lady, please calm down

The twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month is the day when Tiedan officially enters the sect.

Tiedan already lived in the palace, so the process was not complicated, but the lineup of guests attracted was huge.

It happened that after the battle of Liaodong, the envoys from various countries who returned to Beijing with the army had not yet left, and they all prepared generous gifts to come to the door to congratulate.

In addition to them, the Queen Mother of Jin, Chai Yuanyi, and the Emperor Retired of Anfeng, Chai Ji, also came in person. In order not to overshadow the guests, both of them wore casual clothes and entered the palace in a low-key manner.

However, the father and daughter came here for different purposes.

At 9:00 p.m. that day, Chen Chu met Chai Yuanyi in the back house where the female guests were received.

After a brief greeting, Chai Yuanyi personally presented a memorial. The gist of the content of the memorial was that the Jin Dynasty had been in civil strife for many years, and now the royal bloodline was cut off. As a woman, Chai Yuanyi was incapable of governing a country, so she was willing to lead five million soldiers and civilians from the five capitals and seventeen prefectures of the Jin Dynasty to submit to the Jin Dynasty.

Although Chen Chu had established the Andong Administration Office in Liaodong, time was short and most of the officials in the Five Capitals were still old officials from the previous dynasty.

When Chai Yuanyi led the people to submit to the Jin Dynasty, the five capitals of the Jin Dynasty were legally transformed into the territory of the Qi State, which could be regarded as a great gift that was icing on the cake.

At the same time, Chai Yuanyi also squeezed the last political resources of the Jin Dynasty to the extreme.

Chen Chu read the memorial and said, "This is a very good thing, but we need to wait a few days before making it public."

Combined with the recent rumors in Tokyo, Chai Yuanyi immediately determined certain things. If the whole country submitted at this time, the unprecedented achievement of expanding territory would fall on Qi. The King of Chu mentioned a few days later, probably because he wanted to wait until the change of dynasty to let the new dynasty take this great achievement that could inspire the morale of the people.

As soon as she thought of this, Chai Yuanyi immediately stood up, bowed gracefully, and knelt down and said, "Congratulations to the King of Chu. I wonder how I will be settled after your ambition is fulfilled?"

When speaking, Chai Yuanyi's eyebrows and eyes were gentle, and her gaze downward was confused and weak.

This is to find a way out for myself.
To be honest, she did have the confidence. On the one hand, Chai Yuanyi almost perfectly fulfilled her original promise, greatly reducing casualties in the process of Chen Chu's easy pacification of Liaodong. Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to say that she served as a soldier of 50,000 soldiers.

Secondly, they were bed mates after all, and after a long time, they became more and more close and developed a friendship of mutual respect.

However, Chen Chu knew very well that Chai Yuanyi was not as pitiful as she appeared at the moment.

"At the beginning, the Queen Mother said that she would help me destroy the Jin Dynasty and the Zhou Dynasty to calm my anger. When the Jin Dynasty surrenders and the north and the south are unified, I will keep my promise and ensure that the Queen Mother will live a safe and prosperous life."

'Wealth?'

Chai Yuanyi didn't need this. She didn't hear the result she wanted. She wanted to talk to Chen Chu again, but she heard someone knocking on the door and saying, "My Lord, the princess is here."

"Oh? Please come in."

After a few breaths, Bai Lu gently pushed open the half-closed door and the cat slowly walked in.

But when she saw Chai Yuanyi kneeling in front of her husband, Mao'er's expression of surprise flashed across her face, and she immediately returned to normal. She walked to Chai Yuanyi, lifted her up without making a sound, and turned to Chen Chu with a slightly reproachful look, "The Queen Mother is here, why didn't the Prince call me to receive her?"

Chen Chu laughed and asked, "Why are you here?"

This was not a question, but just a casual inquiry. After all, this was the study in the back house. Meeting guests here meant that there was important business. Mao'er seldom came here to avoid being suspected of interfering in government affairs.

Mao'er looked at Chai Yuanyi with a strange look and said, "The front said that the emperor came to visit in plain clothes and wanted to see you. I came to let you know."

Chen Chu probably guessed Chai Ji's intention of coming to visit, and stood up and said, "I'll go over and take a look."

After walking a few steps, I remembered that Chai Yuanyi was still here. I couldn't help but stop and look back, and politely bowed, "Your Majesty, please sit here. I will accompany you to talk for a while."

"King Chu, please do as you please."

In front of the cat, Chai Yuanyi had already put away her helpless and pitiful look, and returned the gift in a dignified and generous manner.

If you don’t know, you might think that the two of them are not familiar with each other.

After Chen Chu left, the study room became quiet for a few moments.

Although Mao'er and Chai Yuanyi had met several times, they really had nothing to talk about.

