You have truly caused me great suffering!

For a time, Chen Shao felt dizzy and lightheaded from reading the memorials to the emperor.

He felt that he hated seeing these things the most.

If one day I have the means, I will definitely leave these things far behind.

But at the start of the new year, even though he hadn't watched it for only seven or eight days, he couldn't resist anymore.

If I don't come and see, I'll be so restless and uncomfortable all over.

Sure enough, after reading the reports and replying to several of them, Chen Shao felt much more fulfilled.

That feeling of guilt and fear vanished instantly.

Emerging from the government office, Chen Shao glanced at Da Hu and asked, "Where do you usually eat lunch?" It was only just past noon.

Da Hu scratched his head and said, "After Your Majesty returns to the inner quarters, my mother will come out and bring me food."

Chen Shao nodded. Dong Shi was quite clever; if he hadn't gone back, Da Hu would definitely have followed him.

No wonder I often see her at the gate every time I return to the inner courtyard.

Da Hu was Chen Shao's personal bodyguard. Although it may seem like he didn't need to use him on a daily basis, such a personal bodyguard had to be kept even if he was only used once in his life.

One visit is enough to make it worthwhile!

After returning to the inner courtyard, Chen Shao instinctively lifted his foot to go to Shishi's courtyard.

Suddenly, he noticed a carriage parked at the entrance; it was the Song family's carriage, which he recognized very well.

Chen Shao's heart skipped a beat. How could she have come here without informing him?

Usually, it was Chen Shao who sent someone, and only then would Song come to him, all freshly bathed.

Upon closer reflection, Chen Shao realized that the person who came today was not looking for him.

They're probably here to wish each other a Happy New Year.

He turned and walked into the courtyard, where it was indeed very lively.

Chen Shao caught a maid and asked her a question, only to find out that Song Shi, Li Qingzhao and Princess Maode had come together today.

They were all frequent visitors to the Prince's mansion. Although Huanhuan wasn't particularly talented, she truly loved reading and poetry.

Therefore, she treated Li Qingzhao very well.

It just so happened that Li Qingzhao was living in poverty, so he was happy to come and visit her, much like the poor relatives in the Grand View Garden.

Everyone else was fine, but when Chen Shao heard that Princess Maode had also come, he became a little concerned.

He didn't know whether Princess Maode knew about Cai Tiao's affairs.

I heard that the couple had a very loving relationship, and that Princess Maode had even come to the mansion to see Lady Lin in the past, hoping to improve her health and give birth to a son or daughter for Cai Tiao.

Thinking of this, Chen Shao decided to give her a try.

After taking a few steps forward, Chen Shao suddenly realized that whether she knew or not, it didn't really matter.

He shook his head with a wry smile, and was about to leave when he happened to see Madam Song lifting the curtain and coming out.

When she saw Chen Shao, her eyes lit up, but then she felt a little guilty.

Chen Shao pointed to the room at the back of the courtyard, and Song immediately blushed.

Chen Shao went in on his own. This was the maids' room, and Qiu Ju, a young maid who was on her day off, was resting inside. When she saw Chen Shao come in, she was at a loss for what to do.

Chen Shao coughed lightly and said to her, "I have some business to take care of here. You keep watch at the door for me, and I'll reward you with a box of candied fruit later."

Qiu Ju's eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously.

A moment later, Mrs. Song, lifting her skirt, sneaked in like a thief.

Chen Shao was a head taller than her, so he used his robe sleeve to brush the cabinet aside, picked her up, and sat her on the cabinet.

Song looked up, wanting to kiss him, but Chen Shao gently pushed her away and asked with a smile, "What did you say when you went in?"

Madam Song said shyly, "I was just saying I needed to relieve myself."

"almost."

Song lowered her head in embarrassment, looking like she had done something wrong and seemed easy to bully.

Qiuju leaned against the wall by the door, looking nervous, trying to keep watch for her box of candied fruit.

The room was filled with all sorts of unbearable noises, but there were no complete sentences, which she, being quite young, couldn't understand at all.

But she felt a tingling sensation in her heart, as if she had understood something.

Qiuju tilted her head, wondering whether the lady was happy or unhappy, given that she was both crying and laughing. It was really strange.

Song was originally somewhat insecure, but as she spent more time with Chen Shao, she no longer needed to ask him if he disliked her. She only needed to feel his unconditional love and tenderness, and there was no need for her to ask any more questions.

The harder Chen Shao touched her, the more at ease Song felt, as if each touch was touching her heart.

The vibrant and exciting emotions were eventually concealed by the fabric, and the room returned to tranquility. Even the swaying shadows of the trees by the window in the afternoon seemed to have stopped.

The air was filled with a variety of smells, a mixture of fragrance, sweat, and indescribable odors, as if spices had been sprinkled into murky water.

It was fragrant but very damp, not refreshing at all, like the sticky, wet feeling left on her fingertips when she tucked her long hair up with her fingers.

Chen Shao patted her cheek, said a few comforting words, then pulled up his pants and left.

Qiuju entered cautiously. At this moment, Madam Song was lying in bed, feeling somewhat embarrassed in front of this young maid from the Prince's mansion.

She was so engrossed in her emotions that she hadn't paid much attention to anything else, and the maid probably overheard her.

