Empress in her second playthrough: Something's not right with this plot!

"The second to last of the Earthly Thieves is Shi Qian, the Flea on the Drum..."

Li Yunsheng was talking inside the house, while Wei Xiang was teaching Xiaoyutou martial arts in the main room.

Outside the courtyard.

Two dark figures had already sneaked over the wall and entered.

The two whispered to each other at the base of the wall.

"Isn't this family a bit too poor?"

"I've already scouted the location. There's only an old man with a limp and a little girl living here."

"That old man makes quite a bit of money telling stories. Since this is our first time practicing, we should definitely find something easier."

Chapter 70 A New Year's Letter to My Readers

Strawberry wishes everyone a Happy New Year!

I heard there's an event, so I, Strawberry, am just jumping on the bandwagon and posting this.

It is said that after the system reviews the content, a bonus chapter will be released, and readers will have a chance to win a prize by interacting with and commenting on the bonus chapter.

Looking back on 2022, there's not much to remember; I was just a nobody...

I couldn't write an outline and was once worried about the plot.

The book was crowdfunded and written entirely thanks to the guidance of the experienced readers in the reader group.

When I started my first book, my goal was to write a million words, regardless of the results.

Although the ending was a bit rushed, the goal was achieved.

This book, written on a whim, uses a historical theme that I'm not very good at.

Then Wei Xiang was introduced, sparking controversy over whether there should be a single or double female lead.

I tried my best to write it, hoping not to disappoint you.

My goal is still at least one million words, but I'm aiming for 1.5 million words, trying to make it as long as possible.

Thank you to the many readers who offered many helpful suggestions. Strawberry has already revised everything that could be changed in the previous text.

I haven't finished writing the second chapter yet. Enough with the chit-chat, Strawberry is going to start writing the main text.

Finally, in the new year, I wish all of you who have accompanied Strawberry all the way:

May everything go smoothly and may you have double happiness.

May good fortune bring you peace and prosperity throughout the four seasons.

Five blessings arrive and everything goes smoothly

Seven stars shine brightly, bringing wealth from all directions.

Nine-nine unity, perfect ten

Pepsi, may everything go smoothly

May everything go well for you and may you have peace and safety every year!

— Respectfully presented by Strawberry

Chapter 71 We have knives, what are you afraid of!

"Brother-in-law, if we bully the old and weak like this, won't we eventually get our comeuppance?"

Snapped.

In the darkness, the person who spoke received a slap on the back of the head.

"You're all talk and no action, but you don't have the guts to buy your sister rouge."

"Look, the shadows in the window look like two adults."

"Sir, do as I say. We have a knife, what are you afraid of!"

The person speaking pulled a knife from his pocket.

Then, the two figures bent over and quietly slipped along the wall to the entrance of the main room.

At the doorway, the two people were whispering to each other.

"I'll count to three, and you kick down the door. We'll each take one."

"it is good!"

One of them slowly stood up at the door, raising his foot as if ready to strike.

Then another person shouted, "Three!"

The person who was about to kick down the door almost threw out their back from the sudden appearance of the number '3'.

boom.

The door was kicked open, and there were two women, one older and one younger, standing in front of them.

The youngest was only six or seven years old, while the oldest looked to be in their early twenties.

Little Taro, who was practicing her kung fu, was startled by the sudden sound and her body trembled.

Then I realized that my older sister was right beside me.

At the entrance stood two men, one fat and one thin, each with their faces covered by a piece of floral cloth.

The fat man was also holding a kitchen knife.

Although the scene before him was somewhat unexpected, the fat man reacted quickly.

"do not move!"

He raised the kitchen knife in his hand and held it to Wei Xiang's neck.

Looking back, he saw his brother-in-law still standing at the door, and he called out to him.

What are you still standing there for?

"Oh!"

The skinny man quickly bent down and picked up the little taro.

The fat man hooked his foot, closing the door behind him.

"People inside, come out!"

Li Yunsheng sighed; the thing he feared had come to pass.

The ward system implemented a strict curfew. After the Drum Tower bell rang, all ward gates had to be closed and pedestrians were prohibited from walking on the streets.

The daily curfew made the capital city lifeless after nightfall, depriving citizens of the joys of nightlife.

It is neither convenient for daily life nor conducive to economic development.

However, it has one major advantage: it can protect the safety of the people in the capital to the greatest extent possible.

The neighborhood has walls, the pond has gates; there is no room for wickedness and deceit.

Abolishing the market system and lifting the curfew gave these 'treacherous' people an opportunity.

He noticed the commotion as soon as the two men sneaked into the yard.

They kept quiet, wanting to see what the two of them were up to.

He came out of the main house and his face darkened when he saw the kitchen knife.

However, seeing that cleaver held to Wei Xiang's neck...

Hearing the noise, Old Zhang, who had just picked up his wine glass, was so startled that he spilled half of the wine.

He hurriedly used his crutches to get down, but he was ultimately a step slower than Li Yunsheng.

"My two valiant men, please don't be impulsive. The man beside me is—"

The fat man interrupted Old Zhang.

“I don’t care who he is. We brothers only care about money. Give us the money and we’ll release him.”

Old Zhang could tell at a glance that the two were novices and wanted to give them some advice.

"Listen to me, he is Prime Minister Li!"

The fat man was stunned, never expecting that the old man couldn't even lie properly.

"Is he Prime Minister Li?"

"Correct!"

"I'm still the emperor!"

The fat man brandished the kitchen knife at Wei Xiang's neck.

"You still don't know who I am, do you?"

Li Yunsheng played the straight man perfectly.

"you are?"

The fat man tilted his chin slightly upwards.

"I am the infamous Ghost-Fearer, renowned throughout the land, in both the legitimate and underworld circles, a ruthless killer who doesn't blink an eye!"

"Whoa!"

Li Yunsheng leaned back slightly and then asked.

What if we don't pay?

The fat man was stunned for a moment.

What will happen?