There are many guests in the mansion today. If Cai Huan had not gotten drunk last night and had not woken up yet, the person coming to the study at this time might very well be Cai Huan herself.

Chai Yuanyi's knowledge of Mao'er through rumors was limited to knowing that this princess was famous for her virtue, had a gentle temperament, was kind to others, and never participated in the political affairs of the King of Chu.

Compared to the tremendous feeling of oppression when facing Cai Huan, Chai Yuanyi felt much more relaxed in front of Maoer.

While thinking, Maoer suddenly spoke up: "I often heard the master say that although the Queen Mother had a tragic fate, she was a heroic woman with her country at heart. The events in Liaodong were largely due to the Queen Mother's help. This greatly shortened the war process, saved many unnecessary sacrifices for our soldiers, and saved the people of Liaodong from suffering from the war."

Chai Yuanyi was very pleased with Mao'er's praise, which was slightly official in tone. She first killed Wanyan Tan, then murdered Wanyan An, and disintegrated and divided the Jin Kingdom. If these things were made public, even the people of Qi, who benefited from it, might not necessarily accept it.

After all, the reputation of murdering husbands and children is too vicious.

Some people in the community might not dare to go into battle and fight the Jin soldiers, but after a great victory, some moral guardians always had the courage to stand up and criticize a woman who had given herself to the enemy chief and killed her so-called husband with her own hands.

Mao'er was very smart. He directly affirmed Chai Yuanyi's actions from the righteous perspective of reducing casualties among his own soldiers and reducing the suffering of the people.

These words also helped Chai Yuanyi conceal his true motives: hatred for Wanyan Tan and hatred for his father and brother's incompetence.

The noble cause of "saving people from danger" is always more pleasant to hear than seeking personal revenge out of resentment in one's heart.

But Chai Yuanyi smiled bitterly and said, "I have been wandering for more than ten years, and the pain is hard to describe. As a woman, if I can be protected by my father and brothers when I am young, and find a husband of my dreams when I grow up, who would want to be squeezed in this world?"

When dealing with people of different personalities, Chai Yuanyi will naturally use different methods.

When she met Chen Chu, she tried her best to show her own value. This was the feeling she got from her father and brother in her childhood. Men are power animals. Only by letting them see that she is useful can she get corresponding protection.

As for seduction, it is just the lubricant of this relationship.

When meeting Cai Huan, Chai Yuanyi was very humble, even modest, in front of this woman with an extremely strong personality.

When facing Mao'er, the weapon she used was "sincerity".

Sure enough, after hearing what Chai Yuanyi said, Mao'er was silent for a few breaths, then he sighed and said softly: "Then the Queen Mother..."

Chai Yuanyi naturally noticed the change in Mao'er's expression, but said sadly: "The title of Empress Dowager is not honorable to me, so Princess, please call me Madam Chai. If you don't mind, you can just call me Yuanyi."

Calling each other by their first names is the treatment only best friends can receive.

Mao'er hesitated for a moment, nodded, and then continued: "Then Yuanyi, what are your plans for the future?"

"~"

When Chai Yuanyi saw Mao'er asking about her, she felt happy. Although she was a puppet on the stage in Nanjing, she had more or less tasted the power. It was during that time that she carried out a bloody purge of the remaining concubines and palace maids in Wanyan Tan's harem who had oppressed and humiliated her sisters.

The thrill of having the power of life and death is truly fascinating.

Now the only person in the world who can give her the opportunity to touch this kind of power is the husband of the princess in front of her.

Mao'er was born with a small face and a soft voice. Even after giving birth, her face still looked like an unmarried girl.

Chai Yuanyi couldn't help but not pay as much attention to her as he did to Cai Huan.

Chai Yuanyi's face became more and more sorrowful, and he said in a low voice: "Although I was born in an imperial family, I can't find a place to call home in this world now."

As she spoke, Chai Yuanyi shed tears, "People outside the city who returned south could still find their fathers and brothers to accept them, but I looked around and found no one to rely on."

Mao'er sighed again and handed over the handkerchief. When Chai Yuanyi received the handkerchief, she seemed to have discovered a new world. She suddenly held Mao'er's hand, stared at Mao'er with tears in her eyes and said, "The princess is kind-hearted, and everyone in the world knows it! If the princess doesn't mind, can I stay with the princess? I read a lot of books when I was young. If I stay with the princess, I can do some writing and math, and I can also teach the prince."

"Uh" after pretending to say something wrong accidentally, Chai Yuanyi quickly changed the topic and said: "You can also teach the prince to read. If all else fails, I will stay by the princess' side and be a maid!" This long paragraph was said eagerly, sincerely, and a little pitifully.

Bai Lu, who was standing behind the cat, watched coldly.

