Chapter 40

By the time Song Feng Mian woke up, Song Liya's back felt like it was going to break and her shoulders were going to be dislocated. If it continued more, Song Liya's break would've definitely snapped.

"You're finally awake?" asked Song Liya.

Song Feng Mian yawned and rubbed her eyes before she answered. "Yep, did we stay in the same position the entire time?"

"Yes, I didn't want to wake you so I decided to stay still."

"You could've laid down, I'm a heavy sleeper so I don't wake up that easily. You are my twin, aren't you? Shouldn't you have known that?"

"How would I know? I'm a light sleeper, so since you're my twin, I thought you were a light sleeper too."

"Ugh, anyways, I feel better now. Thank you for staying still the entire time while I was asleep," said Song Feng Mian as she got off Song Liya.

"No problem, anything for my sister. Also, we still had things to discuss before you fell asleep."

"Alright, what do you want me to find out about?" asked Song Feng Mian.

"The Jia family. Apparently, the prince of the Jia family will be the one I'm going to meet tomorrow."

"The Jia family, the name sounds familiar so I'm pretty sure I've researched them before. Let me look for the book," said Song Feng Mian as she started looking through the pile of books.

"Did you memorize where all your books are placed or are you just guessing where they're placed?"

"Of course I remember where all of them are placed, otherwise, our mother would've killed me long ago if I didn't since she would always ask me to get the book."

"I see."

"Here it is! The History of the Jia family, although I can't believe it's still in good condition after all this time, I would've thought it would be dusty all over but surprisingly, it's not."

"Enough of the book's condition, I want to know about the Jia family and their history."

"Okay, okay. Let me tell you a summary of their history so you don't have to read through everything."

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

"The Jia family, in the past, they were able to rise up in the ranks of nobility due to trading and making deals all over the nation. With their capabilities, they were able to gain the favor of merchants easily which allowed them to obtain expensive valuables as well as gain supporters easily."

"The Jia family was known for their dealership and their trading, that was why other noble families began to interact with the Jia family to trade valuables which made them well respected. They've never scammed or ripped anyone off, everything was fair."

"That was what we thought but in reality, the Jia family manipulated the people to give them the valuables, although I don't know what they've done, I do know they threatened to destroy their shops and never allowed them to sell anywhere ever again."

"As for the noble families, I heard they were also threatened. Since the Jia family was cunning, they were also able to cooperate with other evil families which allowed them to rise to the top in rankings."

"So the entire thing is just them manipulating others to bring themselves to the top but in a really smart way. Even I can't help but admire them a little bit." Song Feng Mian explained,

"Hmm, that's why they were able to make a deal with our mother, they're both similar in some aspects," said Song Liya.

"Yep, their manipulative ways and their cunningness are similar to each other. But who do you think is more cunning, our mother or them?" asked Song Feng Mian.

"Our mother of course."

Song Feng Mian frowned and shook her head.

"That's where you're wrong, you see, our family doesn't have a history of being manipulative, this is the only time we've had an empress like this. However, the Jia family comes from an entire lineage filled with incredibly smart people who were able to get the most valuable things without losing anything."

"Oh, then what do you think the Jia family wants from us? I find it hard to believe their deal is just me marrying their prince."

"Of course not, what they want is power. Throughout their entire history, none of them were able to become the king or the empress, that's why their deal is probably making you marrying their prince so that their prince could become the king cause in this moment, our family is at the top. There's no doubt the Jia family would use dirty tricks, in fact, any family would, it's just that they fear us too much to even try."

"So what you're trying to say is, they want me to marry their prince for power?"

"Yep."

"That's one awful way of doing it." Song Liya cringed in disgust.

"Maybe for you, but for those who lust for power, they'd do anything for it. Even if they have to go through the depths of hell, they wouldn't hesitate."

"I guess I wouldn't know since I've always stood at the top, but do you have any idea on how we should counter their plans while bringing down my mother?"

"Of course."

"What is it?"

"Before I tell you, is it true that Yu Yingyi has been going out more often?" asked Song Feng Mian.

"Yep, how did you know?"

"I heard our mother talking about that and Jia Yi tracking her during the banquet, but it seems like everything is fine now. Anyways, Yu Yingyi is going to be the key to all of this."

"How so?

"Well, since you did say Yingyi wanted to legalize same-sex relationships, there's no way she could do it alone. Yu Yingyi is smart by doing this, she's getting supporters by interacting with the people in the lower parts to gain favor from them. She knows they won't betray her after all that she's done for them. Sometimes, a huge number of commoners are stronger than a family of royalty."

"So that's why she's going out more often, it was to gain the favor of commoners for when she reveals her identity, that way, she'll have strength in numbers."

"Exactly."

"As expected of her to think of this and as expected of you to figure this out. I don't think I'll ever come close to your level of intellect."

"Haha! Just read more often, you'll learn a lot of things. I'm guessing you already know how to free me from this room right?"

"Of course, all I need to do is bring down my mother while bringing down the Jia family too."

"I'm glad you know, now go back to your consort, she must be waiting for you right now."

"YOU'RE RIGHT! I THINK I'VE MADE HER WAIT TOO LONG!" Song Liya exclaimed as she dashed out the door.

Song Feng Mian chuckled lightly at her lovesick sister, she wondered if she'll ever have a relationship like theirs.

"Oh well, I'll let the future me decide."