Chapter 81

Chapter 81: Undermining Schemes

In the past, if Shang Tian Hao wanted to send Shang Hang Yu away from the capital, no one could have stopped him—not even Ye Rong, who would have tried. But now, things were different. Minister Ye and Pei Ling Yuan would never let it happen quietly.

And beyond that, even Shang Tian Hao had to think twice before acting as freely as before. Shang Hang Yu’s reputation, which had been hanging by a thread, was slightly mended as well.

Yet those were just the visible gains. The most important prize was the favor now owed by the Han family—that was the true treasure.

“Princess, are you pleased with the outcome?” Shang Hang Yu’s dark gaze fell steadily upon her.

His look was sincere, almost painfully direct. Sheng Zhi Wan felt heat rise in her cheeks and quickly turned her face aside before replying, “I am satisfied.”

“Even though you’ve stirred trouble with Heir Apparent Qi? I’ve heard the Duke Qi residence has become rather lively lately.”

Sheng Zhi Wan frowned. “You’ve been prying into my private matters?”

“Yes,” he answered openly, without any shame. “I must understand the reasons behind your actions. Otherwise, who knows if someday you might share everything with Heir Apparent Qi? I’d rather my ally remain constant.”

“Besides…” He leaned in suddenly, lowering his voice, “I suppose I hold a bias against Heir Apparent Qi. I just feel he’s not worthy of you, Princess.”

Their breaths mingled unexpectedly, causing Sheng Zhi Wan to stiffen slightly. Just as she was about to step back, Shang Hang Yu swiftly moved away, opening his palm harmlessly to reveal a tiny spider crawling upon it.

“Princess, don’t be alarmed. This little creature nearly landed on you.”

Staring blankly for a moment, Sheng Zhi Wan finally calmed the faint trembling of her heart.

He was right, of course. If they were to cooperate, trust was essential. She trusted him, because in her previous life, Shang Hang Yu had shown he cared deeply for common folk. He’d fought bitterly at Ting Prefecture, sacrificing much to save countless lives.

Sheng Zhi Wan spoke earnestly, “My actions serve Sheng Kingdom first, and myself second.”

“In recent years, battles have drained Sheng Kingdom’s treasury. Though the kingdom looks prosperous now, a single disaster or war would shatter it. Besides, among my imperial brothers, who does Second Young Master Shang think is capable of bearing the throne’s burden?”

Everything she described had already come true in her previous life.

By year’s end, drought would scorch the northern provinces; next summer, the southern lands would flood. From then on, natural disasters would multiply endlessly. Her imperial brothers would exploit these tragedies in their fight for the throne, caring nothing for the common people who suffered.

“Then, Princess, which prince would you support?” Shang Hang Yu understood the weight behind her words but scarcely believed she trusted him so openly.

Was she not worried at all?

“I trust you,” Sheng Zhi Wan declared firmly, eyes clear and resolute. “The one I support for that throne—is myself.”

Since returning to life, simply divorcing Qi Shu Xian was never her sole ambition. She wished to leave Duke Qi’s residence, make those who wronged her suffer, and above all, safeguard Sheng Kingdom. She also longed to understand why Grandmother insisted she hide her talents.

If she was not meant to be clever, why was she educated in secrecy? Why was she poisoned with Cold Poison even in her mother’s womb? Who would poison a humble palace maid’s child?

Their gazes locked, hers calm yet unyielding.

Shang Hang Yu’s heart beat fiercely in his chest. “Then, Duke Qi’s residence and Heir Apparent Qi?”

“Naturally, I intend to leave—”

His eyes flashed with unexpected delight. “Good!”

“—What?” Sheng Zhi Wan blinked in surprise.

His eyes curved with a warm, pleased smile. “Princess, how can I assist you this time?”

Stunned briefly by his sudden joy, Sheng Zhi Wan remembered a familiar scent of sandalwood from a certain night. She quickly looked away and spoke with determination, “I need you to quickly form a trading caravan between Sheng Kingdom and Tedan.”

Tedan bordered Sheng Kingdom to the west, near Yi and Zhi Prefectures, and boasted rich, fertile lands. Though not exactly allies, trade had flourished between their peoples for years. Creating such a caravan was simple enough, provided one had silver.

But Shang Hang Yu was puzzled by her intent. “Does Princess desire silver or grain?”

“Both!”

Sheng Zhi Wan dipped her finger in water and sketched a rough map of the two countries on the tabletop. “I intend for Tedan to become my granary—and my treasury.”

In Tedan, the royal household revered purple above all colors.

Yet, true purple dyes were difficult to produce. Tedan traded across distant Puya Mountains and Liyin Grasslands, even venturing to coastal nations to acquire the rare bone-shell mollusks needed. Still, these precious shells thrived deep in ocean waters, exceedingly hard to gather. Thus, genuine purple dyes remained exclusive to royalty and nobles.

However, several years ago, Sheng Kingdom had received bulbs of a flower called Lilian as tribute from Yanjue of Zhate. These bulbs were large as eggs, resembling garlic bulbs, and grew flowers with petals of many delicate hues.

Emperor Chong Sheng distributed them among the palace concubines. Sheng Zhi Wan had been gifted some herself. But due to her intolerance of cold, she’d sent them to the Detached Palace to be nurtured carefully. Over the years, thousands bloomed, mostly white, yellow, pale apricot, and delicate pink.

Yet among these, a tiny handful had petals uniquely streaked with vibrant purple.

From the moment Sheng Zhi Wan glimpsed the first bud, she’d been plotting.

Undermining schemes were highest in warfare; second was disrupting alliances; third was attacking armies; lowest was siege warfare.

She would seize Tedan entirely, without ever drawing a blade!