Shen Jinchen glanced at Shen Youji and smiled as he tried to smooth things over for him. Although his father was a bit of a womanizer, he was ruthless when necessary, and the Shen family would never make such a low-level mistake.

He did think of someone, a woman named Wen Qihe whom he had offended in Shangyang City.

"Then tell me who it is, and I will personally deal with this traitor."

Ji Changming wanted to find this traitor immediately and tear him apart.

“Uncle Ji, the Wen family in Shangyang City is our financial backer. Take my token and go find Wen Qixi. Ask him why Wen Qihe didn’t marry into Xichuan. If he can’t answer, then confiscate all the Wen family’s power.”

Since the rumors started, Shen Jinchen had already made up his mind, but he was too far away to deal with them at the moment.

"You mean the only daughter of the Wen family in Shangyang City betrayed you?"

Ji Changming looked up and asked.

"Yes, she had some improper thoughts about me. I rejected her at the time, and she's probably still resentful. Uncle Ji, you can handle it as you see fit. If the Wen family can't manage people, then let them leave it alone."

Shen Jinchen's tone was cold and resolute.

"Alright, how are you going to handle things in the capital? After this commotion, I'm afraid that the regional princes might use the pretext of eliminating you to launch a large-scale rebellion. Do you have any plans?"

Ji Changming devoted his entire life to working for Shen Jinchen, so he was very concerned about what Shen Jinchen would do next.

"Uncle Ji, I will go to the palace to see His Majesty tomorrow, and the outcome will be clear then."

Shen Jinchen responded to Ji Changming in a calm tone.

"Are you trying to strike first and force Emperor Yanzhao to abdicate?"

Ji Changming looked at Shen Jinchen and guessed his next move.

"Yes and no. My wife is pregnant. Actually, I don't want to sit on that position. I'll put the hopes of the Great Qi on the child in his belly. I will make Emperor Yan Zhao acknowledge my identity and issue an edict of self-reproach, acknowledging the robbery committed by the Yan family back then."

Shen Jinchen respected Ji Changming very much, so it was no big deal for him to reveal his plans.

"It's good that you have the courage, but can you be sure that the child in the princess's belly is a boy? And after all, her surname is Yan?"

Ji Changming stared intently at Shen Jinchen and voiced his doubts.

“If it’s not a boy this time, there will be a next time. We’ll keep going until we give birth to a boy. Actually, she doesn’t have much to do with the Yan family. She was framed and sent away when she was born, and now that she’s back, she doesn’t have much affection for the royal family. Besides, it’s precisely because she has the surname Yan that she is the best breakthrough point. Uncle Ji, isn’t it the best strategy to subdue the enemy without fighting?”

Shen Jinchen looked at Ji Changming with a firm gaze. He hadn't been joking about his promise to Cen Xi. A real man should act on his word; how could he go back on his word?

Besides, he really wanted to spend his life with that woman, so it was better for him not to take that position.

"Alright! If you have your own ideas, then so be it, including your offspring."

Ji Changming's impression of him was that he was an open-minded person, and as long as Shen Jinchen was doing well, he had nothing to say.

"That's settled for today. You can handle things with the Wen family, Old Ji. I'll go talk to Minister Wen."

Seeing that Ji Changming and Shen Jinchen had reached an agreement, Shen Youji, who had been invisible, finally spoke up.

"The only family involved is the Wen family of Shangyang City. It has little to do with Minister Wen. Father, do not get involved in anything."

Shen Jinchen knew that his father could be ruthless and disregard even family members when he was in a bad mood, so he could only offer a word of advice.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. We'll leave if there's nothing else."

Shinobu Yuki stood up, intending to leave.

"I'm leaving now; I'm heading to Shangyang City immediately."

Ji Changming was still worried about the traitor, so he got up and prepared to leave as well.

"Alright, take care. Uncle Ji, once you've dealt with things, you need to return to the capital as soon as possible. Things definitely won't be so peaceful after this. The capital will need you and Father to stay here and oversee things."

After saying this, Shen Jinchen stood up and saw the two out.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Ji Changming glanced at Shen Jinchen, uttered those words, and then disappeared from the Princess's residence with Shen Youji's retreating figure.

The following day, Cen Xi and Shen Jinchen boarded a carriage together and entered the palace.

When Emperor Yan Zhao saw Cen Xi, his tone inexplicably carried a hint of hatred and mockery:

"Elder sister, are you getting used to living in the Princess's residence?"

"It's very good. The Princess's residence has been renovated very well. Your Majesty has put in a lot of effort."

Cen Xi smiled broadly, completely unconcerned about the other party's sarcasm.

Seeing that she showed no remorse whatsoever, Emperor Yan Zhao chuckled and turned the conversation back to Shen Jinchen:

"Is Prime Minister Shen here today to lay his cards on the table? I had no idea that the person I was so eager to promote was a descendant of the previous dynasty!"

"It was His Majesty's discerning eye that gave me this opportunity, wasn't it? In all these years as Prime Minister, I have managed to govern the chaotic court in an orderly manner, which shows that His Majesty has excellent judgment."

Shen Jinchen looked at Emperor Yan Zhao at the head of the table with a faint smile, speaking softly as if he were having a heart-to-heart talk with an old friend.

"Yes, you have a good eye! Very good! Today, the Prime Minister has brought his wife to the palace. Just say what you have to say. After all, I am just a title, not an emperor."

Emperor Yan Zhao chuckled softly, it was unclear whether he was mocking himself or the two people in front of him.

After saying this, he turned his attention to Cen Xi:

"Elder sister, are you going to disregard everything you promised before? Is it true that you've truly forgotten your family now that you have a husband?"

"Your Majesty, our Yan family seized the throne illegitimately a hundred years ago. Now you are incapable of protecting it all, so what's the point of forcing it? The facts prove that you are not suited to be emperor. Just give up the throne, and you'll have an easier time, won't you?"

Seeing that the other party was determined to hold her back, Cen Xi had no choice but to be blunt. He had gradually squandered all his resources, and now that he was asking for her promise, could she say that she had nothing to offer and could not help at all?

Don't be too fixated on some things, because you've already lost the initiative, so there's no point in trying anymore, right?

"Royal sister, don't forget, you also have the surname Yan!"

Emperor Yan Zhao had already made his plans, but Cen Xi's harsh words still deeply stung him.

“Yes, my surname is Yan, so I made my husband agree that the throne will be inherited by my son, and neither he nor I will participate. That way, he can not only restore the country, but I can also live up to my surname, right?”

Cen Xi knew that what she was saying was very immoral, but she couldn't stop Shen Jinchen from restoring the country, so, brother, I can only apologize to you.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yan Zhao's face darkened, and he remained silent for a moment.

“Your Majesty, the princess is right. My bloodline and the princess's bloodline combine the surnames of the Bei Ming and Yan families. It is indeed the most suitable solution at present. Your Majesty, you are a good person, and I do not wish to make things difficult for you. However, I, Shen Jinchen, also have my own responsibilities, so I can only meet you in this way today.”