With such a major event unfolding in the palace, the previous dynasty naturally felt a wave of trepidation. This was primarily because they couldn't pinpoint the pattern of Tao Rui's outbursts, making it difficult to act rashly. Furthermore, despite Tao Rui's capricious nature, his personal rule hadn't caused any adverse consequences for the people in the past month. Naturally, everyone opted for cautious self-preservation and a wait-and-see approach.

However, the Prince Regent and the Duke Cheng'en of the Chen family could not stand it any longer. They both came to the Imperial Study at about the same time to ask for an audience. Tao Rui was having Doctor Li give him a massage, so he didn't hesitate to call them in. He closed his eyes, lay on the couch, and asked slowly, "Prince Regent, Duke Cheng'en, are you here to apologize on behalf of Concubine Jiang and Concubine Chen?"

The two came to question, but as soon as they entered the door, Tao Rui turned the tables on them, which made them very upset.

The Regent said sternly, "Your Majesty, I wonder what crime my daughter has committed? As far as I know, she was clearly murdered by a treacherous person. Why have you stripped her of her title and demoted her from Consort to Imperial Concubine?"

Duke Cheng'en complained, "Was she the victim of a traitor, or did she stage this? The drug was found in the nurse's room beside Concubine Jiang. Where did the traitor come from?" He bowed to Tao Rui and said, "Your Majesty, I sent people to investigate overnight and discovered that the family of the palace maid who exchanged wine has all disappeared. There are signs of a struggle in the house. I think she was abducted. The person who drugged her must have used this as a threat to get her to interfere. This has nothing to do with Concubine Chen."

The Regent snorted coldly, "Just over a month ago, Concubine Chen 'accidentally' tripped Concubine Chun, causing her to fall into the water and nearly die. Now she's here again to protest. It's truly strange. Why is Concubine Chen always the suspect?"

Duke Cheng'en had fought him for years, so of course he wasn't afraid of him. He flicked his sleeves and glared at him coldly, "It was clearly Concubine Chun who fell into the water. Regent, why is it that every time something goes wrong, the instigator is always someone close to Concubine Jiang?"

The two of them were at loggerheads, like water and fire.

Tao Rui chuckled, "You two seem to know everything about the palace."

Both of them were startled at the same time.

The emperor was definitely trying to warn them. The empress dowager was still investigating what happened at the banquet the night before and had not announced it to the public. How did they know so many details?

They have had many spies in the palace over the years, but it is difficult to say anything when the emperor points them out in person.

However, Tao Rui had no interest in making a fuss about it. He summoned Deshun and instructed him, "Go and ask the Queen Mother to bring over the captured individuals, as well as Concubine Jiang and Concubine Chen. Oh, and ask Concubine Duan Chun to come over as well. From now on, all matters in this palace will be handled by her."

Deshun took the order and left. Tao Rui then slowly stood up, put on his clothes, looked at the Regent and Duke Cheng, and said with a smile: "Since you are dissatisfied with my order, then call everyone here and make it clear on the spot."

The two men bowed at the same time, "Your Highness dare not."

Tao Rui snorted lightly, stood up and went to the side hall to change clothes.

After he entered the side hall, Hai Fuan came out from behind the screen, saluted, and whispered, "Your Majesty, I followed your instructions and handed over the many nails I found to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager cleared the nails in Ci'an Palace, and it seems that she wants to release some of her own people in other places."

As a servant, Hai Fuan couldn't say that the Queen Mother was taking advantage of the situation, but he felt that the Queen Mother had missed the best opportunity. If she didn't do things well this time, there might not be a next time.

Tao Rui had anticipated this: the Empress Dowager had little ability but considerable ambition. He couldn't help but laugh when he heard the results of the Empress Dowager's investigation.

With this level of skill, he wouldn't even be able to be a class monitor on campus, let alone manage a harem.

He ordered Hai Fuan to take this opportunity to quickly check the nails in various places in the palace, then he leaned on the bed, grabbed a handful of pills like eating candy pills, and threw them into his mouth one by one for fun.

