Chapter 208: Meeting in the main tent, returning home late at night...

Inside the dimly lit tent, the flickering light of a few oil lamps stretched Zhang Ting's shadow infinitely long.

She knelt on the mat, the dim light casting shadows on her right cheek, while the other side remained hidden in darkness, her dark eyes reflecting orange starlight.

She was clearly sitting there, her origins were clearly clear, yet she possessed an extremely mysterious and enigmatic aura that was difficult to describe, as if shrouding her entirely in mist, making her forever untouchable.

This feeling, which is difficult for most people to describe, comes from a civilization of profound and vastness from another dimension.

"Purging the court of corrupt officials may cause the Imperial Guards to collapse temporarily, but it cannot make the world submit. Your Majesty has more than one son. There are virtuous and benevolent men in the court, whose power far surpasses ours. If our army is to become a righteous force, and Your Highness is to remain invincible forever, and to forever trample the many imperial princesses underfoot, I believe that we need one more crucial reason."

Zhang Ting bowed deeply, her eyelids slightly lowered. In life, the worst thing is to want everything.

Since we can't beat them, let's join them and turn the tables. Her words to Zong Suyi might not be entirely wrong; fortune and misfortune are intertwined, who knows if it's a blessing in disguise?

Chen Jue frowned, gently shaking the wine cup. "Oh? What does Zhang Qing think?" The pretext of "purging the emperor's inner circle" has been overused by rebels throughout history, which shows its usefulness and influence.

Xu Qiushui turned her gaze to Zhang Ting. The plan to "purge the court of corrupt officials" was her suggestion to Chen Jue. After years of careful consideration, she came up with this foolproof reason.

Liu Wang frowned slightly. In her view, "purging the court of corrupt officials" was already a strategy of divine skill, which could support them in capturing the capital and intimidating the officials with force. Why would they need to improve it further?

Zhang Ting stared at Chen Jue and said, "Since ancient times, legitimacy has been the key to the long-term stability of a dynasty." Throughout history, countless open and covert battles have been fought over the issue of legitimacy, and the biggest regret of many emperors before their deaths was that they had not obtained the throne legitimately.

These words were like a sudden awakening for Xu Qiushui. Her eyes widened, and she opened her mouth, speechless. Yes, as long as one is 'legitimate,' and possesses both military and political power, who can compare to their princess? How could those arrogant princesses, who boast of being supported by the court officials, possibly have the right to stand alongside their princess?

"The legitimate heir?" Chen Jue was so shocked that she stood up and paced back and forth in the tent. "You want me to be the legitimate heir?" Of course she knew the benefits, but she had been deposed as a commoner for many years, and everyone knew that. How could she still claim to be the legitimate heir?

“This plan is brilliant,” Chen Jue sighed deeply, filled with regret, “However, I… after the incident, my reputation was already tarnished, and I’m afraid it will be difficult to convince the public.” If it weren’t for the Minister of War’s betrayal at the last minute, she would be the one sitting in the Golden Palace now.

Zhang Ting chuckled lightly and said casually, "Your Highness, as the Crown Princess, has suffered from the stigma of petty people and the misunderstanding of His Majesty, enduring many years of hardship. You should clear your name even more."

Xu Qiushui stood up, her expression surprised, and murmured, "You mean..."

Zhang Ting looked back at her, her gaze firm. "What I mean is that Your Highness has always been the rightful heir, and the only rightful heir."

Upon hearing this, Liu Wang slammed his fist on the table and stood up, his blood boiling with excitement. "Brilliant!" With this pretext, all the princesses would have to step aside, and His Highness would be unmatched!

Chen Jue laughed loudly, stepped forward and took Zhang Ting's hand, and said sincerely, "With Zhang Qing, I am just like Duke Huan of Qi with Guan Zhong. The pursuit of hegemony is just around the corner!" She looked him up and down and became more and more satisfied. Her grandson was really filial, choosing such a promising granddaughter-in-law for her.

He personally pushed her to sit in the front, overjoyed, and waved his hand, "Drink up, everyone! We won't leave until we're drunk tonight!"

The wine was already at her lips, and Zhang Ting shouldn't have poured cold water on it, but she had to go to the government office to work the next day, and these people in front of her were all unemployed. Could she just follow them and do whatever she wanted?

"Tomorrow, many officials will be gathering at the government office. I am afraid I should leave first to avoid arousing suspicion."

Chen Jue paused, but there was nothing wrong with that. If it aroused suspicion, wouldn't her rebellion plan be exposed? Not only did she not force him to stay, but she also personally escorted Zhang Ting out of the forest with a group of people.

"The night is deep and the dew is heavy, Zhang Qing, take care." She patted her beloved minister's shoulder and then smiled, "Since I borrowed you tonight, Xiao Yi will definitely be badmouthing me behind my back. You must put in a good word for me in front of him."

Zhang Ting forced a smile, "Xiaoyi is gentle and virtuous, and always puts the big picture first. How could she be disrespectful to His Highness?" Damn, she guessed it right!

Chen Jue gave her a look that said, "How could I not know my own grandson?" She raised an eyebrow and teased, "Having a male tiger in the house must be tough, right?" When she first heard the rumors circulating outside that her beloved minister was impotent, she was convinced that it was her good grandson who spread them.

That little master is intolerant of any dissent. This move effectively prevents anyone from sending men into the mansion, and also provides a reason to 'silently' deal with children who are not her own.

