23 The Last of Zhang's

"Your highness, the dam at the Shu borders has broken. The river water has flooded the crops and killed most of the animals in the area. Here I have the notice from the village official-"

"Official Wei, you may put the notice in the basket, I will read through it tonight."

"Your highness, drought has hit the south-west parts of the empire. No rain has poured for two months. The crops have died, and the people are suffering. Here I have the notice-"

"Official Zhi, put it in the basket, please."

"Your highness, the crime rates around the Kunlun area have risen. Tax collection has become bothersome, and we believe some neighbouring country's armies have invaded the city dressed as commoners. Here I have the notice-"

"The basket, official Yu."

"Your highness, because of the drought and the floods, we can't collect taxes from the affected areas for an extensive period of time. We must open the vaults and distribute the rice and flour to aid the people. For the time being, I recommend raising taxes in other parts of the empire not affected by-"

Official Xie drawled on with his grating monotone voice, and Zhang YaYun found himself studying the intricate dragon carvings coiling in the high roof of the imperial hall. He never noticed a phoenix hiding among the dragons that were fighting for the gigantic pearl, before now.

His behind had become sore from sitting on his golden throne. He shuffled around, rearranging his black and gold robes. From leaning to his left hand he moved to lean to his right one, trying his best to keep his eyes at least half-open, and his hearing sharp.

He had sat there since the sunrise. Watched as the sun-rays first peeked from behind the horizon, filling the imperial hall with its amber warmth through the open doors, before the sun rose to its peak, setting the gold embedded pillars of the hall up like they were on fire, casting long shadows along the white marble floor.

Zhang YaYun groaned silently as he realised official Xie's lips were still moving, but he hadn't registered even a word for a while now. The old rooster seemed to notice the emperor's irritation as he suddenly halted. This alerted Zhang YaYun, and the emperor sat up straighter like a student caught dozing off by his teacher.

"Your highness shouldn't take such long trips outside the Imperial City, and maybe the work wouldn't pile up this much." The old man scolded. The other officials nodded in agreement.

All ten men had served the Zhang's since the previous emperor, and they had watched over Zhang YaYun as he grew up. Even though Zhang YaYun was the emperor now, it didn't stop the men from scolding him from time to time.

"I was away only for a little over a week." Zhang YaYun offered as he rubbed his temples. He was too old for this. It wasn't even fair. Ten old men versus him in court.

"It was two weeks and a day, I counted." Official Yu said drily. He had the same stern eyes as Yu Zhong, but the old ox was much more relaxed compared to his son, probably due to old age.

"We can't blame the emperor," Official Zhi mused with a coy smile as he brushed through his grey beard. "Our children have been leading him astray."

"Yes, my wife gave AhJun a good beating for taking off for two weeks without notice or a letter." The old monkey said, and the other officials nodded in support.

Huh, so that's why Wei KaiJun had been walking a little weird for the past few days, thought Zhang YaYun. Madam Wei was a force to be reckoned with, and even YaYun feared her temper, having spent some of his childhood in their home.

"Our Zhong sent us letters every day. Sometimes I hope he could let loose a little. That boy is too strict for his own good." Official Yu pitched in.

"You should find him a wife, old Yu. It helped with my boy." Official Liu spoke up.

"I say you should enjoy it while it lasts. My son does nothing but dotes on his wife after marriage. He acts like he doesn't have these old parents anymore." Official Zhao complained.

How did the imperial court meeting turn into a gossip club for geezers? But Zhang YaYun was thankful the attention was away from him for the time being.

His quick break was over before it even started when official Xie turned his eyes back to the emperor.

"Yes, good thing you mentioned that, old Liu. When will our highness finally marry?"

YaYun groaned out loud this time. Not this conversation again.

"I'm working on it," YaYun muttered as he leaned back on his throne in defeat.

Official Wei chuckled as he saw YaYun's disgruntlement. "Your highness, men can't bear children. You must take at least one woman as a concubine."

"Your highness, it's important to continue the lineage of Zhang." Official Yu pressed.

"You are the last of Zhang's," Official Liu said. "Your uncle couldn't have any off-springs, and now you are our last hope."

YaYun had nothing to say to that. His preferences were well known to his officials. He preferred beautiful men over women, but he wouldn't say no if the right lady stepped into his radar. Those were seldom and far between though, and it was becoming a little worrying to his officials.

"That shouldn't be a problem." Official Wei said with an impish grin. Zhang YaYun didn't like his expression. Wei KaiJun had the same grin on whenever something evil was being concocted in his head.

"Right," Official Zhi said with a bright smile, crinkling his eyes. "During your absence, your highness, a letter has arrived from the little country of Jin. We have great news. The emperor of Jin has offered- Oh, ChangChang?" Official Zhi said in surprise, and all eyes fell on his daughter.

Zhang YaYun nearly jumped out of his skin as he saw the husky prostrated by the doors. Why was Zhi ChangNing here? She was supposed to be guarding the snakes!

ChangNing curved her back and paid her respect to the officials before she hurried over to YaYun's side.

"What are you doing here?" YaYun hissed from between his teeth as the husky stopped beside him on the podium.

ChangNing's cold eyes remained unflinching when she leaned over and whispered into his ear,

"YaYun, the two male snakes ran away from the White Lotus Hall."

Zhang YaYun masterfully expressed a meltdown without words. His face turned ashy white before the blood rushed in his head, turning him darker than a ripe tomato. "Why are you here? Gather the others and find them!"

He couldn't let the two snakes run around his palace grounds. If any of the officials realised he had brought them in the palace secretly, they would chastise him to death! His wanton ways were already the subject of complaint; this would be the icing on the cake. The geezers would die over the amount of gossip handed to them on the silver platter.

Zhi ChangNing shot a wary look at the officials, who were studying them with curiosity. YaYun realised that whatever ChangNing wanted to say was too sensitive to be said here.

Turning his attention back to his subordinates, YaYun waved at his servants to carry the three straw baskets full of reports from across the country back to his study. He wasn't going to sleep tonight, or any night for this upcoming week on that matter.

"I'll end the meeting here. I will go over the reports tonight, and we will have a meeting tomorrow morning. You are all dismissed."

The officials exchanged looks with each other but voiced no complaints. They bowed and took their leave.

As soon as the last of their shadows disappeared from the hall, YaYun rose from his throne and hurried deeper into the palace through the pathway behind his throne. Another flick of his wrist and the servants dispersed from his side, leaving only Zhi ChangNing to walk beside him.

When YaYun was sure no one was in a hearing distance from them, he turned his attention back to her.

"What is it?"

"Zhong, KaiJun, and JingYi are all watching over the prisoners in the Crescent Moon Hall. I didn't want to disturb them."

A snap could be heard in the silence, and YaYun feared one of his major arteries had popped from anger. "They are in prison! It's not like they can walk out whenever they wish to! Why would those three need to guard them? Get them out here and find the snakes!"

Zhi ChangNing was admirably stoic. She didn't react to YaYun's little fit, not even with a twitch of an eyebrow. She and Yu Zhong were the two stone statues of their crew. They wouldn't flinch even if they got stabbed.

"But YaYun, they aren't regular prisoners."

YaYun's lip jerked into a cruel smile. "I doubt they can break free from my ropes."

"But-" Zhi ChangNing started.

"They won't escape. Fetch the three and search everywhere. Scent them out."

Zhi ChangNing turned to leave when YaYun called her back. His brows furrowed as he thought over the matter.

"Whatever happens, don't let any of the snakes near the Crescent Moon Hall. Understood?"