IV. Oath

"Eat later." Qing Tong waved her hand, got into the carriage, and suddenly poked her head out to say, "By the way, the three hundred thousand taels of silver sent by Yuan Xiu should be allocated to the border city first to repair Hulin Pass. Without this gate being guarded, I won't be able to sleep well. Hua Jian, you must immediately send someone to inform Xiao Se, letting him be responsible for arranging this money. Be careful on the way and repair Hulin Pass for me as soon as possible!" She then instructed the bearers of the palanquin, "Let's go."

Qing Tong tore off the lacquer seal and took out the letter paper to read. Yuan Xiu stated that he had traveled throughout Yizhou, gathering a rough understanding of the situation. He managed to squeeze out a few pus-filled sores that were not too easy to burst, and the silver he confiscated amounted to several million taels. However, most of it was used for local relief efforts, and now he was sending back the remaining over three hundred thousand taels to the capital. Indeed, someone had given her several hundred thousand taels of silver out of thin air

Zhang Qianqiu was dragged down by the guards, and whether it was due to being frightened by the green-eyed figure or being somewhat dazed, he surprisingly did not continue to curse loudly

Seeing her like this, Huajian felt relieved and smiled slightly. Huajian knew that Qingtong would not speak recklessly or make grand claims; with at least a 70% certainty, there was no need for concern.

Hua Jian hurriedly said: "You haven't eaten yet."

The assassin has left, yet Qing Tong remains motionless. Fang Xingzhou's palms are drenched in cold sweat as he cautiously advises, "Your Majesty, it is dangerous outside, please return to the royal carriage"

Even with luxurious clothing and abundant food, it is still difficult to endure, as the days and nights pass endlessly. How much more so for the lonely individual, where do their dreams wander? In the midst of countless feelings, one can only let out a long sigh.

Qing Tongjian received a blue-covered memorial specifically for external officials. Seeing the mischievous smile on the flower paper, she took it with curiosity. Upon seeing the signature, her spirit immediately lifted, and she said: "This is from Yuan Xiu, sent from Yizhou."

Qingtong raised her head and smiled slightly, "I am not really sad; it is just that I made a bold statement in a fit of anger on the street, saying that within five years, I would ensure that the people live and work in peace and contentment. Upon returning to the car and reflecting on it, I realize it is quite a stretch. Speaking without a filter is truly not a good thing; I am regretting it now and wish I could go back and rephrase it."

Others may believe that both Emperor Jing and the Crown Prince were harmed by her, and it can also be speculated that her initial act of leading troops to quell the rebellion was driven by her own ambition for power and profit, thus attributing the deaths of the fallen to her. But so what? A general's success often comes at the cost of countless lives; is the abnormal succession of the throne and the occurrence of deaths really surprising? At least she has brought peace of mind to the common people, has she not? Now, the people no longer have to worry that opening their doors will reveal robbers, or that their hometowns will turn into battlefields tomorrow. A general's success often comes at the cost of countless lives; is the abnormal succession of the throne and the occurrence of deaths really surprising? At least she has brought peace of mind to the common people, has she not? Now, the people no longer have to worry that opening their doors will reveal robbers, or that their hometowns will turn into battlefields. Why should unrelated individuals risk their lives to kill her? Is she truly that detestable?

The guards were so tense that they were covered in cold sweat. After a long while, there was still no sound. Qing Tong let out a cold laugh, turned around, and walked back to the imperial carriage, saying: "From now on, anyone who attempts an assassination will be executed by being drawn and quartered"

Qing Tong looked at Hua Jian with a mix of annoyance and amusement. It was originally her own mistake, so she could not blame others for teasing her. Yuan Xiu's memorial was quite lengthy, spanning over ten pages. She could not afford to pay attention to Hua Jian and continued reading, gradually furrowing her brows. Yuan Xiu spoke of the serious encroachment of the gentry and aristocracy on the lands of Yizhou, as well as the alarming power of certain noble families; he also mentioned that many gentry officials had sent him gifts, with a list provided at the end. It was estimated that this group lacked significant power, making them easy to either win over or intimidate, and they would not cause trouble. Conversely, there were others with considerable backing who were not afraid of this new emperor's confidant, and he had not dared to act against them for the time being. Yuan Xiu also noted that some individuals sought to exploit him, but through them, he had roughly inferred the attitudes of several powerful princes and deeply entrenched noble families towards the court.

Qingtong grasped Yuanxiu's memorial and said, "Go to Hanyuan Hall!" Her mind was racing. The issue of land annexation was prevalent nationwide, and Qingtong had some understanding of it; the local power represented by Yuanxiu posed another problem beyond finance that could not be overlooked, and she needed to clarify her thoughts. Additionally, there were the account books in Hanyuan Hall... she had not finished reviewing them yet... The issue of land annexation was prevalent nationwide, and Qingtong had some understanding of it; the local power represented by Yuanxiu posed another problem beyond finance that could not be overlooked, and she needed to clarify her thoughts. Additionally, there were the account books in Hanyuan Hall... she had not finished reviewing them yet...

