Reborn Princess

Inside Prime Minister Yang's residence in Yanjing City, Yang Zhen was in the study listening to a report from a man in plain clothes.

"Prince Prime Minister, Prince Ding'an and Princess Ding'an have been captured by Zhang Bing. What should we do with them now?"

Yang Zhen stood in front of the desk, holding a pen and bending over, and wrote the last sentence of "Lanting Preface" on the rice paper: "The readers in the future will also be moved by this article."

Putting down the pen in his hand, Yang Zhen stamped the seal on the paper, then he washed his hands and wiped them dry with a cloth.

The study was very quiet. Yang Zhen didn't say anything, so the man just bent his waist and waited for Yang Zhen to speak.

"He is an overconfident person who thinks he is superior to others just because he has fought a few holy wars."

"Tell Zhang Bing that there is no need to keep the person. He has been dealt with cleanly."

"Yes."

The man was about to leave, but Yang Zhen ordered, "Now that we have caught him, tell Qian'er to hurry up."

"Also, have our people intercept all the letters sent to Yanjing by Zhou Cechen's people at all the post stations leading from Yangzhou to Yanjing."

"Yes."

After the man left, Yang Zhen walked to the innermost wall of the study and looked at the map of the entire Da Qi hanging on it, his eyes dark and unclear.

……

Yangzhou, in Fusheng Building, Lu Hanze sat at the tea table and ordered tea. He looked at the words in front of him, "Is this your prince's plan? Let yourself be arrested first?"

The words were: "It's a helpless move."

"Helpless?" Lu Hanze chuckled, "I see he and his princess were captured together, and he seemed very happy about it."

Looking at the foam on the tea, he said, "If the prince is not caught, Yang Zhen will not act rashly. Now is the best time."

"So you want my people from Fusheng Building to go out?"

"Yes, the prince has ordered that we must have people on the Slender West Lake. When those thin horses meet the people from Xiqi, we will replace the thin horses with our people."

Lu Hanze raised his eyebrows slightly: "Our people? That skinny horse you spent one million taels on should be put to use now, right?"

Yanci frowned: "No need for her."

"Reluctant?"

"There is someone behind her, but I don't know who he is or whether he is good or evil. I can't let her know these things."

Lu Hanze smiled and nodded: "Is it because you can't let her know, or are you afraid that she will be in danger?"

Yanci ignored his words. Lu Hanze pushed the tea in front of Yanci and said, "Drink it. This is brewed by me."

"When will we go to rescue them?" Lu Hanze asked.

"After our people meet up with those from Xiqi."

……

In the dungeon of Xiuchun Tower, Shen Xilan leaned on Zhou Cechen. She closed her eyes but her mind was exceptionally clear.

Seeing that she looked worried, Zhou Cechen asked in a low voice, "Are you feeling unwell?"

Shen Yanlan shook his head after hearing Zhou Cechen's words: "Prince, have you known for a long time that Yang Zhen is colluding with the people of Xiqi?"

Zhou Cechen nodded: "I knew it four years ago."

Shen Yanlan thought for a moment and asked, "Your Highness, have you ever regretted giving up martial arts and pursuing literature four years ago?"

Zhou Cechen looked at the person leaning against him and said, "No."

The turmoil in the court four years ago was a hidden danger planted by Zhou Hengyan when he ascended the throne. Although Zhou Hengyan was the legitimate prince, the previous emperor intended to make Zhou Chao the emperor.

How could the empress dowager fulfill the late emperor's wish? She had planned and devised a plan before the late emperor announced the edict to establish an emperor. Later, the late emperor suddenly passed away, and the Cao family, as the leader, assisted the prime minister of the time, the Yang family, to support the prince as emperor and changed the era name to Yongzhen.

Many of the old ministers were dissatisfied and questioned whether Zhou Hengyan was appointed by the late emperor himself. The empress dowager then took out the imperial edict with the imperial seal and had the eunuchs read it out in the hall in order to calm public opinion.

But Zhou Chao naturally would not give up, so in the fourth year of Yongzhen, many officials suddenly expressed their dissatisfaction with the emperor's power in the court.

At that time, Zhou Cechen held nearly half of the military power of Da Qi. Although he swore allegiance to the emperor, both the Yang family and the officials felt that Zhou Cechen's power was too great, and there were even rumors that Zhou Cechen was plotting a rebellion.

All the ministers were outraged at the moment. One official openly said during the court session that the emperor's military power was not as great as that of a general. Although Zhou Hengyan ordered the death penalty, he still could not suppress the public's criticism.

If he wants to secure the throne, he must get rid of Zhou Cechen, who fought for the country in times of war but was suspected of having ill intentions by court officials after the war when he expanded the territory.

But just when everyone thought that Zhou Hengyan would attack Zhou Cechen, Zhou Hengyan did not.

What followed was even greater dissatisfaction among court officials. Zhou Hengyan's forces were hostile to Zhou Cechen. The so-called upright officials regarded Zhou Cechen as a traitor. The Yang family suppressed Zhou Cechen everywhere.

There were even rumors that Zhou Hengyan would hand over the throne to his younger brother in the future.

Shen Xuanlan heard from his father that one morning during the court session, Zhou Cechen stood in the court and gave 70% of the military power to Zhou Hengyan, and personally resigned from his post as a military general, causing an uproar among all officials.

This was a result that no one had expected. He then served as regent as a civil official and gradually moved up to his current position that is respected by everyone.

Zhou Cechen held Shen Lilan's hand and said, "Don't worry, everything I do now is in accordance with my heart."

Just as Shen Xilan was about to speak, she heard a chaotic sound of footsteps. She and Zhou Cechen looked at each other, and they tacitly leaned back in their original positions.

"Your Majesty, I am late."

When Shen Yanlan saw that the person who came was talking, she understood and the matter was done.

Zhou Cechen pulled Shen Lilan up and asked, "Is everything done?"

Yanci nodded: "It's all done."

"Mr. Zhang had Tang Song tie him up, and none of the guards outside were let go."

"And this dossier, which contains many shady transactions but does not mention Yang Xiang at all."

Zhou Cechen said: "Yang Zhen will not leave any evidence when he does something, so the key for us is that this time we are setting a trap for him."

"How do we deal with the rest?"

"Lock him up for me. Don't let Yang Zhen know anything before the matter is accomplished."

"Yes."

"Where is Hua Lian?" Shen Lilan asked.

"All those who were arrested are outside." said Yanci.

When Shen Yanlan came out of the dungeon and saw Hua Lian tied up, he said to the guards, "Untie her."

Hua Lian stood up. She felt relieved to see Shen Lilan come out so easily. Maybe she had made the right bet this time.

"Mr. Zhang has been arrested. You know what to do, Miss Lian."

Hua Lian nodded: "I know."

After leaving Xiuchunlou, Zhou Cechen took Shen Lilan to sit in the carriage. Shen Lilan saw that they were not heading back to the inn, so she asked, "Where are we going?"

Zhou Cechen said: "There are too many people of Yang Zhen in Yangzhou, we will not return to the city."

When getting off the carriage, Shen Lilan looked at the decoration of the house and was surprised for a moment, "This is..."

"It's in my house. It's inconvenient to move around in the city, and no one is watching here." Zhou Cechen took her hand and walked inside.

"This is your house now."

Shen Lilan looked at the house and was amazed at Zhou Cechen's ability. At this time, Lu Hanze came out from inside.

"Young Marquis Lu is here too?" Shen Lilan looked at Lu Hanze and said.