Chapter 149 My Beloved Minister, My Dearest

"Oh my god, this is a miracle!"

Tax collector Ayala knelt on the edge of the field and let out a magnificent roar.

The position of tax collector, which was monopolized by nobles decades ago and was considered a desirable job, has now become a death warrant that everyone avoids at all costs.

His Majesty King Andra is an impatient ruler.

She disliked listening to reports, attending meetings, and auditing accounts, believing that such endless work was utterly devoid of entertainment. Therefore, all her laws and regulations were as rigid and cold as the blades of the Hetuya people.

To put it simply, it's unchanging.

What it was like decades ago will remain the same decades later.

Logically speaking, there shouldn't be a big problem; thirty years is enough for three generations to recuperate.

Even if the nobles were incompetent, the vast and fertile land and large population were enough to amass wealth. The nobles ate their fill of riches, and the tax collectors below them ate like greasy rats.

Yeah, right.

Endless uprisings and rebellions wiped out the population wave after wave. Wealth cannot be created out of thin air, and there was never enough food, which is the material basis of life.

No matter how much the nobles exploited them, they could hardly meet the standards that Andra had originally set.

So they assigned the task to local wealthy households, making them carry out the tax collection. Those who couldn't pay would be bankrupted and their property divided, with the wealthy households' money used to satisfy the demands of the higher authorities.

Things took a turn for the better a year ago when a sage, once known as a “bold and audacious swindler,” appeared out of nowhere.

Based on her appearance and some unsubstantiated rumors—mainly Andra's complaint during the banquet that this guy actually called himself "King Andra" and forced him to change his title—everyone deduced that this person was most likely a scholar remaining from the Nolana royal family.

Another piece of evidence is that Eleanor the Sage had a very bad relationship with King Norlana, to the point that she would kick him whenever she passed by.

Myrcella would have fought back, but ever since she accidentally kicked Eleanor, causing Eleanor to rest for three days... she never retaliated again.

In short, Lady Eleanor collected grain seeds from all over the continent and distributed them to suitable planting areas, while also rapidly promoting technologies that could at least double the yield.

With favorable weather this year, looking at the golden fields, Ayala breathed a sigh of relief: "Great, everyone has survived."

There are many people like her; many weep with joy during the harvest season, only daring to breathe loudly after the grain is safely stored.

Unbeknownst to them, the nobles would react swiftly, attempting to seize most of the rations, only to be forcefully suppressed by those sent from above within a short period.

They were unaware that this year's labor service would be changed to building windmills, waterwheels, and repairing some roads.

But they knew that, at least this year, few people in towns and villages would starve to death, and that was enough.

The open drying ground was filled with grains and interspersed with bean pods.

The sallow-faced, emaciated children ran around on the ridges of the fields, collecting withered leaves to roast tubers.

The housewife took out a rock salt from the earthenware pot, and with a determined heart, knocked off a little more salt. She then cracked an egg into the pot to make the soup even more fragrant.

......

"Very good, the new salt-making method must have made you a lot of money, right?"

The dark-haired woman sat in the chair, nodded in satisfaction, and quickly jotted down the accounts.

Standing in front of her was a Belai nobleman who worked in the palace.

"Yes, sir! Please rest assured, we have sold all the defective products at a reduced price as you instructed. Everyone remembers your kindness, and no one will hoard them."

The noblewoman wore a fawning smile: no matter how noble her bloodline, it couldn't compare to the patronage this lord had shown her.

She admired the silk robe the man wore, a rare sight in the world today, a special gift from the king, symbolizing unparalleled favor.

The top is embroidered with marigolds in gold thread, making it both elaborate and bustling.

However, no one felt that such a reward was undeserved, because even the techniques of silkworm breeding and silk spinning were spread by this very man.

Belle's original salt-drying method was insignificant compared to the series of purification processes provided by Eleanor.

Salt extraction efficiency has increased, and there is also the assistance of well salt and rock salt.

Putting everyone else aside, these salt merchants treated Eleanor like royalty. Even if Andra said she was going to kill this swindler tomorrow, they would still dare to find a chance to secretly rescue her.

