Chapter 294: The Brainless Empress in the Arrogant Stallion Novel (44)

Chapter 294: The Foolish Empress in the Arrogant Stallion Novel (44)

The Zheng State's attempt to destroy the embankment and flood the fields was kept completely secret.

As for Guo Kai, the First Scholar of Zheng State, after that night, he seemed to have disappeared without a trace...

In the council hall, several cabinet ministers of the Lin State gathered together, examining with curiosity a letter they had received...

It was from Xia Houying of the Kingdom of Wu, who recently seemed to have gone mad—he actually took the initiative to reach out in friendship! The letter, which arrived just yesterday, spoke of the long-standing friendship between the Kingdom of Wu and the Lin State, expressing a desire to open trade and even offering to build a new canal at the Kingdom of Wu's expense!

"Has Xia Houying gone mad recently?"

Chang Yongshou held the letter in his hand, double-checking it several times to confirm that the personal seal at the end indeed belonged to Xia Houying. He said in disbelief, "Since when is he so polite?"

In his memory, Xia Houying of the Kingdom of Wu had become more cantankerous with age. The man was notoriously arrogant, disdainful even toward his own emperor. How could he suddenly act so submissive?

"Hahaha, it's not that he's lost his mind!" Qu Kaichang laughed.

"They've just come to their senses!"

Vice Minister of War Qu Kaichang interjected, "Given the current situation, trade among the Five Countries is an inevitable development. Zheng, Zhao, Chu, and Lin—the Four Countries—have already established trade ties. How could we possibly exclude the Kingdom of Wu alone?"

Chang Yongshou still felt something was off. "That may be true, but..."

"Xia Houying's attitude is just too respectful..."

The letter was filled with greetings and concern for the Empress—completely unlike Xia Houying's usual demeanor.

"What's so strange about that?"

"Her Majesty is brilliant and formidable—it's only natural that he'd be won over!" Qu Kaichang, being straightforward, didn't overthink it. The Kingdom of Wu extending goodwill and even offering to build a waterway was like an unexpected boon—why wouldn't they accept it?

Truly, their ancestors had blessed the Lin State by leaving them such a heaven-sent ruler!

As they spoke, Chang Yongshou looked at Qu Kaichang and suddenly recalled another matter. "Minister Qu... I heard your wife is pregnant?"

Chang Yongshou's question immediately touched upon Qu Kaichang's recent joy.

Minister Qu beamed. "She is!"

"My father has already appeared in a dream—this time, my wife is expecting a boy!"

"A boy..." Chang Yongshou pondered for a moment before offering his congratulations. "Congratulations, Minister Qu! Your family will soon have a new addition!"

In just a month, Qu Kaichang had already gained an heir.

If Her Majesty were to do the same... wouldn't the Lin State's imperial family have a new royal heir by next month?

As Chang Yongshou was deep in thought, a palace attendant suddenly announced that Mu Zimo had arrived.

After months of not seeing him, Chang Yongshou realized that Mu Zimo, the head of Mu's Chamber of Commerce, seemed transformed!

He appeared far more composed now!

"Your Majesty, I have returned..." Mu Zimo's voice sounded noticeably deeper the moment he spoke.

Finally laying eyes on the one he’d missed so desperately, Mu Zimo couldn’t tear his gaze away from Her Majesty.

During his time in Chu, Mu Zimo had come to realize just how heart-wrenching longing could be!

Almost every day, every night...

He would recall that feverish kiss between him and Her Majesty on the night of his departure...

In the time apart from the Empress, he had completely realized his feelings!

*It turned out he had long fallen for Her Majesty...*

*That kiss left him craving more, even greater intimacy with Her Majesty...*

"You’ve done well."

Meeting Mu Zimo’s gaze, the Empress deliberately ignored the smoldering devotion in his eyes and spoke calmly, "You handled the merchant unrest very well this time."

Wei Shang had deliberately set a trap to keep Mu Zimo entangled in Chu, but who would have thought...

Mu Zimo had truly matured overnight, outmaneuvering every obstacle. No matter how much Wei Shang tried to obstruct him, he resolved every challenge!

"Your Majesty, your humble servant has heard that within Chu, President Mu enjoys an excellent reputation!"

"A daring hero, rolling in gold... In the lands of Chu, President Mu is the heartthrob of many young ladies."

Qu Kaichang spoke offhandedly, completely oblivious to the tension between Mu Zimo and the Empress, even joking, "President Mu, during your time in Chu, did you not meet someone who caught your fancy?"

The old Mu Zimo would have turned beet-red if teased like this...

But the Mu Zimo who had returned from Chu now wore an unreadable calm. Gazing toward the Empress, he spoke meaningfully, "The one I love is not in Chu."

Qu Kaichang asked curiously, "Then where?"

"Who would have thought President Mu, so young, has already made up his mind."

"Need help wooing someone? Lord Chang is the best for this! You can ask him for help!"

Hearing this, Mu Zimo’s expression grew even more subtle. His eyes shifted to Chang Yongshou before he replied, "I do indeed need Lord Chang’s help..."

Qu Kaichang laughed heartily, "Of course! That busybody loves sticking his nose into such matters!"

In the council hall, the matter of Mu Zimo’s affection was but a passing remark...

Once they stepped outside, no one gave it another thought.

Chang Yongshou himself waved it off as a joke, didn’t give it a second thought.

To his surprise, after just a few steps, he was stopped by Mu Zimo!

"President Mu... is there something?"

Mu Zimo spoke, "Yes. Matchmaking."

*He really was asking for help with matchmaking!*

Chang Yongshou let out a nervous chuckle, "Lord Qu was just joking earlier. Since when am I a matchmaker?!"

"But I can certainly introduce you to a few matchmakers I know..."

"Rest assured, Chairman Mu, these are the most reputable matchmakers in Linlan City! They will surely be able to assist you!"

Just as he was about to name a few matchmakers, to his surprise, Mu Zimo shook his head in refusal!

"Only you can help me with this matchmaking matter."

Under Chang Yongshou's incredulous gaze, Mu Zimo produced that marriage registry!

The latest page had been neatly inscribed with the three characters "Mu Zimo" in meticulous calligraphy!

Chang Yongshou wasn't stupid—he recognized at once that this was not his own handwriting...

"I wrote it myself."

Meeting Chang Yongshou's stunned expression, Mu Zimo remained composed. "Lord Chang, now you should understand... exactly who my beloved is."

He actually was in love with Her Majesty!

"You..."

"How long has this been..."

Before he could ask further, Mu Zimo clearly wasn't going to elaborate and simply inquired, "Lord Chang, are you willing to help me with this?"

Mu Zimo.

A man of handsome features, known as a gentleman-rogue, possessing a family fortune... and judging by the current state of the Chu Chamber of Commerce, he was clearly capable.

Most crucially... Mu Zimo was someone whose background was well-known, and he had been acquainted with Her Majesty for years...

It suddenly clicked!

Applying the standards of a perfect match, Chang Yongshou reassessed Mu Zimo's qualifications—only to find that he checked every box perfectly!

"I've been completely blind! I never saw it before!"

Chang Yongshou kept saying, "Chairman Mu! Now I get how you feel. As for Her Majesty, I will put in a good word for you!"

Naturally taking the registry book, Chang Yongshou pounded his chest in assurance. "Don’t worry, with me here, Her Majesty will surely get how you feel!"

Watching as the portly old man took the registry book, Mu Zimo's smile at last became real.

"In that case... I leave it to you, Lord Chang."