Yan Capital City;

Officials of the Great Yan had days off, but the princes of the Great Yan did not have statutory holidays in the strict sense.

Of course, you could rest; no one but your old man could punish you for resting.

But frankly,

This world originally belonged to you, the Ji family,

It wouldn't be right for you, the Ji family, not to care.

Ji Chengjue rubbed his eyes; court was adjourned, time to go home.

In fact, the Ministry of Revenue had already been reformed by him. Those older officials who were willing to keep quiet and not cause trouble were left to the side, to drink tea and read the gazette;

Those who dared to stick their heads out and make a fuss were sent away early by Ji Chengjue. In his own little domain, Ji Lao Liu's methods were incredibly ruthless. You must know that in order to take over the Ministry of Revenue, he had successively brought down two Ministers of Revenue.

Nowadays, from one perspective, it was Ji Lao Liu's base of power, nepotism.

But from another perspective, the operation of the Ministry of Revenue was extremely smooth, which was indeed a boost to coping with the nearly collapsed financial situation of the Great Yan.

If the people below can handle things and are efficient, then he, the superior, can truly be at ease. Even his own father can't handle everything personally; otherwise, he wouldn't have imitated the Qian Kingdom's system and set up a cabinet in the Yan Kingdom, delegating some power.

In the past, even when the time for court adjournment arrived, Ji Chengjue would stay for an extra two hours. Not to put on a show, but because if you really wanted to be busy, you could always find something to do. In addition, the Crown Prince in the palace couldn't do anything without money and grain, so he had to be ready to enter the palace at any time to discuss matters.

But today,

Ji Chengjue didn't work overtime, and left the Ministry of Revenue when the time came.

It was still Zhang Gonggong driving the carriage, but instead of returning to the Prince's residence, it went out of the city.

As soon as they left the city, a team of Prince's residence guards who had been waiting naturally followed.

Zhang Gonggong, who was driving the carriage, couldn't help but turn his head to Ji Chengjue, who was sitting in the carriage, and said,

"Master, is it appropriate for us to go greet him like this?"

Ji Chengjue didn't think it was a big deal, and said, "What's inappropriate?"

"But, the Crown Prince hasn't come."

"If he doesn't come, does that mean I don't dare to come?"

"Master, you know, this servant doesn't mean that."

"This matter can be hidden from many people, but it is destined to be hidden from many others. Regardless of whether I go or not, others will definitely know afterward that I knew about it.

Since that's the case,

Why should I pretend not to know?

Most of my wealth was already revealed on the day of my wedding. It's reasonable to know about this, with an intelligence network covering the Great Yan."

"But knowing is one thing, Master. Isn't it a bit much for you to come out and greet him so openly?"

"For hundreds of years, the Li family has been the cornerstone of my Great Yan. Since the time of my imperial grandfather, they have become the most relied upon and closest family to my Ji family.

The Li family's Little Marquis, ha, is a Little Prince now;

Logically and emotionally,

I, a brother of the same generation, should go and meet him."

"Master, what this servant means is that some things are better left muddled."

Zhang Gonggong helps Ji Chengjue with many things. Many times, he is actually an advisor, not a simple servant.

"After the beginning of autumn, when the two Princes and two Marquis enter the capital, everything will be finalized. Now, everyone has already revealed their cards anyway.

My situation will not worsen because I came out to meet him, nor will it become much better because of it.

Since that's the case,

Let's meet him anyway,

I'm curious."

"Master's words make this servant involuntarily think of Marquis Zheng."

"Haha, if that Zheng fellow were here, he would definitely go to see him too. That person, ah, is willing to spend a fortune to get what he wants."

"Master, it's strange. Why did Li Liangshen specifically detour through Yan Capital City from Sanshi County? Could it be to deliberately announce to the Great Yan that their heir has been found?"

"No, it's understandable that Li Liangshen left his post without permission in terms of personal feelings, but it's unreasonable in terms of regulations, but the feelings and regulations can still be reconciled.

But there has to be a limit to it.

He has to pass through Yan Capital City eventually. To be precise, he has to stay here, and then, this person has to be handed over well, so that another person can take him back to Beifeng County.

He has a bad temper; it seems that people who use swords tend to have a bit of a foul temper.

But after all, he is a major general stationed in the capital region; he can't be too willful."

"If that's the case, Master, who do you think will come to pick him up? Other experts from the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion, or simply another Regional Commander?"

"Hard to say, hard to say."

"It's hard to imagine that there would be something that even Master can't guess."

