Tangli Fried Snow

As soon as Eunuch Su finished speaking, Empress Dowager Jin's phoenix eyes flashed with intense emotions: shock, resentment, hatred, and suspicion. She had never shown such a rich array of expressions before.

In the end, all emotions dissipated into a sigh. Today, Zhao Hehua would not die no matter what.

It turns out the emperor was so wary of her, he even had a backup plan, leaving the edict with the old woman, just to protect his sons and daughters.

A wave of bitterness and sadness washed over her for a full fifteen minutes. She was panting heavily as her thoughts raced through her mind, but eventually, she slowly came to terms with it.

If the crown prince were to ascend the throne, this edict would also protect his and his son's lives. He had indeed made plans for them.

All eyes were on her. Empress Dowager Jin composed herself, slowly stood up, and with all her might uttered four words: "Your Majesty is wise."

He was unable to say anything more.

Shen Shibai hurriedly ordered his men to drag the crown prince away and lock him up. This grand trial thus came to a close.

. . . . . .

Several months have passed in the blink of an eye, and winter has arrived, with the New Year fast approaching.

With the war in the Northwest proceeding smoothly, Duan Jingyu remained inactive, the young emperor's throne was relatively secure, and the court officials and the people enjoyed a long-awaited and extremely precious period of peace.

The Song Dynasty was economically advanced. Although militarily somewhat weak in the face of powerful enemies on all sides, it devoted all its energy and time to economic development. Even wars and dynastic changes did not affect the country's methods and speed of making money. Not only did the domestic economic level reach its historical peak, but trade with the Western Regions and overseas also saw tremendous development and returns.

A cargo ship, weighing only a few dozen tons, could make a brief stop in neighboring countries and exchange China's specialties such as grain, silk, porcelain, and tea for countless "imported" gold and silver treasures, tobacco, spices, sugar, furs, and foreign goods. As soon as a large ship docked, a large fleet of canal boats and horse-drawn carriages, laden with goods and treasures, would swiftly transport them to various cities and ports.

How much money can a single ship earn? How much money can a fleet earn? How many ships dock in port each month? How many fleets set sail for distant lands each year? The answer is that the Song Dynasty's economy was already among the world's leading levels. Although it was plagued by war and instability every year, its economy was several times, even ten times, higher than that of the Tang Dynasty during the Kaiyuan era.

Despite having to cede territory and pay reparations to other countries every year, and being constantly at war with neighboring countries, the country and its merchants have managed to make money at all.

Besides having high military power and a large number of soldiers and generals, the Jin family also controlled many imperial merchants. It can be said that the Jin family alone controlled 30% of the economy of the entire Song Kingdom.

With the year-end approaching, trade is booming, large cargo ships are arriving at the port, and the Jin family is making a fortune. To reward Xue Li for her great contribution, Jin Cheng brought her countless gold, silver, and rare treasures. If it weren't for her offering of miraculous medicines, his nephew would have long since lost his life, and his sister and the Jin family would most likely have met a bad end.

Today, Jin Cheng also brought Shirley a Western clock and a telescope.

He'd already given her countless gifts of crystals, zircon, and fine silks; today he received a few novel items, which he eagerly brought over again.

Money and love are the most beautiful things in the world, giving people confidence and strength. Sherry is completely different now; her spirit and energy have changed dramatically, and she's become radiant.

The two were snuggling sweetly in bed.

Jin Cheng asked her breathlessly, "How come you're still not pregnant after we've been together for several months?"

"Would you like me to take you to see the imperial physician?"

That brat actually wants to get her pregnant!

Although Shirley loved him, she wasn't stupid. They were unrelated and without any official status; she was now a palace maid in the Empress Dowager's palace. If she secretly became pregnant with him and experienced morning sickness or a growing belly, she would be the one in trouble. Therefore, although she often fooled around with Jin Cheng shamelessly, she always obediently took her contraceptive pills afterward. She would absolutely not bear a child for any man before marriage, not even the one she loved.

Sherry remained silent, but unable to resist his persistent pestering, she could only offer a perfunctory reply: "Hmm... maybe it's because I'm still young..."

While arguing with her, Jin Cheng couldn't help but chuckle, "You're seventeen already, and you're still young?"

Sherry thought to herself, "At this age, they're just high school students, of course they're still young! This is considered puppy love. If this were modern times, her parents would definitely break them up and take him to the police station."

Jin Cheng whispered in her ear, "Why don't I go and beg the Empress Dowager to grant me your favor?"

Suffocating from his weight, Shirley asked with difficulty, "What about Duan Jingyu and Duan Xueyao?"

"They've been planning for so long, why haven't they taken action yet? We've waited so long, we're all numb to it."

