Chapter 110 - Empire Of The East

The empire that was located in the east, the Qin Empire. Yu Yingyi disliked them a lot, mostly because they're about taking over the world and claiming they're the strongest ones in the world.

But there was a reason the Qin Empire claimed to be the strongest. They were far ahead of them in technology, weapons, and business. Because of this, a lot of people wanted to learn from them, but they couldn't since they didn't allow people from other empires to come in. 

The people of the Qin Empire are incredibly selfish, the nobles wouldn't share anything with the commoners. The commoners were barely seen as people, they were cast aside and were treated like garbage.

However, the empress of the Qin Empire, Qin Shui, was even worse than the nobles. She would treat everyone harshly, even her own family. She once had a sister, but the sister tried stealing something from her which led to her being banished.

Yu Yingyi had no clue where she was banished, it was never said in the novel. There were plenty of reasons she didn't want to deal with the Qin Empire, she couldn't name them all.

"Do you understand Ru Shi? The Qin Empire is a bunch of selfish and terrible people. That's why I want to stay away from them as far as possible," Yu Yingyi said. 

Zhu Ru Shi nodded her head in understanding, "I see, then should I break the agreement of truce I have with the Qin Empire?"

Yu Yingyi was surprised, "The Zhu Empire has a truce with the Qin Empire?! Didn't you say you didn't know who they were?"

"I forgot who they were, it's been a while since they've even sent a letter to us," Zhu Ru Shi said. "And of course, the Zhu Empire wanted peace with every empire. That way peace can be kept and war could be avoided."

Yu Yingyi was amazed, it was incredible how Ru Shi was able to make peace with every empire, even the Song Empire. She wondered what Ru Shi offered, but she felt like it was private information so she avoided the thought. 

"Then with that peace treaty of yours, do you think we can enter the Qin Empire?" Yu Yingyi asked.

Zhu Ru Shi nodded, "You can. Despite the Qin Empire being far advanced than all of our empires, they're not very caught up with the news. They're in seclusion basically."

Yu Yingyi nodded, "I see, then this could work. We could enter the Qin Empire and find out who sent the intruders."

"Wait," Zhu Ru Shi interrupted. "How do we know if it's the Qin Empire who sent them? What if it's the Jia Empire?"

"That's not possible, right? The Jia Empire is on friendly terms with us since their empress and our empress are getting along," Yu Yingyi stated.

"Actually, it's possible," Mei Xiang spoke up. "The intruders could be sent behind the empress's back."

"But what would they benefit from doing that? They'll only face consequences," Yu Yingyi said.

"But that's IF they get caught," Mei Xiang said. "The empress might never find out if they keep themselves hidden well enough."

"The situation suddenly got more troublesome. We're not detectives, we shouldn't even be doing this stuff," Yu Yingyi said. "Ru Shi, what do you think?"

"I think we should head to the Qin Empire for a few reasons. One, we should see their technology and learn from it. Second, we can gain information. Lastly, we can see if they sent the intruders or not," Zhu Ru Shi said. 

"I agree with Ru Shi," Mei Xiang said.

Yu Yingyi looked at the two helplessly, "It's impossible for us to go since we have to take care of our empires. Why don't we send people there instead?"

"You're right about that, without us, who would keep the empire at bay?" Zhu Ru Shi muttered.

"Although that works, we'll have to send our best people. We can't send amateurs since they'll be caught easily," Mei Xiang said.

"So is it settled? We'll send our best people to investigate the Qin Empire?"

"Yes," Zhu Ru Shi replied.

"Finally," Yu Yingyi said as she leaned back into the sofa. She gulped down a cup of water to keep herself hydrated.

"What other plans do you both have?" Zhu Ru Shi asked.

"I have to serve customers here soon, so I'll be busy for the rest of the day," Mei Xiang replied. "As for Yingyi, she'll probably be free for the rest of the day."

