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Chapter 1462 Goodbye Si Lili, the Little Emperor's Plan to Get Rid of His Father and Keep His Son
Inside the palace, one palace maid after another brought hot and delicious dishes and placed them on the dining table.

Zhou Chen and Zhan Doudou sat on both sides respectively.

"As requested by the young master, all are hot."

Zhou Chen looked at the untouched dishes and asked Zhan Doudou, "Why don't you let someone test the poison first?"

Zhan Doudou said with a smile: "With a Grandmaster by my side, who can poison me here? As for the young master poisoning me, that is even more nonsense. The young master is a Grandmaster. If he wants to kill me, no one in the entire palace can stop him. Why would he resort to poisoning?"

Zhou Chen smiled. He would certainly not poison Zhan Doudou. He was just playing a joke on Zhan Doudou.

"I feel that it might not be enough for you and me alone, so I called someone else and she will be here soon."

Not long after Zhan Doudou finished speaking, a graceful, beautiful, dignified, and charming woman in palace dress walked into the hall.

"Si Lili."

Zhan Doudou introduced her to Zhou Chen with a smile: "She is now my Imperial Consort. You should be familiar with her. I heard that you and Lili knew each other well when you were in Nanqing. There were many rumors about your love affair along the Liujing River."

Zhou Chen felt very awkward listening to Zhan Doudou's words. You are talking so excitedly about the romantic affair between me and your imperial concubine. Oh, you are the empress, then there is no problem.

Si Lili bowed to Zhou Chen leisurely and said, "Master Zhou, it was your help that allowed me to return to Da Qi."

When she looked at Zhou Chen, her eyes sparkled. The reason she was able to escape from Nanqing was because Zhou Chen helped her, and he also asked the Thirty-Six Constellations to escort her all the way back to Beiqi. She has always kept this favor in her heart.

Zhou Chen said calmly: "It's been so long, there's no need to mention it anymore. Seeing that you're doing well now, I'm relieved."

Zhan Doudou said at this time: "Lili, please sit down first. I will give you some time later so that you can have a good chat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Si Lili also sat down at the table, but her eyes were always secretly looking at Zhou Chen.

Her current identity is the imperial concubine, but her relationship with Zhan Doudou is special. The identity of the imperial concubine is just to cover up Zhan Doudou's identity as the empress. Naturally, nothing will happen between the two women. There is only one person in her heart.

Zhou Chen and Si Lili had eaten together many times, but this time was the most awkward one.

Zhan Doudou looked at Zhou Chen, then at Si Lili, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly, revealing a mischievous smile.

"Mr. Zhou, you have outstanding martial arts and amazing literary talent. Although you were named the Duke of Zhenguo by the Emperor of Southern Qing, you are actually suspected and feared by your Emperor Qing, and you do not hold any official position. If this happened in our Great Qi, such a thing would never happen."

Zhou Chen put down his wine glass and asked, "Are you planning to talk about the old things again and recruit me?"

"Of course, I have always admired Master Zhou's martial arts and talent. Moreover, Master Zhou will soon be together with my sister, and our relationship will be even closer. If that's the case, why can't we take it a step further? Don't you think so?"

If he only had military power, she would also recruit him, but she would not spare no effort. However, Zhou Chen was not only an outstanding martial artist, but also an outstanding literary talent. If Zhou Chen could join Da Qi, she believed that if they cooperated with each other, Da Qi would continue to grow and even surpass Qing.

Zhou Chen said: "I think it's good to be a leisurely duke. I don't have to worry about so many things, and I don't have to fight in the officialdom. Besides, with my temper, if I really want to be an official, whoever is my superior will suffer. Why do you think Emperor Qing hates me so much? It's because I don't listen to him and don't take him seriously."

"The way we are getting along now is pretty good. I don't want to be your subject. It is said that the emperor's heart is as deep as the abyss. Do you want to have a subject who contradicts you every day? If you don't want to fall out, it's better to keep some distance."

He was very clear about his problems. If he were allowed to be the boss, it would be fine. But if he was asked to follow orders and behave himself, he really couldn't do it now.

It would be fine if he had no power, but now he is a grandmaster. Even though he is already a grandmaster, he still works for others and becomes a subject who obeys orders. That would be too unworthy of the grandmaster's status.

