After the interstellar female general died in battle, she transmigrated into the body of a dashing p

Zheng Zhian felt as if his knee had been hit by something, and he plunged directly into the calm, still lake.

Xiao Linzi was terrified and shouted, "Princess, be careful!" But it was too late. He immediately jumped down and pulled the person out.

Even so, Zheng Zhian still choked on a few mouthfuls of lake water.

The first thing she said after getting ashore was to shout into the air, "Shadow One, grab him!"

Ha, she's been staying by her father's side for the past three years, and those people haven't had a chance to touch her. It's rare for her to come out and get some fresh air on her own today.

Those people really wanted her dead!

After rescuing her, Xiao Linzi was worried about whether the little princess was alright, and what if she was frightened. But seeing her reaction now, he realized he had been worrying too much.

But was he mistaken about the princess's look just now?

A moment later, Yingyi returned carrying a palace maid.

Zheng Zhian really wanted to say, "Give the assassin some face! Lifting his clothes by the waist like he's carrying a sack is a bit insulting."

"Princess." Ying Yi threw the palace maid to the ground and knelt on one knee to greet her.

Zheng Zhian gestured for him to stand up, walked to the palace maid, looked her over for a long time but couldn't figure out anything, but she had fair and delicate skin. "Little Linzi, do you recognize her?"

Xiao Linzi stepped forward and examined it carefully, then shook his head. "My master might know them." He spent most of his time in Zhongyang Palace with the princess and rarely got to know people from other palaces, but his master, Steward Liu, certainly knew most of them, if not all.

Zheng Zhian kicked her waist and asked, "Which palace are you from?"

Before she could answer, Yingyi said blankly, "I just dislocated her jaw."

...the scene suddenly fell silent.

Looking at the palace maid on the ground, who was swaying from side to side like a fish on a chopping board but whose hands and feet were not moving, Xiao Linzi couldn't help but ask, "What about her hands and feet?"

"I uninstalled it too," Shadow replied matter-of-factly.

Zheng Zhian gave him a thumbs up, saying, "You're a tough guy."

"Put her chin back on." She's making muffled noises; she must have something to say. Without it, who can understand her?

Yingyi stepped forward, grabbed her chin, and snapped it open. He then crouched down beside her, ready to intervene at any moment to prevent her from committing suicide.

The moment it was installed, I heard her baring her teeth and cursing, "Zheng Zhian, you little bastard, why don't you die with your mother..."

If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn't have said anything at all.

Zheng Zhian coldly ordered, "Remove it." Since he can't speak, then he shouldn't speak.

Xiao Linzi couldn't help but cover his chin and shiver. The princess was indeed personally taught by the emperor.

So decisive and ruthless at such a young age, and he's only three!

However, I heard that the second princess was even more ruthless when she was a child. She liked to use hairpins to stab the servants until they were covered in blood, and she would clap her hands and think it was fun. It just goes to show that you really can't compare the offspring of the royal family with those of ordinary people.

Zheng Zhian didn't want to tell her father or her maternal grandfather about this person. If she handed the person over to them, she would definitely not know anything about what would happen next, not to mention there was no certainty about what would follow.

So where should we put it?

Zheng Zhian thought for a moment and came up with a place that no one would likely notice, but... looking at the person dressed in black, he asked, "Shadow One, whose side are you on now?"

Yingyi was stunned by this sudden question. Logically speaking, he should be the emperor's man, but he had already been given to the princess when she was one year old.

"Your Highness, I am your man."

If he were to say that he was her father's man, then given her current situation, she definitely wouldn't be able to keep him. Zheng Zhian nodded, quite satisfied with his answer.

When Xiao Linzi saw her looking over, he also consciously declared, "This servant is also the princess's person."

Zheng Zhian nodded seriously, gesturing for Ying Yi to bend down, as she had something to say to him: "Send this person to the Cold Palace; don't let her die." She believed that Ying Yi was capable enough to handle it.

Since Yingyi understood her meaning, he wouldn't report it before her father asked him. As for whether he would ask, she didn't expect Yingyi to cover it up for her; she just needed a little time.

