The Former Empress Roughly Hides Her Abilities - Chapter 105

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

【Chapter 105】

 

The Empire was noisy for quite some time.

 

Though the Tax Bureau people hadn’t intended it, many witnessed the scene of debt collection taking place in the middle of the Temple corridor, where the Saint was humiliated.

 

“I had no idea the donation would be used that way. I contributed because they said it would go toward Temple expansion construction, but if I had known it would become the Saint’s personal assets, I naturally wouldn’t have donated!”

 

Mrs. Molten, who had been present at the scene, also spread word of that day’s events to various places.

 

She was greatly enraged by the fact that the money she had donated for her sickly son had gone into the Saint’s pocket.

 

Since Mrs. Molten was a merchant with extensive connections, the story spread like wildfire.

 

“Come to think of it, it does seem like the Saint was wearing new accessories every day.”

 

“I witnessed it too. The Saint’s jewelry box was full of accessories she had never even worn.”

 

The nobles also whispered among themselves.

 

In a way, it was as Yuna had hoped – she had become imprinted in the social circle.

 

The Temple tried to control the rumors, but the story had spread beyond control.

 

This was because the Temple had been promoting that ‘donations are only used for charitable work.’

 

“I donated because they said it would be used for good causes… but they were complete fraudsters, weren’t they?”

 

“I even saved on this month’s food expenses to contribute!”

 

Those who had donated believing in the Temple’s propaganda and the clergy’s integrity were greatly angered.

 

“It would be best to exercise restraint until the rumors die down.”

 

Later, there was an incident where the Saint, having heard through the Cardinal what was being said outside, caused a disturbance in the prayer room, but that wasn’t a particularly important story.

 

As the Temple’s scholarship foundation had its authorization revoked, the Former Empress’s royalty income returned to the Imperial Palace.

 

Since Ensilen had no direct family and had died as Empress, the intellectual property rights were attributed to the Imperial Palace.

 

“This time, you should try running the scholarship foundation.”

 

The Empress Dowager summoned Princess Tiren to convey this.

 

“M-me?”

 

The Princess was nervous.

 

If the noodle factory failed, it would end as her responsibility alone, but the foundation contained the will of her deceased sister-in-law.

 

She feared that if something went wrong with the foundation, it would mean abandoning her legacy.

 

‘Wouldn’t Sister-in-law have wanted someone more capable than me as the director?’

 

Though hesitation crossed her mind, the Princess pulled herself together.

 

‘No, this is an opportunity.’

 

She realized why the Empress Dowager wanted to entrust this work to her.

 

‘She wants me to meet the Empire’s citizens directly while selecting scholarship recipients and listen to their voices.’

 

It would mean examining the Empire, establishing a foundation, and building power.

 

‘I must become Emperor.’

 

Tiren resolved.

 

She declared that she would protect those who believed in her and would no longer live only under protection.

 

‘I can’t stay in someone’s shadow forever.’

 

“If you give me the opportunity, I will try.”

 

She accepted the Empress Dowager’s proposal.

 

However, she thought it would be wrong to take all the credit gained from running the charity organization for herself.

 

‘The one who should be praised is Sister-in-law.’

 

She told the selected scholarship recipients:

 

“Actually, the one who established the scholarship foundation was Her Majesty the Former Empress. I am continuing the business following the will she left behind.”

 

“I heard that among the seniors, there are those who received tuition support from Her Majesty the Former Empress… was that true?”

 

“It’s all the will left by the Former Empress. I too will remember and cherish this.”

 

As Ensilen’s reputation rose again:

 

“Y-Your Highness. The… the donations keep increasing!”

 

People began donating to the scholarship foundation, and as sales of Ensilen’s writings increased, the foundation’s funds continued to grow.

 

With that money, more scholarship recipients were selected, and those selected again widely promoted Ensilen’s achievements, creating a positive cycle that had a beneficial impact on the foundation’s operation.

 

Tiren realized.

 

Perhaps the path for Sister-in-law wasn’t pouring donations uselessly into the Temple, but increasing the number of people who remembered her.

 

‘I hope Sister-in-law would be happy anyway.’

 

Tiren smiled shyly.

 

May you have peace.

 

* * *

 

The Princess carefully examined income levels, assets, family circumstances, and more while selecting scholarship recipients.

 

“Not all students with difficult economic circumstances have enthusiasm for learning, so it would be good to supplement the selection criteria through interviews.”

 

Rianel only served as an advisor and didn’t even put her name on the list as an honorary director.

 

Even so, the scholarship recipients came to find her one by one to express their gratitude.

