Happy life in the world of film and television

Chapter 1570 "The Willow Boat Tale" - Shi Xueji

"How much money does your older sister want to borrow?" Jiang Chen asked.

Sheng Minglan hesitated for a moment, then said a number.

"If it's just because business has been affected, there's no need to contact you, right?" Jiang Chen frowned.

The relationship between Sheng Minglan and Sheng Hualan is very good in the drama, and it is also the same in the Second World. However, now that Sheng Minglan is nominally his concubine, Sheng Hualan should not borrow money from Sheng Minglan.

"Does my husband think that my elder sister borrowed money because of the Yuan family?" Sheng Minglan asked hesitantly.

“I’m afraid it’s not just the Yuan family, it might even be Emperor Chengzhao,” Jiang Chen replied.

"Emperor Cheng Zhao?" Sheng Minglan was slightly taken aback.

Sheng Minglan immediately realized: "Is Emperor Chengzhao trying to use the Yuan family to test the Yongguo Duke's Mansion?"

"That should be the case. Hezhong Prefecture is developing quite well now. They can't possibly not be tempted by such a big opportunity, and the Yuan family may have become the vanguard in testing the waters because of your eldest sister," Jiang Chen analyzed.

"So what do we do next?" Sheng Minglan was a little surprised to hear Jiang Chen's words, but she also understood that no matter how low-key the Jiang family's development was, some people could still sense that the Jiang family was developing faster and stronger.

“If it’s really as I said, even if we refuse, they’ll find another way. Besides, since your older sister has asked, it wouldn’t be good to refuse. So, find some time to give your older sister an answer. However, if you need Star Coins, you can have them exchange them for gold and silver at the Universal Bank,” Jiang Chen said.

“Okay.” Sheng Minglan understood that Jiang Chen had his own plans.

"Minglan, I'll leave this matter to you," Jiang Chen said.

“Alright.” Sheng Minglan nodded, then asked, “Husband, what is your ultimate goal?”

"Naturally, it's to cooperate with our previous plan and seize control of the Song Kingdom's economic lifeline." Jiang Chen made no attempt to hide his ultimate goal, and to achieve this goal, the initial investment was nothing at all.

"I understand." Sheng Minglan hesitated for a moment, "But my eldest sister..."

"Don't worry, I'm not targeting your eldest sister, but she's not having a good time in the Yuan family," Jiang Chen said, thinking of Sheng Hualan's situation in the drama.

"There's nothing we can do about it," Sheng Minglan said.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore." Jiang Chen changed the subject and asked, "You just said that your uncle's business in the south has been greatly affected?"

"Yes." Sheng Minglan nodded and recounted what she knew.

“Minglan, find an opportunity to meet your uncle. If he is willing, cooperation is possible.” When Jiang Chen first entered the Second World, Sheng Minglan’s uncle was a very powerful official and merchant because of the support of the Sheng family. But now Jiang Chen is the Duke of Yongguo in the Song Kingdom, and the power of the Jiang family is beyond doubt.

“I think he will definitely agree,” Sheng Minglan said.

Jiang Chen agreed.

After Sheng Minglan entered the Jiang family, the relationship between the Sheng family and the Jiang family became one of marriage ties.

Before the Sheng family abandoned Sheng Minglan, to some extent, they were all in the same boat, sharing both prosperity and adversity.

After chatting with Sheng Minglan for a while, Wei Wei, Qiu Yan, and Yao Lan also returned.

"Where did my husband come from?" Qiu Yan asked.

“I come from Western Xia…” Jiang Chen explained his plans in Western Xia, but of course, he didn’t mention the intimate things between him and Liu Xiyin.

“If we hadn’t launched this northern expedition, the situation in the Song Kingdom wouldn’t be in such a bad state,” Qiu Yan replied.

"Emperor Cheng Zhao has been preparing for several years, hoping to make a name for himself in history in the final moments. Therefore, no matter how bad the situation is, he will still launch a northern expedition." Jiang Chen has been emperor for a long time, so he understands Emperor Cheng Zhao's thoughts to some extent.

“The Liangshan bandits should be dealt with now, which will put some pressure on Emperor Chengzhao,” Yao Lan said.

“Yes, the New Year is in about a month, and it’s time to deal with the Liangshan bandits.” Jiang Chen understood Yao Lan’s meaning. Because Emperor Cheng Zhao had sent him to deal with the Liangshan bandits to keep him in check, and now that the Liangshan bandits were dealt with, Emperor Cheng Zhao would definitely think of other ways to keep him in check.

For the Jiang family, this was the time to ask Emperor Chengzhao for benefits.

