Chapter 23

Inside Zhaoyang Palace, white smoke curled from the incense burner. The Empress, dressed in a light gold phoenix-patterned robe, knelt at her desk, writing something with a free and unrestrained hand, her brushstrokes sharp and elegant, displaying the demeanor of a renowned scholar.

The political climate in the court has been off these past few days. Out of nowhere, many so-called loyal ministers have emerged, denouncing the Yuan clan for controlling the government, deceiving the emperor, and committing treason. Although my grandfather executed a few and brought the situation under control, things are clearly not that simple.

A hint of coldness flashed in Yuan Qiong's eyes. It seemed it was time to step out of the palace and establish her authority in the court. If she didn't teach them a lesson they would never forget, they would still think she, the new empress, was just a figurehead like her aunt!

Xiao Jin, the personal attendant, entered the hall and respectfully bowed.

"Your Majesty, news has arrived from Lingnan."

Knowing her master's temperament, she disliked people being long-winded, so she spoke directly.

"One of our pieces has been taken away again. This time, it's related to that Fengyun Casino."

Yuan Qiong paused for a moment, placing the brush on the inkstone. The coldness in her eyes faded, and her expression softened as she looked at her.

"Fengyun Gambling House?"

"Yes, this is the third time! That Fengyun Gambling House has somehow gotten involved with powerful figures from all sides, and they're completely oblivious to the consequences, even daring to touch our people! Our intelligence says they've even opened a branch of their money exchange in the capital..."

In the tranquil palace, Xiao Jin's words were exceptionally clear. Yuan Qiong smiled slightly, recalling the image of that man who had once told her with a smile that one day he would open gambling dens and money shops all over the country.

That bandit actually kept his word...

"Let them be."

"???"

Xiao Jin almost thought he'd misheard. Let them be?! The people who had hurt them multiple times were just going to let it go like this?! Weren't they going to be taught a lesson?!

When did her master become so easy to talk to?

Yuan Qiong turned around, picked up her pen again, and continued writing as she had at the beginning: "Pass on a message for me, and tell the people below to keep a close eye on Fengyun Bank, so that they don't find out."

ah? !

What kind of operation is this?!

Xiao Jin thought for a while and then suddenly realized.

"Does Your Highness intend to win them over?"

Indeed, Fengyun Gambling House and Fengyun Money House enjoy extremely high prestige among the people. The gambling house not only benefits merchants but also offers discounts to the general public. The money house, based on integrity, has even set a precedent for interest-free lending, showing a tendency to become a kind of official private money house. Otherwise, the various warlords and certain people in the court wouldn't be helping them so much.

Winning over Fengyun Casino is indeed more advantageous than suppressing them.

"Your Majesty's insight is brilliant! This servant will immediately give the order."

Thinking he had guessed the truth, Xiao Jin glanced admiringly at his master before leaving.

"To win them over...it's definitely necessary..."

She twirled the pen, a smile playing on her lips. If Yuan Liuniang were here, she would be astonished to see what Yuan Qiong had written.

The brushstrokes, like a swimming dragon, were deliberate and clear, written in simplified Chinese characters:

The power struggles within the imperial court throughout history were nothing more than a contest between imperial power and the power of the prime minister. The Tang Dynasty's political system was the Three Departments and Six Ministries system. However, the Three Departments system in the Tang Dynasty soon transitioned to a Two Departments and then a One Department system.

In order to control the power of the prime minister, the emperor gradually used some less senior officials to participate in the government affairs, effectively exercising the power of the prime minister, but without the high prestige and authority of the prime minister, so they were easier to control.

This is something the bearded man once told her, and now it seems she really benefited a lot from it.

Her grandfather was the prime minister and the head of the Yuan family. Even if she were to become empress, without real power of her own, she would still be someone else's puppet. Just like her aunt, trapped in the deep palace her whole life, manipulated by others.

This is definitely not what she wanted.

"Zhao Shixian..."

Her cousin's husband is quite promising. Someone so ambitious and intelligent will spare no effort to climb the social ladder...

Just then, a voice announced from outside the hall: "The Emperor has arrived!"

Yuan Qiong closed what she had written, got up and leaned against the soft couch, pretending that she had just woken up.

"His Majesty....."

As Yuwen Jing stepped into the palace, he happened to see his empress getting up from her bed. Her dazed expression was completely different from her usual aloofness; she looked like a little fox who had just woken up, curled up in a ball, her pointed mouth drooping in a sleepy way—she was incredibly cute.

Unable to control his urge to touch her, he stepped forward and took her arm as she prepared to bow.

"How many times have I told you? Between you and me, husband and wife, why are there so many rules?"

He raised his hand and twirled a strand of her hair with one finger; his mood was brighter than the sunshine outside the window.

"Sister Qiong, you are just too concerned about these formalities."

She sleeps with her clothes perfectly in place and her hair perfectly styled. How could there be such a perfect woman in the world?

Moreover, she is his wife...

He must be the happiest man in the world!

Yun Qiong pulled her hair out of his hand and said calmly, "Your Majesty, etiquette cannot be disregarded."

