"Lord Wei's words are utterly unreasonable," Yunzhu said angrily, but her anger was not directed at Wei Chengzhong. "My lady has devoted so much effort to ensuring that the people have enough to eat and wear. Now, does the court intend to erase everything she has done for the people with just a single sentence? Why don't you first see what the people will choose?"

She didn't understand grand principles, but she knew that she would support whoever fed her.

The lady discovered high-yield sweet potatoes for the people, reorganized the market for the entire Northwest business community, provided the Northwest Army with so many ideas for gunpowder weapons, and even the navy that Qiongzhou is currently training vigorously is based on warship blueprints provided by the lady.

Why should the imperial court ruin a lady's reputation with just a word?

If the people truly favor the imperial court, she will be the first to object, and she will teach these ingrates a lesson even if it costs her her life!

Wei Chengzhong was somewhat moved upon hearing this. Indeed, Jiang Qinyu was no ordinary woman. The things she had done for the people over the past two years were evident to all. Would the people really turn against Jiang Qinyu just because of a mere notice?

"Then... is Madam willing to take the risk?" Wei Chengzong asked Jiang Qinyu.

Jiang Qinyu smiled slightly, "Why not?"

She had a clear conscience and was naturally not afraid. As long as she settled Shu Fanpan'er, Old Man Lu, and Madam Chen, she could stand tall and face all storms.

Wei Chengzong composed himself and said, "Alright, I will go and make the arrangements immediately."

Since she's unwilling to hide, we'll have to take all necessary safety precautions ourselves.

Watching Wei Chengzhong leave, Jiang Qinyu looked at Yunzhu and asked with a smile, "Are you so sure the people won't listen to the court's instigation?"

Isn't this move by the imperial court just a provocation? They think that by labeling her a monster, the people will condemn her.

Jiang Qinyu was also uneasy before Yunzhu said those words, but she felt relieved after Yunzhu finished speaking.

She would be pleased if the people were not affected by the court's proclamation, but she had nothing to fear if the people were successfully instigated.

“I don’t know about others, but the people of Dingshui Village certainly wouldn’t do anything to betray Madam,” Yunzhu affirmed.

Jiang Qinyu smiled and said, "That's hard to say."

Human hearts are unpredictable; who knows if someone might actually think she's a monster?

However, the last time Chen Xiuer claimed she was a monster, everyone in the village sided with her.

"Don't worry, Madam, I can guarantee they won't!" Yunzhu firmly believed that her intuition was correct.

Jiang Qinyu smiled and didn't dwell on the matter any further.

I wonder if Lu Yanzheng has received the notice? Will he think she's a monster? What about the Northwest Army? Will they question Lu Yanzheng because of her existence?

Meanwhile, on the official road from Qiongzhou to Yongshan County, Lu Yanzheng suddenly sneezed a few times.

Yang Meng, standing behind him, said nervously, "Your Highness, why don't you stop and rest for a bit?"

"Let's keep going," Lu Yanzheng said expressionlessly.

He received the imperial edict yesterday and immediately handed over all military affairs, taking only Yang Meng with him as he headed to Yongshan County.

Just two days ago, he received a message from A Ping saying that the fifth prince of Western Qiang was still alive and had already arrived at Yunshan Mountain, with the aim of kidnapping Jiang Qinyu.

He was eager to return home, but a crucial step in the construction of the warship went wrong, and he had to resolve it personally.

Judging from A Ping's letter, Jiang Qinyu and the others are currently safe, which is why he did not return immediately.

Upon receiving the imperial edict, he could no longer sit still. He abandoned everything he was holding and hurried home on horseback.

Yang Meng looked at him with concern, sighing inwardly.

The prince caught a cold a couple of days ago, but he still insisted on directing the craftsmen on the warship. Last night, he even had a high fever for two hours.

Some people in the Northwest Army had heard rumors about the imperial proclamation, but everyone thought it was nonsense and a conspiracy by the court, so no one believed it.

But the prince was afraid that something might happen to the princess, so he rushed back despite his own health.

I just hope that the princess won't overthink things after hearing the news, otherwise the prince's good intentions will be in vain.

With that in mind, the two hurried for another day and night and finally arrived at Yongshan County.

Lu Yanzheng's face was flushed, and sweat kept pouring from his forehead, but he seemed oblivious to it as he rode his horse straight to the house in the county town.

"Huh? A-Zheng is back?" Coincidentally, Old Man Lu had nothing to do today, so he came to chat with Uncle Chen, who was guarding the gate. Hearing the knock, he opened the door and saw Lu Yanzheng.

Lu Yanzheng nodded to him and handed him the reins. "Please take the horse to the stable, Father. I'm going to find Qinqin."

"Huh? Oh, okay, she's in the study, then hurry up and go." Old Lu was a little confused for a moment, but quickly came to his senses and even gave him directions.

Lu Yanzheng strode towards Shu Fan.

Yang Meng followed him into the room, first greeting Uncle Chen and Old Man Lu, and then being pulled aside by the two old men to ask about the situation.

Meanwhile, Jiang Qinyu had just finished reading Yunzhou's accounts for the previous quarter and was massaging her shoulders to relieve her fatigue when the door to her study was pushed open.

She looked up and saw Lu Yanzheng appear at the door in a form she had never seen before.

"Brother Zheng?" Jiang Qinyu stood up in surprise. "What's wrong with you?"

Her face is so red! And she's running so fast, did she accidentally get drugged?

Thinking of this, Jiang Qinyu quickly stepped forward.

Lu Yanzheng hugged her tightly, burying his face in her neck, "Don't be afraid, I'm here..."

Jiang Qinyu was a little confused, "What are you afraid of?"

Why doesn't she understand?

Lu Yanzheng released her, placed his hands on her shoulders, and looked at her earnestly, saying, "No matter what happens, don't be afraid. I will always believe that you are a treasure bestowed upon me by God."

Jiang Qinyu blushed and said reproachfully, "What are you talking about?"

It's strange that he would say something that sounds like a confession of love out of nowhere, and it's kind of cheesy.

Of course, she also felt a little sweet inside.

Lu Yanzheng chuckled softly, cupped her face in his hands, and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Don't worry about what I'm saying. Just know that I will always believe in you..."

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly lunged at Jiang Qinyu.

"Uh... how come you..." Jiang Qinyu supported him, looked up, and immediately felt a tightness in her chest. She called out towards the door, "Yunzhu, Amber, come and help!"

Lu Yanzheng actually fainted!

Jiang Qinyu and the others were in a flurry of activity, but it took them a while to settle Lu Yanzheng down. Yang Meng was then called to the main courtyard for questioning.

"What? You mean he had a fever a couple of days ago?" Jiang Qinyu's brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.

Yang Meng nodded, "Yes, the prince rushed home immediately after receiving the proclamation, without stopping for a moment on the way."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Qinyu felt a pang of sadness. It had been drizzling in Yongshan County for the past two days, and she imagined it was similar in other places. Did that mean Lu Yanzheng had come back soaked in the rain?

Everyone else left. Jiang Qinyu sat by the bed, gently touching Lu Yanzheng's face, and sighed with heartache, "Fool, even if you're worried about me, you don't have to be so reckless..."