"Yes." Ying turned around, picked up the palace maid, and disappeared from sight in a few leaps.

Zheng Zhian clapped his little hands and held out his arms for Xiao Linzi to hug him. "Let's go back to Muyun Palace to change our clothes." He had just been detoxified and then soaked in water. It was a bit unlucky, but the results were not bad.

Strangely enough, she was in excruciating pain during the detoxification process, but after Old Man Feng's internal energy circulated through her body, she felt refreshed and completely free of the previous pain.

Xiao Linzi carried her toward Muyun Palace, and couldn't help but persuade her, "Princess, we've been out for quite a while now, aren't we really going back to Zhongyang Palace?" He was really afraid that his master would break his legs if they went back.

"I'm not going back." She had finally managed to get out alone; how could she possibly go back so soon?

As Xiao Linzi carried her through the gates of Muyun Palace, Danqin came to greet them. Seeing that they were both soaking wet, she quickly took them from her and looked at Xiao Linzi with a cold expression, "What happened?"

Fearing that Xiao Linzi wouldn't be able to withstand her intimidation, Zheng Zhian hugged her neck and explained with a grin, "We just went to the Imperial Garden to see the fish. I wanted to catch one, but I wasn't paying attention and accidentally fell in."

Thinking back to her past, sigh, heroes don't dwell on their past glories, but now she has to rely on acting cute and charming to make a living. It's truly a matter of fate!

Hearing her say that, Danqin relaxed and her expression softened considerably. The princess was indeed someone who couldn't stay idle, and she was capable of doing such a thing.

If those people in the front hall knew, the princess would probably get scolded again: "The Emperor is here, waiting for you in the front hall."

"Come on, come on, change your clothes. You're not allowed to tell Father Emperor!"

What's he doing here? Wasn't it agreed that he could move around on his own after the detoxification?

Zheng Zhian quickly changed her clothes and entered the hall. She heard her father saying to her maternal grandfather, "We hope that the Duke can come out of retirement and preside over this imperial examination."

It turns out they were after her maternal grandfather. Now the court is arguing about this, with neither side willing to back down. Her father wants to select talented people from humble backgrounds to show his respect for them, but the aristocratic families are certainly not going to be outdone. If this matter is not handled well, both sides will be offended. The prime minister is indeed a cunning old fox; he's quick to avoid trouble!

After chatting idly for a while, Duke Yun never expected this to be the topic. Without even thinking, he flatly refused, "I won't go. This old man is too old to take on such a heavy responsibility." Let whoever wants to do this thankless task do it.

Those aristocratic families are all scrambling to get their own people promoted, but the old man doesn't care about that.

Zheng Zhian quietly walked over and sat down next to Old Man Feng. Looking at her maternal grandfather's expression that seemed to say, "Don't come near me," she couldn't help but laugh.

Zheng Hongyuan was not surprised by his words and looked at him solemnly, "Your Excellency is too modest. You are in such good spirits, like an old horse still eager to run. How can you say that you are old?"

Zheng Zhian was stunned by these words. He never expected his father to be so eloquent in praising people. Even his maternal grandfather's expression softened considerably, clearly indicating that he was very pleased.

Zheng Hongyuan continued, "You are probably aware of the importance of this imperial examination. The Prime Minister is currently ill, and this is a major event that benefits the country and its people. After much deliberation, I still believe that you are the most suitable candidate, and only you can keep those aristocratic officials in check."

It must be said that the emperor grasped the point of benefiting the country and the people very well. Duke Yun spent half his life on the battlefield, all to protect the people. He had also seen too many people being oppressed by the gentry. He couldn't bear it. Now that the people have the opportunity to change their fate, it is indeed a good thing.

Duke Yun pondered for a moment, then steeled his heart and said, "This old minister agrees, but let me make it clear first: if any minister does anything displeasing, don't blame me for beheading him."

Zheng Hongyuan laughed loudly, "If anyone dares to tamper with things, even if the Duke doesn't lift a finger, I will personally go and behead them." The implementation of this new policy cannot be done with gentle methods, otherwise how can those aristocratic families be suppressed?