The system can also report to him in real time what is happening in the imperial study.

Doctor Li had just been massaging Tao Rui, and since Tao Rui hadn't let him go, he just waited silently. Of course, he also wanted to see the confrontation between the dog emperor and the regent.

The Prince Regent and Duke Cheng'en exchanged a few sarcastic exchanges, then the Prince Regent cast his gaze upon Imperial Physician Li and asked gravely, "Imperial Physician Li, the Emperor's headaches have persisted for months. Why haven't they gone away? In my opinion, it's you, the Imperial Physicians, who are not doing your best!"

Imperial Physician Li hurriedly said, "Your Highness, please forgive me. I and my colleagues at the Imperial Hospital have been discussing a better method, but unfortunately, we have had little success. Your Majesty has been busy governing the country recently, and his excessive thoughts have made his headaches worse. If you want to relieve your headaches, you must rest."

The Regent's eyes flashed. Rest?

For the sake of the emperor's health, they, as his ministers, should do more to allow the emperor to rest.

He glanced at Doctor Li for a moment longer, then nodded, "That's right. You're always by the Emperor's side, so give him more advice. Government affairs are important, but health is more important."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will do my best to treat the Emperor. Please give me more advice."

Duke Cheng'en half-closed his eyes, ignoring the matter. How much effort had the Chen family put into securing Tao Rui's throne? Now Tao Rui had abandoned the bridge after crossing the river, even stripping him of his official position during the reign of the emperor. Where would the Chen family's reputation be?

He wanted to see what Tao Rui was capable of. He was afraid that he would have to come and beg this old man in person in the end. It would not be too late to take action then.

Tao Rui tossed a pill into his mouth and smiled. Imperial Physician Li was quite dedicated, having spent so long nudging and prodding, giving the Regent a good excuse. But so what? He was going to "exert himself and work on government affairs," so what was it to them? As the saying goes, "honest advice hurts," and few emperors ever listened.

Tao Rui kept ignoring them until the Queen Mother and Cheng Qianqian arrived, then he slowly walked out.

Tao Rui sat down and said, "Come here, show the Queen Mother and Concubine Duan Chun a seat. The Regent and Duke Cheng'en, please stand aside and take a closer look. I'm also very surprised as to why the two of you were brought up like this... humph."

The Prince Regent and the Duke of Cheng'en's faces immediately darkened. But what could they do? Could they even talk back to the Emperor? Their daughters were still kneeling there. If they were so easily tricked, what great things could they possibly accomplish? The two men looked at their daughters, feeling a sense of disappointment.

The only nervous person present was probably Cheng Qianqian. She was meeting some of the most powerful people in the world at once, and in the middle of a trial, she was the only one sitting, and she felt a little uneasy.

But she tried her best to be dignified and not show any fear. The whole thing had nothing to do with her. She just had to listen quietly.

Tao Rui said to the Queen Mother, "Have you investigated the chaos at the banquet?"

Jiangpin immediately cried out for justice: "Your Majesty, I was murdered. It has nothing to do with me. Father, it has nothing to do with me!"

Her nanny followed suit and shouted, "That medicine is definitely not mine. I don't know who has been bribed to harm me and our master. It's so unfair, Your Majesty—"

Chen Bin said coldly: "The thief is crying thief!"

Tao Rui knocked on the table, not loudly, but they immediately fell silent at his cold expression. Tao Rui looked at the Queen Mother, who took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Those slaves are biting each other like dogs, and no one admits..."

"Since the Queen Mother hasn't found out, Deshun, bring out all the evidence."

Tao Rui gave the order, and Deshun quickly and swiftly presented evidence and witnesses. This included the disappearance of the family of the wine-exchanging palace maid, as mentioned by Duke Cheng'en. Those family members were brought in, along with the guards who were all from the Prince Regent's Palace.

Seeing her family was safe, the wine-changing maid cried, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was threatened by Concubine Jiang and had no other choice. But I would never do anything to harm Your Majesty, so I deceived them and used the medicine they gave me on them. To prevent them from getting suspicious, I even got contaminated myself. Your Majesty, please understand!"

