Zhao Cheng pondered Zhao Huan's words carefully, somewhat alarmed, and asked, "Could things really come to that?"

"It's hard to say." Zhao Huan shook his head, slowed his pace, and said, "But judging from this young prince's style of handling things, we have to be fully prepared. We won't provoke them, but we must do two things."

"First, plan ahead."

"Secondly, we must not let Ayun down."

"I understand, Father."

Zhao Cheng's expression turned serious. He said, "The Emperor is A-Yun's younger brother, my brother-in-law. Besides him, we are A-Yun's closest relatives now. As long as our opposition isn't the Emperor, A-Yun will side with us."

Zhao Huan nodded and said, "We're not afraid of the others."

Zhao Cheng said, "Then you can make the arrangements. I will take good care of Yan Jiao."

Zhao Huan smiled and said, "Since you've agreed, I'll have your mother prepare it."

"yes."

"Is there still no sign of pregnancy in Xiao Nuo's belly?"

"without……"

Zhao Huan glanced at Zhao Cheng with disdain and said, "What a piece of junk kidneys."

Zhao Cheng retorted angrily, "I'm very busy, okay?!"

"Hmph!" Zhao Huan shook his head and walked forward.

"Old man, what do you mean by 'humph'? Hey! Don't look down on people..."

...

Jiangyang County.

The Prefect's Residence.

After reading Zhao Huan's letter, Deng Fugui excitedly slammed his hand on the table and laughed loudly, "It's done! The Right Prime Minister has decided to let Yan Jiao enter the Right Prime Minister's residence!"

Madam Deng was not as happy as Deng Fugui. She slowly read through the letter, and finally sighed, saying, "Although I feel sorry for my daughter's experience, this outcome is the best I can hope for."

Deng Fugui said, "You sound so reluctant. The Right Prime Minister said that Yan Jiao is always clinging to Zhao Cheng and really likes him. Our daughter likes him herself, and we didn't force her."

Mrs. Deng walked outside.

Deng Fugui asked, "Where are you going?"

Madam Deng said, "Now that it's all settled, I'll arrange for someone to pack our things and set a date for our trip to Yanchuan City."

Deng Fugui said, "As a local official, I cannot easily leave the place I govern."

“I didn’t say you, I’ll go by myself.” Mrs. Deng continued walking forward.

"stop!"

Deng Fugui caught up, deep in thought with a serious expression.

Seeing her husband's appearance, Madam Deng was very surprised and asked doubtfully, "Shouldn't I, as the mother, be present for our daughter's life-changing event?"

Deng Fugui shook his head and said, "You can't go either."

Mrs. Deng asked in confusion, "Why is that?"

Deng Fugui said, "This matter should not be done in a big way. Let Zhao Cheng and Yan Jiao handle it quietly."

Mrs. Deng exclaimed in surprise, "She's your own daughter!"

Deng Fugui touched the black mole on the bridge of his nose and said, "Now is a time of turmoil in the court. The relationship between the Right Prime Minister's Office and the Changsui Court is delicate. If we associate with the Right Prime Minister's Office at this time, it will cause trouble for the Right Prime Minister."

Madam Deng pointed to the letter on the desk and said, "The Right Chancellor didn't say in this letter that we weren't welcome to come!"

Deng Fugui frowned and said, "Although the Right Prime Minister didn't say anything, we can't be ignorant of the situation."

"you!"

Madam Deng angrily strode into the courtyard and shouted, "You're nothing but the Right Chancellor's lapdog!"

Deng Fugui asked, "Where are you going again?"

"If you won't let me go, can't you at least let me prepare some dowry for my daughter?!"

Watching Madam Deng's angry retreating figure, Deng Fugui said solemnly, "Madam, one day you will understand my good intentions."

...

Yuxin Palace.

Yuan Xiu casually handed Zhao Huan's letter to Wei You, then opened the large boxes in front of him, grinning from ear to ear.

He lay down in front of a box and played with the silver ingots in his hands.

"What does the invoice say? How much silver is here?"

Wei You replied, "The total is ten million taels of silver."

Yuan Xiu exclaimed, "Ten million taels! What a generous gesture! My brother-in-law is truly magnanimous to me!"

Zhao Cheng wasn't there at the moment. If he saw Yuan Xiu's reaction, he would definitely regret giving away so much.

In Zhao Cheng's eyes, ten million taels was an understatement.

It seems that people do have different concepts about money...

Jin Hu strode in and said, "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Sha County requests an audience."

Yuan Xiu continued playing with the silver ingot and said, "Let him in."

A moment later, Wen Hu strode in, quickly bowed to Yuan Xiu, and said, "Your Majesty, I heard that the people from the Right Chancellor's residence have entered the palace, but Zhao Zhan and Wang Yucen have not been sent here?"

"It's not important, it's not important..." Yuan Xiu waved to Wen Hu without turning his head and walked towards another box.

"Your Majesty! I risk my life to remonstrate with you: Zhao Huan's failure to send his son indicates he has something to hide!"

Do you know how much silver is here?

"Silver?" Wen Hu looked at the box in front of him and was immediately dazzled by the bright white light.

Yuan Xiu suddenly turned around, pointed at the box, and said, "Ten million taels!"

Wen Hu asked suspiciously, "What is the purpose of this silver?"

Yuan Xiu laughed and said, "It's all thanks to Zhao Cheng for being a filial son-in-law to me!"

"Zhao Cheng!"

Wen Hu immediately understood and said sternly, "Your Majesty must not be deceived by Zhao Cheng. He wants to use this money to buy Zhao Zhan and make Your Majesty give up the idea of ​​sending Zhao Zhan to Changsui."

"Your Majesty!" Wen Hu walked up to Yuan Xiu and advised, "Princess Qingling has already been conferred the title, and the imperial decree for the marriage has been issued. Zhao Zhan's disobedience is a minor matter, but Your Majesty's reputation is of utmost importance!"

Despite Wen Hu's tough stance, Yuan Xiu still wore a smile, indicating that he was in a genuinely good mood.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!