starts giving out orders.
"From today onwards, the ministry of war, justice and personnel will have an increased budget of 260%. The other three ministries will decrease their budget by 30%. We will also double the amount of food given out to the people for the next few months and the tax collection offices will lower the tax collected by 10%."
The budget increase of the ministry of war shocked everyone as this is only done when the empire is about to move the military. War is common in this world but nobody will ever welcome war.
"We will be sweeping rebels from today onwards. This society of heavens has irked me long enough. Now they have crept their way into the capital province and have infested the towns. General Ling and Governor Shang, come and accept your orders!" the emperor orders.
Shang Jian Rui's skips a beat as the emperor calls him out and he quickly moves forward and knees to accept the emperor's edict.
"General Ling has spent the last two years seeking out these rebels. Governor Shang will support him and stop the rest of the populace from rebelling and will take care of the aftermath. Also, lock down the capital province so news of the purge does not spread out of the province." As soon as the emperor finishes giving his orders, a golden scroll is passed to Governor Shang by the chief eunuch. The golden scroll is the emperor's edict and it will provide him with the power required for him to execute the emperor's orders.
"Minister Ying, start recruiting more soldiers from those affected by this purge and we will deal with the rest of the empire once the other generals return from their surveys." The emperor gives another order to the minister of war, Ying Zheng Xian who is part of the Ying family.
"Your subject obeys!" Ying Zheng Xian bows and accepts the order.
The emperor then looks at the court eunuch, and the court eunuch bows and shouts "His Majesty is returning to his palace!" which signifies the end of the morning court session which has lasted for the 3 hours.
...
As everyone is heading back to their estates, Governor Shang will be hosting General Ling at the governor's office until they set out for their military operation together and are chatting about what kind of preparations they need to make before they set out. As they near the exit of the royal palace, a carriage with a guard retinue stops in front of them and blocks their way, and a man exits the carriage.
General Ling recognises the man and greets him with a bow and says "General Ling greets the crown prince!"
Shang Jian Rui is shocked and quickly greets the crown prince as well "Governor Shang, Shang Jian Rui greets the crown prince!"
The crown prince smiles and quick says "Please rise! There is no need to bow so deep when we are blocking the entrance of the royal palace. General Ling, it is good to see you again! Have you found any news regarding the child of heaven yet?"
After hearing what the crown prince said, Governor Shang and General Ling relax their posture but General Ling gives Governor Shang a glance as if hinting to Governor Shang that this conversation is not for his ears.
Both the crown prince and Governor Shang notice General Ling's glace and Governor Shang smartly excuses himself. "Ah, I just realised that I have something to attend to at the governor's office. General Ling, perhaps you should come to the governor's office tomorrow instead as it is past noon already." Governor Shang makes up an excuse for him to leave.
The crown prince and General Ling smiles and nodes in acknowledge, and watches Governor Shang leave. Once Governor Shang is out of sight, the crown prince gives General Ling a puzzled look.
"Your Highness, I have questioned the entire and searched for news and has arrived at two conclusions, and both of these conclusions about the dimming of the emperor star is related to Governor Shang." General Ling reports to the crown prince.
The crown prince is shocked and says "how is it possible? Isn't Governor Shang from a branch family of the Shang family and has never had any importance placed upon him ever since he was crippled!?"
The general gives a smirk and says "Your Highness, you should not look down on this family. No matter what, Shang Jian Rui and Meng Zhi Rou were names that could once scare people from the Immortal Sects. The forefathers have told us that the cub of a tiger will never be a cat and they are words of wisdom."
"Ever since the emperor's star dimmed, this little family has had some weird events. The first is that the day the emperor's star dimmed, they had welcomes twins into the world. I have investigated the twins and they seem normal, but the midwife that delivered them has gone missing. Her neighbours said that she received so many gold taels that she probably ran far, far away."
"There are also rumours that despite their eldest son being a useless person, he caused the first qi storm in the city, but I have been unable to confirm this rumour and it is highly unlikely to be accurate. Furthermore, the grand astrologer said that it is highly likely that the destined children of the heavens are twins, as he has noticed and has been observing a twin star that has been shining brightly for the last few years."
"The other possible conclusion is a child of the Ying family. I have been unable to find any news about her as she did not leave their estate at all, but she caused the second qi storm and is now one of the most important disciples of the Qing Yu Sect. The Qing Yu sect has also announced to the world that she possess the heavenly pathways and has assigned two protectors to ensure her safety." General Ling reports his finding with a proud expression.
"A girl with the illusionary heavenly pathways...If I remember correctly, the grand tutor once said that the great destiny of a wife could bring her husband either great luck or great misfortune...Oh yes, you said both conclusions are related to Governor Shang? How is this girl related to him? She can't be his illegitimate daughter right?" the crown prince asked with a wry expression.