Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

"This is absurd! Using the Imperial Uncle's Unquenchable Flame to ask another enemy to deal with the enemy right in front of us."

"The Jin Dynasty is a wolf, but isn't the Northern Yan a tiger as well? How can one expect to have a good end when trying to get something from a tiger?"

"Such a simple truth, surely the Zhao Song family doesn't understand it?"

Jiang Mengxuan looked up at Shen Lang in disbelief, unable to understand what Zhao Ji of Song was thinking.

"How could I not know? It's just that compared to the current situation facing the Song state, Zhao Ji values ​​a more luxurious lifestyle."

The treasury was always running a deficit, yet money was needed in every aspect of the country. Crucially, Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) indulged in extravagant and unrestrained spending on his personal desires.

This pattern of top-down influence will only exacerbate the already large fiscal deficit in the Song Dynasty, ultimately leading to its complete collapse.

What will happen after the collapse?

"Need I say more? The fundamental reason for the rise and fall of dynasties throughout history is that they all began with financial collapse."

Jiang Mengxuan smiled: "Why haven't you mentioned any of this to me before, Ah Lang?"

Shen Lang: "You didn't ask either. Besides, although Great Chu also has a lot of problems, it's not nearly as serious as Song. It's not too late to start making amends now."

"Yes, I believe you." Jiang Mengxuan nestled gently into Shen Lang's arms again. "Ah Lang, this time you really won't think about running away again, right?"

The soft fragrance enveloped me, its subtle aroma intoxicating.

“I’m not running anymore. I’ve been running for so many years and I’m tired. Since you’re willing to believe in me, I will naturally choose to believe in you as well. Let’s just do what I feel like this once.”

"Ah."

Jiang Mengxuan closed her eyes, feeling incredibly happy at that moment.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests an audience."

The tender moment between the two lovers was interrupted by Qingwen's ambiguous laughter from outside the palace gate.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan reluctantly moved away from Shen Lang's embrace.

"Please invite the Empress Dowager."

"The slaves obey."

After Qingwen left, Jiang Mengxuan looked at Shen Lang with a bitter expression: "Ah Lang, you have no idea, while you were on the expedition, this woman was really making a ruckus."

Shen Lang asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

"You'll find out later."

Shen Lang immediately got up and sat down in the lower seat.

After Jiang Mengxuan finished tidying up her makeup, Ji Yuxi, supported by Rong Momo, entered Ningxi Palace.

"See Queen Mother."

"Meet the Queen Mother."

Jiang Mengxuan and Shen Lang stood up at the same time and bowed to Ji Yuxi.

Seeing Shen Lang there, Ji Yuxi couldn't help but snort: "I didn't expect that such a great hero of our Great Chu would be here. Should I offer you my congratulations to show my respect?"

Shen Lang smiled and replied calmly, "Your Majesty is too kind. Chang'an's return to the Great Chu territory..."

Firstly, it is thanks to His Majesty's skillful command; secondly, it is entirely due to the unity and concerted efforts of the Imperial Guards.

I was merely fulfilling my military duties; it doesn't involve any question of respect or disrespect.

If Her Majesty the Empress Dowager truly wishes to show respect, she might as well go and thank the soldiers who contributed to this victory.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuxi's face immediately darkened.

Rong Momo, who was standing nearby, immediately said sternly, "How dare you speak to the Empress Dowager like that?"

Don't think that just because you've achieved a few minor accomplishments, you can look down on everyone and become arrogant!

In the end, you are just a commoner. Who gave you the courage to flaunt your power in front of the Empress Dowager?

"Hurry up and kneel down to apologize to Her Majesty!"

"presumptuous!"

As soon as Rong Momo finished speaking, Jiang Mengxuan spoke first, coldly rebuking Shen Lang.

"What kind of status do you have, a mere servant, to dare to insult my subject like this?"

Shen Lang is now the Duke of Zhenguo of my Great Chu, you...

"This servant dares to be so disrespectful; she doesn't even know how many lives she has!"

Rong Momo was taken aback. Just as she was about to say something, the Empress's cold voice rang out again.

"Guards, drag this disrespectful and ill-mannered old servant out and give him sixty strokes of the cane!"

Upon hearing this, Rong Momo panicked immediately: "Oh dear, Your Majesty, this servant was only angry that Shen Lang spoke rudely to the Empress!"

"It wasn't intentional, please forgive me this time."

