The Return of the King: A Generation of Prodigies

Chapter 465 Happy cooperation

"Although I no longer have much affection for Southern Chu."

"But that is still my homeland, and I still hope that the people there can live a good life."

"They would have a wise and capable ruler to govern them and ensure their livelihood."

Southern Chu is located in a remote and isolated mountainous area. Many places there have inconvenient transportation and barren land. Although it is rich in resources, it can only be self-sufficient.

If you can't finish eating or using it, you can only watch it spoil and rot.

Duan Qingning was born and raised in Southern Chu, so she knows the true situation of Southern Chu best.

The nobles lived a life of extravagance and debauchery, while ordinary people couldn't even afford to eat and stay warm.

The suffering and hardships of ordinary people have never been a concern for those high-ranking officials and nobles.

Without a wise ruler to govern Southern Chu, given its current state, it will inevitably perish sooner or later and be annexed by other powerful states.

Since the outcome is unchangeable, Duan Qingning hopes that person is Shen Tianjiao.

Duan Qingning may be blind, but she is not blind in heart.

Although she hadn't known Shen Tianjiao for very long, she could sense that Shen Tianjiao was different.

This Empress Regent of Yunli not only possessed magnanimity and courage, but also had many other qualities that other emperors lacked.

That is her compassion and care for the people under her rule, especially the suffering of those at the bottom of society.

Since she assumed regency, she has implemented a series of policies that benefit the country and its people. The ultimate beneficiaries of these policies are not the powerful families or high-ranking officials, but rather the ordinary people.

If Shen Tianjiao were to govern Southern Chu, then Southern Chu would definitely be better than it is now.

In fact, many ordinary people have very simple minds; they don't care who becomes emperor.

All they cared about was who could protect them from foreign enemies, provide them with a peaceful life, and ensure they had enough to eat and wear.

However, even the most basic needs and desires of these ordinary people cannot be met by the emperor of Southern Chu.

Duan Zhengming was not only incompetent, greedy, and tyrannical, but also utterly useless and of no benefit to the people of Southern Chu.

The only reason someone like him could sit on the emperor's throne was because he was lucky enough to be born into the imperial family and was the son of the previous emperor.

Since he, as an emperor, cannot seek benefits for the people and act as their guardian, he is incapable of doing so.

So Duan Qingning wouldn't mind acting on behalf of Heaven and pulling Duan Zhengming down from the emperor's throne.

Let someone more capable and willing to love the people of Nan Chu replace Duan Zhengming in governing Nan Chu.

Duan Qingning's words moved Shen Tianjiao somewhat, even though Duan Qingning said that she no longer had any feelings for Nan Chu.

But it was she who considered things more deeply and for the long term in Southern Chu.

"Madam Duan, rest assured, if your trip to Southern Chu goes smoothly, Southern Chu may not have to suffer the pain of war this time."

"I also promise you that after Southern Chu submits, I will treat all the people of Southern Chu equally, without the slightest difference."

"But whether this matter can be resolved smoothly and they can be spared the suffering of war depends entirely on you, Madam Duan."

Although Duan Qingning now appears to be just an old, blind woman who has nothing.

However, Shen Tianjiao firmly believed that Duan Qingning had the ability to change the fate of Southern Chu.

Duan Qingning is not just what she appears to be now; her abilities and strength are simply being hidden.

As long as Duan Qingning is given the opportunity and help, he can definitely give Shen Tianjiao an unexpected surprise.

During her time in the palace, when she had nothing to do, Shen Tianjiao would spend time with Ruan Yuhu and they would often talk about Duan Qingning.

Through Ruan Yuhu's words, Shen Tianjiao gained a deeper understanding and knowledge of Duan Qingning.

This woman is definitely not a delicate flower raised in a greenhouse; she is not lacking in cunning or shrewdness.

Releasing her back to Southern Chu would be tantamount to putting a knife to the Southern Chu emperor's throat; whether or not he is killed is entirely up to Duan Qingning.

Compared to herself, Duan Qingning seemed more like a strategist and politician, as if she were born with these qualities.

