Chapter 61 Brother-in-law, I accept your "kindness"
In the Imperial Palace, the friendly consultations in the side hall of the Yangxin Palace had just concluded. The Fuying envoys retreated tumbling and crawling. The entire court, civil and military officials, retreated at lightning speed as if they had been pardoned.
If they stayed any longer, they were afraid that they would become the first group of officials to die suddenly from suppressing their laughter since the founding of Dayan!
In the huge hall, the only ones left were Emperor Nangong Yu with a colorful face, Prince Yong Nangong Ye with a face full of hidden achievements and fame, and Dongfang Yuning, who was rubbing his hands together and his eyes were as bright as searchlights.
Oh, and there was Dongfang Liezheng in the corner, trying hard to become a background board. He was frantically signaling to Nangong Ye with his eyes:
[Prince! Quick! Hold my sister! Leave some underwear for my brother-in-law!]
However, Nangong Ye replied with a look that said don't worry, I'm watching over her, but no matter how you look at it, that look seemed to be saying don't worry, I will help her move.
Nangong Yu looked at his sister-in-law's "kind" smile and felt a dull pain in his back teeth. He tried to make a final struggle and squeezed out the most amiable (humble) smile on his face:
"Ning'er, look, Fuying's apology has been accepted, and they've been scared enough. Isn't it time to calm down? You've been traveling so long, why don't you go to Fengyi Palace and rest? Your sister misses you so much!"
[Calm down? Humph! Brother-in-law, you wish!]
Dongfang Yuning's mind was full of calculations.
[Fuying's apology is for Dayan, from the national treasury! That's public money! I, Dongfang Yuning, have yet to receive compensation for my personal mental damages, loss of face, shock, and lost work time...]
Keep your private and public life separate, don't you understand? Trying to use your sister as a shield? No way! I'll avenge my grudges immediately, and I won't give breast hyperplasia a chance!]
The smile on her face became sweeter and her voice became gentler:
"Your Majesty is right. It's time for me to pay my respects to my elder sister. However..."
She changed the subject and her eyes drifted inadvertently to the Nine Dragon Jade Pendant hanging on Nangong Yu's waist, which symbolized the key to the emperor's private vault.
"Just now in the palace, I felt a little lost, and my heart felt heavy. I need to look at something... hmm... shiny, warm, and spiritual to feel better. I wonder if Your Majesty..."
【Here it comes! The real purpose is revealed! 】
System 118 accurate broadcast,
[Target locked: Nine Dragon Jade Pendant. Host, please begin your performance (robbery).]
Nangong Yu: “…”
He subconsciously covered the jade pendant around his waist, which was his last straw, and wailed inwardly:
[My dear! My private vault! The money I've been saving for my wife for so many years! Wu'er! Help!]
He looked at Nangong Ye for help.
Nangong Ye received the look from his brother, who urged him to take care of his wife, and took a step forward gracefully. His voice was calm, but every word was piercing:
"Royal brother, Ning'er has devoted so much energy and effort to developing the national defense artifact, and it has taken a tremendous toll on her. The bitter cold and wind at the border, coupled with days of hard work, is bound to make her feel uneasy.
"In my humble opinion, you truly need some nourishing things to soothe your mind. The treasures in your royal brother's private collection are all divine objects from heaven and earth. If they can soothe Ning'er's loss, it would be a great use of them."
He paused and added,
"Also, Ning'er is in a good mood, which will be of great benefit to the subsequent development of the artifact."
The implication is: If you don't give it to me, the progress of artifact development may be affected!
[Brother Aye! You are electricity! You are light! You are the only myth! The God of Assists is none other than you!]
The villain in Dongfang Yuning's heart was cheering for Nangong Ye crazily.
[Artifact development! This reason is too hardcore! Brother-in-law, let's see how you can refuse!]
Nangong Yu felt his vision go dark, and a mouthful of blood clogged his throat. He looked at his brother's upright face, which was completely concerned about the country and the people. Then he looked at his sister-in-law's aggrieved expression, which said that if she didn't give it to him, she would continue to be disappointed. Finally, he thought about the terrifying power of "Round Roll"... With grief and indignation, he resigned himself to his fate, and with trembling hands, he untied the Nine Dragon Jade Pendant from his waist.
