Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

Huangfu Changshui's eyes widened in anger, his face flushed crimson, veins popping out on his forehead. He pointed at Zhang Jingwei and shouted, "You're just being ridiculous! You're unworthy of being a student, unworthy of being an adult! Such behavior is truly a disgrace to society!"

Zhang Jingwei, however, defended himself with a look of grievance, "Father-in-law, why can't you understand? I didn't set up this problem. I was just a middleman, working for money. When this is done, I will give Tian Chaocao a large sum of money. Even if the matter is exposed and traced back to me, according to the laws of the Celestial Empire, the most I will bear is joint responsibility."

Huangfu Changshui was so angry that he was shaking all over, and his finger kept shaking as he pointed at Zhang Jingwei: "You! How could you do such a ridiculous thing!"

Seeing Huangfu Changshui's anger, Zhang Jingwei quickly stepped forward and said with a smile, "Father-in-law, calm down. I know I was wrong. I will give you all the money I earned this time."

Huangfu Changshui glared at Zhang Jingwei fiercely and said unhappily, "Humph! This isn't just about money. Do you know that if this gets exposed, the consequences will be disastrous!"

Zhang Jingwei, however, retorted, "Father-in-law, the country is currently in a turbulent time, with frequent border battles. As a general, if you want to win, don't you rely on sufficient military pay and supplies? Can you let those soldiers guarding the border go hungry to resist foreign enemies, relying only on the pie in the sky drawn by the court to fill their stomachs?"

Huangfu Changshui was silent for a moment, but he still said sternly, "That's my job! Why would you risk getting involved? If the truth comes out, how can I explain it to your deceased parents?"

Zhang Jingwei sighed deeply and shook his head helplessly: "Father-in-law, you are devoted to the country, and I naturally understand. But in today's world..."

Huangfu Changshui looked at his stubborn son-in-law, feeling both angry and distressed. Finally, he could only sigh, "Forget it, forget it. Take care of yourself. Quickly release that innocent scholar. Never get involved in such activities again!"

Hearing this, Zhang Jingwei breathed a sigh of relief and nodded repeatedly in response: "Yes!"

……

Zhang Jingwei walked out of Huangfu Changshui's study, sweating profusely. Because of his weak legs, he could only stumble. Seeing the bright candlelight in Huangfu Ling's room, he knocked on the door.

Zhang Jingwei shouted, "Lingmei..." It was Douya who opened the door and led Zhang Jingwei into the room.

Huangfu Ling looked at Zhang Jingwei's slightly embarrassed appearance, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, and asked with a worried look on her face, "What on earth did Daddy want to talk to you about? Why did he make you so embarrassed?"

Zhang Jingwei's lips were hesitant, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. After a long time, he stammered, "Father-in-law...father-in-law..." But he stopped abruptly at this point.

Upon seeing this, Huangfu Ling raised her eyebrows and said coquettishly, "Hmph! What on earth did he do to you? Look how scared you are! No, I'm going to go and argue with him right now!" Then she turned and left.

Zhang Jingwei hurriedly reached out to hold her, calling softly, "Sister Ling...don't worry."

Huangfu Ling stopped and looked back at Zhang Jingwei, puzzled, "Then why don't you tell me quickly!"

Zhang Jingwei took a deep breath, calmed himself, then looked at Huangfu Ling seriously and said slowly, "Sister Ling, what kind of person do you think I am?"

Huangfu Ling blinked and said with a mischievous smile, "Didn't you always claim to be an immortal who had descended to earth?"

Zhang Jingwei shook his head helplessly, smiled bitterly and said, "Stop joking, I'm talking about serious matters."

Huangfu Ling put away his smile, thought for a moment, and then answered seriously: "Well... to be honest, you are really good at studying. In time, you will definitely become a pillar of the country."

Zhang Jingwei nodded slightly in agreement, but then pressed on, "Besides being a great student, don't I have anything else to commend me for?"

Huangfu Ling tilted his head and thought for a while, then his eyes suddenly lit up and he chuckled softly, saying, "Hehe, you're such a face-conscious person!"

Zhang Jingwei's face suddenly turned black, and he corrected with a helpless smile: "Oh, this is not really an advantage..."

Huangfu Ling couldn't help but burst out laughing at his embarrassment. Then she gently held Zhang Jingwei's hand and said softly, "Alright, alright, enough joking. In fact, in my heart, my husband, you have always been a very good person. Not only do you hate evil, but you also have great ambitions. Do you remember the ballad you sang that day? It has now spread widely among the army."

After hearing this, Zhang Jingwei showed a relieved smile on his face and murmured to himself: "That song..."

Huangfu Ling continued, "Although I am only a woman and may not fully understand your ambitions, no matter what you want to do, I will stand by you unwaveringly and support you with all my strength."

Zhang Jingwei was deeply moved. He hugged Huangfu Ling tightly in his arms and called her affectionately: "Sister Ling..."

At this moment, a sharp and rapid knock on the door suddenly sounded, breaking the originally quiet atmosphere in the room: "Master, Madam... It's me, Zhang Aotian!"

Huangfu Ling was slightly startled by the sudden voice. A hint of confusion instantly appeared on her delicate face. She murmured softly, "Who is Zhang Aotian? Why have I never heard of this name?"

Zhang Jingwei, who was sitting nearby, saw this and quickly explained, "Oh, he's Ergou. I thought the name Ergou was too rustic, so I gave him a new name, Zhang Aotian. I wonder what brings him here?"

Wang Ergou outside the door shouted anxiously: "Master, this is really an urgent matter!"

Hearing this, Zhang Jingwei's heart tightened. He turned to look at the shy and lovely Huangfu Ling beside him, and then without hesitation, he kissed her hard on the pink cheek, and said softly: "Sister Ling, I have to go back and see what's going on. That... remember to drink more hot water and take care of yourself." After that, he gazed at Huangfu Ling affectionately for a moment, then slowly stood up and prepared to leave.

Huangfu Ling obviously had not recovered from the kiss just now. Her cheeks were as red as clouds, and she said coquettishly: "So soon...are we going back?" Her words were full of reluctance.

Zhang Jingwei's heart softened when he saw Huangfu Ling's pitiful appearance, but he still suppressed the impulse in his heart and said gently: "Although we are already married, you are still young after all. If you have sex too early, it may harm your body. How about this, after you turn sixteen, we will... Oh, it's not too late to talk about these things then!" After saying this, Zhang Jingwei's face flushed red involuntarily. He fled the room in a hurry like a frightened rabbit, leaving Huangfu Ling standing there alone, with a complicated mood.