Qin Zheng thought of Zhao Yang's face and his heart was filled with hatred.
He did not expect that despite his careful precautions, he was still schemed against by Zhao Yang!
Zhao Yang had sworn at the time that the medicine she gave him could extend his life and strengthen his body.
He believed her lies and had the alchemist make the same elixir, which he then took.
The result was that now, every night he worried that he might not wake up the next day!
He hated her!
He hated her so much he wanted to flay and butcher Zhao Yang immediately!
Snapping out of his thoughts back to reality, Qin Zheng asked, "Why have you come to see Us?"
Qin Lie knelt on the ground, "Replying to Father Emperor, your son has received news that Zhao Yang, she..."
Qin Zheng hurriedly pressed, "What happened to her?"
He hoped to hear the three words "she is dead."
But Qin Lie said, "Zhao Yang has rebelled!"
Qin Zheng slammed the table heavily, "Impossible! We have already named her Imperial Princess, what more could she be dissatisfied with that would make her rebel?!"
His expression darkened, "And how did you come to know this?"
Qin Lie's heart thumped uneasily, thinking things had taken a bad turn. He hardened himself to answer, "It was a soldier from the front lines who risked his life to come report the news. Your son just happened to run into him!"
"Oh? Why did he not 'just happen' to run into someone else and 'just happened' to run into you instead?"
Qin Lie felt nervous and flustered, not knowing how to respond. The two were at an impasse.
But it did not last long before Qin Zheng sighed, "In this world, no matter if they fear Us or do not fear Us, everyone wants to replace Us!"
Qin Lie's whole body stiffened. He did not dare to even speak, let alone move.
Fortunately Qin Zheng let him off and asked, "How many troops and horses does Zhao Yang have?"
Qin Lie exaggerated, "Replying Father Emperor, she has over 30 thousand of the Northwestern Army following her as she marches towards the Capital City!"
"30 thousand. Zhao Yang's ambition is quite big!
But wanting to capture the Capital City with 30 thousand troops is wishful thinking!"
He looked to Zhou Quande, "Go bring half of a Tiger Token to Us."
"Here you go."
Before long, Zhou Quande brought back half of a Tiger Token and handed it to Qin Zheng.
Qin Lie stared at the Tiger Token, his eyes nearly shooting out fire!
Seeing his useless appearance, Qin Zheng scolded him thoroughly in his heart before handing the Tiger Token to him.
"You take this Tiger Token and work with Xu Xiao to deploy 20 thousand Imperial Guards to defend the Capital City."
Qin Lie took the Tiger Token with slightly trembling hands, knelt on the ground and said, "Your son will definitely guard the Capital City well and quell Zhao Yang's rebellion!"
...
On the return journey to the Capital City, because there were many people and horses, their progress was much slower.
Inside the carriage, Qin Zhao Yang lazily lay on Qi Yan Su Luo’s lap, bored.
Hearing her yawn over and over, nearly 10 times, the people in the entire carriage felt sleepy.
“Oh right, I suddenly thought of something!” Qin Zhao Yang shouted loudly.
She startled and roused everyone from their drowsiness.
Cong Han asked, “What did Your Highness think of?”
Qin Zhao Yang sat up and looked at the beauties around her, “After I ascend the throne, what positions do you all wish to take in the court?
You can all say.”
Shen Xue said, "There is a difference between imagination and reality. Even if we say what we wish for now, we still have to see if it is suitable or not.
For example, I wish to become Prime Minister to enjoy the happiness of being a powerful official.
But I would be unable to tolerate the backstabbing and schemes in the imperial court.”
Qin Zhao Yang said, “You won’t need to worry about this under my rule. My court will be different from Qin Zheng’s court.
The reason there is so much conflict in the current court is because power allows one to trample others underfoot.
Official positions have become hierarchical classes.
But they should originally just be a kind of occupation, with different levels of salary based on the amount of work done and contributions made.
After I ascend to power, I will restore official positions to their original purpose.”
Although the women did not understand some terms, they roughly grasped Qin Zhao Yang’s meaning.
Besides sighing that she would be a wise ruler, they also enthusiastically expressed their own thoughts and aspirations.
Cong Han said, "I wish to become Minister of Revenue to manage money and spend freely as I like."
