Chapter 1890: 1877: Audience with the Emperor (Part 2)
Chapter 1890: Chapter 1877: Audience with the Emperor (Part 2)
“All of this is because my mother-in-law had a Small Golden Seal hidden on her. The origins of the Small Golden Seal have become untraceable. My mother-in-law left no words about it, only saying she discovered that the Qi Le Sect had sinister intentions toward people, so she secretly took advantage of the chaos to escape by jumping into the water.”
“Later, she gave birth to my husband, and to avoid implicating the child, she sealed a will with a wax ball, swallowed it along with the Golden Seal, and took her own life. The will states that if the will is ever found, one should take the Golden Seal and go to the location written on it, find a mountain valley, and destroy everything within the valley.”
“When my husband and I were moving the bones, we discovered this wax ball and Golden Seal and hid them. After all, fulfilling my mother-in-law’s dying wish was something I naturally wanted to do. So, after arriving in Chicheng County, I have been searching for the location of this valley.”
“Heaven rewards those who persevere; not only did we find the valley, but we also discovered a gold mine nearby. My husband and I were hesitating, but then we received a letter from Qi Le, suggesting that we meet her on the grassland for a discussion.”
“My husband and I first captured some spies from the grassland and learned that Qi Le was also searching for that valley. They wanted us to go to the grassland to get the Golden Seal from us, so before going, I simply took the Golden Seal to the valley and destroyed the valley, leaving no one able to enter it again to eliminate future problems!”
The Emperor’s brow furrowed heavily, wanting to lose his temper, but looking at Wang Yongzhu’s innocent face, he didn’t know where to start.
He suspected Wang Yongzhu knew about the so-called Dragon Palace Cave, but he couldn’t be sure.
He merely asked with a stern face, “Since you’ve been to that valley, did you find anything peculiar within it?” After all, Wang Yongzhu was the first person to enter the Dragon Palace Cave.
Wang Yongzhu shrugged her shoulders. “I was strictly following my mother-in-law’s last wish and didn’t dare to look around. After entering with the Golden Seal, I found a spot where the Seal could be placed. After putting it in, the valley started shaking soon after. I was frightened and hurried out, then heard a huge noise, and the secret river leading into the valley was sealed shut, so no one could enter again.”
“I only remember that the inside of the valley was completely different from the outside, like a paradise. Outside it was still the harshness of winter, but inside the valley, flowers were blooming everywhere. However, the plants there are different from those outside, containing strange toxins. Staying there even a little longer could lead to poisoning.”
“In mild cases, it affects offspring; in severe cases, once out, a person would bleed from seven orifices and die horribly with their body rotting away.”
The Emperor furrowed his brow, looking at Wang Yongzhu skeptically, contemplating the truth of her words.
Wang Yongzhu appeared completely sincere. She wasn’t lying; the place was perilous, and death there was indeed a pitiable end.
After a moment of silence, it was unclear whether the Emperor believed her or not.
After some time, he asked again, “And what of Qi Le?”
Wang Yongzhu laughed, “Whether Qi Le is missing or dead doesn’t matter. Even if she returns to the grassland, with Bi Zhu and her son there, she will never have another chance to rise to power. Whether she’s alive or where she might be alive holds no significance anymore.”
The Emperor remained silent.
Indeed, whether Qi Le is dead or alive doesn’t matter anymore. The entrance to the Dragon Palace Cave is sealed, and no one can enter again.
Perhaps such an ending is better.
“As for the two countries of Wusun and Ruoqiang—” the Emperor pondered for a moment before raising this most critical issue.
Wang Yongzhu knew that, in the Emperor’s heart, nothing outweighed the grand plans and the realm.
After some thought, she answered, “Currently, Bi Zhu and her son are newly in power and need time to establish their position. It’s estimated that it will take two to three years. Why should Your Majesty be anxious? During this time, we can enrich the national treasury, preparing for three years later and avoiding being caught unprepared.”
“Besides, has Your Majesty forgotten? A gold mine has been discovered in Yunzhong County. The Magistrate of Yunzhong County understands the importance and has submitted a secret report, entrusting it to me to present to Your Majesty. This is a major matter.”
As Wang Yongzhu spoke, she took out the report secretly given to her by Gu Zikai while passing through Yunzhong County.
Since only they were in the study, and Chief Steward Su stood guard at the door, she could only present it personally.
The Emperor took the report, glanced at it briefly, and was overjoyed.
This, after all, was a genuine gold mine!
After some contemplation, he looked at Wang Yongzhu, “You and your husband have accomplished a great feat this time. I will reward you generously. Is there anything you wish for?”
Wang Yongzhu’s heart skipped a beat. Facing the Emperor’s inscrutable gaze, she took a deep breath, “If Your Majesty truly wishes to reward us, I have taken a liking to a piece of woodland in the outskirts, intending to build a manor for everyday living. I humbly request Your Majesty to grant this woodland to my husband and me.”
The Emperor regarded Wang Yongzhu without blinking, “Is this all you want as a reward? You must be aware that with your merit, you could receive a promotion, and you are already a Lady of the First Rank, while Beloved Minister Song is currently only of the Fifth Rank—”
Wang Yongzhu hurriedly answered, “If Your Majesty truly wishes to reward us, please grant my husband and me a few years of leisure in the Capital City. To be candid, after many years of marriage, first due to mourning, then due to various bustling reasons, my husband and I remain childless to this day.”
“Even if we are awarded the highest possible ranks, it would be pointless without anyone to inherit them.”
These words were extremely bold and daring.
The Emperor was taken aback, not having encountered someone so straightforward discussing offspring issues with him among the women.
He didn’t know what to say for a moment.
Only after a significant pause did he find his voice again, waving his hand, “Very well, I understand. You may withdraw!”