Chapter 68

Inside the imperial study, the fragrance of sandalwood wafted, yet it couldn't dispel the oppressive atmosphere. Emperor Tang Tai sat upright on his dragon throne, his gaze sharp as a hawk's, fixed on Cui Yunshu and Tang Pu, making the two of them feel tense.

"I have summoned you here because I have a question to ask you." The Emperor spoke slowly, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority. "Recently, the Royal Maritime Trading Company has had friction with several small countries in its overseas trade, even leading to small-scale conflicts. Are you aware of this matter?"

Tang Pu's heart tightened, and he quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am aware of this. It was those small countries that were being unreasonable and deliberately making things difficult for our merchant ships. We were forced to retaliate."

The emperor snorted coldly, his tone tinged with displeasure: "Forced to retaliate? I've heard that it was your merchant ships that oppressed local people overseas and robbed them of their property, which triggered the conflict. This matter has already affected the relations between Great Qin and other overseas countries. Do you know your crime?"

Cui Yunshu's heart skipped a beat; she knew the emperor was deliberately picking a fight. The Royal Maritime Trading Company's merchant ships had always strictly adhered to the rules and had never oppressed the local people. The accusation of "oppressing the people and robbing them" was undoubtedly a lie fabricated by someone to suppress them.

“Your Majesty, this is absolutely impossible!” Cui Yunshu bowed and said, “The merchant ships of the Royal Maritime Trading Company have always strictly abided by the laws of the Great Qin Dynasty and the rules of various overseas countries, and have never oppressed the people or robbed them of their property. This matter must be a deliberate fabrication to frame us. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly!”

The Emperor looked at Cui Yunshu, his tone probing: "Investigate thoroughly? I would like to investigate thoroughly. But now, the evidence is conclusive. Those small countries have already submitted letters to me, accusing your merchant ships of oppressing the people and robbing them of their property. Moreover, I have also received memorials from some officials, saying that your merchant ships overseas are conducting arms transactions with some small countries without authorization, endangering the security of Great Qin."

"What?!" Tang Pu's expression changed drastically, and he roared angrily, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely a frame-up! Our merchant ships have never engaged in any unauthorized arms transactions! Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly and clear our name!"

The Emperor shook his head, his tone cold: "It's too late to say all this now. The evidence is conclusive, and no matter how you try to explain, it will be to no avail. Considering your past contributions to the Great Qin, I don't want to pursue the matter further. However, the Royal Maritime Trading Company's overseas trade must be suspended. The military power of the East China Sea Security Company must also be temporarily revoked. You should all stay in your palaces and reflect on your mistakes."

"Your Majesty!" Cui Yunshu and Tang Pu cried out in unison, their faces filled with shock and resentment. The Emperor was about to strip them of their power, completely sidelining them!

The emperor, however, would not allow them to argue further, and shouted towards the door, "Guards, escort Prince An and Princess An back to their residence! Without my decree, they are not to leave the residence!"

"Yes!" The guards outside the door quickly responded, entered the imperial study, and "invited" Cui Yunshu and Tang Pu out.

Stepping out of the imperial study, Tang Pu's face was ashen, and he said angrily, "His Majesty has gone too far! He actually listened to the slander of petty men, stripped us of our power, and put us under house arrest! We must find a way to prove our innocence to His Majesty!"

Cui Yunshu shook her head and said in a solemn tone, "It's too late to say all this now. Since the emperor has made his decision, he won't change it easily. Moreover, the so-called 'evidence' he has is likely a trap that he prepared long ago, just to strip us of our power."

She paused, then continued, "Right now, the most important thing is to stay calm and not act rashly. Although the emperor has stripped us of our power and placed us under house arrest, he hasn't killed us yet, which means he's still hesitant, or rather, he still needs us. We must use this opportunity to secretly investigate and find out who framed us, and at the same time, we must find a way to restore our power."

Tang Pu nodded, suppressing his anger, and said firmly, "Master strategist, I'll listen to you. What should we do now?"

Cui Yunshu thought for a moment and said, "First, we need to contact our people as soon as possible and have them secretly investigate who framed us. At the same time, we also need to have them protect our families and property to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the situation. Second, we need to secretly prepare an escape route and supplies in the Prince's mansion. If the Emperor really wants to kill us, we will have a way out."

Tang Pu nodded, agreeing with Cui Yunshu's point: "Okay! I will contact our people as soon as possible and have them act according to your plan."

