She refused to marry.

Below the city gate.

The Emperor of Chen sat in his sedan chair, a canopy above his head, his gaze deep and somber.

The sight of the surrounding people spreading the news made the old emperor frown.

"Investigate why the people are so agitated."

"Yes," the old eunuch bowed.

Standing to the side, the Crown Prince straightened his back with smug satisfaction. Today, he would see how his father would protect the eldest princess's faction.

A moment later, the eunuch hurried back, his expression grave. He walked to the emperor's side and said, "Your Majesty, the people are saying that Prince Fengchen's hair has turned white due to the war."

"White hair?" The emperor's hand tightened.

Jing'er is only in her early twenties, how could she have white hair?

The Crown Prince's face immediately darkened. The old eunuch wouldn't explain why; could it be that he was siding with the Eldest Princess's faction?

"Father, there's no need to investigate further." The Crown Prince stepped forward.

"Does the Crown Prince know the reason?" His Majesty asked, glancing sideways.

"Yesterday, someone was placing bets in the streets about why Fengchen Jun's hair turned white today. This caused quite a stir and alarmed the Imperial City Guard." The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow.

His Majesty frowned slightly. "Your Highness, please speak."

"Father, it's just a rumor circulating among the people, nothing to mention. It's just that I feel sorry for Prince Fengchen." The Crown Prince cupped his hands in greeting.

"You stop halfway through your sentence, Your Highness. This isn't like you." The Emperor glanced at him. "Zhang Dehai, you speak."

"Yes." Eunuch Zhang bowed his head and bent over.

The crown prince raised his eyes smugly.

"The people all say that Lord Fengchen has white hair because he is the reincarnation of Venus, born to assist the emperor in securing peace and stability for the country," said Eunuch Zhang.

"What?" The crown prince frowned upon hearing this.

"Hahahaha..." The emperor patted the armrest of his dragon throne with delight, "Venus...good!"

As soon as the emperor said "good," the court officials below echoed his agreement.

The crown prince's face darkened, and he turned to the guard beside him, "Go investigate."

The old emperor took note of the crown prince's actions.

Dust rose in the distance as the triumphant army returned, led by Lord Feng Chen in full armor. What caught the eye most was his head of white hair.

"Look, it's white hair!!"

"It's Venus!!"

"Truly a reincarnation of Venus!!"

"Lord Fengchen is mighty!"

"Lord Fengchen is mighty!"

The shouts created waves of excitement.

Xiao Xuanjing sat on horseback, looking around, his pace slowing down more and more.

"My lord, His Majesty is still waiting. Let's go. Anyone who doesn't know better might think you're after the people's reputation." Qingshan glanced back, feeling sorry for his master.

Miss Su's absence today has left His Majesty feeling uneasy.

Feng Chenjun lowered his eyes in disappointment. "Very well, there's always tomorrow."

"My lord, the people below all say that you are the reincarnation of Venus." Jian Qingshan looked at the crowded people, his ears perked up.

"After entering the city, send people to investigate." Xiao Xuanjing frowned.

From the moment I passed the temple, I began to hear some rumors.

If it was orchestrated by someone with ulterior motives, he would like to meet that person.

The carriage slowly approached the city gate.

Civil and military officials were already respectfully welcoming him, with His Majesty seated at the very front, his gaze deep and somber.

The crown prince, standing to the side, was ashen-faced.

Xiao Xuanjing dismounted, walked to the Emperor, removed his helmet, and said, "Your Majesty, I have been ordered to suppress the rebellion and force Prince Changxin to retreat. I am now returning to the capital to report on the war."

"Rise." The emperor rose from his sedan chair, stepped down, and reached out to support Xiao Xuanjing's arm, his gaze falling on the white hair. "You've worked hard, Lord Fengchen."

"It is my duty," Xiao Xuanjing said in a hoarse voice.

"Zhang Dehai, convey my decree."

Zhang Dehai stepped forward respectfully, unfurled the yellow silk, and read: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Prince Fengchen, Xiao Xuanjing, is endowed with extraordinary talent and strategy, and his loyalty and courage are unparalleled. In the battle of the northern border, he secured the border and stabilized the country, his merits surpassing those of the nation."

