“Greetings to Your Majesty!”
The Empress’s sudden appearance frightened everyone present—especially after realizing she had been in the next private room the entire time!
Did that mean… she had heard everything they said just now?
Everyone instantly fell to their knees, trembling.
“Rise, all of you. This isn’t the imperial court, there’s no need for excessive formality,” Ye Qinghuan said with a faint smile.
“I happened to be free today, so I came to Wanhua Tower to listen to a few tunes. I didn’t expect to run into all of you hosting a lyrics and song gathering. What a coincidence.”
Everyone exchanged glances—what a perfectly timed “coincidence”!
Wan Canglong was stunned too. He hadn’t expected Empress Ye Qinghuan to appear in person. Excited, he stepped forward immediately, “Your Majesty, I, Wan Canglong, have strategies to propose regarding the ‘Switch Rice for Mulberry’ policy!”
But Ye Qinghuan directly walked past him, completely ignoring him.
“Wan Qing, if you want to submit your ideas, you can file them with the Censorate or Court of Supervision. No need to hand them to me directly.”
She turned to Lin Ming.
“Lin Ming, tell me the solution you mentioned earlier. I’m very interested.”
Ye Qinghuan stood in front of Lin Ming, looking directly at him with a serious expression.
Behind her, Li Qiushui’s jaw dropped so wide an egg could fit in.
Wait, wasn’t the plan today to end the engagement with Lin Ming?
Why was Her Majesty now taking the initiative to approach him? If word of this got out, wouldn’t all of Chang’an be shaken?
Lin Ming cupped his hands and smiled, “I can tell Your Majesty—but I have conditions.”
He thought to himself, Ye Qinghuan really did care about national matters. To think she’d set aside her pride just to ask for his ideas on state policy.
He was willing to give her a hint or two.
But helping for free? That wasn’t his style—not even for the Empress.
“How dare you, Lin Ming! As Duke Commander, you’ve already received the highest honors under heaven. Now you dare to make conditions with Her Majesty?” Li Qiushui snapped angrily.
Even Ye Qinghuan’s expression darkened. In front of everyone, he still dared to bargain?
But right now, she really didn’t have much leverage.
Outside, her 3,000 Imperial Guards were trapped by the Lin family’s forces—completely helpless.
“Speak,” Ye Qinghuan said, choosing to compromise for the sake of that tempting solution.
Lin Ming leaned in, speaking mysteriously, “I have a gift for Your Majesty—something called… black silk.”
“This item is made from a special material. When worn on your legs, it highlights Your Majesty’s imperial beauty, divine figure, and overwhelming presence!”
“Black silk? A gift for me?” Ye Qinghuan was startled. “What are your intentions?”
“That’s it?”
Ye Qinghuan had assumed his condition was about wealth or power. Who would’ve thought it was simply… to wear a garment called ‘black silk’?
And judging from his tone, it sounded like some kind of rare treasure.
Ye Qinghuan agreed decisively, “Very well. I agree.”
The pure and unaware Ye Qinghuan completely missed the sly smile curling at the corner of Lin Ming’s lips.
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace!”
“Now then,” Ye Qinghuan said eagerly, “when I wear this black silk myself, I’ll summon you to witness it. In the meantime—tell me your solution!”
Lin Ming began explaining in a steady tone, “The first step: unify landowners and gentry under the same tax system.”
“What do you mean?” Ye Qinghuan asked.
“It’s simple. The landlords and local elites are hoarding most of the profits—so we start with them! If we must take, take from the rich!” Lin Ming explained.
“In every dynasty, scholars with official titles are exempt from taxes. So many wealthy families put their land under a scholar’s name to avoid tax.”
“But if we make local gentry pay taxes too, this layer of exploitation will ease, and the state’s revenue will increase by thirty percent!”
“As for the ‘Switch Rice for Mulberry’ policy—I propose a three-step strategy.”
“First, start with the landlords. Second, have the state open river transport channels and control long-distance grain trade prices. If foreign merchants can’t profit, prices will drop naturally.”
“Third, introduce high-yield crops. Increase rice production first, then free up land to grow cash crops.”
“If we want a functioning trade market, we need surplus value first…”
At this point, Lin Ming had transitioned fully into economic theory.
Ye Qinghuan was a bit dazed from all the new terms, but she vaguely sensed—this might actually be a real path forward.
She immediately brightened, “Very well, Duke Commander, when you return, submit a memorial to me detailing your entire plan.”
“And bring that black silk of yours as well!”
With that, she turned and swept away with regal flair.
Only Lin Ming remained, gazing at her departing figure, muttering to himself:
“What a pity… the system only gave me one pair of black silk. If only it had sent nurse outfits or sailor uniforms too… I really need to strike while the iron’s hot and have the Empress try it on.”
“With that figure… she’d be a top-tier existence even in the Western world!”
…
Back at the Lin residence, the Imperial Guards and Lin family troops each retreated peacefully. Tensions were defused.
Lin Ming’s deeds at Wanhua Tower had already spread through Chang’an by nightfall, causing a sensation.
Even Lady Lin, the old matriarch, had put down her mahjong tiles and came over, grabbing her son’s head:
“I knew it! A son born from a noble like me, Princess Qinghe, can’t possibly be an illiterate fool! Hahaha! You were only dumb as a child because you got your father’s genes!”
Lin Ming: …
Thanks, mother… I’ll thank father on your behalf.
After returning home, Lin Ming had already secretly transported the courtesan’s corpse from Wanhua Tower.
He specially summoned Luo Feng and the Lin family’s elite warriors.
“Each of you, show me your best technique. I want to see what you’re capable of!”
He couldn’t wait to test his new talent: “Skill Replication.”
The unaware Lin family experts thought the Duke was seriously testing their strength.
Eager to impress, they all displayed their secret skills.
[Skill Replication Activated: Vajra Demon-Subduing Shield copied!]
[Skill Replication Activated: Great Divine Dragon copied!]
[Skill Replication Activated: Seven Wounds Fist copied!]
[Skill Replication Activated: Soul-Devouring Bone Nails copied!]
…
In an instant, over twenty martial techniques and their insights were engraved in Lin Ming’s mind.
And this was just the tip of the Lin family iceberg!
But the ability came with a drawback—it consumed lifespan. When Lin Ming noticed his remaining life dipping low, he wisely stopped.
“Doesn’t matter. There’s still time. Sooner or later, I’ll copy every powerful technique in the entire Great Duan Empire!”
Lin Ming smiled, then pondered his next issue.
Whose room should he visit tonight? Shangguan Xue’s? Lin Wan’er’s? Or perhaps… the Empress’s bedchamber?
…
Late at night, in the imperial palace.
Zichen Hall, imperial study.
“Your Majesty, Duke Commander’s memorial and his tribute—black silk—have been delivered.”
“Alright, leave them.”
Still working late, Ye Qinghuan yawned as she stretched, “I didn’t realize it got so late… I’ll read his memorial tomorrow. For now, let me try this black silk he spoke so highly of…”
One minute later.
In the pitch-black palace, a sudden earth-shattering scream echoed through the halls.
Ye Qinghuan’s voice cracked with rage.
“Lin Ming, you tricked me! I’ll annihilate your entire clan!!”
“You actually made me wear this flimsy, shameless outfit and stand before you! I won’t forgive you!”