82: Chapter 82 My Money!

The docks of the Ducalia Territory were always bustling, with transport ships weaving through the orbit like worker bees.

The expansion project of the Governor's Mansion on the planet's surface was in full swing; the structure was less an administrative center and more a display of Governor Aria's personal will and immense wealth.

Aria stood in the unfinished central hall, her brows furrowed.

She wore an ornate and exaggerated Aeldari gown, the nanofiber fabric shimmering with iridescent colors in the light, but her face was full of displeasure at the moment.

"Tear it all down. These mediocre pillars and boring synthetic stones are simply an insult to my aesthetic."

Project Director Cheng Yu stepped forward quickly, the renderings on his data pad switching rapidly: "Your Excellency Governor, these building materials meet the highest specifications, and the impact resistance level reaches military standards..."

"I don't care how much explosive yield they can withstand," Aria interrupted him.

"What I want is grandeur, a unique visual impact. Look at these pillars," she pointed to the massive structure supporting the dome, "they must be carved from solid Star-Blue Stone, capable of reflecting the luster of nebular swirls; the dome must be inlaid with natural luminous pearls, every single one sourced from deep-sea Emperor Clams."

She then pointed to the atrium planning area: "The bottom of the fountain pool must be paved with natural amber, the bigger the better, preferably containing ancient biological specimens; the water should be mixed with gold powder to create a shimmering visual effect under the light."

Project Director Cheng Yu wiped the sweat from his forehead, quickly calculating the costs: "Your Excellency Governor, Star-Blue Stone requires special mining rights from the Empire, and the risk of collecting luminous pearls is extremely high, not to mention the amber flooring and gold-powder fountain... the budget, I'm afraid..."

"The budget is not something you need to consider," Aria said indifferently, "as long as the effect is achieved, money... is not an issue."

On a soft chair in the temporary rest area, Consort Cheng Yu spoke weakly: "My dear, isn't this too extravagant... This money would be enough to equip an entire interstellar fleet."

Aria said displeasedly: "You say that as if it isn't your money too."

Consort Cheng Yu sipped his ginseng and goji berry tea: "As you please."

He collapsed back into the soft chair, adopting an attitude of indifference.

At this moment, an Aeldari maid walked over and whispered to Aria.

"What? Half of it is unsellable? That's impossible!"

Aria looked incredulous.

Goods exported from Dukaria had always been in short supply; whether they were legal luxury goods or high-demand items from the grey market, they always sold out instantly.

Even sky-high limited editions would be swept up by dignitaries or palace procurement chamberlains; the word "unsellable" had never appeared in her dictionary.

Her anger ignited instantly, and the good mood she had from meticulously planning the mansion vanished completely.

Her sharp gaze swept over Consort Cheng Yu, as if all her misfortunes were brought about by this semi-paralyzed husband.

Consort Cheng Yu felt uncomfortable under her stare and couldn't help but tease: "If it won't sell, just sell less. You've earned enough money to spend for ten lifetimes, why work so hard? Just take it easy."

For some reason, every word her husband said today made her exceptionally irritable; why was it that looking at him today felt so unpleasant?

Aria suddenly leaned in and grabbed Consort Cheng Yu's arm: "It seems you're too idle. Come on, get inside with me!"

Cheng Yu was powerless to resist and was dragged toward the bedchamber.

The surrounding engineers and maids lowered their heads to avoid looking, as everyone knew that the Consort was about to suffer again.

...

A few hours later, the bedchamber door opened.

Aria walked out draped in a silk robe, her face flushed but her gaze sharp.

She pulled up the data panel to begin analyzing the sales anomaly report she had just received.

Cheng Yu slipped out quietly, moving wearily toward the liquor cabinet to fix some nourishing medicinal wine.

Aria quickly browsed the data, her brows furrowing tighter and tighter.

The problem appeared in the Empire's core star region, "Cheng Yu Planet": a large number of imitations were hitting the market at low prices.

Her high-end perfume "Phantom Dream" had a budget version with similar packaging and a close scent, but at only one-third the price;

The luxury garment "Starry Feather" was imitated as a cheap "Starry Down Jacket," which, while lacking in design, was affordably priced.

The quality of these imitations was far inferior to the genuine goods and could not shake high-end customers, but they accurately seized the mid-to-low-end market.

Middle-class consumers who had been saving up to buy the genuine products turned to the high-cost-performance imitations, leading to an unprecedented backlog of goods.

Aria sat by the liquor cabinet, tapping the table in deep thought, while Consort Cheng Yu stood to the side, massaging her shoulders with moderate pressure.

This was definitely not ordinary copyright infringement; to be able to rapidly mass-produce imitations of popular goods and sell them at such ultra-low prices, there must be powerful resources and a complete supply chain supporting it.

This looked more like a commercial sniper attack aimed at her.

"Cheng Yu Planet... the Emperor's directly administered territory... It seems a master has arrived on the Emperor's side."

...

Meanwhile, deep within the palace on Cheng Yu Planet.

Cheng Yu lay reclining on the bed, flipping through the memorials that had been submitted recently.

As expected, no one surrendered; all submitted blue papers representing innocence.

Come to think of it, teachers in schools always teach children to be honest.

But in reality, what teachers despise most are children who speak nothing but the truth.

An Aeldari palace maid served tea, and after rinsing his mouth, he got up to change his clothes.

The chamberlains draped a Daoist robe over him and fastened his jade belt.

"Consort Isabella, your strategy this time has greatly benefited the Empire. You are my benefactor."

Isabella, inside the brocade quilt, revealed her smooth shoulders and responded softly: "I dare not take credit; I am only doing my duty."

"What do you want? Just speak up."

She pondered for a moment: "My family wishes to permanently guard the home planet for Your Majesty."

"Granted." Cheng Yu ordered the Middle Chamberlain, "If there is anyone on Isabella Planet who disobeys, exterminate their entire household."

"As you command." Palace Attendant Cheng Yu bowed and vanished into the shadows of the corridor pillars.

"Are there any other requests?"

"I only wish to stay by Your Majesty's side forever."

Isabella responded softly, thinking to herself: Meals must be eaten one bite at a time; there is no need to rush, lest the Emperor think me greedy and insatiable.

Cheng Yu gazed at the churning sea of clouds outside the window, in an exceptionally good mood; having both earned money and enjoyed himself, the taste of being an Emperor was truly quite wonderful.

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