The old maid was shocked and furious, believing the maid had betrayed them, and that Concubine Chen must have seen through their plan and played along, tricking them. She immediately tried to refute the claim, but Deshun brought in several witnesses, including the person who had sold her the medicine, who described it in detail, even down to the markings on the packaging.

The old nanny's face was ashen. She caught the Regent's deadly gaze from the corner of her eye and was startled. She and her niece had entered the palace, but she still had her brother and nephew working in the Regent's mansion. She couldn't let her master be tainted by the slightest bit of dirty water.

She looked at her niece, whom she treated like a daughter, reluctantly, closed her eyes, kowtowed heavily, and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I, this old servant, was bewitched. When I knew I could bring my niece into the palace, I wanted her to be a rich woman. So, so I bribed the people in the palace and arranged this scheme, just to make my niece favored by the emperor. Once the case is brought to Chenpin, my niece will be innocent and she can turn the tables and become the master.

This was all my own doing. Concubine Jiang and the prince were completely unaware of it. Even my niece was tricked by me and doesn't know the whole story. I knew the fewer people who knew about this secret, the better. I never mentioned it to her.

Jiangpin breathed a sigh of relief. With Nanny shouldering all the charges, she was safe. The evidence was just that. When she gave Nanny the order, it was just the two of them. As long as Nanny didn't give her up, there was no evidence.

Nanny's niece bit her lip tightly and dared not say a word. She also knew that this was the best outcome, otherwise, their whole family would die.

Chen Pin didn't say anything. Now that she had been taken out, it had nothing to do with her. What if she said something wrong and got into trouble again?

Just as the imperial study had quieted down, Tao Rui chuckled softly, sounding particularly like a mockery, "Did one person do this?"

He looked at the Regent, "Does the Regent think what she said is true?"

The Regent remained calm and said, "I believe that with the evidence before my eyes, this servant will not dare to tell a single lie."

Tao Rui nodded and asked, "Concubine Chen, this maid is a sister of the maid in your palace. Do you think this matter is related to your palace?"

"There is absolutely no connection! I didn't even know they were sisters." Chen Pin replied firmly with a serious face.

Tao Rui laughed again, as if to say: Do you think I am a fool?

He smiled faintly and said, "If you don't discipline your subordinates and cause trouble, even important officials of the previous dynasty will be punished. This time, Concubine Chen and Concubine Jiang will only receive a minor punishment and a serious warning. They will be confined to their homes for three months to copy Buddhist scriptures and pray for the Empress Dowager. Concubine Jiang was disrespectful in front of the Emperor and shouted at me, which was disrespectful. Her house arrest will be extended to six months. As for this old nanny and her niece, the Regent will take them back to see how they will be dealt with. This maid will be handed over to Concubine Chen. Do you have any objections?"

The Regent couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, this is entirely my fault. Why should I be demoted?"

Tao Rui looked at him, "What do you think? Do you want me to continue investigating?"

The Regent's mind was in turmoil. He bowed his head and said, "I will obey the Emperor's orders. I have no objection."

Tao Rui slammed him, "Prince Regent, remember to put the palace in order. If you can't manage the people in your palace, how can you assist me? I need a regent who is capable, not someone who can't even manage his servants. You need to rest for a while and adjust yourself."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I don't need it." The Regent gritted his teeth and endured the humiliation.

He couldn't understand how the emperor was so well-informed, able to uncover everything. Drugging the emperor was a highly sensitive crime, and now it was clear the emperor knew the truth, but since nothing had happened, he had let it go. If he continued the investigation, who knew what else he would uncover. Or perhaps the emperor had already uncovered something but simply hadn't disclosed it.

He had no choice but to admit defeat this time and could not go against the emperor without knowing anything.

Tao Rui looked at him for a while, and just when the Regent was getting nervous, Tao Rui suddenly said, "Regent, I see that you and Imperial Physician Li get along very well and can talk to each other."

