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“Young lady, it’s not that we don’t trust you, but that we dare not trust you,” someone in the crowd said. “After all, it’s no secret that you’re in poor health, and besides, you’ve married the King of Chu. Are we loyal to you or to the King of Chu?”

Zhao Youyi stated frankly without any hesitation: "It is true that I was born with poor health, but thanks to my maternal grandmother's treatment, I am now no different from an ordinary person. As for the King of Chu... my relationship with the King of Chu is merely a cooperative one. I am me, and the King of Chu is the King of Chu. My surname is Zhao, and I am the 29th generation head of the Zhao family, not his Queen Consort of Chu."

After speaking, she revealed the general's token, the small character "Zhao" seemingly glowing in the sunlight.

"Your humble servant Zheng Peng swears to follow the patriarch to the death!" A voice boomed like thunder. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Zheng Peng limping over, shouting, "Brothers, I witnessed Min Guo poisoning General Zhao with my own eyes, and even discovered evidence of Min Guo conspiring with the dog emperor to murder the general. Are we risking our lives to kill the southern barbarians to serve such a ruler? He can't distinguish between loyalty and treachery, he's a tyrant! We must rebel! For our parents and relatives! For our elders and fellow countrymen! Kill this tyrant!"

Although he held a low rank in the army, his words were thought-provoking, drawing everyone's attention. Zhou Huaiyuan, standing nearby, quickly said, "General Zheng is right! Since Min Guo took office, Wanzhou has become a trading hub with the Southern Barbarians. The Southern Barbarian army has even used the pretext of trade to station troops in the city. If this continues, the Jin Kingdom will be in grave danger! Moreover, the dog emperor is incompetent and pleasure-seeking; he hasn't even paid the army's wages for last quarter! Are we supposed to fight on empty stomachs?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces showed anger. After all, although the emperor had been incompetent and tyrannical, he would never have embezzled military pay. When Zhou Huaiyuan saw someone asking a question, he subconsciously looked at Zhao Youyi. Seeing that her expression was normal, he said, "The previous military pay was all subsidized by General Zhao privately. The general loves the people like his own children and regards everyone as his own brothers. He couldn't bear to see everyone lacking food and clothing, nor did he want everyone to know that the emperor they served was so incompetent. He never expected... that this would arouse the jealousy of the dog emperor!" After saying this, he couldn't help but show a sad expression.

Mentioning Zhao Youli, everyone's expressions gradually turned somber. Some soldiers even covered their faces and wept openly in front of everyone, crying out that their general had died unjustly. The once quiet military camp became noisy with these cries. As the crying gradually subsided, someone said bluntly, "We must avenge our general! Besides him, who else truly cares about us?"

Hearing this, everyone turned to look, only to see that the speaker was one of Min Guo's underlings, with bloodstains still on his forehead from the blow Min Guo had given him not long ago. Seeing everyone looking at him, he scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly: "Although I used to work for Min Guo, I still have a conscience!"

"Good!" Zhao Youyi walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder. "You can distinguish right from wrong and correct your mistakes. These words prove that you have a clear mind. What's your name?"

The soldier grinned and said, "Young General, I am Liu Dazhi, the eldest son in my family. My brothers all call me Liu Da."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Youyi smiled slightly, patted his shoulder, and said nothing more.

Seeing that even the men under Min Guo had switched their allegiance to Zhao Youyi's camp, how could these former subordinates of Zhao Youli hesitate? So they responded to the call and vowed to follow the young general to the death and avenge him.

Back in the military tent, Zhou Huaiyuan said, "Young General, now that we've decided to rebel, we must prepare the provisions first. I wonder if the Young General has any ideas now?"

Zhao Youyi hastily wiped the blood off her face with a damp handkerchief: "I've already sent someone to buy grain with my dowry money. I'll continue to think of ways to deal with the rest."

Zhou Huaiyuan nodded, "Over the years, my subordinates have also accumulated some savings, and we can do our part to help."

The amount of money needed later would only increase, and Zhao Youyi did not refuse.

After finishing his military business, it was nearly dusk. Zhao Youyi remembered that the princess's carriage would soon arrive at the border, so he decided to return to the inn to discuss things with Chu Chanyin.