"I see, then that's great," Zhu Ru Shi said with a smile. "Yingyi, why don't we go on a date?"

"Wait, wait, wait. You're asking to go on a date with her? Yu Yingyi?" Mei Xiang asked in disbelief. "You do know that Princess Liya will kill you right?"

Zhu Ru Shi shook it off as if it was nothing, "It's nothing like that, it's just going to be us two hanging out with each other. Plus, I have no other friends, my other friend is too tired to even leave her bed."

Yu Yingyi pondered if she wanted to accept her not, although she would rather go home and check on Liya, there was no telling when Liya was going to be done with her meeting. This killed the reason to refuse.

"Alright, but you don't even know where to go," Yu Yingyi said.

"Says who?" Zhu Ru Shi asked as her expression turned into a smug grin. "I've done a bit of research yesterday, there's a relaxing spot that I bet you haven't visited yet."

"I highly doubt that, I've been to every spot of the city already. I'm pretty sure I've seen it all."

"You shouldn't crush my hopes so easily, a woman's heart is still fragile."

Yu Yingyi rolled her eyes playfully. She already knew Zhu Ru Shi was a strong girl, in the head and the heart.

"Well then, why don't you lead the way, the princess of the Zhu Empire?"

"Oh please, you don't have to be so formal."

****

Yu Yingyi was left speechless by Zhu Ru Shi, she was brought to a place where there was green grass everywhere, the sun shone perfectly above them, and there was a river streaming below. 

"Where did you find a spot like this?" Yu Yingyi asked, she was surprised about how Zhu Ru Shi found this before her.

"Hehe, amazing right? I bet you haven't been here by the look on your face," Zhu Ru Shi said. 

Yu Yingyi grimaced, "Hmph, it's probably because I don't go anywhere besides the architecture shop often."

"Why do you go there?"

"Because Mei Xiang and my other friends are there. It used be place where i went to design things, but it became a hangout spot."

"That's an interesting development."

Yu Yingyi chuckled, "It is, I never thought it would become this way."

"Are you all close with each other?"

Yu Yingyi nodded as pleasant memories surfed in her mind, "We're very close with each other, I could practically call her my sister."

"I see," Zhu Ru Shi said while looking a bit gloomy.

Naturally, Yu Yingyi caught this, "Ru Shi, is there something wrong?"

"Nothing," Zhu Ru Shi replied. "It's just I don't have much people I could call friends, they're mostly business partners."

"That's a trivial matter, you'll make friends easily if you can open yourself up," Yu Yingyi said. "Moreover, aren't I your friend? Did you forget about me?"

"Of course not! You're the only friend I have besides my friend that's back at home."

"I'm glad I'm worthy to be friends with the amazing first princess of the Zhu Empire."

The two of them laughed, if the world suddenly had a meteor coming towards them. The two could care less about it, they were enjoying their moment.

"Ru Shi, is there anything else you want to ask?" Yu Yingyi questioned.

"I have a few more," Zhu Ru Shi replied. "How was living life as a commoner?"

Yu Yingyi was surprised by the sudden straightforward question about her personal life.

"Is there a reason you wish to know?"

"Yes, as someone who's royalty, I can't seem to understand commoners. Since you were once a commoner, could you perhaps tell me?"

Yu Yingyi didn't have a reason to refuse, there wasn't much to say about her personal life anyway.

"Sure. Compared to other commoners, my life wasn't as bad. But I had to work hard to make money so my mother wouldn't have to. My mother overworks a lot, but she's still well. I get scared when my mother gets looking tired, the thought of my mother passing out is scary."

"I see, i didn't have to worry anything about that. Sorry if it was too personal."

"It's fine, I've moved on from that anyway. Now, my mother is probably living her best life at home. All my hard work has laid off."

Yu Yingyi stared at the endlessly flowing river and suddenly came up with something.

"Life is an endless river filled with events."

"Are you now a philosopher?"