After being demoted, my 300,000-strong army trampled the imperial city!

"Sun Chengzong acted quite quickly. What is the reaction of the princes?" Chen Futu asked the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The latter replied, "No princes have been affected yet, but they are in the shadows. They are providing the rebel kings with food and weapons."

"What about the imperial court?"

"The new emperor was extremely satisfied with Sun Chengzong's offensive, but there were rumors circulating about him that he had asked the court for a large amount of grain and military equipment and was suspected of holding military power for himself. The new emperor ignored the rumors and sent the military equipment and grain to Sun Chengzong."

After the Imperial Guard finished speaking, Zhuge Liang, who was standing to the side, laughed: "Your Majesty, Sun Chengzong's death is imminent."

Chen Futu sighed, "Yes, if I'm not mistaken, someone will be sabotaging him from the shadows. He has no chance of winning. The new emperor has too high expectations for him. The slightest mistake will lead to utter ruin."

The vortex of the imperial court was ever-present, and no matter how capable Sun Chengzong was, he could not outmaneuver those treacherous officials who only knew how to scheme and plot.

Moreover, with Liang Xuan'er acting as a spy and sabotaging him, plus the group of treacherous officials left behind by Liu Longyue causing trouble, if they join forces and do something, they'll be enough to give Sun Chengzong a hard time.

After the Embroidered Uniform Guard left, Zhuge Liang said, "If Sun Chengzong is defeated, he will surely be implicated by the court officials. Given his temperament, it is still uncertain whether he will return to the court."

Chen Futu scoffed, "What if the new emperor issues twelve imperial edicts summoning him back?"

"Liang, let's wait and see."

While Chen Futu and Zhuge Liang were talking, Yu Qian hurriedly arrived. "Your Majesty, the strategist has led the delegation past Fushui Pass. It is said that the Northern Wu army is coming to meet them. General Luo Qingshan of Fushui Pass asked whether to send troops to accompany them and protect the strategist's safety."

"No need. With An Jingsi and Qi Wen there, a mere group of cavalry can't do anything to the strategist. Since he dares to go, he's absolutely confident that he can cooperate with the princess to seize power in Beiwu."

Chen Futu had great confidence in Zhang Liang. As a strategist, how could he easily put himself in danger?

Days passed by, and since the last time the people were taken in, Longcheng had put a lot of effort into resettling them. Fortunately, Chen Futu had arranged for the Ministry of Commerce to deal with the situation, and provided a large number of new goods from the workshops to the merchants, who then distributed them to various countries to reap the wealth.

Most caravans traveled the Western Regions route, which was maintained by Zhao Xier and the Mohist school. They had already opened up roads leading deep into the Western Regions, which could be considered a new Silk Road.

It's a pity that northern Xinjiang doesn't have a coastline, otherwise they could open up the sea to operate businesses elsewhere.

Shipbuilding needs to be put on the agenda; we'll need it sooner or later. Hopefully, the system will provide the blueprints for a treasure ship.

In addition, Li Xiuning's pregnancy could no longer be concealed. After Chen Futu's affairs at the royal court came to a temporary end, he took some time to visit Pingkangfang.

As a result, the old lady had arranged for her personal maid to take care of her, which resulted in her becoming fat.

When Chen Futu entered the house, he almost doubted that he had entered the wrong house. He confirmed several times that the fat man was indeed Li Xiuning.

"Ah Ning, what happened to your figure..."

Chen Futu stared wide-eyed at the woman who had crashed into his arms.

Li Xiuning frowned and said, "Husband, it's only been a short time since we last met, and you don't recognize your wife anymore?"

"No, let me have a moment."

Chen Futu seriously suspected that his mother had raised her like a pig, or that she had over-nourished her, causing her figure to become completely out of shape.

“If you say that again, my husband, I’ll get angry.”

Li Xiuning waved her fist in annoyance.

Chen Futu chuckled and grabbed her still slender hand. "Don't be angry, my wife. I was just joking with you."

"Don't worry, my husband. I'll go lead troops after giving birth, and I'll be able to lose weight in no time."

