The regent is determined to get the daughter of a minor official.

The morning light shines through the carved window lattices, casting patches of light on the curtains.

Princess Jianning slowly woke up on the phoenix couch, stretched her delicate body lazily, and her long black hair fell on the pillow.

She opened her eyes slightly, her face still flushed with moisture, like a dewy flower bud in spring.

Outside the window, birds are singing happily, as if singing a hymn to the morning.

The breeze blew by, bringing the fragrance of flowers in the courtyard. The scent was refreshing.

Princess Jianning raised the corners of her mouth slightly, feeling the tranquility and beauty of the early morning, recalling the romantic night she had with Shen Xiuzhuan last night.

After an incense stick of time, Princess Jianning slowly stood up and called the maid to help her wash up.

After dressing up, she wore a light pink silk dress, which made her look even more charming and pretty.

"Mammy, when did Shen Xiuzhuan leave?"

The trusted nanny lowered her head and replied respectfully.

"Your Highness, Shen Xiuzhuan got up before dawn. I asked a reliable palace servant to escort him out of the Princess's residence through the back door."

Princess Jianning nodded and then gave further instructions.

"Send someone to the Ningguo Mansion and tell them that I need to pray for the Empress Dowager's birthday and that I need to fast and chant for a while. Tell the Prince Consort to stay at the Mansion and be filial to the old Duke without any worries.

"Yes."

Mammy accepted the order in a low voice.

……

When Shen Qingfeng woke up on the phoenix couch in the princess's mansion at the beginning of the morning, he saw Princess Jianning lying beside him and was immediately frightened out of his wits.

He hurriedly picked up the clothes scattered on the ground and put them on.

He didn't even dare to look at the person sleeping on the bed, and hurriedly ran out of the bedroom.

The old nanny guarding outside the bedroom bowed to him and sent a young eunuch to escort him out through the back door.

Shen Qingfeng returned to the Shen Mansion, changed into official uniform, and then took his own carriage to the Hanlin Academy in the imperial palace.

In the carriage, Shen Qingfeng rubbed his slightly aching temples.

I just regret that I was in a bad mood yesterday and drank a few more glasses while chatting with Princess Jianning.

I don't know what happened and ended up staying in the princess's mansion for the night.

In his dreams, he had no intersection with Princess Jianning.

And now, he actually had a secret with her that could not be told.

Shen Qingfeng did not like Princess Jianning, even though she was only in her twenties.

She is of noble status and beautiful as a flower.

Now they are even enjoying the joy of love.

But if you don’t like it, you don’t like it.

Shen Qingfeng put all the blame on Xu Yuanyuan.

If she hadn't pushed Xu Keke downstairs, how could Xu Keke have hit her yesterday?

If he hadn't been engaged to Xu Yuanyuan, causing his fiancé to lose face in front of others, why would he have been in a bad mood yesterday?

If he hadn't been in a bad mood and drinking alone, how could he have attracted the attention of Princess Jianning?

Shen Qingfeng entered the palace with a confused mind, and when he stepped into the Hanlin Academy, he was still absent-minded.

The scenes of last night with Princess Jianning kept appearing in his mind, making him more and more anxious.

He fully hoped that Princess Jianning had drunk too much yesterday and would forget him when she woke up today.

At this moment, the conversation between the President of the Hanlin Academy and Grand Secretary Chen reached his ears.

"The Empress Dowager's Thousand-Year Birthday Banquet is the top priority right now. There must not be the slightest mistake."

The dean scholar said seriously.

Grand Secretary Chen nodded in response.

"Yes, all preparations need to be carefully arranged. The etiquette, program, banquet, etc. must all be perfect."

"I heard that the Prince Regent attaches great importance to this birthday banquet and wants to use this opportunity to show the prosperity of our dynasty and please the Empress Dowager."

The dean scholar added.

Shen Qingfeng listened to their discussion and his mind was in a trance again.

In his dream, on the day when he won the first place in the imperial examination and was paraded through the streets with flowers in his hair, the Prince Regent died in the line of duty outside the imperial city.

