CH 100

Jun Qingyu responded with a rhetorical, “What is the problem?”

A timely sentence wafted from Shi Kaixin, “Mind your own mermaid breeding business. Why are you minding how others look like, are you intolerant of a face that is commonly seen?”

The director focused on Shi Kaixin, the other was coldly staring at him expressionlessly. He wished to speak, but he immediately dare not to speak a word with merely one look in his eyes.

Shi Kaixin was innocent. This scare was not his doing, he didn’t do anything at all.

Once the director had stabilised his state of mind, he sucked in a breath, “I spoke my mind. Your Majesty looks identical to the mermaid, with cross-comparison to long pale golden locks and other details. It is inevitable that people will make an association between Your Majesty and the mermaid.”

Jun Qingyu nodded and asked, “And so?”

Speaking of this matter, the director lost his nervousness, and talked eloquently, “It is astonishing that a mermaid can turn into a human being, and if word got out, not only would it shock the masses, it would still have a considerable impact on Your Majesty.”

“Is there any evidence that suggests a little mermaid can assume the form of a human being? The question of whether a little mermaid can assume the form of a human still remains a mystery without a definite answer, even to you. And now you have asserted that a little mermaid can assume the form of a human. Can you even believe that?”

“If it is indeed possible, provide evidence of a few more to support your claim. Take some time to think about it. If you are unable to do so, you will be disgracing yourself when this information is divulged.”

The director’s mouth opened and closed, expressing his perplexity in response to Jun Qingyu’s words.

Jun Qingyu’s reaction after learning this information was completely beyond his expectation.

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In such a case, as the person concerned, shouldn’t his first reaction be to panic when he knew his identity was at risk of being exposed?

If not, they could have firmly pushed down their fear and panic and negotiated terms with him, but what kind of situation was this with him being held accountable?

It’s your business that a mermaid can assume the form of a human, why are you reproaching me?

Shi Kaixin observed the listless director and shook his head imperceptibly. With this minuscule level of skills, this dabbler still dares to come and make a joke of himself before His Majesty?

The director pursed his lips, forcing himself out of Jun Qingyu’s rhythm, “In the event that this information is disclosed, it would still affect His Majesty, wouldn’t it?”

Leaving other matters aside, the mere fact that a little mermaid had turned into a human being and became the Imperial Consort of the Empire afterwards would make headlines in the media.

“I know that in the Empire, His Majesties can hide the truth from the masses, and prevent the leakage of this information, but the Federation…Do you understand what I mean, Your Majesty?”

Jun Qingyu was a little annoyed, and this director had nothing worthy to offer, so he cut to the chase, “What terms would you like to address?”

“I would like to address the treatment of the mermaid breeding base.”

The director continued, “The latest fruits and vegetables appear to have the same effect as little mermaids. Would you be amenable to granting the breeding base access to be in operation with the newly acquired fruits and vegetables? Or simply withdraw the fruit and vegetables from the market?”

There were more reasonably priced mediocre fruits and vegetables that could be obtained; even the nobility would take precedence over those fruits and vegetables.

In addition, there were currently many mermaid breeding bases, and they were determined to have relations with the Federation. Even if their relations with the Empire have thawed, they were not daring enough to support the Federation’s businesses in the Empire.

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Given that the new Emperor had ascended the throne and made bold changes upon assuming office, no one knew which of them would have a fire burning along their line.

Therefore, the nobles who have the right to purchase intentionally avoid the mermaid breeding base.

Civilians who did not have the right to purchase no longer looked up at the mermaid breeding base and instead focused their attention on fruits and vegetables.

The mermaid breeding base which was accustomed to being on its high horse, waiting for people to visit and request to purchase a little mermaid from their breeding base, had instantly fallen into the depths of hell. They were in a situation where those who bought little mermaids from them before were itching to break off relations with them as they had been stained with filth.

This was unacceptable to the mermaid breeding base.