Li Xiuning understood Chen Futu's preferences all too well. The common people all said that a fair-skinned, plump, and strong person was easy to raise, but Chen Futu preferred thin people. Of course, not actually thin, but thin in the right places and plump in the right places. To put it bluntly, he was just an old lecher who only cared about having a good figure.

The No. 1 residence now has the warmth of home, and it will be even more cozy after the child is born.

Chen Futu had planned to stay at the villa with Li Xiuning during his few days of rest, but news came from the inner palace that Mo Lan had fallen seriously ill and the royal physicians had not been able to help her.

Chen Futu had a slight headache. Li Xiuning teased, "Anyway, you brought people from the Western Regions, so you have to take responsibility to the end. Go on, I'll wait for you to come back at home."

Chen Futu had no choice but to go to the inner palace.

Mo Lan lay on the bed looking weak, with a sickly look around her eyes.

The physician reported, "Your Majesty, Consort Mo's condition is caused by excessive worry. Her illness will not improve unless her mental distress is addressed."

Heart disease?

Mo Lan's biggest worry was wanting a child to ensure the Mo family's continued wealth and prosperity.

She had previously conspired with Liu Longyue to harm Guan Xing, showing her cunning. If she were to become pregnant, she would be in a terrible mood.

"Your Majesty, I am feeling restless in my room and would like to go for a walk. Would Your Majesty have the time to keep me company?"

Mo Lan clutched the hem of her clothes tightly, her face full of pleading.

Chen Futu eventually softened his heart, so he ordered someone to help her change her clothes and take her out of the inner palace.

Sitting in the carriage, she leaned against the side and murmured, "Your Majesty, I have heard that Xiu Ning is pregnant at a young age?"

"That's right, you want to see her?" Chen Futu asked with a half-smile.

"Is it permissible? Xiu Ning and I live under the same roof, yet we rarely see each other. I wish to get closer to Xiu Ning and hope Your Majesty will allow it."

"Okay, let's go meet them then."

Chen Futu readily agreed.

The die is cast. Li Xiuning is pregnant with either her eldest son or daughter, and the only legitimate son can be Qin Liangyu's. No matter how hard Mo Lan tries, there's nothing she can do. It's better to let her see for herself so she can give up on the idea sooner.

The carriage arrived at No. 1 villa shortly after.

Looking at the warm atmosphere of her home, Mo Lan clenched her sleeves tightly, her knuckles turning white.

Li Xiuning came out to greet them, rubbing her stomach. When she saw Mo Lan, she called out "Sister" with a smile.

Mo Lan stared at her in shock, "Xiu Ning, what's wrong with you...?"

Li Xiuning has gained a significant amount of weight since the last Chinese New Year; she's almost unrecognizable if you don't look closely.

Chen Futu offered a helpless explanation, and Mo Lan exclaimed in surprise, "Madam, isn't this a bit too much?"

"There's no other way, my mother is just waiting to hold her grandson. Xiuning is a precious treasure in her eyes now."

Chen Futu was not exaggerating at all. The kitchen was piled with many precious medicinal herbs, all of which were old and valuable. It seemed like they were trying to fatten Li Xiuning up like a ball.

If Qin Liangyu were here, she would probably be terrified. If she were pregnant, the old lady would probably fatten her up even more.

"A-Ning, don't tire yourself out. Let me help you to rest."

Mo Lan warmly stepped forward and helped Li Xiuning up.

Chen Futu hesitated for a moment, suppressing the urge to reprimand her. He figured she wouldn't dare do anything to Li Xiuning under his watchful eye, especially since Ake was lurking in the shadows and would intervene immediately if anything went wrong.

Next, Chen Futu sat there pretending to doze off, watching Mo Lan and Li Xiuning chat through her half-closed eyes. She spoke politely and even gave Li Xiuning a jade bracelet as a gift, which seemed to be an attempt to curry favor.

Chen Futu understood her idea: he wanted to persuade Li Xiuning to have a child so that she could settle down in the northern frontier.