Help! The cunning and treacherous minister and I were reborn together!

The news that the eldest son of the Marquis of Changping had come back to life spread like wildfire, causing a great uproar in Shengjing.

The families of officials who died or went missing in Shuozhou jointly petitioned the court, demanding that it send troops to search for survivors and thoroughly investigate the truth behind the disaster relief efforts of that year.

The Xingning *** Prefecture was suddenly thrust into the spotlight. If His Majesty hadn't sent the Leopard Guards to protect it, the victims would have already ransacked the place.

Xu Muxin was getting moldy staying in the mansion, so she stole a set of clothes from one of Xiao Zong's men, slipped out of the mansion, and went to wait for someone at the gate of the Censorate.

Sunset West Mountain.

Feng Quan bowed to his colleagues to say goodbye, then looked around for his own carriage.

"Whoa!"

A figure suddenly darted out from behind the mythical beast at the entrance and made a sound, startling him.

Just as he was about to call the squad leader, the man put down his folding fan, revealing a handsome face, and looked at him with a smile.

"It's me, Lord Feng!"

Feng Quan looked closely and asked in surprise, "County Princess?"

The Shuozhou case has caused a huge uproar, yet she still dares to go out. Isn't she afraid of retaliation from officials' relatives and friends? Or is she here to settle scores with him?

Feng Quan stretched out his hand to the side, "Princess, may I speak to you in private?"

Xu Muxin waved her fan and said, "We have nothing to hide, so let's say what we have to say right here!"

Feng Quan pursed his lips into a thin line, grabbed her sleeve, and dragged her away.

Why are you pulling me?!

Xu Muxin tapped his hand with her fan, and Feng Quan withdrew his hand, bowing to apologize.

"I failed in my considerations, causing the county magistrate to be caught in a public relations crisis. I hope the county magistrate will forgive me. However, *** has violated the law, and as an imperial censor, I have the duty to punish evil and uphold justice. I cannot apologize for this matter, nor will I apologize!"

Xu Muxin smiled nonchalantly, "What are you thinking, sir? You uphold justice and are not afraid of the powerful. You are a good official praised by all the people. I have come here to thank you, not to interrogate you!"

Feng Quan was stunned for a moment, then realized that it was her suggestion to go to Shuozhou, and suddenly he understood her intention.

"The county magistrate's act of putting aside her own family for the greater good is truly admirable!"

"No need for formalities. I've heard that His Majesty intends to promote you to Left Vice Censor-in-Chief. I'm giving you such a generous gift, so it wouldn't be too much for you to treat me to a meal, would it?"

Feng Quan's eyebrows twitched. He had just said he was coming to thank him, and now he was being asked to treat him to a meal?

"That's only right." He changed the subject, "However, I am penniless, and if I were to host the meal, I'm afraid it wouldn't suit the county magistrate's taste."

Xu Muxin's voice was cheerful, "I'm not picky, I love to eat everything!"

A quarter of an hour later.

Xu Muxin spat out the noodles in her mouth, "What is this? It tastes awful!"

"Mutton noodles, Your Highness, haven't you ever tried them?"

Shuozhou is known for its rice, and Feng Quan had been longing for it, so he ate rather quickly. However, he didn't abandon his manners and remained the same upright young man.

"I've eaten it, but it doesn't taste the same at all."

Xu Muxin put down her chopsticks, took a sip of tea to suppress the gamey smell of mutton, and looked at him while resting her head on her hand.

"Regarding the flood in Shuozhou, what decision did His Majesty make? Did he mention involving the Censorate?"

"I didn't say it."

After finishing his own meal, Feng Quan stared at her almost untouched bowl of noodles, hesitating whether to take it from her.

It is improper for men and women to share food from the same bowl; men and women should not touch each other. A virtuous person cultivates character through frugality; to stand idly by and watch others squander their wealth without offering any advice is inhuman!

Xu Muxin felt his intense gaze and turned her face away uncomfortably.

Why are you staring at me like that?

Feng Quan pointed to her bowl of noodles, "If the county magistrate really can't eat anymore, then give it to me."

Xu Muxin's breath hitched, she forced a smile, and poured the bowl of noodles into the mouth of a stray dog ​​by the roadside.