They had planned to pack up and return to the Federation, but they didn’t expect to discover his semblance of that little golden mermaid by chance, so they came with leverage over him to negotiate a deal with him.

Jun Qingyu listened to his conditions and only replied with two words, “Dream on.”

The mermaid breeding base was ambitious, and simply put, it depended on monopoly to consolidate its position.

Even if the director did not look for him, Jun Qingyu would still find a chance to deal with him.

It was just that he had been busy with other matters lately and could not take care of it.

The director lowered his voice, “Do you genuinely harbour no apprehension of the disclosure of this information to the Federation?”

This counted as a blatant threat.

Shi Kaixin moved from behind Jun Qingyu to the table.

Aware of his movements, the director ground his teeth, “In the event anything unfortunate befalls me, all information pertaining to Your Majesty and the little mermaid will be promptly sent to the emails of every press entity in the Federation. I respectfully implore Your Majesty to exercise prudent judgment before proceeding with any plans to dispose of me.”

If he wasn’t sure he could escape unscathed, the director would not be foolish enough to take the risk himself.

Furthermore, he could not seek anyone else for this issue. In the circumstance that this matter is divulged to others before the negotiations had even begun, he would have no bargaining leverage.

Therefore, it would be good as long as he had something to leave behind that would allow him to leave the Imperial Palace safely.

“The Federation?” Jun Qingyu wasn’t afraid that the news would affect him, but the current head of the Federation is Fu Yuanchuan’s little brother. If the other believed it and knew that his brother was married to a little mermaid, would he…

At the sight of Jun Qingyu’s utter silence, the frayed nerves of the director relaxed at last.

If Jun Qingyu didn’t even care about that, then he was in real danger.

Jun Qingyu remained silent and the director didn’t add anything else either. The more he talked, the more likely he was to make mistakes. His words up to this point were more or less it.

Shi Kaixin turned to Jun Qingyu. He was obviously pondering over this but Shi Kaixin had this feeling that he was thinking about how to rip this director in front of him into shreds without being discovered by His Majesty.

Well…The kind that involves ripping his head off.

The reception room was extremely quiet for a while.

In the silence, all that could be heard was the subtle, rhythmic thumping of heartbeats.

Bzzt! Bzzt!

The vibration of a light brain was extremely distinct in the quiet room.

The sound went on continuously like a succession of many messages were sent.

Jun Qingyu glimpsed at his light brain, he was still getting more messages from his friend, Fu Qingheng.

…Hmm?

Jun Qingyu didn’t remember when he had added Fu Qingheng.

A series of messages popped up once he opened the chat with Fu Qingheng.

Fu Qingheng: [Brother-in-law! I have received a comparison between you and a little mermaid.]

Fu Qingheng: [It has been intercepted in the cloud and the source file has been deleted. We’re still checking who sent it, I believe we’ll have the answer soon. Don’t worry.]

Jun Qingyu was stunned. Fu Qingheng was conscious that he was a little mermaid, but he seemed to have hardly any reaction and even helped him to conceal it.

Jun Qingyu: [Aren’t you scared?]

Fu Qingheng: [There’s nothing to fear, relax brother-in-law. This issue has been all taken care of. I’ll blow off the head of whoever releases this information. No worries, you have my brother on your side. The Empire won’t hold, that’s why they nominated my brother and I’m the head of the Federation. I’ll get going.]

Jun Qingyu: “…?”

That’s not what I meant…Why are you turning it around and comforting me?

Before he could give any further explanation, Fu Qingheng’s avatar greyed out after sending those messages, and he should be offline.

Looking at the dialogue box, Jun Qingyu was in a trance like seeing a husky off the leash.

“Your Majesty?” Shi Kaixin noticed that Jun Qingyu looked off, he seldom saw such an expression on Jun Qingyu’s face, so he thought something happened.

Jun Qingyu switched off his light brain, got up and said, “Arrest him and lock him up.”

“Yes, sir.”