The Regent and Imperial Physician Li were both startled. Their previous conversation had only taken place when Tao Rui went to change clothes. Could it be that someone had immediately gone in to report to Tao Rui if they said something? But no palace servants had left at the time. How had Tao Rui known about it? Was someone secretly watching them?

Doctor Li broke out in a cold sweat. His identity hid a big secret. His heart was beating fast as he tried to figure out what Tao Rui meant.

Tao Rui then said, "Since you two get along so well, I'll do you a favor and let Doctor Li treat Concubine Jiang. Concubine Jiang has been soaking in ice water all night, and her complexion is very bad. Doctor Li, I order you to take good care of Concubine Jiang's health. No mistakes are allowed."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Doctor Li was a little confused. He didn't understand the purpose of this arrangement. Was it to test whether he had submitted to the Regent?

The Regent thought so too, but Tao Rui had only done it on a whim. He wanted to give Doctor Li another chance to contact the Regent's people and see what these people from the previous dynasty could do. When dealing with enemies, the more chaotic they are, the better.

Tao Rui looked back at Duke Cheng'en, who was also shocked by Tao Rui's power. He had thought Tao Rui was a loser, but it turned out Tao Rui had uncovered everything he hadn't. Perhaps he had been mistaken, and the emperor had been hiding his incompetence.

But this made him want to fight for it even more. He had already lost his official position. If Tao Rui was capable and no longer needed him, then their family would have to rely on Concubine Chen to climb to the empress position. So he said with a stiff upper lip: "Your Majesty, this matter has nothing to do with Concubine Chen. She was simply framed."

Tao Rui laughed and said, "She's so unlucky! She's everywhere. Why is she always involved in anything bad? Just think she was framed, and I'll think she's innocent. But is such an unlucky person worthy of being a concubine in the harem? Do you want me to be unlucky too?"

Chenpin's face turned pale instantly, and she cried hurriedly, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty, I am not an unlucky person..."

If this kind of reputation gets out, her life will be over!

Tao Rui smiled and said, "I was just saying it casually, but you really should keep a low profile and prove to me that you are not an ominous person."

Duke Cheng'en's face twitched, furious. This was a threat. If he didn't know what was good for him, a single ominous word could depose Concubine Chen. What else could he say? He could only thank the Lord for His grace.

The matter was resolved like this. Tao Rui waved his hand and ordered them to leave, leaving only the empress dowager and Concubine Duan Chun.

The Queen Mother took this opportunity to say, "Your Majesty, this chaos is purely because the harem is without a leader. If there was someone in charge, how could those servants do such a thing? Your Majesty, you don't even have an heir, so why don't I help you manage it first? I'll definitely not let these things bother you in the future."

Cheng Qianqian lowered her eyes, thinking, here it comes, the classic example of the Empress Dowager seizing power! Last night, the Empress Dowager's palace was like a sieve, and I thought the Empress Dowager was an incompetent person suppressed by the Grand Empress Dowager. It turns out that she is not an easy person to deal with, and she is demanding power in the palace as soon as she opens her mouth.

Is she going to have to live under the Queen Mother's control from now on? It doesn't feel good.

Then she heard Tao Rui say bluntly, "Mother, you've never been in charge of palace affairs, so I'm afraid you're not suitable. Last night, I handed these people over to you for interrogation, intending to hand over the palace affairs to you. Unfortunately, it's been almost a day and a night, and you still haven't figured out what happened. Perhaps the people around you are useless, or perhaps you're used to a leisurely life."

In my opinion, you should enjoy a peaceful and leisurely life, and let the hard work be done by the young people. Concubine Duan Chun.

It took Cheng Qianqian two seconds to realize that she was being called. She quickly stood up and saluted, "Your Highness is here."

Tao Rui asked Deshun to hand her the Phoenix Seal. "From today on, you will be in charge of the harem for me. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will assign more people to you. You can choose the ones who are suitable for you."

