100: Section 100

"Marquis, are you free tonight?"

Zhou Sanhai said eagerly, "I will play the Host and invite you to the Warm Fragrance Pavilion for a gathering. I hear that the top courtesan of the Warm Fragrance Pavilion is no worse than the one at the Fragrant Pavilion..."

"Some other day!"

Cao Yang left with his hands behind his back, "This Marquis still has to confiscate the assets of Zhang Erhe's household and return to the palace to report to Your Majesty."

"Yes!"

"Whatever you say, Marquis!"

Zhou Sanhai dared not show the slightest negligence and escorted Cao Yang out of the Ministry of Revenue with utmost eagerness.

[Ding! Detected that Zhou Sanhai, a follower of the original Luck Protagonist Xu An, has now abandoned the darkness for the light and defected to the Host. The Host gains 50,000 villain points!]

Sigh—Xu An, oh Xu An! Even in death, you are still contributing to This Marquis.

Yet This Marquis has been so harsh to your Aunt, whom you loved but could never have. I really owe you an apology...!

Hearing the System's notification, Cao Yang chuckled.

A cat crying over a mouse—pure hypocrisy...!

Imperial Study.

Cao Yang had already returned from the confiscation. He handed a compiled list of the confiscated assets to Empress Wu Mingyue.

"A mere Vice Minister of Revenue, yet his family assets amount to over ten million taels?"

Empress Wu Mingyue's cold brows furrowed slightly.

Cao Yang lowered his head, not daring to make a sound.

In truth... the assets in Zhang Erhe's home were far more than this.

It was just that he was worried Her Majesty the Empress would be shocked, so he had set a portion aside for her first.

"Enough!"

"Now that this matter is settled, you must leave the capital for a trip."

Empress Wu Mingyue put down the memorial in her hand and said indifferently, "The Heir of Northern Liang is entering the capital as a hostage and should be arriving within these next two days. You shall represent the imperial court and go to welcome him..."

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Chapter 53: Two old schemers, Empress Wu Mingyue and the Prince of Zhenbei! Grand Princess Li Qingning in despair?

"The Heir of Northern Liang is entering the capital as a hostage?"

Cao Yang raised an eyebrow.

"Indeed—" Empress Wu Mingyue nodded. She glanced at Cao Yang, as if she already viewed him as her confidant.

She sneered indifferently, "That Prince of Zhenbei, Xu Xiao, has long harbored rebellious intentions. Now he sends his heir to the capital as a hostage, thinking he can deceive me?"

"Heh—"

"He truly underestimates me!"

"Your Majesty is wise and will naturally not be blinded by that Xu Xiao!"

Cao Yang offered a very timely compliment!

"Very well, you may withdraw." Empress Wu Mingyue waved her hand.

She smiled coldly, "Since Xu Xiao has shown such sincerity, I cannot refuse. You shall be the one to welcome the Heir of Northern Liang into the capital and be responsible for his reception."

"Yes, this subject accepts the order!" Cao Yang nodded deeply, then bowed and exited the Imperial Study.

"They really are two old schemers..." After leaving the Imperial Study, Cao Yang couldn't help but complain to himself.

The Heir of Northern Liang entering the capital as a hostage? Heh! It was all just a facade!

In Ye Chen's Protagonist script, there was indeed such a plot point.

The Prince of Zhenbei, Xu Xiao, who guarded Northern Liang, had always harbored rebellious intentions!

Now that the Li Imperial Clan had lost the throne and Empress Wu Mingyue had ascended, the Wu Zhou had replaced the Li!

Xu Xiao could sit still no longer. He wanted to rebel and raise the banner of supporting the throne!

However, he still needed time to prepare! After all, Northern Liang was a bitter and cold land, and it was not so easy to prepare provisions and supplies.

Therefore, he had sent his only son, the Heir of Northern Liang, who was considered by others to have a highly prestigious status, into the capital as a hostage!

He used this to stabilize Empress Wu Mingyue, giving him the chance to mobilize troops without raising her suspicions!

Unfortunately—how could Empress Wu Mingyue not see through his intentions?

Instead, she took this opportunity to bestow a marriage upon the Heir of Northern Liang, Xu Feng. She betrothed the Grand Princess Li Qingning, once of the Li Imperial Clan, to him.

This was to confuse the Prince of Zhenbei, pretending that she knew nothing!

Of course, the Prince of Zhenbei, Xu Xiao, who had the same intentions, would naturally not be fooled by her.

He immediately understood. Empress Wu Mingyue also wanted to deal with him, but she still needed time to prepare, which was why she bestowed the marriage, and even did so with a Grand Princess.

Her status was prestigious, even exceeding that of Xu Feng!

But by thinking this way, the Prince of Zhenbei had fallen right into Empress Wu Mingyue's trap!

In reality, Empress Wu Mingyue had long been fully prepared to deal with the Prince of Zhenbei.