The director was flabbergasted. There was a breakthrough in the situation earlier, he didn’t understand why Jun Qingyu would turn hostile and wanted to arrest him the next moment.

However, when he thought carefully about it, it was probably because there was a problem with the little mermaid’s relationship with His Majesty, or maybe he had really pissed him off and the threat had backfired instead.

The director sprang to his feet, “Your Majesty, is there any issue that cannot be resolved through negotiation? There is truly no need for a contentious and bitter fallout. While fruits and vegetables hold their merit, they are distinct from the spiritual energy of a little mermaid. Who knows, perhaps you may find a use for it in the future?!”

“The former head of the mermaid breeding base, concerned with the future development of the breeding base, came to discuss with the Imperial Consort. His final decision was to hand over control of the mermaid breeding base to General Shi Kaixin.”

The director suddenly couldn’t believe his eyes, “You——?!”

A d-daylight robbery?!

The director was so appalled that his mind went blank, “You are crossing the line! What is the difference in your behaviour between you and the Interstellar Pirates?!”

Jun Qingyu thought for a moment, and said with a straight face, “No difference.”

The director: “?!”

Jun Qingyu raised his hand and Shi Kaixin stepped forward, and the director was deprived of any chance to speak.

It wasn’t really a robbery, the mermaid breeding base belonged to the Federation. To be precise, the previous leader of the Federation.

Now that the head of the state has changed, the mermaid breeding base has become Fu Qingheng’s.

He didn’t have the time to take care of the mermaid breeding base anyway, he could just let Fu Qingheng take it away at some point. In any case…The following director certainly would not be the one in front of him.

—

The preparations for the ceremony were not progressing swiftly, mainly because there were so many things to be done, and every detail had to be checked repeatedly before it could be finalised.

Details that had been finalised were sent up, then examined and approved. If rejected, it would be sent back, and only when it was approved could the next step be taken.

Jun Qingyu perched on the side of the bed, savouring a peach, intermittently taking bites from the whole fruit as they reviewed the finalised details.

In an instant, a comforting warmth embraced him from behind.

Jun Qingyu leaned back without looking back, “Did you get enough time to soak?”

“Mhm.” Fu Yuanchuan wrapped his arm around the little fish’s waist, and in the meantime came forward to take a bite of the peach, “What are you looking at?”

“Matters on the ceremony.” Originally, Fu Yuanchuan was supposed to be in charge of it, but he went to soak in the spring, so these matters fell on Jun Qingyu’s shoulders.

Jun Qingyu briefly checked Fu Yuanchuan’s mental energy, it was more stable than before, and there was no sign of dissipation.

This meant that the spring water was effective.

Jun Qingyu ate a lesser part of the peach, and he remembered what occurred earlier, “For now, let Shi Kaixin be in charge of the mermaid breeding base, we’ll make a change when those from the Federation arrive.”

“I’ll follow your arrangements.” Fu Yuanchuan kissed his little peach-flavoured mermaid, “In fact, you can be the person in charge.”

Considering the Empire was more suitable for a mermaid breeding base, it was only logical to choose this location from the outset.

Considerations such as manpower and other things must be taken into account when those from the Federation come over.

Thus, it would be simpler to leave it to the little fish.

“I don’t want to manage it.” Jun Qingyu just wanted to sleep at home every day until he woke up naturally, and once Fu Yuanchuan was restored to full health, he would not care about the Empire’s affairs.

How could he plausibly take active control of the breeding base?

Fu Yuanchuan curled the ends of his little fish’s hair with his fingers. The little fish didn’t want to, and he said no more of this matter. It was nothing major and this was up to the little fish’s wishes.

He contemplated, then spoke, “Let’s go on a trip after the ceremony in a few days.”

With a raised eyebrow, Jun Qingyu leaned on Fu Yuanchuan’s shoulder and tilted his head to look at him, “How could you possibly leave with so much going on in the Empire?”

Fu Yuanchuan hugged his little fish and said, “Leave all the matters here to Shi Kaixin.”