Chapter 631 Empress (1)
Two hundred thousand! Is there a problem with that? Qi Huang asked knowingly, her tone filled with mockery.
“Of course, there’s a problem! Do you know how rare these Ghost Tomatoes are? Even if you gathered all the Ghost Tomatoes in the entire Cultivation World, you might not reach two hundred thousand. Are you playing with me?” Elder Zuo questioned excitedly.
“Playing with you? Then why would I go to a brothel? Do you think you’re better at charming people than those women of the night?” Qi Huang taunted.
“You…” Elder Zuo was furious but dared not speak.
Qi Huang wasted no more words. With a wave of her hand, two hundred thousand dense seeds appeared on the ground beside them, piled up like a small mountain.
Elder Zuo’s eyes widened, his mouth agape as if it could swallow a fist.
“Elder Zuo, please examine these and see if they are indeed Ghost Tomato seeds,” Qi Huang instructed triumphantly.
Elder Zuo forced his facial muscles to move, then eagerly walked over to observe them. After a moment, he couldn’t help but exclaim, “My heavens! These are all real. Where did you get them from?”
“You don’t need to know that. Anyway, they’re twenty-five taels of silver each. Buy them if you want, or don’t.” Qi Huang said with feigned indifference.
Elder Zuo hesitated. If it were dozens or hundreds of seeds, he wouldn’t have even considered it, as the profit would be too small. But now it was two hundred thousand. Even if he only made one or two taels of silver per seed, the final profit would be hundreds of thousands of taels. However, he was still unwilling to be fleeced like this.
“Elder Zuo, what are you still hesitating about? Don’t you understand the principle of small profits but quick turnover? Or are you against money?” Qi Huang asked curiously.
“How about this? Twenty taels of silver per seed. If you sell them, I’ll take them all,” Elder Zuo said, his eyes darting around.
“It seems Elder Zuo lacks sincerity! In that case, I’ll have to excuse myself.” Qi Huang retrieved the Ghost Tomato seeds and left decisively.
“Think about it carefully. I’m the only one daring enough to buy this in the Xihui Dynasty,” Elder Zuo called out as a reminder.
“Who said I have to sell it in the Xihui Dynasty? If the high-level figures of the Immortal Alliance in other countries also know that the Juyin Auction House is acquiring Ghost Tomatoes at a high price, do you think they won’t want them?” Qi Huang replied slowly as she walked away.
Elder Zuo’s expression changed drastically. After a moment of internal struggle, he compromised: “Wait, twenty-five taels is twenty…”
“Twenty-five taels!” Qi Huang stopped, a slight smile playing on the corner of her mouth.
Elder Zuo, afraid that Qi Huang would go back on her word, quickly took out five million taels of silver notes from his Storage Ring and handed them over with both hands. This was almost his life’s savings.
Qi Huang accepted the silver notes and handed over the two hundred thousand Ghost Tomato seeds. The transaction was thus completed.
Qi Huang left without delay, mocking herself, “Old man, you’ve schemed against me many times before! When these Ghost Tomatoes are planted, I’ll lower the acquisition price again and make you lose so much you won’t even have pants left.”
Qi Huang did not return home immediately but headed straight for foreign lands, as her plan was not yet complete.
In the following half month, Qi Huang traveled to the branches of the Immortal Alliance in various countries of the Cultivation World, spreading the news that the Juyin Auction House in the Xihui Dynasty was acquiring Ghost Tomatoes at a high price. She also added a piece of information about Elder Zuo planting Ghost Tomatoes himself. With this, her plan was considered fully implemented. Now, all she had to do was wait for the entire Immortal Alliance to grow vegetables for her.
Qi Huang returned home, but when she arrived back in the Xihui Dynasty, she frowned again. The news of Lin Tu’s assassination had already leaked out. Moreover, the Dog Emperor had not established a Crown Prince during his reign. Therefore, the princes were fighting fiercely for the throne, throwing the palace and the country into chaos. Internal rebels and enemy forces also seized the opportunity to attack, causing widespread suffering among the people.
