The Female Cannon Fodder With Boundless Merits
Chapter 457 - 461: Shang Family Girl (22)

Chapter 457: Chapter 461: Shang Family Girl (22)

The Emperor exploded with rage in the court again, hurling the memorial in his hand at the head of a minister below.

"Worthless, all of you are worthless. It’s merely a small Hua City, and yet you still haven’t managed to take it down."

The ministers below cried out, "Forgive us, Emperor," prostrating so low their voices trembled.

"A mere merchant, a corrupt woman, and yet she leaves you all completely helpless, it’s simply ridiculous."

The Emperor’s tone was murderous as his gaze swept across the necks of the ministers, as if the words he was about to utter next could sever their heads from their necks.

One particularly brave minister gathered his courage and whispered, "Your servant is incompetent, principally because we realized too late, and Hua City had already established its footing."

"Princess Zhao Hua previously said, the Su Family is negligible, Su’s daughter is just a petty opportunist....."

The speaking scholar’s tone was very diplomatic, indicating their incompetence implicitly, but the central idea pointed directly at Princess Zhao Hua.

If it weren’t for Princess Zhao Hua misleading us, how could we possibly have allowed a person who disdains imperial power to exist.

If it weren’t for Princess Zhao Hua openly disparaging the Su Family, how could they have imagined that a single woman could shake the authority of the entire imperial dynasty.

If it weren’t for Princess Zhao Hua....

All mishaps stemmed from Princess Zhao Hua’s actions, it was said that Su Li and the object of his attachment had a life-saving grace with Princess Zhao Hua.

Perhaps for this reason, Princess Zhao Hua’s words were biased.

Reminded by someone, the Emperor recalled the news conveyed back by Princess Zhao Hua.

Once she returned to the Capital, she attacked the Su Family vigorously again, perhaps this prompted the Su Family’s lasting resentment.

"Send the order down, Princess Zhao Hua’s conduct is dishonorable, strip her of her princess title, and have her reflect strictly at home."

The Emperor’s words were law.

He declared Princess Zhao Hua’s conduct dishonorable, and so it was.

Her reputation was utterly ruined, marked forever as a woman of indecent conduct.

With just one sentence, his words determined her fate for life.

Her descendants would also bear the burden of her actions.

Presently, Princess Zhao Hua and the previous life’s original owner seemed so alike.

Faced with the troublesome issue of Hua City, the Emperor had abandoned his previous tough measures, adopting a more conciliatory approach only because he was compelled.

Upon careful examination, the full court of ministers shockingly discovered that Hua City and the Su Family had already occupied a position they could not easily undermine.

Unbeknownst to them, Su’s daughter had control over ninety percent of the Wei Dynasty’s economic lifeline.

The commonly used washing soda flowed from Hua City; the recently popularized so-called cakes were also supplied by the Su Family.

Also, the so-called bicycles and cars, extremely popular among the nobles, fetched frightening prices.

Immediately, the ministers at court felt the Su Family acted slyly, stealthily expanding their business empire right under the nose of the imperial dynasty, without their noticing.

But now, even if the Emperor decreed that the city’s populace should not buy or use these goods, the people were likely unwilling.

If this was the situation even in the Capital, other places would probably be worse.

Then, some minister gave the Emperor a bad idea. A day later, with a grave expression, Princess Zhao Hua, carrying the golden imperial edict and accompanied by the Guard Team, departed from the Capital, passing through the counties adjacent to Hua City, and also took along a son and daughter from the Yuan Family.

At that moment, the Yuan Family had recently experienced another upheaval.

Yuan Wen, having received a grant from the Little Princess, was elated and ready to attempt another entrance exam, becoming obsessed with the civil examination.

Upon hearing the news, other members of the Yuan Family rushed over like cats that had smelled fish.

Now that they had divided the family assets, the other two branches couldn’t openly demand that the eldest brother share some money with them.

They had no way out, but that didn’t mean Old Man Yuan and Old Mrs. Yuan couldn’t find one.

Even though they had divided the family assets, they were still Yuan Wen’s parents.

Especially for a scholar, not being filial meant they could not live down the shame.

The profit was right in his mouth, and Yuan Wen was unwilling to spit it out.

Especially at the time of the division, the siblings had turned against each other and become sworn enemies.

Yuan Wen harbored deep resentful energy towards his cold and heartless siblings and parents.

The Yuan Family created a huge uproar over this money, but Yuan Wen had not enjoyed the good days for long before he inexplicably had his legs broken while out meeting friends.

Returning home, the silver taels he had hidden were stolen by thieves.

He found himself back to having nothing, and the psychological blow left him sick and bedridden, incapable of even leaving his bed.

What Yuan Wen didn’t know was that all his misfortunes were orchestrated by Princess Zhao Hua.

Initially, she had been quite grateful to Yuan Wen; but after her honorary title from the Uncle Emperor had been revoked and she had faced chastisement from many, her resentful energy had turned squarely towards Yuan Wen.

Ultimately, it was all to vent on behalf of her savior.

-------------

The envoy from the Capital, bearing the Emperor’s will, was still kept out by the thick walls of Hua City.

Knowing the audacity of those within Hua City was one thing, but facing it was another.

Having always been at the upper echelon of societal hierarchy, Princess Zhao Hua had never endured such humiliation and wanted to erupt in anger.

Her face had just formed an expression of fury when a voice laced with warning organized her thoughts, "Zhao Hua, remember what the Emperor sent you here for."

"If you cannot redeem your sins through achievement this time, I fear..."

Thinking of the Uncle Emperor’s cold visage, she shivered uncontrollably and dared not act impulsively.

The person who could restrain Princess Zhao Hua must have been someone of status.

However, looking over, she only saw a young man dressed in guard’s attire, with those nearby appearing to diligently protect Zhao Hua.

--------------

"Madam, the people from the Capital are outside the city, should we drive them away?"

The former County Magistrate, now Su Li’s top lackey.

Su Li was peeling an orange while supervising his two little girls doing their homework and responded nonchalantly, "No, let them in."

"There must be a motive, but nothing to fear."

"It’s a good opportunity to show them the difference between Hua City and the Capital now."

The County Magistrate’s concern turned into excitement, rubbing his hands together, "Right, let them take a good look."

Thinking of the changes in Hua City, the County Magistrate felt a surge of pride and quickly left with a smile.

He had to make proper arrangements.

---------------

In the 248th year of the Wei Dynasty, Princess Zhao Hua entered Hua City with an elite squad, bringing the imperial edict with her.

Su’s daughter, virtuous and decorous, the paragon of womanhood, was specially bestowed as the Crown Prince Consort, to preside over the Eastern Palace.

But it was this edict that changed the entire map of the Wei Dynasty.

The Lord of Hua City, Su Li, upon hearing this, furiously burned the bright yellow imperial edict in front of all the citizens, directly calling the Emperor an old fool, "going too far."

Leading the Hua City guard team, he expelled the Capital’s envoy from Hua City and annexed the surrounding territories into Hua City.