Zhan Doudou sighed, feeling a little disappointed, but it was also expected. It is not so easy to recruit a grandmaster. Just look at how Si Gu Jian established himself in Dongyi City.

What's more, Zhou Chen is both civil and military, and it is not easy to recruit such a person.

However, she felt relieved because Emperor Qing and Zhou Chen were not on good terms. Emperor Qing was a man of great talent and strategy. If there was another Zhou Chen who assisted him wholeheartedly, then Da Qi would really be doomed.

Now it is the best outcome for Zhou Chen not to care about the political affairs of the world.

After that, if Zhan Pianpian and Zhou Chen got married, Zhou Chen would be closer to them, Northern Qi.

During the dinner, Zhan Doudou asked Zhou Chen many questions, including some about literature and poetry. These were not difficult for Zhou Chen, who could easily answer Zhan Doudou's questions.

Later, she even asked about the emperor's mentality, the art of checks and balances, etc. Zhou Chen did not hide anything and passed on some of his experiences as an emperor to Zhan Doudou, which immediately astonished Zhan Doudou.

She had heard Zhuang Mohan say that Zhou Chen was incredibly talented, but she had never expected that Zhou Chen was even more knowledgeable than she had imagined. He was so proficient in the mind of an emperor, checks and balances of power, the art of ruling subordinates, etc. It was really unbelievable for her.

You have to know that Zhou Chen is just over 20 years old. At such an age, what kind of talent does he have to be so proficient in both civil and military affairs, and to have reached such a high level in both.

This also made her deeply aware that she must never be an enemy of Zhou Chen, and must do her best to win over Zhou Chen. Even if she failed, she must make friends with him.

In this case, it may not be safe to rely on the imperial sister alone.

There was a gleam in Zhan Doudou's eyes. Although she was not very old, she had been an emperor for many years and was very smart and scheming.

"Mr. Zhou, I still have memorials to read. Lili, please entertain Mr. Zhou for me."

Si Lili was delighted and replied in a cheerful tone, "I obey your command."

Zhou Chen looked at Zhan Doudou in astonishment as she strode away. He felt more and more puzzled. Although Zhan Doudou was the empress, others didn't know it. Would it be appropriate for you to let your concubine be with another man? Would it be appropriate for this to get out?

"Don't worry, young master. Everyone here is his majesty's people." Si Lili said gently.

Shouldn't you be the one who should be worried? Zhou Chen naturally wouldn't say this, so he could only find another topic.

"How have you been lately?"

"It's fine. After your people escorted me to the border of Northern Qi, Duoduo brought me back to Qi. Not long after that, His Majesty announced that I would be made a noble concubine. His Majesty treated me very well. You don't have to worry about me."

Si Lili spoke softly about her situation, her eyes fixed on Zhou Chen, unable to conceal her affection.

Before she left Qing Kingdom, she had already admired Zhou Chen, and they had even had a brief physical relationship. Later, Zhou Chen used the Thirty-Six Constellations to rescue her from the pursuit of Fan Xian and the Black Cavalry, and she was completely fallen in love with him. However, because of her identity, she could only hide this love in her heart.

Now seeing Zhou Chen again, she could no longer hold back the love in her heart, and even had a feeling of leaning in Zhou Chen's arms, just like when she was in Qing Kingdom.

Zhou Chen naturally felt that Si Lili was different. To be honest, he also had a good impression of Si Lili. It was just that Si Lili was now the Imperial Noble Consort of Northern Qi. Although it was only in name only, she was no longer a free person.

"That's good."

Si Lili bit her lip. Of course, she had thought about being with Zhou Chen, but she was more sober and realistic. Her younger brother still needed her help, and Zhan Doudou also needed her help to cover up. Being Zhan Doudou's imperial concubine was the best solution.

But if this happened, she would not be able to follow Zhou Chen. Sometimes she really envied Sang Wen, because she didn't need to consider anything else and just had to follow Zhou Chen wholeheartedly.

"This time, are you here to propose marriage to the eldest princess?"

The affair between Zhou Chen and the eldest princess Zhan Pianpian has long been no secret among the top officials of Northern Qi. In the past, some people had intended to take advantage of Zhan Pianpian, but since last year, the top officials of Northern Qi no longer had this idea.