[Yeah! I got the key!]
Dongfang Yuning was cheering inwardly.
"Ning'er... I... I'll take you there..."
Nangong Yu's voice was filled with a barely perceptible sob and pain, as if he was about to go to the execution ground.
[No need to trouble your Majesty! ]
Dongfang Yuning was quick to take the jade pendant (almost snatching it away), and a brilliant and sincere smile bloomed on his face.
"Your Majesty is so busy with state affairs. How dare a servant like you delay His Majesty's handling of state affairs? Just let Brother Aye accompany me! Big Brother, come too, to help... well, provide some advice!"
She doesn't want her brother-in-law to be in the way, crying and affecting her performance!
Nangong Ye readily follows the advice:
"Your Highness obeys your command."
He naturally stood beside Dongfang Yuning.
Dongfang Liezheng: "...I... obey your order."
[Sister! You're dragging Big Brother into this mess and becoming his accomplice! My brother-in-law's eyes can kill!]
He followed reluctantly.
Nangong Yu watched the three men leave in a rage, his outstretched hand frozen in mid-air as he grasped at the air in vain.
[I... my baby... wuwuwu...]
He felt his heart shatter into eight pieces as the key disappeared. No! He had to complain to the Queen! Wu'er would definitely be able to control her sister!
However, when Nangong Yu rushed into Queen Dongfang Qiwu's Fengyi Palace with unsteady steps and a sad face, he saw his own queen leisurely sipping fragrant tea and listening to her trusted female official whispering something.
Instead of worrying at all, the Queen's face held a hint of joy?
"What's wrong, Your Majesty?"
Dongfang Qiwu put down the teacup, looked at her husband who looked like he had been robbed of everything, and asked the question even though she knew the answer.
"Wu'er! Help!"
Nangong Yu seemed to have found his backbone, and rushed over to hug the queen's thighs and cry.
"Ning'er...she stole the key to my private vault! Aye even helped her! That brat Liezheng is here too! They...they're going to plunder my fortune! I've saved all these years..."
"oh?"
Dongfang Qiwu raised his eyebrows slightly, his tone calm and unperturbed.
"Ning'er went to His Majesty's private vault? Isn't that a good thing?"
"Good...good thing?!"
Nangong Yu suspected that he had heard it wrong.
"Of course it's a good thing."
Dongfang Qiwu elegantly picked up a piece of dessert and said slowly,
"Ning'er has performed tremendous service this time, and Your Majesty deserves a generous reward. Filling the national treasury is a matter of state, while Your Majesty's private rewards are a family matter, and a token of His Majesty's love for my sister.
Ning'er can choose it herself and find the one she likes, which saves His Majesty a lot of worry. Isn't that the best of both worlds?"
She paused, a sly glint in her eyes, and added in a low voice,
"Besides, Ning'er has good taste. If she picks something, wouldn't it be a good opportunity to contribute to our Fengming Jiuxiao Chamber of Commerce? It's a good thing to keep it within the family."
Nangong Yu: “…”
【Wu'er! You...how could you...!】
He felt that his last ray of hope was shattered, and tears flowed like a river in his heart:
[So you two sisters are in the same group! I...I am all alone!]
At the same time, deep in the palace, the emperor's private treasury was heavily guarded.
The heavy black iron door slowly opened under the authorization of the Nine Dragon Jade Pendant. When the door was fully opened, even the experienced Nangong Ye and Dongfang Liezheng had a flash of surprise in their eyes.
The vault was not filled with gold and silver, but was instead filled with countless rare treasures, each classified into different categories:
East side: The finest jade area. The twelve zodiac animals carved from mutton-fat white jade are lifelike and flawless; landscape ornaments carved from a single block of imperial green jadeite evoke rippling emerald waters; blood chalcedony, Tianhuang jelly, and chicken bloodstone... all shimmer and radiate with a compelling aura.
West: Rare treasures area. Fist-sized deep-sea luminous pearls that glow at night; a red-gold phoenix crown inlaid with pigeon-blood rubies; ice silk armor as thin as a cicada's wing, impervious to swords and knives; and a jet-black meteorite iron sword with a faint dragon's roar.