But Dai Rui, the maid standing next to Chai Yuanyi, had red eyes.
"How can this be possible? Yuanyi is the princess after all. If she stays in my house as a servant, it will be a great pain for me."

Mao'er looked sympathetic, but he also took the opportunity to withdraw his hand that was held by Chai Yuanyi, frowned and thought for a few breaths, and said, "You can't be a servant. If Yuanyi believes me, there is a way to let you stay in Caizhou permanently, which is much more respectable."

Bai Lu couldn't help but get anxious when she heard that. My queen, she doesn't want to stay with you at all, she wants to stay in the palace!
As the right-hand man of the princess and Hanlu, Bailu naturally knew a lot of inside information. This princess was too cruel, but her cruelty was different from Cai Huan's.

Cai Huan's double standard is blatant. She is vicious to outsiders, but much more tolerant to her own family. This is called helping her relatives but not helping others.

But this princess of Zhou and queen mother of Jin showed no mercy when it came to killing people around her.

If she entered the mansion, how could the princess, Aunt Chen and others, who were accustomed to gentle struggles, defend themselves?

But after hearing what Mao'er said, Chai Yuanyi thought that she agreed to help Chen Chu's marriage. After all, the princess arranged Tiedan's entry into the palace today. Besides, there was already a Jiarou in the palace, so it was not abrupt for Chai Yuanyi to enter the palace.

Chai Yuanyi lowered her head slightly, a hint of shyness appeared on her face at the right time, and whispered: "It's all up to the princess to arrange."

"Ah."

Mao Er nodded and said, "When we first met last year, Yuan Yi said, 'After meeting my mother, I will find a Taoist temple to practice in seclusion.'"

Chai Yuanyi sensed something was wrong and was about to speak, but Mao'er raised his hand to interrupt him. Mao'er continued in a soft voice, "It's a pity that your mother has passed away. There is a Qinglian Temple 20 miles east of Caizhou. In the ninth year of Fuchang, the abbot of Qinglian Temple made a mistake and was dismissed. How about this, when we return to Caizhou, I will take charge of rebuilding Qinglian Temple and moving your mother's tomb there. You will be the abbot and I will be responsible for all expenses. This way, you can fulfill your longing for your mother and also fulfill your wish."

"."

Chai Yuanyi could not help but be stunned on the spot. She did say such words at the beginning, but that was to make Princess Chu and Cai Huan let down their guard against her!
I don’t want to be a nun in this world of mortals!!!

Bai Lu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but glance at the princess. At the beginning, when she first followed Mao'er, Mao'er was still a little girl who worked hard every day to learn accounting, writing and other housekeeping skills.

But at this moment, the cat's little face was full of relief, as if to say, "I finally found a good home for you, you're welcome."

Let’s talk about the front house.

Chai Ji, who didn't know that his daughter was also in the backyard, said a lot of congratulations after seeing Chen Chu, and only expressed his intention to come at the end.

"After drinking the wedding wine of Jin Wang Nami, I want to return to Anfeng."

Chai Ji carefully stated his request.

In the flower hall, Chen Chu and Chai Ji sat opposite each other without distinction of seniority.

Also present were Prime Minister Chen Jing'an of the Anfeng Dynasty, Minister of Rites Pei Weishu, Prime Minister Cai Yuan of Qi State and others.

Chen Chu took the wet towel from Xiao Yi and wiped his face to sober up his hangover. He finished these things slowly and said, "Tokyo City is your Majesty's hometown. Since you are here, why don't you stay for a few more days before leaving?"

Chai Ji quickly bowed and said, "It's not that I don't want to stay in Tokyo, but the New Year is approaching, and the ancestral temple sacrifices in Anfeng City need me to personally preside over them to thank King Jin for his kindness."

Although Tokyo is prosperous, Chai Ji does not feel comfortable staying here. The Zhouqiao Night Market that never stops day and night, the towering palace walls, and the soaring iron towers are all sad.

This great city, rare in the world, used to belong to me!
Although Anfeng is small, hiding in the cramped imperial city and leaving all the worries of the world behind, it is still Chai Ji's paradise.

After listening to Chai Ji's explanation, Chen Chu remained silent, but Cai Yuan said at the right time: "Your Majesty should stay for a while. In a few days, there may be something else that will trouble Your Majesty."

"What's the matter?"

Chai Ji, who was eager to go home, said immediately.

"Haha~" Cai Yuan stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "We are here today to attend the wedding of the King of Chu. We can discuss other matters after the banquet."

The banquet ended in the afternoon of that day.

As expected, Cai Yuan followed the agreement and visited Chai Ji's residence together with important Qi officials such as Chen Jingyan, Zhang Chunxiao, and Du Zhaoqing.

Seeing that the visiting team was of high standard, Chai Ji had no choice but to call on ministers such as Chen Jing'an, Pei Weishu, and Xue Huiyan.

