Chu Jinjin has always been carefree when it comes to relationships. Before entering the palace, she thought about all sorts of problems she might encounter, such as the emperor's attitude, but she never imagined that she would be chosen.
With so many concubines in the imperial harem, countless women across the land dream of entering the palace and rising to the top in one step.
She was divorced before.
If ordinary men would mind, how much more so the emperor, who was the supreme ruler?
That's why no one thought of it.
However, someone immediately understood Xiao Huai's meaning—Eunuch Zhao and the palace maid Cui Liu exchanged a secret glance, and the latter sighed inwardly.
For some inexplicable reason, she didn't want Chu Jinjin to enter the palace and become the emperor's woman.
Chu Jinjin was slightly surprised, thinking that the emperor also had a gossipy nature, and reported truthfully: "My relationship with Young Master Xu ended long ago, but he does indeed have feelings for me."
Xiao Huai was not particularly satisfied with this answer: "What if I allow Xu Wenda to divorce his wife and arrange a marriage for you two?"
Chu Jinjin was shocked: "Your Majesty, you must not! I have long since lost all feelings for him."
Fearing this might be another favor from the emperor, she said earnestly, "What's done is done. I understood the day I was divorced that Xu Wenda was not a good man for me."
He only restrained himself because of the Imperial Concubine's sake; otherwise, he would have been called a scumbag outright.
Xiao Huai's words were meaningful. He looked at Chu Jinjin deeply and said, "Indeed, Miss Jinjin is such an extraordinary woman, she deserves a better man."
He doesn't care about his background, but he absolutely cannot have another man in his heart.
"As for your family, I guarantee that after today, no one will disturb them," Xiao Huai said gently, making sure to say each word clearly, "not even the Imperial Concubine."
Now, the cabinet ministers also sensed something unusual and hesitated to speak.
Chu Jinjin didn't think much of it and was overjoyed: "This humble woman thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."
With this guarantee, she felt her trip tonight hadn't been in vain, and she could leave with peace of mind.
Compared to previous emperors, Xiao Huai was not particularly lustful. Most of his concubines were selected through the imperial concubine selection process or entered the palace for the sake of maintaining balance. He had no shortage of women, but he lacked women who could stir his heart.
Actually, his idea is quite normal.
There is probably no woman in the world with a stronger desire to conquer than Chu Jinjin.
"The first person I want to kill is Zheng Zhengfeng, the Governor-General of the North." Xiao Huai temporarily put aside his sentimental feelings, and his gaze suddenly turned fierce. "The North has suffered from drought for three years. Whatever he wants, I give him. As a result, the disaster has not lessened at all, but the number of rioters has increased."
Chu Jinjin bowed slightly: "This humble woman obeys your command."
Zhan Qin had told her about this person.
The Zheng family is the largest family in the north, with intricate local connections. Each generation of the family head is also the new governor, and any move they make has far-reaching consequences, somewhat resembling an independent king.
According to regulations, the disaster relief supplies from the imperial court were also directly distributed to him.
To put it bluntly, he decides how much of it is used to help disaster victims.
Recalling the specifics of what had happened, Xiao Huai paced back and forth a few times before calming himself down: "Miss Jinjin, are you confident?"
If it were someone else, Chu Jinjin really wanted to slap him a few times.
What can we be sure of?
The governor's mansion is heavily guarded. What were you thinking, sending her alone to assassinate it?
Chu Jinjin explained her plan: "As long as he goes out, I will have a chance."
The only possibility is that the other party is not so vigilant on their own territory. Chu Jinjin is confident that she can get close if given the chance.
Xiao Huai nodded and glanced at the cabinet ministers.
The cabinet ministers understood and took out a list to hand to Chu Jinjin.
Despite the emperor's words, he didn't have much hope of killing Zheng Zhengfeng, even though Chu Jinjin was skilled in martial arts.
The primary targets were the bandit leaders on the list.
The Zheng family held absolute power in the north, but if they wanted to establish themselves as kings without a legitimate reason for launching a military campaign, they would be considered rebels by the people.
The most urgent task is to deal with the increasingly serious problem of numerous bandit forces.
The list was quite detailed, written by Zheng Zhengfeng himself, down to the specific location and the number of bandits.
Chu Jinjin looked at it carefully for a moment: "I will do my best."
There is probably only one bandit like Jie Du in the world. The bandit leaders on the list were originally commoners with only a little brute strength. Moreover, they didn't have many weapons and most likely didn't even know basic governance.
It's not difficult.
The conversation was basically over at this point. Chu Jinjin bowed and withdrew, then went out and was greeted by an extremely beautiful concubine.
Concubines are also masters.
Chu Jinjin lowered her head and stood aside, waiting for the other person to pass before leaving. She thought it might be a concubine, but she had no way to confirm it.
She really is a royal concubine.
The Wang family had already sent someone to deliver the message.
According to the princess's wishes, Wang Ruoyun and the Xu family would jointly bear 60,000 taels. For the Wang family, 30,000 taels was not much and could be easily paid out. What they were wary of was the emperor.
The Imperial Concubine has come to sound out what they want to hear.
Just as I reached the door, I heard a deafening clap of thunder.
"Cui Liu, what do you think if I were to let her enter the palace as a concubine?"
Cui Liu seemed startled: "Your Majesty, you must not! Miss Chu's martial arts skills are too high. I am worried that if she develops any disloyal intentions, I am afraid I will not be a match for her."
Then came Xiao Huai's laughter.
Without even hearing what came next, Consort Wang Ruoxiang knew that this sentence could not stop her.
Once she became a concubine, her whole family became imperial relatives. Given Chu Jinjin's behavior, it's easy to see that she values her family highly, so how could she possibly have any disloyal thoughts?
Besides, which woman wouldn't want to marry the emperor?
What if we have another child?
Wang Ruoxiang felt a little dizzy. If Chu Jinjin really entered the palace, she would definitely regard her as a mortal enemy.
The young eunuch following her gently reminded her, "Your Majesty."
Since giving birth to the prince, the Imperial Concubine has received a unique privilege in the entire harem—she does not need to announce herself when she sees the Emperor.
However, this does not mean she could eavesdrop on the emperor's conversation.
Knowing she couldn't hide it, Wang Ruoxiang forced a smile after bowing and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty."
After saying that, she added, "I only caught a glimpse of her just now, and Miss Jinjin is indeed a beauty of unparalleled grace. Compared to the other ladies in the harem, she has an extraordinary beauty."
She said this to the Emperor, but also to herself.
Having risen to the position of Imperial Concubine, she could be said to know the man before her best. She had never favored any one woman exclusively, and the number of times she spent her nights in each palace each month was almost evenly distributed. In other words, no one had ever truly entered her heart.
Including myself.
Regardless of Chu Jinjin's lowly origins as a merchant's daughter, she was divorced on her wedding day, and even though she was still a virgin, she had been engaged.
If such a woman were to enter the palace as a concubine, there would likely be no shortage of criticism and gossip.
Wang Ruoxiang couldn't help but look up and take a closer look.
Xiao Huai smiled broadly: "Is my beloved concubine jealous?"
Wang Ruoxiang wasn't jealous.
She didn't know what the other concubines were thinking; she only treated the Emperor as the Emperor, not as her bedmate.
She felt a profound sense of crisis she had never experienced before.
A woman who can capture the emperor's heart is terrifying, especially one who is not only highly skilled in martial arts but also his mortal enemy.
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