South side: Ancient books, calligraphy and paintings area. Original works by masters of previous dynasties exude the fragrance of ink and the weight of history; long-lost martial arts secrets and medical classics are carefully preserved in golden nanmu boxes.
North side: rare treasures and exotic plants area. Millennium-old snow lotus encased in a jade box; ten-thousand-year-old stalactites sealed in crystal bottles; even a unique sapling planted in a purple clay pot, its leaves shimmering in rainbow colors!
[Fuck! Brother-in-law! I can't believe it! Your private treasury... is even fatter than the national treasury! How much of the people's blood and sweat must have been plundered from you... Ugh, it's the money you've saved for years!]
As Dongfang Yuning entered the door, his eyes widened and his inner voice echoed wildly in the warehouse like a wild horse that had broken free from its reins.
System 118:
[Ding—Activating 'Treasure Appraiser' mode! Scanning... Host! Straight ahead, the twelve zodiac animals made of mutton-fat white jade, 99.9% purity, SSS artistic value!]
In the front left, there is a deep-sea night pearl with a diameter of 15.8 cm, naturally flawless, and MAX illumination!
In the front right, the meteorite sword 'Dragon Abyss' has a sharpness of +99, armor penetration of +99, and comes with a pretentious (crossed out)... Dragon Roar special effect! I strongly recommend taking it away!
The electronic sound is full of the excitement of "quick grab".
【Package? Must pack! 】
The villain in Dongfang Yuning's heart has turned into a bandit leader.
[These are all good medicines to comfort this princess's lost heart! How can I refuse my brother-in-law's kindness?]
She had an innocent smile on her face and pointed with her little hand:
"Brother Aye, those little white animals are so cute! Just looking at them makes me happy! Move out!"
Nangong Ye raised the corner of his lips slightly and gestured to the old eunuch who was guarding the storeroom next to him with a pale face:
"move."
[Host, Night Pearl! Use it as a light bulb at night, no need to light candles! Save energy and protect the environment!]
System 118 reminder.
"That big glowing bead is great too! I'll put it in my room at night to save on candles!"
Dongfang Yuning is confident and justified.
Eunuch Zhang's eyes went dark. "...Yes...Yes, my Lord."
Go and get it tremblingly.
[That dark sword! It looks so majestic! It's perfect for Brother Aye!]
Dongfang Yuning's eyes were fixed on the meteorite sword.
Nangong Ye's smile deepened:
"Ning'er has good taste."
Dongfang Liezheng:
[Sister! That's your Majesty's favorite! It's said to have been given to her by the late emperor!]
He cried out in his heart but dared not say it out loud.
Eunuch Zhang was about to cry:
"County...Princess...that is..."
"What is it?"
Dongfang Yuning blinked his big eyes.
"I see it's all dusty and sitting here, what a shame! Brother Aye, take it and put it to good use, and protect me! Right?"
She looked at Nangong Ye.
Nangong Ye:
"Ning'er is absolutely right. Eunuch Zhang, bring it here."
The tone left no room for doubt.
Eunuch Zhang: "...Yes."
Inwardly: [Your Majesty! I have done my best! Prince Yong…he is aiding and abetting the tyrant!]
[System! Quick! Scan that glowing sapling! What kind of treasure is it?]
Dongfang Yuning discovered the New World.
System 118:
[Drop - Colorful Cloud Tree (juvenile): Legend has it that this spiritual plant has been imbued with the aura of the ancient mythical beast Phoenix. It grows one inch every hundred years, blooms every thousand years, and bears fruit every ten thousand years.
Its leaves can be used as medicine and have the effect of bringing the dead back to life (legendary, to be verified); its flowers can keep one young; its fruit... There is no record of it in the database yet.
Value: Inestimable! Suggestion: Take it away with the basin! Immediately! Right now!]
[Oh my god! My brother-in-law actually has something this good hidden?! I'll take it with the pot! I have to take it with the pot! I'm going to make a killing!]
Dongfang Yuning was so excited that he almost jumped up. He pointed at the rosy glow tree with forced composure:
"That... that pot of flowers looks quite unique. It would be a waste to leave it here. I'd better move it to my garden and let it enjoy the view!"
