Quick transmigration to punish scumbags, have a child to inherit everything from them

"Yes, I will go now. You rest for now. If you need anything, just tell Xiao Fuzi."

Chu Tianling spoke softly to Liang Qiuli, then, hearing thunder outside, worried that Ning'er would get wet in the rain, he quickly followed.

Liang Qiuli sat by the window, watching Chu Tianling's figure disappear completely, when suddenly it started to rain heavily outside.

These two wanted to pray for blessings, but they probably got soaked to the bone.

A faint smile appeared on her lips, which caught the eye of Chu Xuanming, who was walking towards the side room.

Chu Xuanming's heart raced involuntarily, and he paused slightly. He hadn't expected that they would meet again so soon.

Liang Qiuli noticed someone was watching her and looked in Chu Xuanming's direction. The moment their eyes met, she was once again attracted by his handsome face, and her heart couldn't help but tremble slightly.

She caught a glimpse of Xiao Fuzi beside her out of the corner of her eye and quickly snapped back to reality.

We must not let the regent know her identity for now; it would be bad if we scared him away.

"Little Fuzi, I'm hungry. Go and get me some food."

Liang Qiuli instructed him to take the opportunity to exit through another door, avoiding Chu Xuanming's line of sight.

After watching Xiao Fuzi leave, Liang Qiuli turned her gaze back and spoke slightly to Chu Xuanming, who was still looking at her.

"Young master, this is the second time we've met today. It seems we're destined to meet. Would you do me the honor of sharing some tea with me?"

Liang Qiuli spoke in a calm tone, but her eyes were full of undisguised admiration for him. This did not make Chu Xuanming feel disgusted, but rather made him feel a little happy.

"it is good."

Chu Xuanming was not an inexperienced young man who had never seen the world. Even the emperor's occasional traps and traps could be dealt with calmly by him.

But at this moment, facing the woman's invitation, he felt an unusual tension.

He coughed lightly, dismissing the young master who had been guiding him, and then stepped into the room where Liang Qiuli was.

Apart from a small tea table by the window where Liang Qiuli was sitting, with a set of not-so-exquisite tea utensils on it, there were no other decorations in the room, suggesting that Liang Qiuli was only staying there temporarily because of the rain or other reasons.

As Chu Xuanming entered the room, his gaze involuntarily fell on Liang Qiuli.

Her clothes were exactly the same as when they first met, but he felt that Liang Qiuli was more attractive to him now, and he wanted to take her straight back to the Regent's Palace.

"Sit down and have some tea."

Liang Qiuli gently raised her hand, gesturing for Chu Xuanming to sit down. As soon as he sat down, she made a startling statement, "Your appearance has captivated me, but I am already married, and I am afraid we are not meant to be."

Liang Qiuli didn't intend to use the same methods she used to seduce Chu Tianling on Chu Xuanming, so she spoke casually, her eyes filled with a mix of amusement and sincerity.

Chu Xuanming had already guessed this, but he was slightly surprised that Liang Qiuli would say it so directly. However, he liked her straightforwardness and honesty even more.

What he should have said as a polite refusal turned into, "If you want, I can take you away."

Upon hearing this, Liang Qiuli smiled gently, a smile as alluring as a newly blossoming peach blossom.

“I understand your intentions, young master. If you knew my identity, you probably wouldn’t have said such things. We are destined to meet but not to be together.”

As Liang Qiuli finished speaking, Chu Xuanming wanted to ask more questions, but then a series of footsteps approached from another door in the side room.

He looked over and saw Xiao Fuzi carrying a pastry, walking steadily towards him.

He instantly recognized the man as the eunuch serving Chu Tianling.

So who is this woman?

Chu Tianling turned his gaze back to Liang Qiuli, his mind filled with doubts.

"Your Highness, Xiao Fuzi is coming back soon, you should leave quickly. As for what I just said, just take it as a joke."

Liang Qiuli directly exposed Chu Xuanming's identity. Under his questioning gaze, she got up from the couch and pushed him out of the room from the other side.

Then she closed the door very casually and quickly sat back down on the tatami. It was only because her ankle injury wasn't serious that she was in pain; otherwise, after doing all that, she would probably have been grimacing in pain.

Liang Qiuli secretly calculated that everything was under her control, and that she would definitely go back to investigate her identity after Chu Xuanming left.

Now, if he comes looking for her again, everything will unfold as she wants.

If they don't come, that's fine too. We can just focus our efforts on Chu Tianling.

Chu Xuanming, who was locked out of the door, was initially stunned, but then realized that she already knew his identity and was even using him.

For the first time ever, Chu Xuanming didn't feel disgusted; instead, he found it novel. Even though this woman might be one of Chu Tianling's concubines, he still developed a strong interest in her.

After leaving the vicinity of the room, he gave instructions to Xuanfeng, who had been secretly following him.

