Chapter 097
Chapter 97: She Has an Idea
Ye He Qi, holding an embroidery needle, lifted his gaze toward Shi Zi Chu. After a brief acknowledgment, he said, “The harsh winter in Heng Prefecture is difficult to endure, with many common folk freezing or starving to death.”
Shi Zi Chu understood immediately and glanced at him, taking note of his elegant posture. His long, jade-like fingers, deftly holding the needle, did not appear effeminate; rather, they exuded an aura of a capable and loving husband.
Loving, Ye He Qi.
Shi Zi Chu forced herself to keep a straight face, suppressing the urge to smile or show any sign of her thoughts, fearing she might provoke a temper tantrum.
Ye He Qi, pretending not to notice, dismissed the matter, “The top scholar this year comes from a poor family. Perhaps we can have him join in the disaster relief effort?”
“Sure,” Shi Zi Chu agreed with a smile.
With those simple words, they had already decided who would contribute to the disaster relief efforts.
As for Xu Zhou Ye, it didn’t matter whether he would survive or not. Even if by some miracle he returned alive, his future was still hopeless.
A month later, the relief efforts were proceeding smoothly, and the princess’s mansion suddenly held a banquet to invite guests from all directions.
Shi Zi Chu, reading the grand red invitation card in her hand, found her thoughts drifting.
The section of the Ten Thousand Visions Realm storyline was long and tedious, focusing heavily on how Chu Zhi Rou became an empress. However, the treasures she acquired along the way were scarcely mentioned.
Chu Zhi Rou’s luck was unmatched; she had never lacked for heavenly treasures. So, Shi Zi Chu couldn’t yet predict what exactly she had received. But one thing was certain: any heavenly treasure given as a reward for becoming empress would certainly not be of low value.
Shi Zi Chu tried once more to communicate with the lotus artifact spirit, “Little Lotus, you still haven’t told me what the reward for my mission will be.”
This time, the artifact spirit answered her question, [The reward will be chosen based on the difficulty of the mission upon completion.]
Choose the reward upon completion?
Could it be that easy?
She set the invitation card aside and squinted her eyes, thinking.
Becoming empress would be a difficult task for Chu Zhi Rou, but for her, it would be an even more impossible feat!
This meant that if she succeeded in becoming empress, the rewards would be far more generous, right?
A spark of ambition flared in her beautiful peach blossom eyes.
While Chu Zhi Rou’s inexplicable luck was important, right now, the opportunities in the Ten Thousand Visions Realm were far more crucial.
If Chu Zhi Rou failed her mission, but Shi Zi Chu succeeded, then the reward would be hers alone, wouldn’t it?
Two days later.
Ye He Qi had something to attend to, so Shi Zi Chu went to the banquet alone.
The news of the peasant girl becoming the seventh prince’s consort had spread throughout the capital.
Many noble young women were curious to know what kind of person could make the previously aloof and distant seventh prince so infatuated.
So, when the eunuch announced the arrival of Shi Zi Chu, everyone turned to look at her.
Her figure was graceful, her skin pale and smooth, her steps measured and elegant. Her oval face was adorned with exquisite features, and her long, shimmering green dress made her appear both noble and striking.
Amidst the astonished gazes, Shi Zi Chu glanced around and noticed two familiar faces among the crowd.
Behind the screen, Chu Zhi Rou watched Shi Zi Chu capture the attention of the room, her jealousy evident as she tightly grasped the palace maid’s arm.
How had Shi Zi Chu transformed so completely?!
The last time they had met, she had been a plain, rustic village girl!
The palace maid, wincing from the pain as Chu Zhi Rou dug her colored nails into her skin, dared not speak or tremble.
Just as Shi Zi Chu was about to take her seat, an unusual disturbance occurred.
“Wretch! Die!”
Shi Zi Chu swiftly dodged, and the sword coming toward her slashed through the air, striking a noblewoman who had not reacted in time.
The noblewoman’s head was cleaved open, and she collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
Blood mixed with brain matter spilled onto the expensive carpet.
