Reborn Princess

Pei Min and Ji Xinan entered the study and bowed to Zhou Cechen, "Your Majesty."

Zhou Cechen nodded.

Pei Min glanced inside and raised his eyebrows. Zhou Cechen actually hid a woman in the study.

Although the rooms inside the study could not be seen, one could tell who Pei Min was as soon as he entered the study.

Zhou Cechen asked, "It's been more than two months since I left. Is there any news?"

Ji Xinan said sternly, "Your Majesty, something happened in Western Xinjiang."

"Three horse trails were built in the area east of Kunlun and Qilian Mountains to defend against the Central Plains."

"Moreover, Zhou Chao privately raised 2,000 war horses in Western Xinjiang, all of which were excellent breeds."

"After we entered the Western Frontier, we found that the polarization was extremely serious. The rich and powerful sold official positions and titles, levied heavy taxes, and the common people were living in misery."

"Three years ago, there was a severe drought in Western Xinjiang, and the imperial court allocated one million taels of silver to Western Xinjiang. However, as far as I know, the money never reached the people, and tens of thousands of people in Western Xinjiang died of hunger in the fifth year of Yongzhen."

"The people have long been resentful of the imperial court and the Central Plains. Even in the several counties I visited, the people have already raised slogans to overthrow the Great Qi."

Zhou Cechen's eyes gradually darkened. "It has actually gotten to this point."

Shen Xilan sat at the table under the window, drinking tea, watching the rain and listening to Ji Xinan's report.

After failing the imperial examinations many times, Ji Xinan became disappointed with the court. Later, he was valued by Zhou Cechen and had been working by his side.

After calculating the time, it was definitely these few days. Just like in my previous life, the Western Xinjiang region was in turmoil and there were plans for rebellion.

But... Ji Xinan came back early. If he could stay in Western Xinjiang for another half a month, he would be able to bring Zhou Cechen more favorable news - many people with smallpox mixed in with the refugees from Western Xinjiang to Yanjing City.

In the previous life, this battle could have been concluded quickly to prevent future troubles, but who would have thought that a large number of people in the capital would be infected with smallpox, and later the soldiers in the army were also infected, catching the emperor off guard.

Shen Lilan put the teacup in his hand on the table and saw a drop of rain on the leaves outside fall down and splash on the ground.

It's time for Tang Yi to come in handy.

Pei Min stood next to Ji Xinan and saw him describing the situation in Western Xinjiang in vivid detail, occasionally adding a few idioms and famous quotes.

Tsk, so flashy.

"Your Highness, I, Pei, volunteer to lead the troops to quell the rebellion." Pei Min clasped his fists towards Zhou Cechen.

Zhou Cechen tapped the table with his index finger. "General Pei, please be patient."

"There is a major battle going on in the capital that requires the use of General Pei."

Pei Min looked up and met Zhou Cechen's gaze, he was confused.

"General Yang will quell the rebellion in the western border."

Pei Min asked: "Yang Qian?"

"He is a member of the Yang family, are you assured?"

Zhou Cechen lowered his eyes to look at a piece of calligraphy on the table. "It is precisely because he is a member of the Yang family that I am most relieved."

"According to the date, he should return to Beijing."

……

In a restaurant beside the Imperial Street at the gate of Yanjing City, Zhou Chao was leaning on a chair while Zhao Feng was feeding him grapes.

The grapes on the fruit plate were picked, peeled and put into Zhou Chao's mouth. Zhou Chao looked at the man riding a horse into the city on the street below and curled his lips.

"Yang Qian." Arrived in Beijing.

Zhou Chao glanced at the man standing next to him peeling his skin and asked casually, "What do you think of this man?"

Zhao Feng glanced at the man on the horse downstairs and said, "I have only met Yang Zhonglang twice."

"Speak." His tone brooked no room for argument.

"Killing enemies bravely on the battlefield."

"anything else?"

"You are a little immature about government affairs."

"Immature?" Zhou Chao stared at Yang Qian.

"Yes." Zhao Feng answered with a bow.