"good."

Eleanor nodded and wrote two more lines, reminding, "Don't be fooled by the high disease rate at the farm now. Centralized farming will definitely be more profitable. Don't give up."

The nobleman quickly agreed: "Of course, we are not such short-sighted people. Even without considering the construction costs, we haven't lost money."

The main reason is that the adults in front of them have given up most of their benefits and shared a lot of technology for free. How could they not risk their lives to match them?

The young man was about to offer a few more flattering words when his eyes caught sight of the hands of the small alarm clock on the corner of the table—he immediately became serious and said, "Sir, it's getting late, I'll head back now."

The Sage has a designated "off-get off work" time; Wang may come over at any time at 5 PM.

Eleanor paused for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, be careful."

"yes."

She watched the young man bow and leave, quietly closing the door behind him.

Less than five minutes later, a strong arm pushed open the door.

Andra nudged the door with his shoulder, and it slammed open.

Several servants carrying baskets and plates followed her. They placed the food in the side hall next to the study and then tiptoed away silently.

Eleanor sighed softly, tidied up her notebook and put it back in her drawer, then followed Andra to the side hall.

The palace where she lived was different from the harem and the official residence; it was more like the former Marigold Palace.

Two long couches were placed in the spacious side hall, and the chairs were pushed against the wall by the servants. The slightly empty floor was decorated with a fluffy carpet.

On the table were: stir-fried eggs with melons, freshly baked cakes and cookies, braised pork belly, a combination of pork and beef, fried tofu, and several refreshing vegetable dishes and soup.

Such a dinner was nothing to the emperor and her most favored nobles, but to be able to eat the following dishes was something Eleanor had worked hard for all year.

On her first day back at the palace with Andra, she silently vowed to herself in front of a huge pile of mixed bean stew and seafood medley that she would never again let such taste-deceiving food appear on her table!

While she was thinking, Andra had already sat down, cut her steak, taken a bite, and then skillfully picked up a piece with her fork.

"The beef is grilled well."

It is perfectly normal for a lord to share food with his favorites.

But Eleanor knew perfectly well that Andra had never had this habit in her previous lives.

She opened her mouth and took a bite from the fork, ignoring Andra's suddenly bright expression.

After they finished their meal as usual, Andra, completely oblivious to the late hour, lingered on the couch, leisurely sipping tea.

Eleanor took out the scrolls that needed to be reviewed, spread them on the table, and began working overtime.

She was nominally an unconventional "noble lady," but in reality, she was a prime minister wielding real power.

So-called rights are always accompanied by countless responsibilities, especially since the king of this country has no concept of work at all.

Wang turned his head and saw Eleanor writing diligently, so he pulled a book from the bookshelf and waved it: "Read it to me later~"

"Don't read it, read it yourself."

This guy actually dared to snatch the book and slap it in her face, so Andra could only purse her lips and give up.

After all, the last time she tried to scare Eleanor in court, she ended up scaring the person she wanted to scare but failed, and instead, the person she didn't want to scare knelt on the ground, crying as if the king had died.

Andra read quietly for a while. The candlelight and the rustling of the girl turning the pages made her shoulders relax, and she threw the book aside with a snap.

Even with all this commotion, her profile remained unmoved in the sunlight.

Wang stared blankly at her title of "Noble Minister," which she would never admit—she didn't want to be appointed Prime Minister simply because she thought the title sounded nice.

Why aren't you looking at me?

A domineering, unreasonable emotion welled up inside me.

Andra wanted to tell Eleanor that it had been a long time since she had worn armor in front of her.

Along with the hunted furs, the newly made woolen sweater, and even a silk dress similar to hers—adorned with marigolds.

She wasn't dressed so extravagantly today; she wore a thin white veil underneath and a gold and red cloak over it—a cloak she had discarded when she came in.

Wang felt that the autumn wind was not cold at all, so it was normal for his waistline and undulating muscle lines to be exposed.

Rustle, rustle.

The girl is still writing.

That face, which could at most be described as pretty, was inexplicably cute when she was focused on her work... but there was never a time when she wasn't cute.

