Only Long Fei Ye was allowed to go by himself? He even wanted Long Fei Ye's treasured sword, Profound Frost. If he missed the deadline, he didn't have to come? Take responsibility for the consequences?
In just a short blackmail letter, there were four conditions. Back when Ning Cheng kidnapped Gu Beiyue to threaten them, he hadn't spoken so boldly, nor did he have so many demands.
Just who was this man?
"He wants you to exchange your treasured sword for a hostage? Could it be Cang Qiuzi? "Han Yunxi was puzzled.
"That's not very likely. He wouldn't go so far for Profound Frost," Long Fei Ye remarked. His master had given him Profound Frost, the first sword of Kenzō.
Master had said that he and Profound Frost shared the same aura, so only he could wield it. Cang Qiuzi should understand this logic.
"If it's not Cang Qiuzi, then someone must have hired assassins from the city to kidnap the hostage. Then they came to talk business with you," Han Yunxi mused.
Long Fei Ye agreed with her guess. After some hesitation, he added, "This is very fishy!"
Why did they choose Grand Concubine Yi as their hostage? Grand Concubine Yi had long been forgotten by the world! Even Ning Cheng knew to kidnap Gu Beiyue, but the real target should be Pill Fiend Pharmacy.
Kidnapping Pill Fiend Pharmacy was much easier than kidnapping Grand Concubine Yi.
Long Fei Ye added, "If they hired someone to kidnap the hostage, they could only ask Lady Leng Yue and Qi Zonglin. It'd take more than silver to get those two to show up."
"It looks like we'll have to meet them to find out the truth," Han Yunxi said solemnly. "Three days. Make preparations and have Chu Xifeng hurry back."
What if the other side had set up an ambush? What if they not only hired assassins to kidnap Grand Concubine Yi, but also lay in wait at Lost Void Lake for Long Fei Ye to walk right into their trap? What if the other side's true goal was to kill Long Fei Ye?
This trip was extremely dangerous!
Han Yunxi was very serious, but who knew that Long Fei Ye would raise his eyebrows and look at her, asking, "This prince will not bring the Profound Frost Sword, but will bring you. Do you dare to follow?"
Han Yunxi smiled helplessly. Even if she was worried, she knew Long Fei Ye's temper. How could this man be threatened so easily?
"Approved!" She smiled. What kind of danger had they not experienced? They had all walked out of the Medicine Requesting Cave alive, hadn't they?
Three days.
In these three days, Long Fei Ye did not make any preparations. Everything was still going according to plan. His time was very tight to begin with.
That day, he brought Han Yunxi to the Commander-In-Chief's Manor in Zhongnan.
Baili Yuanlong oversaw the South Central Commander-In-Chief's Office, and six other departments were set up. In reality, it was like a small imperial court, governing the fertile land of South Central.
Although Baili Yuanlong held great power, the other five out of the six departments were controlled by aristocratic families, and the position of minister was held by someone they nominated. The aristocratic families more or less kept Long Fei Ye in check.
Aristocratic families had been officials for generations and were of noble status.
These aristocratic families had not interfered with government affairs for a long time and only enjoyed their salaries. They were so arrogant that they disdained government officials and members of the imperial family. But now, the aristocratic family heads were actually recommending someone to take up the position of minister. This was enough to see the ambitions of these aristocratic families.
Their most direct goal was to keep Long Fei Ye in check. However, Long Fei Ye was still fighting for power and had yet to establish an empire. Thus, they were only biding their time and did not dare to be too arrogant.
When Long Fei Ye truly ascended the throne, these people would definitely want a share of the profits. They needed the new regime's recognition, respect their status, and continued to protect their interests.
Baili Yuanlong, the five aristocratic family heads, and the ministers of the five departments were all present in the main hall. As soon as Long Fei Ye and Han Yunxi entered the hall, they all rose to pay their respects. Baili Yuanlong was the most respectful and gave up his seat of honor.
Long Fei Ye didn't have them rise immediately, but led Han Yunxi over.
Han Yunxi discovered that the seat of honor was for one person, but there was another chair next to it. It was very out of place, probably prepared for her by Baili Yuanlong.
Great General Baili really is considerate, she mused.
Although she didn't have the concept of men being superior to women, everyone present was a man. Moreover, they were discussing matters of state, so she was too lazy to join in. She was more concerned with her Pill Fiend Pharmacy and the kidnappers of Grand Concubine Yi. She couldn't figure out how Long Fei Ye could be so calm.
Long Fei Ye had dragged her here, so she could only listen from the sidelines. When she reached her seat, she prepared to sit down, but Long Fei Ye didn't let go. He carried her to sit on the seat of honor – no, on his lap!
In a flash, everyone in the room looked over.
"What are you doing?!" Han Yunxi murmured.
Long Fei Ye only pretended not to hear as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Han Yunxi could clearly feel the five old clan heads' gazes turn fierce and fierce.
Just what did Long Fei Ye want to do? Did he think there were too few people cursing her for being a disaster?
Baili Yuanlong shot Long Fei Ye meaningful looks, but Long Fei Ye pretended not to notice. Han Yunxi didn't understand, but Baili Yuanlong knew all too well.
These aristocratic families all wanted to cling onto His Highness Duke of Qin. Therefore, they all wanted to marry their legitimate daughters to him in the future!
