After Defeat, the Empress’s Negotiating Chip Turns Out to Be Me

Chapter 338

338~ Illusion~

"But there are always some who aren't afraid of death, right?"

"Not afraid of death..."

He felt that anyone who'd thought it through would know Princess definitely carried many life-saving items on her body. Scarlet Phoenix Nation's Empress, the continent's number one strongest, plus with the identity of the continent's number one powerful nation's empress, she definitely possessed many, many treasures. Those that could be used to preserve life truly weren't few.

"But you have to think..."

"Then what do you think, after Princess returned from Scarlet Phoenix Nation, would the Empress not arrange a personal bodyguard for Princess?"

"Then what do you mean?"

"Previously when Princess returned, it was always Scarlet Phoenix Nation's Empress personally bringing her back. What does the Empress not coming together this time represent?"

"Represent what?"

"......"

He was somewhat speechless. How was the idiot beside him such a talent?

"It represents that following by Princess's side is a mage about as powerful as Scarlet Phoenix Nation's Empress!"

Unable to figure out even this kind of problem, he truly suspected this guy's brain had short-circuited.

"Oh, oh..."

According to what he knew, aside from Scarlet Phoenix Nation's Empress, among Scarlet Phoenix Nation, the only candidate whose strength could fight back and forth with the Empress and who was deeply trusted by the Empress was Scarlet Phoenix Nation's Great Guardian, Cecilia.

He was certain that this time Princess returned, even if the series of measures during court couldn't be implemented in Glaze Nation, safety could still be guaranteed. As for whether anyone would be foolish enough to dare make a move on Princess, he didn't know.

"Cough cough... stop talking. His Majesty and Princess have arrived."

Thus, the two quickly stood properly, no longer continuing the previous topic.

"Your Majesty, Princess, all 57 ministers have arrived. Morning court can begin."

The guard responsible for headcount reported this court session's attendance.

"Then let's begin."

Gong waved his hand grandly, declaring this morning court officially begun.

According to procedure and custom, the ministers responsible for reporting work reported the various data and important information they'd compiled last night one by one.

"Mo, what do you think?"

"...I suggest directly cutting off a portion of the ministers. Keeping them also has no use."

"Then how does Mo think we should cut?"

"Of course, directly cut all those who are useless and arrange other positions for them."

The Little Princess said without thinking.

The two singing in harmony on stage was specifically done for the ministers below to hear. This was also her idea.

"Then let's proceed as Mo says."

Then he glanced at the National Advisor closest to him and inquired:

"National Advisor Liu, who do you think is suitable to cut?"

"It cannot be done, Your Majesty! Everyone present has shed blood and sweat for Glaze Nation. They are meritorious ministers. For you to so casually heed Princess's words and cut these ministers, isn't it too rash?"

Just as the Little Princess said, these National Advisors would definitely try to organize him to conduct system reform, using various methods to deceive him, wearing out their lips wanting him to change his idea of reforming the system.

"That won't do. Last night, Mo enumerated many problems to me one by one. For example, actually quite a portion of these ministers are purely to fill numbers and come up to court to participate in daily morning court. What does the National Advisor think about this matter?"

He immediately threw out the question to question this National Advisor Liu who'd already stayed in Glaze Nation's National Advisor position for a long time.

If he remembered correctly, this National Advisor had already been in this position before he took office. That is, he'd already been promoted during Glaze Nation's previous king's reign.

Having stayed in this position for so long already, the benefits secretly gained behind the king's back probably weren't few, right? Perhaps he even already had rebellious intentions.

Perhaps when Glaze Nation's previous king was still in office, he'd already begun attempting to hollow out royal authority.

At least in the time he'd understood, Glaze Nation's royal authority had always been continuously weakened, while ministerial authority had been continuously expanding. She also estimated that continuing to develop at this momentum, by the time the next generation Glaze Nation king took office, the power held in hand would completely have no way to restrain ministerial authority.

This situation of ministerial authority continuously expanding and royal authority continuously weakening was especially obvious during these two generations of kings' reigns. Although quite a portion of it was the king's own problem, if not for these National Advisors fanning the flames behind the scenes, how could this phenomenon be so severe?

The only explanation was that these National Advisors, one by one, all had bad intentions. Knowing full well that weakening royal authority to a certain degree would cause the royal family to have no way to control the entire nation, ultimately causing the Glaze Royal Family to collapse, then Glaze Nation would directly enter a chaotic state.

Even so, these three National Advisors still chose to continuously weaken royal authority, luring the king to strengthen ministerial authority. Summarizing the above, these three National Advisors also weren't any good people. They all coveted Glaze Nation's king's throne.

