The Dreamer in the Spring Boudoir

Chapter 207: Longing for you makes me old

Ji Man obsequiously smiled. What choice did she have? She had to be this generous. Since ancient times, how many wealthy people had met with a bad ending? Merchants had money, but they didn't have power. If a merchant was too rich, it would attract the attention of someone that held power. Once that happened, the merchant would definitely be killed and his or her wealth would be feasted upon. And so, she might as well donate her money in order to preserve her life.

By showing loyalty to Zhao Zhe, she would have a way out. Instead of waiting for someone else to find a way out for her and seeing her as a hindrance, it would be better to walk with them and share both the glory and disgrace.

"This one doesn't need to guess to know that a family can only survive when the nation survives," Ji Man said, "If Zhangjun doesn't resist against being oppressed, the days when this one has to flee to escape death won't be far away. This one will hand over the account books that show Ji Rice Store's profits to Sir Wu later. Your Highness, please don't treat this one as an outsider."

Zhao Zhe was smiling very happily. He said, "good" several times before looking at her and saying, "I didn't think highly enough of you in the past. I thought... Haha. I didn't expect that you would be someone that entertained thoughts of possessing the world."

No matter how brilliant a ruler was, he would still like to hear flattery. Ji Man wasn't stingy with her words. She raised up the wine cup and said, "Right now, there's disasters wrecking havoc everywhere. The people have no way to make a living, and the emperor continues to obstinately cling to his own course and make life difficult for Zhangjun. As a person of Zhangjun, it's only natural for this one to put forth my meager contribution. Moreover, Your Highness is competent and governs well. With you as Zhangjun's learned and virtuous leader, Zhangjun has become even more prosperous than the capital. After going to the capital and returning, this one feels even more certain that seeking shelter from Your Highness was the best choice."

He had used her to threaten Ning Yuxuan and treated her as an insignificant pawn, but she could forget all those past unpleasant things. After all, at that time, she didn't have the means to do anything herself.

But now, the situation was different. She had a bargaining chip in her hand, so Zhao Zhe would value her more. She wouldn't be regarded as unimportant person that could be kept or not kept without much thought. There was value to be had by closely following this master.

Zhao Zhe was smiling as he accepted her toast. After asking her a few more questions about matters in the capital, they quietly finished the meal. Afterwards, they went to the prince's estate, he arranged a few things for her, then let her withdraw to peacefully rest. Ji Man was finally able to have her first good night's sleep in the past half month.

---

Half a month ago, in the capital.

The spy had returned from the marquis's estate and repeated every single word that Ning Yuxuan had said. Hearing these words, Zhao Li finally felt more at ease.

Kangyuan Junzhu was wearing a gauzy, pear-colored palace dress and sweetly snuggled up against the emperor. "Your Majesty, you should feel reassured now, right?"

Zhao Li lightly smiled. "It's all thanks to your idea."

"That herb was very hard to obtain. Yu-er had to spent a lot of money to get it." Kangyuan Junzhu smiled and said, "It's good as long as Your Majesty feels better. This way, you'll stop tossing and turning at night."

Can't sleep... Zhao Li chuckled. He stroked his red agate thumb ring. "It was very thoughtful of you."

It would be great if he could sleep well now that this matter was resolved, but he was worried that he would find out that he was wrong about the importance of this matter. And, there was something more important in the depths of his heart.