My poor beloved minister has spent so many years living under the thumb of an arrogant and domineering ancestor. He must have had to be subservient and suffer a lot of injustices. Alas, it's too tragic, so tragic.

Chen Jue felt a little smug, but turned his head away to hide it.

Zhang Ting: "..." It's hard not to tell.

Xu Qiushui twitched her eye as she recalled the chaotic times they had shared, and silently took a step back.

The gazes directed at Zhang Ting were filled with deep 'admiration'. Indeed, someone who could tame a male tiger, could she be an ordinary person? A role model for us all.

Despite the sympathetic looks from the crowd, Zhang Ting remained silent. Only she knew the true nature of her situation; outsiders had no idea what was going on, so why should she care about their opinions?

She walked her own path, she lived her own life, and that's enough.

"Your Highness, I bid you farewell. May Your Highness live a long and healthy life."

Everyone watched her disappear into the distance, her steps light and graceful, even her back view exuding an ethereal and otherworldly aura.

Chen Jue stroked his chin thoughtfully: "If Zhang Qing were born a man, he would surely attract fierce competition from all sides." They would fight tooth and nail, their anger flaring, all for the sake of winning a smile from the beauty.

Liu Wang said quietly, "What's wrong with being born a daughter? Students all over the world take her as their role model. Every book she has read becomes a bestseller in bookstores every year. Every place she has visited attracts many students who say, 'Having seen the scenery that the top scholar's wife has seen, they can be considered acquaintances.'" This level of adulation is more intense than any competition among various parties, isn't it? The sound of money clashing is the real sound of money flowing through the air.

Chen Jue was puzzled, "How do you know so much?"

Liu Wang glanced at her, his gaze carrying a hint of reproach. "I started out as a bookstore owner, and I know exactly which books students love. A quarter of the military pay we allocate comes from here."

Chen Jue chuckled awkwardly twice, "The moon is really beautiful tonight." He looked up at the sky, just then a dark cloud blocked out the full moon.

She cursed under her breath, coughed twice, and said, "It's getting late, let's hurry back."

The condemnation in Liu Wang's eyes deepened, eventually turning into a heavy sigh.

A heartless lord and a power-hungry minister.

...

In the middle of the night, the child in the side room was sleeping soundly, her little face rosy and her fluffy head had two tufts of hair sticking up on it. Zhang Ting smiled and pressed them down for her.

Jin Suo was awakened by the slight movement. She rubbed her eyes, sat up, and hurriedly got out of bed to see who it was.

"My lord..." The tension in my heart subsided.

Zhang Ting made a gesture, "Shh, don't wake her." She tucked the blanket around Tun Tun, couldn't resist pinching her chubby little face, and then quietly slipped out.

Jin Suo stared blankly at her back, deeply shocked. Did the master come so late at night just to tuck the blanket around the young lady?

"Miss...you are so happy." She lowered her eyes sadly.

Zhang Ting returned to the main room, where the child's father was also fast asleep in bed. After a quick wash, she wrapped herself in her undergarments, pulled back the covers, and lay down.

The bed was warm and cozy from Zong Suyi's sleep, and it even had a faint fragrance, the scent of his body.

She couldn't help but let out a sigh, closing her eyes comfortably. She felt as if she were bathed in the bright spring sunshine, all the fatigue of the day dissipating. Was this the legendary warm bed? She was certainly enjoying it; no wonder other families kept sons to warm their beds.

As she pondered, a soft, warm body rolled over and into her arms. The beautiful eyes were tightly closed, as if the person was still asleep.

Zhang Ting wrapped her arms around his waist and unconsciously stroked him a couple of times. The muscles in the waist of the person in her arms were trembling and shaking. Then her face twitched, and she finally couldn't help but force a smile.

He immediately opened his eyes, his eyes sparkling like stars, and pouted, saying, "You're bad!" He wrapped his snow-white arms around her neck and looked straight at her.

Zhang Ting laughed and pinched the soft flesh on his waist. "I just got back and I'm still feeling cold. Come on, sleep over here so you don't get cold."

"No, I won't!" Zong Suyi smiled and leaned over to kiss her, pressing his body even closer. "Let me warm you up."

Zhang Ting nuzzled his soft, warm cheek, her voice extremely soft and slightly hoarse: "Did my return make too much noise and wake Xiaoyi?"

He said, "Couldn't it be that Xiaoyi waited for you all night?"

She hugged him tighter and chuckled, "That must be hard on our Xiaoyi, keeping watch alone in the dead of night, waiting for her wicked wife who won't come home."

Zong Suyi pressed his long, slender fingers against her lips, sternly silencing her: "Shut up! You're not allowed to insult my wife. She just went out to handle some important business; she's back." His nose wrinkled, making him look like a vicious wolfhound, yet incredibly alluring.

Zhang Ting's eyes were incredibly gentle and intrigued. "It is I who have offended you. My apologies."

He snorted and suddenly sat up, pointing a triumphant finger at her, "You rebellious wretch, this young master will punish you!"

Zhang Ting was startled by his sudden movement. She put her arm around his side to protect him and said, "Oh? May I ask how you intend to deal with this, young master..." Before she could finish speaking, her lips were forcibly captured and kissed.

She hadn't quite reacted yet, blinking as she looked up at the ceiling, appearing somewhat dazed.

Zong Suyi poked her lower back and urged in a muffled voice, "Stick out your tongue, stick out your tongue quickly..."

Zhang Ting's spirits suddenly lifted, and she flipped him over and pinned him down. Immediately, the quiet room was filled with the sound of splashing water.