Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

After the investiture ceremony, it was as if a switch had been flipped.

Nangong Ye began his clumsy and silent "pursuit".

At first, it was all tentative.

Isn't the garden of Qingyan Pavilion a bit desolate?

The following day, the Imperial Household Department sent dozens of pots of precious flowers.

Orchids in early spring, peonies in early summer, camellias that bloom year-round...

The vibrant colors instantly transformed the otherwise quiet courtyard into a lively and lively space.

The leading eunuch wore a fawning smile:

His Majesty said that His Highness the Crown Prince is too young and should look at the flowers more often.

A cheerful mood is beneficial to growth.

Shen Qingci was teaching Bao'er to recognize characters when he heard this, and he didn't even look up.

He only said to Jinshu, "Choose a few pots of brightly colored, non-toxic and harmless plants and place them under Bao'er's window."

The rest were distributed among the concubines of the various palaces, as a sign of His Majesty's compassion for the six palaces, allowing them all to share in His Majesty's favor.

The smile on the face of the eunuch from the Imperial Household Department froze.

But dared not say more.

He could only nod and agree, and directed the people to carry most of the flowers out as they were.

When the news reached the Hall of Mental Cultivation,

Nangong Ye stared blankly at the memorial for a long time.

Finally, he said to Xuan Ying:

"Does she... dislike flowers?"

His tone carried a hint of uncertainty and confusion.

Xuan Ying remained silent.

Your Majesty, the focus doesn't seem to be on the flowers...

The second time was about food.

Top-grade bird's nest from Jiangnan, premium snow frog from the Western Regions, century-old ginseng from Changbai Mountain...

The food was delivered into the small kitchen of Qingyan Pavilion like flowing water.

The imperial kitchen even specially assigned a chef skilled in medicinal cuisine.

It was stated that the treatment was specifically for the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince.

Shen Qingci had Jinshu examine each item, and after confirming they were free of poison,

He said to the trembling chef:

"Keep the craftsmanship, but don't worry about the physical items."

From now on, meals at Qingyan Pavilion can be served according to the standard portions; there is no need to add anything extra.

These supplements…

She paused.

"Eunuch Li is old and has old injuries, so we will send half of it to him."

The other half should be given to Physician Chen to see if there are any elderly people living alone or disabled soldiers in need of nourishing remedies at the Imperial Hospital or the Ciji Hall in the capital, and distributed accordingly.

The chef accepted the order and left, but was deeply shocked.

Such priceless tributes would be something ordinary concubines would covet and offer daily.

This lady left without even blinking.

And all of them are intended to provide relief to the elderly living alone... Such magnanimity is truly admirable.

Of course, when these words reached Nangong Ye's ears, they were interpreted in a different way.

He put down the vermilion brush and rubbed his temples.

"She thinks the things I gave her are too tacky?"

Or do you feel resentful because you think I'm making amends?

Xuan Ying considered it carefully this time and replied:

"The Empress's actions always have a profound meaning. Distributing them among the old and lonely soldiers..."

Perhaps... it's out of consideration for His Majesty's past battles for the country and the hardships endured by the soldiers.

Although he felt that the Empress might not have even considered His Majesty's perspective.

Nangong Ye's eyes brightened slightly.

It seemed that this explanation made sense, but the mood quickly dimmed again.

Even if it was truly for the soldiers, it wasn't for him.

Several attempts were made, but they all sank without a trace, and not a sound was heard.

Nangong Ye remained silent for several days, seemingly deep in thought.

Finally, at the end of June, he began a more direct and "big-scale" operation.

That day, the palace gates of Qingyan Pavilion were never quiet from dawn till dusk.

First, eight eunuchs carried in four heavy sandalwood chests in single file.

When the box was opened, the dazzling jewels almost blinded the eyes—

A complete set of red gold and gemstone headdresses,

South Sea pearls the size of pigeon eggs, and jadeite bracelets with excellent translucency.

The Guanyin statue carved from a single piece of mutton fat jade... each one is a treasure among treasures.

Immediately afterwards, four more eunuchs arrived, carrying brocade boxes.

Inside were various kinds of silks and satins.

The brocade of Jiangnan, the brocade of Sichuan, the shimmering brocade from overseas...

The designs are fashionable and the quality is excellent; there are dozens of them.

Then, there were various exquisite decorations:

A three-foot-tall red coral tree, a gilded enamel clock,

Ivory openwork display cabinets, genuine calligraphy and paintings by famous artists from previous dynasties...

Finally, there was even a box of pearls the size of longans.

It was stated that it was intended for His Highness the Crown Prince to be inlaid on his crown in the future.

