The number one spendthrift woman in the capital actually brings glory to her entire family?

Sikong Jin threw a piece of firewood into the fire. The blazing flames made her face glow red. She shrank back, looked through the flickering firelight at Tang Jingyao opposite her, and sighed, "I may have to leave the capital for a while, and, unfortunately, you might be right, I'll be sent to deal with the famine and snow disaster."

Upon hearing this, Tang Jingyao raised his handsome eyebrows in surprise and said, "How is that possible? Didn't the Emperor already decide to send Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Revenue to handle this matter? Where did you hear about this?"

After returning to Zhongzhou after court that day, I learned about the Emperor's reaction to the report. As expected, it was indeed because of the famine and riots in the northwest. Didn't the Emperor and the Left Chancellor immediately decide to send the Ministry of Revenue to handle it? It seems they even planned to have Lady Fang Huixue assist them. What's going on now?

"Besides, aren't some people hoping you won't leave the capital? If you leave like this, some people will be very uneasy!"

"If I live under their noses like this, they won't feel at ease at all. If they knew that I was the one who secretly took down all those shops and such, they would probably want to tear me to pieces and throw me out of the capital!" Sikong Jin said irritably.

Upon hearing Sikong Jin's words, Tang Jingyao naturally recalled the incidents a while back when the capital was cracking down on crime, during which some shops owned by high-ranking officials or powerful families were robbed and burned. The losses were considerable, and the perpetrators have yet to be identified.

The ministers complained to the emperor, who then told them to report the case to the yamen. However, to this day, the yamen has not heard anything. The culprit is none other than the handsome young man sitting leisurely by the fire across the street!

“I can’t stay here. Hilton’s business has been on track during this time, and Sikong Mo has left. If it weren’t for my mother, I really wouldn’t have any reason to stay here. You know what I need most right now.”

Sikong Jin looked at Tang Jingyao with a serious expression. The wickedness in his clear eyes was gone, replaced by a resolute look. "Therefore, I must leave the capital."

Tang Jingyao's expression darkened slightly. After a moment of silence, he said in a deep voice, "But if you want to get out like this, I'm afraid it's impossible. Do you have any other ideas?"

Sikong Jin casually picked up a branch and threw it into the fire. "Didn't I just tell you? This time we can only take advantage of the famine and riots in the Northwest. I need to secretly sneak back to Wangzhou. If we can do it under the guise of an imperial dispatch, that would be perfect."

"So, you deliberately and openly hosted a banquet for me and Grand Secretary Ji so that this matter would reach the Emperor's ears, and with the encouragement of Liu Changyue and Yang Hong..."

Tang Jingyao was startled, and a knowing smile appeared on his refined face. He couldn't help but pick up a twig from the ground and throw it at Sikong Jin, laughing, "You're really something! You're full of mischief. Whenever you're thinking of a trick, you're the one whose mind works the fastest!"

Sikong Jin reached out and caught the branch, a faint smile appearing on her delicate, youthful face. She took a breath, her gaze returning to the flickering flames before her. "As you know, Liu Changyue and Yang Hong are sworn enemies of the Sikong family, eager to plunge them into misery. They will never allow the Sikong family to remain uninvolved. Furthermore, the Sikong family suffered almost no losses in this upheaval, and Emperor Xing Qiyu of Dayong is an extremely suspicious and distrustful person. Tonight, this matter reached his ears through Liu Changyue; one can imagine what he will think!"

Tang Jingyao nodded thoughtfully, "Based on my understanding of the three of them, they are indeed prone to overthinking when faced with this matter."

"Sikong Shu wants to watch them fight from the sidelines, but the Emperor certainly won't allow that. He has to find a way to drag the Sikong family into this mess. As for me, the Emperor has always thought of me as a pawn he uses to deal with the Sikong family. This stems from my father's influence and my relationship with the Ninth Princess. After tonight's banquet, they will definitely speculate that Sikong Shu has ulterior motives or that I have some powerful backer, but they can't be sure."

"Hmm, that analysis makes sense. If that's the case, then we have a great opportunity right in front of us: to send you out to handle the Northwest rebellion. Firstly, it would test Sikong Shu's attitude; secondly, it would probe your capabilities, Sikong Jin; and thirdly, it would sow discord between you and the Sikong Mansion. The main purpose of this is to help you wrest some military power from Sikong Rui and have you lead troops to the Northwest to suppress the rebellion. This is a responsibility that your Sikong Mansion will bear. Regardless of whether the Northwest rebellion and famine can be resolved, the Sikong Mansion will be dragged into it..."

Tang Jingyao completed Sikong Jin's words, and then exclaimed in admiration, "As expected of the emperor, you have mastered these intrigues and power struggles. With just one move, you can stir up countless waves. Ah Jin, you are truly remarkable. You can even understand our emperor so thoroughly!"

Sikong Jin touched his nose discreetly and sighed, "Yes, what can I do? I'm just as despicable as our emperor. He can come up with these despicable and shameless ideas, so can I. However, I seem to be a step ahead and a bit more cunning!"

Tang Jingyao couldn't help but roll his eyes. To use the word 'despicable and shameless' as the highest praise, there was probably only one Sikong Jin in the entire Fengyun Continent!

"So what do you plan to do? Judging by this, the imperial edict will probably be issued tomorrow morning. I just saw the Left Prime Minister's carriage rushing towards the palace overnight. I'm afraid we won't have time to prepare."

"Don't worry, I was planning to leave the capital as soon as possible, so I naturally wouldn't be unprepared. Besides, the Emperor wants to help me regain military power from Sikong Rui, which is perfectly legitimate, but that old fellow Sikong Shu is no pushover either."

"That's true."

"After I leave, the capital will be relying on you a lot. Ji Wuge's situation isn't very good either. I'll try to visit them when I have the chance."

Tang Jingyao nodded and said, "Don't worry, I will take good care of your mother, and she probably won't be treated the same way as before. As for Hilton, as long as I'm here, no one will do anything to it."

"Yes, I feel at ease with you in the capital. Alright, it's late, you should go back now. I still have to go to the Hilton, what a busy life! I'm off!" With that, Sikong Jin suddenly stood up, turned around and walked down the steps, her slender figure quickly disappearing into the silent darkness.