The Empress remarried, and I retaliated by wiping out the court.

As a woman with years of experience in the business world, Cui Yueqiao understands all too well what that kind of look in a man's eyes means.

She forced herself to remain calm and said, "Your Majesty, as the Son of Heaven, what can't you obtain? I am of humble birth and I'm afraid I am not worthy of Your Majesty's attention."

Ye Wudao walked straight up to her and noticed that Cui Yueqiao had long eyelashes, bright eyes, and a black and white dress that fit her perfectly, making one wonder what kind of body was underneath.

He gently pinched Cui Yueqiao's chin and said calmly, "You're in business, so you must know what men in the business world want most, right?"

Cui Yueqiao gracefully bowed and said, "This humble subject believes that Your Majesty is of high moral character and prestige, and has transcended vulgar tastes."

"presumptuous!"

Cao Ji, fidgeting with his fingers, angrily rebuked, "You audacious madman! How dare you say His Majesty has low tastes!"

Cui Yueqiao knelt down in fear and trepidation: "This humble subject absolutely did not mean that..."

"That's what you mean," Ye Wudao said with a smile. "You're a smart man, and you know how much profit is involved in the upcoming cooperation. Do you think I would send someone I don't trust to handle this matter?"

Upon hearing this, a look of struggle appeared in Cui Yueqiao's eyes.

Ye Wudao raised his hand: "Step back."

Cao Ji accepted the order and left the Imperial Study.

Before leaving, he made sure to close the door.

Ye Wudao pulled Cui Yueqiao into his arms and said calmly:

"I will vigorously encourage commerce throughout the country, liberalize the business environment, reduce taxes, and return the imperial salt and iron businesses to private ownership. This alone will be enough to bring your Cui family millions of taels of silver in revenue every year!"

"What? Salt... iron?"

Even though Cui Yueqiao was bold, she didn't dare to think in that direction.

The salt and iron trade is the lifeblood of the imperial court, strictly controlled by the eight great families, and is also the most important source of tax revenue for the court. Ye Wudao actually wants to open it up to private enterprises.

This involves the interests of various parties, and the slightest misstep could lead to utter destruction!

In other words, Ye Wudao had practically placed his life and fortune on her. With such a stake in the business, she wouldn't feel comfortable entrusting it to an outsider!

However, no matter how great the difficulties Cui Yueqiao faced over the years, she never gave up her body in the business world.

She was independent and strong-willed from a young age, and always despised women who sold their bodies for money or power.

But now... how can she become the person she used to hate the most?

But looking at Ye Wudao's handsome face and his masculine aura so close to hers, she suddenly felt... that it might not be so unacceptable?

"What, you're afraid to answer?"

Ye Wudao's large hands continued climbing up Cui Yueqiao's body from the waist down, over the peak...

Cui Yueqiao's body trembled, and two blushes appeared on her pretty face:

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please don't..."

Ye Wudao gazed at the beauty so close to him, his eyes growing increasingly excited.

He enjoys talking to intelligent people, and Choi Wol-kyo is a very intelligent woman.

She is intelligent and knows how to conduct herself appropriately. On the surface, she is neither humble nor arrogant, but in reality, she is more proud than anyone else.

The more arrogant she is, the more irresistible it is to conquer her, to make her lower her proud head and willingly submit.

"You just said I have... low tastes?"

Cui Yueqiao took a step back: "This humble subject has misspoke; please punish me, Your Majesty!"

Ye Wudao approached her step by step, stroking her hair with both hands and gently caressing her face: "Then I will punish you by making you my concubine, how about that?"

Cui Yueqiao's heart pounded wildly, her emotions in turmoil.

Ye Wudao smiled faintly and said, "Without the right to know, there is no right to speak. Since you haven't even tried it, how can you say it's lowbrow entertainment?"

He swept Cui Yueqiao up in his arms and placed her on the desk in the imperial study.

"I wish to personally practice the ways of the sages on this very desk."

"what!"

Cui Yueqiao cried out in alarm, "Your Majesty, no, not here..."

Ye Wudao smiled and said, "On this table are the Four Books and Five Classics, beside them are the Four Treasures of the Study, and on the wall hang the writings of sages. Can this get rid of the low-class taste you mentioned?"

Unable to break free and too afraid to shout, Cui Yueqiao could only cling to Ye Wudao's shoulder and plead desperately.

"Your Majesty, no, please..."

…………

One hour later.

Ye Wudao looked at Cui Yueqiao, whose face was flushed, and laughed, "My beloved concubine, how does it taste like lowbrow fun?"

Cui Yueqiao turned her face away, pouting, and said, "Is that all there is to it?"

"Um?"

Ye Wudao let out a muffled groan.

