Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

The fourth year of Jinghe, the twelfth month.

As the year draws to a close, Beijing is ten times more bustling than in previous years.

It's not because of the Chinese New Year.

Because of--

Jinxiufang has arrived in Beijing.

-

three days ago.

At the busiest intersection in the West Market, a three-story pavilion quietly unveiled the curtain that had been covering it for half a year.

There was no gonging or drumming, and no firecrackers were set off.

It was simply unveiled quietly.

Then--

The whole city was in an uproar.

Above the plaque of that pavilion were four large gilded characters:

"Splendid Imperial Palace"

It's not "Jinxiufang".

It is "Jinxiu Huangfang".

The character "皇" (emperor) has been added.

What does this mean?

mean--

This is a royal warrant!

This is the Empress's property!

This is... the finest silk in the entire world!

On the first day the news spread, long queues formed outside Jinxiu Huangfang.

The noble ladies of the capital, traveling by carriage and accompanied by maids, would rush from the east side of the city to the west, just to catch a glimpse of it—

The legendary "Yun Jin" that is extremely rare and hard to find.

The legendary "phoenix tail skirt" that supposedly makes you look three times slimmer.

The legendary "Rainbow Robe" was said to be so coveted even by the ladies of the palace.

"Make way! Make way! My lady is from the Duke of Dingguo's mansion!"

"What's wrong with the Duke of Dingguo's mansion? My princess is from the Prince Duan's mansion!"

"Line up! Line up! It's the rule set by the Empress; even the Heavenly King himself has to line up!"

Qian Sihai stood at the third-floor window, looking down at the dense crowd below, his eyes narrowing into slits with a smile.

"Your Majesty," he turned to Shen Qingci, who was sitting upright drinking tea, "your move... was brilliant, truly brilliant!"

Shen Qingci put down her teacup and glanced at him indifferently.

Which move?

"That's it—" Qian Sihai pointed downstairs, "No need for gongs or drums, just hanging up a sign, and people flocked here on their own! It's more than ten times more lively than when we opened in Hangzhou!"

Shen Qingci smiled.

"What kind of place is the capital?" she asked. "It's a place where high-ranking officials and nobles congregate. The people here don't lack money or power; what do they lack?"

Qian Sihai was taken aback: "What's missing?"

"What they lack is something that makes them feel 'special'."

Shen Qingci stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the wealthy ladies who were eagerly waiting.

"Do the ladies of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion and the princesses of the Prince of Duan's mansion lack a dress?"

"We don't lack anything."

"Then why did they come?"

"Because—" she paused, a slight smile playing on her lips, "because others have it, but they don't."

"Because this is a 'royal special supply,' not just anyone can buy it."

"Because when you wear the brocade robes of the Imperial Palace and walk through a banquet, everyone will recognize you at a glance—"

"She is different."

Qian Sihai was dumbfounded.

After a long pause, he bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty... I am truly blessed to have been able to follow you in this life."

Shen Qingci waved his hand.

"Stop flattering me. You're in for a lot of work from now on."

-

In the days that followed, Jinxiu Huangfang was indeed extremely busy.

The first batch of "Yun Jin" (brocade) went on sale and sold out in half an hour.

The second batch of "phoenix tail skirts" arrived, and people lined up as early as 3 AM that day.

The third batch...

Qian Sihai was busy every day, from the moment he opened his eyes until he closed them, but the smile on his face grew deeper and deeper.

Because the numbers in the ledger are climbing at an alarming rate.

But what surprised him even more was Shen Qingci's other decision.

"What?" His eyes widened. "Your Majesty, you said you want to invest the profits...where?"

"Charity and education." Shen Qingci looked at him and repeated, "Thirty percent of the profits will be invested in orphanages and nursing homes to care for orphans and the elderly. Twenty percent of the profits will be invested in schools across the country to support underprivileged children's education."

Qian Sihai opened his mouth, but it took him a long time to find his voice:

"Your Majesty...this...this is a 50% profit margin! That's hundreds of thousands of taels of silver a year!"

"I know."

"Then... what's the point of all this hard work opening a shop?"

Shen Qingci looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"Qian Sihai, you used to be a businessman, and all you wanted to do was make money, that's true."