Cheng Qianqian was stunned for a moment, unsure whether to be happy or shocked. She'd gotten the Phoenix Seal that so many people had fought so hard for so easily? This, this, this... she wouldn't be able to manage it. What if she couldn't manage it properly?

But now that I'm in this position, I can't refuse.

Cheng Qianqian thanked the Lord very straightforwardly and raised the corners of her mouth slightly to express her joy.

The Empress Dowager was so angry that her stomach ached. If she had known that investigating this matter was a test from the Emperor, she would not have been so busy placing people everywhere. Now, the power of the palace had passed her by, falling into the hands of a little maid. She almost wanted to vomit blood!

Tao Rui smiled at the Empress Dowager and said like a filial son, "Mother, Concubine Duan Chun is blessed. She is the daughter of a hero. With her managing the harem for me, there will be no trouble in the future. You can rest assured. It would be nice to clean up Ci'an Palace when you have time."

The Queen Mother felt her face flush. Wasn't this a mockery of her own palace being like a sieve? If she couldn't even manage Ci'an Palace properly, how could she manage the harem?

She couldn't bear it any longer, so she said a few words of concern to Tao Rui and left in a hurry. She had thought that with the death of the Grand Empress Dowager, she would finally be able to have her way with everything she wanted, but she hadn't expected it to be even more frustrating than before. She actually missed the days when the Grand Empress Dowager was alive.

Cheng Qianqian stayed and said uneasily, "Your Majesty, my grandfather served his country with unwavering loyalty. In my heart, he is indeed a hero, but that is what a minister should do, and what a general should do. I do not deserve such praise and respect from Your Majesty. I am just an ordinary woman, not someone with great fortune. I am afraid that Your Majesty has high hopes for me, and I will disappoint Your Majesty."

She was truly uneasy. This… felt a bit like flattery. What was this about being blessed? How could she possibly believe in something so metaphysical? What if those women wanted to harm her? Wouldn't they use this as a pretext?

Cheng Qianqian had a good attitude and acted well, but Tao Rui guessed what she was worried about and said with a smile, "If I didn't say this, they wouldn't be convinced. Don't worry, just manage the harem well, and I will ask people to assist you."

Cheng Qianqian understood immediately. This was equivalent to Tao Rui managing his own harem. She was just putting it on the surface. As for why she was chosen, was it because the Cheng family did not fight or compete?

Anyway, seeing that Tao Rui didn't really think she was blessed, she felt at ease and thanked him. She wanted to leave. Tao Rui was nominally her husband, and she was a little nervous about being in the same room with him.

Tao Rui pointed to a seat for her and said, "Sit there and read for a while. I summoned your grandfather and your brother today. It seems the time is almost up, so I'll let you meet."

Cheng Qianqian was stunned for a moment, then smiled in great surprise, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

This time the gift was truly sincere and joyful.

After traveling through time, she inherited the original owner's feelings. The original owner was the most favored girl in the Cheng family. She thought that her family members were very close, so it would be nice to see them. Many concubines in the palace only saw their families once a year, and when they did, they only saw the female relatives, not their fathers and brothers.

Cheng Qianqian sat obediently beside him, and Deshun tactfully served her snacks and interesting storybooks. Cheng Qianqian quietly read the storybook, occasionally glancing at Tao Rui out of the corner of her eye when no one else was paying attention.

This was the first time she had such close proximity and so many opportunities to observe Tao Rui. Tao Rui carefully reviewed the memorials, unlike the dandy emperors she knew. However, when she thought about how Tao Rui had dealt with people before, she felt that he was indeed quite willful, not as serious and majestic as other emperors.

Perhaps people who work hard are the most attractive. Cheng Qianqian looked at Tao Rui and thought that this little brother was so handsome, even more handsome than the top idols in the entertainment industry in later generations. He also had the aura of an emperor, as if he had some halo, and was particularly tall and noble.

She was already 22 years old before she traveled through time, and now seeing the 18-year-old Tao Rui, she felt like he was her little brother. However, she only dared to call him that. Seeing how rude Tao Rui was to the Regent and the Duke of Cheng'en, she knew he was no little pup, but more like a powerful dragon.