Qin Zhao Yang thought to herself that this was the same as when she was young and wanted to become the boss of a small shop in order to eat snacks without limits.
It sounded good but the actual situation was completely different. As the owner of a small shop, one would need to worry everyday about whether the profits were enough to pay rent and utilities, and be vigilant at all times for items close to expiration or already expired...
Exhausted in mind and spirit, when would there be time to think about snacks?
The Minister of Revenue was similar – having to be responsible for the official salaries, budgeting imperial banquets over holidays, disaster relief funds allocated nationally, and so on. Not the “spend freely” Cong Han was fantasizing about.
“Cong Han’s wish is simple, but I must shatter your dream now. My court will absolutely not let you become Minister of Revenue.”
Cong Han pouted and burrowed into Shen Xue’s embrace seeking comfort.
Qin Zhao Yang turned to look at Huo Jun, “What about you?”
Huo Jun said, "I wish to become General, lead troops to fight battles, and guard national security."
Sincerity was always the killer move. Qin Zhao Yang was moved by Huo Jun’s earnest attitude and said, “This Palace will help you fulfill that wish.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. Meeting you is the blessing cultivated over several lifetimes.
If I really become General in the future, will Your Highness permit me to occasionally return to the capital to visit you?”
Sensing the sudden drop in air pressure around her, Qin Zhao Yang glanced at Qi Yan Su Luo’s expressionless face and said to Huo Jun, “Of course.”
Making Qi Yan Su Luo a little jealous would be good too, so she would not take her for granted.
Finally Qin Zhao Yang asked Qi Yan Su Luo, “What about you?”
Qi Yan Su Luo replied, “Why bother asking me? Over the course of our interactions, I have already told you countless times.”
Qin Zhao Yang suddenly realized, “That’s right, you wish to become Empress and grow old together with me, correct?”
Deep down Qin Zhao Yang knew what she wanted but would not let her do it.
She firmly believed that Qi Yan Su Luo should just remain by her side!
Qi Yan Su Luo smiled as she looked at Qin Zhao Yang, “What do you think?”
...
After rushing on the road for a month, Qin Zhao Yang’s party and the 50 thousand Northwestern Army finally arrived at the Capital City!
Qi Yan Su Luo woke the still napping Qin Zhao Yang, “Get up, we’ve arrived at the Capital City.”
Qin Zhao Yang groggily opened her eyes, “So fast?”
From outside the carriage, the guards came to report, “Your Highness, the city gates are tightly shut. There are people on the city towers shouting at you.”
It was within Qin Zhao Yang’s expectations that the city gates would be firmly closed.
Ever since they set off, they had not concealed their tracks and could not hide such a huge force.
The people in the Capital City would have to be idiots to not see something amiss.
Qin Zhao Yang asked, “What did they shout?”
The guard said embarrassingly, “Your Highness, please alight and see for yourself...
She straightened her posture and slapped her face a few times to barely rouse herself from lingering sleepiness.
She stepped out of the carriage, along with everyone else.
Arriving below the city walls, Qin Zhao Yang immediately saw a row of people standing atop the walls!
They were bound and behind them were Imperial Guards holding blades against them!
When Qin Zhao Yang looked closely, those people were none other than the servant girls and maids from Zhao Yang Princess Manor!
And the most conspicuous one in the center was Ling Long!
Xu Xiao held a blade towards Qin Zhao Yang and shouted, “Imperial Princess, I would like to know, is there anyone precious to you among these people?
Some have taken care of you since you were young, some have accompanied your growth, some dress and bathe you daily.
Surely you must feel some affection, right?
If they die, would you feel heartache?”
As he spoke, he ordered his subordinates to push two servant girls off the city wall, killing them from the fall!
Qin Zhao Yang slightly curled her fingers and said to Xu Xiao, “To call you an idiot would be accurate – you can’t possibly think you can threaten This Palace just by using these lowly servants, right?”
Xu Xiao laughed, “Of course that’s not all.
If you feel they are not qualified, then what about this woman?”
Xu Xiao ordered someone to bring forward a woman in blue robes.
When Qin Zhao Yang saw her appearance clearly, her pupils shook!
Nangong Ling, why is it you?!