After a few seconds of stunned silence, the banquet hall erupted into panicked screams.
Relying on his position as prince, Hua Ting Li charged forward, sword raised, and pursued Shi Zi Chu in an attempt to kill her.
“Preposterous!”
“Seize him!”
Two authoritative voices rang out, accompanied by hurried footsteps.
The imperial guards stormed into the hall and quickly subdued Hua Ting Li.
Soon after, Crown Prince Yan Zhou Bai and Sixth Prince Meng Xi Yu arrived.
Shi Zi Chu, her face pale and full of fear, hid in a corner, looking pitiful and fragile.
Yao Ruo Ruo’s heart ached for her.
The commotion caught the attention of the male guests, and one man, dressed in magnificent robes, rushed toward the fallen body of the noblewoman. Overcome with grief, he cried out, “Little sister!”
After Hua Ting Li was apprehended, the chaotic scene began to settle down.
Yao Ruo Ruo, without Shi Zi Chu noticing, crept up behind her and whispered, “That’s the young miss of the Duke’s household.”
Shi Zi Chu glanced at Yao Ruo Ruo and heard her continue, “The Duke’s family is a prestigious one, and even the emperor must give them respect.”
Now that Hua Ting Li had killed the Duke’s young miss for no reason, even if the emperor wanted to protect him, he likely wouldn’t be able to.
Shi Zi Chu silently added in her mind.
As expected, soon after, officials from the Ministry of Justice arrived.
After a brief questioning, Shi Zi Chu was instructed to go to the Ministry of Justice.
When the interrogation ended, even the Minister of Justice felt that Shi Zi Chu, the soon-to-be Seventh Prince’s Consort, had been wronged.
“Lord Minister! The Fourth Prince is dead!!”
The Minister of Justice had the guards escort Shi Zi Chu back to the prince’s mansion while he hurried off.
Outside the Ministry of Justice, several luxurious carriages were waiting, apparently to block Shi Zi Chu’s way.
Yao Ruo Ruo jumped out of one of the carriages and hurried over to Shi Zi Chu. “Zi Chu, I’ll take you back to the prince’s mansion.”
Shi Zi Chu smiled, “Alright~”
At the prince’s mansion.
Several people sat in chairs, their eyes all fixed on Shi Zi Chu.
“So, your mission is to become the Seventh Prince’s consort?” Yao Ruo Ruo asked, holding her face in her hands.
No wonder Clan Chief Ye had kneeled for three days outside the imperial study, begging for the imperial edict. They had thought he had lost his mind, but this was the reason.
Shi Zi Chu shrugged nonchalantly, “It’s a good thing the Seventh Prince is Clan Chief Ye’s son. He can be reasoned with.”
Is Ye He Qi really easy to talk to?
The others present exchanged glances, especially Wan Yan Qian.
Looking at Shi Zi Chu’s beautiful face, Yao Ruo Ruo frowned, her round face full of regret as she spoke, “My mission is to become a general.”
Yan Zhou Bai added, “She is the daughter of a general.”
Shi Zi Chu’s gaze brightened as she looked at Yao Ruo Ruo.
Her reliable ally had just walked right into her hands!
To become empress, one could never do so without a capable general by their side!
Wan Yan Qian smiled slightly, “My mission is to become the crown prince’s consort.”
It was a mission she had given up on the moment it had been issued. After all, she wouldn’t die. Even if she were injured, she would have resources to heal. Surviving was enough—there was no need to push herself this hard.
Shi Zi Chu glanced at Meng Xi Yu and Wan Yan Qian, her eyes shining with excitement.
She had an idea!
“My mission is to become the emperor,” Yan Zhou Bai said, revealing his task.
“I have a plan!” Shi Zi Chu said with a smile, her delicate, innocent face glowing with excitement. “All of you can complete your missions!”
The rewards for the main group of characters were hers to claim!
When Ye He Qi returned, the atmosphere at the main hill was just right.
“Come, come, come,” Shi Zi Chu waved her hand, “I’ve found a few allies for you.”