"Go and check, this person is one of Chu Tianling's concubines in his harem, how interesting."

Xuanfeng had some doubts, but dared not ask any more questions, and then accepted the order and left.

As for Liang Qiuli, she ate the snacks that Xiao Fuzi brought her, watching the rain outside. After the rain stopped, Chu Tianling sent someone to tell her that it was time to return to the palace and that she should wait in the carriage outside the temple.

Liang Qiuli nodded obediently without asking any further questions. After waiting in the carriage for a while, Chu Tianling finally got into the carriage with Jiang Shuning.

Judging from their clothes, they had obviously changed into new ones. However, Jiang Shuning still seemed angry with Chu Tianling, but Chu Tianling was not annoyed and just gently coaxed her.

Liang Qiuli turned her head away and stopped looking at them. Not long after, the carriage entered the palace and stopped in front of Yong'an Palace, where Liang Qiuli lived.

"Ning'er, there is a grand court assembly tomorrow, so I will stay at Zichen Palace. You should rest early and not be angry with me anymore."

Chu Tianling said softly to Jiang Shuning.

"Your Majesty, please go about your business. Don't worry about me."

Jiang Shuning's tone was somewhat defiant, but she thoroughly enjoyed Chu Tianling's concern. She even glanced smugly at Liang Qiuli, who hadn't said a word, as if showing off Chu Tianling's special treatment of her.

Liang Qiuli just wanted to go back to her own palace and lie down, and had no intention of getting involved, but Jiang Shuning didn't want to let her go, so she wouldn't have an easy time either.

"Your Majesty need not worry. With your favorite concubine here, my sister will not be bullied. Even if someone is tactless and causes trouble for my sister, I will stand in front of her to protect her."

Chu Tianling only looked at Liang Qiuli properly when she spoke. Seeing her forcing a smile as she spoke, he said with a complicated expression.

"Yes, you don't need to be afraid of those people. Just know that I'm protecting you and they can't touch you."

However, he himself did not believe that they would not dare to bully Liang Qiuli, so he dared not go to see her again.

But Jiang Shuning seemed to have taken it to heart.

Chu Tianling clearly has the ability to protect her, so why did he find Liang Qiuli to be her scapegoat?

Jiang Shuning secretly pondered that she would find an opportunity to openly show her favoritism.

She was the only favored concubine in the harem, so she could do whatever she wanted with Liang Qiuli.

The three had different thoughts, and in the end, they parted ways, citing Chu Tianling's need to return to Zichen Palace to handle government affairs.

……

The next day, there will be a meeting.

"We've discussed everything," said Eunuch Sun, standing beside Chu Tianling.

"When there is something to do, we will start to act, but when there is nothing to do, we will retreat."

"I have a starting point."

A Ministry of War official, who was standing slightly behind the assembled officials, stepped forward.

Chu Tianling looked expectantly at the official he had arranged. Everything was proceeding as he had planned. Even if his uncle was unwilling, the northern expedition would have to be put on the agenda.

At worst, he would personally lead the army.

The man, holding a tablet, bowed first to Chu Tianling, who sat at the head of the table, then to Regent Chu Xuanming, before beginning his report.

"Your Majesty, Regent, I have important matters to report."

In recent years, the Xiongnu in the north have been restless and have repeatedly invaded. I believe that we should immediately begin preparations for a northern expedition to secure the border and enhance our national prestige.

"As long as Your Majesty grants permission, I will immediately begin mobilizing troops and preparing provisions to ensure a swift victory over the Xiongnu and restore peace to the people of my northern border."

Upon hearing this, the court fell silent. Everyone knew that the emperor had long desired to launch a northern expedition, but the regent had always advocated for peace talks, believing that the nation's strength needed to be restored and that it was not advisable to start a war lightly.

Sitting on the dragon throne, Chu Tianling almost shouted that he agreed to the northern expedition.

Fortunately, he managed to restrain his impulse and glanced at the regent, who was sitting on the throne to his left, only half a step shorter than him.

He then turned to look at the Grand Tutor, a civil official standing to the side, his eyes revealing a hint of anticipation.

He had already reached an agreement with Minister Jiang and the Grand Tutor: as long as they led the civil officials to agree, the Regent would have nothing to say.

Chu Xuanming was still dressed in a black brocade robe and a jade crown. His face was cold and stern. He tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest and looked at the Grand Tutor below him, as if he was thinking about something.

Just as Chu Tianling thought that the Grand Tutor and Minister Jiang had changed their minds, Minister Jiang suddenly took half a step to the right, clasped his hands together, and spoke in a loud voice.

"Your Majesty, I believe that the northern expedition concerns the safety of tens of thousands of people in the Great Chu, and is related to..."

