Truly Establishing a Kingdom of Her Own

As Zhou Wanwan moved into her room, more than a dozen maids came in and began to help her with her grooming and dressing.

This large suite consists of several rooms, several times larger than a standard guest room.

Outside was the reception hall, with a brocade carpet on the floor that made no sound when stepped on.

Passing the gilded screen, you enter the bedroom.

In the center stands a carved canopy bed, with several layers of light gauze curtains hanging down, the curtains embroidered with patterns in gold thread.

A dressing table stood by the window, complete with a bronze mirror, a jade comb, and a cosmetic box.

After taking a shower, Zhou Wanwan lay down on the bed and said, "I'm exhausted. It's so much more comfortable lying in a bed like this! The bed last night was too small."

The Old Scholar Tree outside said, "Wanwan, a few people sneaked into the inn. I have a feeling something's off about them."

Zhou Wanwan said, "Check their identities."

The Old Scholar Tree said, "Alright, by the way, we're having a midday court session today..."

Zhou Wanwan immediately stood up and said, "I forgot about that. I have to hurry to court, or I'll be too late."

Zhou Wanwan jumped straight off the windowsill, and the Old Scholar Tree caught her, saying, "Let's go!"

The Old Scholar Tree was very fast, and it arrived at the underground palace in less than a quarter of an hour.

As she entered the underground palace, she discovered that many oil lamps were lit around it, illuminating the entire palace.

Zhou Wanwan sat on the dragon throne and looked down at the audience. To be honest, the city lord's mansion really couldn't be compared to this palace.

This palace, which once housed over 400 civil and military officials, now appears completely empty.

There were too many people at the City Lord's Mansion before, making it feel very crowded.

The eunuch beside him said, "If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court may adjourn."

Then the ministers began to report one by one, "Your Majesty, those soldiers outside the city are constantly provoking us, trying to get us to send troops. Should we send troops?"

"I think we can use this as a deterrent; after all, our army is not to be trifled with."

They all knew their own military strength; it was an incredibly terrifying force.

Their centurions are all as capable as Earth Ranking martial artists.

Zhou Wanwan looked calmly at these veteran officials and said:

"I think you guys are getting a little cocky. You think your forces are already very strong, right?"

Let me tell you the truth! Every country has its own territory, and they don't easily reveal their true colors.

If all these countries gang up on us, do you think we still have a chance of winning?

Zhou Wanwan had been blindly confident before, only to later realize that she was indeed too naive.

There are many places they simply cannot enter.

Moreover, every country harbors some incredibly terrifying beings.

Just like modern high technology.

These things will not be revealed unless absolutely necessary.

The old ministers were all stunned; they had never thought of such things before.

Zhou Wanwan looked at them and said:

"So sometimes, things aren't as simple as you think."

Do you think there are no terrifying beings in the Great Xia Kingdom?

All the veteran officials fell silent.

Zhou Wanwan continued:

"To tell you the truth, there is a terrifying existence in the Great Xia Kingdom."

They only refrain from taking action when the Great Xia Kingdom is not threatened.

That's why I chose the border region; it's where we can gradually develop.

To truly establish a nation of our own.

Okay, is there anything else?

These veteran officials didn't react for a moment.

What Zhou Wanwan said is not false; it is all true.

No country is without a backup plan; it's just that most people don't know about them.

The veteran officials all shook their heads.

Zhou Wanwan looked at them and said:

"If there's nothing else, you may leave! You don't need to attend court for the next three days."

"Mind your own business, meddle in other people's affairs, and take good care of your crops."

All the ministers looked at Zhao Muyuan, Zhao Muyuan looked at them and said, "Since His Majesty has said so, let's adjourn the court!"

After all the ministers had left, Zhou Wanwan looked at Zhao Muyuan and said:

"I've been very busy lately, and I need to stay in the Great Qi Kingdom. I won't be coming back for the time being."

If I haven't attended court in three days, you may attend court in my place.

Zhao Muyuan was so frightened that he immediately knelt on the ground. "Your Majesty, you mustn't! I... how dare I attend court in your place?"

Zhou Wanwan said speechlessly:

"What's there to be afraid of? I'm not asking you to be the emperor. Just look at the situation of those farms."

Then someone will report to me. I'm leaving now.

Zhao Muyuan quickly said:

"Your Majesty, you must memorize all the books I gave you."

There's still homework to do; you can't be lazy.

Zhou Wanwan complained:

"Grand Tutor Zhao is good in every way, except that he's like Tang Seng, always nagging."

Sometimes they even resort to crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide. Ugh! My life is so hard.

The Old Scholar Tree smiled and said, "But he's really good to you, teaching you with all his heart."

Zhao Muyuan treated her very well and genuinely wanted to groom her into an emperor.

Moreover, the requirements for her are very strict, but Zhou Wanwan herself is quite intelligent and learns things very quickly.

Back at the Home Inn, they saw the Great Qi with a grim face, saying, "Where the hell is Zhou Wanwan? You couldn't even keep an eye on one person."

The guards shook their heads and said, "We've been standing outside the door the whole time, but we haven't seen her."

The second princess said:

"She's probably run away. I told you, she needs to be coaxed. She's just a child, why do you insist on making her your concubine?"

The child simply doesn't want to.

The Crown Prince sneered:

"She just doesn't want to, does she?"

Just because a little girl from the countryside made a little money with her cleverness, does that make her so great?

Who does she think she is?

The second princess frowned and said, "Isn't this just some petty cleverness?"

"I've heard all about it. She makes her money through gambling, and she's always lucky when she gambles, winning a lot of money!"

The second princess said, "So that's how it is. I heard she's a city lord!"

"A nominal city lord, this city lord is a Xie Family, she's just a puppet." The crown prince revealed the results of his investigation.

The second princess asked, "Since she's just a puppet, why do you want her as a concubine?"

The Crown Prince said calmly:

She now owns many shops, estates, and several restaurants.

Look at her takeout, it's really good.

What we lack most right now is money. Only with the money she has can we turn our lives around.

Now the Empress and Empress Dowager are joining forces to suppress him, and many princes are also eyeing him covetously.

In this respect, she's actually quite similar to Zhou Wanwan.

Actually, this was the reason why Zhou Wanwan initially approached him for collaboration.

Because this crown prince had a rather troubled background and little power, he was actually quite easy to manipulate.

If they cooperated, Zhou Wanwan wasn't afraid that the crown prince would betray her, but she didn't expect that the crown prince wouldn't agree!