Chapter 347 - 150: Overturn This World

"That’s not it."

Qing Lian said, "Prince, you should return.

You respect me for my poetry.

But in truth, the poetry was just a small ploy to get close to you.

As for your son, he certainly isn’t the reason.

The real reason I approached you was to see if you have the potential to become the new master of this world.

But it seems you are not the ideal candidate, so I’m preparing to leave."

The Benevolent King was taken aback.

’To think this young girl, with a little boy in tow, has such immense ambition and audacity!’

The conflict between the Royal Family and the Vassal Princes had already reached an irreconcilable point.

This was no secret.

The major Vassal Princes were all preparing to resist.

After all, no one wanted to be stripped of the power they already held.

Some were even preparing to rebel.

The Benevolent King knew this, of course.

However, he was comparatively less radical.

He just wanted to avoid being swallowed up.

That was why he was recruiting talented individuals.

But he didn’t quite dare to raise an army and rebel outright; his heart was still filled with apprehension.

"We are leaving now!"

Before the Benevolent King could respond, Qing Lian added, "Will you, Prince, try to keep us here by force?"

The men beside the Benevolent King looked ready to hold them back.

"Let it be."

But the Benevolent King waved his hand. "Since Miss Wei and her brother have such grand ambitions...

...then go.

Perhaps we’ll meet again someday."

His men still looked like they wanted to argue.

"Enough," the Benevolent King said. "She’s just a young girl. It’s not as if she can actually influence the fate of the realm."

Then, he spurred his horse and turned back.

"Senior, why did you have me say those things just now?" Qing Lian then asked Xu Lei. "Weren’t you afraid of provoking him?"

"That was my final test for him," Xu Lei said. "A pity. In the end, he’s still too soft. Utterly lacking in ferocity."

「Another ten-odd days passed in a flash.」

Xu Lei and Qing Lian had arrived in the Northwest.

"Miss Wei, the Prince sent us to receive you!"

What was more surprising was that they had barely crossed into the territory when men sent by King Yu arrived. "Don’t be surprised.

Your poem, ’Do You Know? Do You Know?,’ has spread across the land!"

"But that poem is just a lament for the passing seasons?" Qing Lian asked in surprise. "And from that alone, the Prince is certain I have talent?"

"The Prince welcomes all talented people," the middle-aged man who had come to greet them said. "No matter what, anyone with talent is accepted.

Even if it’s only poetic talent, it doesn’t matter.

The Prince’s Mansion can afford to support a few more Guest Ministers."

"In that case, thank you for coming to welcome us," Qing Lian said. "We’ll go and meet this Prince, then, and perhaps ask for a few cups of wine."

「Another ten-odd days passed in a flash.」

Xu Lei and Qing Lian arrived at King Yu’s residence.

There, they finally met the rugged Prince.

Guarding the desert frontier and constantly warring with the Grassland Tribes, he was indeed filled with a primal ferocity.

After their arrival, other Guest Ministers in the household asked Qing Lian to compose another poem, but she refused.

Without a poem from Xu Lei to copy, she wouldn’t have known what to write.

To the outside world, she had only this to say: "Poetry is but a minor art, and I have no desire to study it further.

I came to this Prince’s Mansion simply to beg a cup of wine.

If the Prince is displeased, he may send me away."

Of course, in the end, King Yu did not drive her away.

After all, supporting one more Guest Minister changed nothing.

He was also aware that while this Miss Wei was famed for her poetry, he had no idea what her true abilities were.

But she had, in fact, rejected the Benevolent King and proclaimed she was searching for a new ruler for the realm.

So he saw no harm in letting Miss Wei stay.

Of course, he didn’t do anything special, either.

He felt no need to prove to her that he was the right man.

After all, Qing Lian hadn’t demonstrated any particular abilities herself.

All she had done was compose a single poem.

On the other hand, Qing Lian was devastatingly beautiful, a woman whose looks could topple kingdoms. No one had the heart to be cruel to such a beauty.

King Yu even suspected that Qing Lian was a spy sent by his fellow Vassal Prince, the Benevolent King, attempting to use a honey trap.

But Qing Lian naturally had no intention of seducing him.

So King Yu simply kept her on as an ordinary Guest Minister.

Xu Lei and Qing Lian were in no hurry, and so they settled into a leisurely life there.

Finally, after another ten-odd days of observation, they had seen enough of King Yu.

Xu Lei chose him.

Because he was capable, cunning, and had principles.

He was also the Vassal Prince most likely to take the throne.

And he himself was already preparing to rebel!

Stationed on the frontier, he had battled the Grassland Tribes for years and cultivated a core of loyal followers.

His troops were strong and his horses were robust; he was already the most powerful of the Vassal Princes.

He was completely unwilling to be subjugated by the Little Emperor.

Xu Lei didn’t need the new Emperor to grant him titles and promotions after he took the throne.

So there was no need to investigate further.

He only needed to be sure that once this man took the throne, he would treat the common people with a basic level of decency.

In fact, with a capable man on the throne, the people might even live better lives.

「And so, on this day.」

Xu Lei and Qing Lian went to have an audience with King Yu.

"Prince, we have decided to assist you and help you ascend to the supreme throne more quickly!" Following Xu Lei’s instructions, Qing Lian got straight to the point. "If you succeed in your ascension, we have only a few small requests. First, you must eliminate the current Emperor and Empress.

After all, there can be no loose ends.

Second, give us their contingent of death-row artisans. That will be enough.

We know you don’t fully trust us yet. You trust your own soldiers and commanders far more than recruited Guest Ministers like us.

But that doesn’t matter, because we have no intention of holding any official positions under you. We require no authority.

We will empower you directly!"

"Oh?"

King Yu was astonished. "Empower me directly?!

I wonder, Mr. Wei, what ability do you have that you can bestow upon this King?

This King is eager to hear the details!"