The contents of Prince Yu's reply were mostly what Elara had expected.
Prince Yu's coronation would be in half a month, and Elara did not plan to leave too early. After reading the letter, she called Dos and Tres, ordering them each to take ten Wei Clan guards and head to Sargassum to gather information and send updates to her in time, learning about Sargassum's internal situation and meeting with Giles to exchange intel on Dahlia Kingdom.
After Dos and Tres departed for Sargassum, Elara remained in Plumera Kingdom to continue teaching basic knowledge to high officials from various departments, aiming to rapidly advance the nation's overall technology. At the same time, she efficiently handled the piled-up affairs from the past three months. Every evening after "work," she continued training the child Haochen.
Fortunately, Haochen was a smart child who understood the situation well. Realizing he could not escape Elara or get any advantage from her, he gradually calmed down under the mix of delicious food and strict but fair discipline.
Just like now, after finishing a full morning of classes, Elara returned to the imperial palace and sat down for lunch. Haochen naturally approached and instinctively tried to squat on the round stool and grab food with his hands.
But just as he sat that way, Elara gave him a light glance. His extended hand froze, and his bent legs also stopped moving.
Before her internal force could lift and whip him again, Haochen quickly adjusted his posture, sitting properly and respectfully on the stool. His hand changed direction mid-air, picked up the chopsticks, and mimicked the eating posture Elara had taught him. His beautiful eyes cautiously watched her, and his body tensed slightly, afraid she might hit him again with something invisible.
Only after confirming Elara wouldn't punish him did he relax a little. With furrowed brows, he ate in the proper manner she taught him, feeling uncomfortable but holding the chopsticks tightly as he seriously battled the food on the table.
Haochen's training had clearly improved a lot over time.
In the following days, Elara continued her daily large lectures, reviewed official documents, managed national affairs, and in her free time, either trained Haochen or visited the "Retired Emperor" Commander Shu in the harem to show a bit of superficial filial duty.
With her teaching every day, all departments in Plumera Kingdom quickly got back on track step by step.
During this time, Elara received multiple invitations from Sylvan, the branch leader of Lian Yi Tower.
Lian Yi Tower, a top commercial power across the continent, had sharp insights into the shifts of power among nations. As a business organization, they were especially alert to any nation with great potential.
Although after their first negotiation with Elara, Plumera Kingdom was already placed on Lian Yi Tower's "high potential" list,
Elara's incredible achievement of upgrading a weak third-tier country to nearly second-tier status in just over six months greatly exceeded Lian Yi Tower's original expectations.
Especially over those months, they watched as Plumera Kingdom kept producing all kinds of new, practical items with commercial and military value. Sylvan, who managed Lian Yi Tower's operations in this part of the continent, realized his previous estimation of the young empress had been far too conservative.
Half a month ago, after witnessing Elara being welcomed into the imperial palace by tens of thousands of soldiers and ministers, Sylvan had people monitor the palace closely.
After the second national exam was completed, and Elara personally promoted over three hundred people to official positions regardless of background, Sylvan leaned lazily on the rooftop edge of Lian Yi Tower, gazing at the imperial palace. While sipping tea, he casually smiled at the steward behind him and said,
"Send out the invitation. It's been too long since I last saw Her Majesty. I really miss her."
But despite sending three invitations to the imperial palace, all of them were declined.
Elara was currently so busy she barely had time to breathe, so she could not spare time to visit Lian Yi Tower or see that Tower Master Sylvan who never wore his clothes properly.
Besides, she already held a commercial license from Tiangong Pavilion, so there was no need to tread carefully around Lian Yi Tower. The variety and quantity of goods they could sell had already greatly increased. And since Plumera Kingdom was now at a turning point in technological reform and innovation, once all departments passed this stage, the types and quality of goods would rise even more.
Elara planned to approach Lian Yi Tower for business negotiations only after that happened.
Until then, she didn't want to waste time making another trip for another round of discussions.
Especially now, when every moment at this point of technological advancement was precious and not to be wasted.
So, she only sent back one letter to Lian Yi Tower, telling Sylvan to wait a while longer. When the time was right, she would personally bring him things worth his attention and talk business with him.
Because there were too many tasks and everything was too busy, after replying to Sylvan's letter, Elara did not pay much more attention to Lianyi Tower.
After a few more hectic days, on the seventh day before Prince Yu's coronation, Kristof brought her an unexpected piece of news.
The corruption case of the old official Governor Hu was exposed, and after being personally punished by Elara in the grand hall, the Ministry of Justice carried out her orders with the help of the military.
All the relatives who benefited from Governor Hu were escorted to Xunding City for execution and public display. The city's lord and other officials involved were also executed in the streets, bringing comfort to the people.
The rebel army in Xunding City was also suppressed and eliminated by military forces.
Overall, order had been restored in Xunding City. Those in need had been aided, and those who deserved punishment were dealt with accordingly.
However, during the investigation, Kristof discovered another hidden threat.
The smugglers who dared to privately accept government relief grain were not just ordinary cross-border traders.
Based on the interrogation of the smugglers caught so far, they seemed to come from a significant foreign organization.
This organization had apparently set its sights on the Plumera Kingdom half a year ago and quietly infiltrated several major cities like Plumera City and Marigold Commandery under the cover of commercial development.
After learning this, Kristof immediately reported to Elara and secretly sent people to investigate in those major cities.
But the organization seemed to sense the danger after Elara's harsh punishment of Governor Hu and the public executions in Xunding City. They went into hiding, leaving little trace behind.
Until late last night, a man claiming to be the owner of Yuyan Restaurant in the capital personally went to the Ministry of Justice, asking specifically to see Kristof.
When he met Kristof, he detailed all the activities of the smugglers within the capital over the past month, finally giving the Ministry key information about the group behind them.
However, this information was still incomplete. According to the restaurant owner, the smugglers often came to his place to eat, listen to music, conduct secret deals, and meet foreign merchants.
Because their behavior seemed unusual, the restaurant owner became suspicious and told his waiters to secretly observe them. In doing so, they discovered many shady activities.
Elara, remembering how the Plumera Kingdom had once been quietly infiltrated by Sindri's forces, frowned deeply and decided to investigate the danger herself before heading to the Dahlia Kingdom.
She looked at Kristof who was reporting to her. "So, what is the name of that restaurant owner?"
Kristof thought for a moment and answered,
"He is a young man who looks around twenty and calls himself Imani."