When Qin Song woke up, Qin Zhao was smiling at him, her expression full of satisfaction.
In the short half stick of incense time, one fifth of the treasury was emptied.
Ling Long and the others had already left with three boxes of treasures.
Qin Song's heartache turned into substance, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.
Qin Zhao said, "Sixth Imperial Brother, now that the gift ceremony is over, we can get to the point.
What did you ask me to come here for?"
Qin Song calmed his emotions and said, "I'd like to know what Father said to you?"
Qin Zhao truthfully said, "Father asked who I thought was more suitable to inherit the throne."
Qin Song hurriedly asked, "What did you say?"
"I mentioned Sixth Imperial Brother. Father said he would consider my suggestion."
A smile spread across Qin Song's face. "Hahahaha! You really are my good imperial sister!"
But his smile soon froze. "Then why did Father still send me to Min Prefecture to deal with the epidemic?
This is pushing me into a fiery pit!"
Qin Zhao shook her forefinger left and right and tutted, "Tsk tsk tsk, Sixth Imperial Brother, you're thinking too simply.
When looking at things, you can't just look at the surface."
"Does my imperial sister have a different perspective?"
"In my opinion, this is Father paving the way for you.
Look, your power and reputation are far from comparable to Second and Third Imperial Brothers right now.
If you want to make a breakthrough in the shortest time, you have to take some shortcuts.
And the epidemic in Min Prefecture is the shortcut Father has provided you!"
Qin Song didn't understand and asked, "What do you mean by this?"
Qin Zhao said, "The epidemic has always been a huge calamity for Yue Country, and no one has ever truly solved it.
If you can handle it properly, you will surely gain the support of the common people!
By then, when Father names you Crown Prince, the court ministers will be unable to voice their objections.
Because you will have the hearts of the people."
Qin Song became more and more excited as he listened, but was still somewhat uneasy. He hesitated, "The epidemic is so dangerous. If I go and die there, won't it all be in vain?"
"It depends on how you choose, Sixth Imperial Brother. The greater the risk, the greater the reward.
There's a saying, if you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you catch its cub?
Think about it carefully. I'll take my leave first."
Qin Song's mind was in turmoil as he nodded absentmindedly.
After bamboozling Qin Song, Qin Zhao left, extremely satisfied.
Only she knew that by sending Qin Song to Min Prefecture, Qin Zheng intended for him to die!
With Yue Country's current medical conditions, the epidemic was incurable!
Five days later, Qin Song took a group of men and supplies and rushed to Min Prefecture.
In the capital, only the Second and Third Imperial Princes remained, and their struggles became increasingly intense, reaching a white-hot stage.
Both had sent lobbyists to try and win over Princess Zhao Yang, but were firmly rejected by her.
However, the powers of both sides managed to reach a delicate balance, in part due to Qin Zheng's interference.
He could not tolerate either side gaining absolute dominance, which would pose a threat to his rule.
During this time, Qin Zhao was also silently expanding her own power.
With Wei Chen's help, Qin Zhao learned that the current Left Minister Xiao Ang Ming was the Lian Zhen Star!
After a secret meeting between the two, they formed an alliance.
Additionally, Mo Qianqiu's woodcraft skills became more sophisticated, and the wooden puppets he produced were now human-sized.
Nangong Ling's Wind and Rain Pavilion developed into a formidable force, not only gathering all kinds of jianghu masters under its command and possessing an intelligence network that spanned the whole country, but also running businesses like restaurants, pawn shops and more, providing Qin Zhao with ample funds and manpower...
Time flew by, and it was the eighteenth year of Yuangjia.
On this Lantern Festival day, Ling Long had been busy with preparations since morning.
Under her lead, the servants and maids of the household decorated Princess Zhao Yang's residence like a bride-to-be.
Qin Zhao lay in bed until past noon. After getting dressed and opening the door,
she saw the estate filled with lanterns and banners, looking festive.
Qin Zhao asked Shen Xue who was outside the door, "What's the occasion today?"
Shen Xue replied, "It's the Lantern Festival."
"Time really flies...
Last year on Lantern Festival, Qin Zhao crossed over to this small world.
That night, she was even pressed down by Qi Yan Su Luo.
Thinking of Qi Yan Su Luo, Qin Zhao headed towards the study.
Pushing open the study door, she saw Qi Yan Su Luo sitting by the window reading.
Outside the window was a bamboo grove. The wind carried the scent of bamboo leaves through the window into Qin Zhao's nose.
Qin Zhao took a deep breath, walked over behind Qi Yan Su Luo and hugged her, asking: "What are you reading?"