Qi Huang’s original intention in killing Lin Tu was to bring peace and prosperity to the people of the Xihui Dynasty, but she did not expect it to backfire.
“Damn it! I, a cultivator who has transcended the mundane world, still have to worry about state affairs. I must have too much free time.” Qi Huang couldn’t help but curse. However, no matter how much she cursed, she still had to find a solution, as this mess was something she had created herself.
Qi Huang knew that the most important thing right now was to confirm the new emperor. After some thought, among all the princes and princesses, the Sixth Princess, Lin Ran, was undoubtedly the most suitable to be emperor.
“Although Lin Ran is a cultivator, she has never forgotten her identity. She has repeatedly shown love for her country and its people, and she treats the people of Huangtian Capital equally. If she doesn’t become the empress, who will?” Qi Huang thought, the more she thought, the more feasible it seemed. Thus, she headed straight for the Imperial Palace.
At this moment, the Imperial Palace was filled with murderous intent. The princes were resorting to any means necessary to fight for the throne. They gradually shed their feigned brotherly affection, and the atmosphere was charged with tension.
Lin Ran did not return to Broken Cloud Peak. After all, her father the Emperor had just passed away, and according to the rules of the Xihui Dynasty, she had to remain in the palace to observe the mourning period for three years, otherwise, it would be considered great disrespect.
“Ran’er, you should return to Broken Cloud Peak as soon as possible,” Consort Jin persuaded her daughter again.
“Why? Father Emperor just passed away. As a daughter, shouldn’t I stay to observe the mourning period?” Lin Ran shook her head. Although she had always known that her father was a tyrant and a foolish ruler, that was from the perspective of ordinary people. For her, he was still a qualified father.
“Don’t you understand such a simple matter? Your father Emperor did not establish a Crown Prince when he was alive. Now the princes are fighting for the throne, and if you don’t leave, you will surely be implicated,” Consort Jin reminded her anxiously.
“Mother Consort, I am a princess, and also a cultivator. How can I inherit the throne? Don’t they know that?” Lin Ran explained.
“Although that’s true, the Emperor favored you the most when he was alive. This is common knowledge, and it has always been rumored among the people that you will be the first empress of the Xihui Dynasty. Do you think they will let you off?” Consort Jin retorted.
Lin Ran wanted to speak but stopped. A pained expression appeared on her delicate face. She was already grieving from her father’s sudden death, and now she might be caught in the struggle for the throne. This was truly overwhelming for her body and mind.
“Your Highness, the First Prince, Third Prince, Fifth Prince, and Seventh Prince request an audience!” At this moment, a palace maid reported from outside the door.
“What? All four princes are here?” Consort Jin’s face changed drastically, and she anxiously said to her daughter, “You should know that these four are the strongest among the princes and the most likely contenders for the throne. Their arrival today is probably not for a good reason!”
“Please invite them in. I was just worrying about not having a chance to explain things to them,” Lin Ran said calmly.
“What do you want to say? That you have no interest in the throne? Do you think they will believe you?” Consort Jin asked helplessly.
“How do we know if they will believe it if we don’t try? After all, we are siblings,” Lin Ran said with a glimmer of hope.
Consort Jin had no choice but to order someone to invite the princes in.
Before long, the four princes entered with their attendants.
Consort Jin’s face became even more unsightly, as those attendants were all experienced martial arts masters. If they were to use force, she and her daughter would likely be in grave danger.
The four princes and their attendants bowed politely.
“Your… Your Highnesses, no need to be so formal. Please, have a seat,” Consort Jin instructed, her voice trembling slightly.
The four princes did not stand on ceremony and sat on the red wooden chairs on both sides.
“Imperial Sister, are you used to staying in the palace during this time?” The tall and thin First Prince Lin Guo asked kindly.
“First Prince, you jest. This is her home, how could she not be used to it?” Consort Jin replied.
“Consort Jin misunderstood. Sixth Imperial Sister has been cultivating at Broken Cloud Peak since she was young, and she has spent more time there than in the palace. That’s why I was worried she might not be used to it,” Lin Guo quickly explained.