"This flattery isn't sincere; I'm not a deity, how could I possibly calculate everything clearly?

Even that Zheng fellow, such a shrewd person, such a fearful person, but even he sometimes has to prepare to tie his head to his waist before going on an expedition, to gamble his life.

But ah..."

Ji Chengjue reached out and stroked his chin,

"Hehe, I do have an idea, but it's a bit scary."

Zhang Gonggong immediately said,

"Then Master, please don't say it out loud; this servant is also timid and can't stand being scared."

The carriage,

Stopped at a small market town outside the capital city.

This is a place where merchants gather and disperse. At the same time, returning officials will also stay here first, to tidy up their appearance before entering the capital.

Today,

It seemed very quiet here.

Because teams of Northern Garrison cavalry had completely surrounded the place.

Even Ji Lao Liu's carriage, with its own Prince's residence markings, was still subjected to inspection. Fortunately, when Zhang Gonggong revealed his identity, these Northern Garrison sentries immediately saluted and withdrew, without further entanglement.

But this was in fact,

Already quite rude.

Under the Son of Heaven's feet,

On the outskirts of the Great Yan's capital,

As a prince of the Great Yan,

He was actually subjected to such an inspection.

You could say that these Northern Garrison knights were particularly excited today, and particularly cautious about that person, but Zhang Gonggong was already so angry that his face turned red, but he couldn't bring this up to his master, because he knew that his master's heart would only be more depressed than his own. Therefore, Zhang Gonggong could only add two points of force to the horse's neighing when he whipped the horse pulling the carriage, as a slight venting of his anger.

Ji Chengjue reached out, picked up a piece of candy in front of him, and put it in his mouth,

Muttering to himself;

"The other day, when the Crown Prince was discussing matters, he had the idea of transferring the eldest back, and letting Li Liangshen's troops go to Nanwang City for a rotation. I didn't object."

With a Northern Garrison army lying beside the bed,

And the commanding general was still a thorn in the side like Li Liangshen, who only knew the Northern Garrison Prince's Mansion and didn't know the Emperor.

His old man was domineering, thinking it didn't matter;

But unfortunately, these sons of his were timid and uneasy.

Anyway, the eldest had also integrated and trained a force in Nanwang City, so transferring him back would be safe.

Of course, this proposal was made by the Crown Prince, and he also agreed. In the end, whether or not it could be approved would still depend on the meaning of the rear garden.

But Ji Chengjue felt that the rear garden would probably reject it.

Because if the imperial father had originally intended to let the eldest come back, he wouldn't have let the fourth reorganize the capital garrison troops; wouldn't that be like taking off his pants to fart? (doing something redundant)

Most importantly,

If the eldest came back and became the person with the greatest military power in the capital region,

He would obviously have the ability to directly influence the result of the struggle for the throne.

Ji Chengjue wouldn't naively think that the eldest used to be his person, so he would still be his person in the future;

Similarly, the Crown Prince proposed this not because the eldest had ever boarded the Sixth Prince's ship, so he would directly put the eldest on his opposite side.

The eldest married a barbarian princess, and also had a grandson with barbarian blood. In theory, he was not qualified to inherit the throne, because the Yan people would not allow their royal bloodline to be tainted by barbarian blood.

But he was still a prince after all,

When that time really came,

Who knows if the eldest's subordinates would stage a "yellow robe addition"? (enthronement by acclamation)

When the founding emperor of the Qian Kingdom was forced to wear the yellow robe by his subordinates, he was still crying and shouting that he was being forced and that he was sorry to the late emperor.

But for the brothers,

If the eldest comes back,

At least it can be guaranteed that,

The meat,

Is rotting in the pot. (staying within the family)

We can fight among ourselves, win or lose, but don't play it out in the end and make clothes for others.

Li Liangshen, as the capital region's general, controlling his direct line of Northern Garrison troops, really made the princes feel too uncomfortable.

But the root of the matter lies in,

In their old man's eyes,

As long as Li Liangting doesn't shout about rebellion, Li Liangshen won't rebel, and Li Liangshen's isolated personality, which no one looks up to, can maximize the guarantee that he will continue to maintain neutrality in the upcoming heated battle for the throne.

Ultimately,

The transfer of imperial power will be based on the imperial father's own will; this is the imperial father's bottom line.

Ji Chengjue knew that the Crown Prince was probably just trying to test the waters, and he himself wouldn't have too much hope that this proposal would be approved.

The carriage,

Finally stopped.

"I wondered who was coming. Little Sixth, not bad. After getting married and having children, you're getting bolder and bolder."