Qi Yan Su Luo said, "A travelogue."
"What, do you want to go travelling?"
"Just wanted to learn about local customs and practices."
"If you want to travel the lands, after we settle things here, I'll accompany you."
Qi Yan Su Luo lowered her eyes and asked, "Can you really abandon the splendor and power of the capital for me?"
Qin Zhao replied, "To me, you're the only important thing in this world."
Qi Yan Su Luo neither agreed nor disagreed, just turning around to kiss Qin Zhao...
Using this method to change the topic.
After calming down, Qin Zhao said, "Let's go release flower lanterns tonight, alright?
Remember last year you..."
Qi Yan Su Luo knew she was going to talk about some unspeakable matters, so she hurriedly covered Qin Zhao's mouth and said, "Alright, I'll accompany you."
That night, Qin Zhao and Qi Yan Su Luo dressed as men and left the estate together.
The two of them walked hand in hand down Tai Ping Street.
Passersby seeing the two young masters holding hands whispered and gossiped.
Their chitter chatter was annoying.
Whenever those people looked over again, Qin Zhao would glare back!
Qi Yan Su Luo was nonchalant, allowing others to look as they pleased.
Qin Zhao asked, "Don't you care about the strange looks from others?"
Qi Yan Su Luo said, "As long as it doesn't affect my life, no."
"What if it does affect you?"
"I'll kill them."
"Qi Yan Su Luo, you're very gutsy."
Recalling Huo Chengjin's fate, Qin Zhao believed Qi Yan Su Luo was that kind of person.
Just as she thought of Huo Chengjin, a familiar figure appeared up ahead!
Huo Chengjin's complexion looked somewhat pale, and his figure thinner than before, clearly Qi Yan Su Luo's slash had a huge impact on him.
Noticing Qin Zhao's gaze, Huo Chengjin met her eyes and walked towards them!
Qin Zhao thought to herself that this man really had guts, actually daring to come over!
Qi Yan Su Luo also discovered him.
The two women exchanged a glance, then simultaneously quickened their steps to flee in the opposite direction of Huo Chengjin!
Huo Chengjin chased for a few steps before feeling his strength fail him, staggering until his sidekick Zhong Lin supported him.
"General, who was that just now?"
Huo Chengjin said, "Princess Zhao Yang."
"Princess Zhao Yang...don't you have a marriage agreement with her? Why haven't you gotten married yet?"
"I wasn't feeling well recently, no time to prepare.
In a few days, I'll submit a memorial to His Majesty and put Princess Zhao Yang's matter on the agenda!"
"Congratulations, General!"
Huo Chengjin watched Qin Zhao and Qi Yan Su Luo's retreating figures, hatred in his eyes.
He said, "Nothing to congratulate. I will destroy them with my own hands!"
Qin Zhao was oblivious to Huo Chengjin's thoughts. She and Qi Yan Su Luo ran to the riverside.
The two of them stopped and smiled at each other while catching their breath.
Somehow, running away together didn't seem like something to be happy about, yet Qin Zhao inexplicably felt in very good spirits.
They sat on the steps watching the couples on both banks of the river releasing flower lanterns.
Qin Zhao suggested, "Let's release flower lanterns too!"
"Okay."
Luckily a lantern vendor passed by just then. Qin Zhao bought two lanterns.
Thoughtfully, the vendor gifted them a brush and paper slips.
Qin Zhao held up the lanterns and brought Qi Yan Su Luo down to the riverbank.
Handing a lantern to her, she said, "Write your wish on the slip and place it in the lantern.
Let it float downstream with the lantern. The further they travel, the greater chance your wish has of coming true."
Qi Yan Su Luo took it and asked, "Really so mystical? Have you tried it?"
Qin Zhao was tempted to retort about Qi Yan Su Luo's lack of romantic sensibilities, but smiled and said, "Yes, when I was small I made a wish that the heavens would send me a beautiful woman.
See, it came true, didn't it?"
As she spoke, she even pecked Qi Yan Su Luo's cheek!
Qi Yan Su Luo smiled and accepted her kiss, saying, "Borrowing your auspicious words, I just happen to have a wish in mind."
The two of them squatted by the riverside and wrote down their wishes before releasing the lanterns onto the water one by one.
Gazing at the swaying lanterns in the water, Qin Zhao asked: "What did you wish for?"
Qi Yan Su Luo said, "I can't say or it won't come true. I'll tell you after it's fulfilled in the future."
"That works too."
Qin Zhao stood first, then pulled Qi Yan Su Luo up. "It's getting late, let's head back."
Not long after they left, two stones pierced and sank their lanterns into the water...