After listening to Yin Jiu's report, Chu Chanyin's face darkened as he said, "Those good-for-nothings in the clan can't stay at peace unless they cause trouble. I've only been gone for a short time and they've already caused such a big mess."

Yin Jiu glanced at his expression and said, "Your Highness, we still need you to take charge of things in Fuzhou. It would be best if we set off as soon as possible."

Chu Chanyin was pushed onto the throne of Chu by his clan. There were rumors in Fuzhou that his bloodline was not pure. If there were other members of the clan who could take on this responsibility, he would not have been chosen. Or perhaps they only needed a pawn, someone who was intelligent but not ambitious, and he was the best candidate.

The thought of having to go back and feign politeness with these people again gave Chu Chanyin a headache, and he unconsciously rubbed his temples.

"What troubles you, cousin?" As soon as Zhao Youyi entered the room, he saw the beauty with his brows furrowed, his long hair loosely tied behind him, and his snow-white brocade robe making him look like a god who had stepped out of a painting.

Seeing her return, Chu Chanyin finally felt a little relieved. "Cousin, you're back. Was everything alright?"

Seeing that the two had something to say, Yin Jiu tactfully bowed and took his leave. Zhao Youyi's gaze swept over him quickly before he walked over and sat down next to Chu Chanyin. "I killed Min Guo."

The bloodstains on her body had been wiped clean, and she had changed her clothes, but the faint smell of blood still lingered around her.

Upon hearing this, Chu Chanyin poured her a cup of warm tea: "Min Guo's death is not a pity, but I'm afraid my cousin won't be able to sleep well tonight."

"My cousin hasn't answered my question yet." Seeing that he was deliberately avoiding the topic, Zhao Youyi picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea, and joked, "You won't drug me again this time, will you?"

Chu Chan smiled faintly, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it all in one gulp: "Of course not, I didn't drug you last time either."

"It's just some trivial matter in Virginia. It's rare to escape and be a carefree person for a while, but then all the trouble started to come." Chu Chanyin smiled indifferently.

“My cousin has been gone for so long, it’s time for him to go back.” Zhao Youyi’s gaze fell on his face. His eyebrows and eyes were very beautiful, and his eyes were bright and sparkling, making people feel soft-hearted and tender. His eyebrows were straight and his face was so handsome that it was breathtaking.

"I have already defeated the Zhao family army, so I'm afraid I won't be able to go to Fuzhou with my cousin." As he said this, a barely perceptible regret flashed through Zhao Youyi's mind, but it was gone in an instant.

Chu Chanyin knew he couldn't keep her. He'd known that for six years. He always watched others leave, and all he could hold onto were shared memories. But now Zhao Youyi didn't even remember their shared memories, and he was at a loss.

It was no longer appropriate for him to interfere in what followed. Moreover, his departure would make the military more convinced that Zhao Youyi was capable of making her own decisions, that she was not anyone's wife, but simply herself.

"Yes, I will leave once I have seized the princess's carriage." Chu Chanyin smiled slightly at her, his gaze gentle and his tone reassuring.

The atmosphere suddenly fell silent. The two looked at each other without saying a word, simply gazing at one another.

“Cousin, you should know that I’m just using you,” Zhao Youyi suddenly said.

There was no exchange of benefits between them at all. Chu Chanyin didn't need her to do anything. On the contrary, she needed to use Chu Chanyin to achieve her own goals, but she couldn't give him anything in return.

"Don't say that." Chu Chanyin stroked her temple. "I came here to help you. I'm happy to help you. I don't need anything in return, and you don't need to feel pressured."

Zhao Youyi recounted in detail what had happened in the army that day, naturally mentioning the matter of provisions.

Chu Chanyin pondered for a moment and then asked, "Does my cousin have any ideas?"

Zhao Youyi took out a map, dipped his finger in tea, and drew a circle around Wanzhou and Youzhou. "Wanzhou and Youzhou are poor, but the climate is good, so we can encourage farming and weaving. Of course, recruiting soldiers is also essential."

"Cousin, are you worried about not having enough money?" Chu Chanyin saw through her worry at a glance.

