"Yes, she gave me a sum of money, enough for the rest of my life. It wasn't a bad deal to be with her for several years."

“He wants me to leave, but I don’t want to leave. I grew up here, and I don’t know anyone or anything else. I don’t know where to go.”

“We will have no further contact. He will not come looking for me, and I will not bother her. I suppose Princess Qinghe will not cause me any more trouble.”

Su Yujiao knew she was heartbroken, forced to separate from the person she loved; it was a terrible feeling.

She didn't say many comforting words, after all, a short pain is worse than a long one, and feelings will fade over time.

I hope her fate will change from now on, and that it won't end in such a tragic way.

Just after the Lantern Festival, the Emperor received news of the defeat at the front and flew into a rage.

Therefore, the emperor sent Lu Ziqian to personally lead the troops there. After all, his leg had recovered and he was the ever-victorious general of the Great Ming Kingdom, so the emperor had no reason not to send him.

When the Minister of Revenue learned that the Emperor was going to send Lu Ziqian there, he was so frightened that he couldn't sleep all night.

How could that good-for-nothing Marquis Jing'an have lost the battle?

Didn't he say that attacking the Jin Dynasty with gunpowder would be an easy and sure victory?

What should we do?

Once Lu Ziqian leaves, the matter of military rations will definitely be exposed.

But the emperor has already issued his decree, so who can make him change his mind?

Yes, the Prince of Bei Jing!

Prince Bei Jing was the emperor's favorite son and the only prince to be granted the title of prince.

As long as I side with him, he will definitely help me mediate the situation.

Therefore, Wang Liyang prepared 100,000 taels of silver notes and personally went to the Prince of Beijing's residence to express his loyalty.

"Your Highness, this is a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it."

Chu Zhongyuan looked at the thick stack of large-denomination silver notes and asked indifferently, "What is the meaning of this, Minister?"

Wang Liyang knelt down with a thud: "Please, Your Highness, save this humble official and stop Lu Ziqian from leading troops to the front line."

Why is that?

"Everyone knows that Lu Ziqian is a brilliant strategist. He is indispensable in this battle; no one is more suitable than him."

"This humble official deserves to die, this humble official is guilty!"

"I have been an honest official for decades and have never embezzled a single penny. In the end, my mother is sick and I have no money to treat her."

"Therefore, that's why I did such a foolish thing."

Chu Zhongyuan raised an eyebrow: "You embezzled military funds?"

When Chu Zhongyuan saw that he had voluntarily handed over his weaknesses to him, he knew that he had come to surrender.

"This humble official dares not embezzle military funds, but... I only did a little trick with the grain, replacing the new grain with the old grain. Anyway, we eat the same grain."

"I'm just making a small profit from the difference."

"What was thought to be a sure victory was ruined by Marquis Jing'an."

"If Lu Ziqian goes to the front line, he will definitely find out about the old grain being replaced with new grain."

"Please, Your Highness, save me! I only need medical treatment for my mother."

"This is the remaining silver. I haven't touched a single coin; I've given it all to Your Highness."

"Please, Your Highness, save this humble official!" Wang Liyang, who was over fifty years old, knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly.

Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Chu Zhongyuan personally helped Minister Wang up.

He was short-handed at the time, and the Minister of Revenue was the top official in charge of the national finances.

If he could get this person under his control, it would be like adding wings to a tiger, so he naturally wouldn't turn him away.

"Lord Wang, please don't do such foolish things again."

"This time I'm helping you out of filial piety, but if there's a next time..."

"No, no, this humble official would absolutely not dare."

"Thank you, Your Highness, for saving my life. I am willing to serve you with all my heart and soul."

After the two reached an agreement, Wang Liyang left the palace with a light step, while Chu Zhongyuan entered the palace at a leisurely pace.

Before long, the Lu family received an imperial edict, which roughly stated that the emperor cherished the talent of his generals, and since Lu Ziqian's leg had just recovered, he should continue to rest at home.

Just then, General Chen of Chenzhou returned from rescuing Princess Qingyao, so let Chenzhou lead his troops there.

When Lu Ziqian received the imperial edict, his face turned ashen.

Chu Zhongyuan really knows how to choose people. He came from humble beginnings in Chenzhou and rose through the ranks based on his genuine talent and learning. He has no power or influence in the capital.

As long as his family is kept under control, even if he discovers the matter of the military rations, he won't dare to say a word.

But does he think he can control everything with just this?

He would give Chu Zhongyuan a great gift once the battle was over and the soldiers returned.

Before they knew it, it was Princess Qinghe's wedding day, and the entire capital city's residents came out to join in the excitement.

The wedding procession was grand and lively, with drums and music playing all the way.

Wherever the princess's sedan chair went, silk red carpets were laid out, displaying ultimate luxury.

Mo Lingchen rode a tall horse, dressed in a bright red robe, looking majestic and radiant.

However, the man's expression was indifferent, and his face did not show joy or anticipation. Instead, he appeared serious and rigid, as if he had just completed a task.

Jin Mudan sat in the courtyard, and even though the gate was closed, the joyful sounds from the street could be clearly heard.

Su Yujiao took out a 30,000 tile and played it: "Peony, it's your turn, play your card."

"oh."

"fifty thousand."

"Didn't you have a 50,000-point handicap? Why did you lose?"

"Don't get distracted, focus."

Su Yujiao brought out the mahjong tiles to distract her, but it didn't seem to work.

Jin Mudan may be sitting at home, but her heart has already flown away.

"Let's have hot pot tonight, and you can have a couple of drinks with me."

"good."

"In a little while, come with me to the street to buy some groceries."

Jin Mudan shook her head: "I won't go. I'll stay home and take care of the children."

"Alright."

If she sees the "double happiness" characters and red carpets all over the streets, she'll feel uncomfortable again.

Jin Mudan couldn't concentrate on playing cards, so the mahjong game became boring, and she packed up early.

Three days later, in the afternoon, Su Yujiao went to Jin Mudan's shop to take a look, planning to renovate it and cooperate with Jin Mudan on some new projects.

Next, she needs to focus on making money; only with money can she have confidence.

When Su Yujiao returned from the shop, Xiao Tao was anxiously looking around at the door.

"Miss, you're finally back."

"What's wrong?"

"Sister Peony has been taken away by people from the Princess's residence."

"What?"

"What right do they have to take people away?"

"Take them away or arrest them?"

Did you give a reason?

Xiao Tao shook her head: "Not long after you left, four guards with swords and two old women came and only said one sentence: 'The princess invites you.'"

"Tiger and Stone were beaten up when they tried to stop them, and Sister Peony was taken away."

Su Yujiao frowned deeply. What was Princess Qinghe up to?

She's already married Mo Lingchen as she wished, so why is she still causing trouble?

Why can't we just let the peony go!

"Let's go to the princess's residence."

"Miss, may I come in?"

“You are just a county princess, but she is a real princess.”

Su Yujiao looked anxious: "We'll talk about it when we get there."

She was a little worried. Could it be that Peony's fate had not changed?