Chapter 173 I Have You

Chunzhi held Huo Zheng's hand and pulled him to sit on the edge of the couch, "You're back."

Gong Yan suddenly received such urgent news. After she came back, she couldn't sleep well, worried that the dangerous task of suppressing the rebellion would fall on Huo Zheng's head, and her heart was always hanging in the air.

Huo Zheng sat beside the couch, looking at her hair covering the soft pillow, her dazed look, and his heart softened a little. He whispered, "Well, I'm back."

Chunzhi raised one hand and rubbed his eyes, then asked him, "It's an urgent matter..."

Huo Zheng said, "My ninth brother, Huo Yan, has volunteered to lead the troops to quell the rebellion. Father has already given this task to him."

Xizhou was a barren land with frequent disturbances. After a few years of peace, the governor of Xizhou was killed by the rebels and now became a major concern for the emperor.

All the ministers gathered in the imperial study, and the main topic they discussed was how to suppress the rebels as quickly as possible and not give them the opportunity to join forces with Xiling.

Huo Zheng had gone to Beizhou to inspect the troops two years ago and had also patrolled Nanzhou. He had made such a big move as eliminating Prince Ning and his son. Prince Rui Huo Yang and the ninth prince Huo Yan had long been dissatisfied with him.

This time there was a rebellion in Xizhou. If they could suppress the rebels in one fell swoop, it would be a great achievement and would be highly praised in the court and even among the people. Naturally, the two of them were vying to go.

Huo Zheng was not in a hurry to step forward. If the emperor wanted him to go, he would have spoken up. Huo Yang and Huo Yan were vying to go, so let them do it.

This time, it was Huo Yan who volunteered, vowing that he would quell the rebellion and stabilize Xizhou within two months. With several generals in the court also volunteering to go with him, the emperor agreed.

"Huo Yan... Can he fight in a war?" Chunzhi thought of the ninth prince Huo Yan. It was hard to associate this extremely favored son of the imperial concubine with the battlefield.

Huo Yan is certainly capable of maneuvering in the capital, and the Ninth Prince's party in the court is also quite powerful, but the rebels do not recognize the Ninth Prince and the Imperial Concubine, and if they really use swords and spears, it will be fatal.

Huo Zheng said, "The generals will discuss the war strategy. Ninth Prince is going to Xizhou just for the sake of a title. It doesn't matter if he can't fight. As long as he doesn't interfere and disrupt the generals' deployment, it will be fine."

Chunzhi didn't know what Huo Yan would do. After hearing what Huo Zheng said, it seemed that the rebellion in Xizhou was not a big deal, and her heart gradually calmed down.

Chunzhi turned over and went to the inner side of the bed, saying to Huo Zheng, "You haven't slept all night, go to bed and get some rest."

Xiaoxing was sleeping soundly in the cradle by the window.

Huo Zheng replied "OK", untied his belt, took off his outer robe, and went to bed.

He held Chunzhi in his arms and whispered, "It's still early, go back to sleep."

Chunzhi hummed, leaning into Huo Zheng's arms and telling him what Princess Anyang had said to Huo Yanran yesterday. "Aunt Anyang said that if the rebellion in Xizhou can't be suppressed immediately, and Xiling gets involved, things will become difficult to handle. If the war continues, peace talks will definitely be necessary, and if peace talks are held, the princess will have to marry."

She said, "Yanran was raised by the Queen Mother, so she is considered a legitimate princess. If there are any princesses to marry, Yanran will be the first one to marry."

Huo Zheng knew that Aunt Anyang wasn't just trying to scare people, and this matter really needed to be guarded against. He said, "Yanran is indeed old enough to find a prince consort. At the palace banquet yesterday, she kept coming up to you to talk. Did she ever tell you who she liked?"

Chunzhi thought about it and decided to speak directly: "She seems to like Liu Tanhua very much."

Huo Yanran is not the only one who likes Liu Tanhua.

Huo Zheng was not surprised by this and simply said, "Last night at the palace banquet, Liu Yan publicly rejected the matchmaker offered by Prince Rui. I think he has a lot on his mind and is fully focused on government affairs. He doesn't want to be a son-in-law without real power."

The emperor's son-in-law is not allowed to hold power. Liu Tanhua is favored by the emperor and is a young talent with a bright future. He is unwilling to give up his bright future and become a rich and idle person for a woman, and no one can force him to do so.

What's more, Huo Zheng also admired Liu Yan and didn't want him to be held back by the title of a son-in-law.

If Liu Yan could reject King Rui, he would also reject him.

Huo Zheng felt that there was no need to embarrass others anymore, so he whispered to Chunzhi.

After hearing this, Chunzhi couldn't help but sigh, "I used to only know that it was difficult for poor families to marry off their daughters, but who knew that it was also difficult for a princess to choose a husband."

Huo Zheng said, "Yanran may seem obedient, but she's actually quite lively. If I were to choose a husband for her, I'd prioritize someone with noble character and a gentle temper. Family background and talent can be put aside. Just pick someone with a pleasing appearance who treats her well."

He said, "The Queen Mother seems to be planning to marry Yanran into the Wang family recently, but she hasn't decided on a candidate yet. You should tell her as soon as possible that Liu Yan should forget about it and look for someone else."

Queen Wang really values ​​her mother's family. At first, she wanted to make her niece the Princess of Chang'an. Now that this plan failed, she wanted to let the Thirteenth Princess marry into the Wang family.

This is all to maintain the reputation of the Wang family and let everyone in the capital know that the Wang family is honored and favored.

If it were before, Chunzhi and Huo Yanran were not familiar with each other, she would definitely not offend Queen Wang for her.

But now the relationship between her and Queen Wang has eased a lot, and Huo Yanran is a lovable little princess, so Chunzhi wants to help if she can.

After the words fell, Chunzhi did not speak for a long time.

Huo Zheng asked in her ear: "What are you thinking about?"

Chunzhi whispered, "I just feel that you princes and princesses may appear noble in public, but you suffer unspeakable pain behind the scenes."

In the past, if someone told Chunzhi that the princes and princesses also had many dissatisfactions, she would definitely say that they had enough food and clothing, and were worshipped by others. What could they be dissatisfied with?

It was not until she married Huo Zheng that she gradually understood how difficult his life was.

Huo Zheng knew that Chunzhi was feeling sorry for him again.

He hugged Chunzhi tighter and whispered in her ear, "Now that I have you, there is only sweetness, no bitterness."

Chunzhi hugged Huo Zheng back, "It would be better if there is no suffering."

Huo Zheng smiled and said, "It's almost dawn, let's get some more sleep."

Chunzhi responded vaguely with "Okay".

The two of them hugged each other and fell asleep quickly.

When it was bright, Xiaoxing woke up.

Chunzhi was afraid that his noise would wake Huo Zheng up, so she stepped out of his arms, put on her coat, and took Xiaoxing back to the next room to change his diaper and feed him.

Soon, Yuzhu brought Nian'er over to play with Xiaoxing.

Yuzhu said, "Sister went to the palace for a banquet yesterday and came back so late. She must be tired. Why don't you sleep a little longer?"

Chunzhi said, "I would like to sleep a little longer, but this boy won't let me."

Xiaoxing wakes up early and wants to drink milk and play. He can't stay still.

Yuzhu smiled and said, "Nian'er is the same. She wakes up in the morning and wants to go back to play with Xiaoxing."

One of them was standing, while the other was sitting, watching the two little kids playing together, nudging each other happily.

Chunzhi and Yuzhu were talking when a maid came in and said, "Master Gu is here."