they had prepared earlier and handed them to Madam Cui one by one.Both of them were skilled with needle and thread, especially Hui-niang. She could be a teacher for Jia-yin; her craft was absolutely...In the imperial study, the emperor was smiling and drinking tea with the marquis.

"I've always wanted to clean house in the Imperial Guard, but I lacked an excuse. Now, this is a perfect opportunity!"

The Lord nodded, "My personal guards are quite skilled at interrogation. If Your Majesty wants to replace someone, why not implicate them all in this affair and deal with them together Then, if anyone in court says anything, just blame it on me."

The emperor originally wanted to do the same, and now that his cousin has said it, it's naturally better.

And with a smile, he said, "Well then, your desk will be piled high with accusations of arrogance again."

The Marquis, however, was unconcerned. He replied, "Next year, when I have recaptured the north bank of the Yangtze River, I shall return to court and then retire, going into seclusion and traveling the world."

"These past few years, I've been constantly fighting. I also want to take a break. Now that I'm out of the court, those old fogeys naturally shut up."

However, this time they didn't impeach wrongly. I did act a bit domineering just now, not only arresting people but also closing the palace gates.

"But I personally sent Funiu into the palace, and they dare to make things difficult. If I don't take drastic measures, they will become even more reckless in the future!"

A flicker of complexity crossed the Emperor's eyes as he asked in a low voice, "Cousin, do you truly wish to retire and travel the clouds With the country just reclaimed, wouldn't Cousin be more content staying in Kyoto, enjoying the prosperity and splendor, or even helping me guard the borders Why would you leave so abruptly"

The lord shook his head and, with a raised hand, poured tea for him, not budging an inch.

"The world is yours, I've already done my part by taking it back for you. Besides, there are plenty of people who want to serve you, no shortage of good generals.

Even if they are not capable of repelling the barbarians and regaining lost territory, as long as they diligently guard the border and protect their homeland, they will always be able to fulfill their duty.

"Just stop holding onto me all the time, let me laze around for the rest of my life."

In Fu Niu'er's words, it's like shearing wool. You can't always just shear me, the only sheep you have! You need to change a few!

Over the past two years, Fu Niuer has grown up and keeps asking to go out and explore. I want to take her to see the magnificent mountains and rivers of our Tianwu!

His tone was as if he had temporarily forgotten their sovereign-subject status, and returned to the intimate closeness they shared as brothers back in the day.

If an outsider heard this, they would surely shout out in outrage, "Outrageous!"

But the emperor was very happy and smilingly replied, “Good, good, I’ll go find others to help, Cousin, you just rest.”

Having said that, he pondered for a moment and added, "Today, I've put Funiu'er through some distress. Later, I'll have someone make her two boxes of new clothes as compensation."

"Good, this lass loves beauty, she'll surely be happy." Before the lord's words even settled, Yi, the steward, hurried back from the palace gate.

He held a few witness statements in his hand, and indeed the provocative forbidden army soldiers and junior officers were all under someone's orders.

The one pulling the strings behind the scenes was none other than the commander of the Imperial Guard.

The Emperor was pleased, which gave him ample reason to make a major overhaul of the Imperial Guard.

He directly wrote three more names for Yi Zhuangguan, and ordered, "Add these three people in."

Yi Zongguan immediately bowed in response and then took the list and retreated.

It's not difficult at all to get a name into a confession.

Under severe punishment, one can certainly tell the truth, but also a lie!

Yi Zong just stepped out the door when he ran into Princess San and Jia Yin.

The Third Princess and Jia Yin both greeted him. Manager Yi smiled and bowed, saying, "Princesses, Miss, the Emperor and the Marquis are drinking tea, perhaps they are waiting for you."

The third princess nodded, but Jia Yin smiled and replied, "Elder Yi, I will be staying in the palace for a while. Please take care of me!"

Indeed, Manager Yi's smile grew even warmer. "Miss, you flatter me. Please, just give old servant your orders if there's anything you need."

