Chapter 55

Faced with Tu Shanjin’s puzzled gaze, Yun Yaoyao began to explain.

“Do you remember what I told you back then? You’ll be able to return to your own body once you comprehend something while living in this one.”

“To experience the hardships women face, and to understand the meaning of life.”

“And what is the meaning of life? Giving, contributing, love, and respect.”

“You’re wearing a woman’s body, yet you’ve promoted the two technologies of papermaking and printing, helping advance culture and education. That is contribution. The people who benefit from these technologies will love and revere you. That is love and respect.”

“You’re a king, and you’re extremely capable. Though you’re usually busy handling state affairs, stabilizing the court, and overseeing the museum as well, I believe you can do it.”

“Mortal, I’ve practically given you the answers already. From here on out, it’s time for you to work hard and earn your points!”

Tu Shanjin: “?”

He ​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‍had a vague feeling that she was trying to trick him, but one thing after another had proven that she truly was different from this world’s Book of Life and Death.

“All right,” he said.

Yun Yaoyao had been right about one thing: he was capable, and handling these two matters would not be difficult for him.

It would merely mean spending two extra hours each night bent over his desk by candlelight.

Once he made up his mind, Tu Shanjin immediately began drafting a plan.

“Liao Zhihan is fiercely loyal to Me now. He is also a minister of the Ministry of Works and is familiar with the procedures. Have him take charge.”

Hearing the tyrant say this, Yun Yaoyao nodded in satisfaction. “Delegate authority to your ministers and give them your trust. If someone else can do a task, try not to do it yourself.”

Tu Shanjin wrote down several more names, all people he usually relied upon.

Yun Yaoyao offered a timely reminder. “The palace ladies are our reserve pool of talent. Don’t forget them.”

Tu Shanjin added several more names.

“Shu Qian is skilled at managing accounts, so she can be put in charge of the budget and expenditures. Mei Qingzi is skilled at…”

With just a few simple words, he arranged everything for them in perfect order.

Yun Yaoyao was growing more and more satisfied. The tyrant was beginning to resemble her more and more.

Not bad!

Yun Yaoyao did not forget to earnestly remind him, “The burden on your shoulders is getting heavier and heavier. Try to leave some matters to the people under you. Whatever you do, don’t work yourself into the ground.”

Zhou Siren’s already severe constipation had worsened because he had worked himself nearly to death under a mountain of tasks.

Yun Yaoyao did not want to end up with a body covered in hair loss, constipation, dark circles, and a sallow complexion after they eventually switched back.

Tu Shanjin met her serious eyes and knew that she was worried about him again.

“Mm.”

“You too.”

Just as Yun Yaoyao was about to marvel that the tyrant had learned how to care about others, he solemnly added,

“I mean, eat less.”

?

Yaoyao was bewildered. “Do I eat that much?”

“Your name contains the character ‘yao,’ and when transformed, it becomes a peng.”

Tu Shanjin took up his brush and made a few quick strokes on the rice paper. A round, chubby roc flapping its wings with great effort sprang vividly to life.

“Hence… the Yaoyao Roc Stomach.”

Yaoyao exploded. “Tu Shanjin!”

…

With the king’s wholehearted support, the papermaking workshop and printing workshop were rapidly established and began production.

When the museum had first opened, countless commoners had streamed in to visit every day, including many who had traveled to the capital especially for that purpose.

Upon hearing that the concept had been devised by Consort Miao, many of the commoners clicked their tongues in amazement and recalled the great-auspice prophecy once made by the Imperial Preceptor.

When the first products from the papermaking and printing workshops appeared, not only the commoners but even the ministers were left stunned.

Paper of such low cost and such high quality! Printing with such incredible efficiency!

This could drive Yan Chi’s cultural and economic development forward by leaps and bounds!

On top of that, with Mr. Prosperity spreading timely praise and publicity, quite a few commoners genuinely came to believe that Consort Miao was the reincarnation of a lucky star who had descended to bless Yan Chi.

Everything was slowly moving in a better direction.

The only flaw was that Ning Shouli, the Minister of War, was as stubborn as a foul, unyielding stone from a latrine. He remained unmoved by her attempts to recruit him!

Day broke, and the first faint light of dawn appeared.

Like a puppet on strings, Yun Yaoyao made her way to the morning court with her mind utterly blank.

Why did her eyes always brim with tears?

Because she was exhausted enough to die!

When she arrived at Xuanzheng Palace and took her seat on the imperial throne, she stared at the sea of dark official robes below and forced herself to perk up.

“If there is anything to report, speak. If not, the court is dismissed.”

Before the ministers could make their reports, an anxious Imperial Guard hurried into Xuanzheng Palace with a letter in hand.

“Your Majesty, the frontier is in urgent danger!”

Yun Yaoyao jolted awake. Her voice turned grave. “Speak.”

“The frontier has reported that General Ning lost two cities in a single night. General Ning was also captured by the Xiongnu. The remaining soldiers have gathered in Long City.”

