Chapter 1 The Next Day

The next day.

Jiang Chen had just returned to the Hall of Diligent Governance after finishing the morning court when Feng Jin presented him with an urgent memorial.

He abandoned his usual amiable demeanor, his face grave. "Your Majesty, this memorial was sent from the Zhenhai Regional Commander via an eight-hundred-li urgent dispatch. He wishes for you to bestow a marriage upon his嫡女 (dí nǚ, daughter of the first wife, implying higher status)... and the intended groom is the Prince of Jiangzuo!"

Hearing this, Jiang Chen's brow furrowed instantly.

This Zhenhai Regional Commander was a powerful regional official, occupying the south of Great Wei. In his youth, he was brave and skilled in battle, with glorious achievements.

Even Jiang Chen, the emperor, had to give him some face and couldn't treat him as an ordinary subject.

Silently taking the memorial, Jiang Chen read it quickly.

Raising an eyebrow, he said, "Feng Jin, it says here that the Prince of Jiangzuo and his嫡女 (dí nǚ) were betrothed in childhood. Is this true?"

Feng Jin lowered his head and replied without hesitation, "Your Majesty, that was just a jest by the late emperor; it shouldn't be taken seriously!"

"Years ago, when the Zhenhai Regional Commander came to the capital to report on his duties, he brought his嫡女 (dí nǚ) and they stayed in the palace for a few days. During that time, the woman was favored by Concubine Lü, who suggested to the late emperor that she be given to the Prince of Jiangzuo as his primary wife."

"Later, the two families verbally agreed to this matter, but there was no formal bestowal of marriage."

After listening, Jiang Chen nodded, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "If the marriage agreement was just a joke, then this matter becomes interesting."

"The Zhenhai Regional Commander commands nearly ten thousand elite troops and has been operating in the south for many years, possessing great wealth… Why would such a powerful and wealthy official suddenly seek to ally with the Prince of Jiangzuo through marriage?"

"The imperial capital is thousands of miles away from the south; these two shouldn't have any connections."

His meaningful words sent chills down the spines of everyone present!

Even Feng Jin, who had been serving Jiang Chen for a long time, couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat, cautiously saying, "Your Majesty, this old servant also finds this matter strange."

"This Zhenhai Regional Commander has been guarding the south for many years and has never interfered in imperial matters. Now, at this juncture, he submits a memorial requesting a marriage bestowal, tying his family's honor to a leisurely prince. There must be something fishy about this!"

Jiang Chen listened quietly, his eyes coldly fixed on the seal at the end of the memorial.

It was the official seal unique to the Zhenhai Regional Commander, with scarlet patterns surrounding the ancient seal script of the two characters 'Cheng Yu.'

This was a privilege only regional officials had, allowing them to leave their names on memorials submitted to the emperor.

Recalling his memories of Cheng Yu, Jiang Chen closed the memorial and said indifferently, "Feng Jin, gather all information about the Zhenhai Regional Commander and report it to me."

"Also, the matter of the marriage bestowal is to be put on hold."

"I can't just give such a powerful force to my good imperial uncle for nothing!"

Hearing this, a hint of hesitation appeared in Feng Jin's eyes. After a moment of hesitation, he still plucked up his courage to speak. "Your Majesty, I fear this matter... this matter will be difficult to conceal."

"The movements of local officials have always been the focus of the court officials, and the Zhenhai Regional Commander has been quiet for so long. His memorial to the court after so many years will inevitably attract attention and cannot be concealed from the court ministers."

Listening to Feng Jin's slightly urgent words, Jiang Chen raised a cold smile. "Since that's the case, then I don't need to bother with it; I'll just issue an edict rejecting it."

"If this Zhenhai Regional Commander doesn't want to maintain appearances, then I will personally help him maintain appearances."

"If he still wants to stay peacefully in the south and be his local emperor, then he had best obediently listen to me and accept my decree… Otherwise, don't blame me for disregarding the relationship between ruler and subject!"

