Becoming a stepmother of three children gives me space

The front yard of Xiao Mansion,

The two families handed over the betrothal gifts. The Xiao family compared them with the gift list, confirmed that they were correct, signed and put them into the warehouse, and then determined the specific time for the wedding.

The Zhou family had already chosen a date, just for the formality, but Xiao Chen insisted on a bad date and asked for it to be set at the end of next year.

"No problem, just follow Prince Consort Xiao's date."

Zhou Yu agreed readily, catching Xiao Chen off guard. What was going on? He agreed without even questioning it?

"Marquis Zhenbei, this..."

"The date chosen by the Prince Consort is very good. Let's go by that date. It's settled."

Zhou Yu left Xiao Mansion in a clean and tidy manner. Xiao Chen felt increasingly uneasy and sent someone to the Princess Mansion to inquire about what to do next.

"You actually agreed?"

The princess was also confused. This behavior was not like Zhou Jin and Xiao Yunxi's style. Could it be a trick?

do not care.

Since Xiao Yunxi agreed to hold the wedding next year, then bring Xiao Yunxi back to the Xiao Mansion and make further plans.

at night,

Darkness enveloped the capital, and a dark shadow flashed into the Xiao Mansion.

Xiao Yunxi had never been to her biological father's residence before, and the first time she visited, she was forced into doing so in this way.

The betrothal gifts delivered during the day were piled up in the warehouse and put into storage. All the treasures in the warehouse were also cleared out, leaving no boxes or shelves.

The Xiao Mansion's warehouse was a bit shabby, and Xiao Yunxi quickly packed up everything. While doing so, she felt a little reluctant.

It's really pitiful for a prince consort to be so poor.

How could she know?

The eldest princess had taken a liking to Xiao Chen because of his handsome appearance and good looks, and she could barely accept having a child with him.

The one she really likes is actually Zhou Yu.

If Xiao Chen is talented and has outstanding qualities, and the couple spends more time together, the princess may look at him differently.

The fact that he was able to enter high school was due to a certain amount of luck.

Xiao Yunxi's grandfather once worked in the Hanlin Academy and was quite talented. He often tutored Xiao Chen. Coincidentally, the person in charge of setting the questions was a good friend of his grandfather.

The questions were similar to what Xiao Chen usually wrote, and his approach to solving the problems was in line with that of the examiner, which was why he was able to pass the exam.

The longer they spent together, the more the eldest princess felt that Xiao Chen was superficial and had average talent, and she became more and more disgusted with him, and completely took back the princess's mansion.

Xiao Chen is a consort of the princess, and cannot be an official. He is a scholar, and cannot even be a captain. Without the princess's support, he relies on the salary of the consort of the princess.

Let alone a good life, it would be good enough to maintain the normal operation of the Xiao Mansion.

Xiao Chen is very poor, and Xiao Yunxi will not pity him. The original owner was killed by him, and she promised the original owner that she would avenge her. Now she is charging some interest.

"First, clear out the mansion. Once the princess is overthrown, I'll teach Xiao Chen, that rotten cucumber, a lesson."

A scumbag shouldn't be forgiven.

Xiao Yunxi was not satisfied with just emptying the warehouse, so she emptied the granary and every room in the main courtyard, including tables, chairs, benches, beds, and screens.

In the imperial study in the palace,

The emperor and the shadow guard commander sat face to face and drank tea. If anyone saw them, they would definitely find it incredible.

It is true that the Shadow Guard Commander is the emperor's confidant, but there is a difference between master and servant. It is impossible for them to sit and drink tea like this, especially when the master is the emperor.

"I am shaken."

The Emperor's voice was low, and the Shadow Guard Commander understood his thoughts:

"His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin is indeed outstanding."

As if he hadn't heard what he said, the emperor continued to speak:

"I have been on the throne for so long, and I can't say that everything is peaceful and prosperous. At least the country is stable, and whoever becomes the heir is my bloodline. Why should I care about those illusory things?"

He was struggling in his heart, and the best option at this time was to keep quiet and let the emperor speak.

"Hey...."

With a heavy sigh, he ended his soliloquy.

"Have you ever thought about gaining some experience in the frontier? Only those with military merits can be granted a title."

The shadow guard shook his head:

"I'm not cut out for that. If it weren't for Your Majesty, the grass on my grave would have been overgrown."

"When no one is around, call me Royal Brother."

Emperors have been ruthless since ancient times, but no one has ever been truly ruthless. They were all forced to do so.

The emperor killed his brother and father to protect himself. If he didn't kill them, others would kill him. If he really had to kill his sons, he would not have the heart to do it.

Otherwise he wouldn't have protected the eldest princess.

The bad things that Prince Qing did in the northwest were treason. He still gave Prince Qing a chance, but he didn't know whether Prince Qing could seize it.

I hope he can take care of himself.

Prince Qing's Mansion,

When Zhao Tong returned from the palace, he called Zhu Guangxiao to his study to discuss his future.

Although my father didn't say it explicitly, it was almost a showdown. There were two choices: take the lead in proposing the reduction of the feudal system, and the second option is for the court to investigate the affairs of the northwest.

The emperor must have evidence of the Northwest incident, otherwise he would not have dealt with the King of Chu until now. If there is solid evidence of his treason,

There's no room for maneuver.

If he proposed to reduce the power of the feudal lords, he would never be able to ascend to that position in his lifetime because all the feudal lords would not let him ascend the throne.

"Your Highness... Given the current situation, I believe there are only two options: leave the capital, return to your fiefdom, then feign illness and proceed slowly."

Prince Qing shook his head:

"Father must have made preparations. As long as I leave the city, there will be no room for maneuver."

Running away secretly is too risky. No one knows the emperor's determination. If he is determined to punish him, his ending will not be good.

"What about the second way?"

"Unite with the vassal kings and tell them the news that the emperor wants to reduce the power of the vassal states."

Zhu Guangxiao is indeed an aide-de-camp. This trick of cutting off the source of the trouble is really great. If the princes all know that the emperor wants to reduce the power of the princes, then he can win over the princes.

Even doing so is risky. If the prince leaks the news, there will be no way out, unless...

Thinking about what Heipao had told him, perhaps he could really consider winning over the vassal kings and rebelling directly.

...

Prince Chu's Palace,

The eldest princess came to see Zhao Zhen and brought news from the palace.

"The Emperor summoned the Fourth Prince. No one knows what he said, but he seemed very happy. It seems that the secret report he submitted was ineffective."

The King of Chu was falsely accused of collaborating with the enemy, so they came up with a plan.

He submitted a memorial through the censor, reporting that he had taken in the Plum Blossom Guards, and that the Plum Blossom Guards had rebelled and were used by Prince Qing, who framed him for treason.

He thought it would be effective, but he didn't expect his father to still not move. The King of Chu couldn't help but feel a little anxious.

"Father is planning to let me take the blame for the Fourth Brother?"

"Why!"

"He's just partial to the fourth brother. I don't accept it. It was clearly the fourth brother who did it. Why doesn't he investigate and let me bear the blame?"

Collaboration with the enemy and treason, as well as all the other things he had done, would be stains, and it would be difficult for him to become the crown prince, so he felt that the emperor intended to give up on him.

Otherwise, why would Prince Qing be happy?

If he knew that Prince Qing's happiness was fake, he probably wouldn't be so impulsive.

"Imperial sister, I have decided... to rebel!"

There was madness in the King of Chu's eyes.