"But now you are the head manager of Jinxiu Huangfang, you are the Empress's person, and you are the person in charge of the most prestigious business in the world."

"You should be thinking about more than just 'making money' now."

She stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the bustling street outside.

"Did you see those people?"

Qian Sihai walked over and followed her gaze.

On the street, there were noblemen in fine clothes and beggars in tattered clothes.

There were young ladies riding in carriages, and orphans huddled in a corner trembling.

"These people," Shen Qingci said softly, "are all part of this country."

"It is respectable for noble people to wear our clothes."

"It is benevolent governance to allow beggars to survive."

"It is hope that orphans can go to school."

"Dignity, benevolent governance, and hope combined—"

She turned her head and looked at Qian Sihai:

"That's what a golden age should be."

Qian Sihai stared at her blankly.

for a long time.

He took a step back and knelt down solemnly.

"Your Majesty," his voice choked with emotion, "I...understand."

"From this day forward, Jinxiu Royal Workshop will be more than just a place to make money."

"It is... a place to accumulate merit for the Empress."

-

at the same time.

Tingfeng Tower is also undergoing a dramatic change.

In an inconspicuous courtyard on the western outskirts of Beijing.

Mo Shisan sat in his study, with two thick documents in front of him.

One of the covers reads:

"The Case of Merging Tingfeng Tower, Chaotang Division, and the Imperial Intelligence System"

The other cover reads:

"Tingfenglou, a private legal institution and business information consulting agency case"

Two documents, two different fates.

He stared at it for a long time.

The door was pushed open.

Shen Qingci walked in.

"Have you thought it through?"

Mo Shisan rose and bowed: "Your Majesty."

Shen Qingci waved his hand and sat down opposite him.

"You built Tingfeng Tower single-handedly," she said. "You're the one who has the most say in how it should be divided."

Mo Shisan paused for a moment.

"Your Majesty, may I be so bold as to ask a question—"

Why must we split it up?

Shen Qingci looked at him.

"Because it's too big," she said. "The tentacles of Tingfeng Tower now reach all over the world. They can find out about everything from court affairs to everyday matters. This is a good thing, but it's also a curse."

"If this continues, sooner or later someone will say that Tingfeng Tower is the Empress's 'private property' and is used to monitor the officials."

"By then, even if His Majesty and I protect him, we won't be able to silence the gossip."

"So," she paused, "you have to take it apart yourself."

"Split it into two parts. One part belongs to the imperial court, which oversees it openly, and no one can say anything about it. The other part belongs to the private sector, which focuses on business consulting and has nothing to do with the imperial court."

"Only in this way can Tingfeng Tower truly endure."

As Mo Shisan listened, his eyes gradually brightened.

"Your Majesty," he said softly, "you are thinking not only about the present, but also about a hundred years from now."

Shen Qingci smiled.

"A hundred years from now is too far away. Let's focus on doing what's in front of us well."

She pointed to the two documents:

"You should recommend someone from the Imperial Court to liaise with the court. From now on, they will handle all intelligence from the court. You and the old guard from Tingfeng Tower should step down."

"You'll take charge of the Civil Affairs Department—" she looked at him.

Mo Shisan was taken aback: "Your subject?"

"What, you don't want to?"

"It's not that I'm unwilling..." Mo Shisan stammered, a rare occurrence for him, "I believe that Her Majesty will allow me to continue managing the court..."

"What the imperial court needs is loyalty, composure, and adherence to rules," Shen Qingci said. "You are too clever, too adaptable, and too... unruly."

Mo Shisan: "...Your subject may change."

"Don't change it." Shen Qingci laughed. "Your little bit of unruly behavior is exactly what the Civil Affairs Bureau needs."

"Business information consulting requires flexibility, boldness, and the ability to come up with solutions that others cannot."

"That's your world."

Mo Shisan stared at her blankly.

Suddenly, he smiled.

"Your Majesty," he said softly, "you truly... see right through me."

Shen Qingci raised an eyebrow: "What, you're not convinced?"

"I obey." Mo Shisan stood up, bowed solemnly, and said, "Your subject accepts the decree."