After a few pleasantries, Jia Yin and the third princess entered the study.

The emperor saw the two little girls walking in hand-in-hand, both giggling.

For a moment, he actually wanted to thank the Empress Dowager for a few words.

Thanks to Tai Hou forcing Jia Yin into the palace, the princess finally got a fun companion. With such a joyful appearance.

"Father Emperor (Imperial Uncle), are you well!"

Two young ladies both bowed and greeted each other sweetly.

The Emperor quickly raised his hand to signal them to stand up, and smiled: "Here comes Fu Niuer! If you had come a few days later, the Third Princess would have probably gone to Suijin Beach herself to find you."

Jia Yin sighed, her pretty face full of dejection and grievance, "I should have known that I would be bullied as soon as I walked in. I really shouldn't have come."

The Emperor quickly comforted her, "Little Funiang don't be afraid, those blind fools are already dealt with by your Imperial Uncle. From now on, no one will dare to say a word when you enter and leave the palace!"

"Well, I don't trust anyone, but I have to trust Grandfather!" Jia Yin wrinkled her little nose and then took the fruit basket from Shui Ling's hand, struggling to put it on the table.

"Uncle Huang, I picked these fruits myself this morning. Take a look, they're fresh, aren't they"

Before the Emperor could speak, the Third Princess eagerly chimed in, “Father, please give me half a string of bananas! Jia Yin is so stingy. I asked her for some, but she said she didn’t have any!”

The Emperor was delighted to see his daughter so lively, she even dared to grab fruit from him.

To know, these two years, although the daughter is more sensible, also estranged from him.

He immediately replied, "Alright, I'll give you the whole string. But after Jia Yin lives with you, you must take good care of her."

"Of course, we're best friends!" The Third Princess readily agreed, causing everyone to laugh.

After a brief moment of idle chatter, Manager Yi returned and reported, "Your Majesty, the matter is done."

The Marquis then got up and bowed, "Your Majesty, I have gone to seize his assets."

"Alright, thank you for your hard work, cousin." The emperor nodded, sighing with a hint of guilt. "Cousin will have to bear the blame for me again."

The Marquis waved his hand dismissively and said, "It's just a title, nothing more. Whether good or bad doesn't really matter."

Having said that, he turned and left.

Princess Three and Jia Yin didn't want to delay the Emperor from reviewing the edicts, so they also took their leave.

As Jia Yin stepped out the door, she looked at her adoptive father's departing figure and felt a pang of sadness in her heart.

Everyone says the Emperor trusts the Marquis of Xincheng deeply, but no one knows how hard-earned those two characters "rely on" truly are.

The emperor's trust is only given to a lone minister!

And a solitary minister stands opposite all the officials, even the entire world, acting merely as a sword in the emperor's hand.

I hope that after your adoptive father has recovered Jiangbei and unified Tianwu River and Mountains, he can truly get his wish and return home in peace, letting go of his horse and wandering freely in the south.

She turned back to look at the intricately carved sandalwood door of the study, hoping that the person inside would also keep remembering her godfather well and wouldn't resort to playing tricks like emptying the quiver.

"Jia Yin, come on, what are you looking at" The third princess turned back to see Jia Yin lagging behind and pulled her along.

Jia Yin collected her complex emotions, and replied, “I wasn’t thinking about anything. Let’s hurry back to eat. When I have free time later, I'll bake some snacks to bring over for Emperor Uncle with tea.”

"Good!" The Third Princess replied, "Last time, Father said the butterfly cakes I baked were a bit hard. Do you have any ideas on how to improve them"

"This is easy, just wait till then and I'll teach you." Jia Yin replied, and the two of them walked back to Zhi Lan Palace together.

Water vapor had indeed already tidied up the side hall and prepared lunch."The Dean was surprised and pleased by such thorough arrangements. He quickly got up to receive them, saying, “When I return, please thank the County Princess and Mrs. Wen for me. I will definitely pa...