Three whips cracked on the Golden Palace platform, and the officials entered the palace in an orderly fashion.
Civil and military officials lined up on both sides, with Xue Heng and Xue Shen each leading one side and standing at the front.
Because of the chain reaction triggered by the siege of the city by the Northern Rong, the number of memorials from various places has increased significantly in recent days, and there are more matters that need to be discussed by the court officials.
Emperor Cheng'an took out the most important one from a stack of memorials and said, "Memorials have been sent from various places along the northwest route, reporting that small groups of defeated Northern Rong people have fled into the mountains and occasionally come out to burn, kill, and plunder. They request the court to send troops to support them."
The Northern Rong King was seriously injured, and Yelü Nanxian led the elite Northern Rong army to protect him as he fled back to the depths of the grasslands. However, the Northern Rong army was numerous, and many soldiers were forced to scatter during the rout. Some stragglers escaped into the deep mountains and forests under the pursuit and interception of the imperial army. After the imperial army withdrew, they made a living by plundering the local people.
Emperor Cheng'an's gaze swept over the civil and military officials, finally settling on Xue Shen. He said, "There is a lack of capable military generals in the court. After much thought, I believe only the Prince of Qin is brave and capable of quelling the banditry. Is the Prince of Qin willing to go to the northwest to quell the northern Rong banditry?"
In the past, Emperor Cheng'an would certainly not have allowed Xue Shen to command troops and achieve merit. However, Xue Shen has already made great contributions after the siege of the city by the Northern Rong. In addition, he set a trap to force Emperor Cheng'an to acknowledge the legitimacy of the 30,000 private troops and reinstated Pang Lai and others to their original positions. Even if Emperor Cheng'an did not allow him to command troops, he would still have real military power in his hands.
These days, whenever Emperor Cheng'an thinks of Xue Shen, he can't eat or sleep properly, and feels as if he's being roasted by fire.
The requests for help from all over the Northwest were like a timely rain, extinguishing the burning anger in his heart. Rather than letting Xue Shen keep eyeing the capital and constantly cultivating his power, it would be better to transfer him out and send trusted confidants to act when the opportunity arises.
This trip to the Northwest to wipe out the remnants of the Northern Rong army is an excellent opportunity.
Emperor Cheng'an had a well-thought-out plan, and Xue Shen naturally understood his intentions. However, the remnants of the Northern Rong army were indeed a hidden danger, and he had just received news that scouts had discovered Shen Mingjiang's whereabouts on the Tibetan border.
However, Shen Mingjiang was elusive, and Xue Shen's scouts lost track of him halfway through the journey. The reply only stated that he had seen Shen Mingjiang talking with a young man who looked very much like Shen Xiuyi.
The spies had only seen a portrait of Shen Xiuyi and couldn't confirm that it was indeed her. Shen Mingjiang clearly had no intention of letting Xue Shen get involved and had been trying to shake off Xue Shen's spies. As a result, Xue Shen had been wanting to go to the Northwest himself to confirm, and now was the perfect opportunity.
Emperor Cheng'an's suggestion was exactly what he wanted to hear.
Xue Shen met Emperor Cheng'an's flickering gaze and knelt to receive the decree: "Your subject will certainly not fail in your mission."
Emperor Cheng'an was surprised by his composure in accepting the decree and immediately suspected he might have other plans. With these suspicions in mind, Emperor Cheng'an gestured for Qi Zhong to help the man up and said with concern, "I know the Princess Consort is heavily pregnant. Now, sending you, a soon-to-be father, on such a long journey will likely be difficult for you, leaving your wife and children behind. Rest assured, I will have the Empress send several experienced nannies skilled in caring for pregnant women to the Prince's residence to look after Princess Consort Qin. She will be ensured that nothing goes wrong with her."
No matter how nicely he spoke, he couldn't hide his fear of the King of Qin.
They claimed they were sending people to take care of her, but in reality, they wanted to use the Princess of Qin as a hostage.
Xue Shen had long anticipated this day, so he wasn't in a hurry and simply expressed his gratitude calmly.
Seeing that he had resigned himself to his fate, Emperor Cheng'an felt somewhat relieved.
Thinking to himself that no matter how cunning Xue Shen was, he still had a weakness, he realized that he had been too concerned about his reputation and hadn't been ruthless enough in his actions. As long as he had control over Shen Youying and the child in her womb, why should he be afraid that Xue Shen wouldn't obediently submit?
*
After the court session ended, Xue Shen left the palace.
Pang Lai and the others caught up, saying worriedly, "Does Your Highness really intend to leave the Princess in the capital? Emperor Cheng'an's arrival is ill-intentioned; he might take the opportunity to harm the Princess."
Xue Shen said, "I have my own arrangements for this matter, and it is not convenient for me to tell you for the time being. You only need to prepare for the expedition."
Seeing his calm demeanor, Pang Lai and the others knew that he was not unprepared, so they watched him mount his horse and leave.
When Xue Shen returned to the palace, he saw Shen Youying doing needlework.
He stepped forward, gestured for the maid to leave, then sat down next to Shen Youying and asked, "What are you doing?"
Shen Youying showed him what she was sewing: "I'm making little bibs for the baby." She looked at the little bibs in her hands and said with a smile, "I don't know if this baby will be a boy or a girl, so I'll make a few for both."
Xue Shen took the little bib and glanced at it. The red silk fabric was exceptionally soft, and a tiger's head was embroidered on it with soft wool thread, making it very endearing.
"Why not have an embroiderer do it? Embroidering this is too hard on the eyes."
Shen Youying glanced at him and smiled, "This fabric was already softened by the embroiderer's hands and then ironed flat. I just asked for it to embroider some little things on it to pass the time. It won't take much effort."
Xue Shen touched her pregnant belly: "You've been working so hard. I hope these two little ones will be more sensible and considerate of their mother."
Shen Youying placed her palm on the back of his hand and said with a smile, "They are already quite sensible. They don't cause much trouble when they are well-fed and watered."
Xue Shen grunted in agreement, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Today at court, the Emperor ordered me to go to the Northwest to annihilate the remnants of the Northern Rong army."
Shen Youying asked in surprise, "Why are you going?"
Xue Shen said, "He's just getting restless and trying to create some opportunities. I'm not afraid, but I'm worried about leaving you and the child in the capital."
Upon hearing this, Shen Youying said, "I'll go with you."
Xue Shen patted her head and said slowly, "You are now quite far along in your pregnancy, and the long journey might be too much for you. I originally wanted to send you to Chuyun Temple to recuperate, but Emperor Cheng'an intends to use you and the child as hostages. If I leave you here, I am really worried."
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