Hearing the killing intent in Jiang Chen's words, Feng Jin was shocked and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, absolutely not!"

"The marriage agreement was personally made by the late emperor. If you directly reject it, it will surely cause controversy among the people and damage your brilliance."

"Moreover, the Zhenhai Regional Commander still commands tens of thousands of troops. We must still take him into consideration. If we really break ties, the south of Great Wei may be turbulent again."

Persuading earnestly, Feng Jin's clothes were soaked with sweat, fearing that Jiang Chen's impetuousness would lead to an unmanageable situation.

Although he, as the emperor, did have this right, why resort to force when things could be resolved peacefully?

Seeing Feng Jin's thoughts, Jiang Chen suppressed the dissatisfaction in his heart and sneered, "A regional official, with countless soldiers under his command, insists on marrying a prince imprisoned by me… Isn't this clearly slapping my face?"

"If I lightly dismiss this matter, what authority will I have to govern the country in the future?!"

Hearing these words, Feng Jin's legs felt weak. He knelt down with a thud, trembling, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. In this old servant's humble opinion, why not send someone to the south to bestow the title of Imperial Concubine on the Zhenhai Regional Commander's嫡女 (dí nǚ) and bring her into the harem, to resolve this conflict?"

Hearing this, a hint of emotion appeared on Jiang Chen's face.

This method was indeed good.

The Regional Commander's daughter, born into a prominent family, was worthy of the Imperial Concubine title. Her dowry would be substantial, and after entering the palace, she could serve as a bridge of communication, strengthening Jiang Chen's control over the south. It could be said to be a win-win situation.

However, relative to these benefits, there would also be many troubles.

"Your idea is good, but the Prince of Jiangzuo is, after all, my imperial uncle. If I forcibly bestow the title of Imperial Concubine on Cheng Yu's daughter, the court and the public will probably start to criticize me again."

"After all, although not many people know about the marriage agreement, it's not insignificant."

"If those old conservatives hear about it, they will definitely make trouble again, rebuking me for violating etiquette and forcibly taking my imperial uncle's wife."

The cold tone made Feng Jin on the ground afraid to raise his head for a moment. He racked his brains for a solution and said, "Your Majesty, why not summon the Prince of Jiangzuo for an audience?"

"Hmm?" Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. "Explain in detail."

Feng Jin hurriedly straightened up, respectfully saying, "If the Ninth Prince knows his place as a subject, he will surely tactfully decline this marriage to avoid danger."

"At that time, it will be justifiable for Your Majesty to bestow rewards on the Zhenhai Regional Commander's daughter, and no one can find fault with it!"

"But if the Prince of Jiangzuo doesn't know what's good for him, then it means he has rebellious intentions, and you can completely use this as an excuse to extend his confinement time… As time goes on, even if the Zhenhai Regional Commander doesn't change his mind, his嫡女 (dí nǚ) will definitely not be able to wait and will seek another husband."

"When that time comes, for the sake of his daughter's happiness, the Zhenhai Regional Commander will surely give up on the Prince of Jiangzuo."

After listening, Jiang Chen felt that this idea was indeed good.

He immediately glanced at Feng Jin appreciatively and nodded. "Well, then do as you said."

"This is my handwritten order. Bring the Prince of Jiangzuo here. Today, I want to have a good chat with my imperial uncle."

"Yes, this old servant will go and do it immediately!"

Just as Feng Jin happily left the palace, the Zhenhai Regional Commander's mansion, thousands of miles away, also welcomed a mysteriously dressed 'distinguished guest.'

It was a woman with a captivating figure.

Although she was masked, her mere silhouette was enough to captivate all living beings and capture the attention of everyone along the way.

"A distinguished guest has arrived. Cheng has failed to welcome you properly. I hope the guest will not take it to heart."

Examining the messenger sent by the Prince of Jiangzuo, Cheng Yu spoke indifferently.