Andra gazed intently at Eleanor under the lamplight, almost closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep in the tranquil atmosphere.

Just like countless times I've spent long nights like this...

*Slap*

Eleanor frowned as she felt the weight on her side.

She turned her face away and patted Andra's cheek helplessly: "Your Majesty, don't lean on my waist, it's heavy."

Andra lay on her side on the tatami mat, pressing her head against her soft waist: "No, I'm tired. I want to sleep."

Who goes to sleep now?

Eleanor was both exasperated and furious: Damn it, you're so lazy! You leave all the official duties to me, and I have to stay up until 10 pm every day!

She tried to push Andra's head away, but she couldn't budge it.

The two played around on the edge of the tatami mat for a while, and finally the king rested his head on her thigh, lingering on the soft lap pillow and refusing to leave.

Eleanor slapped her face hard, making a "smack" sound.

Finally, having no other choice, they could only let her continue using the pillow and turn to her side to continue reading the official documents.

Eleanor processed them quickly; under her scan, a thick stack of scrolls could be completed in about ten minutes.

She remembered most of the nobles there.

If it weren't for the fact that Andra had killed so many people and caused such drastic changes, she could have guessed what the situation was like in each territory.

*Slap*

An hour later, Wang heard the sound of pages being tidied above him.

She nuzzled her head and asked softly, "So fast today?"

Eleanor stretched and yawned as she replied, "Yes, I have three assistants."

They would sort the files in the morning, removing all the useless compliments and routine applications, and I would just do spot checks periodically.

"That's good." Andra's hand reached out restlessly, only to be slapped away by the girl with a "smack".

Eleanor gently tapped her head and said softly, "Are you trying to make the rumors outside come true by acting like this?"

The rumors initially stemmed from a fabrication tactic used by courtiers to deal with "liars."

Her appearance in this life was too ordinary, and Andra was quite famous for being obsessed with looks, so basically no one took it seriously.

However, even with a different face and no longer being Princess Nolana, certain things still acted like gravity, causing the apple to fall.

This tyrant, surprisingly, was willing to temper some of his tyranny for her sake, just like Andra before him, and within a year he made it seem like he was going to rule by doing nothing.

Wang Zhen no longer indulged in hunting, but instead frequently listened to the work reports of his noble ministers.

Eleanor disliked the smell of alcohol, so she simply gave up drinking altogether.

In recent months, things have gone even more outrageous. The king has slept in the same bed with his noble ministers on several occasions, only leaving the palace at dawn.

Some people are very happy, no need to worry, Clan Elimination is better than anything else.

But another group of people, mainly the concubines in the harem, were very, very uneasy.

They had been guided and instilled with a set of rules by those around them: Wang favored gentle, beautiful, intelligent, and wealthy women.

But the sudden emergence of the "noble minister" has broken the rules and even truly changed the "unchanging" king.

Cupid's prank was probably intended to see her fall back into Andra's love, or to present love in a distorted form to prove "unchanging true love".

Look, since she doesn't care about your background, appearance, or gentleness, can you not care about the values ​​that hurt you the most?

No, I'm sorry - I can't.

Eleanor pressed her face against Andra's handsome features, how she loved his radiant side... his beautiful appearance, his voice, his reassuring chest and strength.

Why should we care about rumors?

After answering, Andra suddenly smiled and said, "There's nothing wrong with making it come true."

Fingers, lips, warm skin.

The world was spinning, and the king embraced his noble minister, like a giant beast gently pouncing on a beautiful white deer.

"When you first approached me, was it out of love—or revenge?"

Andra's lips brushed against her earlobe, and then he chuckled softly in an instant: "Never mind, that's not important."

Wang never rejoiced in her extraordinary talents and noble birth; she regarded them as an inevitable part of her destiny.

But the person in his arms was different. Andra was genuinely grateful for her arrival, like a flower that could not walk thanking a butterfly that had gracefully fallen.

The moment she closed her eyes and kissed the girl, she heard a weary and sorrowful sigh.

This should have provoked Wang Aoman's anger, but in reality, it only elicited a faint smile.

Let us merge completely, my beloved subject.