-

The 20th day of the twelfth lunar month.

Two imperial edicts were issued simultaneously.

First course:

"From this day forward, Jinxiufang shall be renamed 'Jinxiu Huangfang,' a special supply for the royal family. Thirty percent of its profits shall be donated to orphanages and relief efforts, and twenty percent shall be used to support schools and the poor. So be it."

The second course:

"From this day forward, Tingfeng Tower shall be divided in two. The Court Affairs Department shall be merged into the Imperial Court and renamed the 'Privy Council Intelligence Department,' which shall be solely responsible for matters of the Imperial Court. The Civil Affairs Department shall become independent and be renamed the 'Four Seas Commercial Information Bureau,' which shall be solely responsible for commercial information consulting and shall be headed by Mo Shisan. So be it."

The two imperial edicts caused a stir in the court and among the people.

Some people were surprised by Jinxiufang's "generosity"—donating 50% of its profits to charity? How much money is that?

Some people are discussing the splitting up of Tingfeng Tower—is the Empress... cutting off her own arm?

Some people see it even more deeply—

"Her Majesty the Empress is paving the way for the future," an old minister privately told his students. "The Jinxiu Pavilion's charity work wins the hearts of the people. The dismantling of the Tingfeng Tower avoids suspicion. With this combination of gaining support and avoiding conflict, Her Majesty's position is as stable as Mount Tai."

"And...what about His Majesty?"

The old minister smiled.

"Didn't you see that those two imperial edicts were stamped with two imperial seals?"

The student was taken aback, then suddenly realized.

Two seals are used together.

The Emperor and Empress discussed it together.

This world no longer belongs to one person.

-

New Year's Eve.

Kunning Palace.

Shen Qingci, enjoying a rare moment of leisure, leaned back on the soft couch and flipped through the first briefing from the "Four Seas Business Intelligence Bureau" sent by Mo Shisan.

Nangong Ye sat beside her, holding a military treatise, but he would occasionally look up at her.

"What are you looking at?" Shen Qingci asked without looking up.

"Look at you," Nangong Ye said matter-of-factly. "My wife, can't I look at her?"

Shen Qingci finally looked up and glanced at him.

"childish."

Nangong Ye smiled, leaned closer, and rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Qingci, I heard today that Jinxiufang's 50% profit is enough to support an army of 30,000."

"Um."

"Don't you feel bad?"

Shen Qingci put down the briefing and turned to look at him.

"What's there to feel sorry for?"

"So much money, just like that, it's all gone."

Shen Qingci looked at him, then suddenly reached out and pinched his cheek.

Nangong Ye cried out in pain, "It hurts!"

"It's supposed to hurt." Shen Qingci released her grip. "You ask me if my heart aches? I'll ask you this in return—"

"How much silver has the imperial court spent on wars over the years?"

Nangong Ye was taken aback: "That's different, that's military spending..."

"Military spending is a form of expenditure, but charity isn't?" Shen Qingci interrupted him. "Military spending supports the army and protects the country. Charity supports the people and also protects the country."

"Without soldiers, the country cannot be defended."

"Without the people, who are we guarding this country for?"

Nangong Ye was stunned.

half an hour.

He reached out and pulled Shen Qingci into his arms.

"Qingci," he said softly.

"Um?"

"The best thing I ever did in my life was to keep you from dying back then in the Cold Palace."

Shen Qingci leaned against him, a slight smile curving her lips.

"You're the one who saved me from dying?" she said lazily. "I survived on my own."

Nangong Ye smiled.

"Yes, yes, you survived on your own."

"I was lucky, I got a bargain."

Outside the window, firecrackers were popping.

Inside, it was warm and cozy.

In the distance, Bao'er's voice came:

"Father! Mother! Come and set off fireworks!"

The two exchanged a glance, smiled, and stood up.

Hand in hand, let's walk toward that small figure that illuminates the entire land.

Next episode preview: The Battle of Xiling begins! Xiao Jue's lone army ventures deep into enemy territory and is besieged in Black Stone City! Urgent reports reach the capital, throwing the court into chaos. Shen Qingci stands up and utters only two words: "I'll go." Nangong Ye grabs her arm: "This time, we'll go together."