Jin Cheng had made her words a jumbled mess, but when it was finally over, she nestled in his arms, looked at him, and asked, "Will you marry me?"

"How is Miss Lin? Are you getting married soon?"

Jin Cheng's heart skipped a beat. The little devil was indeed well-informed; she actually knew he had a fiancée. Just a few days ago, his mother had informed him that his wedding date with the Lin family's young lady was tentatively set for March, and the procedures had already begun.

Seeing that he remained silent, Shirley was about to consider whether to tell him that the Lin family's young lady had a sweetheart, but seeing his foolish look, she gave up the idea. If she told him, he would probably cause a huge uproar between the two families, and maybe everyone would know by then, and they would lose all face. The Lin family's young lady might even hang herself if she couldn't think straight.

Forget it, forget it, I'll just leave it to fate. I don't want to be the bad guy.

She simply changed the subject, and the two of them, each preoccupied with their own thoughts, talked about other things until they fell into a deep sleep in each other's arms.

Jin Cheng left before dawn as usual.

As the saying goes, "He who walks by the river will eventually get his shoes wet." Unfortunately, he had just climbed out of Sherry's house when he bumped into Xiangyun, who was out using the toilet.

Xiangyun is a eunuch in the Empress Dowager's palace, and he's also good friends with Xueli. He's been having stomach problems lately, went to the toilet several times last night, and spent half the morning in the outhouse this morning.

I was just about to go back to sleep because my legs were sore, when I bumped into General Jin climbing out of the window.

Xiangyun was terrified and tried to run away, but Hongyao caught her with a grappling move.

Upon hearing Xiangyun's call, Shirley jumped up and quickly dressed, even putting on her fake nose. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Jin Cheng carrying Xiangyun to her door. She peeked around, then hurriedly pushed the two of them into the house and closed the door.

The couple caught in the act of adultery did not panic; on the contrary, their situations were reversed.

Jin Cheng sat arrogantly on Xue Li's bed, looking like a spoiled rich kid. Xue Li stood nervously at the door, while Xiang Yun trembled as she knelt on the ground.

Mu Yan was dressed in disheveled clothes, looking like a young married woman. The room was filled with the decadent smell of lovemaking. Although Xiang Yun was young and a eunuch, he had been living in the harem for four or five years. What was there that he couldn't understand?

Jin Cheng spoke up, not at the auspicious cloud on the ground, but at the standing Xue Li: "Should we drown him or chop him up and feed him to the dogs?"

Xiangyun felt a tightness in his anus, which startled him so much that he almost vomited, and his whole body trembled even more violently.

Sherry glared at him unhappily, and said in a coquettish voice, "Lieutenant General, this little eunuch is my friend, you can't kill him."

Xiangyun breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Muyan protecting him. He secretly glanced at Jin Cheng, but was startled by his sharp gaze and quickly lowered his head to play the quail.

Jin Cheng said, "What if he can't keep his mouth shut?"

“If this gets out, I’ll at most get a few scoldings and be ridiculed for being a playboy, but your reputation will be ruined. You could be beaten to death or kicked out of the palace. I’m doing this for your own good.”

Before Xue Li could speak, Xiang Yun quickly prepared his words and interjected, "General Jin, you flatter me. Not only are Mu Yan and I good friends, and I would never betray her, but this matter is actually a good thing. Your prestige is at its peak, and you are a pillar and a pillar of our Song Kingdom. If you speak up, the Empress Dowager might even bestow Mu Yan upon you as a concubine. This would be a blessing for Mu Yan. I will not say anything that might spoil your good fortune."

Jin Cheng's lips curled up as he slowly said, twirling the ring on his finger, "How do I know if you're a glib, two-faced scoundrel who's saying nice things to me here but then betraying us?"

As Xiangyun kowtowed, he swore that he would never speak carelessly and that if he did, he would be struck by lightning. Jin Cheng just stared at him coldly without saying a word.

It's getting late, and if we delay any longer, the old lady who's always up early to cook will probably get up too.

Sherry's eyes darted around, suppressing a laugh as she said, "How about I give him one of these poisons? If he behaves, I'll give him the antidote on time; if he doesn't..."

Seeing her mischievous look, Jin Cheng knew the little girl was up to her tricks again. He didn't expose her, but simply nodded seriously and said, "Let's do as you say."

Sherry reached into her sleeve, actually taking out a piece of chocolate from her spatial storage and bringing it to Xiangyun's lips, saying, "Here, Xiangyun, do you want to be killed or swallow the poison?"

Xiangyun glanced at the two of them a few times, large beads of sweat dripping from his head. He had clearly gone through a fierce internal struggle. Better to live than die! He mustered his courage, tremblingly took the chocolate from Xue Li's hand, and put the 75% handmade imported dark chocolate in his mouth as if he were about to eat shit.