The system picked up all of Cheng Qianqian's furtive glances and jokingly said to Tao Rui, "Brother Rui, Cheng Qianqian has been stealing glances at you. Does she think you're too attractive?"

Tao Rui was speechless: [When did you learn to watch the fun and gossip?]

[Brother Rui, the brother mode you set up, isn't this what brothers would say to each other?]

Okay, no problem.

Tao Rui said, "She probably just thinks I'm weird and wants to be cautious, but since she doesn't feel any threat, she unconsciously relaxes and is struggling with that."

[Brother Rui, since you are protecting her like this, she can do whatever she wants.]

Of course, but she doesn't know it. From her perspective, all my outrageous actions are just flattery. That's okay, she'll just get used to it. Those I praise can naturally be protected, so she can truly be a naive person and do whatever she wants.

The system made a few more jokes before leaving Tao Rui alone to review memorials. Tao Rui had worked very hard in every life. As emperor, he naturally wanted to be a good emperor, learning the art of ruling well and delivering a peaceful and prosperous nation. This was busier than managing a company.

The imperial study was quiet. Tao Rui was reviewing memorials while Cheng Qianqian was reading a storybook, occasionally glancing at Tao Rui. Half an hour had passed, and the Cheng family's grandparents and grandchildren finally arrived.

The Duke of Huguo and his eldest grandson Cheng Dong saw Cheng Qianqian as soon as they entered the room, and they were both surprised.

They had received the imperial edict promoting Cheng Qianqian and received many rewards, but they had never expected to see her when they entered the palace today. It seemed against the rules. What exactly happened to Cheng Qianqian in the palace?

They were surprised in their hearts, but remained calm on the surface. They saluted Tao Rui and Cheng Qianqian calmly.

Cheng Qianqian felt extremely uncomfortable. No matter how much she remembered the original owner, she was still a person from later generations. She felt unbearable to have her brother and grandfather perform the ceremony for her.

Fortunately, Tao Rui quickly smiled and said, "There are no outsiders here, so no need to be polite. Deshun, please take a seat."

The two were surprised by Tao Rui's attitude, and after thanking him, they became more cautious. The Empress Dowager had long held a grudge against their family. While publicly granting them the title of Protector of the Nation, she had been secretly engaging in numerous underhanded schemes. Over the years, their family had even had to economize on food, clothing, and other necessities, and few families were willing to associate with them.

Just a month after the Empress Dowager's passing, the Emperor had already promoted Cheng Bin and elevated Cheng Qianqian's rank. Now, he was even calling them into the palace. What was his plan? Could it be that the young Emperor, unable to hold his temper, was seeking revenge for his father by using them to frame them?

Tao Rui also knew that they couldn't help but have doubts, but since their family was loyal to the emperor and patriotic, he would have to use them.

He doesn't have anyone of his own now. In the original script, this family will eventually become the emperor, so of course he won't miss it.

Tao Rui, like a leader caring for his subordinates, asked about the Duke's health. Of course, the Duke said he was fine. However, he had blamed himself for bringing trouble to his family over the years, and his life had been difficult. He looked much older than his actual age, and his complexion was poor. With the Empress Dowager in the palace, the Duke's residence had no chance of hiring a royal physician, and no hope of receiving the best treatment.

Tao Rui directly pointed to a royal physician with a clean background and ordered him to be responsible for protecting the Duke of the State and take good care of the old hero's health.

When the Duke of Huguo heard him call him "hero" all the time, he was touched and couldn't help but look up at Tao Rui, but saw his sincere eyes, as if he really admired him.

This was Tao Rui's excuse for being easy on him. What was wrong with an eighteen-year-old boy worshipping a great hero who protected the country? After all, the late emperor wasn't killed by the Duke of Protectorate.

