Chapter 366: Not Loving the Cage, Loving Freedom

Wan Tang felt a chill at her nose, reached out, and a snowflake landed perfectly in Wan Tang's palm.

She looked up and only then noticed the snowflakes drifting down like spirits in the wind.

This harsh winter has finally arrived.

"It's snowing!?!".

"All three Great Merchant Houses of Kyoto have opened shops, claiming it's for registering to receive cotton coats."

"At the Fried Chicken Shop in the Capital, each child can claim a piece of Fried Chicken."

"Hai Tang Milk Tea can be had with free hot water."

"Big fellow, hurry up, Ci'an Tang is registering people with labor power."

Winter is the common people's nightmare; beyond food and clothing, many are being frozen to death.

Yet at this moment, beneath the city wall, there is a chorus of joy.

It seems what arrives is not endless snow, but new vitality.

A group of Old Ministers kneel on the ground; at this moment, there is no longer any factional strife.

Qi Qi proudly lifts his head: "Your Majesty, the people have finally been saved; they will surely erect monuments and sing praises for you..."

"We, the ministers, admire Your Majesty..."

The ministers also raise a chorus of voices.

Wan Tang's expression turned solemn, and in a deep voice she said: "Now is not a time for laxity; the Emperor is gravely ill, and all ministers must immediately return to their posts."

"I, the palace, want to see everyone spring into action, turning this winter not into a disaster but into the start of new construction."

"Fengqi Kingdom does not support lazy men; it utilizes every disaster victim's role, investing them into Fengqi Kingdom's construction."

"Yes!" the ministers shouted in unison.

The ministers dispersed.

Only a handful of people remain on the city wall, all participants in the plan.

Qi Qi's tense nerves relaxed, and with a smile, the crow's-feet at his eyes spread out.

His tone was also excited: "Your Majesty, although the plan is ahead of schedule, everything proceeds smoothly."

"I just don't know whether the Emperor now can still bring you a Prince?"

Qi Qi looked worried.

Su Yanci's complexion turned slightly pale, and the hand standing beside him unintentionally clenched a bit.

Qi Er took everything in his sight and gently reminded: "All along, Your Majesty's plan has been meticulous; surely these were already anticipated."

"Father, you are merely a minister; just obey the orders."

Qi Qi forced an awkward smile and hurriedly lowered his head.

Wan Tang's tone was even: "I already have a candidate in mind; the child of Hui Guifei would be a fine choice."

Qi Qi's gaze flickered, and only after a long moment did it settle.

He gave an awkward smile and echoed: "Your Majesty says so; I, the Old Minister, will arrange it immediately."

Qi Qi's footsteps gradually faded away.

"Qi Er," Wan Tang looked ahead and asked: "Can the enterprise you now hold support this disaster?"

"Your Majesty, a commoner merely works for Your Majesty; if Your Majesty needs it, we will naturally provide it."

Qi Er's eyes held a cunning glint: "But my enterprise is only a tenth or a twelfth of the enterprises you have outside, Your Majesty. If Your Majesty trusts a commoner, not only this winter but even several more snow disasters would be more than sufficient."

Wan Tang gave a strange scolding glance.

She said softly: "I, the palace, did not intend to conceal from you; I was only afraid you would be panicked."

"I am truly shocked, Your Majesty has already become wealthier than a nation; why still have to compromise?" As Qi Er spoke, his gaze, intentionally or not, drifted toward Su Yanci.

Wan Tang's brows still carried a hint of sorrow: "The Mo Family must not retain a stigma."

Qi Er sighed lightly: "So, Your Majesty truly intends to sacrifice most of the enterprise to save his throne?"

"Chu Yunzheng?" Wan Tang laughed: "The child is too young; he still must stay alive."

Wan Tang's eyes were laced with sarcasm.

What is friendship?

When Chu Yunzheng would grasp everything in his hands, even to the point of poisoning Xiao Chuan,...

There is only hatred.

She said softly: "Moreover, who says disaster relief must inevitably lead to bankruptcy?"

"They are merely hungry, not without land or labor capacity."

"Moreover, what I, the palace, want is a unity of army and civilians, working together on construction. In peacetime, our soldiers can fully devote themselves to building."

Qi Er was especially shocked.

He exclaimed: "You mean, when we are not at war, we would have an extra million laborers?"

"Hmm!" Wan Tang gave a faint smile: "Our soldiers not only defend the nation, they can also be self-sufficient; who says our barracks cannot raise pigs or farm?"

Qi Er's face was full of shock; what had he heard?

Qi Er had once thought this woman possessed an ultra-strong business mind, but her politics were still far inferior.

But now...

Qi Er finally let out a breath, laughing out loud.

He bowed deeply: "Even if Your Majesty declares herself emperor, Qi Er would still follow."

After all, the woman before us possesses foresight and boldness that many emperors lack.

The point is, compared to expanding territories, she better understands how to guard the home and achieve prosperity.

Wan Tang finally smiled: "So, you are willing to become an official in the court?"

"No!" Qi Er waved his hand repeatedly: "There are too many obligations in the court, but the commoner still wishes to be your little follower."

"Now it's Lord Su," Qi Er turned his gaze toward Su Yanci, implying: "The commoner has already received information that Lord Su has sold off his family assets—are you preparing to leave the Capital?"

Wan Tang's heart suddenly fluttered, yet she dared not turn back to look at Su Yanci.

He was, after all, a free bird.

Now that the dust has settled, he ought to depart.

Su Yanci stared intently at Wan Tang's silhouette, his gaze following her flowing hair beyond the palace wall, his eyes filled with longing for freedom.

The voice, full of anticipation, said: "Younger Sister's letter arrived; she has found a place where water and reeds thrive, a land untouched by the world."

"She says a small town lies not far away, its people simple and honest; the key is they dislike entertainment, preferring a single bite of food."

Qi Er smiled too broadly: "So, does that mean Lord Su is about to leave?"

"Hmm!" This time, Su Yanci answered with such certainty: "What I needed to do, I have already done. The remaining matters, I am not at liberty to take part in."

He is about to leave...

Wan Tang could not articulate how she felt, and she could no longer recall how she returned to Kunning Palace.

"Mother."

Then a soft, mellow voice of Minghui reached her ears: "Qiu Niang has already left, Mother, why didn't you even leave a farewell word for her?"

Qiu Niang, also left?

Wan Tang's heart emptied once again.

Perhaps the cries of the child in the inner chambers gradually helped her find herself.

Wan Tang forced out a smile uglier than crying.

She said weakly: "Go and see your younger brother!"

"They are, after all, geese returning south..."

Minghui seemed to understand, yet also seemed completely clueless.

He tilted his head, thought for a while, hummed a tune, and went to see his brother.

Time passed swiftly.

Winter gave way to spring.

The bare Ginkgo tree sprouted green buds, yet beside that tree, the white figure never appeared again.

The table never again held Peach Blossom Brew; only piles of memorials stacked like mountains.

"Master."

Xiao Shunzi hurried along, carrying a tray with a bright yellow Imperial Decree.

The Imperial Decree to enthrone the Crown Prince has been drafted; Lord Qi said it would be best for the Empress herself to go to Yangxin Hall.

Beside the Imperial Decree lay the National Jade Seal.

Wan Tang was slightly weary; a wet nurse beside her was coaxing a child.

Minghui lay on the table, asleep, and on the rice paper was written: "A daughter has her own soaring bone, not attached to the cage but to freedom."

Wan Tang forced a bitter smile.

She took a blanket and gently draped it over Minghui.

She lifted her head again, her eyes flashing with a sharp light, her voice much steadier: "Proceed to Yangxin Hall!"