The next second, the prefect's words were suddenly stuck in his throat.

Because the person in front of him has a stunningly beautiful face that can turn everyone upside down, and exudes a noble and arrogant temperament. It is obvious at first glance that she is not an ordinary woman.

"May I ask who the young lady is..."

Before the prefect could finish his words, a golden medal suddenly appeared before his eyes. On the front was engraved a blue phoenix with its wings spread, which looked lifelike and seemed to be about to take off.

With a "bang", the lantern in the prefect's hand fell to the ground.

He felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

In the entire Chu State, the only person who is qualified to use this token is the well-known Princess Zhaoyang.

“Sir, Sir…” He stammered, his knees weakened and he knelt down, “Your humble servant is blind…”

Chu Qingluan took back the token and said in a cold tone: "The governor has been very busy these past few days. I shouldn't bother you so late at night."

The prefect fell to his knees with a plop, his face instantly turning extremely pale.

"I, I didn't know it was Her Royal Highness the Princess who came. I failed to welcome her. I deserve to die!"

His forehead was pressed against the ground, and he could even see the moss in the cracks between the stones.

"Get up. I am not here to seek blame."

She took out a letter from her sleeve and handed it to the governor: "Here is a letter. You need to send someone to deliver it secretly overnight. Don't alert anyone in the post station. Especially Prince Rui."

The prefect shuddered suddenly and took the envelope with trepidation. His mind was full of questions: why did the princess suddenly appear in Yongcheng, and why did she disguise herself and stay with the King of the Western Regions?

"Don't worry, Your Highness." He solemnly put the letter into his lapel and promised, "I will have my brother-in-law deliver it in person."

His younger brother is the postmaster of the post station and was supposed to be on duty tonight. It would only take six hours to go to the capital by horse and he would definitely be able to arrive there before dawn.

Chu Qingluan nodded slowly and said, "Remember, this matter must be kept secret."

The prefect nodded repeatedly.

After Chu Qingluan left, the prefect wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

At this time, a trusted servant came forward and asked, "Master, this letter..."

The governor's eyes were stern, "Prepare the horses, I want to go to the post station myself."

The confidant hurriedly said, "But sir, if this is the case, wouldn't it mean that we really have to stand on the side of the princess? Then His Royal Highness Prince Rui..."

"Hmph!" The governor sneered, "A man who knows the times is a hero. Previously, I had no choice but to please His Royal Highness Prince Rui, but now Princess Zhaoyang has entrusted me with an important task, so this is a perfect opportunity to show off."

No matter who sits in that position in the end, it will not have much impact on him as a local governor.

What I lack now is an opportunity to show myself in front of a noble person.

But then, the prefect remembered the stupid thing he had done two days ago, and couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat!

Damn it, he actually mistook Her Royal Highness the Princess for the King of the Western Regions’ woman.

this--

The prefect felt a little cold on his neck. It was over!

——

At the same time, the Qin Empire.

Qin Yuan has taken over the Changning Army for three months.

During these three months, the wind direction in the court has quietly changed.

First of all, in terms of military affairs, when Qin Yuan first took charge of the Changning Army, all the old officials in the court sneered at him.

"A brat who is still wet behind the ears, are you qualified to lead the army?"

"You are just relying on the favor of His Majesty. Do you really think you have real ability?"

But now, no one in the court dares to underestimate this young commander-in-chief.

In terms of government, the military pay corruption case was uncovered one after another, and the next month the hereditary military positions were abolished, with the most capable taking up the posts. There was even a martial arts competition set up on the spot, with the winner leading the troops. As a result, the oppressed soldiers from poor families came forward one after another, and the morale of the army was greatly boosted.

Faced with provocations from neighboring countries and when the pro-peace faction in the court sought peace, he had already led the Changning Army in a surprise attack and won a great victory, forcing the enemy to withdraw and negotiate peace.

Now, the court was completely silent, and no one dared to look down on him anymore.

Under such circumstances, Qin Yuan's marriage gradually became hot.

Some officials who have daughters of marriageable age in their families have gradually evolved from a wait-and-see attitude in the beginning to one where they are now eager for their daughters to be chosen by the emperor's eldest grandson at first sight so that they can become the phoenix that flies to the tree in the future.

On this day, after failing to meet Qin Yuan, several noble ladies could not help but gather at Qin Jialuo's princess mansion to complain and ask for advice.

First came Chen Yue, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo. She held her handkerchief tightly and tears welled up in her eyes. "Princess, what kind of woman does the Emperor's eldest grandson like? I heard that all the portraits of noble ladies in the capital were sent to the mansion, and even His Majesty asked him to pick one, but I heard that he didn't even take a look at it and directly disobeyed the order."

The daughter of the Minister, Song Qingqing, also sighed, "It's been three months. Every noble lady in the capital who can be named has been eyeing this marriage. Do you think he is still thinking about Princess Zhaoyang of the Great Chu?"

Yang Mingzhu, the daughter of the Grand Tutor, sat at the side. After hearing the complaints from several people, she couldn't help but frowned: "Don't be too impatient. The emperor's eldest grandson just won a victory, and his mind may still be on military affairs."

Soon Shen Yue retorted: "But I heard that His Majesty has promised not to interfere in Your Highness's marriage? Are you really going to let a princess from a foreign country become the queen of our Great Qin?"

After he finished speaking, everyone looked towards Qin Jialuo.

Qin Jialuo paused while holding the tea. "Why are you looking at me?"

She put down the teacup slowly and said disdainfully: "If the princess of Da Chu really ascended to that position, how could she marry into Da Qin? You worry too much."

After hearing this, the noble ladies felt a little relieved.

Qin Jialuo didn't care. "Let's not talk about anything else. Take my two brothers for example. Before they got married, they and the emperor's sister-in-law were so persistent in pursuing each other. You have seen how they would not marry anyone other than you. But what about after they got married? Ha..."

"What you can't get is always the best. You guys are just too arrogant."

Shen Yue and the others blushed when they were told this.

At this time, Lin Wan'er, who had been silent the whole time, spoke timidly, "I heard that there is a new courtesan in Yujing Tower. Everyone calls her 'Fairy Jade'. She is very beautiful and talented, especially good at dancing. Even a noble man like Young Marquis Chen spends a fortune on her."

As soon as these words came out, Shen Yue was the first to sneer: "What do you want to say? A prostitute who lives by the door and sells her smiles is worthy of being compared with us?"

Lin Wan'er lowered her head and said in a low voice, "I also heard from others that she is particularly good at controlling men."

"She just arrived in Beijing last month, and the son of the Minister of Personnel wrote poems outside the building for three consecutive days. Even the newly crowned top scholar picked a crabapple branch for her. Someone who has seen her once said that she is very... very special, and ordinary men can't resist her at all. I thought... maybe she has a way."

As soon as the words were spoken, the room became silent!