This made Li Shimin anxious, and he wanted to trade one for one with me.

Cheng Jun continued, "The purpose of the Censorate was to summon the sons of military officers. Now that none of the sons of military officers have gone, it means that we have won, and won a great victory."

"The person leading the Censorate this time is Liu Xiangdao. I have already impeached him, and he has been demoted from Vice Censor-in-Chief to Attendant Censor, a reduction of one rank. He is no longer capable of leading the Censorate to fight against us."

"And the Imperial Censor Wen is now eager to find a way to back down."

Princess Luling suddenly understood. It turned out that Cheng Jun had come here to give Wen Yanbo a way out. She sneered, "If I don't give him this way out, what can he do?"

Cheng Jun said seriously, "If Aunt doesn't give Doctor Wen this way out and insists on making the Censorate lose face, then the Censorate will fight you to the death!"

"The Censorate monitors all officials and reports based on rumors. If they keep interrogating and impeaching Aunt and Uncle every day, do you think the Princess's residence can still live in peace?"

Princess Luling was startled and somewhat displeased upon hearing this: "Fifty-nine families did not send their sons to the Censorate. Why did the Censorate choose me out of all places?"

Cheng Jun spread his hands and said, "Doctor Wen Yanbo said that the Censorate wanted to show its face, but ended up showing its backside and was even slapped by the princess. Do you think he wouldn't be anxious?"

Cheng Jun patiently explained, "Auntie, think about it carefully. Doctor Wen is the head of the Censorate. The Censorate has lost so much face. If it doesn't regain its dignity, it will be ridiculed by all the officials. How can the people of the Censorate supervise the officials in the future?"

Princess Luling stared at him and suddenly asked, "Cheng Jun, have you been to the homes of other military officers?"

"No."

"Why did you come to see me first, instead of other military officers?"

Cheng Jun said helplessly, "Among these people, only Auntie is reasonable. As for the others, I'm afraid my fists would come at me before I even opened my mouth. I'm just trying to do what's best for everyone. It would be such a waste if I got beaten up."

"Pfft..."

Princess Luling couldn't help but laugh out loud, feeling even more delighted.

At this moment, she also realized that Cheng Jun's visit this time was not only to help the Censorate, but also to help her and the other military officers. This was why he said it was for both personal and official business, and said with a smile, "So, I just need to give him a way out?"

"Not bad!"

Cheng Jun laughed and said, "This is the principle of 'a siege must have a gap.' We have already won, and the Censorate has also backed down. There is absolutely no need to push the Censorate to the brink of destruction."

“As long as Auntie offers this way out, the Censorate will regain face through Auntie, and then the Censorate will not target Auntie.”

Cheng Jun said sincerely, "Even because of this way out given by your aunt, the Censorate will turn a blind eye to some things in the future."

Princess Luling's eyes flickered upon hearing this. She looked Cheng Jun up and down and exclaimed, "You have convinced me."

Cheng Jun smiled and said, "That's because Auntie can distinguish right from wrong. Otherwise, no matter how eloquent I am, how could I persuade Auntie?"

Princess Luling beamed with delight, finding him increasingly pleasing to the eye. She clicked her tongue in amazement and exclaimed, "You are the son of a military officer and a member of the Censorate. You are just like Su Qin from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods."

Are they using me as a spy?

Cheng Jun solemnly replied, "Then I must be an honest person."

"Pfft..."

Princess Luling couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Good, good, I like honest people like you."

"Tell me what you want me to do. I will do whatever you say."

Seeing her obedient expression, Cheng Jun pondered and said, "Dr. Wen is looking for a way to save face. As long as you give him enough face, Auntie, that's enough."

"understand."

Princess Luling smiled and said, "I know what to do."

"You're busy with official duties, so you don't need to see Qiao Bei. You can come another time."

She had already figured out that Cheng Jun's purpose in coming to the princess's residence was only to see her, and that coming to see Qiao Bei was just a pretext, so she said it directly.

"I'll listen to my aunt."