Zhou Chen did not deny: "Yes, the main purpose of my coming to Northern Qi this time is to propose marriage. I will bring Pianpian back to Qing Kingdom to get married."

Si Lili was silent for a moment, then smiled again: "The princess is really good, and I believe you will not let her down. I wish you a long and happy life together."

Zhou Chen smiled heartily and said, "Thank you for your good words, I will definitely do it."

For a moment, Si Lili didn't know what to say. She just felt a little uncomfortable and a little longing in her heart, but she still restrained herself.

"Actually, Duoduo treats you..."

"Cough cough."

Zhou Chen quickly coughed lightly and interrupted Si Lili's words. You yourself are not calm yet, and you mentioned Haitang Duoduo again. What are you thinking?

"She shouldn't be in the palace now, right?"

"Well, I heard from His Majesty that Duoduo seems to have followed her master's orders and went to the Nanqing envoy."

"Oh, then there shouldn't be any problem."

Haitang Duoduo is already a ninth-rank master. Last year, she was instructed by him and also practiced his Ruyi Jin. In almost a year, she must have reached the ninth rank. Looking around the world, she is also the top master.

Si Lili started to find a topic again: "I left, what happened to Zuixianju later?"

"Not so good. Now the Liujing River is no longer dominated by Zuixianju alone."

"Have you been to the Flowing Crystal River since then?"

"After you left, you passed by a few times, but you never went in again."

Si Lili's eyes flashed with joy, and she asked, "Why didn't you go? Don't you like the new courtesan over there?"

Zhou Chen said casually: "Nothing, I just think it's boring and I don't want to go."

Si Lili smiled happily. Although she knew that Zhou Chen might not be in this relationship entirely because of her, she was willing to think so.

"you……"

Zhou Chen did not stay with Si Lili for too long. He soon said goodbye to Si Lili and went to Zhan Pianpian's bedroom. He said goodbye to Zhan Pianpian and left the palace.

It is naturally not convenient to live in the palace, so Zhou Chen's choice of residence is naturally Zhuang Mohan's mansion. He has become accustomed to living in this old place.

Zhuang Mohan was naturally very happy and welcomed Zhou Chen's arrival.

After not seeing each other for two months, Zhuang Mohan was in very good spirits. After seeing Zhou Chen, he didn't care about him for a long time and pulled Zhou Chen into his study.

Zhuang Mohan's study is a real study. It is filled with books and all kinds of books on the bookshelf, table and floor.

"Ziheng, the two books you gave me are really great, especially the one called 'University'. Although it has only a few words, the thoughts and meanings it contains are immeasurable. It......"

Zhou Chen listened to Zhuang Mohan's narration patiently. Zhuang Mohan was indeed a literary master. In a short period of time, he had studied the two books thoroughly and realized many truths of his own. However, because he had promised Zhou Chen not to spread them widely, he had been studying alone. Now that he had a rare opportunity to meet Zhou Chen, he had so many things he wanted to say and ask.

The two works, "The Analects" and "The Great Learning", are still widely circulated and of profound significance even thousands of years later.

In a feudal society like Joy of Life, the importance of these two works is self-evident.

Zhou Chen naturally would not spoil Zhuang Mohan's fun, and accompanied Zhuang Mohan to discuss the research. The two of them discussed from the hour of Xu to the hour of Zi. If Zhou Chen had not insisted on taking a rest and continuing the discussion tomorrow, Zhuang Mohan might have kept him talking all night.

However, he was also very happy to see Zhuang Mohan in such a good mental state. What happened to the Qing Kingdom group was obviously in the past for Zhuang Mohan. Now he has devoted all his energy to annotating scriptures and interpreting texts, and academic research, which is also his favorite career.

The happiest thing for a person is to be able to continue researching his favorite career.

While Zhou Chen and Zhuang Mohan were discussing the meaning of the classics, in the Northern Qi Palace, the little emperor Zhan Doudou and Si Lili slept on the same bed.

In this feudal society, men dominate, and there are many powerful people who are fond of homosexuality, but it is extremely rare for women in high positions to be fond of feminine behavior.

Although Zhan Doudou and Si Lili are nominally the emperor and the imperial concubine, they have known each other for many years and are both women. When they sleep together, it is really just sleeping without any other activities.