However, Jiang Mengxuan simply flicked her sleeves, her attitude resolute.

Just then, two palace guards entered Ningxi Palace, looking like they were about to take Rong Momo away.

This scene filled Rong Momo with terror, and she broke out in a cold sweat.

The next moment, she knelt directly at Ji Yuxi's feet.

"Your Majesty, you must save this servant! I have served you for so many years, and even if I have not done anything meritorious, I have certainly worked hard for you."

Ji Yuxi was completely out of sorts until Rong Momo begged her to stop, at which point she finally came to her senses.

"My son, although this old servant misspoke, it was for my sake. Please remember her loyalty and devotion."

"Given her advanced age, let's spare her this time. If she were to receive forty strokes of the cane, would she even survive?"

Jiang Mengxuan, however, was adamant: "Mother, you should know the rules of the palace better than I do."

How dare a mere old servant speak so disrespectfully to the Duke of Zhenguo, and in front of me no less! If he is not punished today...

From now on, the roles of master and servant in this palace will likely be reversed, and anyone will be able to bully me.

Upon hearing this, Rong Momo hurriedly kowtowed repeatedly: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, spare my life! This servant did not know that the man before me is the Duke of Zhenguo!"

If I had known, I wouldn't have dared to speak like that even if I had ten lives. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me this time, considering it's my first offense.

Jiang Mengxuan turned to the side, showing no sign of compromising.

Seeing that her pleas to the Empress were to no avail, Rong Momo turned to Shen Lang and said, "Oh, Your Highness, it's all my fault."

"Please forgive this servant this time, for I will serve you like a cow or a horse in my next life to repay your great kindness."

"Humph."

Shen Lang snorted coldly and turned around, then proceeded to slide the lid off his teacup.

Clearly, he didn't want to let the matter rest.

If he lets it go, his wife's authority will be completely lost.

At this moment, Rong Momo was filled with despair.

Clinging to this last straw, he pleaded desperately with Ji Yuxi, "Your Majesty, I have served you for forty years..."

I've worked tirelessly and without complaint. How can you bear to watch me die like this? Please, save me!

Ji Yuxi was completely stunned. She never expected that her few sarcastic remarks to Shen Lang would cause such a big incident.

After all, Rong Momo had taken care of her for decades, and she was also reliable and experienced in handling matters. Naturally, she couldn't bear to see Rong Momo executed for such a trivial matter.

So she spoke again: "My son, please forgive her this time. There's no need to make such a big fuss about it."

"At worst, I'll apologize to you, and we'll just let this matter go, okay?"

Jiang Mengxuan's cold voice rang out: "What are you apologizing to me for? Am I the one who's been wronged?"

Ji Yuxi immediately looked at Shen Lang: "Duke Zhenguo, it's all because my tone was a bit harsh earlier."

This old servant only offended you while protecting her master. You are a magnanimous person; please forgive her this time.

Shen Lang had already accurately judged from Jiang Mengxuan's attitude just now that she wanted to settle things peacefully.

It's just an old dog; whether it lives or dies is irrelevant.

Moreover, the Empress's prestige in court and among the people is currently at its zenith, so there's no need for her to resort to such low-level methods as purging the palace to solidify her position.

So he said, "Since Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has said so, then this matter is over."

However, from now on, Your Majesty must keep a close eye on your household servants and prevent them from randomly biting people again.

Today His Majesty is merciful and unwilling to pursue the matter, but if he were to encounter a ruthless person tomorrow, there's no guarantee that blood would be drawn on the spot. Don't you think so, Your Majesty?

"Thank you for your understanding, Duke Zhenguo. I will definitely teach these servants a lesson when I get back."

Heaven knows that when Ji Yuxi said those words, she had already mentally sent a series of affectionate greetings to the entire Shen Lang family for eighteen generations.

Jiang Mengxuan looked at Shen Lang with a hint of relief.

But this matter cannot be left unresolved.

"She may be spared the death penalty, but she cannot escape punishment. Rong Momo has committed insubordination and spoken out of madness, offending the Duke of Zhenguo. She shall slap herself twenty times and be fined half a year's salary. Afterwards, she shall go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to register her name."

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Duke!"

"It's all my fault for having such a foul mouth; I should have been punished long ago!"

Rong Momo felt as if she had been granted a pardon, and hurriedly knelt on the ground and slapped herself.

The crisp sound of slapping echoed, and in the blink of an eye, Rong Momo's face turned bright red.