The Return of the King: A Generation of Prodigies

Shen Tianjiao, who didn't know how the war in Pingzhou was going, was extremely anxious, but she could only endure it and not show it. This feeling was really not pleasant at all.

"What are you thinking about? Are you so engrossed in it?" Qiong Niang placed the peach soup in front of Shen Tianjiao and said, "Eat something. You haven't eaten much in the past two days."

Shen Tianjiao picked up the bowl of peach soup in front of her. Although she had no appetite, she forced herself to eat some in order not to worry Qiong Niang.

"Didn't I ask you to stay with Madam Wang in the First Floor Building for a few days? Why are you back so soon?"

Shen Tianjiao put down the peach soup in her hand and looked at Qiong Niang and asked.

The mother and daughter have been separated for so many years, they should spend some time together.

However, Qiong Niang only stayed with Lady Wang in the First-class Building and returned to the palace after only two days.

"Being able to see my mother again is already a blessing I've earned through several lifetimes. How could I dare to ask for more?"

"Besides, now is not the time to get together and reunite. We still have a lot of things to do."

The current Qiong Niang is no longer the Qiong Niang who only cared about love. The current Qiong Niang has grown up.

She knew better than anyone that if the previous dynasty could not settle down, life would not be easy for all of them.

However, they still have a long and difficult road to go in order to achieve the goal of maintaining stability as in the previous dynasty.

Shen Tianjiao smiled and nodded. The people around her were also growing slowly. No matter what the future would be like, as long as everyone was growing and changing slowly, things would get better and better.

"Have you encountered some troubles again?" Although Shen Tianjiao didn't say anything, everyone around her could feel her distress.

Shen Tianjiao smiled. She didn't want to and couldn't tell anyone what Shen Tingzhi had done, even if that person was the closest person to her.

She didn't know how many eyes were staring at her inside and outside the palace. She trusted Qiong Niang, but she couldn't trust the people around Qiong Niang.

The reason why Qian Wanhe has been able to call the shots in Shangjing City for so many years is not just because of his flattery and the influence of his mother's family.

He was able to turn Pingzhou into the Qian family's empire and remain undiscovered by the imperial court for so many years, which shows how resourceful and ruthless he is.

Now is the critical time to eradicate the Qian family's power, and Shen Tianjiao cannot take any risks.

If even the slightest rumor reached Qian Wanhe's ears, her second brother and those soldiers would be in great danger.

"I have so many things to deal with. Since I became regent, every day has been filled with big and small things. Do I ever feel at ease?"

Since Shen Tianjiao took over as regent for Li Rui, she has become noticeably thinner and more haggard at a rapid rate.

Qiong Niang sighed. It was not easy to be the mistress of the harem, and it was even harder to be the decision-maker of the previous dynasty.

Qiong Niang now only regrets that her ability is limited and she cannot share more of the burden with Shen Tianjiao.

"Are you worried about the affairs of Duke Chen's Mansion?"

Hearing Qiong Niang's question, Shen Tianjiao suddenly raised her head. She looked at Qiong Niang and asked, "How did you know?"

She didn't tell Qiong Niang anything, so how did Qiong Niang know about this?

"Don't be so surprised. Others don't know." Seeing Shen Tianjiao getting nervous, Qiong Niang quickly said, "I didn't tell you because I was afraid you would worry."

"Yu Sheng was targeted the night he entered the palace. He was the chief guard beside your second brother, and he would attract attention wherever he went."

"Our secret guards noticed this and immediately tied up the person who was following us."

"After interrogation, we learned that he was from the Duke of Chen's mansion and had been lurking in the palace for many years. He saw Yu Sheng enter Yuxiu Palace and had been waiting in the dark, intending to follow Yu Sheng and find out his purpose in entering the palace."

"It's thanks to our secret guards' alertness, otherwise we would have been taken advantage of this time."

"Although I don't know what happened in Duke Chen's mansion, I do know a little about him."

"He's not a good guy, let alone a kind person. On the surface, he's a dandy who relies on his family background to do whatever he wants and live a life of luxury, but in reality, he's a ruthless, scheming, sinister, and vicious person."

"My father had dealings with him before and almost died at his hands."