The Princess's voice came from outside the carriage.

Ji Chengjue lifted the curtain and got out of the carriage.

The moon and stars were sparse; in front, a bonfire was lit, and the soldiers were also holding torches.

It could be clearly seen that the Princess, dressed in a black dress, was riding on a Pi Xiu (mythical wild beast), her posture heroic and upright.

Ji Lao Liu glanced at the Princess,

And asked with a smile,

"I thought that if it wasn't a weeping beauty, it would at least be someone pining away for love, who would have thought that you, sister, would actually be a bit plumper than before."

If she got any plumper, she would be close to the type that that Zheng fellow liked.

The Princess wasn't angry, but said very directly,

"Without a man, am I supposed to seek death and not be able to eat?"

"That's right, that's right, you're a heroic woman, sister."

The Princess didn't dismount to greet Ji Chengjue,

And Ji Chengjue didn't get off the carriage to go over.

The events of that wedding night had long planted thorns in their hearts.

At this time, the Prince's residence guards also surrounded the carriage in three layers, and there were hidden experts among the guards.

Ji Lao Liu sat outside the carriage, leaning against it, holding a snuff bottle, slowly playing with it.

The Princess continued to sit on the Pi Xiu; the two of them no longer spoke.

Finally,

A scout came to report that they should be arriving soon.

A smile appeared on the Princess's face.

A mocking smile also appeared on Ji Lao Liu's face.

Just at this moment, the Princess's gaze swept over and caught it, and she said:

"What do you mean by that smile?"

"You should know what I mean in your own heart, sister."

"I don't know."

"I have water in my brain; I suddenly wanted to laugh."

"Are you laughing at me?"

"How could I, how would I dare?"

"Can't you be a man for once? It's too exhausting to talk like this."

"Our Li family's little brother is back; I'm happy for you, sister. You can finally take off the burden on your shoulders, and life can be a little easier."

"You're still laughing at me."

"Can't we see through it without saying it?"

"Too hypocritical."

"I'm a man, so I have to consider the overall situation."

"Then isn't life too uncomfortable?"

"In this world, who can really live freely? Are you free, sister?"

"I'm free."

"No, you're not free." Ji Chengjue smiled again. "You're very not free. Seriously, when you've been eating alone for too long, you'll naturally think that it should be yours."

"Ji Lao Liu, do you have an itchy hide?"

Ji Chengjue opened his hands,

And said;

"Come on, the gift that you sent me on my wedding day, I didn't accept it that day. Today, I can accept it. Do you dare to send it again, sister?"

You're no longer the only one in the Li family,

Exchanging lives,

Do you dare?

Ji Lao Liu was usually a very calm person, but when facing the Princess, he couldn't suppress the anger in his heart. After all, no one could easily let go of something like that happening on their wedding night.

"Is it because that Zheng Fan was made a Marquis, so you, Ji Lao Liu, think you're really capable now?"

Ji Lao Liu crossed his legs,

And said;

"Isn't that right?"

"Do you think that Zheng fellow will continue to flatter you and provide for you like before?"

Ji Chengjue shook his head,

And said;

"I've been flattering him and providing for him for a long time now."

After he succeeded, he pulled up his pants and left (ended the relationship);

In his letters now, he even advises me to be more open-minded, and that he will try his best to protect my safety.

Alright,

A complete case of persuading a girl to be a good woman after having a good time.

Ji Lao Liu was completely open-minded about this. What kind of person Zheng Fan was, he had said it clearly back then in the Northern Garrison Prince's Mansion.

But,

This also seemed real,

If Zheng Fan said he would protect my safety, then he was definitely trustworthy. I could forget about myself, but my wife and children could indeed be entrusted to Zheng Fan.

All along, Ji Chengjue had understood why Tian Wujing would choose Zheng Fan to entrust his orphans to.

"Ji Lao Liu, do you know what kind of thing you'll raise for your Ji family if you continue to protect that Zheng fellow?"

Ji Lao Liu nodded,

Reached out,

Pointed at the Princess,

And said;

"What's there to be afraid of? Hasn't my Ji family already raised something like you?"

In the end,

He still couldn't help but want to tear his face and scold someone.

After scolding,

Huff,

Felt better.

The Princess smiled and said;

"Ji Lao Liu, remember your words today."

"I don't have any other skills; I just have one skill: I've had a photographic memory since I was a child."

At this moment,

A team came from afar, the leader wearing an ancient greatsword.

The Princess reached out and patted the Pi Xiu under her crotch; the Pi Xiu rose from its crouching position and looked in that direction.