At this point, I did feel that the matter was a bit difficult to talk about.

After she struggled to get up and dressed, the thick, dark robe had already covered her fair and delicate skin. However, her long hair was a little messy, her makeup was smudged, and her skin still had a lingering blush and sweat.

His disheveled appearance made him look as if he had just been forced into something.

"Madam, would you like to wipe your face?" Qiuju asked, somewhat bewildered, as she offered a handkerchief.

Song became even more embarrassed, lowered her head and walked out without daring to say a word.

"really weird."

Li Qingzhao and Maode knew about these things, so they felt uneasy when Song Shi didn't return for a long time.

They glanced at each other, both understanding the meaning in each other's eyes.

Fortunately, the women of the Prince's mansion did not suspect anything.

After a while, Song came in, and they immediately noticed that something was wrong.

Several people were gathered around the table, all playing mahjong, while Song sat in her chair as if nothing was wrong.

Li Qingzhao was highly skilled, so she handled things with ease, and sometimes she even had the mind to glance at Song Shi.

At first, both she and Maode disapproved of Song Shi and Chen Shao's behavior.

However, as time went on, when they realized that Chen Shao wasn't just toying with them, but was genuinely good to them, their attitudes gradually changed.

In addition, Cai You was universally disliked.

In their hearts, they even felt fortunate for the Song family.
Moreover, because of this relationship, they can live a better life. After all, everyone wants to rely on the powerful Prince Dai's Mansion for shade.

At this moment, Maode's mind was in turmoil, as his sister-in-law would do this every time she came.

Are they really that addicted?
Thinking of her husband, she felt a pang of sadness.

Previously, the prince consort and she treated each other with utmost respect and harmony. Even before the prince consort's accident, they rarely shared a room.

Why do my sister-in-law and the Prince of Dai always have to meet?
Thinking of this, Maode blushed inexplicably, and Huanhuan clapped and laughed loudly in his ears: "You lost, hahaha!"

Maode smoothed a strand of hair behind his ear and forced a smile. "What bad luck."
-

Within the city of Bianliang, undercurrents were surging.

With the external wars subsided, the most classic traditional activity of the Song Dynasty—internal strife and factional struggles—began again.

It must have been tough for them, having rested for more than half a year. The pressure from Wanyan Zongwang was truly immense.

Everyone thought that Prince Chen Shao, who held immense power and whose influence was unparalleled at the time, should be extremely busy.

He had over 100,000 troops stationed at the border, and the situation in the court was so complex.

The Prince of Dai had no idea how much he had to do, how many people he needed to accept and appease, or how many conspiracies and schemes against the Song Dynasty he needed to carry out one after another.

No one suspected that Chen Shao was in the mood to have an affair with Cai You's wife.

Although Chen Shao is only in his early twenties, no one in the Bianliang court really sees him as a young man. They generally regard him as a cunning and ruthless leader.

In their minds, Chen Shao should be making grand plans at this time, working hard to maintain his enormous power for a long time, and probably not getting more than two or three hours of sleep a day.

Even if Chen Shao wanted to interfere in everything, he couldn't actually get involved. Sometimes, knowing how to delegate is the most important thing.

For example, Chen Shao was too lazy to get his hands on the finances of the Song Dynasty. As long as Cai Jing could guarantee the Dingnan Army the necessary supplies and provisions, he didn't care what the rest was used for.

It's very complicated here. If you really delve into it, even if Cai Jing were to explain everything to you without holding back, it would be impossible.

It's likely that Chen Shao wouldn't understand either, as the financial system of the Song Dynasty is extremely complex and different from that of the Dingnan Army.

Apart from Cai Jing, few people could understand him, which is why Emperor Huizong was so wary of him, yet still had to appoint him as prime minister six times.

I can't accept it.

In the future, the system of the Dingnan Army will definitely be replaced, but before that, no one is more suitable than Cai Jing to serve as the transitional leader!
This is why Chen Shao gave Cai Jing so much face, not only helping him regain his high position, but also keeping his grandson in an important position by his side to show his close relationship with him.

Cai Jing was also incredibly intelligent; he didn't even need to explain things to him. A single glance was enough for Cai Jing to understand.

The two sides cooperated very well.

Cai Jing diligently used the Song Dynasty's finances to help the Dingnan Army raise supplies. Incidentally, he also helped Chen Shao suppress and appease a large number of Song Dynasty officials and gentry, preventing them from all opposing Chen Shao.

They might even gradually blend and then be added back in.

Ultimately, it's a matter of rhythm and degree; the Dingnan Army emerged out of nowhere and rose to prominence in just three to five years.

The new power structure is just beginning to take shape, and what is most needed is the restraint of all parties involved in this new power structure, so that this new power structure can gradually stabilize.

Those who are part of this power system can obtain the greatest benefits.

Inheriting the legacy of the Song Dynasty is much better than destroying it and rebuilding it. Chen Shao never wanted to completely ruin the family business from the beginning.

Chen Shao spent his days reading reports and his afternoons with his family, leading a relatively easy and comfortable life.

Just then, news came from the Engineering Institute that there had been new progress in the development of the cannon.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Chen Shaoxi, despite it being afternoon, hurriedly led his personal guards to the engineering institute. (End of Chapter)