Chapter 246 Painting Big Dreams

Su Hewan stared at the half bronze tiger tally, feeling nothing but absurdity and outrage.

Wasn’t it supposed to be that when someone transmigrates, they enjoy luxury or live carefree? How did it end up like this for her—crossing over only to be forced into rebellion? What kind of nonsense was this!

“Clang—!”

The crisp sound of steel being drawn suddenly cut through the silence. Lu Yan’s embroidered spring blade had already left the sheath by half an inch, the cold edge pointed straight at Lin Shu, who was kneeling on the ground, radiating an almost tangible chill.

“Treasonous rebel! Every one of you deserves death!”

His voice was as cold as forged ice, utterly devoid of warmth. “As long as I’m here today, no one will stir up trouble in this place!”

“Heh…”

Shen Jue scoffed, his tone dripping with mockery. Casually folding the fan in his hand, he flickered forward and suddenly positioned himself directly in front of Lu Yan’s blade, shielding Su Hewan behind him.

He slightly tilted his head, looking at Su Hewan, whose eyes were wide with shock, his voice low and laced with temptation, like whispers drifting up from the depths of hell.

“Want to restore the kingdom? Fine.”

“As long as you obediently stay by my side, this world—I’ll conquer it for you.”

“Shen Jue!”

Lu Yan roared in fury, wrenching his wrist with force. The embroidered spring blade was fully drawn now, its icy tip aimed directly at Shen Jue’s throat, his eyes a mix of disbelief and seething rage.

“Are you insane? Do you even know what you’re saying?!”

He could hardly believe his own ears. This was the man who had been his rival for years, sometimes strangely in sync with him, now claiming he would help a former princess take over the realm—utterly incomprehensible!

“Don’t forget your own position!” Lu Yan’s chest heaved with anger, nearly clashing blades with Shen Jue on the spot. “You’re a minister of Da Wei. You receive the king’s salary, so you should serve the king loyally! What you’re saying—how is it any different from treason?”

Facing Lu Yan’s rage, Shen Jue remained as calm and indifferent as ever, entirely unbothered. He lifted his hand and, with the tip of his fan, lazily nudged the point of the blade aside by a fraction, his tone exuding extreme nonchalance.

“Lord Lu, please calm yourself.”

It was as if his earlier heretical words had been nothing more than a casual joke.

“Your words aren’t finished yet—why the rush?”

Shen Jue slowly turned, pulling Su Hewan slightly closer behind him to secure her safely, before finally fixing his gaze on Lin Shu. A playful smile curled at the corners of his mouth.

“Lady Lin, is it?”

“Since you all recognize Wan Wan as a princess, then I—am her husband…”

Shen Jue deliberately emphasized “husband,” speaking with confidence, not a trace of hesitation.

Su Hewan, hiding behind him, rolled her eyes so hard it was almost audible, muttering to herself: When did I agree to this? And yet he’s saying it so smoothly… putting himself on a pedestal like that!

Hearing her slightly shy mutter, a smile inevitably spread in Shen Jue’s eyes. His hand holding hers tightened ever so slightly before he continued, his tone still tinged with temptation.

“Then logically speaking, shouldn’t I also have a share in this kingdom restoration?”

Lin Shu was momentarily flustered by his words, her mind not fully processing them, and instinctively nodded.

“In that case…” Shen Jue’s smile grew wider, his expression seemingly innocent, yet secretly calculating.

“How about this—whether it’s you Xunlong Guards or those remnants of the former dynasty, everything comes under my command. I’ll unify and lead them. How’s that?”

“I guarantee, within three years, I’ll hand the empire of Great Wei directly into our Wanwan’s hands.”

He spoke so casually, as if conquering a kingdom were no more difficult than buying a stick of candied hawthorn from a street vendor.

The bamboo pavilion fell into sudden, complete silence. Even the sound of breathing could be heard clearly.

Yu Qing gaped at him, her eyes on Shen Jue as if he were some peerless monster. In her heart she thought, Holy crap! Director Shen is insane! What kind of god-tier move is this? Empty-handedly claiming someone else’s army? He’s trying to absorb the entire Restoration Army! His logic—I can’t argue with it, I can only admire it!

Lu Yan was completely stunned, his hand frozen mid-air on the hilt of his blade. For a moment, he had no idea how to react, his mind utterly blank.

Lin Shu was even more dumbfounded, utterly at a loss at Shen Jue’s audacious proposal, mouth agape, unable to form a single word.

At that moment, a fierce shout came from outside, and the bamboo door was slammed open with a loud “bang.”

Qin Feng stormed in, sword in hand, face red with anger, followed by several equally incensed Xunlong Guards. It was obvious they had been eavesdropping outside.

“Absolutely impossible!”

Qin Feng pointed his sword straight at Shen Jue, his eyes full of disdain and contempt, and barked, “Shen Jue! You eunuch, don’t even think about laying a hand on the military command of Great Wei!”

He simply could not believe that a eunuch, whose only skill was currying favor with the emperor and playing political games, could have any real military ability. To him, Shen Jue was just trying to take advantage of the situation, stealing the achievements that their Xunlong Guards had endured decades to earn.

Lin Shu finally snapped out of her daze, rising suddenly. Tear-streaked face still wet, her gaze sharpened instantly.

She knew clearly that if she couldn’t persuade these two Great Wei officials today, Princess Suhe Wan would never truly side with them.

Taking a deep breath, she scanned between Shen Jue and Lu Yan several times before adopting a tone of earnest counsel, beginning her persuasion.

“Director Shen, Commander Lu, you are both exceptional among men. Why bow beneath a mere child emperor, taking insults from the likes of the Empress Dowager?”

“Although you, Director, wield immense power, you are, after all, a eunuch.” Lin Shu’s tone carried just the right amount of regret—seeming to pity Shen Jue, but secretly sowing seeds of doubt.

“Matching our noble-born Princess, it’s ultimately not legitimate or proper.”

Her words were ostensibly for Shen Jue’s sake, but implicitly reminded Suhe Wan that she, a princess of the former dynasty, could never marry a eunuch.

“But!” Lin Shu shifted gears, dangling a grand temptation.

“If the Director truly pledges allegiance and assists the Princess in restoring the dynasty, once the great task is complete, the Great Wei royal family will not wrong you! You shall be granted kingship or prime ministership, lands and territories, enjoying endless glory. Even… restoring your manhood is not impossible!”

After saying this, she turned to Lu Yan, her tone growing even more earnest: “Commander Lu, your Lu family has served faithfully for generations, yet you have always been distrusted and sidelined by the court. Are you content with that? Rather than serving a blind and foolish court, why not assist the wise ruler of Great Wei and accomplish unprecedented feats? Then you would be the supreme commander of all armies, your power and status second only to the Princess herself!”

“Hahaha…”

Lin Shu’s rousing speech was abruptly interrupted by a burst of unrestrained laughter.

Yu Qing, after listening for a while, could no longer hold it in. Doubling over, clutching her stomach, tears of laughter threatening to fall, she gasped out:

“Oh my, I can’t take it! I’m dying laughing!” She waved her hands while laughing, barely managing to calm herself before looking at Lin Shu with an innocent expression:

“Auntie Lin, the cake you’re drawing is way too big. I feel like I’m about to burst!”

Lin Shu’s face darkened immediately, a mix of anger and annoyance. “You little girl, what nonsense are you talking about!”

Yu Qing straightened up, stepping closer, tilting her head with a serious expression: “Auntie, I just want to ask—if you say you’re going to give them kingship, prime ministership, and all that glory and wealth… aren’t they already rich and powerful enough as it is?”