He also first entered the Hanlin Academy and became a compiler.

In the dream, the Empress Dowager was bedridden for several days because of the loss of her beloved son.

The flower viewing banquet and the 50th birthday banquet of the Empress Dowager held at Princess Jianning's mansion yesterday were not held.

At this moment, Shen Qingfeng had a flash of inspiration in his mind, and he suddenly realized that what changed everything was that Xu Ke was pushed down the stairs by Xu Yuanyuan that day.

Why did Xuyuanyuan refuse permission to go downstairs?

Then she ruined his marriage with Xu Keke, and Madam Xu proposed that Xu Yuanyuan marry him.

Shen Qingfeng suddenly understood everything.

I hate Xu Yuanyuan so much. You are so mean, Xu Yuanyuan. For your own selfish desires, you have ruined my bright future.

You actually want to marry me and live in love with me?

Okay, okay, I will let you marry me as you wish, and you just wait to be repaid!

Shen Qingfeng was filled with resentment, and his expression looked a little ferocious. Li Bianxiu, who was standing beside him, kindly reminded him.

"Shen Xiuzhuan, what's wrong with you? Don't lose your composure in this palace."

Shen Qingfeng suddenly woke up, quickly restrained his expression, and bowed to Li Bianxiu to express his gratitude.

"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Li. I lost my composure for a moment."

Editor Li patted his shoulder and lowered his voice.

"There are many eyes and ears in the palace. You must be careful and cautious in everything you do. Don't bring disaster upon yourself."

Shen Qingfeng nodded and glanced at Editor Li beside him.

Li Yueze, the son of the prime minister of the current dynasty, is also the third place winner in this imperial examination.

He came from a prominent family and received the most orthodox and strict education since childhood.

His family has been officials for generations, and has been noble and upright for generations, with strict family traditions.

He has a fair face, distinct features like sculptures, sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and his every move reveals the demeanor of a gentleman.

In terms of knowledge, he was well-read, familiar with the classics, history, and collections of literature, and could compose poems and songs with ease.

He could also analyze court affairs in a clear and logical manner, with unique and profound insights.

In addition, his outstanding vision and pattern cultivated by his prominent family background have enabled him to perform outstandingly in the court and receive high praise.

He is an upright and kind-hearted person. He treats his friends sincerely and warmly, and is generous and kind to his subordinates.

In this turbulent court, he always sticks to his original intention and principles.

Just like a green lotus that emerges from the mud without being stained, he is a gentleman with integrity and is worthy of admiration.

In the dream, this editor Li was his lifelong rival.

If he had not gotten close to the current empress dowager, the position of prime minister might not have fallen on him.

Thinking of this, Shen Qingfeng couldn't help but think of the young Queen Mother Wei Linger.

I heard that she has been living alone in the palace recently and has not stepped out of the palace for quite some time.

It was rumored that the Empress Dowager was so grief-stricken over the death of the late Emperor that her health gradually weakened.

Shen Qingfeng naturally didn't believe this.

In his dream, he had an affair with the young empress dowager. As they were whispering in each other's ears, he learned that the empress dowager had no feelings for the late emperor, but had mentioned the deceased regent Chu Musheng in front of him.

There was no regent in the dream, and the Empress Dowager died not long after. Empress Dowager Wei Ling'er, relying on her son's status, easily took control of the government.

Shen Qingfeng met the empress dowager by chance when he was delivering documents to the imperial study, and the two had their first encounter.

I still remember in my dream that the first time he and Empress Dowager Wei Ling'er were intimate was on the soft couch behind the screen in the imperial study...

Similarly, Shen Qingfeng did not like this clingy young empress dowager.

A real man knows what he should do and what he shouldn't do. In order to reach the top and look down on all the other mountains, he chose to endure and cater to others.

Shen Qingfeng secretly wondered whether he should find an opportunity to continue the relationship in his dream with the young queen mother.

So that he can be promoted as soon as possible and officially enter the court.