For Jiang Chen, dealing with the Liangshan bandits was far too easy.

In fact, not only were the Liangshan bandits easy to deal with, but the affairs of the Song Dynasty were also easy to resolve.

Yingtian Prefecture, Kaifeng Prefecture, Chengdu Prefecture...

These places are all inhabited by members of the Jiang family.

Each of these people could suppress a country, let alone the Song Dynasty.

After chatting with Sheng Minglan and the others for a while, they went about their own business.

Jiang Chen read for a while, then went to the garden.

"Brother-in-law."

Just then, a voice came from the side.

"Qiu Min".

Jiang Chen turned his head and saw Qiu Min not far away.

"When did your brother-in-law arrive?" Qiu Min walked over.

"I just arrived today." Jiang Chen's gaze fell on Qiu Min.

"Brother-in-law, why are you looking at me like that?" Qiu Min had traveled to other worlds with the Jiang family and had become somewhat more open-minded. However, she still retained some of the traditional etiquette (including the Three Obediences and Four Virtues).

"It's been a while, Qiu Min, you've become more and more beautiful," Jiang Chen said, looking at Qiu Min.

"Brother-in-law, what are you saying..." Qiu Min's face flushed slightly.

"I'm telling the truth..." He blurted out those sweet words without thinking.

Upon hearing Jiang Chen's words, Qiu Min lowered her head, not daring to look at him.

Under Jiang Chen's sweet words, the two grew closer and closer.

It took Qiu Min a long time to react, only to find that she and Jiang Chen were almost touching.

"Brother-in-law, you can let me go now," Qiu Min said.

"Qiu Min, you smell so good, I don't want to let you go," Jiang Chen whispered in Qiu Min's ear.

"No way..." Qiu Min's voice was barely audible.

"I'm telling the truth." Jiang Chen smiled as he looked at Qiu Min's lipstick.

Choo Min's lipstick is just too attractive.

Qiu Min looked up at Jiang Chen after hearing his words, only to find Jiang Chen staring intently at her.

Qiu Min felt a pang of panic.

At that moment, Jiang Chen lowered his head and kissed him.

Qiu Min froze, stunned. Jiang Chen continued his unbridled conquest.

After a long while, Jiang Chen and Qiu Min finally parted ways.

"How are you feeling?" Jiang Chen asked with a smile.

"Sister...brother-in-law, you bullied me." Qiu Min lowered her head, not daring to look at Jiang Chen, her mind filled with what had just happened.

"I just want to bully you." Jiang Chen whispered in Qiu Min's ear, spouting sweet words as if they were worthless.

Qiu Min had never heard such words before, and immediately her mind was only on Jiang Chen.

Only when footsteps could be heard in the distance did Qiu Min push Jiang Chen away and straighten her clothes.

Jiang Chen smiled, showing no sign of panic.

That evening, in Qiu Yan's room.

"Husband, did you bully Qiu Min today?" Qiu Yan asked as she helped Jiang Chen undress.

"Qiu Min's lipstick looked nice today, so I tried it," Jiang Chen said nonchalantly.

"You..." Qiu Yan knew exactly what Jiang Chen meant, but she wasn't dissatisfied. She simply said, "Should I call Qiu Min over?"

"No, no rush," Jiang Chen said with a faint smile.

Qiu Min is destined to be his in the future, so he's not in a hurry.

"You are the most important person right now," Jiang Chen said, putting his arm around Qiu Yan's waist.

"My lord, I just received news that Xu Lingyi suffered a defeat in his battle against the Holy Sect," Qiu Yan said.

"Xu Lingyi suffered a defeat?" Jiang Chen was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

Xu Lingyi is the male lead in "The Sword and the Brocade".

That is, Luo Shiyi Niang's eldest brother-in-law.

Previously, they were tasked with suppressing pirates in the southeast.

After the uprising of the Holy Church, Xu Lingyi led his troops north.

"Yes, according to the intelligence from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, we've been ambushed, but we haven't received any specific details yet," Qiu Yan said.

"Among those besieging the Holy Sect, Xu Lingyi's army is the main force. If it's just a defeat, that's fine, but if it's a major defeat, it will have a huge impact on the situation in the southeast." Jiang Chen was somewhat worried, because the leader of the Holy Sect should be Ning Yi, the male protagonist in "The Son-in-Law". Of course, this is because the transmigrator did not transmigrate into Ning Yi's body, but into the body of the leader of the Holy Sect.

“If it’s a major defeat, it might directly affect the Northern Expedition,” Qiu Yan said.

"Well, for now we can only deal with things as they come." Jiang Chen wasn't too worried, after all, this was only a big deal for the Song Kingdom. Their Jiang family only needed to maximize their profits. "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore, we should rest." Jiang Chen picked up Qiu Yan.