If it weren't for bad luck, perhaps the current situation of Nan Chu and Yun Li would have been changed because of her.

Therefore, Shen Tianjiao had no doubt that Duan Qingning's return to Southern Chu could change the current situation.

"Your Majesty is too kind. When I return to Southern Chu, I will do my utmost to accomplish what Your Majesty has planned."

The thought of returning to Southern Chu changed Duan Qingning's mood and expression.

It's unbelievable that at her age, in such a state, she would still have the chance to go back and avenge her family. Heaven has truly been kind to her.

It has been exactly twenty years since she left Southern Chu, and in these twenty years she has never stopped thinking about revenge.

If it weren't for the fact that she still had a great grudge to avenge and her daughter to find, she would have died many years ago.

Thank goodness, thank goodness, she pulled through, otherwise she wouldn't have such a good life today.

The daughter who had been lost for many years has been found, and now he can return to Southern Chu to seek revenge. This is wonderful.

Duan Qingning's dim, lifeless eyes blazed with a fierce intensity unseen by others. In her heart, she silently murmured: Duan Zhengming, your death is near.

"Madam Duan, now that we have reached an agreement on cooperation, please feel free to make any requests you may have."

"As long as it is within my ability to solve the problem, I will definitely help you with it."

Since they were already partners, Shen Tianjiao naturally wouldn't be stingy. As long as Duan Qingning's requests weren't excessive, Shen Tianjiao could fulfill them.

Duan Qingning smiled slightly. Now, apart from seeking revenge and taking care of her daughter, she truly had no other desires.

"Your Majesty, I have only one request of you."

"My body is too depleted; I'm afraid I won't be able to hold on for much longer."

"I've been through all sorts of storms in my life, and the only person I can't let go of now is my poor daughter, Chaoyun."

"I only hope that after I go to Southern Chu, Her Majesty the Empress can take good care of Chaoyun for me."

"For the rest of her life, she will have to rely on the Empress's care."

Chaoyun is Duan Qingning's everything now. For this daughter, Duan Qingning is even willing to give up his life.

This time, when she went to Southern Chu, Chaoyun could not go with her. Perhaps the two of them would never have the chance to meet again in this life.

Although she knew that no matter whether she got rid of Shen Tianjiao or not, Shen Tianjiao would always take care of Chaoyun and treat Chaoyun well.

But a mother's instincts made her still have too many things she couldn't let go of, too many things she was reluctant to part with.

Shen Tianjiao could understand Duan Qingning's feelings at this moment. They were both mothers, so their thoughts and feelings were the same.

“I understand Madam Duan’s feelings, but this is something I cannot do for you.”

"Chaoyun is your daughter, and it is your responsibility as her mother to take care of her."

Shen Tianjiao looked at Duan Qingning and said, "I have no intention of keeping Chaoyun as a hostage."

"My original plan was that, regardless of whether you agreed to what happened today, I would let you go with Chaoyun."

"When you go back to Southern Chu this time, take Chaoyun with you. She grew up in Southern Chu and shouldn't have any trouble adapting there."

“Although you are mother and daughter, you have been separated for so many years and need to rebuild your relationship.”

Shen Tianjiao's words left Duan Qingning frozen in place.

Duan Qingning never expected that Shen Tianjiao would ask her to take Chaoyun with her.

In this situation, no one would let her go.

After all, she was from Nan Chu. Who would believe that after leaving Yun Li and returning to Nan Chu, she would still keep her promise and not have any other thoughts?

However, if this person is Shen Tianjiao, it is both surprising and inevitable.

There is probably no one else in this world with such magnanimity and courage except Shen Tianjiao.

Duan Qingning stood up and knelt directly in front of Shen Tianjiao. This time, she was truly submissive and willing to submit to Shen Tianjiao.

"Even if I, Duan Qingning, were to die ten thousand times, I could never repay even a fraction of the Empress's great kindness."

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I, Duan Qingning, will do everything in my power to help you accomplish what you have planned."

