34 – 34. Stage
The manipulation of public opinion continued for a week.
The attention focused on Health Syrup was increasing day by day.
It was evident even without observing people closely. Health Syrup was being mentioned casually by employees working at Maydoff Pharmaceuticals and by courtiers working at Thames Palace.
“I asked my friend to buy it for me because I didn’t have time to wait in line. But this guy added an extra 150 dollars? Wasn’t it originally 79 dollars per bottle?”
“It went up to 89 dollars. And from what I’ve heard, even 150 dollars is a reasonable price. They say it’s being sold at around 200 dollars per bottle due to the scarcity these days.”
“What a rip-off…!”
“I don’t know about the details. There are people who mobilize their entire family to secure a supply, then resell it to make some extra pocket money,”
A conversation circulating among the servants. I was oblivious to the fact that they were discussing health syrup.
“Things have gotten to that point already.”
It wasn’t an unusual phenomenon.
The price of health syrup had skyrocketed, but the actual supply was scarce. They said only about five thousand bottles were being shipped daily.
With no guarantee of being able to buy even after waiting in line for hours, people would probably resort to paying a premium. This seemed to attract those who found amusement in reselling.
It wasn’t just a craze among the common people.
Even those who seemed like they had never tasted health syrup were jumping on the bandwagon. All in the pursuit of boosting the marketability of health syrup.
“Allen, the funds flowing into Chandelier Syrup Corporation in the past few days exceeded thirty million dollars.”
It was the first thing Sienna heard upon entering her office.
“Where did you get this information?”
“From the usual sources. The people who used to work under Anais. Maybe it’s because they are professionals in handling money, but they seem to catch wind of things like this quickly.”
“That’s a significant amount.”
“I heard they issued five-thousand-dollar denomination stocks and sold them to investors. Those who bought them probably expect a significant increase in value after the listing.”
“Do you know how many investors there are?”
“Over thirty, as far as I know.”
Sienna added, “It’s a pity,” to these words.
But judging by her expression, she didn’t seem to feel any pity at all.
Rather, her face hinted at a subtle excitement as she imagined the future of those associated with health syrup. It wasn’t an exaggeration; there was a faint glow in her expression. The misfortune of others is one’s own happiness, but to openly anticipate it like that was something else.
Of course, there was nothing to say. I was feeling quite alright as things unfolded according to my plan.
“Very soon, we will proceed with the listing.”
“Perhaps?”
In order to publicly list stocks in the Britannian Empire, the approval of the royal family was required.
Was there a listing examination? Of course. However, it seemed that the supervision of stocks was not strict in this world, and it was greatly influenced by the company’s reputation, the status of the shareholders, and the amount of payment. It’s only a matter of time before regulations on corporate governance come into play.
Naturally, there was no intention to wait until then. We couldn’t afford to incite speculation on top of everything else.
“Allen, it seems like things are progressing. Is that right?”
“Yes. There is no reason to delay the listing. We are ready to begin.”
“…Actually, it does seem interesting, though.”
“Of course, it will be entertaining.”
However, we couldn’t afford to raise the stakes just for the sake of entertainment.
If we send it out now, at most a few hundred people will be affected and it will be over. But if we wait, thousands, even tens of thousands, will fall into ruin. Perhaps even more.
“It’s about time to make a move.”
Subjectively, it seemed like everyone in the system was focused on Chancellor’s wife’s health and, behind her, Princess Anais.
Now was the most opportune moment.
“Your Highness Siena, please assist me in announcing Her Majesty the Empress.”
“You want to meet her in person?”
“Yes. That would be the fastest way.”
The first step to remove Anais.
It was to obtain the cooperation of the Empress, who was Anais’ mother.
Using a birth mother as a tool to send away her own daughter may sound absurd, but it was the most efficient path.
On the same day, in the afternoon, I was able to announce the Empress Yeonhwa’s pregnancy. It was made possible thanks to Sienna’s efforts.
If I were just an ordinary knight, it would have been difficult to make it happen.
But I was the one who pulled the Empress out of the swamp of depression. I was even preparing for the cultivation of Silosibin. It was limited to tell the herbalists to bring similar mushrooms after unlocking the herbs and then selecting them one by one.
In fact, teaching morphine production to others is easy, but even the cultivation of Silosibin was difficult.
“If I had only thought about profit, I wouldn’t have even tried.”
The Empress knew my worth.
“It’s the first time I’m seeing your face with such a clear mind.”
She was the Empress who greeted me while sitting in a seat suitable for the Jin Empire’s nobles.
The last time we met, she was lively, enjoying the “trip” caused by the effectiveness of Silosibin. But now she was calm. … Seeing a lemon tea cup next to her, it seemed like she was planning to enjoy it soon.
With her Eastern-style hair tied up, elegant clothes that enveloped her petite figure, and even her pale skin.
