I woke up as the Villainous Empress

169  Surprise or Shocking?

Yang Luoyang clenched his fists and could feel his blood boiling in rage. By questioning him about the tax collections in front of everyone, Zheng Liang has not only humiliated him but has also questioned his authority as the Head of the Finance Department.

If Zheng Liang embarrasses him in front of everyone like this, how can others trust him next time and join hands with him? He married Yang Ning to him to improve his reputation in the royal court and not to get humiliated in front of everyone like this.

He took a deep breath as he could feel everyone's curious gazes on him and could feel that they were waiting for him to come up with some explanation. Because in this matter, not only he but others were also involved.

 If Yang Luoyang failed to explain this matter, Zheng Liang's sword will turn to them and they will have no explanation to give at that moment. Because it was Yang Luoyang who was helping them to save their taxes in exchange for their favors.

In exchange for collecting fewer taxes from the ministers and aristocrats, Yang Luoyang had a deal with them in which he took favor from them privately. Rather than collecting heavy taxes from them, he takes favors from them which benefits him and makes him richer because of such shady exchanges.

Yang Luoyang cleared his throat and looked at Zheng Liang before saying, "Your Highness looks like there was some confusion on my part. I must have neglected my duty and must not have checked the report correctly. That is why I assumed that the difference in revenue was because of the farmers and laborers."

"After His Majesty has fallen sick, I was handling the royal court work and the other tasks as well and I failed to do my work correctly. If you give me some time, I will check the report and will collect taxes from those who haven't submitted it yet. I will not let you down this time." Yang Luoyang gave an excuse to postpone this matter for the moment.

If he ignored his mistake this time, no one would find out if he took those taxes or not because Zheng Liang does not have that much time to check every report submitted by him.

Zheng Liang raised his brows at Yang Luoyang's response and wasn't surprised by his diplomatic answer. How easily he was trying to get away with this complicated situation.

Hah! Mistake, he says!

"Alright. Since Minister Yang is saying so, I will trust you this time and let you redeem for your the report again, it would mean that he won't be able to use his underhanded methods anymore to pixel?google_nid=aarki_adx&google_cm

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increase his connections and his private funds.

mistake. You can check the report and after a week, submit the revenue report to my office. I will check if you have completed your work properly this time or not." Zheng Liang said, causing low whispers to erupt in the court.

Yang Luoyang frowned and wasn't expecting him to react in such a way. Why is he so stubborn? He wondered.

He tried to reason with him, "Your Highness, You are already busy with work and have to deal with so many things. How can I trouble you with such menial tasks? I will have the Minister of the treasury check the tax reports if you do not trust me. I am sure you will trust his words more than me." He suggested.

He could see that Zheng Liang does not believe his words anymore. However, if Zheng Liang checks the report again, it would mean that he won't be able to use his underhanded methods anymore to increase his connections and his private funds.

He can easily manipulate the Minister of treasury but he won't be able to manipulate Zheng Liang for any reason.

Zheng Liang could see that Yang Luoyang was doing everything so he could not see the report. He smirked and said, "There is no need. It's not a matter if I trust you or not."

" It is also part of my work and I am simply carrying out my duties. You only need to submit the report a week later and I will decide what to do about this matter afterward."

" Also, I hope from now on, you can focus more on your work than others. As you can see, while focusing on others, you failed to do your duties properly." He ridiculed him in front of everyone.

"Yes, Your Highness. I will submit the new report to you in a week." Yang Luoyang's hands trembled in outrage and lowered his head in humiliation.

Yang Luoyang's ears turned scarlet in embarrassment and wondered where Zheng Liang got this much confidence to go against all the ministers. He was already busy with the royal court work, so how did he manage to look through the revenue reports without him knowing?

While Yang Luoyang was wondering how Zheng Liang got the report, Zheng Liang looked at everyone and said, "About bringing Prince Zheng Xiang back to the palace, I will think about it. I will keep everyone's suggestion in mind and will make a decision which will be best for the palace."

"I have the right to make a decision about this matter….or not?" He asked, causing everyone to lower their heads in embarrassment. A while ago, they were supporting Yang Luoyang and were chanting to bring Prince Zheng Xiang to the palace.

However, now they have no way to repeat the same words in front of him after he showed them their true places.

"Minister Yang, if there is nothing more to discuss, can I dismiss the court session now?" Zheng Liang asked Yang Luoyang because earlier it was he who raised the question and stopped him from dismissing the court session.

Yang Luoyang gritted his teeth and reluctantly nodded his head and said, "Yes. I don't have anything else to say, Your Highness."

Zheng Liang was pleased to see Yang Luoyang's dull complexion and was satisfied with his reaction. He didn't humiliate him further and dismissed the afternoon court session because he has more things to deal with than arguing with Yang Luoyang in the court.

____

"Your Highness, are you returning to the study room now?" Gu Lan asked as he followed Zheng Liang back to the Dragon Pavilion.

Zheng Liang chuckled at his question and halted in his steps before asking, "There is my chamber at the Dragon Pavilion as well and not just the study room. Why did you think that I am going to the study room after the court session?"

Gu Lan looked at him in surprise and said, "Erm…Because after attending the afternoon court session, you always go to the study room. That is why I asked if you're returning to the study room."

"Oh! That's…reasonable enough." Zheng Liang acknowledged his mistake and said, "Today I am not going to the study room but my chamber. Lunchtime is going to be over soon. You should not skip meals while working."

Gu Lan was surprised when Zheng Liang told him that he should not skip meals to work, meanwhile, it was Zheng Liang's first time in a while to return to the chamber to have lunch timely.

___

After the long and tiring royal court session, Zheng Liang returned to his chamber at the Dragon Pavilion to look for Yang Ning.

He realized that in the last few weeks, he wasn't giving her the time that she deserves and his absence was making her feel lonely in the palace. Moreover, she was helping him with the palace work by dealing with Empress Yang Lingxin and also suggested a way to treat His Majesty.

To thank her, the least he could do was to spend some more time with her and not make her feel lonely in the palace.

That is why he decided to return to the chamber to have lunch with her rather than let her eat alone in the chamber.

Before going inside the chamber, Zheng Liang halted in his steps and asked Xiaowei who was standing outside the chamber, "Has she eaten anything yet?" He asked.

Xiaowei was surprised when Zheng Liang suddenly came back to the chamber for lunch and asked her a question. She was caught off guard but she hurriedly gathered her senses and responded, "She hasn't eaten anything yet, Your Highness."

Zheng Liang was pleased by her answer and was eager to surprise Yang Ning who wasn't expecting him to join her for lunch.

He signaled the guard to open the door to the chamber. However, when the door was pushed open, his smile slowly faded away and was replaced by a look of confusion.

"Y…Yang Ning? What are you doing down there?" His eyes widened in horror as he wasn't expecting to witness something like that.