From cute to empress

Chapter 143 The Clouds Clear and the Moon Shines

He slowly raised his head, his eyes met mine, and a meaningful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Your Majesty, I think we need a more in-depth communication..."

Although his tone was polite, I could hear a hidden meaning. He was undoubtedly implicated in the actions of Chairman Zheng and Mr. Liu. I took a deep breath, suppressed my anger, and said calmly, "Of course, Mr. Envoy, feel free to speak frankly."

He stood up and bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. We need a quieter, more private setting to discuss it in detail."

I understood what he meant. He wanted to avoid the crowd and conduct a private transaction with me. I sneered inwardly, but remained expressionless. "Okay, Mr. Envoy, please follow me."

I led him to the imperial study, with Li the translator following closely behind. After dismissing all the palace attendants, we were the only three left in the room. I sat behind the desk, gazing at him sharply. "Now, tell me what you want."

He stopped beating around the bush and got straight to the point: "Your Majesty, I know that what Chairman Zheng and Merchant Liu did is very difficult for you. However, please believe that we are also concerned about the development of trade between our two countries."

"For the development of trade between our two countries?" I sneered. "Using such despicable means, is this what you call sincerity?"

His expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. "Your Majesty, the business world is like a battlefield. You can't just look at things superficially. Although Chairman Zheng and Merchant Liu's methods were somewhat dishonorable, the conditions they proposed are very beneficial to our country."

"Beneficial? I think it's only beneficial to you!" I interrupted him bluntly. "You're using unfair competition to try to monopolize the market and reap huge profits. Where do you place the interests of our people?"

I spoke firmly, refusing to budge. Translator Li translated my words to him word for word, his expression growing increasingly grim.

"Your Majesty..." He opened his mouth and wanted to say something else, but I interrupted him with my hand.

"Mr. Envoy, I'll say this one last time. We will not allow anyone to trample upon our territory!" I stood up abruptly and said sternly, "Either, according to our laws, severely punish the illegal merchants and renegotiate. Or, please return!"

He was silent, and I knew he had realized my resolve. After a moment, he finally relented: "Your Majesty, on behalf of my country, I am willing to renegotiate with you and sign a fair and equitable trade agreement."

I looked at him, a triumphant smile on my lips: "Very good, I believe this will be a new beginning."

"Your Majesty is wise." He lowered his head, but a barely perceptible gleam flashed in his eyes.

As night fell, I rubbed my swollen temples and stood up, walking to the window. Outside, the moon was high in the sky, twinkling with stars. Just like my mood, the clouds had finally parted, and I saw the light of hope. Then, soft footsteps sounded outside the door. I didn't even need to turn to know who was coming...

I turned around and saw Zhen Youcai standing at the door in his military uniform. The moonlight shone on his face, making him look even more handsome and tall. He looked at me with a gentle smile on his face. "What are you thinking about?"

"I was thinking, this is all finally over." I walked over to him and leaned gently on his shoulder. "Thanks to you, otherwise I really don't know what to do."

"Silly girl, why are we even saying thank you to each other?" He reached out and hugged me. "You are the empress, you must believe in yourself."

I looked up at his resolute eyes, and my heart was filled with emotion and warmth. Yes, I am no longer the little girl who knew nothing. I have become the monarch of a country, shouldering the responsibility of protecting the people.

"Youcai, thank you for always being there." I said softly, with a hint of sob in my voice.

He bent down and kissed my forehead without saying anything, but I knew he understood what I meant.

To celebrate the successful resolution of the trade dispute, I held a grand celebration banquet in the palace and invited all the officials and generals involved in the matter.

The banquet was held in the great hall, ablaze with lights and filled with singing and dancing. I, dressed in gorgeous palace attire and a phoenix crown, sat upright on a high throne, receiving the homage of the crowd.

"Respectfully, Her Majesty, congratulations to our dynasty for its peace and prosperity!"

"To Her Majesty, the Empress, and congratulations on the eternal peace of our dynasty!"

……

The ministers raised their glasses in congratulations, their faces beaming with joy. Watching all this, I felt a surge of pride and satisfaction.

At this time, Zhen Youcai walked up to me, raised his glass, and looked at me affectionately: "Mengmeng, this glass of wine is for you."

I took the wine glass, exchanged glances with him, and then drank it all in one gulp. The wine was imperial, sweet and delicious, but it couldn't compare to the sweetness I felt in my heart.

