The Prince of Yan's eyes lit up: "Really?"

Zhao Yuan gave him a meaningful look: "Do I look like the kind of person who likes to joke around?"

“That’s true…” The Prince of Yan thought that Zhao Yuan was usually very calm and even somewhat shrewd. “Then I wonder if you have any methods to deal with him?”

“It won’t work if I say it out loud. You’ll know when it really comes to that.” Zhao Yuan said, then got up and left.

After he left, a trusted subordinate came to Prince Yan's side and said, "Your Highness, it seems that Zhao Yuan has not told you many things. It seems that he does not respect Your Highness."

The Prince of Yan narrowed his eyes: "Indeed, we must be on guard."

Everyone thought the coalition was organized by Zhao Yuan, but now, in retrospect, it seems that Zhao Yuan instigated it all.

Many other vassal kings were also contacted by this other party, and at such a time, they were even withholding some information from him. Who is really in charge here?

However, the other party had served in the Imperial Guard in the capital for several years and knew more about the secrets of the court than he did. He also had better relationships with the princes and officials in various regions, so he couldn't do without him for the time being.

Hmph, I'll use him to help me storm the capital first, and then settle accounts with him slowly after it's all over.

He was not flustered, after all, among the eighteen rebel kings, the forces under his command were the strongest.

After all, he had always coveted the throne, so he had been preparing in secret for many years, which was far beyond what other vassal kings who acted on a whim could do.

...

Meanwhile, in the capital, the Empress Dowager was explaining the various details of the rebellion to Zu'an.

She nestled against Zu An like a kitten, her face still flushed with the afterglow of her previous blush. The seriousness between her brows was gone, and even her voice was gentler and sweeter than usual.

Zuan recalled the situation just now and had to admit that the Empress Dowager was indeed at the peak of her womanhood. Every time he was with her, he could fight without any restraint and with great enjoyment.

"Should we call Miss Sang to come along?" The Empress Dowager traced circles on her lover's chest with her fingers, her eyes filled with a mixture of tenderness and fear. After not seeing him for several years, Azu's body seemed to have become several levels stronger than before. Was he still human now?

Zuan said irritably, "Don't change the subject. Let's continue talking about the rebels. Have they really just been stuck at Fenglao Pass for months without doing anything else?"

"That's right. At first, Linglong and I were worried that while they were holding off the imperial army at Fenglao Pass, they would be ravaging other counties and causing chaos throughout the land. But they didn't do that. I suppose it's because the eighteen rebel kings were not united." The Empress Dowager replied, recalling the intelligence she had gathered over the past few days.

“The rebels are capable of creating such a large force, so they must have some clever and resourceful people. They couldn’t have been unaware of this. There must be a reason for doing this,” Zu’an pondered for a while, then suddenly a thought struck him. “Could it be that they are confident of taking Fenglao Pass?”

The Empress Dowager was startled, then said doubtfully, "Impossible! The most dangerous time has passed. Linglong has already personally gone to the front line, and the situation has stabilized. With Linglong's abilities, it's impossible for her to let the rebels break through Fenglao Pass."

"I hope so." Despite saying this, Zu'an was still somewhat uneasy. "No, I still have to get to Fenglao Pass as soon as possible."

There are too many people he cares about over there, and he's really worried that they might be in danger.

Seeing him hurriedly get up and dress, the Empress Dowager said irritably, "What a heartless man! He just wipes himself off and leaves."

Despite saying that, she still got up to help her lover straighten his clothes.

Zuan kissed her: "I'll come back to be with you after the rebellion is quelled."

The Empress Dowager reluctantly saw him to the door. She was in a state where it was inconvenient for her to go out, otherwise anyone who saw her would know what had just happened.

After Zu An's figure disappeared, she walked back. In just a few steps, her expression suddenly changed. Then, with a light tap of her toes, she flew to the soft couch next to her, lay flat on the couch, and raised her legs high against the wall.

Bathed in the grace of rain and dew, she was as beautiful as a peach blossom.

Recalling the enchanting moments just now, she bit her red lips lightly, determined not to waste a single drop, hoping to conceive his child this time.

...

After leaving the Imperial Study, Zuan quickly found Sang Qian and her daughter, who were strolling in the Imperial Garden.

While it's described as a trip, it's more accurately described as a food tour.

The pavilion was filled with a dazzling array of snacks prepared by the Imperial Study. Sisi held a chicken leg in one hand, a cup of sweet drink in the other, and a snack in her mouth.

Sang Qian, exasperated, wiped her mouth for her, saying, "Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."

Seeing the palace maids around her trying to suppress their aunt-like smiles, she wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground. This gluttonous girl had really embarrassed her. Just thinking about what would happen if the Empress Dowager and Linglong found out made her head feel like it was going to explode.

"Being able to eat is a good thing; it proves you have good physical talent." Zu An's laughter came, and he quickly came over and picked her up.

"Daddy, these are delicious, would you like some?" the little girl said, stuffing the oily chicken leg in her hand over.

"Your hands are so dirty!" Sang Qian exclaimed anxiously and immediately ran over to help Zu An wipe his clothes.

The palace maids standing nearby were all shocked. This little girl was actually calling the Regent "Daddy," and judging from how familiar Miss Sang was with wiping his clothes, they looked like a family of three.

Everyone guessed that the little girl had a special identity, but they thought it was because the regent loved her so much that he extended his affection to her. Who knew that she was actually his daughter?

They were all secretly relieved that they had served her fairly well and hadn't caused any trouble.

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