BXBX NOVEL Chapter 156 - 156: Suspicious Point
[I apologize, live-streamer. I misunderstood you. I shouldn’t have accused you of making dark cuisine.]
[It’s truly refreshing to see someone acknowledge their mistake so quickly and willingly. ]
[It’s important to admit and correct your mistakes. I believe Liao Ning wouldn’t stoop to such low levels.]
[The cream mushroom soup is absolutely delicious. I’m loving it!]
Liao Ning noticed that the instant comments were now filled with compliments for the cream mushroom soup. A smile formed on her face. “Your support and appreciation are what keep me motivated to continue live-streaming. See you all next time!”
Liao Ning swiftly ended the live-stream, leaving behind a group of reluctant viewers.
As Zhou Ling returned home, Liao Ning was about to head upstairs when Zhou
Ling called out to her. Liao Ning was slightly surprised. “What’s the matter, Ling? You’re back early today.”
“Su MO messaged me. He mentioned that his team has made a new discovery.” Upon hearing about a new discovery, Liao Ning paused and decided to delay going upstairs. She went to the living room and powered on the Al. While she was live-streaming earlier, she had felt a vibration from the Al, but she hadn’t had the chance to see who sent the message.
Opening Su Mots message, Liao Ning furrowed her brows. “The newly recognized princess of the empire used ancient culinary delicacies to help the empire’s citizens escape the oppression of mental strength potions?”
Liao Ning didn’t grasp the full significance of being drained by mental strength potions. The Wei family had established a factory in the empire to employ illegal workers, but they refused to pay?
Wei Family: Thank you, but there’s no need to view me in such a negative light. I can handle my own expenses.
Ordinary people didn’t fully comprehend the situation within the empire. Zhou Ling provided an explanation. “The people of the empire are also suffering from the mental strength riots. The prolonged war between the empire and the alliance was triggered, in part, by the use of mental strength potions.”
“I recall that the alliance is selling mental strength potions to the empire, correct?”
Zhou Ling nodded. “That’s correct, but since mental strength potions are costly to produce, they remain quite expensive even within the alliance. The price of mental strength potions sold to distant empires is even higher.”
“How expensive are they? I heard from the netizens during the live-stream that an average person’s monthly salary can afford five mental strength potions,” Liao Ning calculated. “Considering adults consume two to three potions per month, the price is a bit high but still manageable.”
“That may be true within the alliance, but once the mental strength potions reach the empire, their price immediately doubles,” Zhou Ling explained, her brows furrowing. “The empire operates differently from the alliance. It’s a monarchy with four distinct classes: royalty, aristocrats, aristocratic families, and commoners. The hierarchy within each class is extremely rigid. The commoners, who make up the largest population, earn about two-thirds of the per capita income compared to the people within the alliance. Based on the monthly usage calculation you just mentioned, these doubled prices for mental strength potions undoubtedly burden them the most.”
“So, in order to redirect the increasing internal conflict, the empire pointed fingers at the alliance, the supplier of mental strength potions to the empire?” Liao Ning concluded.
Zhou Ling nodded, affirming that Liao Ning’s understanding was accurate. This was indeed one of the reasons for the ongoing conflict between the two nations.
Liao Ning was at a loss for words. Wasn’t she just an ordinary citizen? The alliance had good intentions in supplying mental strength potions, so they couldn’t be blamed for the increased transportation costs, right?
“Do you think there’s something suspicious about the Princess of Dawn’s background?” Liao Ning inquired, looking at Zhou Ling.
Zhou Ling nodded. “Indeed, the timing of the Princess of Dawn’s emergence seems too coincidental. The alliance was attacked at Planet B16 Prison, and amidst that chaos, they discovered a princess on a border trash planet between the two countries.”
The circumstances were undeniably too coincidental. Liao Ning ventured a bold speculation. “Could it be that the empire bribed interstellar space pirates to attack Planet B16, diverting the alliance’s attention while secretly retrieving the princess?”
“However, the evidence has proven that the empire had no involvement with that pirate wave. The pirates were genuinely attempting to rescue their organization’s leader on Planet B16,”
Liao Ning’s curiosity peaked, “What are the Prime Minister’s thoughts on this matter?”
Zhou Ling shook her head. “The Prime Minister hasn’t expressed a clear opinion. He merely mentioned that the Princess of Dawn would bring trouble but didn’t seem to believe it was directly linked to the alliance. Perhaps he foresees internal turmoil within the empire.”
Taking note of Zhou Ling’s response, Liao Ning decided not to dwell on the issue further. Instead, she redirected her attention to the citizens. “Considering the Princess of Dawn’s ability to alleviate the burdens of the civilians through her culinary skills, this can be seen as a positive development.. Why do some of you seem discontented?”