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

“You know, the incident of ‘If you didn’t knock him down, why did you help him?’ hasn’t passed yet...”
Shangguan Wan’er nodded, her gaze fixed on Yang Yi with growing curiosity.
Yang Yi smiled faintly, but the calmness in his eyes was unnerving, almost glacial.
“Precisely because of this, it will make the nobility of the donors stand out even more. When the critical moment comes to save a life, would you ignore it just because the person is a resident of Song? I believe that truly kind-hearted people wouldn’t refuse to donate just because the recipient is from Song.”
His voice carried an icy conviction.
“And at this time, we are arranging for people to subtly guide public opinion... promoting the theme of ‘Life transcends nationality’ alongside ‘We can’t condemn all pople of Song for the actions of one morally corrupt individual.’
“In this way, the people of Song who were humiliated by the question, ‘
’ will come forward to donate to this couple, eager to prove that not all people from Song are heartless or unkind.
“Kind-hearted individuals from across the world will step forward as well! And those who are hesitant but possess a flicker of compassion will be swayed by the ‘Life transcends nationality’ trend, encouraging them to contribute too.
“Thus, under the influence of carefully orchestrated public opinion, this couple will garner the attention of countless people. With such widespread attention, they’ll receive a massive wave of donations!”
Yang Yi’s smile deepened as he added, “The
Shangguan Wan’er pursed her lips, a flicker of confusion crossing her features.
“Prime Minister, why are you doing this?”
Yang Yi’s expression turned enigmatic. “This couple will draw the sympathy of countless kind-hearted individuals. But how do we give these donors a sense of accomplishment?
“The simplest method is to publish the total amount donated by people from different countries, updating it in every issue. This way, donors will see that their contributions are being used to save this couple, giving them a profound sense of participation.
“The more involved they feel, the more likely they are to transcend national boundaries to help this couple... and when betrayal comes to light, the flames of hatred will burn even brighter!”
The hall fell into a heavy silence.
Shangguan Wan’er and Wu Zhao stared at Yang Yi in stunned disbelief, their faces pale and their mouths agape. A chill seemed to creep into the warm room, making their hair stand on end.
Wu Zhao shivered involuntarily, taking a deep breath as she locked eyes with Yang Yi.
“What do you mean... betrayal?”
Shangguan Wan’er’s gaze didn’t waver, her expression taut with tension.
Meeting their incredulous looks, Yang Yi’s smile remained steady, his tone chillingly calm.
“When this couple garners the sympathy of the world, and even after their identity as residents of Song is revealed, they still receive an overwhelming amount of donations...
“When everyone’s goodwill and attention reach their peak. Suddenly, it will be revealed that the couple fabricated everything. Their child was never ill. They used the donated money to purchase vast estates, extravagant mansions, countless servants, and live lives of hedonistic luxury. Now, tell me—how will people from different countries react?”
The hall seemed to plunge into an abyss of stillness.
Wu Zhao and Shangguan Wan’er were too stunned to speak, their lips slightly parted in disbelief. Even in the warmth of the hall, a bone-deep chill crept over them, making their scalps tingle.
“This scheme... it’s truly diabolical,” Shangguan Wan’er muttered, her voice barely audible.
Yang Yi’s calm gaze held steady as he explained, “This plan manipulates the compassion of humanity, elevating kindness to its zenith.
“Even after knowing this couple hails from Song, people will donate, driven by their love for life. At that moment, human kindness and morality will shine at their brightest.
“When Song people step forward to help their compatriots, they will briefly redeem themselves in the eyes of the world. And when people of all nations join forces to help the couple, transcending nationality and enmity, it will represent the pinnacle of humanity’s brilliance.
“But just as their goodwill reaches its peak… They will learn the truth. This couple they helped out of compassion was nothing but fraudsters. Their noble act of kindness will be met with betrayal.”
Yang Yi’s eyes narrowed, his tone sharpening.
“In that instant, all the goodwill raised to its highest will transform into boundless fury, directed at the couple. And their identity as Song people will once again nail the region to the pillar of shame!
“‘If you didn’t knock him down, why did you help him?’—people of Song!
“‘Donation fraud’—still Song people!
“No matter how many kind-hearted individuals reside in Song, they will be buried beneath a tidal wave of condemnation. Once more, the people of Song will become the targets of global wrath. Scorned, ridiculed, and despised, their reputation will plunge further into disgrace.”
The air in the hall felt heavier than ever.
Shangguan Wan’er’s admiration for Yang Yi deepened, though it mingled with an unsettling chill.
“Prime Minister Yang, this strategy is a psychological attack. From now on, even the most refined individuals will view the people of Song with disdain.”
Wu Zhao’s complex gaze lingered on Yang Yi, her heart trembling at the sheer ruthlessness of his plan.
She knew Yang Yi’s methods were calculated and brutal. Some strategies claimed countless lives; others destroyed reputations without shedding blood.
But this scheme...
This scheme sought to obliterate the faith of an entire people, branding them forever as outcasts in the eyes of the world.
Wu Zhao couldn’t help but wonder: had Yang Yi devised such a cruel plan out of vengeance? Had the slander against her by the Song people prompted him to exact revenge on their entire region?
A strange softness crept into her gaze as she studied him, a trace of trust blooming in her heart.
Yang Yi, oblivious to her thoughts, remained focused on the strategy, his mind devoid of unnecessary musings.