After some small talk, Tao Rui got to the point. "The Duke of Protectorate became disabled while protecting his country and the people. Since then, he has been unable to attend court meetings and can no longer serve the court. I am very sorry. Concubine Duan Chun just mentioned you to me, and I thought that since the Duke of Protectorate cannot attend court, he can come to the palace to teach my guards.

The Duke of the Protectorate can even train an army, so training a small group like this is certainly no problem. I also want to learn some self-defense techniques, not the ones taught by martial arts masters, but techniques that can help me defend against and counterattack against the enemy or assassins. I don't want to die suddenly like my father did one day."

The mention of the late emperor startled the Duke of the Protectorate. He looked at Tao Rui and found his eyes clear, without a trace of resentment. Could it be that Tao Rui, unlike the Grand Empress Dowager, hadn't taken his anger out on him? Had the Cheng family's decline finally stopped? Or...had the little granddaughter truly won Tao Rui's favor?

The Duke of the Protectorate didn't have time to think about it and said respectfully, "Your Majesty's high praise is unacceptable to me. I will do my best to fulfill your Majesty's orders."

Tao Rui nodded with satisfaction and looked at Cheng Dong again. "You are the eldest grandson of the Duke of the Protectorate, right? I heard that you have been with the Duke of the Protectorate since you were a child and have learned all his true teachings?"

Cheng Dong bowed hurriedly and said, "I have only learned one tenth or twelve of my grandfather's teachings. I cannot be called a true disciple."

Tao Rui smiled and said, "Then I will test you. Come, follow me to the martial arts arena. Concubine Duan Chun will come with us."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Cheng Qianqian smiled and followed behind Tao Rui, secretly winking at her grandfather and brother. This made the Cheng family's grandparents and grandchildren relax a little, and they became more certain that it was because Cheng Qianqian was favored by the emperor that their Cheng family had such good fortune.

Arriving at the martial arts arena, Cheng Dong used all his skills to earnestly demonstrate everything he was proficient in. The whole family had the same idea: no matter what the reason, if there was an opportunity, they had to seize it. Anyway, it couldn't be any worse.

Seeing him master all eighteen weapons, Tao Rui couldn't help but applaud and said to the Protector of the Country next to him, "The Protector of the Country has raised a good grandson. Of course, the granddaughter is also good, which shows that the Protector of the Country's family has good upbringing."

No matter how cautious the Duke of Huguo was, he couldn't help but feel happy and said humbly, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Perhaps Concubine Duanchun and Dong'er are of pure character."

Tao Rui was very satisfied with Cheng Dong and said immediately, "I am still short of a commander in front of the emperor, so let Cheng Dong take the position. In the future, when you and your grandson enter the palace together and take up your posts, he will be able to take care of you."

The Duke of Protectorate has disabled legs and has always been carried by others. It would be best if he could go to and from work with his grandson, so that they can take care of each other when something happens.

He didn't care that Tao Rui was too preferential to the Cheng family, and hurriedly took Cheng Dong to express his gratitude.

Cheng Qianqian also thanked him beside him. Tao Rui was stunned for a moment and said with a smile, "What are you thanking for?"

Cheng Qianqian was also happy for a moment, forgetting that she had nothing to do at the moment. She blushed a little and said, "I am... thanking the emperor for trusting and valuing the Cheng family."

Tao Rui hummed, his hands behind his back, and said, "It's getting late. Lord Protector of the Country, Cheng Dong, why don't you stay for dinner? Concubine Duan Chun fell into the water after entering the palace and suffered a great crime. I'd like to let your family have a good reunion today. By the way, I also want to hear about the situation on the border. Although the Hu Kingdom has been docile for a few years, I don't believe they are willing to live in peace with us. As the saying goes, knowing yourself and the enemy will ensure victory in every battle. Lord Protector of the Country, please tell me your story."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The Duke of Protectorate was touched again. He believed that Tao Rui was a wise emperor and would not vent his anger on him because of the late emperor. Instead, he valued Tao Rui's ability to repel the Hu Kingdom.

If so, he glanced at his calm grandson, perhaps he could see the destruction of the Hu Kingdom in his lifetime!

