"Your concubine thanks Your Majesty for absolving me of the need for ceremony!"

Xie Zhiwei's pretty face flushed red, and she rose gently, not daring to meet Jiang Chen's eyes.

As a lady of a noble family, she had never had contact with men before. Now, being stared at like this, she couldn't help but feel flustered, unsure of how to react.

Sensing her discomfort, Jiang Chen softened his expression and said considerately, "The wind is strong outside. Let's go inside to talk."

Xie Zhiwei obediently nodded, her nervousness dispelled by his considerate words.

To be so concerned about others, perhaps His Majesty would be a good husband for her.

Seeing the beauty beside him nod, Jiang Chen naturally took her hand, dismissed the attendants around him, and strolled with her through the courtyard.

He wasn't a lecherous man. Although this Xie Zhiwei was very beautiful, with a tall and fiery figure, her personality seemed somewhat timid.

Her gentle appearance when bowing and paying respects stirred Jiang Chen's heart with pity and affection.

He decided to suppress his desires and allow them to get to know each other before consummating their marriage.

"Zhiwei, I heard that you come from a marquis's mansion and are a famous talented woman in the imperial capital?"

Xie Zhiwei felt inexplicably embarrassed, and said softly, "Your Majesty is too kind. This concubine... this concubine has only read a few more books and dare not claim to be a talented woman."

Jiang Chen exerted a little force on his hand, gently squeezing Xie Zhiwei's smooth jade hand, and comforted her, "I don't eat people, you don't need to be so nervous. Just treat me normally."

After teasing her, he said seemingly casually, "By the way, Zhiwei, how did you enter the palace? Was it of your own free will, or was it your family's intention?"

The fiery temperature of their touching skin made Xie Zhiwei's heart flutter, and she couldn't concentrate at all, subconsciously telling the truth: "It was, it was my parents' request."

Jiang Chen wasn't too surprised by this answer. After all, he had previously been known as a tyrant. How could these noble ladies be willing to enter the palace?

Seeming to realize that she had said the wrong thing, Xie Zhiwei's pretty face turned pale, and she hurriedly tried to remedy the situation: "Your Majesty is a great emperor. To be able to enter the palace to serve Your Majesty is a blessing Zhiwei has cultivated in her previous life. Zhiwei is willing to do anything for Your Majesty..."

Hearing her nervousness, Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow and interrupted, "Is that really true?"

Xie Zhiwei nodded vigorously, and her jade hands, regardless of shyness, gripped his hand tightly, fearing that Jiang Chen would doubt her sincerity.

Jiang Chen couldn't stand her gaze, and a fire rose in his heart. He said hoarsely, "Is that so? Then Zhiwei must prove it to me!"

As his voice fell, Jiang Chen stretched out his long arm, picked up Xie Zhiwei horizontally, and strode into the inner殿(dian – hall/palace).

Since Feng Jin had already confirmed that she had no relationship with Consort Lü and was a girl from a clean family, then it wouldn't hurt to favor her.

After all, which man wouldn't be moved by such an obedient and simple woman?

Bouncing the soft body in his arms, Jiang Chen deliberately teased, "Zhiwei, you've taken good care of yourself. I can't even hold you with one hand."

Xie Zhiwei's eyes were tightly closed in shame, and her jade-like ears turned red: "Your, Your Majesty, these words... are really inappropriate to say in public."

"Can, can you wait until we return to the bedroom? At that time, this concubine will let you do as you please."

Looking at the shy and bashful look of the woman in his arms, Jiang Chen's lips curled into a wicked smile: "Okay, then I will enjoy Zhiwei's service later!"

A moment later, delicate moans suddenly echoed from the depths of the bedroom, mixed with faint sobs, captivating the heart and soul.

Indistinctly, one could also hear the woman's shy pleas for mercy: "Your Majesty, please, be gentle... Zhiwei really can't take it anymore."

"Ah, not there, Your Majesty, don't..."

"..."

The next day.

Jiang Chen got up refreshed and went to the morning court in high spirits.

He discussed the details of the Fengchan (封禅 – imperial sacrifice to Heaven and Earth) with the court officials, and then addressed the military reforms proposed by Xu Changqing and others.

It was nearly noon before they finished.

Afterwards, Jiang Chen summoned Xu Changqing and others separately, and they continued to discuss while having lunch at the side of the Qin Zheng (勤政 – diligent governance) Hall.

"Minister Xu, I have a feeling that this Fengchan (封禅 – imperial sacrifice to Heaven and Earth) will not be peaceful. In the next two days, hand over your official duties and set off for Mount Tai first."

"Find out the surrounding environment first, and deploy manpower in advance. This time, I will crush those rebels hiding in the gutters!"

Hearing Jiang Chen's determination, Xu Changqing's expression became stern, and he said solemnly, "Yes, this minister will certainly live up to Your Majesty's expectations!"

"Well, I have always been relieved by the way you handle things." After saying that, Jiang Chen turned his head to look at Meng Qi: "How is your preparation? Have the crossbow cavalry that I ordered you to train secretly achieved anything?"

Called by name, Meng Qi's expression shook, and he respectfully said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this humble official has trained two thousand-man teams. Usually, the training is carried out by the two teams fighting each other in actual combat. The combat power will not disappoint Your Majesty!"

"Good, I really didn't misjudge you." A smile appeared on Jiang Chen's face, and he arranged, "Since these two thousand people already have combat experience, let them also participate in this ancestral sacrifice."

"I will let the Minister of War cooperate to insert these two thousand people into the accompanying honor guard to protect me and the imperial family."

"If there is an accident at that time, it will be considered a surprise force."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Meng Qi nodded solemnly.

"Not only that, I have already planned that if this new army can make contributions and demonstrate its ability in front of the civil and military officials, I will continue to expand and expand!"

Jiang Chen said, his tone becoming more serious: "I know that you are a capable person, but without meritorious achievements, it is not good for me to directly promote you."

"This time's Fengchan (封禅 – imperial sacrifice to Heaven and Earth) at Mount Tai can also be regarded as your opportunity. If those rebels really come, your chance to be promoted will come."

"After all, after Mei Wenshi's rebellion, the imperial capital's army has been greatly reduced. As long as you can make contributions, I will definitely withstand the pressure of the court and allocate money and food to expand the army under your command."

Hearing Jiang Chen's encouragement, Meng Qi's eyes lit up, and he knelt excitedly: "Yes, this minister will definitely live up to Your Majesty's trust!"

Just as the atmosphere was gradually heating up, Xu Changqing suddenly spoke, his expression quite solemn: "Your Majesty, this minister has another matter to report."

"Speak without further ado," Jiang Chen said.

Xu Changqing said in a deep voice, "Reporting to Your Majesty, when Mei Wenshi led his troops to break into the palace at night, a mysterious army appeared outside the imperial capital, with a considerable number of people."

"This minister began to investigate after learning about this, but to this day, there has been no gain."

"Whether it is checking local troops or the four battalions stationed near the imperial capital, no abnormalities have been found. This matter is too strange, and this minister has to report it."

As he spoke, he knelt on the ground, feeling ashamed of his incompetence.

Jiang Chen didn't blame him. After pondering for a moment, he made a decision: "Since we can't find out, let's put it aside for now. The most important thing now is the Fengchan (封禅 – imperial sacrifice to Heaven and Earth) at Mount Tai. All other things should be postponed."

"Moreover, since this army can enter the imperial capital under our noses, the confidentiality work must be excellent. It is normal that we can't find any clues in a short period of time."

"I'll solve this matter when I free up my hands."