When talking about Qian Wanhe, Qiong Niang felt disgusted. This man who looked like a decent person on the outside was actually a devil who ate people without leaving any bones.

Shen Tianjiao didn't relax because of Qiong Niang's words. Instead, she became even more nervous. "Are you sure everyone has been dealt with?"

"Well, don't worry, everything has been handled. Everyone in the same compound as him, including those who were on duty with him and had contact with him, are all under supervision."

Qiong Niang is a meticulous person, and she becomes even more cautious when encountering such things.

Shen Tianjiao breathed a sigh of relief. "We must be on high alert these days. Tell our people in Duke Chen's Mansion to closely monitor Qian Wanhe's every move and report every detail, no matter how big or small."

Seeing Shen Tianjiao being so cautious, Qiong Niang knew that something big might have happened in the Duke Chen's Mansion.

"That old guy, has he developed a treacherous mind and is planning to rebel?" Qiong Niang looked at Shen Tianjiao and expressed her guess.

"If he doesn't rebel, it's probably going to happen soon. He discovered an iron mine in Fuping, Pingzhou, but he didn't report it to the court and mined it privately."

"What this shows is self-evident. His Sima Zhao's intentions are already known to everyone."

"Not only that, he has also turned the entire Pingzhou into the domain of his Qian family. The Qian family is like a local tyrant in Pingzhou. I'm afraid their words are more effective than those of the real emperor Li Rui."

"My second brother went to Pingzhou this time to investigate this matter and completely eliminate the Qian family's influence in Pingzhou. If possible, he also wanted to eradicate the Duke Chen's Mansion and put an end to the trouble forever!"

Although Shen Tianjiao did not know that Qian Wanhe was secretly communicating with the enemy country and raising hundreds of thousands of troops, Shen Tianjiao had already keenly realized that Qian Wanhe was a very dangerous person.

If he is not eradicated sooner rather than later, he will probably become the second Li Hong.

"Oh my God, he's so bold!" Even though Qiong Niang knew that Qian Wanhe was not a good person, she didn't expect him to be so hateful.

"Humph! It's not surprising that someone who has been pampered and spoiled all his life would have such thoughts."

Having experienced this kind of thing so many times, Shen Tianjiao has become numb.

Among these royal relatives and young masters from aristocratic families, which one of them is not a person who has been pampered and spoiled?

Having never experienced any major storms or setbacks, and under the protection of his family, he had everything he wanted. His life was too comfortable, and he became so ignorant of the immensity of the world that he forgot who he was.

"We must be extremely cautious about this matter. No word can be leaked until it is accomplished."

What Shen Tianjiao is most worried about now is not whether Shen Tingzhi can handle the situation in Pingzhou, but the turbulent situation in Shangjing City.

"I know. Don't worry. From now on, I will have our people be more cautious. I will make sure that not even a fly, not even a breeze, can get out of Yuxiu Palace."

Qiong Niang naturally knew the seriousness of the matter, and she was already starting to get nervous.

"Don't tell anyone about this anymore, not even your grandmother, so as not to make her worry."

Ruan Yuhu has been sick and in a bad mood since she came back from Gu's house last time. Now, if you can help her avoid worrying about him, then don't let her worry.

After all, he is already old, and it is time for him to enjoy his retirement.

As long as Ruan Yuhu is alive, everyone in the palace, big and small, will have someone to rely on.

"I know the weather has been unpredictable these days, fluctuating between hot and cold. My ancestor caught a cold yesterday and is now resting in bed."

Qiong Niang didn't know what was going on in the Gu family, but she could sense that Ruan Yuhu seemed to have some emotional issues. She spoke less and ate less.

"I can't take care of it here, so please take care of the old ancestor."

Shen Tianjiao originally thought that her past life and her original body's life were already difficult enough, but after learning about Ruan Yuhu's life experience, she felt that the things she had encountered in the past were not a big deal.

"Don't worry, I'll make arrangements."

Qiong Niang cannot share the government affairs with Shen Tianjiao, but she can still handle the affairs of the harem and prevent Shen Tianjiao from worrying.

"Master, the ancestor sent someone to ask you to come over."

Before Shen Tianjiao and Qiong Niang finished their chat, Xia He came to report.