……

Star River Continent, Star River, Qingzhou.

"This is Xinghan Qingzhou."

Jiang Chen originally wanted to go to Yangshan, but when he flew, he deliberately flew to Qingzhou.

As for why I came to Qingzhou, it's simply to see what the situation there is like.

"Qingzhou is developing quite well."

Jiang Chen looked around the streets of Qingzhou City.

Da da da……

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves rang out.

"Ok?"

Jiang Chen looked up and saw a convoy of cars slowly approaching in the distance.

"What kind of wealthy family is this?"

Upon seeing the convoy, Jiang Chen sensed that this family was unusual, but he didn't think much of it and simply moved aside as the convoy approached.

However, as the caravan passed by, Jiang Chen saw a woman in one of the carriages.

"is her."

With just a glance, Jiang Chen recognized him.

Almost simultaneously, a system notification sounded.

"Sign in."

Jiang Chen silently recited in his heart.

[Congratulations, host! You have successfully checked in and received ten stacks of intermediate-to-high-grade talisman paper.]

"Ten stacks of intermediate to high-grade talisman paper?"

"This is talisman paper that can be used to draw intermediate and advanced talismans."

"Besides the fifty stacks of intermediate and high-level talisman papers that I received as a special reward for signing in, this is what I got from my fifth sign-in."

"Spirit Concealment Talisman... These are all mid-to-high-level talismans."

"Beginner-level talismans correspond to first-rate martial artists, intermediate-level talismans correspond to innate martial artists, advanced-level talismans correspond to grandmaster martial artists, intermediate-level talismans correspond to great grandmasters, and intermediate-level talismans correspond to Martial Kings."

"Intermediate and high-level talismans correspond to the Martial Emperor realm."

At that moment, Jiang Chen looked at the female lead who had signed in.

Shi Xueji is a character in "The Willow Boat".

In the drama, she is the illegitimate daughter of General Shi Yikuan, possessing a gentle and approachable personality. She falls in love at first sight with the imperial grandson Liu Yu. Due to her mother's low status, and lacking the strength and beauty of her older sisters, as well as her younger sisters' youth, she is never favored by her elders. She is well aware of the power struggles within the family, and when faced with the open and covert battles among her sisters, she remains low-key and patient, refusing to interfere. She marries Ziyu and becomes Empress, but is not interested in power or love. She helps Ziyu ascend the throne, strongly supports the Prince of Huaiyang in assisting the young emperor, and ultimately becomes Empress Dowager.

"Shi Xueji from 'The Willow Boat Story'?"

"She really is in Qingzhou."

In the drama, Shi Xueji is the illegitimate daughter of the Shi family, the daughter of Shi Yikuan, the general of Qingzhou. However, because her mother is of low status, and she is not as strong and beautiful as her older sisters, nor as young as her younger sisters, she has never been favored by her elders. She is well aware of the power game rules within the family, and when faced with the open and covert struggles among her sisters, she only keeps a low profile and endures it without making a comment.

Prince Ziyu (Liu Yu) needs the help of her father, General Shi. At that time, General Shi did not know the true identity of Prince Ziyu (Liu Yu). Prince Ziyu (Liu Yu) ascended the throne, and Shi Xueji became the empress. She was gentle and only liked to eat. The Shi family also wanted to send other women into the palace.

Liu Yu doted on Shi Xueji. Although Shi Xueji was not beautiful, Liu Yu had a good relationship with her after marriage. The two soon had a son and a daughter. Even after Prince Ziyu ascended the throne, he spent half of the month in Shi Xueji's palace. Compared to other concubines, Shi Xueji was not only not stupid, but also lived a very insightful life.

Yunniang used the same method on Shi Xueji. She called Shi Xueji her sister, but Yunniang's goal was always Liu Yu. She wanted to bring Shi Xueji down from her horse. Shi Xueji pretended to give her power because she knew that people only get carried away when they are successful. In the end, she made Yunniang suffer a big fall.

Shi Xueji knew everything. She knew what Yunniang was doing behind the scenes and Liu Yu's feelings for Liu Miantang. But she never meddled in other people's business. Instead, she pretended to be honest and simple-minded, which deceived everyone. Yunniang made one mistake after another for the sake of power and ended up in the cold palace. Wasn't Shi Xueji also involved in all of this?