I hereby bestow upon you the Yellow Axe and White Banner, and appoint you as the Deputy Marshal of the Armed Forces of the Realm, in charge of all military affairs in the capital region and the surrounding areas. All matters concerning conquest shall be reported directly to me without going through the Ministry of War.

I hereby bestow upon you a golden book and iron certificate, which will exempt you from ten capital offenses and will be passed down for three generations. Even if you plot treason, you will not be prosecuted.

In addition, he was granted a fief of 10,000 households, an annual stipend of 30,000 shi of rice, and a mansion in the capital, with the same scale as a prince. He was permitted to establish his own residence and appoint his own officials. Civil and military officials of the third rank and below were to be appointed first, and then reported to the Ministry of Personnel.

"Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your great kindness. What merit do I possess?" Xiao Xuanjing knelt down.

"Jing'er is worthy of it." The emperor bent down and patted the dust off his shoulder. "Since you have worked so hard for me, I will give you a position that no one dares to touch."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I am humbled." Xiao Xuanjing accepted the decree.

Since the founding of the dynasty, such a reward has only been given once during the reign of Emperor Taizu.

"Zhang Dehai, today the Emperor Fengchen has returned in triumph. Open the city gates and let the whole country celebrate for three days." The Emperor smiled and walked back with Xiao Xuanjing's help.

"Your Majesty, were you feeling better while I was away?" Xiao Xuanjing asked from the side.

"Good, very good. Now that you're back, I don't need to worry about anything anymore." The emperor's mind was in turmoil.

The disturbances in the palace could no longer be suppressed.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, your humble servant will do everything in my power to serve Your Majesty faithfully." Xiao Xuanjing glanced at the Crown Prince as he passed by.

The prince stood frozen in place, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"Let's go back to the palace and see your mother and the Empress Dowager. They are very worried about you." His Majesty walked with a sense of relief.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey your command."

The court officials all headed to the palace, while the returning troops rushed to the western camp.

The people, still in high spirits, lingered near the city gate in a noisy commotion.

*

At night, Su Wanwan looked at the accounts in her hands with a troubled expression.

The already meager funds are now even more strained.

Today's expenses were just too high.

"Twelve thousand taels, tsk tsk..." Su Wanwan closed the account book.

"Miss, we still have a bill on the big restaurant, it's 18,000 taels in total," Qiu Shi said in a low voice from the side.

Chunhua tugged at her brother's sleeve, "If the young master were here, he would never have let our young lady lose so much money."

"Shh, that's in the past. Our new son-in-law is Feng Chenjun now, so don't talk nonsense." Qiu Shi made a gesture.

"well...."

"well...."

"well...."

The three of them sighed in unison.

After a while.

Su Wanwan roused herself, "If all else fails, we'll have to take a risky approach."

"Miss, what's the plan? Even if we sell the house, it won't be enough to cover it." Chunhua frowned.

"Did you see the scene when Feng Chenjun returned today? Wow, a huge crowd of women came to offer flowers. If you could win over those women's hearts..."

"Selling Feng Chenjun's merchandise, the money will just obediently go into my pocket, hehe..." Su Wanwan smiled softly as she thought of this.

"Miss, what are you talking about? What pig whip? What does Feng Chenjun have to do with pig whip?" Chunhua asked, puzzled.

Qiu Shi was also scratching his head.

Miss, are you perhaps terrified by this deficit?

"Qiushi, go find a group of skilled craftsmen. Chunhua, go to the teahouse and say that Lord Fengchen is blessed by the gods. We'll either lose big or make a fortune. Let's take a gamble." Su Wanwan clapped her hands.

"what?"

Chunhua's mouth dropped open. What was her young mistress up to now? Her mistress's storeroom was emptier than her head. If this continued, the Su family mansion might not even be able to survive.

Qiu Shi was stunned for a moment, but quickly regained her composure. "Miss, I will prepare tomorrow."

He didn't care what kind of pig's penis it was; as long as it was something the young lady wanted to do, he would do it.