Can I Become Emperor by Being This Lazy? - Chapter 49

Chapter 49

The servant at the gate didn’t recognize Wang Xingzhu, but upon hearing the words Loyal Army, his eyes snapped wide open, his face revealing shock mixed with a hint of curiosity. His gaze shifted back and forth between Wang Xingzhu and the soldiers beside her, carrying a subtle undertone of scrutiny.

Unfortunately, the master has fallen ill recently, the servant replied cautiously, promptly withdrawing his wandering eyes and bowing deeply. Our lady is managing the family business in his stead and is currently hearing reports from the shopkeepers in the main hall. She’s unable to break away at the moment. You may have to wait briefly, madam. I shall go inform her immediately.

Wang Xingzhu nodded. I’m in no hurry. Just time for a cup of tea. Lady Jin’s business matters take precedence.

Not daring to offend the Loyal Army, the servant hastily ushered Wang Xingzhu and her companions inside, leading them to the side hall for guests.

It appeared all the servants in the Jin residence had been replaced—Wang Xingzhu didn’t see a single familiar face. Her suspicions gradually mounted.

A maid served tea and pastries, attending to them with utmost care while standing respectfully nearby, ready to fulfill any request. She seemed fearful that the slightest lapse in hospitality might provoke Wang Xingzhu’s party to violence.

Seizing the idle moment, Wang Xingzhu began gathering information to better understand the situation. She glanced around and asked the maid, Why haven’t I seen Lady Xiaocao? Since my marriage, I’ve been confined to household duties and rarely left home. It’s been years—I wonder how Lady Jin and Lady Xiaocao have been faring?

The maid’s eyes widened slightly, betraying her surprise.

Xiaocao—her lady’s mother’s personal maid. That Wang Xingzhu knew of Xiaocao suggested she was no ordinary guest.

Secretly alarmed, the maid grew even more deferential. She bowed her head and replied respectfully, Madam, Lady Xiaocao has gone out to gather herbs for the master. His illness is severe—many physicians have examined him, but neither acupuncture nor medications have shown any effect. Hearing there’s a miraculous herb on the mountain that can cure all ailments, everyone has gone searching for it.

Such a wondrous herb exists in this world? Wang Xingzhu’s suspicions deepened, her brows knitting slightly. From the moment she stepped across the Jin family’s threshold, she had sensed something amiss—everything felt peculiar.

As they spoke, footsteps suddenly echoed from outside, followed by a cool, clear female voice: I heard we have rare guests today. Lady Wang, it’s been a while since we last met.

Wang Xingzhu’s thoughts immediately snapped back to the present. She turned abruptly and saw a face identical to the one in her memories. For a moment, she felt dazed—as if Jin Feiyu’s disruption of her marriage arrangements and their subsequent bitter parting had only happened yesterday.

Lady Jin. Collecting herself, Wang Xingzhu suppressed her awkward expression and rose to curtsy.

Jin Feiyu possessed exquisite features—her eyebrows, eyes, lips, and nose seemed carved by a master artisan, meticulously sculpted to flawless perfection, as if she were not of this mortal world.

Her attire was flowing and opulent: a peach-red inner robe beneath a turquoise skirt, over which she wore a golden wide-sleeved coat embroidered with large peonies. The clashing color combination should have been jarring, yet it commanded attention.

But Jin Feiyu pressed her lips together, her expression aloof. Upon closer inspection, the ensemble appeared perfectly harmonious, instead accentuating her imposing presence.

She had always been unrestrained and bold, unconventional in her ways—never caring what others thought or how they perceived her.

While feeling a surge of envy, Wang Xingzhu recalled the purpose of her visit. She looked at Jin Feiyu, a smile blooming at the corner of her lips, and said softly, Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I accidentally joined the Loyal Army. Now I serve under Marshal Xu, and I’ve come on his orders to propose a transaction with you, Madam Jin.

No need to explain all that to me.

Jin Feiyu lazily sat down, leaning back casually. She showed no hurry to continue, fatigue evident on her face as her slender fingers lightly tapped the table.

After a long pause, Jin Feiyu suddenly asked out of nowhere, I heard that husband of yours died?

Her question was offensive, laced with undisguised mockery and schadenfreude.

Wang Xingzhu was momentarily taken aback by the words. After a moment, she nodded calmly and said quietly, Yes, his death came at just the right time. Otherwise, I’d have to thank him. If not for that scoundrel, I wouldn’t have been so fortunate as to meet our Marshal.

