Raising a wife? The mistress of the Hou family divorced and remarried her younger uncle

Chapter 382 Overjoyed
Since marrying Lu Jing, Su Qingwan has almost given up control of Huainan, handing it all over to Nianqing. She also told the local officials in Huainan that everything should be done in Nianqing's best interest. Her main consideration was that the Princess and Lu Jing were political rivals, and it would be difficult for her to monitor Huainan after marrying Lu Jing. Now she regrets it a bit. She should have sent someone to Nianqing's side like the Princess did.

The eldest princess claimed to be taking care of and protecting Nianqing, but in reality, they would also guide and influence Nianqing to do anything that would benefit the royal family. Su Qingwan simply didn't expose the princess's true intentions.

She actually understood the princess's mindset. She loved Nianqing and was willing to give her life for her. She never doubted a mother's love for her child.

But she is more concerned with the stability of the Li family's empire.

She hoped that Nianqing's heart would be with the royal family, and that he would live peacefully as a prince in Huainan without any rebellious intentions. But she forgot that Huainan had a special geographical location, and that her father and brothers also had the responsibility of protecting the territory and guarding the country's borders. Therefore, they were granted the title of prince through military achievements and were first-rank princes.

Now that Xilin has returned, Huainan is no longer the border of the country. Beyond Xilin lies poverty and destitution, a small tribe of no more than a thousand people, unable to amount to anything. If Huainan does not guard the border, yet remains a vassal state for generations, acting as a local emperor in Huainan, its achievements and titles are not commensurate. Why should it do so?
The Huainan region was wealthy, and the fiefdom granted to Huainan by Emperor Shizu was large. Huainan was self-sufficient and very prosperous, which would inevitably make the imperial family envious. Emperors of all dynasties wanted to abolish the fiefdom.

Why would someone willingly give such a large piece of meat to the King of Huainan?

Once the feudal domains are abolished, it will lead to turmoil and internal strife.

This is a dead end.

Therefore, all the civil and military officials hoped that after Xilin surrendered, the fiefdom would be abolished directly. However, this would be like discarding a donkey after it has served its purpose. Nianqing led his men to conquer Xilin, but the court wanted to abolish the fiefdom. This would inevitably cause dissatisfaction among the three armies and could easily lead to rebellion by the military generals.

Therefore, the best solution would be for the King of Huainan to die quietly. He was still young, unmarried, and had no bloodline; he was the only heir of Huainan. If he died, Huainan would naturally return to the imperial court.

After the eldest princess left, Su Qingwan sat absentmindedly by the lotus pond, her heart heavy. If she were the emperor, already in power, and wanted Huainan, she would have sent someone to kill Nianqing. This was inevitable; no emperor would not want to abolish the feudal lords, especially after Xilin surrendered, the King of Huainan was no longer of any use.

However, the King of Huainan was popular and supported by military generals, so he could not be killed openly, and could only be killed in secret.

If he doesn't die, the Xilin and Huainan regions will remain his biggest threats.

Qingyun said, "No one expected that the young prince could conquer Xilin so quickly. Everyone thought it would take four or five years, by which time the young prince would be fully capable and the young lady would have time to plan. Now, Xilin has been conquered in just one year, catching everyone off guard."

It was unexpected, but Su Qingwan was also happy for Nianqing, who had the same qualities as his father.

“I regret not sending someone to follow Nianqing. Now that Nianqing is back in the capital, some people will definitely make a fuss about it,” Su Qingwan sighed. “But it’s okay. I trust him. He is a member of the Huainan bloodline. I believe he can handle it.”

A minor plague wouldn't kill him.

Lu Jing should also know that if Nian Qing really dies in a plague, it will be the end for him and her, because no matter whether Lu Jing did it or not, it will become a thorn between them!

The butler rushed in to report, "Your Highness, Your Highness, great news... The Prince has returned!"