Chapter 24: A Late-Night Visit

Li Jingcheng and Shen Lin sat on opposite sides, their expressions grave, their eyes concealing countless undercurrents. The air in the room seemed to have solidified into stone, heavy and suffocating. Shangguan Ya'er felt the oppressive atmosphere, but though she sensed the tension, she remained composed. She sat quietly to the side, her gaze occasionally sweeping over the faces of the high-ranking officials, hoping to catch a clue. She could feel the fire in the Empress’s heart surging with increasing intensity.

When Cheng Lingyu spoke, her voice was cold and sharp: "The current plight of the Great Huang is obvious. The enemy delegation has arrived, our national strength is waning, and the situation is precarious. And as for the ministers in this court—how many are truly capable of handling the larger picture?" Her words were like winter blades, piercing everyone’s heart.

Li Jingcheng’s expression flickered slightly; his keen intellect allowed him to perceive the Empress’s volatile mood at once. Yet, he maintained his steady composure, saying in a low voice, "Your Majesty’s words are sound; the current situation is indeed complex. If we rashly show weakness to the enemy, it will inevitably lead to further trouble."

Shen Lin, his face expressionless, added calmly, "But if we are too rigid, we may provoke the enemy further, inviting war and sinking us into deeper distress. The path of balance requires careful handling."

However, there was no warmth in Cheng Lingyu’s eyes. She raised a hand slightly, signaling them to stop. "Useless rhetoric," she said, her voice tinged with weary disappointment. "You are always accustomed to circling in speculation, ultimately getting nowhere. The arrival of the enemy delegation is a matter concerning the very fate of our nation, yet you only seek problems in trivialities. When will someone in this court finally be able to shoulder the destiny of this country?"

This remark left the ministers present feeling a heavy weight. Shangguan Ya'er lowered her head slightly, sighing inwardly. She understood that Cheng Lingyu’s anger stemmed largely from the fact that these powerful officials only cared for the interests of their own clans. As for the Empress herself, despite possessing supreme power, she often felt isolated and unsupported.

Finally, Cheng Lingyu waved her hand, signaling that they were dismissed. Li Jingcheng and Shen Lin exchanged a look, hesitated for a moment, then rose respectfully and took their leave one by one. Moments later, silence returned to the hall, broken only by the echoing footsteps of the imperial guards.

"Ya'er, stay."

Cheng Lingyu’s voice dropped, and she tapped the armrest of the dragon throne, a flash of exhaustion crossing her eyes. Shangguan Ya'er bowed slightly and walked to the Empress’s side, whispering, "Your Majesty, you seem to be in low spirits."

A look of frustration and anger flickered in Cheng Lingyu’s eyes: "Useless sacks of wine and meat! A group of cowardly old men in the court—none of them can offer anything of substance beyond empty talk. If there were truly one person capable of taking responsibility, how could we have allowed the enemy delegation to visit, potentially plunging the Great Huang into even deeper crisis?" Her hand tightened, as if suppressing her rage, her gaze darkening.

Shangguan Ya'er stood silently by her side for a while. Cheng Lingyu sighed, "Ya'er, you understand. Who else can I tell of my confusion and helplessness? Even the most basic issue of grain distribution leads to endless bickering among those old ministers, let alone anything else." A cold, self-deprecating light flickered in her eyes. "I am losing my confidence."

At that moment, Shangguan Ya'er’s eyes brightened. A thought occurred to her, and she whispered, "Your Majesty, perhaps you should consider that man, Chu Nan."

Cheng Lingyu looked up, her gaze instantly sharpening. "Chu Nan? You mean him?"

Shangguan Ya'er nodded. "Although Chu Nan is merely a merchant, what if he has a solution?"

Cheng Lingyu narrowed her eyes, pondering for a moment before her gaze lit up. "He is indeed unconventional. You are right; I have had that thought myself." Her tone grew more serious. "Ya'er, are you suggesting we give him a chance to try?"

Shangguan Ya'er smiled slightly. "If Your Majesty feels it is feasible, why not test it?"

A complex light flashed in Cheng Lingyu’s eyes. After a moment of silence, she nodded gently. "Very well. Let us try."

Night deepened, and the moon hung high, shrouding the streets of the Imperial Capital. The palace had fallen into slumber, yet a sense of inescapable pressure remained in the streets. In a small alleyway, several figures moved silently through the shadows like a passing breeze, leaving no trace behind. Among them was Cheng Lingyu, dressed in a deep blue robe. Her sleeves fluttered, and the sword at her waist caught a glint of cold moonlight. She had not brought Shangguan Ya'er, fearing it might attract unnecessary attention. She calculated silently: if she could leverage his wisdom, perhaps she could break this stagnant deadlock.

Meanwhile, inside Chu Nan’s shop, he stood behind the counter, staring at the scattered ancient texts on the table, his brow furrowed. Suddenly, footsteps approached—cautious, deliberate footsteps. Chu Nan’s heart rate quickened; he reached instinctively for the compound bow beneath his bed, a thought flashing through his mind: *Assassins again?*

But as the footsteps drew nearer, he realized they were not urgent.

"Master Chu? Master Chu, are you there?"

A low voice came from outside, shattering his train of thought. The voice was familiar enough to make his heart leap—it was the young lady who often came to converse with him. Chu Nan relaxed, though a sliver of doubt remained. He quickly tidied the books on the table and walked toward the shop door. Just as he reached for it, the voice sounded again, slightly more urgent: "Master Chu, it is me. Do not worry; please open the door."

Chu Nan frowned slightly, then slowly pulled the door open. His gaze locked the moment he saw the person standing outside. Moonlight spilled over her, outlining the silhouette of her deep blue robe. Her dark hair was simply tied up, her expression cold and stern, her eyes as deep as water. She stood there, head slightly bowed, her gaze gentle yet imbued with an inexplicable sense of authority.

"Miss?" Chu Nan asked in a low voice.

"Master Chu." She nodded gently, her tone soft yet carrying an undeniable weight.

Chu Nan felt a stir in his heart and bowed to her. "I did not expect a visit from you so late at night. I assume there is a matter to discuss?"

Empress Cheng Lingyu waved her hand gently. Her smile remained graceful, but behind it lurked a powerful emotional turbulence. She appeared somewhat weary, but her eyes shone with determination and contemplation. "Master Chu, how has your evening been?"