I embezzled 100,000 taels at the beginning, and the empress begged me to be more greedy

The night is dark.

Chen Qingyun looked through the imperial memorials in the dim candlelight.

"Another memorial impeaching Jiang Zuo?"

Chen Qingyun didn't even want to look at it any longer. He just wrote down the name of the official who submitted the memorial and then burned it.

She had already guessed that Jiang Zuo's policies in Anding County had obviously infringed on the interests of many people.

Sooner or later, Chen Qingyun will eradicate these aristocratic families and the Guanlong Group.

Opening another memorial made Chen Qingyun even more upset.

"The State of Chen is gathering troops on a large scale at the border, and seems to be preparing to invade the border of Great Yan."

Now the situation in the north is uncertain, while the south is in turmoil again.

Although the Chen State in the south is not as powerful as the Yan State, it has become a major hidden danger in the south after years of confrontation with the Yan State.

A minister suggested that troops should be dispatched from the northern border to guard against the south.

But now troops are needed everywhere on the border. If the State of Chen really takes this opportunity to invade, it will be a real headache for Chen Qingyun.

It has been many days since I left the capital. I wonder if the ministers in the court are behaving well.

Apart from intrigue and vying for power, these officials are rarely loyal and capable enough to share your Majesty's worries.

The person Chen Qingyun could trust the most at this moment was actually a former small-time county magistrate.

……

Three days ago, a major event occurred in the imperial palace in the capital.

dusk.

The imperial guards patrolled the palace in an orderly manner, not missing any suspicious corner.

A man walked up to the guards.

"Greetings, Captain."

The Royal Guard leaned forward and said.

The man in front of the guards is Fan Yuan, the captain of the imperial guards. He is now personally leading his subordinates and preparing to take over the garrison of the Palace of Tranquil Longevity.

Fan Yuan was one of the most trusted imperial guards commanders around the empress, and he enjoyed considerable prestige in the palace.

Arriving at the Yangxin Palace, Fan Yuan, as usual, carefully checked for any threats.

At this moment, several officials were suddenly seen approaching the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Standing, what's going on?"

Fan Yuan walked forward and asked.

"I have an important matter to present to your majesty. Please go and report it to him, sir."

The leading official leaned forward and said.

"Your Majesty is resting. No one is allowed to disturb him."

Fan Yuan's words were cold and he rejected the officials' request.

No matter how high up the court official the other party is, as a captain of the imperial guards, he is only loyal to His Majesty.

"Please report to your majesty that we have urgent matters to discuss and cannot delay any longer."

The official continued.

"What's the urgent matter? Can we wait until His Majesty comes to court?"

Fan Yuan still didn't give in at all.

"I wonder when your majesty will attend court?"

the official asked.

"I don't know."

Fan Yuan said this calmly, and then walked deeper into the palace.

It's getting late.

Under the cover of night, the palace was dead silent.

Occasionally, I could hear footsteps.

Fan Yuan stood in the Xiangfu Palace next to the Yangxin Palace, quietly waiting for the third watch to arrive so that he could change shifts.

I don’t know how long it had been, but suddenly I heard a series of noises coming from Xiangfu Palace.

Fan Yuan was suddenly startled and stared at the gate of Xiangfu Palace.

There is no one living in Xiangfu Palace.

There seemed to be footsteps coming from inside just now.

Could it be that an assassin has joined?

With some doubts, Fan Yuan signaled the guards around him to go and check it out.

The guards around him slowly stepped forward and gently pushed open the door of Xiangfu Palace.

Fan Yuan stood outside the palace vigilantly, observing everything.

"alert."

He ordered in a low voice.

After a while, there was no movement in Xiangfu Palace.

The guard who just went in seemed to have never returned.

Fan Yuan frowned, drew the sword from his waist, took a step forward, and walked into Xiangfu Palace.

But as soon as he took the first step, he was completely stunned, his eyes were filled with fear and his pupils suddenly dilated.

The knife in his hand fell to the ground.

Then, Fan Yuan fell backwards weakly.

……

early morning.

stable.

The county magistrate's residence.

Qiuyue hurriedly pushed open the door of the mansion and walked straight to Chen Qingyun's room.

"Miss."

Qiuyue knocked on the door.

Chen Qingyun opened the door.

Qiuyue looked quite panicked: "Urgent news from the capital!"

Chen Qingyun's eyelids jumped, and he quickly closed the door and asked in a low voice: "What happened?"

She also had some bad premonitions in her heart.

Qiuyue leaned close to Chen Qingyun's ear and said, "Fan Yuan died in the palace, along with more than a dozen guards..."

Chen Qingyun's body shook and he was horrified.

Fan Yuan is a captain of the imperial guards and one of the empress's most trusted confidants.

If he dies, there must be something wrong in the palace.

"Go back to the capital."

Chen Qingyun gave the order immediately.

No matter how much she missed Anding County, she had to return to the capital first this time.

Doubt and anxiety filled Chen Qingyun's heart.

"You guys go pack your bags first."

Before leaving, she wanted to say goodbye to Jiang Zuo.

Jiang Zuo is not in the mansion.

Chen Qingyun arrived at the government office, but still couldn't find Jiang Zuo. Instead, Master Guo came out and asked, "Miss Chen, are you here to see Lord Jiang?"

Chen Qingyun nodded: "Where did he go? Please ask someone to tell him that Miss Chen has something urgent to discuss with him."

Master Guo quickly agreed and went to look for Jiang Zuo immediately.

Half an hour later, Jiang Zuo rode back to Anding County, dismounted and asked, "Siyue, what's wrong?"

"I have some urgent matters at home, so I need to go back to Guanzhong first, and I want to say goodbye to you."

Chen Qingyun said with a serious expression.

"So sudden?"

Although Jiang Zuo felt reluctant to let her go, he couldn't force her to stay.

In such a special period, with constant threats on the border, it would be reassuring to let Chen Qingyun return to Guanzhong as soon as possible.

"I will come to Anding County again in a few days."

Chen Qingyun promised.

For some reason, the empress has become somewhat attached to this little place.

"Then we can keep in touch through letters. If you are really busy by then, I will go to the capital to find you after I have dealt with the border affairs."

Jiang Zuo said that after he pacified Mobei, he would formally propose to Chen Qingyun.

Anyway, that night, Chen Qingyun had already agreed...

If Jiang Zuo were to come to the capital, Chen Qingyun would be more than happy.

"You must be extremely careful in Anding County, don't rush into anything, take care... Goodbye."

Chen Qingyun gave many instructions before saying goodbye.

She was really worried about Jiang Zuo's personality.

"Siyue, you have to take good care of yourself too."

At this time, Jiang Zuo walked forward and gently hugged Chen Qingyun.

Qiuyue and the guards standing by were stunned.

In their opinion, it was really not easy for Jiang Zuo to capture the heart of the empress.

At this moment, Chen Qingyun's hand unconsciously rested on Jiang Zuo's back and hugged him tightly.

After a long time, the two reluctantly let go of each other's hands.

This time, there is less melancholy and more reluctance in our separation.

"Goodbye."

The carriage drove away towards the city gate.

After this separation, perhaps we will meet again.

But Jiang Zuo felt lost at this moment, and wished he could follow Chen Qingyun back to the capital right away.

However, the task at hand has only been half completed, and Anding County also needs Jiang Zuo to stay.

Soon, his plan to pacify Mobei was almost complete...