The playboy county magistrate

Zhang, the wife of the Marquis of Chengen, was merely a woman confined to the inner quarters of the household. Yet, this second wife, the head of the household, was able to accomplish such significant events that could influence the entire Chengen Marquis's mansion.

What if it were a woman from a prominent family with a better reputation, higher prestige, and greater influence?

Tang Zheng felt an itch in his head, as if something was about to grow out.

Li Xuanzhi had no idea that after his advice, Tang Zheng became even more wary of women. Even after he married, he married a simple-minded and honest girl.

There was no other way; Tang Zheng felt that his brain wasn't good enough, and finding someone with a brilliant mind would only make things worse for him.

Of course, these are all things to be discussed later, so let's leave them aside for now.

Imperial City Inn.

The deputy envoy frowned deeply, took the note from Princess Ning'an and read it several times before finally speaking.

"Your Highness, this is such a good opportunity! With officials from the Great Yong court helping us, even if the Emperor of Great Yong blames us, it won't be our fault. Why not take advantage of this opportunity while someone is handing us a knife? Li Xuanzhi doesn't seem like the type to betray his country. Rather than keeping him around to annoy us, we might as well just kill him. If we can't get the talent in the Northern Desert, Great Yong can't either, right?"

Princess Ning'an casually tossed the tea leaves in her cup with her fingertips, the ripples reflecting the unfathomable serenity in her eyes.

"Make a move? We should make a move, but why rush into it now? We need to think carefully about how to make the move, when to make it, and in which direction."

She raised her eyes slightly, her voice cool and detached.

"Those old fogies, Huo Linyuan and his gang, hate Li Xuanzhi to the bone and wish they could tear him to pieces and bring him down. Now that Li Xuanzhi holds the power of oversight, the two sides are in an irreconcilable and irreconcilable situation."

"If we get involved now, and we win, we'll be using their influence to gain criticism for foreign interference. If we lose, we'll lose everything, completely cutting off all benefits and protection from the Great Yong."

"Of course you shouldn't let go of a piece of meat when you can get a bite, but if you don't have the ability and dare to take a bite recklessly, you might lose your life."

"We are people of the northern deserts. We only need to wait for whichever side wins, and then we can ally with that side. Regardless of who wins or loses, it's a loss for the Great Yong Dynasty. What does it have to do with us?"

In this game, there's no need for her to make any moves herself.

The old faction held sway over the court and the country, with deep-rooted influence. Their protégés and former officials were spread throughout the land, and they would never sit idly by while Li Xuanzhi used his supervisory power to clean up long-standing abuses and overthrow the foundations of powerful families.

Li Xuanzhi, knowing he was enjoying the Emperor's favor and wielding a sharp blade, would never tolerate or condone the old faction.

A clash between the two will inevitably end in mutual destruction. Instead of patiently waiting to reap the benefits, Mobei is rushing forward with a bang, truly foolish enough to outdo others.

"But Princess, you previously..."

"The past is the past. If we don't act a little foolish, the people of Dayong will unite to deal with us first, and then fight amongst themselves behind closed doors. Only when they think we are stupid and not worth worrying about can we lie low and reap greater benefits."

I'm speechless. How could Father have chosen such a stupid person as his deputy? He has to arrange everything himself, and he'll have even more wrinkles on his face.

"I'll be waiting right here." Princess Ning'an's lips curled into a cold smile. "The old faction is openly launching a counterattack, while Li Xuanzhi is secretly cracking down on corruption. The fiercer their struggle, the more secure we will be."

The deputy envoy dared not say more and could only respond in a low voice.

"Pass down the order: everyone must behave themselves, stay indoors and observe strict self-discipline. Do not have any private dealings with any court officials, do not utter a word, and do not interfere in anything."

Seeing that he had nothing else to say, Princess Ning'an picked up her teacup, took a sip, and waved for him to leave so she could return to her room to rest.

The shadow guard, who had overheard the news while hiding in a secret underground room of the Imperial City Inn, was secretly alarmed.

The royal family of the northern deserts has truly made progress; even a princess possesses such shrewdness.

Seemingly lying low and patient, they had actually already laid out a long-term plan. Such composure is truly terrifying.

Everything he overheard was recorded and sent to the palace overnight.

Huo Linyuan's secret order also left the capital today by fast horse, heading to various prefectures and counties.

In the past, in the power struggles at court, the old and new forces each had their own checks and balances and their own ways of retreat.

Now, Li Xuanzhi holds the position of Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, wielding the power of impeachment beyond his rank, joint trial by the three judicial departments, and performance evaluation of all officials. This effectively puts the lifeline of all old-fashioned officials in his hands.

No one knows when their past misdeeds of favoritism, embezzlement, and forming cliques will be brought up, publicly impeached, and severely investigated.

In the capital, powerful families and officials of all ranks kept in touch day and night. Everyone was on edge, unable to sit still.

The powerful figures of the past are now like fish on a chopping board, passively awaiting judgment.

This stark contrast filled the old guard with both anger and fear, yet they dared not openly rebel.

The more anxious they became, the more they hated Li Xuanzhi.

However, Li Xuanzhi, the central figure in this storm, remained completely unaffected by external influences.

After handing over all the affairs, he took Liu Yunrou and Gu Pan'er and quickly packed their bags before heading to the Cheng'en Earl's residence.

The transfer order has been issued, and it is believed that Li Xuanzhi's former subordinates in Pingzhou will take over local government affairs as quickly as possible, so there is no need for him to stay in the territory.

After arriving in the capital, he had no fixed residence; the Cheng'en Earl's Mansion was his home. It was perfectly legitimate for him to bring his two beloved concubines to live there.

As the sun sets, its golden rays bathe the vermilion gates of the Earl's Mansion.

The servants in the manor spotted Li Xuanzhi from afar, noticing his upright court attire and composed demeanor. No one dared to show the slightest disrespect or negligence; they all hurriedly bowed their heads in utmost respect.

In the past, this second young master, despite being the legitimate son, was never valued in the Earl's mansion and was the most inconspicuous figure in the mansion.

The situation is different now; the second young master has risen rapidly to a high-ranking position as a fourth-rank supervisor.

He enjoys the emperor's favor and holds great power, making him a figure whom the entire Earl's household must look up to.

Li Xuanzhi remained calm, seemingly oblivious to the servants' recent change, and carried them straight into the mansion.

Inside the Earl's mansion, a gentle breeze wafted through the corridors, amidst lush flowers and trees, creating an elegant scene, yet the atmosphere was oppressively suffocating.

In the courtyard of the eldest son, Li Xuanjing, the doors and windows were tightly closed, and the faint sound of teeth grinding could be heard.

All the servants in the courtyard kept their distance, and no one dared to approach even half a step.

Li Xuanjing sat upright in the hall, his hand gripping the latest court news report tightly. His fingertips clenched so hard the veins bulged and his knuckles turned white. His face was contorted and ashen, his eyes churning with overwhelming jealousy, resentment, and rage.

As the eldest son of the Earl's family, he was born into nobility and was the center of attention.

From childhood to adulthood, regardless of talent, status, future prospects, or position, he has always been one step ahead of Li Xuanzhi.

In his eyes, Li Xuanzhi was nothing more than the son of a powerless second wife. He was only fit to submit to orders and live a mediocre life. He would forever live in his shadow, as his foil.

But in just a few months, everything changed drastically.