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Chapter 34 - What did you just say?
Chapter 34: What did you just say?
Great Qin
Inside the Emperor’s Palace, the hall was supported by square pillars of blue brick, seamlessly connected and adorned with a faint, soothing scent from the incense burners in the corners.
Apart from the sparse tables and chairs, the hall’s simplicity was striking.
Ying Zheng placed the memorial on the table, his calm demeanor giving way to a hint of surprise.
“So that’s how it is…”
“This person’s strategy is truly imaginative and intriguing.”
He shook his head, acknowledging that even a situation as complex as this one had eluded him, revealing a resolution he hadn’t anticipated.
…
Three Days Later
Qing Dynasty
Inside the Golden Throne Temple, the air was heavy with tension.
“Your Majesty, what should we do now?”
Fu Cha Fu Heng asked cautiously, his voice laced with helplessness. The commoners, cheated of their money, were now camped outside the palace daily.
The irony was not lost on him—these were not the emperor’s personal victims, so confronting the emperor was futile.
Yet, with Yang Yi having fled, the angry mob had no other recourse but to demand action from the emperor. If it were just a few individuals, it would be manageable, but with tens of thousands involved, the situation was dire.
Qianlong’s face was haggard, his eyes sunken and bloodshot, and even his temples showing streaks of gray.
He hadn’t had a single restful night in days, tormented by Yang Yi’s audacious scheme. Day and night, he struggled with how to placate the enraged commoners, but no solution seemed forthcoming.
The thought of the hundreds of thousands of taels he had lost only added to his distress.
Qianlong coughed heavily, his lips pale with frustration. His gaze was sharp as he glared at the ministers around him.
“Must I solve every problem myself? What good are you?”
The ministers of the Qing Dynasty looked on, their faces reflecting their own frustration and helplessness. The situation was beyond anyone’s control.
Just then, an elderly man with a stocky build and gray hair rushed in, his face serious and his brow furrowed with urgency.
“Your Majesty… urgent news!”
Qianlong’s expression shifted to one of acute seriousness. The man before him was the Regent Minister left by his father, the current Prime Minister of State Affairs, and also held the posts of Chief of the Military, Minister of the Guard, and Chief of the Cabinet.
In a deep voice, Qianlong asked,
“Tai, what is it?”
Tai’s brow remained furrowed as he delivered the news.
“Your Majesty, the Empress of the Zhou Dynasty has accused you of insulting her nation by proposing a marriage alliance. She declared, ‘How can a monarch be married off?’”
“She has now declared war on our Qing Dynasty. She demands an apology from Your Majesty. If you comply, all will be forgiven. Otherwise, the two nations will engage in a fight to the death!”
Silence fell over the hall. Gasps of shock and disbelief spread among those present. No one had anticipated that the Zhou Dynasty would declare war while the issues in the capital remained unresolved!
“These Zhou people are too shameless!”
Qianlong’s face went from pale to a furious red. His cheeks were bulging, his cheekbones tense, and his eyes bloodshot, making him look fearsome. He gripped the edge of the dragon throne tightly, his gaze as cold and piercing as the north wind.
“Wretched woman…”
Yang Yi had just fled with their money, and now the Zhou Dynasty had declared war. It was clear they were using Qing money to fight against them.
Those despicable people!
Qianlong was on the brink of an explosion. Fu Cha Fu Heng and the others shared his anger. The Zhou people had indeed chosen their moment well.
Tai, the Prime Minister, spoke up cautiously,
“Your Majesty, how should we respond?”
The Emperor’s frustration reached a boiling point. Qianlong slammed the dragon throne with a resounding bang, startling everyone present. The Qing Emperor almost leaped up in his fury, his roar echoing through the hall.
“Fight!” he bellowed.
“I will turn these despicable people into cripples. I will kill them.”
A chilling silence fell over the room, reflecting the gravity of Qianlong’s rage. It was clear to everyone that he had reached the peak of his fury. Anyone would be unable to stay calm after being so manipulated and provoked.
…
Great Zhou
Imperial Palace, Shu Yu Palace
Yang Yi regarded Princess Wu Mingyue with a bemused expression as she circled around him like a cat eyeing a mouse. Since inviting him over, the Third Princess seemed to see him as a newfound treasure.
After a moment, Yang Yi couldn’t help but ask,
“I wonder why the Third Princess has called me here?”
Wu Mingyue snapped her fingers, placing her hands on her hips, and fixed him with her bright, inquisitive eyes.
“I didn’t expect you to be so skilled at making money!”
Yang Yi raised an eyebrow.
“Why does the princess say that?”
“Humph, don’t pretend,” Wu Mingyue said, her look clearly indicating she wasn’t fooled.
“The news of how you brought back tens of millions for my sister has spread like wildfire!”
Yang Yi remained silent, acknowledging her point with a subtle nod.
Wu Mingyue leaned in closer, her radiant face almost touching his.
“Hey, since you’re so adept at making money, why don’t you teach me? Or better yet, why don’t we work together? I’ll protect you, and you help me make money!”
As she drew near, the pleasant scent she exuded made Yang Yi feel at ease. He couldn’t help but lower his gaze to catch a glimpse of the rich, pale skin on Wu Mingyue’s chest.
Yang Yi blinked.
“Is the Third Princess in need of funds?”
Wu Mingyue huffed lightly.
“Of course, I need money. Who ever thinks they have enough?”
Yang Yi continued to admire her with a calm expression.
“Why not just ask Her Majesty? Why bother with making money yourself?”
Wu Mingyue pouted, placing her hands on her hips and leaning forward slightly.
“My sister is already overwhelmed with state affairs. I can’t burden her with this. I’ll make the effort, and you use your brains. Together, we can achieve great things!”
“Hey, just tell me if you’re in or out?”
She tilted her head, her delicate form swaying gently, revealing a charming, youthful visage. Yang Yi found himself momentarily dazed by her beauty, particularly the alluring contrast of her white skin.
Yang Yi felt a bit dizzy from her swaying.
White.
Too white.
He cleared his throat, slightly flustered.
“What was that? I didn’t catch it. Could you repeat it?”