The meal had started off with a tense and solemn atmosphere, but as Tao Rui asked some questions and the Protector of the Country began to recount the customs and practices of the frontier and the battles fought, the atmosphere gradually relaxed. Cheng Qianqian was captivated. These were things she had only seen on television, but now they were things her grandfather had actually experienced. Hearing about those critical moments and the victories he had managed, she felt a mixture of anxiety and relief.

Fortunately, their family is now together and they are favored by the emperor. They will definitely get better and better in the future, right?

Tao Rui promoted the Duke of Protecting the Country and Cheng Dong. The ministers were baffled. If the emperor intended to attack the Hu Kingdom, the Duke of Protecting the Country would already be disabled, and Cheng Dong had been a minor official in the camp outside the capital, a sixth-rank official. Suddenly, he became the Imperial Guard Commander, a direct promotion to the third rank. The key point was that the Imperial Guard Commander was a close minister to the emperor, so this wasn't a matter of rank; it was the emperor's regard for him.

They couldn't figure it out, but then they thought about how two concubines had recently been demoted, while only the Cheng family girl had been promoted to Concubine Duan Chun. Many people figured it out. They were all well-informed and heard that Concubine Duan Chun had almost died when she first entered the palace, most likely the result of the struggle between Concubine Jiang and Concubine Chen.

The emperor's move is obviously a warning to the Regent and Duke Cheng'en!

He demoted the girls of the two families and promoted Consort Duanchun, whom they had bullied. He also supported the Duke of Huguo, who had always been loyal to the imperial family. This was to cultivate his own power and compete with the Regent.

When gods fight like this, others are the most likely to suffer. It is best for everyone to watch quietly and not take sides easily, lest the whole family be destroyed by accident.

However, after Tao Rui declared Concubine Duan Chun a hero, word quickly spread that the Cheng family was blessed. Many speculated that the Emperor might be using Concubine Duan Chun and the Cheng family for good fortune. With the Empress Dowager gone, the two concubines were still feuding within the palace, causing trouble. It certainly seemed like bad luck. If the Emperor believed the Cheng family's victory over the Hu Kingdom and their escape from the water were a blessing, then using them for good fortune was indeed possible.

Ordinary people are more likely to believe this statement, mainly because they don't understand political affairs and are more willing to listen to this kind of gossip.

Liu Si, who married in a low-key manner, had also heard about it. She had once met Cheng Qianqian at a banquet and thought she was simple-minded and easy to use. She had even considered making some friends with her to see if she could be of any use. Unexpectedly, Cheng Qianqian rarely went out, and even less attended banquets, so she forgot about her. She had never expected that a girl she hadn't taken seriously could have such good fortune.

Does Tao Rui like a girl like Cheng Qianqian? Liu Si didn't want to believe it. Maybe he was attracted by Cheng Qianqian's face. The only thing that Cheng Qianqian was better than her was probably her appearance.

Liu Si comforted herself in this way, but she was still very unwilling to accept it. If she had never entered the palace, it would have been fine. But when she entered the palace that day, she had already planned everything, thought about how to become a concubine in the harem, how to seize the opportunity, but because of the engagement, Tao Rui sent her back and issued such an imperial decree.

She must have had a tough battle to fight if she married into the Yang family. Why did Cheng Qianqian, a pure and innocent person, have such a good life? She suddenly became the most powerful concubine in the palace?

Yet, no matter how reluctant she was, she married into the Yang family, donning her red wedding gown. On her wedding night, she found herself met with a drunken husband. Young Master Yang reeked of alcohol, and no matter how much she pushed him, he wouldn't wake up. Liu Si, fuming, had to humble herself and tenderly care for him all night, hoping to regain the affections of the Yang family.

Liu Si was so tired that her back ached. The next day, as soon as Young Master Yang woke up, he casually took her out for tea and went out to meet his friends. Her parents-in-law had nothing to say to her and sent her back to their own courtyard, which really pissed her off and she cursed Tao Rui countless times in her heart.