"Together?"

The Princess extended an invitation to Ji Chengjue.

Ji Chengjue waved his hand,

And said;

"You family members should catch up first; I'm not in a hurry."

The Princess rode the Pi Xiu towards the team.

Ji Lao Liu looked around, seeing many saluting,

And smiled:

"Finally, there can be a period of peace."

"Master, what does this mean?"

Ji Chengjue didn't answer,

But said with emotion:

"You say, the old Li family doesn't have many people, but in terms of excitement, they're really not inferior to our Ji family at all."

…

When the Princess arrived in front of Li Liangshen, she said,

"Thank you for your hard work."

Li Liangshen smiled and shook his head, saying, "I did not fail my mission."

"Is Little Brother in the carriage?"

Li Liangshen nodded.

The Princess prepared to go to the carriage, but Li Liangshen reached out and stopped her.

"Heh..."

The Princess turned her face to look at Li Liangshen.

This righteous brother who had once been incredibly tolerant of her, indulgent towards her, and supportive of her.

Now, he stopped her.

Because Little Brother had returned.

"What do you think I'm going to do?"

Li Liangshen also looked at the Princess and said:

"You can't be willful anymore."

The Princess bit her lip and said; "I know, so when that Ji Lao Liu insulted me earlier, I didn't rush over to whip him."

"There's no need to endure that. If you want to whip him, just whip him. Or, I can help you do it later."

"Brother, I won't do anything to Little Brother. Let me go see him."

Li Liangshen's hand still didn't retract.

He knew her madness.

The Princess just stopped there, waiting;

Between the two, it was very quiet, with only the sound of the wind left.

Finally,

Li Liangshen shook his head,

And said;

"It's not too late to see him after he's sent back to the Marquis's mansion, or, you can see him after the person who's coming to pick him up arrives."

He,

Had found Li Liangshen. He would not allow any accidents to occur when he was in his hands.

The Princess reached out and took out a letter from her bosom, handing it to Li Liangshen.

Li Liangshen took the letter,

The Princess said;

"Father's personal letter, telling me to protect Little Brother on his way home. I've already said goodbye to His Majesty; I'm the one who's here to pick him up."

Li Liangshen read the letter; it was his adoptive father's personal letter, and there was no way it could be fake.

His hand, retracted.

Since it was adoptive father's intention, he, Li Liangshen, would naturally unconditionally obey.

The Princess went straight to the carriage and pulled open the curtain.

Inside,

Ah Fei, who had changed into a new set of clothes and looked very refreshed, was sitting inside,

When he saw her,

His expression,

Wasn't doubt,

Nor was it surprise,

Not the smile of a younger brother seeing his older sister,

But,

Was with extremely clear vigilance.

"Do you know who I am?" the Princess asked.

Ah Fei nodded and said: "I often sat by the river in Chen Family Village, thinking that Grandma said that Father wanted me to die.

Our family,

Doesn't have many people,

Just four people.

If Mother wanted me to die, there would be no need to give birth to me;

And if it wasn't Father,

Then who else could it be?"

The Princess shook her head,

And said:

"You should have put on an act; you should have happily called me Elder Sister, and then, thrown yourself into my arms. You shouldn't have said a single word of what you just said; you should have kept it hidden in your heart.

Do you know that by saying it out in the open like this, you have no room for maneuver?"

Ah Fei sighed,

Sitting in the carriage,

He said very calmly;

"I grew up in Chen Family Village; Grandma told me about my background a long time ago, so I've always had to pretend to be an ordinary child of Chen Family Village.

However,

When I agreed to leave Chen Family Village,

I decided that,

From now on,

I,

Will stop pretending."

The Princess leaned her head against the carriage wall,

Not angry,

But smiled;

"I didn't think so before, but now I suddenly realize that it's good to have a man of the same generation in the family."

Saying this,

The Princess pointed her finger at Ah Fei again,

And nodded;

"It's a pity that the current Li family doesn't have the ability to let you sit on the dragon throne.

But,

Guaranteeing that you won't have to pretend for the rest of your life is no problem."

Ah Fei smiled, smiled very happily, and said with a smile:

"Elder Sister."

"Yes."

"Actually, I didn't just think about what I just said by the river in Chen Village. Actually, I was thinking more about another thing.

Now it seems that what I thought was right."

The Princess smoothed the hair on the side of her face and asked:

"Oh, what were you thinking about?"

Ah Fei said very seriously:

"My Elder Sister is really good-looking, just like I thought."