The small front courtyard of Qingyan Pavilion was almost completely filled with these unexpected and luxurious gifts.

Sunlight shone on the jeweled silks, reflecting a dazzling light.

It was out of place with the simplicity of this remote palace.

The palace servants who came and went were dumbfounded, whispering among themselves, filled with both envy and awe.

Jinshu felt a chill run down her spine at the sight of this scene and hurriedly went inside to report.

Shen Qingci was in the study listening to Mo Shisan report on the surveillance situation of the Jingwang Mansion from Tingfeng Tower.

Upon hearing this, he didn't stop writing, but simply asked:

"Has it been registered?"

Jinshu was taken aback: "Not yet, there's too much stuff, I haven't had time yet..."

"Have Eunuch Li lead the people to count the items one by one and register them."

The name, quantity, texture, and approximate price should all be clearly stated.

Shen Qingci closed a file.

His tone was calm and even, as if he were talking about ordinary goods rather than priceless tributes.

"Your Majesty, what about these things..." Jinshu hesitated.

"Should it be stored in the warehouse?"

The storeroom of Qingyan Pavilion is not very big; it probably can't hold it all.

"No need to put it into storage."

Shen Qingci stood up and walked to the window.

Looking at the dazzling jewels in the front yard, his eyes were indifferent.

"Except for that box of pearls, which is for the Crown Prince, keep it safe for now."

Everything else was categorized.

She laid out her instructions one by one, her order frighteningly clear:

Gold and silver jewelry, jade ornaments

Have Qian Sihai send people to take it out in batches.

They secretly monetized their wealth through Jinxiufang's channels.

Seventy percent of the silver obtained was deposited into Tingfeng Tower's secret vaults in various locations.

As emergency funds and intelligence activity funding;

Sancheng, under the guise of an "anonymous merchant,"

The donation was sent directly to General Xiao in the northern border region, with the note: "To comfort the border troops and provide them with winter clothing and weaponry."

"For fine silks and satins, choose those that are sturdy and have colors that resist dirt."

One-third was allocated to the veterans' home and Ciji Hall in the suburbs of Beijing.

Make clothes for the elderly and children there.

Let the craftsmen at Jinxiufang take a look at the rest.

If there are trendy patterns suitable for making garments

They were then made into garments and sold at Jinxiufang, with the profits distributed proportionally.

"As for those delicate decorations,

Coral trees, clocks, display cabinets, and the like.

She paused, a faint hint of mockery playing at the corners of her lips.

Which imperial concubine or lady in the palace likes refined and elegant things?

Make a list and send it over under the guise of "a reward from His Majesty".

"It'll just gather dust here with me."

"Original calligraphy and paintings..."

She hesitated for a moment.

"Choose two paintings with lofty artistic conception and send them to the Shen residence, saying that I am offering them to my father for his appreciation."

The rest will be temporarily sealed off.

Jinshu was stunned.

This isn't about distributing rewards; it's clearly about dealing with a batch of goods that desperately need to be put into circulation!

Your Majesty has truly shown His Majesty his love...

Has it been turned into a "resource" that can be dismantled and monetized at will?

"Your Majesty,"

Jinshu couldn't help but whisper a word of advice.

"His Majesty... perhaps he really wants to be good to you."

These items were, after all, tributes personally selected by His Majesty.

"Wouldn't this approach... be too hurtful to His Majesty's feelings?"

Even she, an observer,

Seeing His Majesty's clumsy yet persistent attempts to curry favor these past few days has made me feel somewhat heartbroken.

Shen Qingci turned around, looking at Jinshu with deep eyes:

"Jinshu, what do you think about the things he gave me?"

Because they know I like it.

Or it's because he felt that...

These things are worthy of me, or rather...

Is she worthy of the 'Empress' he wants to make amends to?

Jinshu was speechless.

"It's the latter."

Shen Qingci asked and answered himself, his tone resolute.

He was simply doing what he considered "being good to someone"—giving the most precious things.

But this is not what I need, nor is it something I can readily accept.

She walked back to her desk

Pick up another file,

The voice was calm, yet possessed a power that penetrated the heart:

"These things are a burden if left in Qingyan Pavilion."

It is a source of trouble that attracts covetousness.

It also serves as a constant reminder of the messy history between him and me.

Instead, let them go where they're meant to be and play a practical role.

"The lack of pay for the border troops and the demoralization of the soldiers are the real issues that threaten the foundation of the nation."

The people in the Veterans' Home and Ciji Hall are destitute; that is the real issue the court should be concerned about.

As for His Majesty's 'intentions'...

She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a faint shadow on her fair face.

