Pick up a princess to be your wife

Bohai County, the seat of the Tokaido Province, is located on the eastern side of the Tokaido Province, bordering the East China Sea.

Of the seven great aristocratic families of the previous dynasty, three came from the East Sea Circuit, and two of those two came from Bohai County.

The Sima clan of Donghai and the Gao clan of Bohai.

The Sima clan was the largest, and the Gao and Cui clans combined were equivalent to one Sima clan.

The Sima clan is now divided into three main branches: Sima Ying and Sima Xiangyue, who are from the ancestral branch.

When Sima Ying was still alive, the three branches of the Sima family were still able to unite as one.

However, after Sima Ying's death, the three branches of the family began to fight each other openly and secretly.

Without a central figure, the ancestral home was subjected to both overt and covert attempts to win over and suppress the families from the north and south branches.

Now, Sima Xiangyue has not only become the Duchess of the Da Ning Dynasty, but also the female prime minister of the Da Ning Dynasty.

This has further alienated the ancestral home from the north and south branches.

Currently, all affairs of the Sima family are decided by Sima Hong of the southern branch.

This Sima Hong was one of the masterminds who secretly led the Green Forest Army rebellion.

However, Sima Xiangyue, who had secretly infiltrated the Bohai Sea, was unaware of these inside stories.

On her first night after entering Bohai, she returned to the Sima residence.

The largest mansion in the entire Tokaido, with an area equivalent to a neighborhood in Hakuyokukyo, is the Sima Mansion.

Originally, the Sima Mansion wasn't this big. After Sima Ying followed Wu Fengxian in a rebellion and was enfeoffed as the Prince of Donghai, he expanded his mansion.

At that time, the Sima clan was at its zenith, enjoying immense power and influence.

Sima Xiangyue found Sima Hong immediately.

This man was only a few months younger than Sima Xiangyue.

The two grew up together and their relationship as cousins ​​is incredibly deep.

Sima Xiangyue trusted Sima Hong very much, which is why she dared to go home directly to him.

"Big sister, it's been four or five years, you've finally... come back!"

When Sima Hong saw Sima Xiangyue return, he burst into tears.

"Since my elder brother's passing, the Sima family has been declining day by day. First, we were exploited by the Wu traitors, and now we are being suppressed by the Gao family! If you don't come back to uphold justice, our Sima family will be on its last legs!"

Sima Xiangyue took off his hat, looked around blankly, and was quite moved.

Before she left the Sima Mansion, it was not what it is today.

Five years have passed since I left.

The place was bustling with activity, with a constant stream of guests.

The Sima Mansion is now deserted and quiet. Many of the precious plants in the courtyard are gone, and there are far fewer servants and attendants.

"Thank goodness you're back, elder sister! There's finally hope for the Sima family!" Sima Hong said.

"Now that the world has changed hands, His Majesty is a renowned ruler throughout history. Why have you not submitted memorials to express your loyalty?" Sima Xiangyue asked.

"Hey!"

Sima Hong sighed heavily.

"Sister, this is a long story, let's go inside."

"it is good."

The two entered the study together, and Sima Hong immediately had someone make tea for Sima Xiangyue.

Although Sima Xiangyue did not return, she maintained some contact with her family.

There are still some of Sima Xiangyue's people in the ancestral home.

But the two people now in charge of the Sima family have not made any statement.

This made Sima Xiangyue feel somewhat strange.

“Elder sister, I know you hold a high position in the court and have achieved the title of the first female prime minister in history. I am proud of you. We are like siblings, and naturally I want to serve you. But alas…”

"What can be done?"

Sima Xiangyue asked.

Sima Hong hesitated, as if he were constipated.

“Speak your mind; there’s no problem that can’t be solved,” Sima Xiangyue said.

"However, the power of the northern branch is growing stronger day by day. Sima Gang, he colluded with the Gao family and actually launched a rebellion in secret!"

Sister, now my Sima family has been branded as traitors and rebels because of Sima Gang.

Da Ning governs the country according to law; rebellion is a capital offense punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family!

I don't know how many people now regard my Sima clan as traitors, all of whom were harmed by Sima Gang and the villains!

Sister, you must seek justice for the Sima family!

Sima Hong spoke with tears streaming down his face, his voice choked with sobs.

Sima Xiangyue was not at all surprised that the Sima clan would be involved in the rebellion.

Li Muxian brought her back so that she could persuade more people to save more members of the Sima clan from disaster.

But time waits for no one, and once the war breaks out, the Sima clan will have no way to turn back.

Thinking of Sima Gang, that man was quite ruthless and cold-hearted; he was indeed capable of colluding with outsiders to launch a rebellion.

The Sima family's century-old foundation cannot be destroyed.

"Where is Sima Gang?" Sima Xiangyue asked.

"He's gone into hiding. I've been trying to find him, but I can't. If I could find him, I would risk my life to stop him from rebelling!" Sima Hong said, deeply moved.

"I understand, I will go to him myself."

After Sima Xiangyue finished speaking, he got up and left.

Sima Hong couldn't find Sima Gang in the north wing, but she could.

After Sima Xiangyue left, Sima Hong's moved face instantly turned gloomy.

"Sima Xiangyue, I was just worried about not being able to find that coward Sima Gang. It's perfect that you're back. Help me find him, hehe..."

That night.

Sima Xiangyue then found Sima Gang's whereabouts.

Sima Gang did not flee Bohai, but instead hid in his ancestral home.

Sima Gang is two years younger than Sima Xiangyue. Although the two are not on good terms, Sima Gang still has to call her "elder sister" when they meet.

Sima Gang was extremely surprised when the siblings met.

"Big sister, what brings you back?"

Sima Gang, dressed simply, was sweeping the floor, just like a housekeeper guarding the house.

Sima Xiangyue looked at Sima Gang and was quite surprised to see that he was no longer as youthful and vigorous as before, but instead looked like a fifty-year-old man with a weathered face.

"Colluding with the Gao family and launching a rebellion. Sima Gang, are you trying to drag the entire Sima clan down with you?" Sima Xiangyue said coldly.

"Who told you that!"

Upon hearing this, Sima Gang dropped the broom in his hand and his body trembled violently.

"I, Sima Gang, swear to Heaven that I have absolutely not launched a rebellion! Otherwise, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!"

"You have always been indifferent to family ties, ambitious and eager to take over the ancestral home and become the head of the Sima family. Now that you see no chance, you want to harm the Sima clan?"

"I absolutely didn't!"

Sima Gang's body trembled violently.

"Back then, Sima Ying disobeyed his ancestors and rebelled with Wu Fengxian, causing countless killings. I have always opposed it! Your ancestral family committed a sin back then, but you were lucky to marry Xiong Wenjing. Xiong Wenjing joined the White Horse Army and is now a founding hero, holding the rank of Duke."

And now you hold sway over the court, becoming an unprecedented female prime minister. Now that you have achieved such great success, why do you criticize me? When have I, Sima Gang, ever done anything to wrong the Sima family?

When the Sima clan discussed important matters, everyone in the ancestral home and the south agreed to help Wu Fengxian raise an army. Only I was against it!

Now you dare to accuse me of rebellion?

If I remember correctly, you were one of the people who supported the rebellion back then!