Zhou Chao laughed, "He is indeed a servant who worked for Zhou Hengyan."

He pulled Zhaofeng into his arms and sat him on his lap. Everyone in the room lowered their heads, as if they were used to it.

Zhou Chao held Zhao Feng's waist with his big hands, and Zhao Feng lowered his head and followed Zhou Chao's instructions obediently.

As if it was not exciting enough, Zhou Ce stripped off Zhao Feng's outer robe to half expose his skin, then picked him up, put him on the table and bent down to kiss his neck.

"Your Highness, there's someone here." Zhao Feng shrank back and begged for mercy.

"What? You can't let others see it?" Zhou Chao asked teasingly with narrowed eyes.

"I am the prince's man."

Zhou Chao raised his eyebrows. "That's right. They can't bear to see your body. Otherwise, it will make people feel disgusted. What should we do?"

A trace of disgust flashed across Zhao Feng's eyes.

Zhou Chao whispered to the servants around him, "Get out."

After those people left, Zhou Chao reached out and grabbed Zhao Feng's neck and pressed him on the table, and the grapes on the table rolled all over the floor.

He pinched a grape and pressed it into Zhaofeng's mouth, and the grape juice flowed out.

"Serve this king well, little eunuch."

Zhou Chao leaned over Zhao Feng and smiled, "If you make me feel comfortable, I will grant you the position of housekeeper in my palace."

Then, Zhou Chao bit Zhao Feng's neck, and Zhao Feng turned his face away and let him do whatever he wanted.

……

At the Shen residence, Eunuch Xia read out the imperial edict, and everyone knelt on the ground to receive it.

"The Yang family has made great contributions for generations and has a good family tradition. Their daughter Shen Luoning has a deep relationship with King Xuan. I grant her the title of King Xuan's concubine. I decree this."

After reading the imperial edict, Eunuch Xia looked at Shen Luoning and said, "Shen Luoning, accept the edict."

Shen Luoning knelt on the ground with a gloomy face, suppressing her anger. How could she be a concubine? A Jingxu made her the principal wife, the principal wife of Prince Xuan.

Yu Panchun glanced at her and gave a wink to Si Yu who was standing beside her.

Si Yu tugged at Shen Luoning's sleeve, and Shen Luoning came back to her senses and looked at Yu Panchun.

Yu Panchun smiled and gestured for her to accept the order.

"Accept the order, Miss Shen." Eunuch Xia reminded again.

Shen Luoning stood up slowly with stiff movements to take the imperial edict.

Eunuch Xia watched her take the imperial edict and said nothing, not even to thank the Lord for his grace. He glanced at her with contempt and then left with his servants.

Everyone knelt down to thank him.

Seeing this, Wang Ciyuan immediately asked Shen Jing to take out the prepared silver and present it. Seeing this, Eunuch Xia said nothing more.

After getting up, Yu Panchun held Shen Luoning's hand and said with a smile: "You are worthy of being my good daughter. You really made me proud."

Shen Jing looked at the mother and daughter holding hands happily, and a sense of pride unconsciously arose in his heart.

Wang Ciyuan walked towards Shen Luoning step by step with a rattan cane. "Did you lose your soul just now? What about the rules?"

Yu Panchun protected Shen Luoning behind her, "Mother, Luoning is already the princess of King Xuan, why bother about these things? What are the eunuchs in the palace? In the end, they will all bow down to Luoning."

Wang Ciyuan's eyes were dark. "She is just a concubine."

Yu Panchun said: "She is also a member of the royal family. Besides, Shen Yanlan can only be a princess, but Prince Xuan is a prince. If he sits on the throne, it will be a glory for the whole family."

Although this sentence was just a boast, it really made Wang Ciyuan and Shen Jing think deeply.

"Don't mention this anymore. Shen Jing, come to my room to discuss this." Wang Ciyuan's voice was old.

Yu Panchun didn't care about that and pulled Shen Luoning towards his own courtyard. Only Shen Luoning frowned and still fantasized about becoming the queen.