Marrying the Crown Prince

The Yongjing Marquis's residence was ordered to pay a fine equal to three times the amount of the benefits received, and its rank was further reduced by one grade.

However, considering his good attitude in admitting his mistake and the many ministers who pleaded for him, the demotion was temporarily suspended.

The people are pleading for leniency not for any other reason than that too many people have been involved this time. Pleading for leniency for the Yongjing Marquis's mansion now is also pleading for leniency for their future selves.

Upon their release from prison, the first thing Zhou Laoda and Zhou Laowu did was to listen to their elderly parents and submit their resignations.

This was somewhat unexpected for Emperor Chenze. In his view, the matter was over, so why was there a follow-up?

He looked at the memorial and hesitated. If he really agreed, then the Crown Prince's father-in-law would be a commoner. Would that make sense?

However, the fact that the resignation letter appeared before him so quickly suggests that Li Ziyan must have played a part, so he agreed to it.

Forget it, he's already agreed, so why should I worry about it?

It is said that all the officials in the Yongjing Marquis's household have been stripped of their official positions, and the court officials all look at them with sympathy.

Of course, this gaze didn't last long before it turned into silence.

Li Ziyan, in league with the Prefect of Jingzhao, frankly stated that he possessed substantial evidence and demanded that everyone surrender themselves, pay their fines, and be forgiven. Otherwise, the Ministry of Justice would come knocking, and things would not be so easy to negotiate.

Of course, the Yongjing Marquis's family paid three times the fine, while they paid five times.

As a result, the national treasury became much fuller.

The Ministry of Revenue was delighted for several days: "Not bad, not bad at all. So much tax has been collected before the autumn harvest."

As for the Jingzhao Prefecture, they were busy dealing with this matter alongside the officials of the Eastern Palace, and were so busy that they were dizzy and overwhelmed.

The ministers gritted their teeth: Good heavens, you still say you're not part of the Crown Prince's faction!

The Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture: "..."

Forget it, the Crown Prince's faction it is.

On the same day, inside the Changxin Hall of the Eastern Palace, Zhou Zhou looked at the young woman before him, waved his hand, and the other palace maids in the hall quietly withdrew.

"Gentlemen, I suppose you all know my identity, so I won't hide it anymore. I've called you here today to give you two paths to choose from."

"Since ancient times, the world has used all sorts of rules and regulations to restrict women, saying that women should do this and that, which is really absurd!"

"In my opinion, a woman can be a virtuous wife and loving mother, managing the household affairs, or she can be a valiant and heroic woman, fighting on the battlefield."

But the world does not agree.

"So, this first path is to accompany me to the high mountains and steep ridges, to overlook the most beautiful scenery in the world."

At this point, Zhou Zhou paused, glanced indifferently at the women below with their varied expressions, and then continued—

"And the other way is..."

She raised her hand, and Jufang and Sizhu appeared carrying trays.

"This is twenty taels of silver and a household registration certificate that has already been stamped."

"Those who do not wish to follow me can take these twenty taels and household registration, find a quiet place, and live out the rest of their lives in peace."

To be honest, you can't be a good person without some money.

The women looked at each other, unsure of what decision to make.

Fortunately, one girl was bold enough to ask the question that everyone wanted to know: "You just said that everything in the world is unfair to women, and that you want to lead us to the high mountains, but Your Majesty, you didn't say how you would lead us. How are we supposed to choose?"

This is an excellent question.

Zhou Zhou nodded in reply, "In this world, there are only two kinds of people who have a voice."

"The first type is those who have the right."

"However, power and politics are inextricably linked. The fact that women cannot participate in the imperial examinations fundamentally shows that this path is currently impassable for us."

However, Zhou Zhou believes that this will eventually become a reality someday in the future.

She smiled and said, "The second one is being rich."

"Not the so-called tens or hundreds of taels, but real money, the kind of money that can rival a country."

At this point, Zhou Zhou stopped talking and instead threw the question back at him, "So, what's your decision?"

“I think it’s not easy to live a peaceful and stable life, and that is a blessing in life.” Soon, the woman who asked the question first spoke again, “However, I think it’s meaningless to live a life that follows the rules and regulations.”

"Therefore, I choose to follow Your Majesty."

Once one person makes a quick decision, the others will follow suit and speed things up. Soon, everyone has chosen their future path.

Of the thirteen people, five chose to follow Zhou Zhou, while the rest chose to leave with the silver and household registration certificates.

Zhou Zhou didn't make things difficult for them. He looked at Ju Fang and said, "Give the things to them and take them out to find Dong He. She will make the arrangements."

"Yes."

Jufang left, leaving only the five people who were willing to stay, along with Sizhu, inside the room.

"Go and fetch the things."

"Yes."

Soon, Sizhu returned with a map.

Zhou Zhou took the map and unfolded it. "Trading around, you won't make much money just by wandering around Kyoto."

"So, my idea is to go here."

On a long journey to the Western Regions, agate and jade from the Western Regions are rare and precious items.

As for how to get there, Zhou Zhou did not intend to let them go on their own. After all, the journey was long and fraught with danger, and no one could predict what might happen.

"But the farthest place we've ever been is only a dozen or twenty miles."

"Moreover, we did not engage in business."

Zhou Zhou nodded; she had considered all of these issues.

"The road is ultimately a journey, but you won't be the ones to walk it on your own."

"Before long, our dynasty will open a road directly to the Western Regions. At that time, not only will there be caravans from all over the world, but also soldiers guarding the frontier will travel with you."

"As for the second question, it's even simpler. No one is born knowing everything."

"If you are willing, I will have someone teach you. If you learn well, you will become the head manager in the future; if you learn only so-so, I will still arrange a good place for you."

"In short, I won't let you waste your time."

At this point, Zhou Zhou paused, "Of course, if you want to withdraw now and get those twenty taels of silver, that's also possible."

Zhou Zhou was well aware of how difficult and dangerous this road was.

Therefore, Zhou Zhou understood whichever option they chose.

Of course, if a suitable candidate isn't found this time, and you ask Zhou Zhou if she'll be disappointed, to be honest, she will.

But that doesn't mean she'll give up!

Thinking about this, two of the five of them chose to give up because of this uncertain future.

Therefore, three remained in the end.

Zhou Zhou raised his eyebrows, extremely satisfied with the result.

After all, she had already prepared herself for the fact that none of them would be left behind.

Time flows like water, leaves fall and flutter, and three years have passed in the blink of an eye.

So much has happened in these three years, yet it seems like nothing has happened at all.

Zhou Zhou threw the letter sent from outside the palace into the charcoal brazier. Soon, the scalding charcoal fire ignited the paper, and in a short while, it burned down to only a light ash.