With azure eyes, she remained silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up and said with a cold smile: "Who else wants to attempt an assassination? I am right here, come on! This is the last inspection of Kyoto; if you miss this chance, there will be no opportunity left!"

Hua Jian responded helplessly. She had already performed quite a number of duties as a female official in government affairs, and skillfully called for a eunuch to relay the emperor's edict to the Prime Minister, while also handing him the receipt for the silver sent by Yuan Xiu.

After waiting for three meals, the little eunuch from the imperial kitchen, who was responsible for delivering the royal meals, exchanged a glance with the flower note and, feeling helpless, retreated once again

Hua Jian smiled and said: "The silver notes have already been logged into the inner treasury. Should I call Yuan Xiu to come back early to give you a kiss?"

The guard dared not retreat, and Fang Xingzhou called out: "Your Majesty ... ... " His voice already carried a sobbing tone; how could he bear such a heavy responsibility

The guards exchanged glances at Fang Xingzhou, and the one with blue eyes shouted sternly: "Fang Xingzhou, do you intend to defy the imperial decree?"

Acting on behalf of heaven? Bah!

The guards suddenly surrounded her, and Fang Xingzhou's face turned pale as he shouted: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

Qing Tong coldly said: "Step back! All of you, step back!"

Hua Jian chuckled softly, "Do you really mean what you say?" She nudged Qing Tong's arm and handed over a letter, "This was delivered to you after your inspection. I intended for you to rest a bit before reading it, but hearing you say that, I couldn't hold back any longer.

The autumn wind is the most heartless, blowing coldly in gusts, causing gray hairs to appear. The horses neigh long and the war horns sound frequently, all merging into a sorrowful embrace. Surely, one knows how much you have withered away this evening.

A few days later, under the arrangement of Xiao Se, a portion of the three hundred thousand taels of silver sent by Yuan Xiu was converted into various supplies, and together with the remaining silver, it was transported grandly towards the clouds

Fang Xingzhou helplessly waved his hand, and over a thousand people silently retreated, not making a single sound, exposing the lonely green eyes. The entire street was as quiet as midnight, with no one daring to meet her gaze. The green eyes stood stubbornly in the center of the crowd, as sunlight cast from afar, shining on her golden crown, radiating brilliance

Qing Tong shook her head, "I am not lying to you, this time it is truly precarious. Due to excessive conscription for the war, military expenditures have skyrocketed, and various facilities are in disrepair, waiting for funds to be allocated for repairs. Especially in the border city of Yunchong, even a slight delay could be dangerous." She looked at the flower paper with a pitiful expression, "There are too many places that need money. They say the Son of Heaven possesses the world and is wealthy across the seas, but why do I feel like I am on the verge of poverty? If someone could just give me several hundred thousand taels of silver out of thin air right now, I would want to go kiss them."

Returning to the palace, Qing Tong was lost in thought, allowing Hua Jian to change her into formal attire. She took a cup of tea but merely traced the rim with her fingers, not drinking. Hua Jian was also in a daze for a while before saying, "I heard you were just attacked... fortunately, you are unharmed." There was a hint of confusion in Hua Jian's gaze; she had witnessed every bit of Qing Tong's efforts, yet it seemed it was still not enough. What kind of emperor did the assassin want? Seeing Qing Tong's gaze blankly fixed on the teacup, Hua Jian paused and gently said, "Qing Tong, don't be sad. If you feel unwell, just lie down for a while. I refuse to believe that there is no justice in this world."

She clenched her fists tightly, the heat in her chest surging wave after wave. Looking around, she shouted: "Everyone listen, each of you who hears my words can pass them on to others, let the world bear witness. I will no longer explain the past to anyone. I promise that within five years, I will ensure the common people of Dayuan can live and work in peace. This is something that my father, the Crown Prince, and Ning Yan cannot achieve, but if I fail, I will die! I make this one promise, and the rest is none of your concern! If anyone doubts me, or if there are those who wish to act on behalf of heaven, I give you one last opportunity!" After saying this, she turned to the guards and commanded, "Step back!"

Qing Tong barely suppressed the surging anger within her. Assassination? Since taking office, she had worked tirelessly, never having a peaceful night's sleep, utterly exhausted. How many emperors could be as diligent as she was? How many emperors could work as hard as she did? Now, there were actually people who wanted her life? They wanted her worthless life, which had been worn out for the sake of Dayuan!