It was clearly the Emperor himself who was dying—what did it have to do with her? Haoyue bit her lip, not daring to voice such thoughts. Her mind racing, she reddened her eyes and said, "It's clearly Shaoyao who can't stand me. She even said she'd lock me up, and you didn't speak up for me. Could it be that you want to lock me away too?"
"Where did you get such an idea?" The Emperor chuckled, pinching her cheek. "She's just a child who doesn't know any better. Are you really going to hold it against her?"
Haoyue snorted and turned her face away.
Hua Zhi felt her jaw ache with irritation. Why had she been summoned here? She couldn't stand this fake display of affection.
"Alright, you may go back now. Didn't you like that coral tree? I'll have someone send it to you later."
Haoyue understood the Emperor well—once he said this, it was time for her to leave. Pushing further would only displease him. How frustrating; she had wanted to stir the pot a little more...
Shooting a covert glance at Shaoyao, Haoyue took her leave gracefully.
This was precisely what the Emperor liked most about her—such magnanimity and knowing when to advance or retreat were rare among women. He had grown weary of the palace women who clung to him even over trivial matters.
In a rather good mood, the Emperor found Hua Zhi much more agreeable. "About the previous matter—whose idea was it?"
Hua Zhi knew he was referring to the rumors Yan Xi had intentionally spread. "It was Yan Xi's idea."
"How intimately you call him," the Emperor snorted. "Now the entire court is practically pointing fingers at me, calling me a tyrant. Give me an idea—how do I stop them from opposing me?"
"Your Majesty is wise. I am no strategist and lack the ability to advise you. However, their opposition must have reasons. Resolve the root of their dissent, and the problem will vanish."
"Easier said than done. They oppose because there's neither money nor manpower. I can rely on you to make money, but who can produce ten million people out of thin air?" The Emperor stood up and paced restlessly. "What about the salt issue? We've been discussing it since last year. How is it progressing? When will we have salt?"
"Since last year?" Hua Zhi inwardly sneered but maintained her composure. "Late last year, I received a letter from my younger brother stating that progress is promising. We should have news soon."
"And the output? Is it as high as you claimed?"
"Nothing in this world is achieved overnight. High output requires salt fields, manpower, resources, and proper management—none of which fall within my duties or my authority to intervene."
Her words were blunt but truthful. The Emperor wasn't angered; if she truly had such reach, even if Yan Xi regarded her as a treasure, he wouldn't tolerate it.
Sitting back down, the Emperor eyed her with displeasure. "You claim to be my money-maker, yet in all this time, I've seen little profit. What do you have to say about that?"
"I repeat: nothing in this world is achieved overnight. With thorough preparation, wealth will flow naturally. Quick profits are never legitimate. If I dared take crooked paths, my grandfather would defy your decree and return to punish me himself."
"So I must simply wait?"
"The salt merchants are already too wealthy." Hua Zhi looked up. "Once my method proves capable of mass-producing salt, what need is there for them? Do you know the price of salt in Jiangnan has risen to one hundred twenty wen per catty?"The Seven Constellation Bureau had already submitted the report, so the emperor was well aware of the matter. However, his concern wasn't whether the common people could afford salt, but rather Hua Zhi's remark that "the salt merchants have grown fat enough." Fat enough indeed—ripe for slaughter! Thinking of the wealth those families had accumulated over generations, the emperor grew excited. This was no small sum.
Hua Zhi pretended not to notice his thoughts and casually added, "If the people cannot afford salt, they won't have the strength to work. How then will the canal be excavated?"
"Right, salt prices must be lowered." The emperor rose restlessly and paced back and forth. "Aside from this, are there any other methods?"
"This humble girl has sent people to search for something. If found, it could bring you another lucrative venture."
"What is it?"
"Sugar cane. As the name implies, it can be processed into sugar."
Sugar was a valuable commodity. There wasn't a single consort in the palace who didn't adore it. Even without knowing market prices, the emperor understood it wasn't cheap. Still, he questioned, "How much can we sell of something already available elsewhere?"
"That depends on the quality. Since I dare propose it as a venture, it must be extraordinary."
The emperor glanced at her and snorted. Though he disliked her air of having everything under control, he could tolerate it as long as she truly brought him substantial wealth.
A full hour later, Hua Zhi was finally permitted to leave. By the end of their discussion, even her feigned reverence had faded. Perhaps in his prime, he had been Yan Xi's pillar of support, but now he was merely an ordinary man fearful of death—no, not entirely ordinary, for his destructive power far exceeded that of common folk. A single casual remark from him could lead to rivers of blood.
Lai Fu bowed and requested, "Young Miss, this old servant has been ordered to escort you out of the palace."
"Thank you, Eunuch."
Snow continued to drift down. Hua Zhi tightened her cloak, feeling the cold even more acutely after leaving the warm room.
Shaoyao had stayed close to Hua Hua, remembering Yan Ge's instruction to stick by her side if she entered the palace for an audience. But now, doubts arose in her mind. Seeing Lai Fu accompanying them, she approached Hua Hua and said, "I'll go pay respects to my master. You return first, Hua Hua."
"Very well. Since you're here, spend more time chatting with Yu Lao." Hua Zhi wanted to ask about the progress of the medicine but held back, knowing Yu Lao was surely more anxious than she was.
Throughout the palace, eunuchs and palace maids were visible everywhere, along with sword-bearing guards patrolling. Hua Zhi walked outward with proper decorum, neither speaking to Lai Fu nor glancing around.
Yet some people were unavoidable.
Spotting the elegantly dressed woman waiting ahead, she maintained her pace and, upon drawing near, performed a slight bow. "This humble girl pays respects to Consort Yue."
Immediately, a palace official stepped forward and rebuked, "How dare you! How can you not kneel in proper homage before Her Highness?"
Such crude tactics only deepened Hua Zhi's disappointment in Haoyue. As a reincarnator, she had expected more sophisticated methods.
Naturally, Hua Zhi had no intention of kneeling. How did those palace intrigue dramas resolve such situations? Ah, yes—it depended on who appeared more frail.
Hua Zhi swayed slightly, casting a sidelong glance at Lai Fu. Initially puzzled, Lai Fu caught on when she swayed again and promptly said, "Consort Yue, the young miss is frail, and in this bitter cold, perhaps...""What does Eunuch Lai Fu mean by this? If those with weak health could disregard etiquette, wouldn't the palace have long fallen into chaos?" Haoyue looked at Lai Fu with a faintly mocking smile, "Or could it be that Eunuch Lai Fu shows such consideration for beauties that you've forgotten the palace regulations..."
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