From cute to empress

Chapter 142: There is a bright future in another village

The chill of the dagger seemed to seep through my skin and into my bones. I stared at the enemy in front of me, waiting for his answer. But at this moment, a strong wind from behind me made my heart tighten. Could there be help?

I instinctively dodged to the side, deflecting the dagger's trajectory. The next second, a dark figure darted past me like a cheetah. As it brushed past me, the man in black groaned and fell to the ground.

"Mengmeng, are you okay?"

A familiar voice rang in my ears. I turned around suddenly and saw Zhen Youcai standing behind me in military uniform, looking heroic. His eyes were full of worry and concern.

"Brother Youcai, why are you here?" I asked in surprise, and my heart finally settled down.

"I received your letter asking for help, and I rushed back from the border without stopping." Zhen Youcai smiled gently and gently held me in his arms.

"A letter asking for help?" I was immediately confused. "I've never written a letter asking for help before."

Zhen Youcai let me go, took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to me, "Look, this is the letter you wrote to me."

I took the letter and looked at it carefully. The handwriting on the letter was indeed mine, and the content was indeed asking Zhen Youcai for help, hoping that he would come back as soon as possible to help me. But I didn't write this letter at all!

"I didn't write this letter," I said firmly.

Zhen Youcai frowned slightly, "I know this letter must have been written by someone imitating your handwriting, just to lure me away."

"Who would do this?" I was puzzled.

"Who else could it be besides them?" A cold glint flashed in Zhen Youcai's eyes. "It seems they are determined to kill you!"

I was shocked. Could it be...

Zhen Youcai's words chilled me to the bone. The hypocritical smile of the Zheng Chamber of Commerce president and the greedy eyes of Mr. Liu flashed through my mind. Besides them, who else would be so intent on harming me?

"Why are they doing this?" I clenched my fists, my heart filled with anger and confusion.

"Because you've touched their cheese." Zhen Youcai's tone was icy. "The reforms you've promoted have touched their interests, so naturally they'll join forces to get rid of you."

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down. I knew that now was not the time to be sad and angry. I had to cheer myself up and find a way to fight back!

"Brother Youcai, what should we do?" I raised my head and looked at Zhen Youcai's determined eyes, as if I had found my backbone.

"Mengmeng, don't be afraid. We still have a chance." Zhen Youcai shook my hand and said firmly, "I've sent people to secretly investigate them. We have evidence that they are colluding with foreign envoys and attempting to monopolize trade and reap huge profits."

"Really?" My eyes lit up, as if I saw a ray of hope.

"That's right." Zhen Youcai nodded. "I've already made arrangements. There will be an international trade conference in three days. Diplomats and business representatives from various countries will be in attendance. We will publicly expose their conspiracy at the conference!"

A fire ignited in my heart, as if I saw the hope of victory. "Okay, I'll do as you say!" I said firmly, "I will make them pay for what they did!"

Over the next few days, we made intensive preparations. Zhen Youcai was responsible for contacting various parties and gaining support, while I, along with translator Li and diplomat Wang, compiled the evidence we had into a detailed report to be presented at the meeting.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the day of the international trade conference. I donned a formal dress, took a deep breath, and entered the conference hall. My eyes scanned the unfamiliar faces, finally landing on the president of the Zhengzhou Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Liu, the businessman. They sat there, chatting and laughing, as if they had everything under control.

Sweat broke out in my palms, but I told myself not to be afraid. I must stand up bravely and expose their true faces!

The meeting began, and representatives from various countries took turns speaking in a harmonious atmosphere. At this moment, I stood up and picked up the report in my hand...

I took a deep breath, and under the scrutinizing gazes of many, I slowly walked onto the stage. I cleared my throat and spoke loudly, "Dear envoys, dear friends from the business community, today I want to expose a serious business conspiracy!"

My opening remarks were like a stone dropped into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves. The whispers ceased, their gazes fixed on me. There was curiosity, suspicion, and, of course, some fierce glances from Chairman Zheng and Mr. Liu. I calmed myself and laid out the evidence I had compiled piece by piece, exposing their covert collusion with foreign envoys to manipulate market prices, their attempts to monopolize trade routes for exorbitant profits, and their malicious suppression of other merchants. The evidence laid bare their every evil deed.

The audience erupted in an uproar. The envoys from various countries were whispering among themselves, looking at Chairman Zheng and businessman Liu with suspicion and disdain. I noticed that the foreign envoy who had been chatting with them so happily before now had a sullen face. He sat in a corner silently, his eyes flickering, as if he was thinking about something.

"We cannot tolerate this happening!" A representative from a neighboring country with which we have good relations was the first to stand up in support. "We should unite and jointly maintain a fair trade order!"

"That's right! We support China!"

"Punish illegal businessmen severely!"

……

More and more national representatives expressed their support for me and condemned Chairman Zheng and businessman Liu. The atmosphere in the conference hall suddenly reversed. Chairman Zheng and businessman Liu, who were originally arrogant and domineering, were now like rats crossing the street, and everyone was shouting and beating them.

I watched this scene with a wave of emotion. It was time to put an end to this! I turned to the foreign envoy and asked in a deep voice, "Dear envoy, do you have anything else to say about this?"

He slowly raised his head, his eyes met mine, and a meaningful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Your Majesty, I think we need a more in-depth communication..."