She threw down a silver ingot, smashed the bowl, and left. If she stayed any longer, she feared she might kill someone!

*

Xiao Zong guarded the *** mansion with utmost care, and to express his gratitude, the *** sent a physician from the Southern Frontier to the Xiao mansion to treat Granny Zhao's illness.

After Zhao Mama recovered, she asked Xiao Zong to go see Qin Shi, hoping that the mother and son could resolve their differences. However, Li Mama stirred up trouble, and Xiao Zong angrily expelled her from the mansion, which displeased Qin Shi.

The growing estrangement is like a crack in a mirror, ultimately difficult to repair.

His mother didn't love him, and his wife didn't care for him. There was no point in Xiao Zong going back, so he practically lived in the Leopard Guard.

Luo Mei started to worry again, pressing for details of what had happened so she could mediate.

Yuan Zhi kept quiet; she had more important things to do now, and she put all matters of love and romance out of her mind.

Yesterday, the maid she sent to monitor the King of Wu reported back that Li Rui was in contact with a merchant who spoke with a Tongzhou accent. The man was an iron prospector who currently ran two ironware workshops.

Tongzhou has many iron and gold mines, which has led to the emergence of many merchants who pan for iron and gold. These people have dealt with the government a lot, and they are all cunning. In order to avoid government interference, they will do anything, including bribery and flattery.

The King of Wu's confidant had previously served in the Salt and Iron Bureau, and Li Rui may have gotten to know this merchant from Tongzhou through this connection, thus searching for undeveloped iron mines for him.

The prince lives a life of luxury and has no shortage of money, so why would he secretly search for iron ore?

Suddenly, a thought slowly sprouted in Yuan Zhi's mind—

Li Rui is plotting a rebellion!

Yuan Zhi curled her lips. She was worried that she wouldn't have a chance to deal with him, but she didn't expect him to seek his own death. Then he shouldn't blame her for being ruthless!

On the fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, the opportunity that Yuan Zhi had been looking forward to finally arrived.

Joyous news arrived from the palace: Consort Zheng was pregnant and promoted to the rank of Imperial Concubine. His Majesty granted a general amnesty and announced that a banquet would be held in the palace and outside the imperial city in three days to celebrate with all the people.

King Li Rui of Wu was also on the list of those to be pardoned.

Therefore, she must attend this banquet!

Fortunately, His Majesty had ordered that officials bring their wives to the event, so even if Xiao Zong was unwilling, he had to bring her along.

The night before the banquet, Xiao Zong asked Dou Zhao to inform him of the departure time and the things to pay attention to when entering the palace.

Yuan Zhi knew more about palace affairs than Xiao Zong, so he didn't need to remind her.

She got up early to dress and boarded the carriage before the appointed time. Just a moment ago she was feeling smug, but when she saw the cold-faced scoundrel inside the carriage, her smile vanished instantly.

"I'm not late, you're the one who's early."

Xiao Zong glanced at her, said nothing, and knocked on the side of the carriage to signal the driver that they could set off.

The two alighted from their carriage at the palace gate, three people apart, yet their steps remained perfectly synchronized.

Yuan Zhi gazed at the long corridor, inwardly cursing herself for being too confident; all that talk about "the palace being her domain" was a lie.

She had only ever walked around the inner palace before, and had never realized that the distance from the palace gate to Fengnian Palace was so far!

Her legs were sore and tired. Seeing Xiao Zong walking forward on his own, she was angry but could not vent her anger, so she could only hurry after him.

"Xiao Zong, Xiao Congyun, my husband!"

After shouting the last time, he turned around and asked, "What is it?"

"Could you slow down a bit? I can't walk anymore."

Xiao Zong sighed and stopped there. "This is the palace. Don't expect me to carry you. Walk over here yourself."

Yuan Zhi glanced at him sideways, "I didn't say you had to carry me!"

She jogged a few steps to his side and said, "Let's go."

This time, Xiao Zong slowed down and almost walked alongside her, glancing at Yuan Zhi from time to time to see if she was keeping up.

Upon reaching the end of the passageway, a palace maid with a face as round as a silver plate approached, knelt down, and bowed, saying:

"Lord Xiao, the Empress Dowager requests that your wife go to Huayan Palace."