Chapter 409: Chapter 408: Dying for the Princess Is Your Honor 28

Xue Shanhuai returned and mentioned this matter to the Prime Minister’s wife. Her eyes flashed briefly, then she said, “At my age, can I still go? If I went, who would manage this vast estate?”

Clearly, the lady was willing to go, Xue Shanhuai understood this.

“Isn’t there still the daughter-in-law? Let them manage first,” Xue Shanhuai said. “My dear, I know you want to give it a try, right? We’ve been married for many years, and I’ve never seen that kind of look in your eyes. Since Your Majesty mentioned you, it’s clear that he appreciates you. I feel honored that my wife can be appreciated by Your Majesty.”

“Imagine us serving in the court together in the future, leaving home together in the morning, able to return home together after court, no longer needing you to stay in the house waiting for me, wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

“Do you really not mind, my dear?” the Prime Minister’s wife asked, though she had already seen he didn’t mind, and was even quite expectant.

“What could I mind?” Xue Shanhuai smiled. Ever since that night witnessing Your Majesty’s grace, he saw through everything, and saw more clearly. Your Majesty is unmatched by any from the past, and it’s hard to say if there will be anyone comparable in the future, but he thought it unlikely.

But his wife was not lacking either.

“My dear, I too look forward to attending court with you.”

“Alright,” Huo Yufeng nodded with a smile, eagerly anticipating the days in the latter part of her life.

The Prime Minister’s wife became an official, no, should be called Lady Huo now.

This caused a bit of a stir in the court of Canglan Country, where there are many female officials now.

In the court, there were also many who were devoted to Ah Chen, following her commands without question. Even though some were dissatisfied, they didn’t dare to voice it.

When Huo Yufeng appeared in court, many smart people realized that if they didn’t adapt to Your Majesty’s ways, they would sooner or later be left behind by the tides. Thus, many ministers began to push capable women from their families into the spotlight.

But at this time, Ah Chen was not lacking in people, and her selections were particularly strict, anyone without real skills could not have their wishes fulfilled. The approximate date of the next imperial examination had been disclosed, allowing them to prepare, with the announcement that both men and women could participate. Despite some opposition, it was useless. Her attitude was clear: if you can work, then do it, do it well and be rewarded, if not, then leave.

Nan Qi Song Chong learned about Ninth Princess in Canglan Country and, facing his ministers, arranged for envoys to inquire. Everyone knew he cared deeply for the Ninth Princess, and if he didn’t ask about anything, it would be odd.

Since Cui Chen was doing well, she would eventually return, though when was uncertain, Song Chong thought. When she returns, as long as she behaves and Jing’er was not in any major trouble, and considering Cui Qing’s reputation, he wouldn’t make a big deal of it to avoid complications. If she really did something excessive, he would deal with Cui Chen as befitting, and Cui Qing would have no grounds to object.

In fact, based on his understanding of Cui Chen’s character, he was afraid she wouldn’t be content upon returning. After all the hardships she had caused Jing’er, in his heart, he didn’t want to let her off so easily. Song Chong squinted his eyes; with Cui Chen’s disposition, with just a little guidance, she would naturally react in some way.

Dealing with a Cui Chen wasn’t that difficult, really.

If she didn’t make mistakes, he indeed had no grounds to take action.

Could she really endure?

Song Chong mentally sneered, not angered by Cui Chen’s possible return now—let her come back, it might be better. If she stayed in Canglan Country, possibly living comfortably, it wasn’t the scene he wanted to see.

“Your Majesty, if she really returns, wouldn’t she still occupy our Jing’er’s position, enjoying riches and honor?” Consort Li was equally dissatisfied with this matter, her hostility toward Cui Chen more apparent than Song Chong’s.

After recognizing Cui Jing as her foster daughter and having frequent interactions with her, she had gathered many details about her experiences in Bei Qi and naturally resented Cui Chen, the instigator. Not only did Cui Chen face no punishment, but she even managed to be seen as a hero. The thought of Cui Chen returning gloriously as the Ninth Princess left her feeling indignant.

“She caused harm to Jing’er, and we are just going to let it go like that?”

“She is, after all, Cui Yu’s daughter, and out of respect for Cui Yu, we can’t do anything too radical to her,” Song Chong said. “Even though Cui Yu is loyal to me, to deal with Cui Chen, there must be a pretext. Just the incident of her harming Jing’er really isn’t enough—she still carries the title of Ninth Princess. Jing’er is back, and she’s been to Bei Qi, I’ve rewarded everything that should be rewarded, and after she finally comes back from there, punishing her would be unjustifiable and easily arouses suspicion, which could adversely affect Jing’er and our reputations.”

Seeing Consort Li’s unwillingness and her depressed demeanor, Song Chong said, “But with Cui Chen’s personality, do you think, my beloved, she can remain content after returning? She’s so hostile towards Jing’er, can she endure knowing we’ve taken Jing’er as our foster daughter and showed her so much love? Just wait for her to err; then dealing with her will be well-founded, even Cui Yu would have no words. The more malicious she is, the worse her reputation will become, and if she repeatedly disappoints me and my beloved, abandoning her becomes justifiable as well.”

Consort Li smiled, “Your Majesty is indeed wise.”

That Cui Chen, she wouldn’t allow her to live comfortably—the one who harmed Jing’er could not bask in Jing’er’s glory and enjoy wealth and honor; that would be wishful thinking.

The Nan Qi envoy arrived in Canglan Country and was well taken care of, only never managing to see the Ninth Princess throughout, nor did they meet any of those who had originally accompanied her to Bei Qi, leaving them unsure of Canglan Country’s stance toward Nan Qi.

After the envoy returned to Nan Qi, he reported the details.

In the court, Song Chong was listening to his ministers’ discussions.

This time, the envoy did not get specific information about the Ninth Princess, nor see her, but did witness the different facets of Canglan Country.

“It seems much better than Bei Qi, with praise of Canglan Country’s ruler everywhere.”

“The Capital City is full of smiling people, unlike the previous cautious and distressed atmosphere.”

“Even areas previously considered slums no longer have the mess and filth and have been cleaned up entirely. I’ve inquired and found out that this was ordered by Canglan Country’s ruler, stating that messy streets and too much filth can cause diseases.”

“Bei Qi previously had heavy taxes, all sorts of taxes, and on the way back, there was praise everywhere for Canglan Country’s ruler’s benevolence, as she abolished many taxes. Without these taxes, life immediately became much easier.”

“Passing through a village, I saw farming tools never seen before, only to learn these too were introduced by Canglan Country’s ruler.”

The entire court of Nan Qi, including Song Chong, was speechless. They thought Canglan, being a newly established nation, would naturally be in chaos for a while, but unexpectedly, she had quickly won people’s hearts, making them uneasy.

Winning people’s hearts is winning the world. With the life of the common people improving, it’s evident that Canglan Country is well-governed. In a few years, it will become strong and prosperous, and by then, whether she might attack them is uncertain.

The fact that Canglan Country didn’t let Nan Qi’s envoy see the Ninth Princess showed it wasn’t as amicable as imagined.

But what could they do?

Nothing. They could only watch as Canglan Country grew stronger.

“Did Canglan Country’s ruler convey any messages to me?” Song Chong asked.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep