Chapter 27: Conquering the Empress - You Were Not Like This Before...
The Empress was slightly taken aback by what Fu Yun said, clearly somewhat surprised. However, her reaction was different from that of Lu's mother and Su Mang, who both thought he was talking nonsense and that it was a fantasy.
Her originally cold gaze revealed a hint of a smile: "You are indeed as bold as a bat, not showing any cowardice even in this situation. It seems you are truly not afraid of me."
Fu Yun secretly breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed she had passed this hurdle.
Indeed, the magnanimity and wisdom of someone who can become an empress are beyond the reach of ordinary people.
“Or rather,” the Empress interrupted abruptly, her tone turning dangerous and menacing as she asked, “Do you think I won’t take your head?”
Fu Jun's heart skipped a beat, and the image of Su Fu Jun being torn apart by five horses flashed through her mind.
He didn't know if the original owner still had some consciousness left in this body, but he felt a strange chill in his body, as if it were a coldness hidden deep in his heart.
Or perhaps, this body is subconsciously resisting and fearing the threat posed by the Empress.
Fu Yun was lost in self-analysis, so she pursed her lips and remained silent.
He was unaware that the expression he wore was perceived quite differently by the Empress.
The Empress looked at the handsome and refined man before her, who had been confident, wise, and insightful just a moment ago, but whose face had turned pale and who looked worried the next.
A strange emotion welled up inside her: So all that audacity she had shown was just an act?
Did I frighten him just now?
She twirled her sleeve and said casually, "If I really wanted to take your life, why would I waste my time listening to your eloquent talk?"
Fu Yun: "..." So, this was just one of the Empress's pranks? Does she enjoy putting other people's hearts on a rollercoaster ride?
As soon as the Empress finished speaking, the previously disharmonious atmosphere eased, and the oppressive and cold feeling disappeared.
Only now did Fu Yun find the same sense of ease he had when he was with Zhilan through the Empress.
Fu Yun smiled slightly and said sarcastically, "No, I really thought you were going to chop off my head."
He paused, then added earnestly, "But I believe you are a wise ruler and will not easily take lives."
The Empress looked at Fu Jun without speaking, a dark glint flashing in her eyes, as if a cold light were covering him, yet she was looking through that light at something else, and it was impossible to know what she was thinking.
Has no one else ever said anything like that to her?
Of course, this might just be a very subtle emotion, and Fu Yun felt that she might be overthinking it.
He shook his head, dismissing the strange feeling in his heart: "So? Give me a chance?"
The Empress snapped out of her reverie, turned slightly, looked at the full moon in the sky, and said with a hint of sadness in her voice: "You look so confident. Does it not matter whether I give you a chance or not? Is success or failure just a gamble for you? Winning or losing doesn't matter."
Fu Yun had a feeling that there was something more to her words, but she couldn't be sure what she was referring to.
He didn't delve into it further, but simply stated his position: "I'm not a gambler, and I will do what I say I will do."
The Empress withdrew her gaze, her words carrying a hidden meaning: "Having ambition is easy, but achieving success is unpredictable."
Fu Yun understood, and he said bluntly, "The biggest failure is not wanting to do something and not wanting to do it."
The Empress glanced coldly at Fu Yun, then gazed at the distant palace walls, remaining silent for a moment.
Fu Yun had a feeling that the Empress was a little down, probably after she said she believed she was a wise ruler.
[It's lonely at the top! After all, the higher one stands, the less free one can be, because her choices affect the fate of the entire nation. While the people love and fear her, in the original story she is decisive and upright, but also a ruthless and bloodthirsty ruler. She has purged a large portion of the civil and military officials, so her position in court is not very secure now.]
Fu Yun was somewhat surprised: "Wasn't she said to be fair and impartial, and to punish evil and promote good? Why would she kill so many ministers?"
Those who harbor disloyal intentions, plot to defect, or are truly traitors will all be executed.
After a pause, Xiao Ba added: "[They are only a hair's breadth away from becoming tyrants.]"
Fu Yun asked uncertainly, "They haven't even taken any action yet, and they've already killed those who had that intention?"
【right! 】
Fu Yun nodded. It was indeed a bit unexpected. Just now, he thought the Empress was the type who only killed criminals and not suspects.
Perhaps every time I met her, I only saw her kind and understanding side.
However, he could understand the Empress's actions. As someone in a position of power, who doesn't have some tricks up their sleeve? When he was the CEO of the group, he didn't show any mercy to his competitors either.
As a monarch, eliminating dissidents was just routine for the empress, after all, one wrong move could lead to utter ruin for her.
Actually, I feel she's envious of you, because you can not only do what you want to do, but also strive for what you desire, and even if you fail, you don't have to worry about the butterfly effect that failure will cause.
Seeing that Xiao Ba spoke with great confidence, Fu Yun asked, "What materials have you been reading lately?"
