The beautiful woman in the quick transmigration novel has been targeted by the male lead again.

The current emperor is truly lacking in the ability to govern the country. Discontent is rising among the people in the south, and the rebellion is growing stronger. Chang Ning has also heard about it in the Marquis's residence.

After a night of passionate lovemaking, the two lay on the bed, sweaty and tender, when Shen Yanzheng finally brought up the topic.

He stroked her bare back and said, "There are refugees causing trouble in the south. I will be leaving the day after tomorrow to quell the rebellion. While I am away from the capital, you should stay in the Marquis's residence and not go out until I return, understand?"

Chang Ning rested her head on his arm, her face pressed against his chest: "I know, be careful."

Shen Yanzheng held her hand. "Don't worry, nothing will happen."

"Oh."

Chang Ning thought that once he returned victorious, he would probably become the emperor's son-in-law. She wondered what she should do then, and thought it best to make plans early.

Shen Yanzheng felt a dampness on his chest. He looked down and found that the person in his arms was silently shedding tears again. He sighed, "How can she be so delicate!"

"Sweetheart, why are you crying again?"

Shen Yanzheng kissed her eyes and sucked away her tears, "I'll be back in less than two months, and then..."

Changing her identity and marrying her isn't out of the question.

She's given herself to him, and he's reached the age to get married. She's so delicate and prone to crying; she'd rather stay with him than not feel at ease.

The next day, Shen Yanzheng and his subordinates and staff held a meeting in his study.

Suddenly someone came to report that Princess Chang Le had arrived!

The current dynasty is not overly harsh on women, and it is common for princesses to travel outside. Not to mention that Princess Chang Le is deeply favored by the current emperor and acts quite arrogantly.

Before long, a richly dressed woman appeared, followed by maids and servants. After everyone bowed, Shen Yanzheng spoke first: "May I ask what brings the princess here?"

Princess Chang Le was strikingly beautiful, with haughty eyes. She slightly raised her chin and asked, "What, can't I come here if I have nothing to do?"

Shen Yanzheng said he dared not, "Please come and sit in the hall, Your Highness."

Princess Chang Le snorted, "Right here, what are you talking about? Let me hear it too!"

"No!"

An aide intervened, saying, "This is the Marquis's study, a place of great importance. How can the princess enter?"

"Be bold!"

Princess Chang Le raised an eyebrow and said, "I am the sovereign, and you are my subjects. What is there that I cannot enter a small study?"

A group of people bowed and said, "Princess, please atone!"

However, he made no mention of letting the princess into the study.

Chang Le didn't bother to argue. "Alright, I've only come to say that you don't need to worry about logistical support for this trip south."

She looked at Shen Yanzheng, who stood out the most among the group of men. She rarely showed a hint of girlish charm: "General Shen, don't forget, when you return to the capital in triumph, it will be our wedding."

"Farewell, Princess."

After Chang Le left, the study became quiet for a while.

A military officer slammed his fist on the table: "There are uprisings in many parts of the south, and enemy countries are eyeing the border with covetous intent. Even at this point, the court is still using food and logistics to coerce the general!"

"The royal family is so incompetent, why should we still be loyal? Why not take advantage of this..."

"shut up!"

Shen Yanzheng interrupted his treasonous words, glanced at everyone present, sat back down and slowly took a sip of tea, "We are fortunate to have the Emperor's grace to enter the court as officials and generals, and to live off the Emperor's bounty. Naturally, we are concerned about the Emperor's loyalty. It's just a small group of peasants causing trouble. Why is it like this?"

On the other side, two maids hurriedly headed towards Huai Ren Hall early in the morning.

The old lady, dressed in plain clothes, was copying scriptures. After hearing the reply, she stopped and asked, "Is this true?"

The maidservant lowered her voice and said, "It's absolutely true! We two servants saw it with our own eyes. This morning at three-quarters past dawn, a man left the Second Madam's courtyard!"

It was still dark, and the man was walking fast, so I didn't see who he was.

"Good! Very good!"

The old lady slammed down her brush, instantly ruining the newly copied scriptures with ink. She sneered, "As expected of a shameless, lowly woman from the countryside!"

Her son was cursed to death, and she, living in the Marquis's mansion, still dares to have an affair. She has absolutely no shame, what a shameless woman!

"Go now, without alerting anyone. I want to see if she's really dying. If not—"

The old lady sneered, "I'll personally send her on her way!"

The messenger returned quickly and said that the second mistress had a rosy complexion and showed no signs of illness.

"Bitch!"

The old lady slammed her hand on the table: "Go and get her right now..."

"No!" she suddenly changed her mind. "Let's wait until the Marquis leaves the capital tomorrow before we make our move. Let's see who can save her this time!"

Because Shen Yanzheng was about to go to war, Tongchun and Tongxia told her that they had to go back to help and that they wouldn't be around for the next few days.

So Changning was practically carried to Huai Renchang!

Lately, I've been thinking about Shen Yanzheng's expedition, and I almost forgot that there's an old lady watching me like a hawk.

Chang Ning had a vague sense of foreboding, but there was no way to escape; there were people all around her!

Upon arriving at Huai Ren Hall, the old lady sat in the main seat drinking tea and casually invited Chang Ning to sit as well. Her attitude seemed very peaceful, and Chang Ning breathed a slight sigh of relief. "Old Madam, may I ask what brings you here?"

The old lady said, "I heard you were sick some time ago. Are you much better now?"

That illness was faked; I wonder if they noticed anything amiss.

Chang Ning nodded anxiously, "It's all better now, thank you for your concern, Madam."

The old lady slammed her teacup down: "You wretch, how dare you deceive me! Give her thirty lashes first!"

Her sudden change of expression startled Chang Ning. She sprang to her feet, her mind racing, and before she could even think, she had already dashed away!

The old lady roared, "What are you standing there for? Grab her!"

They are indeed despicable people, and especially hateful!

A group of people surrounded her. Chang Ning had never been so agile before. She lifted her skirt and ran very fast!

Following his memory, he ran back to his small courtyard, only realizing after closing the door that he was courting death.

But it was too late now. People were already banging on the door, urging her not to put up any more futile resistance. Chang Ning was furious. Who could bravely face death? She certainly couldn't!

Seeing that the door was about to collapse, she used everything she could move from the house to block the doorway and locked all the windows.

Not all the servants knew the truth. They remembered the Marquis's words and treated her as the second wife, so they didn't dare to actually break down the door. The old lady's confidantes were all women, so they really couldn't do anything to her for the time being.

Upon receiving the news, the old lady sneered, "Fine, then have everyone stand guard outside. Let's see how long she can stay inside!"

From morning till night, the only thing in the room was half a pot of tea that had gone cold the night before. Chang Ning huddled in a corner, feeling that she couldn't escape this time, as there were people coming from all directions outside.

She was so hungry she was dizzy, and all she could think about was Shen Yanzheng; she had no idea where he was.

He was indeed boasting without thinking, even saying that he would protect her in the Marquis's mansion.

She's really going to die this time.