Flames of Ambition

40: Scheme within a scheme

Chapter 40: Scheme Within a Scheme

Two days passed, and the entire Capital was now in complete chaos—worse than the disaster caused by the Epidemic Event.

This could be considered the climax of the entire ordeal, yet Zexel’s group didn’t panic in the slightest. In fact, they were currently enjoying their afternoon Tea Time as if nothing had happened.

“The chaos is even worse than I expected. Good job, Sis,” Zexel said, smirking as Fan Yaoli matched her grin.

It was time for the fourth phase of their grand plan, which now fell to Feng Ming Li.

The first phase was to cure the ordinary people.

The second phase was to build the Herbal Medicine Shop.

The third phase was to close it down—executed flawlessly by Fan Yaoli and Zexel.

And now, the fourth phase was to initiate movement inside the Palace—with Feng Ming Li as the most suitable person.

This was because, unlike Feng Zhengying who was only an adopted son, Feng Ming Li held legitimate status and greater access to the inner workings of the palace.

The fourth phase aimed to control the chaos from the inside, and ultimately obtain the Emperor’s decree.

“Feng Ming Li, three days from now, head to the palace. You know what to do,” Zexel said calmly.

Feng Ming Li simply nodded, and the meeting was adjourned.

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Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace…

The Emperor was exhausted and completely overwhelmed. His brows remained furrowed day and night, and he hadn’t had proper sleep in weeks.

The entire Pingjing Country had become vulnerable to external threats. The internal unrest had reached such a critical point that he now feared war could break out at any moment.

He had come to realize—albeit too late—that even small complaints from ordinary citizens mattered just as much as those from the noble families. His neglect of their voices had allowed the situation to spiral so far out of control that even he couldn’t contain it anymore.

Worse, all his schemes to take over the Herbal Medicine Shop had failed.

The antidote that had given everyone a glimmer of hope had vanished, along with the mysterious woman behind it. No one even knew her name. She had disappeared as if she were nothing more than a ghost.

Still, everyone in the Capital spoke of her.

The miracle antidote had shown unquestionable effectiveness—but only when used correctly. The woman’s warning that the antidote would only work on the first person who swallowed the pill had been proven true.

The nobles had been too greedy. Instead of waiting patiently or respecting the rules, they had tried to hoard, profit, and cheat. And now, they were paying the price.

Those who had filed complaints were now publicly scorned. They were trapped in their homes, too ashamed and afraid to step outside, as ordinary citizens and other nobles alike blamed them for the shop’s closure.

The Emperor and the Empress had separately launched investigations to find the shop owner, but even after three days, they had discovered nothing.

Then—

“Your Majesty, Ninth Prince, Gui Wangye, and Ming Wangye seek an audience,” the butler announced.

The Emperor’s eyebrows drew together in irritation. He didn’t expect anything useful from his so-called “good-for-nothing” son and his unwanted adopted son. What did they want at such a critical moment?

Still, he gestured for them to enter.

As usual, Feng Zhengying arrived seated in his wheelchair, appearing weak and fragile. Feng Ming Li respectfully pushed him forward.

“Greetings, Imperial Father. May you live a thousand years,” both men said in unison.

“What brings you two here?” the Emperor asked, his tone cautious.

Feng Ming Li offered a fake, overly polite smile, though in his heart, he was cursing his father for being a fool.

“The owner of the Herbal Medicine Shop sent us to deliver a proposal, Imperial Father,” he said calmly. “Now that the shop has closed, she is willing to allow you to manage the antidote—in exchange for half the profits.”

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed. “And?”

“She and her group will continue supplying the ingredients, but she requests that the selling price per bottle remain at 1,000 gold coins or higher, due to the precious herbs involved,” Feng Ming Li continued smoothly. “You may also take full credit for the distribution of the antidote. She’s already dealt with those who love to scheme.”

The Emperor’s eyes lit up. This was an excellent deal. Not only would he profit massively, but he also wouldn’t have to invest anything up front.

Still, his suspicion wasn’t entirely gone.

“What do you two want in return?” he asked, his voice sharp. “If this lady wants half the profits, then what’s your price?”

Feng Zhengying smirked discreetly. Zexel had predicted this scenario with terrifying precision.

“Your son has no request,” Feng Ming Li replied humbly. “But my brother, Ming Wangye, does.”

The Emperor turned his attention to Feng Zhengying, intrigued.

“I wish to marry a commoner named Fan Lihua,” he said simply.

The Emperor was taken aback. He certainly didn’t expect that request.

Fan Lihua. He knew the name. She was one of the banished daughters of the Prime Minister, Feng Xuan Yan. Disowned for her rebellious behavior and frightening strength, she was now technically a commoner. While she was the second genius next to her elder sister, Fan Qingyou, she held no power or official status in the palace.

To the Emperor, this was a stroke of luck. Not only would he profit from the antidote, but by allowing Zhengying to marry a common girl, he could weaken his adopted son’s political leverage even further.

It was like hitting two birds with one stone.

Of course, that was only what the Emperor thought.

In reality, Zexel’s plan was much deeper.

Though she would lose half the profit, Zexel would gain direct access to the palace through this marriage. It was a brilliant retreat—giving up one step in order to take three massive steps forward.

She would no longer have to rely on external methods to influence imperial affairs. By placing Fan Lihua inside the palace as Feng Zhengying’s wife, Zexel had ensured that her power would silently take root at the heart of the empire.

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I'm trying to maintain my schedule of updates release which is every 3-5 days after the newest updates.

It was only the possible schedule I can do since I am too busy being a student.

Ybrehl