Helian Yu waved her hand in front of her eyes, her dark eyes eager to try: "If father allows, how about going to my Zhaoyang County?"

"Your Highness, aren't you worried that Xichun is too young and a woman to win the support of the people, and that the people will be dissatisfied?" Lin Xichun's eyes were misty, bright and worried.

"Master said that everything has a precedent. Our Zhaoyang County has already tried to grow spring wheat with an output of 100 dan per mu. What's the harm in having one more female county magistrate?" Helian Yu raised his hand domineeringly, as if he was about to command the world. "If you have the ability, Zhaoyang County welcomes you at any time!"

Helian Yu glanced at Lin Xichun's expression and guessed the possibility of recruiting her.

If her original destiny had been followed, Lin Xichun would have been a talented woman, the mistress in charge of the family in the future, and one of the eight great businessmen, which shows that she had considerable abilities.

It would be a pity not to trick such a talent into working for her in Zhaoyang County.

Lin Xichun was first stunned by the spring wheat yield of 100 dan per mu, and then her eyes were filled with tears by Helian Yu's promise.

"Your Highness, I will work hard to repay your kindness." Lin Xichun stood up and bowed.

"Then it's a deal." Helian Yu looked at her, "If you pass the test of the emperor, you will have to go to Zhaoyang County. It's a bit too hasty to govern a county, so govern a county as a practice."

Lin Xichun bowed again: "I will definitely live up to your expectations."

"But, Your Highness, there is one more thing." Lin Xichun looked at Helian Yu.

"Um, what?"

Helian Yu stretched out her small hand to the pastry plate beside her, picked up a piece of green lotus leaf-shaped tea cake, and handed it to her lips.

Lin Xichun took out a book and handed it to Helian Yu: "The Fourth Prince ordered Xichun to read for His Highness."

Helian Yu paused, turned his head stiffly to the book in Lin Xichun's hand, and said slowly: "I remember now, Master wants to see me for something! He said he wants to check my homework!"

Helian Yu hurriedly got up from the ground, took the opportunity to grab two pieces of tea cake, and ran into the corridor.

Lin Xichun looked at Helian Yu's happy back and murmured in a low voice: "Is the tea cake so delicious..."

Helian Yu rushed into the study, pushed open the door and saw a room full of people.

Xie Rangchen and Helian Chi were sitting on the chairs, with Lu Hou, Chang Zuo and Zhuo Liu standing below them. Kneeling on the ground were Zhou Boyi and several other members of the Zhou family in prison uniforms. The atmosphere was solemn and serious.

The door opened suddenly, catching everyone off guard.

Helian Yu stood at the door, his beaming face slowly faded into a smile, and he waved his hand with gritted teeth, showing the two pieces of tea cake in his hand: "Um... Master, Fourth Brother, are you hungry?"

"Come here." Xie Rangchen waved at her, his expression slightly more relaxed.

Helian Yu walked towards Xie Rangchen under everyone's gaze, as if walking on the edge of a knife, and called out softly, "Master..."

Chang Zuo walked over, closed the door, and stood back in his original position.

"Master, it's not appropriate for me to be here, right?" Helian Yu looked at him expectantly, "Lin Xichun is still waiting for me outside to study, should I go out?"

"Next are the children of the Zhou family from the eldest to the fifth branch. How do you think we should deal with them?" Xie Rangchen asked her, bypassing Helian Yu's words.

Helian Yu turned his head and looked over. The one kneeling closest to the front was Zhou Boyi, whom he had met in the Jinling government office. Behind him were a few young men and women, whom he was not familiar with.

"Deal with them according to the law." Helian Yu walked towards Zhou Boyi, looked at his numb face, and said, "You can also temporarily imprison them in a separate courtyard or prison, and spread the news to the outside world, and reward them handsomely after they confess, so as to lure the person behind them to take the bait, and when the person behind them kidnaps them or sends someone to assassinate them, you can catch them all in one fell swoop."

"Anyway, a person alive is more valuable than being killed with a knife."

After Helian Yu finished speaking, everyone in the Zhou family looked at her boldly, with unspeakable fear in their eyes.

Lu Jing had a complicated look in his eyes and he looked at Helian Chi. He seemed to understand why the Fourth Prince wanted to be close to Princess Zhaoyang. Perhaps it was because they had some similarities.

Helian Yu turned around, his dark eyes like glass, shining brightly: "What do you think, Master?"

"You can give it a try."

Helian Chi placed his finger on the back of Helian Yu's neck: "Xiao Yu'er, guess."

"You have so many schemes and intrigues, how can I guess them?" Helian Yu said bluntly, "I am so innocent and kind, how can I guess what you two old people are thinking."

Helian Chi pulled his lips and said, "Helian Yu, did you study today? Did you practice calligraphy? Did you practice whipping? Or did you practice the Five Animals Exercises? Did you sneakily eat a lot of sweets?"

Helian Yu: "..."

How insidious! Helian Yu moved to Xie Rangchen's side and pulled his black robe obediently: "Master, I'm seasick and I'm not used to the climate. I'll study after I return to Beijing..."

Xie Rangchen lowered his eyelids, and met Helian Yu's admiring gaze: "No."

Helian Yu: "..."

Helian Chi chuckled, "Zhuo Liu, send the princess back to her room, and order Miss Lin and Miss Shangguan to read to her."

"yes."

Zhuo Liu went forward to invite Helian Yu, but Helian Yu tightly grasped Xie Rangchen's robe and refused to let go.

"Wow, Master, I want to spend more time with you. If I don't accompany you now, I won't have time in the future—"

Helian Yu howled like a ghost, causing Xie Rangchen to sigh softly.

Just when Helian Yu thought he had succeeded, Xie Rangchen spoke.

"Chang Zuo, take her back to her room."

Before Helian Yu could react, she was already in Chang Zuo's arms. She subconsciously closed her mouth to avoid being hurt by Chang Zuo's scabbard, but her hands were still tightly grasping Xie Rangchen's robe.

The long sword flashed, and only a piece of cloth was left in Helian Yu's hand.

Xie Rangchen: I have to change clothes again.

Helian Yu: Your swordsmanship is really good. I want to learn it.

Chang Zuo strode away with Helian Yu in his arms. Xie Rangchen also stood up and walked out. Helian Chi lowered his eyes and looked at Zhou Boyi.

"Prince Zhou, did you hear what Princess Zhaoyang said just now?"

Zhou Boyi laughed sarcastically, and the numbness on his face faded away: "Your Highness, everything is just about profit. I didn't expect that you would use the mouth of a young girl like Princess Zhaoyang to speak out such vicious and despicable methods. It is really despicable."

"Disdainful?" Helian Chi laughed, his eyes sharp. "Your Zhou family embezzled grain from the granary, interfered with the imperial examination, and deceived your superiors and subordinates. This is already unforgivable. In addition, you drove away beggars to create a false impression of prosperity and deceived the royal family. How can you be a gentleman and criticize me?"

Zhou Boyi closed his eyes and refused to speak any more.

The other young men of the Zhou family trembled in fear, fearing that they would die on the spot.

"Prince Zhou, tell the person behind the scenes, I can assure you that the children of the Zhou family will be safe."

Zhou Boyi still closed his eyes and said nothing.

Helian Chi was furious when he saw him like this, and he didn't want to continue, "Zhuo Liu, take him away."

At that time, only Helian Chi and Lu Jing were left in the study.

Helian Chi questioned Lu Jing with a gloomy look.

"Tell me the truth, do you have any dealings with the Zhou family?"