Chapter 666: Changes

How could he not believe it? No matter how bizarre it sounded, even if no one else in the world believed it, he would.

"Then what are your plans for the future?"

"Earn money. Wait for my daughter."

"What kind of business is it?" If it seemed promising, Dean Chen planned to join as well.

"Killing people."

"..."

---

「Half a month later.」

「Imperial Palace, Wangyue Pavilion.」

The fragrance of calming incense filled the pavilion. On a soft couch, a small figure lay sleeping fitfully. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his body trembled unconsciously.

CREAK—

The wind pushed the window open, making a faint sound.

The person on the couch jolted awake with a start. "Ye Qianning—!"

Sang Zhi gasped for breath, staring at the ceiling. After a long moment, he slowly sat up. He had dreamed of her again. ’I dreamed a striped tiger was tearing her apart, and all I could do was sit there and cry...’

"Your Highness." A knock came from the door.

"Enter."

Ying Ge entered, carrying a tray with the medicine the Emperor had sent over.

"Pour it out."

Without the slightest hesitation, Ying Ge tipped the contents of the bowl into a nearby flowerpot and turned to leave.

"Wait."

Ying Ge turned back, her voice cool. "Does Your Highness have any other commands?"

"Thank you."

"There’s no need for that, Your Highness."

"Thank you for coming to the palace with Du Yi," Sang Zhi said, his voice soft and a little cold.

"I did not enter the palace for Your Highness’s sake."

"I know."

"If there is nothing else, Your Highness, I will take my leave." Ying Ge turned and left.

Sang Zhi’s red eyes followed her to the door. ’I know. And it’s because I know that I trust them. In this vast Imperial Palace, they are the only ones I can trust.’

’The Capital City is no longer the city it once was, and I am no longer the weak, pathetic person I used to be.’

The calming incense burned out. A surge pulsed in his head, and a current of energy rose steadily through his body, bringing a scorching heat.

Sang Zhi clutched at his chest, his fingers digging in so tightly he looked as if he wanted to tear his own heart out. ’I have to get stronger. If I can just control this Inner Strength, I can become powerful.’

’With enough power, I can avenge Ye Qianning and find the old man who took her away.’

---

Time flew like an arrow, passing in the blink of an eye.

A year went by. It felt as if nothing had changed, yet at the same time, many things were slowly changing.

In the Capital City, the Qian Residence and General Xiang’s estate were gone, and the people of those two families were gradually forgotten.

As for the Gu family, Old Master Gu was no longer of sound mind. Half a year ago, the family had sent the old master to a private villa to live out his days. Ever since the family had split its assets, the businesses managed by the various branches had been in constant decline.

The Imperial Merchants, however, had thrived this past year. They were an enterprise of the imperial family, created with the intent to suppress other traders. As such, no one dared to challenge them. Many had abandoned the Gu family and chosen to cooperate with the Imperial Merchants instead.

The Beili Emperor’s goal was to allow the Imperial Merchants to monopolize all of Beili’s commerce. The profits they earned would fill the national treasury, allowing the state to build up its army without fear of emptying its coffers.

The more profit they made, the greater the Beili Emperor’s ambition grew. He gradually began to forbid private merchants from operating in Beili, intending to require all businesses to get permission from the Imperial Merchants and pay them a business tax just to set up a stall.

This new regulation was a massive blow to the Gu family. Commerce was the people’s very source of livelihood, but it was now being converted into income for the imperial family, with additional taxes on top of it all.

This was a move to drive the Gu family out of business and take the food from the common people’s mouths.

For the third and fourth branches of the Gu family, business had become difficult after just one year. In the first half of the year after the family assets were divided, they still had some income, but in the second half, their revenue steadily decreased. The situation was grim.

And now, with the rise of the Imperial Merchants and their new rules, how could they possibly continue their business? They might as well just shut down for good.