"Princess, this is a letter from Prince Qi's Palace."

Jiang Si took an exquisite gold-plated printed visiting card from Nanny Ji, glanced at it casually, and then threw it on the table, saying two words: "No."

Nanny Ji frowned.

The princess' refusal was a little too decisive.

As the mistress of the Princess of Yan, it is her job to manage the palace affairs and handle the interpersonal relationships with the various mansions in the capital. It is legitimate for the Princess of Qi to visit her pregnant sister-in-law. How can she just refuse?

Willful, the princess is so willful.

Glancing at Jiang Si's belly, which had not yet bulged, Nanny Ji sighed secretly.

There's nothing I can do. I can't mess with a pregnant woman. I'll just not see her.

"Princess Yan is not feeling well and is not suitable to meet guests?" Princess Qi felt depressed after receiving the reply.

Princess Yan’s refusal was so direct and the reason she gave was so perfunctory.

What physical discomfort? She has been pregnant for more than three months and the early discomfort has long passed. Such a reply clearly shows that he does not want to deal with her.

This Princess of Yan is really a stubborn person.

Jiang Si has never left the gate of Prince Yan's Mansion since she became pregnant. Princess Qi can't even see her, so there is naturally no way they can be on good terms.

Princess Qi had no choice but to visit Princess Lu and Princess Shu. As Prince Qi closed the door and welcomed visitors, the palace became quiet for a while.

In Yu's study, the notebook that Emperor Jingming hid in the secret compartment had not been replaced for a long time.

Ever since the crown prince was deposed, he no longer had the leisure to read storybooks.

Although the ministers had not mentioned it yet, he could already see from their eager eyes that they were urging him to appoint a crown prince.

But he didn't want to.

It's not that he still has hope for the deposed crown prince, but he finds it hard to accept that the crown prince position that has been in place for so many years is suddenly replaced by another son.

Walking outside Yu's study, Emperor Jingming leaned against the railing and looked up at the sky.

There were no stars or moon in the sky, just like his empty mood at the moment.

"Su Yue, I abandoned Lang'er, do you blame me?" Emperor Jingming murmured, his voice so soft that only he could hear it.

No one answered his question, but Emperor Jingming knew very well that he could only have one peaceful year at most. In the spring of next year, those ministers would jump out and force him to appoint a crown prince.

Forget it, at least clean it up for these two months.

The sound of light footsteps was heard, but Emperor Jingming did not turn back.

"Your Majesty, aren't you going to rest yet?" Pan Hai asked in a low voice.

Emperor Jingming turned around, half of his face in shadow: "What's going on outside the palace?"

Pan Hai hesitated for a moment, not knowing where to start.

"I heard that there is a lot of traffic in front of Prince Jin's gate?"

Pan Hai didn't dare to answer.

"Where is King Qi?"

"The King of Qi has been closed to visitors for many days."

Emperor Jingming's expression eased slightly after hearing this.

The fourth brother is always friendly and respectful to his brothers, which is good. It's a pity that his status is not as good as the third brother...

Retracting his thoughts, Emperor Jingming turned to ask, "What about the palace? Has the person behind Concubine Chen and Concubine Yang found out anything?"

Originally there was no rule for Dongchang to secretly investigate the harem, but Emperor Jingming made an exception.

Although Zhen Shicheng was just speculating, he still chose to believe it.

That person must be found out.

Pan Hai looked ashamed: "There are no clues yet. No abnormalities have been found in the people that Lady Chen and Concubine Yang often interacted with during their lifetime."

Since it is a secret investigation, we naturally cannot make any surprises. However, that person can influence Concubine Chen and Concubine Yang, and he may have been in the palace for a long time. It is not easy to find any clues at once.

Emperor Jingming naturally knew this, but he had no intention of blaming Pan Hai. He just thought of Yu Jin again.

Maybe we should ask Lao Qi to give it a try?

But he didn't want the Seventh Prince to know about the affair between the Crown Prince and Concubine Yang...

Emperor Jingming was entangled for a while.

"Your Majesty, it's late, you should take a rest." Pan Hai advised.

Emperor Jingming nodded, his voice full of fatigue: "Yes."

Let's wait and see. Maybe if we give Pan Hai some more time, he will be able to find some clues.

The peaceful day that Emperor Jingming longed for was broken the next day when he went to court.

There was actually a historian who impeached Zhen Shicheng.

"Your Majesty, Shuntian Prefecture Governor Zhen Shicheng found out that Prince Jing instigated the Jinwu Guards to kill Prince An for a prostitute on the Jinshui River. But I heard that the prostitute didn't even know Prince An... I think Zhen Shicheng made a mistake in his judgment. This is related to the throne of the heir. I hope Your Majesty will understand!"

When Emperor Jingming heard this, veins on his forehead throbbed.

What a bullshit! Even if you are so clear-headed, do you want to announce to the world that the prince and the concubine are having an affair?

The nosy Yu Shi was undoubtedly scolded.

Looking at the ministers with different expressions, Emperor Jingming came to his senses: It seems that some people still cannot accept the fact that the prince has been deposed.

People are restless and it is not a good thing to still have illusions about the deposed prince.

Emperor Jingming pondered for a moment and asked, "Who was the Jinwu Guard who subdued the murderer and saved Lord Zhen that day?"

He remembered that he was Lao Qi's uncle, a very handsome young man.

Someone immediately said, "Your Majesty, that Jinwu Guard is the son of the Duke of Dongping."

"Call him into the palace."

Jiang Zhan happened to be on duty, and soon he was led into the hall by a eunuch.

This was Jiang Zhan's first time entering such an occasion. Fortunately, he was naturally brave and did not care much about class, so he was frank in his performance.

Emperor Jingming looked at the young man, who was as tall as a poplar tree, greeting him openly and nodded secretly.

No wonder he is brother to the seventh brother’s wife. He is such a nice guy.

"I was busy that day and didn't get to see you afterwards, but I will always remember your contribution." Emperor Jingming asked Jiang Zhan in a gentle tone, "Jiang Er, tell me what reward you want?"

If someone impeaches Zhen Shicheng, he should reward those who protect Zhen Shicheng so that those people will think carefully before jumping around.

Jiang Zhan raised his head, his eyes lit up: "Your Majesty wants to reward me?"

The ministers were almost defeated.

This was the first time they had seen the emperor being so eager to ask for a reward.

The second son of the Dongping Marquis's Mansion and his father are truly grandfather and son.

Emperor Jingming was rather impressed by Jiang Zhan's frankness and said with a smile, "That's right. Merits should be rewarded, and faults should be punished. As long as the reward you ask for is reasonable, I will give it to you."

It is natural for the princess's brother to be promoted from an ordinary guard even if he has not made any meritorious service.

Thinking of this, Emperor Jingming's favor towards Jiang Si deepened a little.

It is a good thing if you do not try your best to help your father and brothers get promoted and make money when you succeed.

Jiang Zhan's eyes were bright, and he looked at Emperor Jingming eagerly: "Your Majesty, can I go to the southern border or the northern land to be a small soldier?"

Emperor Jingming thought he had heard wrongly, so he sat up straight and asked again, "What did you say?"

Jiang Zhan said loudly: "I want to go to the southern border or the northern land to be a soldier and defend the territory of our Great Zhou."

Listening to the young man's resolute and fervent request, Emperor Jingming felt inexplicably agitated and said, "Nonsense!"