Chapter 311: The Idiot Forum Master
Although Sang Zhe couldn’t understand what Nian Nian was saying, he was deeply shocked.
“Wait, how did an idiot become the Empress?”
“She’s an idiot, are you also an idiot, Host?” Nian Nian rolled her eyes at Sang Zhe.
Sang Zhe pondered for a moment, then exclaimed, “…Li Shanyan?”
“That’s right,” Nian Nian grinned. “Aren’t you curious about the rest? Well, why wait? For just 50,000 points, you can find out everything about the Empress, even the color of her underwear today—”
Sang Zhe quickly blocked Nian Nian’s little salesperson pitch.
After all, she had a point.
The Empress is an idiot, but he wasn’t.
Spending 50,000 points just to find out something that could be learned easily was truly a waste of money.
Yet, looking at this cold and graceful Empress, he just couldn’t associate her with being an idiot.
Is she really that foolish?
Let me test it.
“Your Majesty, I believe just changing the Prince’s stationery isn’t enough.”
Sang Zhe said respectfully, “Since the ban on the Communication Device is about to be lifted, I happen to have something I want to promote to the Prince.”
With that, he pulled out a brand new, unopened Communication Device: “This is the latest learning machine from Fusa Pavilion, containing knowledge from astronomy to geography and everything in between.”
“It’s powerful enough to crush all competing products; you just touch the part you don’t know, making it perfect for the Holy Kingdom’s little ones.”
“The Prince is at an age where he should be eager to learn; just relying on books for self-study is quite tedious.”
“How about Your Majesty buys one for the Prince as a gift?”
The Empress slowly lowered her gaze and examined the Communication Device in Sang Zhe’s hand.
“How much is it?”
“Not expensive, just 20,000 spirit stones.”
Twenty thousand spirit stones aren’t exactly cheap, especially when the market price for Communication Devices has dropped to a little over a thousand each.
Sang Zhe was flipping it for twenty times the price.
“What… how is it special?”
Sang Zhe immediately transformed into a seasoned salesman, eagerly introducing the features of the Communication Device, including communication, internet browsing, and the ability to watch various novels and comics.
The Empress nodded thoughtfully after listening, her eyes showing a hint of interest. But after a long moment, she seemed to remember something and asked suspiciously:
“The effects of this device… seem quite similar to what I’ve heard about the Communication Device. The price difference is so vast, what’s the difference?”
Well, she noticed that detail. Maybe she’s not completely clueless.
But Sang Zhe still tried to pull a fast one: “Your Majesty, think about it.”
“The Communication Device has its effects, and the learning machine has those too. Moreover, the learning machine can also be used for the Prince’s studies. Isn’t that proof that the learning machine has more powerful functions? Good things naturally cost more.”
The Empress pondered for a moment, then suddenly understood.
“Oh, I see!”
“Thank you, Mr. Sang, for enlightening me.”
“You’re welcome,” Sang Zhe said with a smile.
… I take back what I just said.
She really is quite clueless.
If she had just asked one more question like “Can’t the Communication Device be used for learning?”, I’d probably be stuck in a loop.
But at this moment, Huo Ningxue generously sent servants to fetch money from the treasury to deliver to Sang Zhe’s residence.
Sang Zhe, of course, beamed as he handed over the Communication Device to Huo Ningxue.
After receiving the gift, Huo Ningxue gently caressed the Communication Device, softly saying, “You should be very happy to receive this gift, right?”
“Of course.”
Sang Zhe continued to flatter her, “The Prince will surely appreciate Your Majesty’s thoughtful effort, becoming even more diligent in his studies.”
How could he not be happy?
He could finally play “Original Immortal” without hiding anymore.
If the Prince found out, he’d probably be grinning from ear to ear.
“Oh, I almost forgot the main issue.”
Huo Ningxue hurriedly stored the Communication Device away, restoring her dignified and imposing demeanor, and softly said, “During this time, I have accumulated quite a few questions that I need to consult you about.”
“May I ask, there’s an official saying that the wealth gap in the city is widening, with more poor people and fewer rich. How can I ensure that all my subjects become wealthy?”
“Simple. Just let the poor people stop having children and let only the rich have kids, and then we’ll only have rich people left, right?”
“Recently, there are old stockpiles of salt in the city nearing expiration. How should we deal with this?”
“Simple. Let them sell the salt to the suppliers, and have the suppliers sell it back to them; it’s just like getting new salt from the suppliers!”
“There are always officials saying that many elderly gentries in the city are consuming pills everywhere out of fear of dying, causing quite a few casualties. How should we handle that?”
“Simple. Let them die now, then there won’t be a need for dying later.”
…
After discussing government affairs, Huo Ningxue had all her curious questions answered and felt enlightened, ultimately declaring, “Mr. Sang, you truly possess a wealth of wisdom, on par with the national master.”
“You flatter me, Your Majesty.”
Sang Zhe smiled widely, but inside, he was crying like an electronic wooden fish.
The Empress is already a bit of an idiot, and he’s just pulling her leg.
To alleviate his guilt, he thought about bringing the Empress some sunflower seeds tomorrow.
“It’s getting late.”
Huo Ningxue glanced out the window and said slowly, “After tomorrow’s court session concludes, I’ll come back to consult you again.”
“I’ll be ready at any time,” Sang Zhe bowed respectfully.
After speaking, he slowly exited the imperial study.
On the way home, Sang Zhe couldn’t help but sigh and spoke to Nian Nian floating beside him:
“Ah. You really can’t judge a book by its cover.”
“Who would’ve thought that someone who looks so wise and capable, making you feel like you can’t get away with anything in front of them…”
“Inside, she’s just a complete idiot.”
“Do you think the Empress was born this way or bumped her head somewhere?”
Just as Nian Nian was about to cheerfully respond, Sang Zhe quickly cut her off: “Stop. If you’re about to say something about unlocking for 50,000 points, save it.”
Nian Nian immediately pouted, losing interest.
“Actually, it’s not just you; everyone who sees the Empress for the first time is struck by a certain aura, what you call the aura of a ruler.”
“Unfortunately, this aura doesn’t correlate with the actual intelligence of the person.”
Nian Nian shrugged: “And the true source of the Empress’s aura is actually her eyes.”
Sang Zhe suddenly recalled Huo Ningxue’s unforgettable faint golden eyes.
That clear yet brilliant golden hue seemed to evoke a sense of reverence and submission within.
“Are her eyes special? Do they have some kind of power? Can they unleash divine might?”
“Oh, there’s definitely a story behind them.” Nian Nian said casually, “Don’t you feel like this debuffing aura she has seems a bit familiar?”
Sang Zhe paused for a moment and muttered:
“…Mask Mode?”
“Exactly.”
Nian Nian smiled and said, “The Empress has a fragment of a broken Mask Mode.”
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