Startled, Cui Yueqiao immediately changed her tune: "W-wow, that's great..."

"His Majesty……"

Cao Ji's voice came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, the eight empresses have come to review the memorials."

The shout caused a flicker of panic in Cui Yueqiao's eyes, and she quickly straightened her clothes, which Ye Wudao had messed up.

After she was ready, Ye Wudao ordered Cao Ji to open the door and bring in the memorial.

After entering, Xiao Luan waved her hand unhappily: "What's that smell? It's so strange!"

Liang Mei looked up at Cui Yueqiao: "Who are you?"

"I……"

Before Cui Yueqiao could speak, Ye Wudao interrupted, "Cao Ji, from today onwards, Cui Yueqiao will be my Consort Yue, and will not need to reside in the palace. She will manage the businesses across the land for me. As for when she will enter the palace…"

Ye Wudao glanced at Cui Yueqiao.

"When I summon her, she comes."

Cui Yueqiao: "..."

She was stunned.

Didn't I come here to discuss business?

How did she end up becoming Ye Wudao's concubine after all that talking?

This is a case of losing both wife and army!

Xiao Luan's face darkened: "Your Majesty, according to ancestral rules, the investiture of concubines in the harem should at least be known to the Empress. As the Empress, I oversee the six palaces. Is Your Majesty's sudden investiture of a merchant's daughter too frivolous?"

Ye Wudao said indifferently, "Who do you think you are? Why should I ask your opinions when I take concubines?"

Xiao Luan raised her eyebrows: "You!!"

Ye Wudao used to obey her every word, but now he actually dares to question who she is!

She wasn't given any face at all!

Xiao Luan's face contorted with rage, and Liang Mei spoke up from the side:

"Your Majesty is becoming increasingly powerful. He bestows titles upon concubines without our consent, and even appoints Li Yanran as the Governor-General of Disaster Relief in Shandong by his own will. Where does this leave the nine families?"

As they spoke, Liang Mei frantically exchanged glances with Xiao Luan and Ma Wanlan.

Xiao Luan turned her head away in anger.

Liang Mei smiled and said, "Since His Majesty likes Consort Yue, then we will do as His Majesty says and will not interfere. However, affairs of state are not like those in the harem. His Majesty's decision to let Sister Li handle such a significant matter is perhaps ill-considered!"

"Yes..." Ma Wanlan advised, "Although Sister Li is exceptionally talented, she has never handled such a massive disaster before. Isn't it too risky for His Majesty to send her alone to Shandong to oversee the disaster relief efforts for an entire province?"

Ye Wudao narrowed his eyes.

Xiao Luan and the other two wouldn't say that for no reason; they must have a backup plan.

He wanted to see what kind of trouble the other side could cause!

Xiao Luan sighed softly.

"If Sister Li's disaster relief goes smoothly, everyone will be happy. But if something goes wrong, I'm afraid people will say that His Majesty is nepotistic and uses people recklessly."

"At that time, not only will Sister Li's reputation be damaged, but His Majesty... will also have to bear the responsibility!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Wudao's heart stirred slightly.

coming!

A young eunuch rushed into the imperial study in a panic:

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"

A smile appeared on the faces of Xiao Luan and the other two.

Ye Wudao looked coldly at the little eunuch and said in a deep voice, "What is it? Speak slowly."

The young eunuch stammered, "Empress Li bought grain yesterday at 20% above market price and sent it to Shandong as quickly as possible. But when it passed Yanlang Mountain, the grain... the grain... was stolen!"

These words struck Ye Wudao like a bolt from the blue.

His breathing was rapid, and his eyes burned with rage.

"What happened? Yanlang Mountain is only a hundred miles from the capital, and I even sent over a hundred imperial guards with me. How did those bandits manage to rob it?"

The young eunuch's face turned deathly pale; he felt that the aura emanating from Ye Wudao was extremely frightening.

"According to Empress Li's message, when they stopped to cook, someone laced the food with sleeping potion. The entourage fell into a coma, and when they awoke, the food had vanished!"

"Based on the traces, Empress Li guessed that it was the work of bandits from Yanlang Mountain. Fortunately, the Empress was quick-witted and led a portion of the Imperial Guards to retreat, thus avoiding disaster!"

As the eunuch spoke, he was so frightened that he lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to lift his head.

Ye Wudao's temples throbbed, and the anger in his eyes grew stronger.

Traitor!

It was definitely done by an inside traitor!

The escort route was top secret. Not only did the other side know the route in advance, but they also managed to precisely poison the army's food and then send people to intercept the food... All of this was premeditated!

The traitor held a high position and wielded great power within the Imperial Guard, and was extremely well hidden!

Ye Wudao looked at Xiao Luan with a half-smile:

"You don't seem surprised at all?"