“Yes, strictly speaking, that place is more like her home,” the Third Prince Lin Tai added.
“If Sixth Imperial Sister is not used to it, she can return to Broken Cloud Peak as soon as possible,” the Fifth Prince Lin Min suggested considerately.
“Fifth Imperial Brother, you can’t be joking, can you? Father Emperor has just passed away, and you want me to return to Broken Cloud Peak? Do you want me to bear the stigma of disloyalty and unfilial piety?” Lin Ran asked in surprise.
“Sixth Imperial Sister, you misunderstand me. Imperial Brother just doesn’t want these trivial matters to delay your cultivation,” Lin Min falsely defended himself.
“Sixth Imperial Sister, as a cultivator, doesn’t need to abide by worldly rules,” the Seventh Prince Lin An reminded her helpfully.
“No, I must stay to observe the mourning period, otherwise, I will not be at peace with myself,” Lin Ran shook her head firmly. She didn’t care what others thought, but she had to be able to live with herself.
“Imperial Sister, do you want to stay to observe the mourning period, or do you want to stay to contend for the throne?” At this moment, the Third Prince Lin Tai questioned her in a cold tone. The Great Hall fell silent, so quiet that not even a needle could be heard.
Consort Jin trembled all over, then looked at her daughter with panicked eyes.
“Since Third Imperial Brother has put it this way, then I will be direct and state my position. I am a woman, and I am a cultivator. I have absolutely no interest in the throne. You don’t need to consider me a threat!” Lin Ran stood up resolutely and made her stance clear.
“Look at what Imperial Sister is saying, as if I have any interest in the throne!” the Third Prince said with a fake smile and a sneer.
“Yes, which of us brothers is interested in the throne? Father Emperor has just passed away, it’s not time to consider such things.”
“Right, right, right. We have come to see you solely with good intentions today. Don’t overthink it,” the First Prince and Fifth Prince also chimed in.
Lin Ran closed her eyes resignedly. Just as her mother had said, her imperial brothers clearly did not believe her words. She was too naive.
“Then what do you want?” Lin Ran asked again after a moment of silence.
“Let’s go, return to Broken Cloud Peak! You, a cultivator, staying in the palace all day long. If outsiders don’t know, they might think that the imperial brothers are incompetent,” the First Prince waved his hand expressionlessly.
“What if I don’t?” Lin Ran gritted her teeth.
“Then the imperial brothers can only order someone to escort you out personally. Moreover, who can guarantee that Consort Jin will not encounter any ‘accidents’ in the palace from now on?” The First Prince threatened without changing his expression.
The other princes also revealed hostility, and the group of martial arts masters behind them were also stirring.
“Ran’er, Mother Consort begs you! Hurry and leave!” Consort Jin, seeing that the situation was out of control, pleaded in a low voice.
Lin Ran’s face showed intense struggle. After a moment, she sighed and said, “Fine, I’ll leave now. I hope you won’t make things difficult for my mother.”
“Imperial Sister, you jest. Consort Jin is also considered our mother. How could we do something so rebellious?” The First Prince Lin Guo said with a fake smile.
Lin Ran had no choice and packed her belongings to leave.
“Princes, Ran’er has already left. Do you have any other matters?” Consort Jin asked, seeing that the four princes still had no intention of leaving, a hint of worry in her eyes.
“Eunuch Ma, has my Sixth Imperial Sister likely left the Imperial Palace?” The First Prince Lin Guo suddenly asked an elderly eunuch behind him.
“Reporting to the First Prince, based on the estimated time, the Sixth Princess should already be on the main street,” Eunuch Ma replied respectfully.
“Go and capture her!” The First Prince commanded expressionlessly.
“What? What are you going to do?” Consort Jin questioned excitedly.
“The Sixth Princess Lin Ran left the Imperial Palace without authorization during the mourning period. She is unfilial and disloyal. Do I have a problem with arresting her to be punished?” Lin Guo raised the corner of his mouth slightly.
