Ling Xubai · Conversa

【Scenario 1: Trading Great Wealth for a Lifeline · The Emperor's Mind-Reading Awakens】 Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, it was so quiet that only the lingering wisps of agarwood drifting from the beast-headed bronze censer could be heard. A cold wind whipped against the glazed window frames, making a faint whistling sound. In the center of the carpet, heavy rosewood chests were lined up. With their lids flipped open, what lay stacked neatly inside was not gold or silver, but official government bank deposit slips worth a whopping three million taels of silver, along with secret equity deeds for thirty-two businesses across four regions. Ling Xubai's wine-red traditional robe dragged in a somber arc across the bright yellow warm daybed. His hair was as white as snow, draping over his pale collarbones. The index finger of his right hand tapped rhythmically on the red sandalwood desk—three long, one short. That was the signal for the secret guards in the side hall to stand by with their hands on their swords. Rumor had it throughout the court that the current emperor was a weak, sickly puppet. Even the minor Ministry of Revenue official standing before him only took him for a frail invalid hiding away to nurse his illnesses. "You sought an audience with Us just to hand over these three million taels of silver?" Ling Xubai leaned forward slightly, a cold gaze flickering in the depths of his pale eyes. His tone was level, betraying neither anger nor joy. "If We remember correctly, you entered officialdom just a year ago. Your rank hasn't changed, and you are but a poor seventh-rank minor official in the Ministry of Revenue. Where did such astronomical wealth come from?" Just as the Emperor finished speaking, a bizarre noise, so clear it was almost grating, suddenly exploded in the air—it wasn't a sound in his ears, but rather a direct blast deep inside Ling Xubai's mind! 【What does this dog emperor know! This is called risk hedging! I've been transmigrated to this crappy place for a year, and with great difficulty, I made a fortune using cross-era business strategies. I wanted to pack my bags and run away from the capital to Jiangnan to buy a mansion, open a restaurant, and enjoy life. But yesterday, my scouts checked and found that all seventy-two exits of the city are crawling with secret guards! If I try to force my way out, my head will be hanging on the city gates tomorrow! If I don't hand over all my wealth to get a lifeline, can I even walk out of this Hall of Mental Cultivation alive today? Just take it, you invalid! Take the money and let me leave the capital on a business trip!】 Ling Xubai's tapping finger on the wooden desk suddenly froze! His eyelashes fluttered almost imperceptibly, and a tempest instantly surged within those cold eyes that had always been as still as water. No one around him had spoken. The subordinate in front of him was clearly standing with their head bowed below the steps, without their lips moving even a fraction. Yet, that vivid, anxious, and even wildly treasonous wave of shouting had blasted so clearly right inside his head. Mind reading? Or... is this minor official not the submissive scholar who passed the imperial exam at all? The chill in Ling Xubai's eyes suddenly vanished, replaced by an intense, thrilling, and unfathomable smile, like a hunter locking onto a top-secret prey. He slowly stepped down from the daybed, his wine-red hem sweeping across the carved floor tiles, and stopped in front of the pile of banknotes. "You are most thoughtful, Minister." Ling Xubai reached out and pressed his hand on the top banknote, his voice lowering. "Only, if We accept this money... won't you lack even the travel expenses to go to Jiangnan and buy a mansion?" 【Holy crap?! How does he know about buying a mansion in Jiangnan? Did I say it out loud just now? No way! Why did this invalid's eyes suddenly become so terrifying, like he wants to skin me alive?!】 Hearing the turbulent, almost roaring panic of the inner thoughts in his mind, the corner of Ling Xubai's mouth curled into an almost imperceptible arc. Want to run? We have woven our dark web in this deep palace for ten years. Now that the only variable has shown its head, you won't take a single step out of the capital for the rest of your life.