Zhao Youyi nodded with a wry smile, "Although my brother left me a lot of dowry, there are so many people in the Zhao family army to support. We can't just sit around and do nothing."

Chu Chanyin smiled reassuringly at her: "Fuzhou is wealthy and not far away. If you'd like, cousin, you can come to Fuzhou to do business."

Zhao Youyi raised an eyebrow and deliberately asked, "Cousin, are you really that reluctant to part with me?"

Chu Chanyin frankly admitted, "Indeed, although I know my cousin is capable of protecting herself, I still feel more at ease keeping you under my watchful eye. It's just my selfishness."

Zhao Youyi didn't reply, but just quietly observed him.

Chu Chanyin took a sip of tea somewhat uncomfortably. Just as he was about to ask her why she kept staring at him, he heard Zhao Youyi say, "Cousin, the tea you're drinking is mine."

Chu Chanyin was completely flustered. He hurriedly put down his teacup, his face flushed with embarrassment, and stood up, bowing hastily to apologize: "I've offended my cousin, I... I'll take my leave now!"

Seeing that he wanted to leave, Zhao Youyi quickly put away her teasing intentions and grabbed his sleeve with a smile, "Don't run away, cousin, we still have important matters to discuss."

Chu Chanyin turned around, not daring to look at her. "Is there anything else?"

“Naturally, it’s about Princess Yulang,” Zhao Youyi sighed. Princess Yulang was of noble status and had some connection with them. In her early years, she, her brother, and Chu Chanyin were disciples of General Xie Bizheng. Princess Yulang was General Xie’s first wife, so they naturally couldn’t watch their former mentor’s wife jump into a fire pit.

"I've already sent someone to inquire, and I estimate the princess will arrive in about half a month." Seeing that what she said was indeed important, the blush on Chu Chanyin's face gradually faded.

Zhao Youyi nodded, knowing that he always made thorough arrangements, and didn't ask any more questions.

After the two had dinner, they rested separately. Zhao Youyi summoned Xiaoxuan to deliver a personal letter to Zhao Bo, requesting that most of the dowry be exchanged for grain and fodder, which would be transported over after she arrived in Fuzhou. Early the next morning, Zhao Youyi went to the military camp to train the soldiers. Min Guo was faked to have died from a relapse of his old illness. When the news spread, many people thought that the emperor was using the same old trick to kill Min Guo.

Zhao Youyi was reading military books in the military tent. When Zhou Huaiyuan was allowed to enter, he looked up and glanced at her briefly. She had her long black hair tied into a ponytail, and her black brocade robe accentuated her calm demeanor. For a moment, he even thought he had seen Zhao Youli.

"What is it?" Zhao Youyi put down the military book and looked up at him.

After bowing, Zhou Huaiyuan said, "General, the matter of Min Guo is causing quite a stir in the city. Should we send someone to suppress it?"

“The emperor will find out sooner or later,” Zhao Youyi waved his hand dismissively. “Besides, we need the support of the people, so there’s no need to keep it a secret. However, we should try our best to smear Min Guo.”

Call her petty or vindictive, but she's not the kind of fool who lets her enemies off easily. Min Guo killed her brother, so naturally she wouldn't let him have a good reputation after his death.

"General! Urgent report from the capital!" Qianhuan rushed into the military camp in a panic. "The Empress Dowager is critically ill!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Youyi accidentally knocked over the teacup beside her. Zhou Huaiyuan turned around in shock to look at Qian Huan, "Is what you say true, young lady? Hasn't the Empress Dowager always been in good health?"

"General Zhou, of course I know. Three days ago, the Empress Dowager suddenly fell ill and fell into a coma. The Emperor rejected the request from the female relatives of Prime Minister Song's household to enter the palace to attend to her, and forbade anyone to see the Empress Dowager," Qian Huan reported.

Zhao Youyi and Zhou Huaiyuan exchanged a glance, both understanding each other's suspicions.

Zhao Youyi rubbed his temples. "The emperor has endured for so many years, and now that he has military power in his hands, he naturally doesn't want to wait any longer, so he poisoned the Empress Dowager?"

"That might hasten the demise of the Jin state." Zhou Huaiyuan frowned, immediately sensing that something was amiss.