Chapter 207

In the bookshops and art stores, the first volume of a novel written by Zheng Qiru, the top-ranked scholar, was on display everywhere.

In the largest bookstore in the capital, Zheng Qiru himself was present, holding a book signing.

However, everyone was puzzled by the title "She Returns After Five Years."

And on the book cover were written five characters that translated to "Chasing Wife: Crematorium."

"What does it mean? Chasing a wife, why chase a wife?"

"Why cremate while chasing a wife?"

"Did her husband die?"

People couldn't understand it, but when they opened to the first page, the curious scholars and wealthy young men were stunned.

The first page contained several excerpts:

'Her complete trust and devotion to him were repaid with nothing but a divorce paper.'

'On her birthday, with a high fever and not a penny to her name, she was heartlessly driven out of their home...'

'Five years later, she returned, even more powerful and wealthy than he, who was once the richest man in the capital, with millions in silver to her name.'

'As he looked on with regret, she walked past him with their twin children who bore his features, coldly tossing out a sentence.'

'Gu Aotian, the children will take my surname. I merely borrowed your seed.'

'I don't need to marry into wealth, I can create my own fortune!'

The scholars and rich young men standing in the bookshop, who had come to admire the top scholar's writing, were now thunderstruck!

What was this?

What on earth was this novel about?

Heavens, such an unconventional woman!

They hadn't even read further, but just these excerpts on the title page made their scalps tingle.

This woman in the book was forceful in her words and actions, her personality devoid of gentleness, even trampling her husband underfoot.

"Has Zheng Qiru gone mad?"

"Is there no one to rein in the top scholar? Does the Emperor know? Does the Ministry of Personnel know? Is no one going to stop this nonsense?"

The scholars and wealthy young men had initially been uninterested when they discovered the top scholar had written a novel, thinking his ink wasn't worth collecting if he wasn't focusing on proper scholarly pursuits!

But now, they were all provoked by these short phrases on the title page.

"So this is 'Chasing Wife: Crematorium'? Did she cremate her ex-husband? Or did the woman cremate herself?"

The scholars and rich young men rolled up their sleeves, unable to resist picking up the thin volume and continuing to read.

They had to see just how outrageous Zheng Qiru's book was, intending to curse him thoroughly!

But as they read on, their grumbling grew quieter, while the speed of their page-turning increased.

"Selling herself to bury her father... all in white, the wind blowing past, how pitiable she looks."

"There's even such a thing as a contractual marriage? This wealthy gentleman becomes physically uncomfortable when touching women, so he's long refused to marry. His grandmother, at her wit's end, threatens suicide, forcing him to reluctantly agree to wed."

"But as soon as he goes out, he's attracted to this woman who sold herself. By her side, he sleeps soundly for the first time, revealing he suffered from insomnia..."

Someone rallied the crowd, "Brothers, I know where the top scholar Zheng Qiru lives. From today on, if he doesn't finish writing, I'll camp outside his door!"

"Count me in!"

"Damn you, Zheng Qiru! If you don't give Gu Aotian a proper resolution, I won't leave either. I'll sit at your house too!"

Zheng Qiru's mouth twitched.

He never imagined it would turn out like this.

The bookshop, already mostly frequented by male customers, was now packed with men in an uproar.

Most of the men cursed while reading, engrossed in the story but unwilling to put it down.

Just as Zheng Qiru was worrying about his inability to influence women, the commotion from the bookshops and storytelling at teahouses began to spread to the women as well.

Many male customers who just read and left without buying books were increasing, but more and more female customers were making purchases.

"So during those five missing years, she saved the princess and was taken into the palace to study together!"

"The emperor was grateful that she saved the princess and, seeing her kindness and ambition, adopted her as his goddaughter!"

"When she returned after five years, she had become a princess herself!"

The female customers read on with excitement, "No wonder she came back with so many guards in the second chapter and taught those managers and in-laws who used to bully her a lesson!"

"Ah, all daughters should aspire to be like Su Chuchu!"

[Pfft... So the emperor dad and I ended up becoming the female lead's blessing.]

[Well, well, the female lead even shares my name.]

Xiao Chuchu finally finished reading the first volume with Xiao Yunzhou's help.

Jiang Li from the Ministry of Revenue was also beaming with joy, "Your Majesty, our capital's bookstores are about to sell out completely."

"We need to urgently print more copies!"

"The first batch of books being shipped to Chu State should arrive at their capital tomorrow!"

Xiao Chuchu's eyes sparkled, [Roar, let this fire of web novels—ahem, I mean, the fire of women's rise—spread far and wide!]

But Jiang Li from the Ministry of Revenue soon frowned, "However, Your Majesty, many men today only read without buying, not willing to spend a single coin..."

Now, whoever doesn't spend money is the enemy of the Ministry of Revenue!

Xiao Yunzhou was displeased upon hearing this. Although the book was written for women, the fact that not a single man was willing to spend money on it made the men of Jing Country seem extremely stingy.

It's worth noting that most of the laborers in Jing Country were men.

The majority of income sources came from men.

If all these men were unwilling to spend a single coin, it would be very difficult for the national treasury of Jing Country to generate revenue.

As Xiao Yunzhou was pondering this, he heard his daughter's inner thoughts start to chatter.

[Since we've already released the first volume of a female-oriented romance novel.]

[We should also release a male-oriented cultivation fantasy with an overpowered protagonist, like the one I drew last time, "The Fastest Cultivation in History".]

[Chapter One: Obtaining the Celestial Herb]

[Chapter Two: Drawing Qi into the Body]

Xiao Yunzhou's eyes lit up.