This time, Eunuch Zhang's legs really went weak, and he fell to his knees:
"My Lady Princess! You can't do that! That's... that's the late Empress Dowager's most beloved relic! Your Majesty treasures it like his life! He has to look at it every day! Please, Princess Princess, have mercy! Please leave some memory for Your Majesty!"
Tears streamed down my face.
Dongfang Yuning was stunned:
[The late emperor's relics? This...]
She hesitated a little. Although she liked to rob her brother-in-law, she still respected the kind late queen mother.
At this moment, Nangong Ye spoke in a steady voice:
"Since it is a relic of our father, it must be carefully preserved. Ning'er, this item is of extraordinary significance. It would be better if it were kept in the vault and guarded by my brother personally, showing his filial piety.
If you like exotic flowers and plants, I will ask someone to find better ones when we get back home."
[Brother Aye is right! I almost stole my brother-in-law's thoughts. What a sin!]
Dongfang Yuning readily follows good advice.
[But... we can't come here for nothing! System! Besides this sapling, are there any other top-grade medicinal herbs? Mark them all!]
She immediately turned her attention to the cold jade box and crystal bottle.
Finally, under Dongfang Yuning's lost glance and System 118's precise navigation, the Emperor's private treasury suffered an unprecedented precision attack:
White jade twelve zodiac set (√)
Deep Sea Night Pearl (√)
Meteorite Sword "Dragon Abyss" (√)
Millennium Snow Lotus (√)
Thousand-year-old stalactite (√)
Ice Silk Soft Armor (√)
Three paintings and calligraphy by famous artists from the previous dynasty (the system says they can be sold at a high price) (√)
There is also a small box of Dongzhu in excellent condition (stealing) (√)
…
[118! Open the space! While Eunuch Zhang isn't paying attention, slip that box of ambergris and those pieces of top-grade bloodstone in! Yes! That's it! Brother-in-law definitely can't remember the exact amount!]
While directing the transportation in public, Dongfang Yuning took advantage of the convenience of the Lingquan space to secretly move the items! With a thought, several small but priceless treasures disappeared silently and appeared in the corner of her Lingquan space.
System 118:
[Host, the price of your loss is indeed a bit high. But... well done! The space storage function is a must-have for home, travel, and housebreaking (crossed out)... storage and organization!]
The electronic sound is full of the joy of complicity.
Seeing the warehouse empty in an instant, especially his treasures being taken away one by one, Eunuch Zhang looked ashen and wailed inwardly:
[It's over! It's all over! Your Majesty will skin me alive when you return!]
He looked at Dongfang Liezheng, the only "normal" person, and cast a look for help.
Dongfang Liezheng received the signal. Looking at his sister's bandit-like behavior, Prince Yong's indulgent attitude, and the visibly thinning of Kufang, he swallowed hard and tried to make a final effort:
"Sister... Ning'er, look... is this... almost done? His Majesty... has had a hard time..."
The sound became smaller and smaller.
Dongfang Yuning was holding the night-shining pearl that was bigger than her head and couldn't let it go. When she heard this, she raised her head with an innocent and aggrieved look on her face:
"Brother, what are you talking about? I'm helping my brother-in-law organize the warehouse! Look how shameful it is that these treasures are gathering dust! I'm trying to find a more valuable home for them!
Besides, my brother-in-law said that this is his intention! If I don’t accept it, wouldn’t it be a waste of my brother-in-law’s intention? My brother-in-law will be sad! "
She argued convincingly.
[Yes! We are helping Your Majesty clean up inventory and optimize asset allocation!]
System 118 spoke nonsense in a serious manner.
Nangong Ye suppressed his smile and nodded in agreement:
"Ning'er is absolutely right. How can I let my royal brother down with all his kindness? Eunuch Zhang, please count and register these. These are all gifts from Princess Fuxing."
Directly make the final conclusion.
Eunuch Zhang: “…”
[Your Highness Prince Yong! You...you are trying to trap His Majesty to death!]
He wanted to cry but had no tears. He could only pick up the pen with trembling hands and began to record the tragic list of losses with a broken heart.