"Your Majesty, please wait patiently for good news. Within six months, your plans will surely bear fruit."

Duan Qingning wasn't exaggerating. If she had enough manpower, she could completely change the current situation in less than six months.

Although Duan Qingning has been living in Yunli for years, those people she once left in Nan Chu are still working for her.

The people she left in Nan Chu were all former members of the Lin Prince's Mansion. They had escaped the calamity when the Lin Prince's Mansion suffered a disaster back then, by chance.

After Duan Qingning escaped, he immediately contacted those people and assigned them to various tasks, infiltrating different parts of Southern Chu to gather intelligence and prepare for their revenge.

Although so many years have passed, Duan Qingning doesn't know what has become of those people.

However, Duan Qingning was certain that as long as those people were still alive, even if some would betray her, there would definitely be others who would remain loyal to their duties and wait for her to return to Southern Chu.

Because among those people were the Deadpools trained by her father, whose loyalty was beyond question.

Besides their own reasons, this was also because her father used their family's secret techniques when training these Deadpools.

After using the Linwang Mansion's secret family technique on these people, they will never betray them unless they die.

Besides these, Duan Qingning has another card in her hand.

Back then, Duan Qingning was forced to come to Yunli for a political marriage. After she settled down in Yunli, she sent the person she trusted most back to Nan Chu.

Her goal, of course, was to get that person back to Southern Chu so that she could prepare for her future revenge.

The people Duan Qingning left behind in Southern Chu were her source of confidence.

After so many years, the role those people are playing now is simply unimaginable.

They could overthrow the Southern Chu court, destroy the foundation of the Southern Chu state, and even incite the people of Southern Chu to work for them.

"Very well, then I will wait quietly in the palace for good news from Madam Duan."

If someone else said this, Shen Tianjiao would think that there was an element of exaggeration or boasting involved, but when Duan Qingning said it, Shen Tianjiao felt there was no problem at all.

Shen Tianjiao picked up the teacup on the table and said to Duan Qingning, "There's no time to lose, Madam Duan, please set off for Nan Chu tomorrow."

"Chaoyun will arrive at Ziyun Manor tomorrow morning. You and your daughter can travel together and keep each other company along the way, which will help strengthen your relationship."

"When Madam Duan departs tomorrow, it will be inconvenient for me to see her off in person. So I will offer tea instead of wine here to wish Madam Duan a safe journey, that all her wishes will be fulfilled, and that she will achieve her goals."

After saying this, Shen Tianjiao drank the warm tea in one gulp, displaying a bold and unrestrained spirit.

Upon hearing Shen Tianjiao's words, Duan Qingning also groped to pick up the teacup on the table. Although she didn't know what Shen Tianjiao had just done, she did indeed drink it all in one gulp using the same method.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will definitely bring back the news you want."

Duan Qingning was in high spirits. After all, she had endured for so many years, all for this moment, so that she could return to Southern Chu and dominate the battlefield.

She returns to Southern Chu not only to kill the enemy who caused the massacre of her family, but also to destroy everything that person now owns.

Let that person experience firsthand what it feels like to be betrayed, lose everything, and suffer humiliation before they die.

She wants to repay tenfold for all the pain, torment, and humiliation she has suffered over the years.

Of course, there was the person who had betrayed her, abandoned her and her daughter, causing them to be separated for so many years.

She wouldn't let him off the hook either, after all, there's no reason for someone who harms others to go unpunished and live a peaceful life without any repercussions.

Regardless of how that person is doing now, this is all he has.

All of this will come to nothing because of the mistakes he made.

She wanted to let that person experience what it's like to go from sitting comfortably in a high position to suddenly falling into a mud pit.

In short, none of those who have bullied or hurt her will escape; they will all receive their due retribution.

Although this retribution has been many years late, it will surely come.

Duan Qingning was never a soft-hearted person. Just as Shen Tianjiao knew, she was born with the qualities of a strategist and politician.

She knows when and what to do, and she is willing to sacrifice anyone, including herself, to achieve her goals.