"I accepted it, and I also 'disposed of' it."

That's my response.

Jinshu said no more; she knew that once her mistress made a decision, no one could change it.

But in my heart, I think of that person sitting in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Perhaps the emperor, who was anxiously awaiting a response, was experiencing even more complex emotions.

Eunuch Li was extremely efficient.

They quickly led a team to complete the inventory and registration of the "gold and silver mountains" in the front yard.

Qian Sihai also received the secret letter.

He sent his trusted confidants that very afternoon.

They entered the palace under the pretext of "purchasing groceries for the Empress."

They quietly transported the first batch of jewelry and jade away.

Within three days, the front courtyard of Qingyan Pavilion was restored to its former tranquility.

Those dazzling offerings seemed to have never existed.

Meanwhile, Nangong Ye, in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, waited anxiously for several days...

Finally unable to resist, he sent Xuan Ying to "inquire" about Qingyan Pavilion's reaction.

The news that Xuan Ying brought back completely stunned Nangong Ye.

"Sell them...to fund the army?"

Donate it to the Veterans Home? Give it to the Dowager Princess?

He murmured repeatedly, the color draining from his face little by little.

He had imagined that she might not like it.

They will refuse, and they will return it intact.

I even imagined that she might reluctantly accept it and leave it to gather dust in the warehouse.

I never thought of that.

She is so calm, so efficient, so...

Making the most of everything, he carefully selected his "heartfelt wishes."

Dismantle, monetize, and distribute the materials, applying them to the well-being of the nation and the suffering of its people.

Well done, impeccable, and one could even say it demonstrates profound understanding of righteousness.

But that's precisely why it seems... chillingly cold.

It's not that she didn't understand his feelings; she did understand, but she didn't care at all.

She wouldn't even stoop to using those things to get angry with him.

She simply treated them as "political affairs" or "resources" that could be handled.

In her world,

It seems there is no option for "Nangong Ye's deep affection".

She drew a clear line:

On the other side of the line are the emperor, the collaborator, and Bao'er's father;

On this side of the line lies her world with Bao'er, as well as the business she is planning and her enemies.

And all his clumsy attempts to please

They all fell pitifully outside that line.

She didn't even have the right to stir a ripple in her heart.

"Does she... really hate me that much?"

Nangong Ye sat in the empty imperial study.

Facing the table full of memorials,

For the first time, I felt a deep-seated sense of powerlessness and panic.

Xuan Ying stood silently in the shadows, unable to answer.

He recalled the day he was ordered to go to Qingyan Pavilion.

From afar, I saw the Empress standing under the eaves, watching the palace servants move those jewelry chests and boxes.

The setting sun cast a golden glow on her aloof figure.

Her profile was calm and expressionless.

His gaze, however, was sharp as he looked beyond the palace walls, as if scrutinizing a much larger chessboard.

At that moment, Xuan Ying suddenly understood.

In the eyes of the Empress, these treasures bestowed by His Majesty...

Perhaps it is no different in essence from a chess piece on a chessboard, a sum of military pay, or a granary of grain.

What she's about to do is a grand strategy.

And His Majesty's belated, clumsy expressions of affection,

Faced with such a grand chess game...

It seemed so insignificant, even... somewhat out of place and an eyesore.

Nangong Ye waved for Xuan Ying to step back.

He sat alone for a long time until night fell and the candles were lit.

He pulled open the bottom drawer of the imperial desk.

There were no memorials inside, only an old wooden box.

Inside was a slightly rough peach wood hairpin, with a simple design and a crookedly carved peach blossom.

That was many years ago, when he was still a prince, he secretly slipped out of the palace.

I bought it at a market in a small town.

At the time, I thought that if I ever found someone I liked in the future, I would give it to her.

Later he met Shen Qingci.

On their wedding night, however, due to the treacherous political situation and his own suspicions, he ultimately did not present the hairpin.

Then came misunderstandings, hurt, and separation.

Now, he possesses all the world's treasures, yet he can no longer give away this rough wooden hairpin.

It couldn't be sent in either, that heart that he had personally frozen and then armed himself with.

He picked up the wooden hairpin, his fingertips caressing the clumsy carving, his eyes gradually welling up with tears.

It turns out that some things cannot be compensated for with power and wealth.

Some paths, once taken the wrong way, will lead to thorny thickets and changed circumstances when you turn back.

He began his "pursuit" in the only way he was good at—giving.

Little did she know, what he gave her was never what she wanted.

This path of "atonement" paved with gold and silver was destined to lead to an abyss of despair from the very beginning.

The night was still long, and his aimless "pursuit" had only just begun.