Chapter 1202: The Princess Consort Whose Memories Were Altered (77)

Beitang Huo hurried over and saw that several places on the map had been marked with circles. He then heard Tang Guo explain, "These countries are relatively small and underdeveloped. I already sent people to survey their terrain, and there are valuable resources hidden beneath the ground. I intend to lease entire mountains and have them mined, then transport everything back to our Northern Yan."

When he heard the words "our Northern Yan," Beitang Huo's heart grew scorching hot.

"What is the most important thing for a country?" Tang Guo continued. "Its economy. I plan to quietly establish shops throughout various nations, gradually gaining control over their economies while also learning how they operate. At present, the major powers each occupy their own territories, and the smaller surrounding states are relatively peaceful. But no one knows when war might break out. We must prepare in advance. Otherwise, if chaos erupts, we'll be caught off guard, and in the end, it is the common people who will suffer."

A realization dawned on Beitang Huo. "Guoguo, your plan to open businesses in other countries… it's for my sake, isn't it?"

"Can't it be?" Tang Guo looked at him with smiling eyes, leaving Beitang Huo at a loss for words. He simply grasped her hand, his voice slightly hoarse. "I really didn't expect that. I even thought you were going to leave."

"I already said it. Northern Yan is very good, and there's someone in Northern Yan who is very good too."

"Meeting you… I must have cultivated blessings in my previous life."

The System wholeheartedly agreed. That's because you don't know how many lifetimes' worth of blessings you've accumulated. Remember the host's words—every lifetime, you're especially obedient. Otherwise, the host would never treat you this well.

She treats him so well that even he felt a little jealous.

He truly wasn't the host's favorite system anymore.

"In this lifetime, I'll do even more good deeds," Beitang Huo said earnestly, "so that in the next life, I can meet you again."

Not long afterward, every nation received the same piece of news.

The aging, unmarried Emperor of Northern Yan had finally established an Empress.

Rumor had it that the Empress was a merchant. In any other country, an emperor elevating a merchant woman to Empress would have become a laughingstock.

But this was Beitang Huo.

No one mocked him. Instead, they simply sighed inwardly that the Emperor of Northern Yan had finally found a woman he truly loved.

Shangguan Yi and Shangguan Jing also received the news.

Their lives had long become a living hell. Tang Jiao's temperament had grown increasingly spoiled and overbearing.

To outsiders, it seemed they indulged and doted on Tang Jiao because of their deep love for her.

Only they themselves knew the truth.

Another woman was hidden in the depths of their hearts, and because of the guilt they felt toward her, they had no choice but to treat Tang Jiao well.

Especially because she possessed the exact same face, they found themselves unable to utter a single harsh word to her.

Only in the quiet of the night, when everything was peaceful, would they come to their senses and recall the foolish things they had done during the day, leaving them with nothing but helplessness.

Because of Tang Jiao's arrogance and willfulness, several shops under the Prince's Estate had already closed down.

Had it not been for the capable steward managing things, the situation would have been even worse.

Shangguan Yi fared somewhat better, but every time Tang Jiao was involved, he would inevitably clash with Shangguan Jing.

And each confrontation brought back memories of the past, until the two truly became as irreconcilable as fire and water.

As time slowly passed, Tang Guo became the Empress of Northern Yan.

That year, the entire populace rejoiced.

Especially after learning that the woman who had led them toward prosperity was none other than their Empress, many practically worshipped her like a living Bodhisattva.

With Tang Guo guiding Northern Yan's economy, while simultaneously sending people to establish businesses abroad, collect rare resources, and excavate the treasures hidden beneath the earth, Northern Yan unknowingly grew stronger and stronger.

As for the imperial treasury, the words "deficit" no longer existed.