Shen Tianjiao inexplicably began to feel nervous, "Wha, what's going on?"

"Aunt Juruo just said that the old ancestor asked you to come over to discuss something, and she didn't say anything else."

Seeing Shen Tianjiao getting nervous, Qiong Niang and Xia He also became nervous.

Shen Tianjiao patted her chest before saying, "Okay, you go out first, I'll be there soon."

After Xia He left, Shen Tianjiao looked at Qiong Niang and said, "I plan to let the two children follow my father to Fu Sheng Ru Meng."

"I don't know why, but this time I feel a little uneasy, as if something big is about to happen."

"Qian Wanhe has been able to stand firm in Shangjing City for so many years. In addition to relying on the power of his mother's family, he himself is also very powerful."

"He has hidden his purpose for so many years without being discovered. This shows how cunning he is."

"What I mean is that the two children are safer staying with my father now than staying in the palace with me."

"You should come with us. There are guards and my father in Fu Sheng Ru Meng, so it's safe. Besides, the two children need someone to take care of them."

For some reason, Qiong Niang actually heard from Shen Tianjiao's words the desolate feeling of entrusting an orphan to someone else for life and death.

Her heart skipped a beat, but she remained calm and said, "I won't go. Let Xia He go. Xia He is used to taking care of them both."

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm just staying with you. Wherever you go, I'll go."

"We agreed at the beginning that no matter what happens, even if it's a life-or-death situation, we'll face it together."

"Unless I die in this life, don't even think about getting rid of me."

After saying this, Qiong Niang turned around and left without waiting for Shen Tianjiao's response.

Shen Tianjiao looked at Qiong Niang's departing back, sighed helplessly, then stood up and walked out.

When Shen Tianjiao and Qiong Niang came to Ruan Yuhu together, Ruan Yuhu had just woken up.

After experiencing what happened to the Gu family and catching a cold, Ruan Yuhu looked much more haggard and listless, without his former charm.

"Auntie, why are you getting up? If you're not feeling well, you should just lie down and rest."

Shen Tianjiao stepped forward and supported Ruan Yuhu. She didn't feel it at other times, but today she felt that Ruan Yuhu was so weak that she looked like she could be blown away by a gust of wind.

This feeling made Shen Tianjiao feel powerless and helpless.

Today she possesses supreme power and can do many things that others cannot do, but there are still things that make her feel powerless and helpless.

Just like Ruan Yuhu in front of her, Shen Tianjiao watched her getting weaker and older, but she was powerless to change anything and could only watch.

Shen Tianjiao really hates this feeling of powerlessness that she can't change anything.

Ruan Yuhu, who sensed Shen Tianjiao's mood change, patted Shen Tianjiao's hand gently and said with a smile: "It's okay, silly girl, I just caught a cold and I'm a little weak."

"Just take good care of yourself for a few days and nothing will happen. Don't dwell on those trivial things all day long."

"I, an old woman, am no longer the same as I was before. Before, I felt that life was meaningless. I was just a walking corpse all day long. There was no difference between being alive and being dead."

"But now it's different. With you here, the two children here, and these little girls here, I feel like I have something to look forward to and hope for the rest of my life."

"As long as I'm alive, I want to see how you manage Yunli and make it the strongest country in Jiuzhou. I also want to see our little Muer ascend the throne and become the emperor, and An'an get married."

Ruan Yuhu's words did not comfort Shen Tianjiao, because Shen Tianjiao knew very well that the only reason Ruan Yuhu was alive until now was because of his persistent determination to avenge his family.

Once Ruan Yuhu gets her revenge, she will lose the motivation that has kept her alive. Losing motivation means that she won't have many days left.

In order to let Ruan Yuhu survive, Shen Tianjiao even thought about letting the Su family go for the time being, because as long as the Su family is there and as long as Su Yue is not dead, Ruan Yuhu's hatred will always exist.

Only with hatred can Ruan Yuhu have the goal and motivation to live.

But how could she have the final say in what was going on in the world? Now she could only do her best and leave the rest to fate, praying that God would have mercy on Ruan Yuhu and take into account her miserable life, so that she could live a good life even if she let go of the hatred in her heart.