Although they knew His Highness Duke of Qin doted on Han Yunxi and couldn't change the fact that Han Yunxi was his official consort, they still planned to marry off their daughters to him. Once the Duke of Qin became emperor, he'd have an empress and four consorts in his harem. Han Yunxi might not be able to become empress even if she was his official consort.
Thus, these people were filled with enmity towards Han Yunxi.
His Highness Duke of Qin's actions were clearly for the five clan heads to see, warning them to give up any unnecessary thoughts.
But Baili Yuanlong was worried!
After all, now wasn't the time. There was no need for His Highness Duke of Qin to offend these people. This was a critical period. If he didn't calculate wrong, the Duke of Qin would make his move this autumn. All of Cloud Realm Continent would be thrown into turmoil.
He was looking forward to the arrival of autumn, but he had to be careful now. Nothing could happen to the south central regions.
Seeing His Highness Duke of Qin so willfully embrace Han Yunxi in front of everyone, Baili Yuanlong was both worried and angry. Of course, he didn't dare to be angry at the Duke of Qin, but Han Yunxi.
This woman was indeed unusual, but she was still a source of calamity!
"All of you, rise and sit," Long Feiye finally spoke up.
Everyone rose to their seats, but all eyes were on Han Yunxi's face. Han Yunxi felt uncomfortable and murmured, "Long Fei Ye, just what's going on?"
"Nothing. I just don't like you sitting by yourself," Long Fei Ye murmured as he buried his head in her neck.
Han Yunxi's heart warmed. She was about to speak when the Xiao Clan Head stood up and clasped his hands in a graceful gesture.
"This one has long heard of esteemed wangfei's illustrious name. Meeting you today is the good fortune of three lifetimes! Today, the Six Ministries have gathered here to discuss the war in the west and seek peace and prosperity for the south central regions. Since esteemed wangfei has come, you must have something to teach us. I don't know what esteemed wangfei has to say about Cloud Realm Continent's current situation. We are all ears! "
Aristocratic families really were different. Even their bows were so graceful and their words so refined.
But so what? Han Yunxi knew they were here to cause trouble. In Han Yunxi's eyes, these people didn't have the bearing of an aristocratic family at all!
Han Yunxi didn't want to get involved in politics because she was too busy. She didn't like it either. Unfortunately, Long Fei Ye had pushed her into the position of calamity. She couldn't lose face for him, could she?
Just based on those heartwarming words of his just now, she had to do her best!
She had been uncomfortable sitting there, but now she relaxed and leaned lazily against Long Fei Ye's chest. "Then all of you listen well. This wangfei will only say this once!"
These words angered the elders so much that their faces turned green!
The Xiao Clan Head had been polite just then, but Han Yunxi really didn't hold back. When had they ever been so rude to?
This woman was indeed spoiled and arrogant. If they didn't suppress her arrogance now, what would happen in the future?
"Please speak!" Xiao Family's Patriarch suppressed his anger and stood, not sitting down.
"Western Zhou, Tianning, and Tian An are at war. For the south central regions, this is a golden opportunity that cannot be missed …"
Han Yunxi's words made the Minister of Revenue laugh. "Esteemed wangfei, everyone knows about this."
Naturally, the five clan heads couldn't mock Han Yunxi in public. They had to maintain the demeanor of an aristocratic family, but the ministers they'd elected were their spokespeople.
"Then you know about it too?" Han Yunxi asked with interest.
"Of course. Our south central regions' commander-in-chief's estate will be the fisherman who reaps the benefits from the war between the three countries!" the Minister of Revenue said seriously.
"What kind of fisherman's benefits are there?" Han Yunxi asked again.
"Once the three countries are weakened, it'll be time for our south central regions to set out on an expedition. At that time, not only will we be able to swallow up Tianning's territory, we can also expand to Western Zhou and Tiannan …"
Han Yunxi interrupted him. "Everyone knows about this too, right? These are matters for the Ministry of War. You don't need to worry about them. What this wangfei wants to know is what your Ministry of Revenue is planning to do, and what benefits do you seek? "
The Minister of Revenue didn't hesitate to say, "Our headquarters will naturally assist the Ministry of War in recruiting soldiers, buying horses, and preparing rations."
The Ministry of Revenue was the most important thing in a country. It was in charge of the country's territory, farmland, household registration, taxes, salaries, and all other financial matters. It could be said that it was the country's finance minister.
The Minister of Revenue's answer was full of confidence, but Han Yunxi only laughed out loud. "Doesn't everyone already know about this?"
The Minister of Revenue had been choked twice by Han Yunxi, and she was even using his own words. He was very unwilling to accept this and retorted, "Then esteemed wangfei, what brilliant ideas do you have? Please enlighten me!"
"I was just about to say it, but you interrupted me, didn't you? Here, let's agree that you're not allowed to interrupt me this time. No matter how good your ideas are, I'll have to trouble you to endure until this wangfei finishes speaking. " Why don't you tell me again? "Han Yunxi asked patiently.
The five clan heads' expressions turned even uglier. On the side, Baili Yuanlong couldn't help but laugh. Meanwhile, Long Fei Ye was holding Han Yunxi's hand and patting her waist from time to time. It was obvious that he was in high spirits.
"Esteemed wangfei, please enlighten me!" The Minister of Revenue was the most embarrassed of all. He waited, refusing to believe that Han Yunxi would have any brilliant ideas.
Han Yunxi said …
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