When mentioning Xu Mao, Wang Xingzhu’s expression softened, her eyes brimming with happiness and reverence.

Jin Feiyu raised an eyebrow in surprise and clicked her tongue. Back then, I tried every way to persuade you not to marry, but you wouldn’t listen. You even accused me of trying to harm you. I wonder what kind of remarkable person your Marshal is, to have opened your eyes so completely!

Wang Xingzhu was instantly reminded of those past events—how Jin Feiyu had repeatedly warned her against agreeing to the marriage. But everyone around her claimed Jin Feiyu was jealous of her prospects, deliberately sabotaging the match because she coveted the family Wang was betrothed to.

Looking back now, Wang Xingzhu felt ashamed and awkward. I was young and foolish back then…

Jin Feiyu chuckled humorlessly, straightening up and getting straight to the point: Then tell me, what did your Marshal send you here for? Money? Valuable shopfronts? Or perhaps grain?

Caught off guard by Jin Feiyu’s directness, Wang Xingzhu’s carefully prepared pleasantries became useless. She stared blankly, momentarily unable to react.

What’s wrong? Weren’t you just saying you wanted to make a transaction with me? I’ve heard the Loyal Army has been winning consecutive victories, taking Jin and Jiang territories without losing a single soldier, accepting numerous surrendered troops and generals. But behind the glory lies hidden crisis—suddenly accommodating so many people means countless mouths to feed. This must be when you’re short on funds and provisions. If you’re not here for money or grain at this time, what else could you want? Jin Feiyu analyzed lightly with an amused smile.

Wang Xingzhu started, So that’s how it is!

She had genuinely believed this was some kind of test.

In her heart, the Marshal was an omnipotent existence.

Wang Xingzhu tightened her grip on the bundle containing silver coins—Marshal Xu’s substantial goodwill—now feeling as heavy as a thousand pounds.

In the past, the Marshal had stepped forward in times of crisis, holding up the sky for everyone. Now, it was her turn to protect the Marshal and safeguard the Loyal Army.

Wang Xingzhu felt her heart stir, her gaze growing determined.

Noticing Wang Xingzhu’s clearly unusual reaction, Jin Feiyu gave her a strange look. What exactly did your Marshal tell you? You don’t even seem to know this much.

Wang Xingzhu smiled awkwardly and briefly explained the situation to Jin Feiyu. I originally thought since your father understands market conditions, having experienced major ups and downs multiple times yet still possessing the resilience and ability to start over, and having seen so much of the world… I came sincerely to seek advice. If I could learn even a fraction to help solve our Marshal’s troubles and contribute my part to assist him, that would be more than enough.

She never intended to compete with Lin Shuniang or He Suifen for the top spot. She had come to the Jin family to work hard as an apprentice, learn skills, and later teach them to the soldiers in the army. Once everyone mastered these skills, they would have a means to establish themselves in life.

Unexpectedly, Jin Feiyu let out a light scoff, her eyes and brows dripping with sarcasm as her tone shifted slightly. Learn from him? Learn what? Drinking, eating, whoring, and gambling?

Her words hinted at some hidden truth behind the Jin family’s business.

Wang Xingzhu asked gravely, What do you mean?

Xingzhu, we’ve known each other since childhood and grew up together, so I won’t hide it from you. Jin Feiyu’s expression turned cold, her brow furrowed with deep contempt. Do you remember Jin Yan’s hideously ugly favored concubine?

You mean… Chou Niang? Wang Xingzhu hesitated, unsure.

Jin Feiyu nodded. Yes, her.

Wang Xingzhu strained to recall. In her memory, Jin Yan had a particularly distinctive concubine with half her face bright red—a birthmark she carried from the womb. It was so terrifying that no one dared look her directly in the eye. Everyone called her Chou Niang.

Yet Jin Yan doted on her excessively, often keeping her by his side, even bringing her along to social engagements outside. They were inseparable.

Because of this, Jin Yan’s first wife grew resentful. Seizing an opportunity when Jin Yan was away, she confronted Chou Niang, tied her up, and sold her to human traffickers.

When Jin Yan returned and found Chou Niang missing, he actually struck his influential official wife and frantically rushed out to search for her. People at the time praised Jin Yan for his deep devotion.

