Reborn Princess

Zhou Jingmo left the prime minister's residence and sat in the carriage back to the palace with his eyes closed.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes and ordered his servants, "Send someone to keep an eye on the movements of the Prime Minister's Mansion."

"And who he's meeting with."

"Your Majesty is suspicious?"

Zhou Jingmo narrowed his eyes and said, "Yang Zhen and Zhou Cechen have formed a private alliance."

……

In the imperial study, Zhou Hengyan was reviewing memorials while Cao Shuyi was grinding ink for him.

"This Zhou Cechen recommends a member of the Yang family every day. Could it be that he wants to send all the members of the Yang family to high positions?"

Cao Shuyi slowly spoke: "Your Majesty, I cannot make irresponsible comments on state affairs."

Zhou Hengyan closed the memorial and picked up another one, "You and I are husband and wife."

"Just tell me as a couple, what exactly does Zhou Cechen want to do?"

Cao Shuyi looked at the ink in the inkstone and said, "If you are in the palace and enjoy the treatment of a queen, you must follow the rules of a queen."

"Your Majesty should also remember to put the country first and family second."

Cao Shuyi put down the ink stick in her hand and said, "Since the emperor has approved the reward from Prince Ding'an to the Yang family every day, he should have a clear idea in his mind, right?"

Zhou Hengyan didn't read a single word of the memorial and looked up at Cao Shuyi.

"You always know what I'm thinking."

Cao Shuyi bowed, "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. I cannot guess what is in your heart, and I dare not guess."

"Yao Xing, you are not someone else."

"No matter who I am, I will always only recognize you as my wife."

"Didn't we say before that we would trust each other unconditionally no matter what happened?"

Cao Shuyi responded indifferently, "I just can't get over it in my heart."

"Your Majesty, there is no need to say this."

"I have never resented the emperor, nor have I ever doubted him."

Just as Cao Shuyi finished speaking, Chang Cisheng came in, "Your Majesty, Prince Ding'an wants to see you."

Cao Shuyi bowed to Zhou Hengyan again, "Your Majesty, I will take my leave first."

Zhou Hengyan had no choice but to nod and allow her to leave.

"Let Prince Ding'an in." Zhou Hengyan ordered Chang Cisheng.

"Yes."

Zhou Cechen ran into Cao Shuyi outside the palace, "Sister-in-law."

Cao Shuyi nodded, and then walked towards the bedroom.

Zhou Cechen glanced at her back and then Chang Cisheng summoned him into the imperial study.

In the imperial study, Zhou Hengyan looked at Zhou Cechen who came in.

"You still remember to come and see me? How much have you planned by yourself? I have also been tricked by you."

Zhou Cechen bowed to Zhou Hengyan.

"Your Majesty, I will do everything for the sake of Da Qi."

"Then tell me, how long do you plan to continue this nonsense? You have lifted the Yang family up so high, don't let it crush you to death!"

Zhou Cechen looked stern.

"Wild fire, in spring."

"I will single them out for others to see so that they can be convicted. I will not let any of those who have committed many evil things go."

Zhou Hengyan dropped the memorial in his hand and looked at Zhou Cechen, "How many more people are there?"

"No more." Zhou Cechen answered truthfully.

Zhou Hengyan nodded, "So you came to the palace to find me because no one wanted to recommend you?"

"Next, officials will impeach those people I promoted or those who were members of Yang Zhen's party."

"I will do my best to protect those people."

Zhou Hengyan frowned, "What do you mean?"

After Zhou Hengyan finished his question, Zhou Cechen said, "Let Yang Zhen's followers become alienated from Yang Zhen."

……

After Zhou Cechen recommended more than a dozen members of the Yang family for promotion, within just five days, dozens of memorials were submitted to impeach those people.

In the imperial hall, Zhou Hengyan sat on the dragon throne and watched Zhou Cechen plead for leniency and exoneration for those people. He rested one hand on his leg and supported his forehead with the other.

"Does Prince Ding'an trust them so much?"

Zhou Cechen nodded, "How could the person I recommended be wrong?"

After Zhou Cechen made excuses for them again and again and argued with the censors in the hall again and again, public opinion in the court was in turmoil.

Not only that, but there were also rumors among the common people that Prince Ding'an and the Prime Minister were planning to join forces to seize power.

In Prince Xuan's mansion, Zhou Jingmo pushed the tea bowl to the ground, and the porcelain pieces shattered all over the floor.

"You said that Zhou Cechen's people had private contact with the retainers of the Prime Minister's Mansion?"

"Yes." A guard replied.

Zhou Jingmo clenched his fists.

"Zhou Cechen" he said the name with gritted teeth.

"This is to join forces with Yang Zhen to seize the throne!"

Zhou Jingmo was so angry that he almost trembled, "Go and tell Shen Jing to dig up the Shen family and find the Imperial Ink Order for me as soon as possible."

"Give him half a month to hand it in. If he can't hand it in, let him wait for the bodies of his entire family to be collected."

The attendant nodded and replied, "Yes."

"Also, although Yang Zhen is no longer trustworthy, you must not openly sever ties with him."

"Take advantage of opportunities and don't panic."

After saying this, Zhou Jingmo sat on the chair and looked at the sky outside.

It's raining next time.