Shi Xueji knew her father's thoughts. After Shi Xueji became empress, the Shi family tried many times to send people into the palace. General Shi even thought about sending his most beloved youngest daughter into the palace. However, after Shi Xueji met her stepmother, she immediately gave up the Shi family's idea. Shi Xueji pretended to casually take her mother to the outside of the Cold Palace so that her mother could hear about the fate of women in the Cold Palace. After this intimidation, although several concubine daughters of the Shi family entered the palace, none of them were enough to threaten Shi Xueji's position.

Shi Xueji knew that Liu Yu was the only person she could rely on. General Shi was ambitious, and after the Empress Dowager, Prince Sui, and others failed in their power struggle, only General Shi, Cui Xingzhou, and Liu Yu remained in the court, vying for power. General Shi had done many evil deeds for his own benefit. At this time, Shi Xueji made it clear that the Shi family was the Shi family, and she was herself. It was precisely because she stood firmly on Liu Yu's side that Liu Yu trusted her, and Shi Xueji participated in many of Liu Yu's schemes.

It can be said that Shi Xueji may seem foolish, but she is actually a smart person. She knows that the Shi family cannot be relied on and she is also aware that her appearance is not outstanding. So she wholeheartedly supports all of Liu Yu's actions and eliminates Yunniang, her biggest rival, without making a sound. It has to be said that Shi Xueji is able to endure so that she can sit firmly in the position of empress.

"Not competing is competing."

"Shi Xueji has brought this to its fullest potential."

Jiang Chen naturally understood that none of those who could become empresses were simple people.

It would be strange if Shi Xueji could have become Empress and eventually Empress Dowager.

"This Shi Xueji can be considered a girl from a modest family."

Jiang Chen sized up Shi Xueji.

Although she's from a modest family, she's still quite nice.

By the way, Shi Xueji is a bargaining chip for marriage alliances within the Shi family.

Therefore, getting her is a piece of cake.

"Seeing Shi Xueji makes this trip to Qingzhou worthwhile."

With that in mind, Jiang Chen continued to wander around Qingzhou.

For Jiang Chen, figuring out the situation in Qingzhou was a piece of cake.

So, after wandering around Qingzhou for an hour, Jiang Chen finally left.

……

Yangshan.

"I wonder what Liu Miantang's decision is?"

Jiang Chen looked at the mountain peaks below and murmured.

When Jiang Chen last came to the Second World, he considered that Emperor Wen's fate was unknown, the princes and noble families were restless, and it was not advisable for the Jiang family to directly get involved in the conflict, but it was still possible to place a few pieces on the chessboard.

The bandits of Yangshan were one of the pawns Jiang Chen chose.

Last time he came, Jiang Chen saved Liu Mian Tang and made a deal with her.

With a swift movement, Jiang Chen appeared at Yangshan Village.

"Jiang Chen?" Liu Miantang recognized Jiang Chen, and her expression changed slightly.

"Yes, Miss Liu, it's been a long time." Jiang Chen looked at Liu Miantang with a smile.

"Why are you here?" Liu Miantang asked.

“Miss Liu, don’t you know why I’m here?” Jiang Chen asked.

"..." Liu Miantang.

"Miss Liu, what do you think of the previous deal?" Jiang Chen asked directly.

“I…” Liu Miantang’s face was conflicted.

"Does Miss Liu not wish to?" Jiang Chen approached Liu Mian Tang, looking at her intently.

"Young Master Jiang, I..."

Before Liu Miantang could finish speaking, Jiang Chen put his arm around her waist: "Hmm? Miss Liu, you don't think you can refuse my deal, do you?"

“You…” Liu Miantang’s expression changed slightly.

"Miss Liu, you came to Yangshan to escape an arranged marriage. Do you intend to return to the capital and marry your fiancé?" Jiang Chen asked.

"How did you know?" Liu Miantang's expression changed slightly.

“How could I not know your situation if I wanted to cooperate with you?” Jiang Chen said.

"..." Liu Miantang.

"Besides, you have no choice," Jiang Chen whispered in Liu Mian Tang's ear. "You're a bandit from Yangshan now. Do you think I'd be polite to you?"

In the bandit world, the strong are respected.

Therefore, Jiang Chen didn't think there was anything wrong with treating Liu Miantang this way.

"..." Liu Miantang.

"Besides, can any man you've met now compare to me?" Jiang Chen asked.

"You're too narcissistic." Liu Miantang glared at Jiang Chen fiercely.

"Isn't that right?" Jiang Chen blew a breath into Liu Miantang's ear.

"Don't do this..." Liu Miantang shuddered, then looked at Jiang Chen nervously. She also wanted to leave Jiang Chen's embrace, but Jiang Chen was holding her too tightly.

"What do you mean 'don't do this'..." Jiang Chen smiled, then picked up Liu Mian Tang around the waist and carried her inside.