The Empror's Trap-Chapter 64: Ch - Offering a Way Out

Sorry for chapter 63, i fixed it now.

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In Pluvia’s view, there weren’t many ways to reconcile - either show weakness in her words or find an opportunity to let him achieve merit and reward him as compensation.

Or take a third path.

That would be giving rewards, but not publicly - instead sending some small gifts.

Thinking carefully, she did have something she could give.

At this thought, Pluvia felt reluctant.

After all, it was too precious - if such a thing was given away casually, what would become of imperial authority...

But harmony in court was most important right now. Though Kenji had calmed down somewhat and wasn’t stirring up as much trouble, who could guarantee he wouldn’t continue?

Indeed, I should still give it.

Looking at his desires all along, he would definitely love this thing.

With reluctance and a touch of unwillingness, Pluvia had her maids bring her a package of Cool Spring Mountain tea.

Waaah, another package gone - this year’s quota was decreasing package by package...

But thinking that one package could ease his displeasure - forget it, it was just a package of tea, what did it matter?

"Quick, take this tea to Duke Anos, and say this tea is sweet and fragrant, not to be missed."

Calling over a guard, Pluvia instructed thus.

Seeing the guards’ strange expressions, Pluvia couldn’t be bothered to explain. As long as they delivered it, that was enough. Fortunately, Kenji was currently at the Imperial Family Court, making it convenient to send things to him.

...

In the Imperial Family Court, Kenji was handling his official duties when he suddenly saw an Imperial Guard appear before him.

Beside him, Lina froze for a moment, then almost immediately prepared to draw her sword. Fortunately, Kenji’s hand was faster - the instant she began to draw, he forcefully pressed her sword back.

The Imperial Guards were merely Pluvia’s personal guards. To be honest, he still had people planted among them - their coming to find him wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

That Imperial Guard clearly rarely did such tasks. Holding the tea package, she paused for a moment, considered how to speak, then said in an extremely stiff tone:

"By imperial decree, this tea is sweet and fragrant, not to be missed."

"???"

Hearing the words "imperial decree," Kenji immediately stood up and assumed a respectful posture, only to be left quite awkward by those words.

Wait, Your Majesty sent an Imperial Guard to deliver a decree, just to have him taste some tea?

Besides, why randomly send him tea? He hadn’t finished the last batch yet. Though he did enjoy tea, he couldn’t eat it like rice every day, could he?

Though puzzled inside, his mouth still had to acknowledge: "This minister thanks Your Majesty for the great favor, and will certainly exhaust all efforts to repay Your Majesty’s kindness."

"Alright, Grand Marshal, the item is delivered. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave."

The Imperial Guard placed the exquisite tea package on Kenji’s desk, then turned to leave.

"Ah, wait, did Her Majesty say only this?"

"Just this."

"Huh?!!" Kenji was completely baffled. He held the tea package in a daze for quite a while. The package was extremely exquisite, with golden characters engraved on it reading "Imperial Tribute."

Beside him, Lina was also dumbfounded.

This Emperor - was she an emperor or a tea merchant, giving away Imperial Tribute so casually?

Couldn’t she at least say a few more words?

"Um, what does Her Majesty mean by this?"

Kenji was truly confused.

He had already calmed down, and many things now were actually planned to be done anyway. Why would Her Majesty send him tea? And if she wanted to show apology, couldn’t she just say so directly? Or if Your Majesty feared losing face, you could just say something like "Hope we ruler and minister can work together with one mind"?

Sending a package of tea and saying it mustn’t be missed - this way of showing goodwill was rather unique.

However, since Her Majesty had sent Imperial Tribute, what else could be done? The tea was indeed excellent, and she clearly put thought into it, so this would have to do.

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"Young Master, if you continue for a few more years, could we switch to opening a teahouse?" Lina said with a wry smile.

"I think that’s quite possible," Kenji said.

However, if this was truly showing goodwill, it meant his earlier trouble-making hadn’t been for nothing - at least she knew to ease the atmosphere between them a bit.

"But honestly," Lina looked thoughtfully at the tea package, "it’s good that Her Majesty is willing to reconcile with you a bit. This way, you also have a... way out?"

This way out was casually made by Pluvia, but for Kenji, it was indeed a good opportunity.

That’s about enough - giving the little girl a few scares was sufficient. Any more and she might develop psychological trauma. Especially this grain collection matter, which almost interfered with Camelot’s lifeline. Had to say this Emperor’s heart was truly strong to endure even this.

"Very well, I’ll write a memorial thanking her grace right away. This can be witness to our reconciliation."

Kenji chuckled, then ground the ink well and wrote the memorial with quick strokes.

It was time to stop - he wasn’t truly a treacherous minister. Best to do less of these repeated jabs at the Emperor’s heart, or if things really turned sour, both sides would suffer.

After writing the memorial, sealing and preparing it, he handed it directly to a servant beside him, then flopped onto his bed.

"Lina, help massage my back. I’ve been sitting here so long my back is sore. At this rate, I’ll eventually die for Camelot at my post."

He had no thoughts of usurping power - as long as he ensured the Emperor dared not and could not harm him, that was enough. That bird’s perch of Emperor, if he took it, he might not even be able to sit well. He might accidentally blow up the country if he wasn’t careful - too much pressure.