The poison melted instantly in his mouth, a little bitter and a little sweet. The taste rushed straight to his palate, and because he was so nervous, it even went straight to the top of his head. It was silky smooth as it burrowed down his throat. Xiangyun used all his strength to swallow the piece of chocolate.

Why is it that it leaves you wanting more?

Sherry winked at Jin Cheng and made an OK sign, urging him to leave quickly so no one would bump into him.

Jin Cheng exchanged a few flirtatious glances with her before climbing over the wall with Hong Yao and leaving.

Sigh, they're always climbing over walls and windows, don't they find it troublesome?

It's true that men's favorite thing to do is to have affairs.

Sherry helped Xiangyun up from the ground.

Xiangyun was too nervous and frightened to look up at her. Xueli comforted him for a few moments and then let him go.

A few days later, Xiangyun showed no signs of poisoning and gradually began to taste it. He even dared to speak a few words to Xue Li, implying that she should be careful and not get caught. He assured her that Young Master Jin would not cause any trouble, but he was mainly unkind to her.

Xiangyun asked her cautiously, "Muyan, how did you catch Young Master Jin's eye?"

The implication is that you're so ordinary-looking, how did you manage to win over this eligible bachelor?

Sherry smiled and said, "It was when he took me away for interrogation last time that he took a liking to me."

Xiangyun was stunned for a full quarter of an hour and gave her a thumbs up.

The look in her eyes clearly said, "Your charm is irresistible, you're amazing!" She not only captured the young military officer she was interrogating in prison, but also seduced this rising star in the army, the emperor's brother-in-law, a famous young master in the capital, so much so that he sneaked into the Empress Dowager's palace for a secret rendezvous!

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed you even if you were beaten to death.

Shocked, Xiangyun spoke to her from the bottom of her heart, saying, "If a palace maid is found to be having an affair with someone else, it is a serious crime. You must be very careful."

Sherry didn't say anything, but just smiled and nodded at him.

. . . . . .

Jin Cheng took some time to go home for dinner today. After putting on a show of maternal love and filial piety with his mother, Madam Liu, it was already completely dark.

He dealt with official business for a while longer, and returned to his courtyard in the middle of the night. Immediately, a servant gave him a wink.

Bai Yun had been living in Jin Cheng's courtyard for several months. At first, he was busy with things in the palace and didn't come back often. When he finally came back and stayed for a few days, she tried to seduce him several times.

Jin Cheng was pestered by her relentlessly, but didn't want to sleep with her. So he simply had Mr. Luo Chuan make a mask of himself, found a subordinate with a similar build, put on the mask, and had him and Bai Yun pretend to be a married couple.

A few days ago, Bai Yun happily told him that she hadn't had her period, implying that she was pregnant and urging Jin Cheng to quickly make her a concubine.

Oh, what a foolish woman! She doesn't even have a proper wife yet, how could she possibly take a pregnant concubine by her side first? Even if he agreed, Madam Liu wouldn't agree, and even if Madam Liu agreed, Madam Song wouldn't agree.

Before Jin Cheng could make any move, Madam Song, who had all the connections in the world, already knew about the matter. She had found out about the pregnancy yesterday, and today she sent someone to deliver a bowl of "tonifying medicine" to her.

She drank it at noon, and the baby was aborted in the afternoon. Bai Yun was tormented all afternoon, and now she is sleeping in bed after taking some calming medicine.

Jin Cheng went in and glanced at her a few times. Her face was pale, and there were still tear stains on her cheeks. She was truly a pure and innocent little flower that made people feel sorry for her. With her looks and skills, she could have thrived in a brothel, or become a mistress or concubine in an ordinary wealthy family. But she just couldn't see the light and insisted on entering a grand mansion like his to become a concubine who "serves men with her beauty."

Sigh, Jin Cheng didn't want to treat her like this either, but she insisted on saying she was his woman, and she set traps for him every day, vying for his favor, using her body as a tool, and using the child to demand his status.

Entering the gates of a noble family is like entering a deep sea; being a concubine in a high-ranking household is not an easy task.

He sat by Bai Yun's bedside until late at night, and someone immediately went to report to Madam Liu, and naturally someone else went to Madam Song to deliver the message.

A few days later, Bai Yun felt better, and Jin Cheng even brought the imperial physician to examine her pulse. The physician subtly told him that the medicine was too strong and that the young lady might not be able to have children in the future.

Jin Cheng remained calm inside, but he threw a tantrum, cursing everyone serving in the courtyard and even kicking the dog a few times, causing a great disturbance.