 

“I wanted to thank the person who helped me continue my studies.”

 

“Thanks to you, Princess, I was able to leave home. My father said he couldn’t contribute tuition for a girl. Thanks to you, I avoided having to get married without being able to enter the Academy due to lack of money.”

 

“I am not the one who selected you all.”

 

Rianel calmly stated the facts.

 

Procedurally, all selection authority belonged entirely to the Princess.

 

“Still, we heard that it was you, Princess, who normalized the foundation and recovered the funds that were about to be wasted on the Saint’s luxury…”

 

“That too was not something I accomplished alone.”

 

Above all, they had been lucky that day.

 

If Asil and she hadn’t been at that time and place.

 

They wouldn’t have been able to catch that man who was running away with the evidence.

 

The students who heard the whole story all widened their eyes in unison.

 

“You… you were just nearby and the embezzler just rolled right into your hands?”

 

“And you even checked all the ledgers in that brief moment?”

 

Does this make sense?

 

Even students without tax knowledge could feel that this was an impossible occurrence.

 

“Is that possible?”

 

“Anyone can do a rough review.”

 

Rianel said nonchalantly.

 

“…Honestly, that wasn’t ‘rough’ at all.”

 

Mel ground his teeth at this.

 

Stop preaching about ‘rough,’ you fraud.

 

“I am only speaking the truth.”

 

“Only Team Leader can do that! For other people, even if they camped out there for days and nights, it would be questionable whether they could manage it!”

 

Someone like Rianel might appear once in a century, if at all.

 

The students looked back and forth between Mel and Rianel in confusion.

 

“It’s important to master methods for performing work efficiently. Work efficiency doesn’t improve just by having passion.”

 

Rianel was sincere.

 

During her time as Empress, she had worked harder than anyone, but no one acknowledged it.

 

“The starting point of work is recognizing what you can accomplish and what you cannot.”

 

Effort didn’t always lead to success.

 

“Once you confirm this, you can work roughly and appropriately while achieving maximum results.”

 

People are more drawn to delicious, unhealthy food than to food that’s good for the body.

 

The students were won over.

 

“Indeed…”

 

“Thank you so much for your words today. And for meeting with us.”

 

“I will engrave this deeply in my heart.”

 

As soon as the students left, Til covered his face with both hands and sobbed.

 

“Team Leader ruined the budding young talents…”

 

“I merely explained the importance of efficiency.”

 

“No! Those kids will never think that way! They’ll just become children who only chase shortcuts! Sob sob. The Empire’s future is dark.”

 

A few days later.

 

-We need to deeply contemplate the concept of ‘rough.’ Historically, figures who left great achievements may have succeeded not through effort but by seeking efficient methods. We should be wary of perfectionism, selectively allocate resources according to circumstances, and find ways to operate our lives enjoyably and efficiently with the spirit of ‘if it works, it works; if not, so be it,’ training ourselves to…

 

Professor Frederick, who had reviewed a research paper submitted by one of his students,

 

closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and said,

 

“Student, shall we have a meeting?”

 

The Introduction to Slacking Off was never adopted as an official academic discipline of the Empire.

 

* * *

 

While everyone else was regaining their peace, there was one place that had been turned completely upside down.

 

It was House Novantium.

 

Recently, as the Special Tax Bureau’s reputation soared and Rianel’s name was being mentioned everywhere, they were overwhelmed with pride.

 

‘That’s right, she’s going to be our lady!’

 

Not yet, but everyone believed it would happen soon.

 

However, when someone raised a question, they all began to harbor doubts simultaneously.

 

“Come to think of it, when will our master’s wedding take place?”

 

“Shouldn’t there at least be an engagement ceremony by now?”

 

Marriage arrangements between noble families originally required a thorough process.

 

Notarization procedures were necessary, and there had to be official announcements from both families.

 

“If they’ve already exchanged rings, why is everything still so quiet?”

 

Only then did everyone realize.

 

‘Something’s strange!’

 

‘Come to think of it… I’ve never once seen our lady wearing a ring?’

 

The head maid hurriedly rushed to Rianel.

 

“Y-you received this from our master?”

 

And so.

 

After confirming the ring—a blackened and excessively crude silver ring—that was supposedly given as an engagement gift,

 

“Everyone assemble!”

 

She immediately ran out and lined up all the servants.

 

“Why? What’s going on?”

 

“Our master’s taste is seriously problematic.”

 

To give something like that as an engagement gift.

 

At this rate, they wouldn’t even be allowed into the wedding venue and would be turned away at the entrance.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————