Xiao Yuanshuang was like an ant on a hot pan inside Lingxi Palace, pacing anxiously in circles.

Her useless brother was unreliable, and she couldn't tell the other officials in the Yue delegation about this, so she had to find a solution on her own.

"Princess, why don't you let me go?"

“This matter will be taken care of by me alone, and has nothing to do with you,” her personal maid Cherry said.

There's really no other way!

If this matter is indeed exposed as the princess said, then the princess will certainly be detained and become a prisoner, and I will not fare much better; my situation will become extremely difficult and embarrassing.

At that time, the princess might be sent back to Yue, but Yue would never give up any bargaining power for a mere slave.

The only outcome awaiting him was death.

Since that's the case, why not take the initiative to step forward and shoulder all the responsibility?

Since I'm going to die anyway, at least my family will still be taken care of by the princess after I'm gone.

Sure enough, Xiao Yuanshuang stared intently at her, a hint of emotion in her eyes.

You should know that Cherry has been with her since she was a child, and has always been loyal to her without any disloyalty.

According to the original plan, if she could successfully marry Li Xuanji, she would find an opportunity to get rid of Cherry.

After all, Cherry knew far too many things about her that were not meant to be known by others.

But at that moment, she suddenly felt that it would be a pity to kill Cherry, given her current behavior.

Li Xuanji...

Having made up her mind, she helped Cherry up and said, "Although we are master and servant, how could our bond of growing up together be fake? How could I bear to let you take responsibility?"

"Take my token and go to Hengyue Money Shop to collect two silver notes, one million taels each."

ah!

Cherry stared at Xiao Yuanshuang in astonishment and disbelief.

"Go quickly."

"yes."

Cherry, clutching the token, hurriedly led several guards from the Yue Kingdom out of the palace.

Looking at the token in her hand, Cherry's thoughts surged like a tidal wave.

She never expected that Xiao Yuanshuang would not let her go to her death; it would be a lie to say she wasn't moved.

If I were to take the blame myself, it would only be the sacrifice of a lowly maid; what value would that be?

That's two million taels! You have to understand, the Yue delegation only negotiated with the Qing Kingdom for a mere three hundred thousand taels.

Although the princess would have to use her own money to make up the shortfall after the two million taels of silver returned to Yue, she still felt that she could hardly bear such a heavy gift.

Her loyalty to Xiao Yuanshuang grew stronger in her heart.

After Xiao Yuanshuang came up with a plan, she felt relieved and relaxed.

This two million taels of silver was almost her entire fortune. However, for a bright future, why not take a gamble?

The official post stations in the capital city, as important venues for the imperial court to receive officials from all over the country, were particularly busy and bustling at the end of each year.

The annual grand court assembly is held here, and without exception, all officials who are qualified to enter the capital to meet the emperor will go to the capital to pay homage—either to report on their achievements and state their political views, or simply to offer their greetings and blessings to show their loyalty.

In short, everyone who can come will arrive.

At this moment, the official post station was at its busiest, with officials of all ranks coming and going in an endless stream, making the rooms inside extremely scarce.

The grand court assembly had been closed for several days, but it was said that the Ministry of Works would be holding an open day event immediately afterward. After weighing the pros and cons, many officials decided to postpone their return journey and stay overnight.

As a result, the supply of rooms at the official post stations became increasingly insufficient, and many officials had no choice but to find other places to stay, such as nearby inns.

Although it would cost some extra money, the adults didn't mind.

After all, it is already a great honor to be able to witness this rare open day of the Ministry of Works, so what is a little money to spend?

At this moment, the two, both shivering with cold, stepped into the official post station.

“Zhang Bingcheng, Prefect of Jianzhou, here is the seal. I need a room.” Zhang Bingcheng was dressed in a magnificent brocade cotton robe, embroidered with green bamboo patterns, the fine stitches highlighting his noble status.

He was also wearing a thick fox fur coat, its fur as white as silver and as smooth as snow, clearly very valuable.

"Hehe, Yan Jiuzhi, the prefect of Dazhou, this is my seal. I also need a room. Thank you, brother."

Yan Jiuzhi?

He was struck by the strange name.

He had asked around and found out that this person was among those who had come to the capital to compete for the position of prefect of Suizhou.

He remembered the name because it was so unusual.

Zhang Bingcheng turned his head and saw a burly, tall, and imposing middle-aged man standing behind him.

The man's face was weathered and bore several noticeable chilblains.

Looking at his cotton-padded coat, it had several patches. Although the stitches on these patches were delicate and meticulous, they still couldn't hide the fact that it was tattered and worn.

It's hard to imagine that such a person could be the governor of a prefecture!

Logically speaking, a high-ranking official should be dressed smartly and elegantly when he comes to pay homage to the emperor.

Yan Jiu was extremely poor. In such cold weather, she didn't even have a decent leather jacket, and it was unclear what the outer garment she was wearing was.

Yan Jiu noticed the other person staring intently at his coat, then grinned and said, "This is a sheepskin coat, my wife made it for me."

Haha, you're quite proud of yourself.

Zhang Bingcheng gave him a reserved smile and then ignored him.

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