From cute to empress

Chapter 141: Turbulent Clouds and Trouble

"Your Majesty..." Diplomat Wang hesitated, but I waved him off. I rubbed my brow, feeling a wave of exhaustion. While the negotiations had come to a temporary end, I felt no sense of relief, because I knew this was only the beginning.

In the dead of night, I was alone in the imperial study, reviewing memorials. The moonlight outside the window was like silver, illuminating the pile of memorials on my desk, making my figure seem even more lonely.

"Someone come here." I called softly.

Translator Li entered and respectfully asked, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

"Go check..." I said in a low voice, but my eyes flashed with determination. "Check whether there are other purposes behind the foreign envoys' visit, besides the superficial trade dispute..."

Translator Li took his orders and left, but I couldn't calm down for a long time. My intuition told me that this matter was not as simple as it seemed. Although Chairman Zheng and Mr. Liu were arguing with each other, their eyes flickered, as if they were deliberately hiding something.

I secretly mobilized the Shadow Guards to secretly investigate the recent movements of Chairman Zheng and Mr. Liu. The Shadow Guards were very efficient and submitted a detailed report in less than three days.

The content of the report shocked me. It turned out that Chairman Zheng and businessman Liu were ostensibly working to bring glory to the country, but in fact they were secretly colluding with foreign envoys. They planned to make huge profits by manipulating trade rules at the expense of the interests of the country and the people.

I clutched the report tightly in my hand, fury boiling inside. These people, appearing righteous on the surface, yet secretly engaging in such filthy activities, were truly shameless!

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself. Now was not the time to alert the enemy. I had to find a way to obtain solid evidence so that I could bring these people to justice.

A plan gradually took shape in my mind. I called Li the translator and whispered a few words in her ear...

One night a few days later, I changed into my nightgown and quietly left the palace... The night wind blew, bringing a hint of coolness. I tightened my nightgown and, under the cover of darkness, sneaked into the back garden of the residence of the president of the Zheng Chamber of Commerce.

According to the plan, Translator Li will arrange for Chairman Zheng and businessman Liu to have a secret meeting with foreign envoys here tonight, and I will take the opportunity to find evidence of their collusion.

I crouched down, hiding behind a dense bush, holding my breath and carefully observing the movements around me.

Not far away, in an exquisite pavilion, I could vaguely see a few figures. I was delighted, knowing that they had arrived.

I approached the pavilion cautiously, trying not to make any noise.

"I'll leave this matter in your hands," the foreign envoy said in broken Chinese. "As long as you can follow our plan and make concessions on the trade agreement, you will definitely benefit from it once it's accomplished."

"Don't worry, we'll do our best." Chairman Zheng's voice was filled with greed. "However, this matter is of great importance, and we have to take a big risk, so..."

"Of course, of course," the foreign envoy said quickly. "As long as you can help us achieve our goal, the price is negotiable."

I hid in the dark and heard their conversation clearly. I couldn't help but sneer in my heart. These people ignored the interests of the country and the people for their own selfish interests. It was so hateful!

I clenched my fists tightly and swore secretly in my heart that I must expose their conspiracy to the public and make them receive the punishment they deserve!

"Your Majesty..." Translator Li's voice suddenly sounded in my ears, startling me.

I quickly made a gesture to silence her, signaling her not to make a sound.

Translator Li lowered his voice and said, "Your Majesty, I have found evidence of their collusion. Now..."

I shook my head at her, signaling her to be patient and not to alert the enemy.

Translator Li understood and stopped talking. He just stood quietly beside me, waiting for my next instruction.

I took a deep breath, a cold light flashed in my eyes, it was time to act...

Translator Li lowered his voice and asked anxiously, "Your Majesty, what should we do now? We have enough evidence to convict them!"

I shook my head, urging her to calm down. "No rush, 'play the long game,' I'm going to expose them completely to the light of day, leaving them nowhere to hide." My eyes were sharp, my tone firm.

"But... Your Majesty, their power is deeply intertwined. If we alert them, I'm afraid..." Translator Li looked worried and hesitated to speak.

"Don't worry, I've made all the arrangements." I patted her hand and gave her a reassuring look. "Diplomat Wang will assist us. He will convey our position and evidence to other countries through diplomatic channels and strive for international support."

After hearing this, translator Li felt relieved.

In the next few days, I secretly observed the every move of Chairman Zheng and Mr. Liu, the businessman, waiting for the best opportunity.

Finally, the opportunity came.

The annual "International Trade Conference" will be held in the capital soon. Envoys and merchants from various countries will gather there, making it the best time to reveal the truth.

I decided to expose the conspiracy of Chairman Zheng and others to collude with foreign forces and harm national interests in front of everyone at the conference.

However, the night before I was to act, I discovered that I was being followed.

He was a burly man in black, moving swiftly and always keeping a distance from me without losing me.

Alarm bells rang in my heart. It seemed that my actions had aroused their vigilance.

Are they going to kill people to silence them?

I forced myself to calm down, continued walking forward calmly, and secretly thought of a solution.

This road leads to a royal villa on the outskirts of the city, where I usually practice riding and archery. It is rarely visited by people. If they want to attack me, this is undoubtedly the best place.

I have to find a way to get rid of them!

I quickened my pace, trying to shake off the tail, but the man in black was always following me.

Just when I was feeling desperate, a forest suddenly appeared in front of me.

I came up with an idea and hid in the woods.

The man in black was fooled and followed in.

I held my breath, hid behind a thick tree, and waited quietly for his arrival.

near, near...

Just as the man in black was about to pass by my hiding place, I suddenly rushed out from behind the tree and put a dagger to his neck.

"Tell me, who sent you?" I asked sternly, my tone cold.

The man in black obviously didn't expect my sudden attack. He was stunned and couldn't say a word.

I increased the strength in my hand, and the dagger cut his skin, oozing a trace of blood.

"Don't want to tell me? Then don't blame me for being rude!" I said coldly, with a hint of murderous intent in my eyes.

At this moment, I suddenly felt a gust of wind coming from behind me...