Deep devotion?

Jin Feiyu, who knew the truth, could only laugh bitterly.

Jin Feiyu said, As a child, I resented Chou Niang for stealing my father’s affection and often found ways to torment her. I thought my father felt guilty toward me, so he never stopped me, which made me grow even more unrestrained.

I would send Chou Niang out to buy peach shortbread for me, then change my mind after she returned, claiming she had misheard and demanding other pastries instead. And she would go out again, running from the east end of the city to the west to buy them for me.

Chou Niang hated sweet food, so I ordered the kitchen to make all dishes sweet, even adding sugar to flavorless dishes. Unexpectedly, she praised me for being clever and innovative.

Another time, I deliberately gave her low-quality rouge and powder to humiliate her, but she muttered that no one had ever given her cosmetics before. She happily applied them and insisted on showing me. I told her she looked mismatched and grotesque, like a demon crawled out of hell. She didn’t get angry but corrected me, saying that real demons often wear human skin, appearing polite and courteous, full of talk about benevolence, righteousness, morality, gentleness, humility, and thrift.

Jin Feiyu looked up. Back then, I thought she was trying to scare me. Only later did I realize her words were not empty—true demons excel at disguise.

Some said Chou Niang was an evil spirit worshipped by Jin Yan for prosperity. He treasured her like a jewel, holding her in his palm and treating her as his very eyeball. This statement was half right, half wrong. The evil spirit, the demon, was not Chou Niang—it was Jin Yan.

Wang Xingzhu asked in shock, Could it be… that behind Jin Yan’s merchant ventures, Chou Niang was the one planning and strategizing?

Jin Feiyu said coldly, More than that. When Jin Yan first tasted success, he didn’t want to share his wealth with Chou Niang and immediately drove her away. But when he found his businesses couldn’t function without her, he hurriedly coaxed her back to his side, using the excuse that it was improper for Chou Niang to appear in public to cover up the truth.

Moreover, he had learned of some dark sorcery from somewhere—that demon immortals feast on barely formed fetuses. To secure a lifetime of wealth and luxury, he ruthlessly targeted his wives and concubines, killing his own children as sacrifices.

Because his wife’s family held considerable influence, he didn’t dare act openly, so he over-nourished his pregnant wife, resulting in an oversized fetus and difficult labor. As for his concubines, he was far more ruthless—timing the administration of abortion drugs precisely. Even if they protested, no one would intervene. Utterly deranged, worse than a demon!

Wang Xingzhu gasped, her hands and feet turning icy cold.

What about Chou Niang…?

The current Jin family differed from her memories. These changes surely indicated something had occurred. Coupled with the maid’s earlier mention of Jin Yan’s critical illness, Wang Xingzhu began forming conjectures.

Jin Feiyu replied softly, her tone somber: She died.

Having lost his cash cow, Jin Yan grew restless and fearful, hiding at home, too scared to venture out. His mind gradually deteriorated, so I took over the family businesses.

Frankly, his confusion was for the better. When lucid, he’d go gambling, squandering the accumulated fortune. I found it tiresome—his clarity only burdened the household—so I confined him to his room to avoid trouble. Jin Feiyu’s face was etched with disdain and revulsion.

Wang Xingzhu fell silent, reassessing Jin Feiyu.

Managing shops and conducting business was no easy feat. Such smooth transitions didn’t happen spontaneously, let alone suddenly taking over family enterprises without arousing outsiders’ suspicions.

She knew Jin Feiyu’s account wasn’t entirely truthful, likely omitting crucial details. Yet having grown up in such a household, what mattered was that Jin Feiyu and Xiao Cao survived unharmed. Probing deeper would only create awkwardness for both sides.

What matters is you’re safe. Why bother with him? His current plight is self-inflicted—he reaped what he sowed! Wang Xingzhu declared indignantly.

Jin Feiyu laughed lightly. Enough of these troubles. Stay here peacefully. When you return next year, I’ll prepare a generous red envelope that will satisfy your Marshal, ensuring you win the competition and smoothly assume the role of Grand Strategist.

After contemplation, Wang Xingzhu declined: Feiyu, I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot accept it unconditionally. This is the Marshal’s test for me. Taking shortcuts now would mean relying on luck later. I’d rather earn recognition through my own capabilities—otherwise, I’d betray the Marshal’s trust and be unfair to others.