"When we're alone, you should call me cousin, do you remember?"

Yuan Qiong sighed helplessly, pulled him along, and forced him to sit on the soft couch, saying, "Fine, cousin. Shouldn't you be handling state affairs in Weiyang Palace right now? Why are you in the inner palace again?"

"Those memorials are too tedious, I don't want to read them. I want to come and talk to Sister Qiong. I heard you went to the imperial concubine selection yesterday, did you find a suitable candidate?"

Yuwen Jing's delicate eyebrows and eyes made him extremely handsome when he smiled. Every concubine in the harem who saw his smile fell in love with him and were deeply infatuated with him.

However, what Yuwen Jing disliked most was the way the women in the harem looked at him; it was like wolves eyeing meat, as if they wanted to devour him whole. His Empress was the best person in the world.

The reason he held a talent show was simply because Yuan Qiong said the harem was too big and too small, and she was bored. Yuwen Jing then thought of bringing some women to the palace to liven things up.

"Don't change the subject." Yuan Qiong glared at him. "You are the ruler of a country. It is essential for you to handle state affairs and understand the national situation. If you don't take care of it, then who will govern our Great Yan Kingdom?"

“We have the Prime Minister!” Yuwen Jing said this as a matter of course: “The Prime Minister is the most loyal minister in the world, and he is also your grandfather, Qiong sister, and my maternal grandfather. With him in the court, I am naturally at ease.”

Fool!

Yuan Qiong was momentarily speechless, then beckoned to the palace servant beside her: "Bring His Majesty's medicine."

"promise."

"medicine?"

Upon hearing this word, Yuwen Jing's delicate eyebrows furrowed, and he immediately jumped up from the soft couch: "No, I don't want to drink medicine! It's too bitter!"

"Good medicine tastes bitter, but you have to drink it."

Yuan Qiong pressed him down again. The henpecked young emperor wanted to run away but dared not, so he could only sit down with a bitter face.

"After you finish your medicine, take a nap here. When you wake up, go back to Weiyang Palace to handle state affairs. No slacking off!"

"Sister Qiong..." The emperor raised his hand, wanting to tangle her hair again, but Yuan Qiong dodged it.

At this moment, a palace servant brought in the medicine. Yuan Qiong took it and, under Yuwen Jing's extremely disdainful gaze, said with a stern face, "Open your mouth."

"......."

Alright, since the Empress herself is feeding him, he'll just have to bear the bitterness!

Yuwen Jing opened his mouth with a death-defying air, his already pale skin turning even whiter. The eunuchs and palace maids beside him all lowered their heads. Although this scene had played out almost daily throughout the year, each time they saw it, they couldn't help but feel a pang of envy for the affection between the Emperor and Empress.

After the crisp clinking of the jade spoon and porcelain bowl stopped, Yuwen Jing felt his stomach churning, a feeling of wanting to vomit but being unable to.

Yuan Qiong handed the medicine bowl to Xiao Zhi behind her and helped Yuwen Jing lie down on the soft couch.

"Cousin, go to sleep. I'll stay here with you."

Her gentle voice was the best hypnotist. As the drug took effect, Yuwen Jing, holding her sleeve, soon fell asleep...

Looking at his dependent sleeping face, Yuan Qiong's eyes were deep and unfathomable.

**

Three months after its opening, Fengyun Money House gradually settled down in the capital. Thanks to Yuan Qiong's instructions and the successive letters of entrustment from various lords, no one dared to cause them any trouble.

However, Fengyun Money House, being located in the capital, could no longer rely on interest-free lending and giving away money to increase public goodwill, just like other places.

Especially within the Three Realms, it is mostly inhabited by gentry and nobles. Therefore, Yuan Liuniang suggested that this time, Fengyun Bank should improve its brand image and raise its status, and then establish Fengyun Restaurant to gradually spread the news that Fengyun Market is an intelligence center.

"Isn't it a bit too early to expose Fengyunxu at this time?"

The fourth brother frowned, feeling that her idea was a bit too hasty.

"The Fengyun Restaurant can be built, but let's talk about the Fengyun Market after you come to the capital."

Yuan Liu Niang didn't argue with him. She said enthusiastically, "Alright, then I'll go and check out the location of the restaurant in the next couple of days. I'll finish the renovations before the boss arrives and give him a surprise!"

The mere thought of that man possibly praising her filled Yuan Liuniang with boundless energy.

That very day, she changed into men's clothing, took a few brothers, and began to scout out the area.

As it turned out, this step was a minefield...

Prince Cheng had no idea what the Fengyun Money House, which didn't even exist in his previous life, was all about, yet it had several powerful forces protecting it. He then heard his subordinates report that the manager of the Fengyun Money House was inquiring about the Panzu Restaurant.

Yuwen Zhe's mood, which had been gloomy for a long time due to not being able to find anyone, improved slightly.

Just when you're about to fall asleep, someone brings you a pillow. If you don't act now, when will you?

Author's Note: Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants!

Thank you to the little angel who watered the [nutrient solution]:

Even the top bunkmate who's terrible at naming things gets a name from one bottle;

Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!