Due to the introduction of high-yield crops, He Zhenyu’s reputation has gotten even better.
Not just among the common folks, but even Prince Kang’s subordinates strongly support He Zhenyu.
Xiao Yuan assisted He Zhenyu not only to garner reputation but also secretly conducted military training.
In the blink of an eye, several more years have passed.
He Zhenyu now has complete control over Prince Kang’s n, and most of the officials in the court have also been promoted by He Zhenyu and Xiao Yuan.
What’s more, there are quite a few of Anning’s people in the palace, one could say that if Anning is willing, she could completely render the Empress Dowager and the little Emperor deaf and blind.
Watching as Helan Zhi grew older by the day, and the little Emperor reaching the age to rule personally, Prince Kang brought up the old proposition again, ntioning that Helan Zhi should enter the palace.
Upon hearing those words, Anning laughed on the spot.
"Prince, I seem to recall saying many years ago that my Lanzhi will definitely not enter the palace. Even if I keep her with for a lifeti, making her an old maiden, I will not let her enter the palace."
Prince Kang was very angry: "You are simply unreasonable! Others wish to send their daughters into the palace to enjoy wealth and honor, why won’t you... Besides, His Majesty has a good impression of Lanzhi, and he has ntioned to that if Lanzhi enters the palace to beco Empress, he would certainly treat her well."
Anning scoffed coldly: "Treat her well? I don’t believe these words. When the Prince married , you also said you would treat well, but what was the result? The Prince and I rely played the part of husband and wife for half a lifeti, and even the Prince did so, let alone the Emperor."
Prince Kang, failing to persuade Anning, beca even more enraged: "His Majesty has only Lanzhi in his heart, what should we do if Lanzhi doesn’t enter the palace?"
"Only has Lanzhi in his heart?"
Anning approached Prince Kang, striking quickly and accurately hitting his acupoints.
By the ti Prince Kang realized what happened, he could neither move nor speak.
He was furiously wide-eyed.
Anning called over a strong and sturdy guard to carry Prince Kang onto a horse-drawn carriage.
Sitting in the carriage together with Prince Kang, she leisurely read a book and drank tea while Prince Kang glared angrily at Anning.
The carriage swayed and soon stopped in front of an inn.
Anning, supporting Prince Kang by the arm, helped him into a private room of the inn.
Once Prince Kang was seated, Anning smiled at him: "Prince, please take a seat. Listen carefully to whether His Majesty you talked about is truly devoted to Lanzhi."
Prince Kang opened his mouth but couldn’t make a sound.
Sweat covered his anxious forehead.
But Anning went about her business as usual.
She poured a cup of tea and called for so fruit, preparing to eat while observing.
Prince Kang didn’t have to wait long. Soon, the sound of footsteps approached.
Anning quickly got up and manipulated sothing on the wall in the room. Prince Kang saw a sliding panel in the wall open to reveal a piece of Liu Li.
Through this Liu Li, he saw Emperor Jianwu holding hands with a girl about fifteen or sixteen years old as they entered another private room.
Emperor Jianwu’s face was smiling, chatting and laughing with the girl.
Anning whispered softly: "That girl is called Yun Que, the illegitimate daughter of the deceased Mr. Qi of the Yun Family. Her mother is a Gu Witch from the Miao Region, and perhaps Yun Que has also learned her mother’s poisonous insect technique."
Prince Kang’s expression gradually grew solemn.
Emperor Jianwu and Yun Que sat down.
Yun Que loudly called for the waiter to serve good wine and dishes.
Soon, the food and drink were served, and Yun Que urged Emperor Jianwu to eat more. As she served him dishes, she said, "Where have you been lately? You didn’t even co out to see . I’ve been so bored to death."
Emperor Jianwu, good-naturedly smiling, did not find Yun Que’s bluntness rude.
"I’ve been busy with things recently."
