After receiving the price that he desired, his face lit up at the sight of the golden pouch.
He kept his eyes fixed on the pouch, so intent that he did not even ask who the person behind the offering was.
Or perhaps he already knew.
He bowed low to show his gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
So ,it was revealed that The figure behind the curtain the one directing these events was none other than the Emperor of Prahavia.
The emperor did not show his face; instead, all the conversation took place through a mediator.
"You have done your job well."
"But can you guarantee that all things will happen as decided?"
The old man gave a sly smile and assured, "Majesty, you don't have to worry. No one will think that the cause of the famine was actually due to mortal happenings. Also, our capability was greater than what we revealed when we stopped the flow."
Behind him stood a middle-aged man. His features showed he belonged to this place, yet his fashion seemed quite different from the rest of the people here.
This middle-aged man was a scholar from the West. Though born in Prahavia, he had completed his education in the West.
The middle-aged man was an expert in architecture.
He stepped forward and presented some papers.
"Majesty, these are the mappings of the dam we are working on, and it is almost complete."
The Emperor replied through the mediator,
"Good. It will be best if it is done as soon as possible."
The architect was not happy with the Emperor's words.
"Majesty, this might affect the quality and cause trouble. We should at least take some years or even months."
When the Emperor heard these words, he was not pleased. One of his men pulled out a sword, which made the architect feel terrified.
Feeling his life was in danger, the architect immediately fell to the floor, pressing his forehead as low as possible.
"I understand, Majesty. I will finish the construction in no time."
While the architect was still speaking with the emperor, the old cadger slipped out of the chamber and returned to the outer pavilion.
His steps were slow, striking the ground with his cane so different from when he was tormenting Baiyu.
The sun was rising, and the clouds had vanished from the sky.
He looked upward and gave a smile of deep satisfaction, one that no one could truly understand. With every step, the sound of coins jingled from the pouch he carried.
After a few steps, his way was blocked by guards. Suddenly, the burning sun grew calm and slipped behind the clouds no one knew from where they had appeared.
The sound of ringing bells filled the surroundings. Workers bowed in unison and called out:
"Welcome, Her Majesty."
The emperor's wife was entering the main chamber where the emperor was present. Her steps were calm and steady, while her maids followed her with delicate grace.
Her belly was swollen, and anyone could guess that she was already carrying the emperor's child.
Yet the old cadger looked confused. "I don't remember the emperor having such a young wife. According to everyone in Yueji, the emperor is an old man whose wife passed away years ago. The rest of his life he lived alone… so who is this young lady?"
The Empress was wrapped in golden robes, her phoenix crown blazing with rubies and pearls. She looked calm and radiant.
She walked on tall wooden heels with the support of her maids.
After the Empress passed, everyone began leaving to return to their work.
The old cadger called over a young worker who was unloading goods from a carriage.
The worker was bathed in sweat and huffing.
He stopped unloading and wiped his hands on his own clothes.
"Yes, sir, you called me?"
The old cadger covered his nose and asked in a sharp tone,
"The lady who just entered the emperor's place was she the Empress?"
The young worker glanced toward the emperor's quarters and answered,
"You guessed right, sir. She is the emperor's beloved wife among all his wives."
The old cadger's eye twitched at the words beloved wife.
"Didn't the emperor's beloved wife already pass away? And now he lives alone? The lady I just saw looked far too young… and she is even carrying a child."
The young worker smiled and folded his hands together.
"Ah, sir, I see where your confusion lies. The lady who just passed was not the wife of the old emperor. Our former emperor passed away a few months ago. It is his eldest descendant who has now taken the throne."
The young worker's words struck the old cadger like thunder.
"What? The throne has already changed… his eldest son?"
His voice trembled with disbelief.
"Didn't he decide that his third child would take the throne? Then how has the eldest son taken the position? Do the emperor's words mean nothing?"
The worker looked at the old cadger with surprise.
"Sir, you seem out of touch. You have missed a lot of news our last emperor's entire line is dead leaving empror."
He stepped closer and whispered, "Sir, I can't tell you everything here. This place does not feel right. If you give me a penny, I will lead you to someone who can give you all the information you want."
The old cadger stepped back and held his breath tightly.