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Chapter 517: Lovesickness (Part )
After Jiang Shaohua returned to the palace, he first went to see Emperor Taihe, and then went back to Jingyang Palace to deal with Empress Dowager Zheng. When he finished everything and was alone, it was already midnight.

Only then did she have time to read the letter.

In his letter, Chen Changshi reported on various affairs in Nanyang County over the past half month. In his letter, Feng Changshi complained that the Royal Guard Battalion was expanding too quickly and the financial pressure on the royal palace was quite heavy. His father Lu Xuan's letter was put aside and not even opened.

Cui Du's letter is much more interesting.

A simple and interesting charcoal drawing in a familiar exaggerated style, with a big-headed boy and girl staring at each other from a distance.

Cui Du poured all his lovesickness into this painting. There was no need to write anything else, as she would naturally understand.

She stretched out her finger and paused on the boy's cheek in the picture, as if she was touching his face from thousands of miles away.

Yinzhu Tubai had already tactfully retreated.

"The little mute is really patient. He has only written two letters to the princess in such a long time."

"You don't understand this! The princess is busy all day, how can she have time for love? The little mute knows the princess's temper and finds the right balance. He expresses his love for her without being too clingy and distracting her."

When the two maids gossiped in private, they were still used to calling her the little mute.

Tu Bai smiled and tugged at Yin Zhu's sleeve: "Don't always talk about the princess, talk about you and your brother Sanbao. Are you planning to get married when you return to Nanyang County this time?"

Yin Zhu felt a little distressed, holding her face and sighing, "I want to wait until I'm twenty to get married. Brother Sanbao originally wanted to wait a little longer, but his parents are very anxious and keep urging us to get married quickly. Ignore them, and wait another two years."

"Tu Bai, what are your plans? There are so many people in and outside the palace, and you don't have any that you like?"

Tu Bai hummed: "I don't want to get married. I will stay with the princess as a personal maid."

Yin Zhu laughed softly, "Don't be so sure. You haven't met someone you like yet. Maybe in a year or two, you'll be crying and begging the princess to marry you."

After chatting and laughing for a long time, the princess did not ask them to come in and serve. Yin Zhu could not wait any longer and knocked on the door gently: "Princess, it's getting late, go to bed early! You have to get up early to attend court tomorrow!"

Only then did Jiang Shaohua put away Cui Du's letter.

Lying on the bed, I couldn't fall asleep, and Cui Du's face kept appearing in my mind.

To be fair, Cui Du had a good appearance, but he was not a stunningly beautiful boy. But he was particularly attractive to her. She also liked his unique temperament.

There was no earth-shattering event, no vows of eternal love, they just came together naturally and became an engaged couple.

Just like the trickling of a stream, it is soothing, reassuring and solid.

After thinking silently for a long time, Jiang Shaohua slowly fell asleep. The corners of his mouth were still raised in his sleep. I wonder what kind of beautiful dream he had.

……

On the same night, Zheng Chen tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep.

After turning over again on the bed, Zheng Chen suddenly got off the bed: "Peng Sihai!"

The personal soldier Peng Sihai came in quickly.

There was a candlestick in the corner of the room. Under the dim light, Zheng Chen's handsome face looked strangely gloomy. "Send a few people to Nanyang County to secretly look for an opportunity to kill Cui Du."

Peng Sihai was startled and looked up suddenly: "Sir, why do you want to kill Cui Du?" Zheng Chen looked at him coldly: "I have my reasons for what I want to do, just do it, don't ask any more questions."

Peng Sihai was really brave. Not only did he not retreat, but he knelt down and said, "Sir, I really shouldn't interfere with your actions. But, the last time the princess was assassinated, the case has not been investigated. I'm afraid the princess has become suspicious of you."

"If Lord Changning encounters an assassin again in Nanyang County, regardless of whether the assassination is successful or not, I am afraid that it will expose your strength. It will also completely anger the princess. I beg you to think twice!"

A cold light flashed in Zheng Chen's eyes.

Who was responsible for the assassination outside the Ministry of Industry? Everyone had their own guesses. Only he and Jiang Yi knew the truth of the matter.

He expected that the assassination would fail. This was originally an act of framing someone and taking advantage of the situation. Unfortunately, Jiang Shaohua did not fall for it and turned the assassination case into an unsolved case, doing a favor for General Zuo and Prime Minister Wang.

Jiang Shaohua repeatedly probed Jiang Yi, and it was obvious that he suspected Jiang Yi was responsible. As for whether he was suspicious of him, even he couldn't tell.

This also shows how cunning Jiang Shaohua is.

Using the secret guards to assassinate Cui Du was indeed not a wise move. It was not good for the overall situation. But at this time, the jealous fire in his heart was surging and he could not suppress it at all.

"Do as I tell you!"

Peng Sihai's persuasion was in vain, so he had to bow and accept the order and leave.

Zheng Chen stared at the candlelight in the corner, as if he saw Cui Du being killed by an arrow and blood splattering five steps away. The stuffy anger in his chest finally eased a little.

……

The atmosphere at the small court meeting the next morning was quite solemn.

In addition to civil officials, several military generals in the capital also attended the small court meeting, including General Bao, who was in charge of the Imperial Guards, General Liu, General Song, General Zuo, and General Sima, who succeeded General Fan.

When Prime Minister Wang took out the letter from the Rouran Kingdom, all the ministers were filled with anger. Especially General Zuo, who was furious: "This Fu Mingdun killed our border troops and abducted the people of Daliang as slaves. Now he dares to send a letter to ask for the princess of Daliang in marriage! He is so shameless, hateful and annoying. He is going too far!"

General Bao and other military officers also shouted angrily: "Bah! Fu Mingdun is old enough to be the princess's grandfather. How dare he ask for her hand in marriage!"

"Fu Mingdun already has a Khan. Our Daliang Princess is so noble, yet he actually asked her to be his wife! He is so shameless!"

"This is a humiliation to our Daliang! We cannot tolerate this!"

"Please ask the Prime Minister to report to the Emperor immediately and have the Rouran envoy beheaded and his head hung on the city wall."

Most of the military generals had hot tempers. They were so ruthlessly humiliated by this shameless letter from the Rouran that they were furious and wanted to draw their swords to kill people.

The reaction of the civil officials was relatively calm. Then Zhang Shangshu said, "Generals, please be patient. The marriage of peace has been a practice since ancient times. The Rouran cavalry is fierce and has amazing combat power. Once they are fully deployed, the border troops will be defeated and suffer heavy casualties. General Zuo knows this best."

All the ministers looked at General Zuo.

As members of the same faction as the Prime Minister, General Zuo and Minister Zhang were not on good terms. General Zuo was quite unhappy when Minister Zhang exposed his true colors in public. He said calmly, "Could it be that Minister Zhang supports the princess' marriage?"

The generals glared at each other angrily.

Minister Zhang coughed and said, "For such an important matter, your and my opinions have no influence. Let's hear what the Prime Minister and the Princess have to say."

Prime Minister Wang frowned and looked at Jiang Shaohua: "What do you think, Princess?"