Upon returning to the Prince An's residence, Cui Yunshu and Tang Pu immediately began their operation. Tang Pu contacted his trusted generals through a secret passage in the residence, instructing them to secretly investigate those who had framed them and to protect the Cui family and the residence's assets.

Cui Yunshu began packing the supplies needed for their escape, while secretly modifying the construction plan for the "Divine Machine Ship" to urge Master Lu to speed up the construction. She knew that only when the "Divine Machine Ship" was completed would she have a chance to flee the capital with her family.

However, things didn't go as smoothly as they had imagined. Although the emperor had placed them under house arrest in the palace, he also had people closely monitoring their every move. It was very difficult for their people to get close to the palace, let alone pass on messages.

"Master strategist, the situation is not good." Tang Pu entered the study and said with a solemn expression, "The emperor has sent a large number of guards to surround the Prince's mansion, and has also sent people to closely monitor our every move. Our people cannot get close to the Prince's mansion at all, and no messages can be sent in."

Cui Yunshu's face also turned extremely ugly. The emperor was clearly trying to completely isolate them and cut off their contact with the outside world.

"It seems the Emperor is determined to strip us of our power, and may even kill us," Cui Yunshu said gravely. "We can't wait any longer. We must find a way to escape the palace as soon as possible, head to the East China Sea, and board the 'Divine Machine Ship'."

Tang Pu nodded and said firmly, "Alright! Let's escape now. There's a secret passage in the Prince's mansion that leads outside the city. We can use the secret passage to escape the capital and then head to the East Sea."

Cui Yunshu nodded and immediately began packing the items needed for their escape. Tang Pu, on the other hand, went to prepare horses and carriages, making preparations for their escape.

That night, Cui Yunshu and Tang Pu took advantage of the darkness and quietly escaped from the palace through a secret passage. They avoided the patrolling guards on the streets and headed towards the outskirts of the city.

However, as soon as they left the capital, they discovered a large number of pursuers behind them. The emperor had clearly anticipated their escape and had made preparations in advance.

"Not good! We're being pursued!" Tang Pu's expression changed, and he said urgently, "Master, hold on tight, I'll speed things up!"

With that, Tang Pu suddenly cracked his whip, and the horse neighed, speeding up and heading towards the East China Sea.

The pursuers were getting closer and closer, and arrows rained down on them. Tang Pu drove the carriage while drawing his long sword to deflect the incoming arrows.

Cui Yunshu sat inside the carriage, her heart filled with worry. She knew that once the pursuers caught up with them, they would surely die.

Just then, a fleet of ships suddenly appeared ahead. The leading ship was none other than the "Divine Machine Ship"!

"It's the 'Divine Machine Ship'! We're saved!" Tang Pu shouted excitedly, and quickly drove the carriage toward the "Divine Machine Ship".

Standing at the bow of the "Divine Machine Ship," Master Lu saw Cui Yunshu and Tang Pu and immediately ordered, "Quickly! Lower the small boat and help them board!"

Soon, the small boat was lowered and brought Cui Yunshu and Tang Pu aboard the "Divine Machine Ship".

The cannons on the "Divine Machine Ship" roared to life, firing shells at the pursuers. The pursuers were forced into retreat by the ship's firepower and soon dared not give up.

Cui Yunshu and Tang Pu stood on the deck of the "Divine Machine Ship," watching the pursuers gradually disappear into the distance, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Master Lu, thank you." Cui Yunshu bowed to Master Lu and said.

Master Lu smiled and said, "Your Highness is too kind. It's all I should do. The 'Divine Machine Ship' has been completed ahead of schedule according to your requirements. We are ready to set sail at any time."

Cui Yunshu nodded, a smile appearing on her face: "Alright! Let's set sail now for the secret manor in the East China Sea."

The "Divine Machine Ship" slowly sailed away from the shore, heading towards the East China Sea. Cui Yunshu stood at the bow, looking at the distant capital city, her heart filled with emotion. She had finally escaped that capital city filled with intrigue and danger, sailing towards freedom.

Tang Pu stood beside Cui Yunshu, looking at her with a smile: "Master Strategist, we've finally escaped. Now, we can establish our 'great enterprise' in the East China Sea!"

Cui Yunshu smiled but remained silent. She knew that although they had escaped the capital, the emperor would certainly not let them go. Their future remained uncertain and dangerous. But she believed that as long as they were of one mind, they would overcome the difficulties and find their own happiness.