She looked like a beautiful woman living inside a noblewoman’s attire. Maybe it felt more unusual because I was used to seeing only white people with colorful hair.
However, the Empress was not a superficial being because of her unique appearance.
After recovering her health, she was fulfilling her role as the Empress perfectly.
According to Sienna, she occasionally gives advice to the Emperor as well. It had to be assumed that she was aware of what was happening within the system.
“I heard you have a lot of interest in Anais’ business?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“…Actually, it’s not difficult to hear about Anais and Sienna’s whereabouts here, in the harem and the grand hall. The nobles who often visit the palace easily talk about their movements. They even do it in front of me without hesitation.”
“It must be unimaginable in the Jin Empire. It means that the subordinates dare to criticize the nobles’ movements one by one.”
“That’s right.”
“Quite bold individuals,” the Empress nodded approvingly.
Even as I pretended to be knowledgeable about their culture, there was no sign of annoyance. Perhaps asking questions directly was considered beneath their status.
“Rough estimate, huh.”
Based on the information I had gathered and the impressions I received firsthand.
Even if I were to tell the Empress, “Your daughter’s concoction threatens people’s health,” there was a possibility she would dismiss it casually. According to Sienna, the Empress was someone with a disregard for human life as a fundamental trait. Unless it caused a level of damage equivalent to inciting a rebellion, trivial matters would likely be treated with indifference.
So, I decided to persuade her in a different way.
“…You probably have already guessed, but Princess Anais started this business not out of resentment towards Princess Sienna.”
I steered the conversation directly towards internal matters of the royal family.
“Honest, aren’t you?”
“It’s not due to a grudge or anything. Princess Anais, driven by an obsession to match the efficacy of Morphin, used a poisonous plant called Mahwang. In the empire, it’s referred to as Avesta. It’s a substance that can harm the heart and brain.”
“Poisonous plant? That’s an exaggeration. I’ve had Mahwang soup prescribed by the imperial physician in my youth.”
“That physician undoubtedly processed the Mahwang, removing its toxicity, and combined it with other herbs, including licorice, to minimize side effects. They have specialized knowledge.”
“…”
“When used appropriately, it’s undoubtedly an effective remedy. However, in the hands of ignorant individuals, it becomes poison. What would the uneducated know? Enticed by the sweetness of the syrup, they’ll mindlessly consume it and eventually invite trouble.”
“Hmm.”
The Empress now nodded as if finally understanding. It was rewarding to have belittled the ignorant citizens.
“We must stop Princess Anais before the health syrup spreads. Please help us.”
“Why should I?”
“My apologies, but…”
From Noble mtl dot com
“It’s okay to speak comfortably.”
“If we don’t stop now, Sienna’s messenger might end up eating Lady Anais alive in Siena. I shouldn’t be saying this to the one we serve, but she does have a somewhat ruthless personality. We can prevent a disaster if we stop now.”
A warning that not abandoning the daughter at this point might lead to a family feud… Even though it seems like an arrogant statement to me, the empress willingly nodded.
Probably acknowledging the animosity aside from admiring Sienna.
She was aware that if the sisters fought, Anais would ultimately suffer, and it was evident that they were too far gone to get along amicably.
‘She hesitates even though she knows.’
I didn’t criticize her for being slow to decide.
No matter how much Anais has deviated, she is still her adopted daughter.
In this vast empire, isn’t she the only one with blood not related to the empress herself? During the time of nostalgia, the daughter might have been someone she could emotionally rely on. She probably wouldn’t want to cut ties just because she sold some harmful medicine.
However, aside from hesitation, there seemed to be discernment.
“…It seems that even preserving Anais’s life will be difficult if we don’t pull her down now. If we delay, commoners will indiscriminately consume that syrup, harming their bodies.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“…”
The empress’s mind seemed to waver, as seen in the anxiously clasped and unclasped hands and the tightly shut eyes. It was inappropriate to urge her at a time like this.
There was a period of silence, but it didn’t last long.
“How do you want me to handle this?”
Considering that the other party was her daughter, it was a relatively quick decision.
I presented her with a request that was not at all challenging for her.
To host a banquet attended by the emperor and empress and three princesses.
Since it was nothing more than a family meal event, no justification was needed. If the empress said a word, it would soon be confirmed.
Of course, it wasn’t like they were telling me to eat just for the sake of it.
“There’s something you need to take care of right there.”
“Tell me.”
I conveyed specific instructions to the empress who willingly nodded. It was a somewhat harsh plan, but there was no need to sugarcoat the words.
Having risen to the occasion, it’s now time to bring about the downfall.
I couldn’t predict how severely the Third Princess would be injured.
Holy mc is actually light yagami . The Putin read is dumb man. She could have lived peacefully but she choose this