I, Am a Living Yama; Empress Advises Me to Stay Calm

In the courtyard of the Song Dynasty envoy’s residence, Gao Kan paced nervously.
“Uncle Zhu, do you think such a good thing could really happen to us? We’ve offended Yang Yi before… could he truly be this generous?”
Suspicion tinged his voice as he glanced toward Zhu Dong.
Zhu Dong, busy polishing three pristine pieces of glass, didn’t even look up. A faint smile crossed his chubby face.
“Why worry about Yang Yi’s intentions?” he replied calmly. “These glass pieces are real. As long as we get the money and secure this batch of glass, we’re set. What tricks could he possibly play?”
Gao Kan nodded, his eyes fixed on the shimmering glass shards. Greed flickered across his face.
“Uncle Zhu, you’re right. As long as this glass is genuine, it doesn’t matter what his motives are.”
Zhu Dong chuckled, his round face lit with anticipation.
“Exactly. Once we secure the money and buy this batch of glass, we’ll be rich. This treasure could bring us unimaginable profits. And if we present some to the officials and they like it, who knows? I might even get promoted.”
The thought sent a shiver of excitement through Gao Kan.
“Then let’s hurry back to Bianjing and collect the money!”
But Zhu Dong hesitated. “What about the mission assigned by the officials?”
Gao Kan dismissed the concern with a wave.
“Uncle Zhu, this marriage alliance is a long-term matter. But if we deliver this glass to the officials, they’ll be so pleased they won’t care about our mission here. Besides, we’ve already delivered the message; our job here is done.”
A sly smile crept onto his face. “If you’re unwilling, Uncle Zhu, I’ll go back myself.”
Zhu Dong eyed the young man, inwardly sneering.
The next day, the two men boarded a boat back to Bianjing.
…
Inside a sprawling mansion near the imperial city, Gao Kan burst through the doors.
“Father!”
Seated in a lavishly decorated hall, Gao Qiu looked up. His wide-sleeved robe shimmered with intricate embroidery, his belt gleamed with jade inlays, and his headpiece sparkled with an oversized emerald. Though his features were plain, his attire was a testament to his wealth and status.
He frowned slightly at the sight of his son.
“Why are you back? Weren’t you supposed to be in the Zhou Dynasty with Zhu Dong?”
Gao Kan, pale and haggard from his indulgent lifestyle, hurriedly explained,
“Father, I’ve returned with incredible news. This time, we’re going to get rich!”
Gao Qiu’s brow furrowed. His son’s reputation as a troublemaker preceded him—bullying the weak, harassing women, and constantly causing headaches for the family. Yet here he was, speaking of wealth with such conviction.
“Rich?” Gao Qiu asked skeptically, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“Aren’t we already rich? Our family owns tens of thousands of acres of land, countless property deeds, and thriving shops.”
Gao Kan shook his head. “Father, this isn’t about land or property. This is real money—a business that could earn tens of millions in cash!”
The claim made Gao Qiu pause. His sharp eyes narrowed.
“Do you even understand the scale of what you’re saying? Tens of millions in cash? Do you know how much the imperial court collects in taxes annually?”
Gao Kan swallowed hard, his face lighting up with excitement.
“Father, I’m not lying! Even Zhu Dong is scrambling to get in on this deal.”
He opened a box and carefully revealed its contents.
“Look at this, Father—top-quality glass. A treasure beyond compare!”
Gao Qiu’s eyes widened as he examined the glass. It was flawless, free of impurities, and gleamed with an otherworldly brilliance. Even the finest glass cups he’d seen among the nobility couldn’t match this craftsmanship.
“Where did you get this?” he demanded.
Gao Kan smirked.
“We acquired it from a high-ranking official in the Zhou Dynasty,” he replied, recounting the events at the Yang residence while conveniently omitting Yang Yi’s reprimand.
After listening, suspicion clouded Gao Qiu’s face.
“Why would someone sell such a treasure? There must be a trick.”
Gao Kan grew impatient.
“Father, why overthink it? The glass is real—look at it! Once we have it in our possession, what could possibly go wrong?”
Gao Qiu’s instincts warned him of potential pitfalls, but Gao Kan’s argument held weight. As long as the glass was genuine, what harm could come from the deal? They could inspect every piece during the transaction.
Still, he hesitated. “This…”
“Father!” Gao Kan urged, his voice rising.
“If we wait any longer, we’ll miss this opportunity. This batch of glass could sell for eighty or 90 million Yuan! We need to act fast. If Zhu Dong collects the money first, we’ll get nothing!”
The prospect of such wealth finally swayed Gao Qiu. His hesitation gave way to determination.
“Very well. With my influence, I can gather a considerable sum. But our family must take the lion’s share.”
“Of course, Father!” Gao Kan exclaimed. “Why not mortgage all our assets? The more we invest now, the greater the profit later. And if we present this glass to the officials, your standing with them will soar!”
He had climbed from the ranks of a common ruffian to his esteemed position as Chief Marshal, a rise owed entirely to the emperor’s favor.
The emperor, known for his fondness for rare flowers and exquisite stones, already possessed a prized collection of glass cups. If Gao Qiu could present him with glass of even higher quality, it would surely delight the emperor and solidify his favor further.
Gao Qiu, already imagining the emperor’s delight at such a rare gift, nodded. “Let’s begin collecting the funds.”
…
Meanwhile
Zhu Dong, no less eager, was busy soliciting investments from his network of acquaintances.