After the conversation between Chen and Wu, Pei Weishu probably guessed that the reason why Prince Jin asked the retired emperor to stay in Tokyo was most likely because he was preparing to tear off the fig leaf and replace him with Liu Qi.

However, the Anfeng Dynasty had already pledged loyalty to Qi. Pei Weishu thought that the King of Jin probably wanted Chai Ji to pledge loyalty to the new dynasty again after he ascended the throne in order to inherit the current relationship between Qi and Zhou.

But as soon as Chen Jingyan opened his mouth, Pei Weishu and Chai Ji were stunned on the spot.

"Submission? Doesn't the King of Jin care about the public opinion? We have just joined the army to help the King of Jin pacify Liaodong, and you want to demolish our ancestral temple and destroy the two hundred years of our country!"

Pei Weishu, who had been feeling aggrieved for years ever since he became the Minister of Rites of the Anfeng Dynasty, exploded when he heard Chen Jingyan's proposal that Anfeng should submit to the country.

"Who said we're going to demolish your ancestral temple?"

Chen Jingyan sneered at Pei Weishu's anger and said, "The King of Chu's meaning is very clear. The emperor will be renamed Duke Anle and supported by the court. The Zhou ancestral temple can continue to be worshipped by the Chai clan."

Chai Ji was old, and was already feeling dizzy from the few glasses of wine he had drunk at noon. He was frightened by the news and just sat in the soft chair in a daze with a dull look in his eyes.

Pei Weishu saw that he could not count on Chai Ji to speak in person, so he could not help but slow down his tone, "Why is the King of Jin doing this? Now the military, politics and taxes in Huainan are all in his hands, which is no different from the land of Daqi. Why not leave a title for the emperor?"

Well, this is the correct attitude. The military and political affairs of Huainan have long been under the control of Huaibei. Pei Weishu wants to win some dignity for Chai Ji.

But Cai Yuan said coldly: "There is no two suns in the sky, and there is no two masters in a country!"

Chen Jingyan beside him also said immediately: "The King of Jin is already in a very difficult situation. If we follow the will of his arrogant and brave generals, we will definitely have to cut the grass..."

The words were not fully spoken, but the threat was blunt and crude.

Chai Ji, who had been sitting there blankly, subconsciously waved his hands and said, "No, no."

Chen Jingyan bowed respectfully to Chai Ji and continued, "Prince Jin is sincere and will not let his subordinates disturb Your Majesty, but arrogant soldiers and brave generals are difficult to restrain, so he is in a difficult position!"

On the Qi side, ministers took turns to fight, but on the Anfeng side, except for Pei Weishu who still wanted to save the country, there was only a frightened emperor.

Just when Pei Weishu felt that he could not do anything alone, he heard Anfeng's Prime Minister Chen Jing'an finally speak, "Chen Jinglüe! Can you let us discuss this matter?"

"Okay." Chen Jingyan was very considerate of his brother's request, but before leaving, he still said to Pei Weishu: "The end of the year is approaching, time is running out, please make a decision early, Your Majesty and everyone else, and give me an answer before noon tomorrow."

After everyone left the villa, Pei Weishu sat down on the chair as if all his strength had been drained away.

"What should we do now?"

Chai Ji, who had recovered from his shock, couldn't help wiping away his tears.

Chen Jing'an stood up and bowed, but before he could say anything, Pei Weishu laughed crazily and said, "Prime Minister Chen, you and your elder brother are singing the same tune, treating everyone else as fools! Now Prime Minister Chen doesn't want to go to your elder brother for a drink to celebrate, but stays here pretending to be serious! Hahaha, what a loyal scholar who doesn't want to be a traitor!"

Chen Jing'an, who wanted to say something, simply straightened up, looked at Pei Weishu and said calmly: "Since the day I came out of the mountains, I have always been loyal to one person. As for you saying that I am pretending... Haha, you should be glad that my brother and I still have the mind to pretend with you. If it weren't for the fact that the King of Chu had pity on the people of Huainan and wanted to make the change of dynasty as peaceful as possible, at this moment, it would be the Huaibei Steel Knife arguing with you!"

Seeing that Chen Jing'an could talk about the matter so lightly, Pei Weishu's anger, which had just been suppressed, broke out again.

He just said, "Do you really think that our dynasty has no power to fight back? Don't forget that there are still 10,000 soldiers of General Zhang Duofu of the Left Thousand Bull Guards outside the city!"

"Master Pei, you are just speaking in anger. You can leave the city now and see if General Zhang will obey your orders."

After that, Chen Jing'an looked at Chai Ji again and said meaningfully: "Master Pei, don't push His Majesty into an irretrievable situation just for fame! Lord Anle is quite good." (End of this chapter)