The banquet lasted late into the night, and both the guests and hosts were thoroughly entertained. As I watched everyone's excitement, a thought suddenly occurred to me...

"Come, bring President Zheng and Mr. Liu, the great merchant. I have something to ask them." The singing and dancing gradually subsided. I waved my hand for the palace attendants to clear the banquet. Only a few people remained in the hall. The air was still thick with the aroma of fine wine and delicious food, but it couldn't mask the tense atmosphere of impending storm. President Zheng of the Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Liu were quickly brought up. Both were pale, their eyes flickering, and they couldn't look me in the eye.

"Your Majesty, I (the humble commoner) pay my respects to you. Long live the Emperor!" The two men knelt on the ground, their voices trembling.

"Stand up," I said calmly, my eyes sweeping over the two of them. "I summoned you both here today to inquire about trade with neighboring countries. Do you have anything else to say?"

Chairman Zheng kowtowed first, his tone flustered: "Your Majesty, I...I am completely loyal to Your Majesty and have absolutely no second thoughts!"

Mr. Liu, the businessman, echoed the sentiment, but didn't dare to say anything. I sneered and threw the prepared account books in front of them. "So what are these? Colluding with foreign forces and maliciously manipulating market prices. Do you know your crime?!"

The contents of the account books were shocking, and the two men immediately turned pale, knowing that their actions had been exposed and there was no room for excuses. Ultimately, the president of the Zhengzhou Chamber of Commerce and businessman Liu were punished according to law for suspected collusion with foreign forces. Their downfall served as a warning to other businessmen, and the domestic business environment was thus purified.

After handling this matter, I summoned Translator Li and Diplomat Wang. They both performed exceptionally well in this trade dispute, remaining calm and composed, neither servile nor overbearing, and making significant contributions to safeguarding national interests.

"Translator Li, Minister Wang, thank you both for your hard work," I said in a gentle, appreciative tone. "It's thanks to you that our country has achieved such a successful outcome at the negotiation table."

"It is our duty to share your majesty's worries," they both said in unison, their faces filled with unconcealed joy. I immediately announced that they would be commended and promoted, and their careers reached a new peak.

It was late at night. I rubbed my tired brow and was about to get up to return to my bedroom when I saw Zhen Youcai still standing at the door of the hall, looking at me quietly. His eyes showed relief, love, and an emotion I couldn't fathom.

"Why don't you go back and rest?" I walked to him and asked softly.

He smiled, took my hand, and walked out of the hall. "Come on, walk with me."

The moonlight, like water, bathed us, and the night breeze carried the fragrance of flowers. Holding hands with him, we strolled through the Imperial Gardens, feeling a sense of peace and tranquility.

"Mengmeng," he suddenly stopped, turned around and looked at me, with a determined light in his eyes, "I..."

He took a deep breath, as if he had made a major decision, "Mengmeng, marry me!"

I was slightly startled, then burst into laughter. He was always like this, unconventional, yet irresistible.

"Okay." I nodded gently and put my hand into his palm.

He was ecstatic and hugged me in his arms. We hugged each other tightly, feeling each other's warmth and heartbeat, as if everything in the world had nothing to do with us.

"Tomorrow I will go and say goodbye to the Queen Mother. I will take you away from here to a place where no one knows us and live the life we ​​want." His voice was low and gentle, with a barely perceptible tremor.

I understand that he has given up too much for me, given up the opportunity to achieve success and a bright future. Now, I also want to give up everything for him and just want to live a peaceful and happy life.

"Okay." I nodded again, but tears welled up in the corners of my eyes.

However, at this moment, an idea suddenly flashed through my mind, a crazy and bold idea.

"No, wait!" I pushed him away, my expression becoming serious. "I have more important things to do."

He looked at me puzzledly, not understanding why I suddenly changed my mind.

I took a deep breath, raised my head, looked into the distance with a determined gaze, and said slowly, "I want to abdicate."

"What?" He thought he had heard wrongly, his face full of shock and confusion.

"I will abdicate and pass the throne to my younger sister, and then..." I paused, turned to look at him, a cunning glint in my eyes, "Then, we will travel around the world and live a carefree life!"

He was stunned, as if he couldn't believe his ears.

I walked up to him, gently stroked his cheek, and said softly, "I know, you want to ask me why I do this, right?"

He opened his mouth but didn't say anything. He just looked at me quietly, waiting for my answer.

I smiled slightly, leaned close to his ear, and whispered, "Because..."