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墨書 Inktalez
Jiangnan has always been prosperous, with a thriving economy.
Once this important route is mastered, the subsequent journey will progress at an astonishing pace.
In just six months, Ye Xiaohan, with abundant resources, extensive connections, and her exceptional knowledge and unique vision, has continuously expanded her business empire.
Now she has even ventured into important livelihood resources such as salt mines. These were originally monopolized by the state, but the government has relaxed some rights to allow merchants to reap some benefits while diligently serving the royal family.
These merchants are known as imperial merchants.
Thanks to Gu Bei and her own efforts, Ye Xiaohan successfully obtained this coveted position that many merchants envy. Of course, this also comes with the emperor's support; on one hand, it is to win over Gu Bei so he can wholeheartedly assist the Sixth Prince in ascending the throne.
On the other hand, the emperor holds a favorable view of Ye Xiaohan's business acumen and character. After his death, it is naturally more reassuring for these assets to be in Ye Xiaohan's hands rather than someone else's.
With support from various quarters, Ye Xiaohan's growth has reached an astonishing level. Many people privately speculate about how much wealth she truly possesses.
However, in reality, Ye Xiaohan's wealth exceeds their imaginations.
In addition to her visible businesses, she discreetly entrusts many ventures to trustworthy individuals to divert attention and avoid exposing her advanced knowledge from this era.
Just like Li Yi in town, who secretly works for Ye Xiaohan.
Like a spider web, Ye Xiaohan occupies the center of the web, continuously extending her threads outward to claim territory as her own.
Now her financial power even surpasses what the emperor estimated; it is enough to rival half of the kingdom.
While Ye Xiaohan is busy, others are not idle either; they are all changing in their own ways.
The Sixth Prince, Murong Xi, after several failed assassination attempts on Gu Rong, grows increasingly frustrated with his own powerlessness. In order to take revenge and protect his remaining family and friends, he no longer avoids confrontation.
In the past, when being hunted down, he only chose to flee. Now he decides to strike first before the enemy can act!
He begins to frantically catch up on the knowledge he had previously neglected and earnestly studies the way of kings. The emperor's intentions gradually become clear to him, and he chooses to accept them.
In this world where the weak are preyed upon by the strong, how far can one run? In this struggle for the throne, he must win in order to fulfill his promises.
Facing the oncoming tide, one must not fall into the abyss of despair.
Gu Bei felt a complex mix of emotions regarding Murong Xi's choice. He was uncertain whether the young man’s decision was the right one, but he could not offer any counsel.
Because now, they had no room to make their own choices.
Fate had already pushed everyone into their destined positions, and no one could resist it. Gu Bei wondered if Murong Xi would be happy sitting on the throne, or if he would become a good emperor in the future.
All he knew was that if Murong Xi chose to withdraw now, he would soon see the lifeless body of his youth.
Driven by his own feelings, Gu Bei would not retreat either. On the contrary, after the death of Liu Yang, Gu Bei deeply realized that good fortune would not always favor him.
If he did not strive for it, more precious people and things would disappear from his life.
Gu Bei began to reengage with court affairs, not with the superficial understanding aimed at self-preservation as before. Instead, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to tracking political developments and building connections.
Only those who stand at the highest positions can protect their most treasured possessions.
Among them, the one who changed the most was Liu Yang.
After enduring heart-wrenching pain, when Liu Yang stepped out of his room, he had made a firm resolution. He no longer measured his life by fleeting happiness but had set aside his previous enjoyment in business to focus on learning.
Liu Yang moved out of his home and into the General's residence, following Gu Bei to study literature and martial arts. His natural intelligence combined with relentless dedication brought about tremendous changes in just six months; especially in terms of demeanor, he was almost unrecognizable compared to his former self.
Liu Yang aspired to become a strategist, contributing his efforts to Gu Bei and Murong Xi’s future endeavors. He vowed to eliminate all enemies that had harmed them from their stronghold.
However, this six-month period was already a limit; it was the time that the emperor had desperately clung to life.
To give Murong Xi a bit more preparation time, the emperor had managed to hold on for three months longer than expected—enduring for a full six months. During this time, in his palace unseen by ministers, he had consumed countless bitter medicines.
The palace was overflowing with rare herbs and strange plants, piled up as if they were worthless against the emperor's dwindling life.
Even so, he could only last for half a year. Over these days, the emperor had clearly felt that his life was nearing its end; he was like a flickering candle flame in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.
Some well-informed ministers had already noticed the Emperor's condition. Those with ulterior motives secretly began to make their moves.
The Emperor no longer had the energy to arrange a backup plan for Murong Xi. He summoned Gu Bei and the Sixth Prince, entrusting them with the matters that lay ahead.
"Gu Bei, I leave Xi'er in your hands."
With just those words, the Emperor had to pause for breath. He felt like a bundle of dry twigs; with just a spark, he would be reduced to ashes.
His gaze shifted to Murong Xi, the young man who resembled a piece of polished iron, increasingly revealing a refined blade. He had not misjudged; the Sixth Prince was capable of assuming the throne.
"Xi'er, come here." The Emperor gently called out to Murong Xi, his voice lacking the strength it once had in his youth.
As he watched Murong Xi approach step by step, the Emperor felt as if he were seeing his younger self. Yet sadly, he realized that the young version of himself faced Murong Xi while one moved closer and the other drifted away.
The Emperor unconsciously smiled; his life had come to this point in just a few short steps. Reflecting on his life, he experienced an unreal sense of illusion.
"You don't resemble Consort Shen," the Emperor observed closely, studying Murong Xi's face. His eyesight had dimmed over the years, requiring him to focus intently to see clearly.
He sighed softly, unsure if it was out of nostalgia or regret.
From the very beginning of his life, it had been about imperial affairs that weighed heavily upon him. The only vibrant color was that of a butterfly flitting by.
That was the sole hue in his life.
While the Emperor scrutinized Murong Xi, Murong Xi was also assessing the Emperor. The once towering figure in his memory now appeared gaunt and frail.
This man had once bestowed endless glory upon his mother but had turned a blind eye to him after her death.
Murong Xi had previously asked himself if he hated the Emperor.
At first, he hoped for the Emperor to come and rescue him, just as he had done before—holding him close and comforting him, lifting him high to play.
But the Emperor never came.
Day after day, as he endured the biting cold, he became accustomed to the chill that gradually seeped into his bones, only to dissipate little by little in the wind.
After getting used to a life of being bullied and hunted, this man suddenly appeared, offering up treasures from his hands.
When he learned that the Emperor had decided to support him as Emperor because of Consort Shen, the anger within Murong Xi surged beyond all other emotions.
From beginning to end, in the eyes of this man who had become a father figure to him, there was no trace of Murong Xi. The warmth he once received was merely a gift of affection, devoid of any deeper meaning.
Murong Xi harbored hatred for the Emperor. He despised his inaction and his cold-heartedness. Watching his own flesh and blood being bullied and hunted, the Emperor remained indifferent.
As for the Emperor's grievances, to Murong Xi, they were nothing but excuses. If he truly wanted to protect him, how could he be so helpless? As an Emperor, he should have more effective means at his disposal.
Ultimately, it was simply that Murong Xi did not weigh enough in the Emperor's heart.
This thought lingered in his mind, refusing to fade away. He once believed he would hate the Emperor for a lifetime.
Yet at this moment, gazing at the Emperor on the brink of death, Murong Xi felt an undeniable pang of sorrow.
This man was about to die.
That was the only thought left in Murong Xi's heart.
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