Where does the anxiety about those in positions of power and leaders come from?
Fu Yun almost laughed: "Why are you looking at these?"
[Of course, this is to help you win over the Empress.]
Fu Yun was baffled: "Why would I need to win her over?"
[If you gain the Empress's trust, your life will be spared, won't it?]
Fu Jun disagreed: "I'll make money to fill the national treasury for her, it's just as safe."
That's not necessarily true. Only by truly entering her inner world and gaining her approval and trust will you avoid the unpleasant feeling of walking on thin ice while serving her.
Fu Yun felt that Xiao Ba was increasing the difficulty of the task: "You didn't say that at the beginning. You said that it would be enough to change Su Fu Yun's tragic fate."
[Defying fate is fine! But you can't guarantee that the Empress won't trust a merchant who only cares about money.]
Fu Yun: "..." This is just sophistry.
He was too lazy to argue with Xiao Ba anymore, so he focused his attention on the Empress and persuaded her in a relaxed manner: "Just treat it as a try. It's a cost-free investment. Whether it succeeds or not, you won't lose anything, right?"
The Empress paused for a moment, seemingly pondering before saying, "I will trust you this time and give you a chance to redeem yourself through merit. However, I have a condition: you must be available at my beck and call. I will make a decision after six months based on your performance."
Fu Yun readily agreed: "No problem."
He practically patted his chest and promised: "Trust me, I'll definitely surprise you."
The Empress turned her back, her tone cold: "I do not wish for a third person to know about what happened today."
“Okay, I have no objection.” Fu Yun knew, of course, that such private matters as the national treasury should not be spread casually. If word got out that the national treasury was empty, it would cause public panic.
The reason he brought up the matter of the national treasury was because the Empress and Ye Lan had been blocked on the street before, and they had requested a reduction in grain tax collection.
Food shortages only occur when the national treasury is empty.
"Alright, you can leave now." The Empress gave the order to leave.
Just as Fu Yun was about to turn and leave, the Empress's unquestionable voice came again: "The city has been rather unsettled lately. Be careful in your actions. I want to see progress in seven days."
Fu Yun: "..." They've only just agreed on the cooperation agreement, and they've already started exploiting people's labor. They really have no manners at all.
"Hmm?" The Empress paused slightly, clearly displeased at not hearing a response.
Fu Yun glanced back and saw the Empress standing at the entrance of the government office, staring at him intently. He sighed and said, "I understand. Coming to the government office every seven days is fine, isn't it?"
The empress did not respond further, turned around and stepped into the government office, her figure gradually disappearing into the distance.
Having resolved the immediate matter, Fu Yun hurried towards the Su residence.
After walking for about half an hour, he had just approached the Su residence and found an open space. Just as he was about to jump over the wall to go in, a figure suddenly appeared, grabbed his forearm, and dragged him directly out.
Fu Yun was startled: "Who?"
"Young master, it's me." A low voice sounded in Fu Jun's ear.
Fu Yun turned her head and saw that it was Su Zi.
"Young master, I knew you would come. I was just about to go find you."
Su Zi was slightly out of breath when she spoke, as if she had just run vigorously.
After Su Zi let go, Fu Yun walked to a more secluded place and gestured for Su Zi to stay away from the Su residence.
After Su Zi arrived, he asked in return, "Looking for me? Where's Su Mang? Is she inside?"
Su Zi looked around to make sure no one was watching before she whispered, "Su Mang did come here secretly not long ago, saying she was looking for you, but after learning that you hadn't been taken back to the Su residence, she hurried back."
As she spoke, she asked somewhat strangely, "Didn't you run into her on the way here?"
Fu Yun shook her head, concealing the fact that she had seen Ye Lan and the Empress: "We must have missed each other at some crossroads."
Su Zi nodded without thinking much of it and continued, "I came here to wait for you so that you wouldn't miss me. Luckily, I arrived in time, otherwise you might have been discovered."
Fu Yun looked up and saw that the Su residence was still brightly lit at this time, probably because something was being dealt with.
"What happened to the Su family? It feels like something's going on."
Su Zi said, "I don't know either. The patriarch has been frequently visited by close friends recently, but I don't know what they are for. The Imperial Guards even came by today."
Fu Yun understood the situation and didn't ask any more questions, only reminding him, "If you have the chance, you should try to get away from the Su family!"
Su Zi looked puzzled: "Leave the Su family? Why?"
Fu Yun frowned slightly and gave an ambiguous answer: "The head of the Su family is not a good leader. I can't say for sure, but just remember what I said."
Seeing the young man's troubled expression, Su Zi didn't press him further: "I understand, I'll be careful."
Fu Jun nodded, not intending to linger any longer: "I'll go back first. You should go in early too, so they don't get suspicious."
After saying that, he turned to leave.
"Young master," Su Zi called out.
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