“The Xiongnu king, Huyan Qu, has declared that he will exchange General Ning for Long City. Otherwise, he will kill him and hang his head from the city wall to bolster his army’s morale!”

The moment those words fell, the ministers erupted in an uproar.

Ning Shouli’s face went deathly pale. He staggered backward several steps and only managed to steady himself after someone caught him.

“The reports from the frontier were still saying that the situation was highly favorable not long ago. General Ning was supposedly going to return in triumph any day now. How could he have lost two cities overnight?” Ning Shouli simply could not believe it.

“Reporting to Your Excellency, the battle report says that someone leaked military intelligence.” The Imperial Guard glanced at the white-haired old man, who no longer possessed the imposing bearing he once had. After hesitating for a moment, he continued, “One of the deputy generals who escaped suspects that the intelligence was leaked by General Ning, and that he allowed himself to be captured deliberately…”

Those words were like a stone tossed into a boiling pan of oil. The ministers immediately exploded into discussion.

Ning Shouli glared furiously at them, nearly choking with rage. “Utter nonsense! My son is utterly devoted to his country. He has spent his entire life on horseback and at war—how could he possibly betray Yan Chi and surrender? Every member of my Ning family has been loyal to the nation. There is no way a traitor could come from our ranks!”

At that moment, however, the ministers had no attention to spare for Ning Shouli’s protests. They were all anxiously discussing the situation at the frontier.

“Long City is a vital stronghold in northern Yan Chi. If Long City falls as well, the Xiongnu will be able to march straight into the heartland. Yan Chi will be in danger!”

“Exactly! How could two cities be lost in a single night? How did General Ning defend the border? What a disgrace!”

“The Xiongnu are truly greedy and arrogant. They actually think they can demand Long City in exchange for one man, General Ning Shoujiang! As if that could ever happen!”

“Could what that escaped deputy general said be true? Losing two cities overnight is far too suspicious…”

“…”

Listening to those discussions, Ning Shouli let out a bitter, mocking laugh. The hot blood in his chest felt even colder, freezing all the way to his bones.

Thirty years ago, when the Xiongnu invaded, it was Ning Shouli who had risked his life to protect the frontier.

After returning to the palace in triumph, he had incurred the late emperor’s suspicion and been forced to remove his armor and serve as a minister in the Ministry of War.

His five sons had inherited his courage and martial prowess. One after another, they had joined the army and led troops into battle. Four of them had fallen on the battlefield, sacrificing their lives for the country.

Only his eldest son remained, stationed at the frontier year-round to suppress the Xiongnu.

For all these years, every member of the Ning family had given their lives for the nation. How much had they done for Yan Chi?

Now that his son had been captured, not a single person was considering or mourning his fate. All they could do was suspect and doubt him!

Ning Shouli himself understood that he would never agree to exchange Long City for his son’s life. And even Ning Shoujiang himself, with his fierce and unyielding nature, would surely choose to take his own life before the city gates.

Yet he could not shake the chill in his heart. Were the lives of the Ning family really worth so little?

As he watched the court argue heatedly, Yun Yaoyao was suffering from a terrible headache as well.

She had always been the type to work hard in fits and start, while slacking off consistently in between. All she wanted was to gradually become a wise ruler. And now, out of nowhere, she had been hit with such a huge mess.

Yun Yaoyao began recalling the plot of the original novel.

In the original story, General Ning Shoujiang had suppressed the Xiongnu at the border and returned triumphantly to the capital. But now, General Ning had lost two cities in succession and been captured by the Xiongnu…

The only variable was Yun Yaoyao herself, who had crossed into this world.

Which plotlines had she changed?

The person whose fate had changed the most was Prince Ze, the male lead of the original novel.

Could it… be him again?

Yun Yaoyao did not dare jump to conclusions. After all, this was treason. Surely Prince Ze could not have sunk so low.

Besides, this matter was extremely thorny.

Trading the entire city of Long for Ning Shoujiang alone was simply impossible.

And did Ning Shoujiang really betray the country? Yun Yaoyao found that even less likely. His father and younger sister were both in the capital, and the Ning family was renowned for its generations of loyal service.

Could she really abandon a general who had spent half his life protecting the realm? Yun Yaoyao could not do that either. She had a conscience.

Moreover, before winning Ning Shouli over, Yun Yaoyao had investigated the Ning family. They had been disappointed by the imperial court far too many times. If she handled this matter that way, not only would it completely break the Ning family’s hearts, but it might also lead to even more unforeseen changes.

Was there some way to have the best of both worlds…?

At that moment, the gears in Yun Yaoyao’s handsome little head spun so quickly that they nearly threw off sparks.

Below, tears of grief welled in Ning Shouli’s aged eyes as he stared fixedly at the figure seated above him.

Your Majesty… will you make the same choice as they did? Will you even suspect the members of the Ning family?