When Dongfang Yuning walked out of the emperor's private treasury with a satisfied (and abundant) fortune, she felt refreshed, even her disappointment had vanished! She held the night-shining pearl and directed the eunuchs to carry boxes of all sizes (the ones that were visible), like a victorious general returning from a battle.
Nangong Ye followed beside her, looking at his fiancée's smug expression with eyes full of doting. Dongfang Liezheng looked at the long line, then at the warehouse behind him that looked like it had been looted, and silently lit row after row of candles for his brother-in-law:
[Brother-in-law...my condolences...]
Returning to Fengyi Palace, he happened to meet Nangong Yu, who had just finished handling state affairs and was mainly trying to calm his broken heart. When the emperor looked at the vast team of spoils, especially when he saw the familiar Longyuan sword hanging on Nangong Ye's waist, his vision went dark again and he felt a sharp pain in his heart!
He forced himself to hold onto the last bit of his imperial dignity and forced out a smile that was uglier than crying:
"Ning'er...have you chosen...are you satisfied?"
Dongfang Yuning smiled brighter than the sun and nodded vigorously:
"Satisfied! Very satisfied! Thank you so much for your kindness, brother-in-law! You are so generous! I feel much better! I don't feel 'lost' at all!"
[I'm more than disappointed! I'm simply overwhelmed! My brother-in-law's private vault is like a treasure trove! Old Deng, if you dare to piss me off again, I'll take my sister and my eldest nephew and niece and run away with your private vault! I'll open a branch of the Fengming Jiuxiao Chamber of Commerce and live a life of luxury! I'll leave you alone to guard the empty palace and die alone!]
The villain in Dongfang Yuning's heart laughed wildly with his hands on his hips, and attacked Nangong Yu crazily.
Nangong Yu listened to the undisguised threat of running away with the money, and thought about the stolen Long Yuan sword, his heart was bleeding!
[Little bastard! I…I am your brother-in-law! My dear!]
He roared inwardly, but he had to put on a smile on his face, trying to find a way to save the situation. In a moment of urgency, he said:
"As long as Ning'er is satisfied! As long as she is satisfied! Next time...next time, brother-in-law will recruit another group of ignorant foreign envoys! Let you play as much as you want! Play however you like! I guarantee you will have a great time!"
He tried to shift the blame elsewhere.
[System, brother-in-law, is this a call forwarding? Are you trying to use the foreign mission as a scapegoat?]
Dongfang Yuning complained inwardly.
System 118:
[Host, this isn't call forwarding, it's strategically shifting conflict! Converting internal losses into external revenue! Your Majesty's plan is brilliant! It not only satisfies the host's play needs, but also generates revenue for the national treasury (extortion), while simultaneously diverting the host's attention from your Majesty's private vault. Killing three birds with one stone! Brilliant! Truly brilliant!]
The system analysis is very clear and logical.
【That makes sense! 】
Dongfang Yuning's eyes lit up, and he looked at Nangong Yu with an approving smile: "Brother-in-law, you finally got it right."
"Your Majesty, are you serious? I'll take note of this! Next time I'm blind, Your Majesty, don't forget to inform me!"
"Seriously! Absolutely serious!"
Nangong Yu patted his chest and promised, but he was crying inside:
[Foreign envoys, I'm sorry! I'd rather die than let my friends die! For the sake of my private treasury... I have no choice but to sacrifice you!]
A spectacular robbery of a private treasury finally came to an end. Dongfang Yuning returned home with a full load, feeling very satisfied. Nangong Ye, keeping his achievements and fame to himself, was in a happy mood.
Dongfang Liezheng silently lit candles for his brother-in-law and the future foreign delegation. Emperor Nangong Yu, watching the private treasury list shrink in an instant and listening to Eunuch Zhang's tearful report, could only cling to a last shred of hope and rush to Fengyi Palace, seeking the empress's comfort and the possible return of the treasure his sister-in-law had rejected.
As for those guards and eunuchs who were forced to listen to the princess's bandit thoughts throughout the whole process, and had to pretend that they heard nothing and tried hard to maintain a blank expression?
Their thighs and inner arms were already bruised—holding back laughter was truly a high-risk occupation with the potential for workplace injuries! A leak? Impossible! They still wanted to keep the Nine Clans alive to see tomorrow's sunrise!
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