Seeing that Minister Jiang had spoken, Chu Tianling breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the Grand Tutor had not changed his mind.

If he wins a great victory in the northern expedition, he will gain the people's approval, and the regent should return power to him.

He was looking for an opportunity to have the elderly Grand Tutor retire and return to his hometown, so that there would be no one in the court who could restrain him.

She wanted to make Ning'er her empress, and no one could stop her.

Thinking of this, Chu Tianling's lips curled into an imperceptible smile, but Minister Jiang's last words made him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

"...But the Xiongnu in the north are brave and skilled in battle, and cannot be defeated in a short time. I fear that the national treasury is short of funds and will be unable to support a prolonged war."

"This old minister agrees with Minister Jiang's words regarding the plan for the northern expedition, but caution is required."

The Grand Tutor's voice slowly rang out, and Chu Tianling's idea of ​​launching a northern expedition was shattered once again.

Chu Tianling almost lost control of his expression; his clenched fist trembled slightly.

Chu Xuanming watched this amusing scene with amusement in his heart.

His nephew is still too young.

He really thought that the two old foxes, Grand Tutor and Minister Jiang, would help him.

"Now is indeed not the most opportune time for a northern expedition, but Minister Jiang said that the national treasury is empty. Shouldn't you, as the Minister of Revenue, give an explanation to me and the Emperor?"

Chu Xuanming had been searching for evidence that the Jiang family and the Grand Tutor's Mansion had embezzled from the national treasury. Now that they had revealed a flaw, he naturally wouldn't let go of it.

Minister Jiang originally thought that as long as his faction disagreed with the northern expedition and went along with the Regent's wishes, the Regent would not hold them back.

Unexpectedly, the regent persisted, directly steering the conversation toward the empty treasury.

Chu Xuanming's gaze was sharp as an eagle's; he clearly wouldn't let Minister Jiang off easily. His eyes were fixed on the man before him.

"I remember that last autumn was a bumper harvest, and taxes should have been plentiful, so why is the national treasury empty!"

Minister Jiang's face turned pale, unsure of how to respond. At this moment, the Grand Tutor stepped forward with composure and spoke in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty and the Regent, the year before last we repaired water conservancy projects and built city defenses. Although last year we had a bumper harvest, the national treasury was only able to make up for the deficit of the year before last."

If the Regent doesn't believe it, he can send someone to the Ministry of Revenue to check the accounts.

Chu Xuanming did not intend to make Minister Jiang and the Grand Tutor fully explain the empty treasury today. He only wanted Chu Tianling to know that these two were not entirely loyal to him or the Great Chu.

This can be seen as the last chance he was given out of respect for his elder brother.

Don't blame him for being heartless.

As for the northern expedition, he had already made plans.

The old king of the Xiongnu in the north is nearing the end of his life, while his princes are in the midst of fierce infighting. The best time to send troops is after they have fought to the death.

Sending troops now will only unite them in resisting the Great Chu.

"Your Highness, the Grand Tutor and Minister Jiang are both veteran officials in the court. Your decision to immediately investigate the Ministry of Revenue's accounts is disheartening."

Although the Grand Tutor and Minister Jiang did not support him, Chu Tianling did not want them to support Chu Xuanming, so he chose to protect them.

Chu Xuanming didn't say anything more, but just shook his head to himself.

It's pointless. I'd rather go chat with Liang Qiuli later; that might cheer him up.

The morning court session ended in this delicate atmosphere.

After the court session ended, Chu Tianling kept Minister Jiang and the Grand Tutor behind for a private meeting in the Zichen Palace.

Although he was unhappy, he still asked politely.

"Grand Tutor, Minister Jiang, why have you changed your mind about the previous agreement?"

Minister Jiang glanced at his father-in-law, sighed at Chu Tianling, and slowly spoke.

“Your Majesty, the national treasury is indeed empty. However, if my daughter in the harem can win Your Majesty’s favor, your minister and the Grand Tutor will do their utmost to raise funds for Your Majesty’s army.”

Chu Tianling raised an eyebrow and instantly understood what Minister Jiang meant.

It seems that Consort Jiang in the harem is unwilling to remain just a figurehead consort.

Perhaps their ambitions extend beyond simply favoring Consort Jiang; they also want her to bear an imperial heir and become empress.

"I understand. I still need to review the memorials. You may all leave now."

He's either being suppressed by Chu Xuanming or by the Jiang family. Is it really that difficult for him to take power?

Chu Tianling's expression immediately turned ugly.

"Your Majesty, we will take our leave."

Ignoring Chu Tianling's expression, Minister Jiang and the Grand Tutor bowed and left Zichen Palace.

……

After court, Chu Xuanming boarded a carriage to leave the palace, but he wasn't actually in the carriage. Instead, he quietly changed his clothes and went alone into the inner palace to find Liang Qiuli.