Reborn, I am doing involution on Jinshan

He slammed the table angrily, but resisted the urge to throw the cup around for fear of disturbing the children.

"It's not you who made the mistake, so why punish yourself with someone else's mistake and join others in bullying yourself? Bad people bully honest people who don't talk back or like to defend themselves, so they get away with it. We should do the opposite. We have mouths too, and we have many people who can speak for us."

Seeing him so angry and self-blaming, Zhao Ran quickly tried to comfort him, "Your Highness, please don't blame yourself so much. This is not your fault. The Holy Emperor has ulterior motives and is deliberately plotting. Even without these trivial matters in the inner chamber, they would still find ways to create obstacles and find fault with you. Your Highness, please do not be fooled!"

Dongfang Huang rubbed his temples and sighed deeply, "That being said, the unrest in the inner chambers has ultimately distracted me. Those concubines are constantly vying for favor and fighting fiercely, making the house a mess. Their upbringing of their children is a complete mess. Now that little Ruiyue has been frightened and has a fever again, I feel really bad."

"This minor illness...or major...illness, will always be cured." Butler Zhao Ran frowned slightly, and after a moment's thought, he said, "Your Highness, perhaps you should reorganize the inner quarters. Clarify the rules, clearly define rewards and punishments, and let everyone know what is and is not allowed. This will not only restore peace to the inner quarters, but also free you up to deal with external troubles."

"Let me be the ugly one. You're just too soft-hearted. I believe the eldest lady will come back. The princess has grown up and become sensible. You also want to accumulate more dowry for her. We are all parents."

Dongfang Huang smiled bitterly and nodded, "Brother Zhao is absolutely right. I should have done so long ago. It's just that I've been so busy with court affairs over the years that I've neglected the management of my family, which has led to this situation."

"Look, every time I come back for such a long time, she never pays any attention to me. That concubine is so wicked and lazy. I must have married a few ancestors back."

Butler Zhao Ran also expressed deep sympathy. "Your Highness, the Third and Fourth Madams are still very concerned about you, but they have no children, and the Second Madam is too strong, so they can't say much. The Third Madam knew the little princess had returned, but she didn't dare come in when she saw the Crown Prince. Later, when she saw you return, she also came over, but I saw her quietly retreat."

Dongfang Huang's expression brightened a little. "We can give them the child, but they're not young anymore, so forget it. If they want to adopt the child, then they can. As for the child, let fate take its course."

"Okay, I'll find time to give them both a hint."

"I'll find a few faults with that useless mother and daughter, find a reason, and send them away first. It's been almost seven years since Xiao Xuan left, and her life or death is uncertain. Doesn't she want me anymore? I don't know if she's doing well now. The position of Princess Consort of Prince Gong can only be hers."

Princess Xinyue was the sixth princess of the Khitan royal family, and her nickname was Fang Xuanyi.

After a brief silence, Dongfang Huang's face showed fatigue. He drank a sip of strong tea to refresh himself and spoke again: "Brother Zhao, when you have time, let Xiaomei bring people to help me count the silver vault. Be high-profile. I guess there is nothing valuable left. Sigh!"

His eyes revealed a hint of fatigue and helplessness. Looking around the main hall, there were only a few exhibits. The huge Prince Gong Mansion did seem a bit shabby.

In the past ten years, he has used all his money to subsidize the military camp, so as not to let his brothers on the grassland go hungry.

"Your Majesty, I remember it."

"Huang Jinshan, patrols must also be strengthened. I'll arrange this myself. Keep those useless mother and daughter in the inner house under my command, and help me keep an eye on them."

Zhao Ran glanced at the window alertly and lowered his voice: "Your Highness, calm down first. Keep your composure. Your attitude is not likely to change drastically. Keep everything as it is. Be careful of the dog that is desperate and will bite you."

Dongfang Huang immediately understood and said gratefully, "Thank you, Brother Zhao, for sticking with me all these years. I've long considered you my own brother. We can't keep that useless mother and daughter. If Li Ge'er were to return, they'd probably kill her."

A flicker of hatred flashed across Zhao Ran's eyes, but then he regained his composure. "Your Highness trusts me, so I will do my best to handle everything. Let's do as Sect Leader Li wishes and proceed with the original plan. We've already arranged for someone to clean up the abandoned house in the suburbs. The servants said it can be occupied within ten days."

The two looked at each other and understood.

Dongfang Hao said sincerely, "Brother Zhao, now that Li Ge'er is back, I will help you arrange a grand wedding with Xiaomei."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Let's have tea instead of wine. Cheers." Zhao Ran was also generous and drank it all in one gulp.

"I'm sorry for hindering your marriage! You must be happier than me."

Zhao Ran was slightly startled, then a look of gratitude emerged on his face. He clasped his fists and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. If this is truly possible, I would be deeply grateful. However, the current situation is complicated, so we should prioritize the overall situation. Once we have successfully resolved the current difficulties, it will not be too late to discuss marriage."

Dongfang Hao nodded in understanding and said solemnly, "Brother Zhao is very understanding. I naturally understand the urgency of the current situation. I just thought that if I could facilitate this for you, it would be a relief. After all, Xiaomei has been with us through so many twists and turns, and you and she deserve a happy ending."

A hint of tenderness flashed in Zhao Ran's eyes. Thinking of Xiaomei, his heart was filled with attachment. "Your Highness is absolutely right. Xiaomei has followed me all these years and has suffered a lot. If I can marry her, Zhao will have no regrets in my life. However, although the original plan has been confirmed, Dongfang Yan has popped up. The emperor's actions are treacherous. Who knows what changes will happen next. We need to be extra careful."

Dongfang Hao frowned slightly, a hint of worry in his eyes. "Indeed, these two are definitely not good people, and they won't give up easily. On the one hand, we must proceed according to the original plan, but on the other hand, we must remain vigilant and pay attention to their every move. Brother Zhao, have you arranged the personnel properly?"

Zhao Ran smiled confidently, "Don't worry, Your Highness. I've made all the necessary arrangements. All those participating in this operation are trustworthy brothers, each of them highly skilled and fiercely loyal to Your Highness. If anyone in the palace dares to make a move, they will be wiped out. The young lady anticipated a major battle the day she decided to accept her son as a hostage. She said, 'We don't want to be in that position, but we also don't want to be bullied.'"

Dongfang Hao patted Zhao Ran on the shoulder and said, "Brother Zhao, I feel relieved about this matter. This operation is of great importance. It not only concerns the safety of the eldest son, but also the prosperity and decline of the entire Prince Gong Mansion. We must act with caution and ensure that nothing goes wrong."

As the two were talking, a guard suddenly came hurriedly reporting, "Your Highness, we just received a letter via carrier pigeon saying that several mysterious guests have arrived at the Third Prince's residence. They don't look like ordinary people and their behavior is very suspicious."

Dongfang Hao and Zhao Ran exchanged a glance, both wary. Dongfang Hao pondered for a moment and said, "It seems the Third Prince is plotting something new."

"In the final analysis, I hold great military power. This Third Prince also wants to be the Crown Prince and is secretly competing with Dongfang Hao. He wants to marry into my family, and that's why he's trying to get close to my Yue'er today."

"It should be almost right." Zhao Ran nodded.