Chu Jinjin wasn't too surprised: "You know Zhan Qin?"
She had long suspected Zhan Qin's true identity.
With such talent, he should have passed the imperial examinations long ago. Also, what scholar focused on passing the imperial examinations would draw a military map of Black Eagle Mountain?
And that kind of demeanor isn't something that can be cultivated from an ordinary background.
"His name is Zhan Qin?" Princess Le'an asked in return, then smiled, her eyes bright. "Miss Jinjin, you are surrounded by truly hidden talents. With Zhan Qin here, you must already know Eunuch Zhao's purpose?"
Chu Jinjin didn't ask any further questions.
Princess Le'an will speak if she wants to; she can't be forced to. Everyone has secrets, and in any case, Zhan Qin has no ill intentions towards the Chu family.
Chu Jinjin nodded: "Is it for disaster relief?"
Princess Le'an sighed and looked out the window: "Things seem to be very serious."
On the night of the charity gala, she guessed the purpose of Eunuch Zhao's visit. As a princess, although she was far away from the court, she knew secrets that ordinary people did not know.
The emperor's position was not secure; it was a miracle that he was able to ascend the throne in the first place.
Princess Le'an said solemnly, "Miss Jinjin, the situation in the North is a hundred or a thousand times more complicated than you think, and it is fraught with danger. Although the Emperor has spoken, you can refuse. With me and Madam Li by your side, even if the Emperor is furious, we can still ensure your safety."
Li Xinzhi's expression was similar: "Jinjin, I'll accompany you to the palace to talk."
A chronic illness that has existed for many years cannot be solved by a single trip by a woman.
Natural disasters occur almost every year, but none are as severe as those in the north. Just look at Zhou Guoshou; his corruption and collusion with power and money are even more pronounced in the north.
Chu Jinjin is skilled in combat, but even the Emperor couldn't handle the behemoth she faced.
Chu Jinjin had already made her decision.
I have to go.
The main reason, of course, is to completely resolve the major problem of the Imperial Concubine.
Furthermore, the Emperor's sudden action against Xu Wenda, regardless of the Consort's feelings, is both a declaration of his stance and a warning to others. If the Emperor does not intervene, the Consort will likely become even more reckless.
Li Xinzhi and Princess Le'an were two powerful backers, but even the strongest backer is not as good as relying on oneself.
True strength lies in being strong enough yourself.
Chu Jinjin bowed deeply to the two elder sisters: "Thank you both. Please rest assured, no one can kill me."
They're just officers and soldiers.
They're nowhere near as bad as zombies.
Even if we can't win, we're confident we can escape.
The two tried to persuade him a few more times, but when they found they couldn't change his mind, they could only sigh and then give him some instructions on what to pay attention to when meeting the emperor.
The emperor was waiting, so Chu Jinjin quickly changed into what she considered suitable clothes.
To avoid attracting attention, Eunuch Zhao entered through the back door and left through the same small back door.
Once on the carriage, Eunuch Zhao's voice was incredibly gentle: "Third Miss Chu, don't be afraid. The Emperor summoned you to the palace just to chat about everyday matters."
Chu Jinjin glanced at him: "Eunuch Zhao is afraid, isn't he?"
Eunuch Zhao: "......."
The trauma of having his pants pulled down was so deep that he still feels lingering fear when he thinks about it.
——
The night rises from the white marble ground and spreads along the carved railings, turning pavilions and towers into towering black behemoths.
The night in the palace is deeper than outside.
The Hall of Mental Cultivation was brightly lit.
"Your Majesty, we cannot continue in the north," the cabinet minister said in a deep voice. "I suggest that we send a large army to wipe them out before the bandits gain any strength."
There are many rumors circulating among the people about the drought in the north, how many people have starved to death, and, more discreetly, how local officials have failed to act and how relief supplies have been embezzled. But for the imperial court at this moment, the biggest hidden danger is the increasing number of mountain bandits and outlaws.
That's just how the world is.
Oppression by officials leads to popular rebellion; most bandits were driven by the desire for food.
"The largest group already has 30,000 men." Emperor Xiao Huai was around thirty years old, the age when men are most likely to achieve success. He sneered, "More than my Imperial Guards."
The fact that the cabinet ministers could come to the Hall of Mental Cultivation after court meant they were trusted confidants of the emperor. They cupped their hands and said, "Your Majesty, your humble servant is willing to lead troops to suppress the bandits."
Xiao Huai smiled but didn't comment.
Thirty thousand bandits may seem like a lot, but in reality they were just a motley crew without any weapons, and anyone could easily take them down.
The cabinet minister understood the emperor's meaning, and after a moment of silence, continued, "I fear that, given time, it may truly become a force to be reckoned with."
The largest is 30,000, and as for the smaller ones, there are hundreds or thousands, and I don't know how many there are. If one of them becomes influential, like the Black Eagle Mountain stronghold, then it will really become a major problem.
At this moment, Eunuch Zhao, bowing low, quietly entered and said, "Your Majesty, Miss Chu is waiting outside."
The cabinet ministers immediately frowned.
The army does indeed face many difficulties in suppressing bandits.
The large and dispersed number of refugees, familiar with the local terrain and lacking a stable place to live, meant they could flee at any time if they couldn't fight. Such a large-scale mobilization would only exacerbate the discontent of the refugees who were already dissatisfied with the imperial court.
If we have enough food to fight bandits, why can't we save people first?
But no matter how difficult it is, it's still more reliable than sending a woman.
In the past, Chu Jinjin would have been somewhat worried. The journey felt like walking into a giant cage, with countless guards and soldiers, making escape virtually impossible. And the other party was the master of this world.
A king whose words could decide the fate of countless people.
But now, the other party needs her help.
According to custom, she knelt down respectfully and said, "This commoner, Chu Jinjin, greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
She felt a pair of eyes scrutinizing her.
After a while, the man's low voice was heard: "Rise."
His voice was flat and almost devoid of emotion.
Is this the attitude you're going to have?
As Chu Jinjin stood up, she quickly glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.
That's all there is to it.
He certainly has the aura of an emperor, and with the support of thousands, even an ordinary person can develop an extraordinary demeanor. However, in terms of appearance, he is not as good as Zhan Qin, and in terms of aura, he is even worse than Jie Du.
Xiao Huai gazed at the woman in the prince's presence: "Look up, let me see you."
Even without the drought in the north, he would still make time to see Chu Jinjin; he had heard too much about her.
He rescued his father from Black Eagle Mountain Stronghold, single-handedly stormed the Xu family mansion to demand his dowry, even defeating the city gate guards, and escaped unscathed.
Could such an extraordinary woman have appeared in the world?
Chu Jinjin was unhappy, but there was nothing she could do, so she obediently looked up.
Time was too short. If it were a man being summoned, there probably wouldn't even be time to change clothes. Chu Jinjin came with no makeup on.
But just like the morning that made Zhan Qin stare blankly.
Xiao Huai and the cabinet ministers were both momentarily stunned.
The woman, rumored to be so fierce, subconsciously evokes the image of a shrew.
The princess wore no makeup; her eyes were clear as lake water, like a vibrant flower.
Xiao Huai himself didn't realize that his voice had softened: "Third Miss Chu, I heard that you once fought with the leader of Black Eagle Mountain Stronghold. In your opinion, how good is his martial arts?"
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