"Then National Advisor, speak. How should we resolve this matter of every court session being so formalistic with not much practical use? Could it be that the resources wasted in this should be deducted from the national treasury's annual income?"

The Little Princess questioned.

"This..."

He didn't know how to answer the Little Princess's question for the moment.

"Since you can't think of it, then National Advisor should think about which portion of people to cut."

She knew that among these 54 ministers aside from the National Advisors, quite a portion were planted by the three National Advisors. Having the National Advisors select the layoff list was also to collect those ministers who didn't belong to the National Advisors' subordinates.

"Please give me some time, Princess and Your Majesty. I'll definitely provide an answer that satisfies both of you."

"Good. Then what do the other two National Advisors think? Can you select a portion of useless candidates to cut?"

"Alright..."

The other two National Advisors had no choice but to agree.

"Then, I'll trouble the three National Advisors. Father the King and I will await good news? Remember to have slightly more. Compared to before, Glaze Nation's daily fiscal revenue and expenditure is getting less and less."

Another layer of meaning was... her and her cheap Father the King's plan was to save expenses for court affairs, wanting the treasury's revenue and expenditure to be more.

"Yes!"

After that, she turned toward her cheap Father the King:

"Father the King, Jade City seems to have frequent situations recently. Are you aware of this matter?"

That is, there were already some people on Jade City's side who wanted to rebel.

"What does Mo mean?"

She stood up, her body slightly leaning forward, lifting her skirt hem, half-squatting down to request from her cheap Father the King to personally go to Jade City to confirm the reason for the rebellion there.

"...Approved."

......

Before long, morning court ended. The Little Princess was helped away from the great hall by Maid Xiao Xi.

Sitting so long, her legs were somewhat numb.

"Princess's acting truly is excellent."

"Hardly..."

If even her acting counted as realistic, then wouldn't everyone be Oscar Best Actors?

She felt what she'd just acted was actually quite terrible. However, this was meant to be acted full of flaws like this for that group of ministers to see. This was the desired effect, so she didn't care.

"Then Princess, regarding going to Jade City, who do you plan to arrange?"

According to her guess, her Princess definitely planned to arrange someone to impersonate her going to Jade City, then stay in the Glaze Royal Palace herself waiting for fish to take the bait. After all the fish took the bait, she could catch them all in one net.

"Of course, go personally."

"Go personally!?"

"Right. Otherwise what?"

"But if Princess personally goes, what about here?"

"You just proceed according to my arrangements. Quickly prepare the convoy. In two days, depart toward Jade City. Then spread the news, saying the convoy I arranged going to Jade City will depart in two days. Spread it as widely as possible."

"But..."

"Stop with the buts. Just go do it quickly."

Moreover, did she look like she hadn't considered anything?

"But..."

"Go quickly!"

"Yes..."

After driving away Maid Xiao Xi, she returned to the bedroom alone. She wanted to rest again, catch up on sleep first.

Blanket, blanket, I'm coming!

......

......

Two days later...

"Princess, time to get up."

Maid Xiao Xi pushed open the door and entered the Little Princess's bedroom, attempting to wake the Little Princess.

"Mm-mm... I know..."

Opening her eyes again, looking at the sky outside, it also didn't look like it was time to get up.

"You... what are you waking me up at this hour for?"

It clearly still wasn't time to get up. What was she waking her for!? Moreover, how did this stinky Xiao Xi get in again!

Clearly, ever since taking away the key two days ago, Maid Xiao Xi had always been outside the door making noise by knocking to wake her up noisily. How could she enter her bedroom again today?

"There's a spare key."

Facing the Little Princess's questioning gaze, she could only answer honestly.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Princess, you also didn't ask."

Mo: "......"

Fine, you win!

Snatching the spare key from Maid Xiao Xi's hand, she continued asking:

"Are there other spare keys?"

"Of course. Generally, five keys are prepared just in case."

And coincidentally, aside from the one originally on the Little Princess and the two taken from her, she still had two on her body.

"Bring them all to me!"

Maid Xiao Xi obediently handed over the remaining two keys. The Little Princess looked at her somewhat suspiciously, wanting to find flaws from her expression.

But unfortunately, Maid Xiao Xi had a smiling face from beginning to end without any flaws.

"Princess, you should wash up, eat breakfast, then take the carriage to Jade City."

"Not going."

"But wasn't this arranged by Princess yourself?"

"Who said that just because I arranged a convoy to Jade City, I must definitely be on the convoy? Moreover, when did I ever say I was going to Jade City today?"

Maid Xiao Xi froze, then immediately realized wasn't this precisely the trap her Princess deliberately created?

Arranging the convoy to go to Jade City today, spreading the news, but not boarding the convoy herself. This way, she could create the illusion that she'd already left Glaze City!