Chapter 72: The Emperor is Becoming Increasingly Reckless

Shen Ning lowered her head to look at his hands, a pair of distinctly jointed hands, quite beautiful.

She thought carefully and realized that she still had no goal, apart from revenge, she had not planned at all what she wanted to do.

She didn’t even know what she wanted.

Traveling around the world.

If life could really be so carefree and comfortable, why not give it a try?

However, traveling around the world is not an easy thing to do, it requires a lot of financial support, and the ability to ensure one’s own safety, no matter who becomes the Emperor in the future, they must have the ability to protect themselves.

“If we both survive, I can consider it.” Shen Ning nodded slowly, “But instead of traveling around the world, it might be better to become an imperial merchant.”

Ji Yucang was slightly surprised: “An imperial merchant?”

Shen Ning nodded, smiling faintly: “After all, if one wants to live comfortably, they can’t do without earning a lot of money. At that time, we can expand our business to various countries, so we can go wherever we want without worrying about money.”

The corners of Ji Yucang’s mouth lifted: “You’re right.”

“With your current status as the Regent, it shouldn’t be difficult to recruit a few business-savvy individuals to work for you, secretly making money for you.” Shen Ning said, her tone subtly changing, “Although it may sound like using power for personal gain, colluding with merchants, if it’s just for making money and not doing anything unethical, and if we use the money to help the people in the future, opening granaries to relieve famine when we encounter disaster victims, it should be morally justifiable.”

Ji Yucang’s eyes were gentle: “Even when thinking about travel, you’re concerned about the people. I think you’re very suited to be the ruler of the world.”

“Your perception is wrong.” Shen Ning’s tone was indifferent, “Caring for the people is just a sign of a shred of compassion, normal people would have this mindset, but being the ruler of the world is not that easy. Firstly, I have no ambition, secondly, I don’t like being busy all day, thirdly, I detest intrigue, and even more so, I detest looking for trouble.”

Ji Yucang didn’t speak, he lowered his head to take a bite of his meal, not knowing what was on his mind.

“When will the Nan Dynasty envoy arrive?”

“After Pingyao’s wedding, before the end of this month.” Ji Yucang said, “Nan Dynasty’s Loyal and Brave Marquis Han Rong will also come.”

Shen Ning was slightly stunned. Loyal and Brave Marquis Han Rong?

Her childhood sweetheart in Nan Dynasty, her fiancé, her husband, the person who had personally sent her to hell after their marriage, and now her enemy.

Loyal and Brave Marquis, what a title full of praise.

“Do you think the Loyal and Brave Marquis is truly loyal and brave?” Shen Ning asked indifferently, her tone betraying neither joy nor anger, “I guess he might only have the name, neither loyal nor brave.”

Ji Yucang nodded slowly: “If he were truly loyal and brave, he wouldn’t need to come to Yong Kingdom seeking help this time.”

Shen Ning didn’t speak anymore, and in the silence, she was somewhat surprised by her own calmness at this moment, not just on the surface, but also in her heart, without any ripples.

She wondered if she could remain so calm after seeing him.

“Is he one of the ten key officials you mentioned?”

Ji Yucang hummed in affirmation: “I heard he is one of the Nan Dynasty Emperor’s most trusted people, and also the former husband of that Princess. There are rumors outside that their relationship was stronger than gold. After the Princess passed away, this Loyal and Brave Marquis was heartbroken, refusing food and shutting himself away for three days. It was only after the Emperor issued an edict that a tragedy was averted.”

Shen Ning listened in silence, feeling as if she were hearing someone else’s story.

“This Loyal and Brave Marquis has refused marriage proposals from three noble ladies in a row to keep his loyalty to his wife’s memory.” Ji Yucang’s voice was indifferent, “Do you find that believable?”

“Whether it’s believable or not, at least most people believe it.”

Ji Yucang’s expression was profound: “I really want to know how loyal and brave he is, and how much he values sentiment.”

Shen Ning smiled faintly, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes: “I want to know, too.”

…..

It was unclear what had prompted the change.

In the following days, the Emperor remained particularly quiet. During court sessions, he never spoke a word, so calm that no one could guess what was on his mind. It was as if the anger from being offended had vanished, and he had truly become an inscrutable ruler.

Until the 15th of October, just one day before Princess Pingyao’s wedding, and also close to the day the Regent’s poison would take effect.

After court, Ji Jin stopped Ji Yucang: “Please come to the Chonghua Palace for a chat.”

Upon arriving at the Chonghua Palace, Ji Jin ordered Zhou Fang to bring out the antidote.

Along with the antidote, there was an imperial edict placed before Ji Yucang.

Ji Jin picked up the edict: “Uncle, please take a look.”

Ji Yucang didn’t know what Ji Jin was up to. He unfolded the edict, only to find it blank except for the clear and distinct characters “abdication”.

Ji Yucang raised his eyes, his gaze deep and unreadable: “What does the Emperor mean by this?”

“Uncle is in such a hurry to seize power, isn’t it because you want to be the Emperor? This is temporarily a blank imperial edict, but Uncle should understand what I will write on it.” Ji Jin stared fixedly at Ji Yucang, not wanting to miss any change in his expression, “As long as Uncle agrees to my two conditions, the throne will be yours.”

Ji Yucang’s expression was icy: “What are your conditions?”

“First, kill Shen Ning, second, take this antidote.”

Ji Jin smiled faintly: “I can write the abdication edict and yield the throne to Uncle. The condition is that Uncle kills Shen Ning and takes the antidote in front of me.”

Ji Yucang understood his meaning, his gaze falling on the brocade box containing the antidote, his eyes cold and unreadable.

“There are a total of twenty-four antidotes, and Uncle has already used fifteen. I still have nine here.” Ji Jin’s voice was indifferent, as if he were discussing something extremely ordinary, “As soon as Uncle takes all nine antidotes, I will immediately abdicate in favor of Uncle, ensuring that Uncle does not fall into the dilemma of whether to continue seizing power or to return the regency.”

“The Emperor always thinks he’s so clever.” Ji Yucang reached out and took the brocade box, his gaze slightly lifted, his eyes indifferent as if he were looking at a foolish and ignorant child, “I will fight for what I want. Whether you give it to me or not, it won’t change the final outcome.”

“Uncle!” Ji Jin’s face changed, gritting his teeth in anger, “I am abdicating to Uncle, allowing Uncle to ascend the throne as the rightful Emperor. But if you seize the throne, no matter how wise and unparalleled you are, how much territory you expand, or what great achievements you leave behind, you will still be recorded in history with eternal infamy!”

“The Emperor has become increasingly reckless recently, simply too stupid to be saved.” Ji Yucang said coldly, “Guards!”

The imperial guards with swords in hand rushed in.

Ji Jin felt a chill throughout his body, looking at Ji Yucang in disbelief: “Uncle, are you planning a rebellion? Uncle, don’t forget you are only the Regent, not the Son of Heaven! Such actions are no different from treason!”

Ji Yucang’s eyebrows and eyes were shrouded in a layer of frost, his voice even more cold and piercing: “You will sit on this throne until your death, no one will take your dragon chair from you, but for the rest of your life, all you will have is this dragon chair.”

With that, he turned and left, the intimidating aura of death surrounding him, causing others to fear at the sight.