"Lili, what do you think of Zhou Chen?"

Suddenly, Zhan Doudou asked a question. Si Lili didn’t know why Zhan Doudou asked that, but she still answered truthfully.

"I have been with him for a while. He has a bad reputation in the capital of Qing Kingdom, but in fact, he is a very gentlemanly man. Even when facing women in brothels, he will not look down on them, let alone take advantage of them. He is different from those stinky men."

Zhan Doudou chuckled: "Speaking of this, I am also very surprised. With such a beautiful woman like you, he didn't do anything to you. Instead, he redeemed a geisha. It's really interesting."

Si Lili also looked helpless. Although there were various reasons, she was actually a little resentful in her heart. After all, she was the most beautiful girl on the Liujing River, but Zhou Chen wanted to redeem Sang Wen but not her.

"He is like other men, he also likes beautiful women and good wine, but he can control himself better than others. I think he is a very reliable man. When you are with him, you don't need to consider anything else. Just trust him, that's enough."

"On this point, your thoughts are exactly the same as my sister's. You both have great trust in him. He is indeed a reliable man, as you are all so devoted and trusting of him."

Zhan Doudou enumerated Zhou Chen's advantages: "He is a man of both literary and martial talents, sincere, trustworthy, reliable, and handsome. There are not many men like him."

"Li Li, I suddenly had an idea in my mind. Do you think it is feasible?"

"What?" Si Lili didn't know what Zhan Doudou meant.

Zhan Doudou put her hands behind her head and said slowly, "You know my situation. Many people are considering my marriage even before I take power. I have no choice but to make you my concubine in order to shut up those people. We know each other well and trust each other, but if it were someone else, it would be impossible for them to trust each other like we do. This is why I don't want to establish a queen or expand my harem. My identity must be kept secret."

"But if I don't have a queen and a harem, there are pros and cons. It's okay now, but as I get older, if I still don't have children, it will lead to instability in the court."

Si Lili also understood this logic, but she really couldn't help with this kind of thing. The two of them, women, couldn't have a child.

"If that doesn't work, we can adopt one from the royal family in a few years."

Zhan Doudou said disdainfully: "How can other people's children compare to your own children?"

Si Lili sensed something was wrong. She sat up from the bed and looked at Zhan Doudou in surprise.

"What does your Majesty mean?"

Zhan Doudou didn't answer. After a while, she suddenly asked, "How about I give birth to a child myself?"

"what?"

Si Lili was confused. Giving birth by herself? How could she give birth by herself?
Zhan Doudou ignored Si Lili's shock and continued, "My children, my bloodline, can continue my legacy."

"But, but how can Your Majesty give birth by yourself? Are you going to find someone else? But if this is discovered..."

Just thinking about it, Si Lili couldn't help but tremble slightly. It was too shocking and scary.

"Then don't let anyone know. Aren't you my concubine? Just pretend that my child was born from your belly. That way, no one will suspect anything."

Si Lili was frightened: "But, but I, I..."

Zhan Doudou’s idea was too crazy. She wanted to cooperate with Zhan Doudou, but if she was exposed, she really couldn’t imagine the consequences.

Zhan Doudou suddenly sat up as well.

"I have a very suitable candidate for the father of the child, and I also have a very perfect plan. Zhou Chen is a great master, and he is also a man of both civil and military talents. If I let him combine with my bloodline, I will definitely be able to give birth to a child with outstanding talents. As long as it is a prince, I will be able to silence the world's gossips."

"Ah? Mr. Zhou?"

Si Lili widened her eyes with a look of disbelief. She had just thought that her playmate was too crazy. Now, hearing that she had set her sights on Zhou Chen, she was so shocked that her head was buzzing. She couldn't imagine how Zhan Doudou could think of such a thing.
Zhan Doudou thought his idea was perfect: "I think there is no one more suitable than Zhou Chen. Don't you like Zhou Chen too? Let's choose Zhou Chen. You go get close to Zhou Chen and get him. I will cooperate with you and find an opportunity to borrow his body and blood to conceive my child."

"Don't worry about any flaws. As long as you and Zhou Chen are both pregnant by then, it will be easier for us to cooperate."

"Li Li, do you think my plan is perfect?"