Yun Que snorted, "When are you ever not busy? I’ve noticed the older you get, the busier you beco. It’s getting harder and harder to see you. I fear that in a few days, your mother will arrange a marriage for you. Then, you’ll definitely forget all about , and I’ll never see you again."
Emperor Jianwu held Yun Que’s hand, "How could that be? How could I possibly forget you? I want to be with you forever."
Yun Que, looking downcast, lanted, "But your mother would never let you marry . I’m just a girl who grew up parentless in the streets, how could I be worthy of you?"
Emperor Jianwu didn’t like to hear this, "How are you not worthy? You are the only one in this world who is worthy of . We are a perfect match made in heaven."
Yun Que wasn’t a girl who dwelled on impossibilities. With her straightforward temperant, she laughed upon hearing his words, "Tell the truth, has your mother really not picked out brides for you to et?"
This question rendered Emperor Jianwu silent.
Yun Que knew she had guessed correctly, "See, I told you... never mind, we are after all friends. If you marry a good wife, I will be happy for you."
As she spoke, she poured herself a cup of wine and downed it in one gulp.
Emperor Jianwu, knowing she was upset, said anxiously, "No matter who I marry, you’re the only one in my heart. I have no choice. Only by marrying her, can I take control of the family fortune. Yun’er, I don’t like her one bit. She and her father are both detestable. Just thinking about marrying her makes uncomfortable."
Yun Que was sowhat incredulous, "You’re lying. The brides your mother chooses for you must be from reputable families, much better than ."
"I don’t care for any reputable families’ daughters; I like soone like you."
Emperor Jianwu held Yun Que’s hand, speaking earnestly.
Prince Kang’s face had turned dark upon witnessing this scene.
Especially when Emperor Jianwu expressed his disdain for Lanzhi, Prince Kang felt a strong urge to punch Emperor Jianwu senseless.
Emperor Jianwu then began to reassure Yun Que, "Once I take over the family business, I will find a way to divorce her."
Yun Que gave him a disapproving look, "Do you think divorcing a woman is that easy? Her family is powerful, how could you possibly divorce her?"
Emperor Jianwu smiled, "I’ll just string her along for now. In the future, I’ll get rid of her father, and once she has no support, she’ll be at my rcy. Even if I can’t divorce her, once she marries into my family, her life and death will be in my hands."
Prince Kang felt like his head was about to explode.
He inwardly cursed Emperor Jianwu for being cunning and untrustworthy, his teeth practically grinding in anger.
Even though Prince Kang did not place much importance on Helan Zhi, she was, after all, his biological daughter.
In his life, he only had two children, He Zhenyu and Helan Zhi, and he did have so fatherly affection for them.
Even this slight father-daughter sentint made it absolutely intolerable for him to see his child being sched against, potentially facing a tragic fate where she could not control her own life or death.
Anning looked at Prince Kang with mocking eyes and spread her hands in a gesture.
Prince Kang was fuming with clenched teeth.
Emperor Jianwu, all smiles, told Yun Que, "I’ve heard her health hasn’t been really good. Once she enters the doors of my household, I’ll make her set rules in front of my mother every day. We could arrange for so incompatible food, and have the servants attend to her with less diligence. Even without outright harming her, she won’t last long."
Yun Que frowned, "How could you do such a thing? She has not offended you. If you don’t like her, don’t marry her. Why harm soone’s life?"
Emperor Jianwu wrapped his arms around Yun Que, "I have no choice, what can I do when her father is so domineering and even trying to push her on ? I’ve had enough... this is also for the two of us."
Anning, having heard enough of Emperor Jianwu and Yun Que’s intimate exchanges, picked up Prince Kang, opened the window, jumped out, and left directly through the backyard.
After getting onto the carriage, Anning released Prince Kang from his acupoint blockage.
As soon as Prince Kang could speak, Anning asked with a smile, "Is this what you call wholehearted devotion? Is this your idea of treating soone well? If I hadn’t been vigilant in investigating, my Lanzhi might well have been sent by her own father, Prince Kang, straight into a den of wolves."
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