The waterway is a source of profit; as long as she obtains the right to control its management, she can obtain a major portion of benefits, whether it be shipping, transporting passenger and even smuggling.

  After considering these things, Gong Yi Mo gave a deep sigh of relief. She smiled widely at her prospects.

  Gong Yi Mo was not the kind person who dealt with issues by killing two birds with one stone. Rather, she preferred to arm herself with a large number of arrows–the more the better!

  The next morning, Gong Che anxiously went to the Empress’ palace to persuade her to surrender her Phoenix Seal as part of her atonement. Unexpectedly, the Queen did not lash in refusal as he had thought. Rather, she was dreadfully silent upon his request.

  Gong Che bowed his head as he awaited her response, but there was still no sound for a very long time. When he finally raised his head, he was stunned to discover that she had been crying!

  Two lines of tears rolled down silently on her cheeks. Her eyes were filled with filled with sorrow, but she made no sound.

  “Mother?!”


  He stepped forward and carefully wiped away her tears, but teardrops continued to pour like beads, drop by drop. Despite her mature age, she was like a child; her mind had become fragile and sensitive. The Empress no longer retained her former elegant demeanor.

  She grabbed Gong Che’s hands and looked up in tears.

  “My son, you can be assured that this mother will do as you say. However……are you really willing to give up everything?”


  It turned out that she mistook Gong Che’s intentions, thinking that building the canal for five to six years will not be enough to secure his victory. She thought that he was disheartened and had already given up the battle for the throne.

  Gong Che couldn’t help but laugh.

  He lowered his head and whispered to the Empress all of the matters that Gong Yi Mo had discussed with him.

  If the Empress had not been informed now, she would have approached Gong Yi Mo later to ask if she had the ability to complete the canal in a shorter amount of time.

  But now, as she heard Gong Che’s words, the Empress’ dull eyes suddenly shined with life. She grasped the prince’s hand and anxiously inquired, “Is this true, did Gong Yi Mo really say this?”


  Gong Che nodded affirmatively.

  The Empress burst out in laughter. Her cackling caused the maids at the palace entrance to tense up in fear. Is it because the Queen Mother had finally lost her mind? If so, what should they do?

  Even Gong Che felt a little apprehensive. He patted his mother’s shoulder, when suddenly, she looked up at him with terrible eyes, causing his heart to tremble.

  “Good, very good!” She said this many times. If everything that Gong Yi Mo said was true, then when he returns from his mission, why wouldn’t he have a chance for the throne?! By then, his merits for the kingdom will be astounding!

  “Good……good!” The Empress had yet to compose herself due to the large fluctuations of her mood, as she went from inconsolable grief to utter joy. But she continued to firmly grasp her son’s hand as her face was once again filled with life! If there such a good opportunity was waiting outside the capital, then retaining the title of Crown Prince here would pale in value!

  “If this is what the Chaoyang Princess has planned, then go and accomplish it! My son……this mother believes in you! Your mother will wait for your return at the Buddhist Temple.”


  Gong Che felt that her response was strange. He couldn’t fathom how his mother could trust Gong Yi Mo more than he did. “Mother, aren’t you afraid that once your son and our ministers leave the capital, there may be a complete loss of power?”


  The Empress shook her head in disagreement. A pair of Phoenix eyes once again shone in luster.

  “Although this mother will be confined to the temple, there is still the Liu family to fall back on. Mother will guard the capital for you. In addition, since this is the Chaoyang Princess’ intentions, it must be fulfilled……”


  She spoke solemnly, but she was able to give a sigh of relief.

  “Gong Yi Mo……she has a heart of justice and humanity, along with a fierce character that is filled with ambition. She is no ordinary woman. Even her mother was someone that the emperor himself could not ignore.”