Princess Luling liked him more and more as she looked at him with the attitude of a junior. After thinking for a moment, she said, "I will help you one more time. You don't need to run back and forth anymore. Just go back to the Censorate. I will send someone to tell the other military officers about the rest."

"Thank you so much, Auntie!"

Princess Luling waved her hand and said, "Why be so polite among our own people? You've already become a spy, so you'll have to take good care of our people from now on."

In our side, we call them undercover agents; in the enemy's side, they're called spies.

Cheng Jun smiled, raised his hand, pointed to Feng Lingshi sitting beside him who was now looking at him with admiration, and said:

"Auntie, I haven't introduced you yet. This is Feng Lingshi from the Censorate."

"It's the one you had the housekeeper splash water on, the one who got all wet, Auntie."

Feng Lingshi was surprised that Cheng Jun had mentioned him in front of the princess. When he saw Princess Luling looking at him, he straightened up instantly, sitting there looking flustered and at a loss.

"He's not one of our own."

Princess Luling withdrew her gaze and looked at Cheng Jun with some confusion, wondering why Cheng Jun would introduce a clerk to her out of the blue.

Cheng Jun solemnly said, "If he were to report our conversation today to Doctor Wen one day, I, as his spy, would probably be rendered useless."

Princess Luling understood immediately, narrowing her eyes and saying, "Then how about I bribe him? Make him work for us?"

Cheng Jun smiled and said, "That would be perfect."

Princess Luling gave Cheng Jun a meaningful look, but didn't say anything more. She turned her head and beckoned to the steward of the princess's residence who was standing in the main hall, and whispered a few words to the steward.

The steward of the princess's residence nodded and left, but soon returned, carrying a tray with a brand-new robe and a silver ingot on it.

Although silver cannot be used as money, it can be made into jewelry.

Feng Lingshi remembered that his wife had been wanting a silver hairpin for a long time. If he could make a hairpin out of this silver ingot and give it to her, it would make her happy for months.

After all, hairpins aren't cheap.

The steward of the princess's residence approached Feng Lingshi with a smile, handing him the tray along with the tray, and said in a gentle voice, "Feng Lingshi, this is a small token of Her Highness the Princess's appreciation. Please accept it."

Feng Lingshi was flustered, unsure whether to accept the offer or not, and turned to look at Cheng Jun expectantly.

Cheng Jun said speechlessly, "Is Her Highness the Princess trying to bribe you? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Hahahaha!"

Princess Luling smiled broadly upon hearing this and said, "If he doesn't dare to accept it, you should accept it for him first. Some things have to be done in secret."

When Cheng Jun saw the steward of the princess's residence hand over the items, he stood up, reached out and took them, saying, "Then I will accept them on his behalf."

Princess Luling smiled and said, "You're so smart, you should take care of my silly son more often. If he could talk as well as you, I would be very happy."

"I will definitely not let my aunt down."

Cheng Jun glanced at the sky and said, "It's getting late, Aunt. I'll take my leave now and return to the Censorate to report back!"

Princess Luling rose and said, "I will personally see you off!"

The steward of the princess's residence looked at her in surprise. Ever since the princess married Qiao Shiwang, whenever someone came to pay their respects, it was he, the steward, who would escort them away.

This is the first time that Her Highness the Princess has personally escorted someone out of the palace.

Cheng Jun was unaware of this detail, but he felt somewhat flattered. With her escort, he and Feng Lingshi left the princess's residence and rode away.

Princess Luling stood outside the mansion, watching him leave into the distance, her gaze lingering for a long time. She then spoke slowly to the steward standing behind her:

"Go and prepare some fine gifts, send them to the Censorate, and then send someone to tell those military officers to briefly and concisely tell them what Cheng Jun just said in the main hall, and tell them to also prepare some fine gifts to send to the Censorate."

“If someone is unwilling, tell that person.”

Princess Luling turned to the steward and said, "Cheng Jun's talent is no less than that of Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui; he will surely become prime minister in the future."

The steward's eyes widened instantly. Fang and Du were referring to Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui. The princess actually thought Cheng Jun had such great potential.

The steward, regaining his senses from the shock, immediately clasped his hands in a respectful gesture and said solemnly, "Yes, sir!"