Chapter 7: The General Meets the Minister of Literature

Xiao Jingxi left directly, too lazy to listen to the boring drama. As she walked to the door, she ran into Xiao Fuchen and his birth mother, Aunt Zhou.

Aunt Zhou was born in a commoner family and was extremely beautiful. Her son, Fuchen, had been famous since childhood for his intelligence and grace, standing out among the other girls and earning the special favor of the Duke Wen.

When their eyes met, Xiao Jingxi only paused for a moment, but her cold gaze made Fuchen shiver and pale.

Aunt Zhou noticed and asked, "Fuchen, what's wrong?"

Fuchen shook his head and glanced at the woman who had already walked away, then said solemnly, "Aunt, in the future, you should avoid conflicts with Seventh Sister."

Aunt Zhou, who had always had a good relationship with Xiao Jingxi's family, asked, "Why should I avoid her? Besides, with the Marquis of Weiping gone, who else will protect her?"

Fuchen gazed into the distance and said with deep meaning, "Even if the Marquis of Weiping falls, she has never relied on the Marquis's mansion." His eyes held a lingering intent.

Aunt Zhou was surprised and asked, "Fuchen, what did you see?"

She murmured softly, her eyes becoming serious, "The emperor's favor, and the glory of the Hua family."

The previous lifetime, the seventh daughter of the Xiao family, Jingxi, became the queen and was favored by the emperor.

The fifth daughter of the Xiao family, Fuchen, could foresee the future and know the outcome. After the queen, she became the second most powerful concubine in the Duke Wen's mansion.

It was a hot summer day after a heavy rain. The lotus leaves had just emerged, making it a perfect time for boating on the lake. In the evening, by the river on the west side of the city, the boats of the noble families and officials were moored on both sides, and the bustling lights could be seen everywhere.

Xiao Jingxi walked to the bridge, where someone came to greet her.

"The general asked me to guide Miss Seventh."

The man who approached was dressed in a gray-white long gown, with thick eyebrows and a square face, but he looked very kind.

He was the steward of General Anyuan's mansion, Zhang Zhou.

Xiao Jingxi smiled and returned the greeting, "Thank you."

Zixiang followed behind her and boarded a crimson boat, which was not as magnificent as the other boats on the lake.

As soon as Xiao Jingxi lifted the curtain, she heard a woman's teasing laughter, joking, "You finally came. Qin Zhen made me wait with an empty stomach."

In the land of Dalang, there were very few who dared to address General Anyuan, Qin Zhen, by his name. This woman was one of them. She was the current prime minister, Hong Baode, the only female prime minister in Dalang's history.

The prime minister was reclining on a soft couch, cracking melon seeds.

Xiao Jingxi walked in and sat down beside Hong Baode. A cup of flower tea was placed in front of her. "You've lost weight. I'll have someone send some tonic to the Duke Wen's mansion for you," Qin Zhen asked, "Have you eaten?"

His tone was gentle, without a hint of the fierceness of a warrior.

Xiao Jingxi turned to look at him, feeling as if she had traveled through time. She often dreamed of that scene, where Qin Zhen jumped down from a hundred-meter city gate with her, using his body to shield her from the fall. The city wall was so high, and he was shattered, but she was unharmed.

Her eyes slightly warmed, and she lowered them as if nothing had happened. "Not yet."

He picked up a wine cup and poured a small glass. "I warmed some wine for you. Try it first." Then he instructed Zhang Zhou to bring the dinner.

The flower wine was still warm, and it tasted sweet and mellow. Xiao Jingxi praised, "It tastes very good." Qin Zhen's craftsmanship was always excellent, even surpassing the imperial wine brewer.

Qin Zhen was in a good mood. "It's the apricot blossom wine you like."

Qin Zhen had been recognized as an adopted son by the Marquis of Weiping since he was six years old. At that time, Xiao Jingxi was not even a year old, and the Marquis's wife had passed away. The Marquis, who was often stationed at the border, taught her to speak and walk, and it was Qin Zhen who took care of her. Even though Xiao Jingxi rarely called him uncle, Qin Zhen, who was later appointed as the Grand General, often took care of her daily life. He naturally understood her preferences very well, and this apricot blossom wine was specially made for her.

Upon hearing this, Hong Baode pretended to be annoyed. "You care more about Jingxi's face. I've asked Qin Zhen for wine several times, but he never gave me a sip."

Hong Baode was from a prestigious family, and her mother and the Marquis's wife were close friends. The two girls of the same age had been close since childhood, so the friendship between the top civil official and the top military official in the court was enviable.

Qin Zhen responded to Hong Baode's words, "You drink so much, you're wasting my wine."

Hong Baode strongly disagreed, "You, a mere warrior, can't compare to my straightforwardness as a civil official." Ignoring the warrior, the civil official continued, "Jingxi, the emperor summoned me at the Rooster hour today regarding the selection of palace maids."

As Zhang Zhou brought the dinner, Xiao Jingxi slowly arranged the dishes and casually asked, "To which mansion did my invitation card go?"

"Prince Zhou, the Feng family."

Xiao Jingxi smiled without saying a word. The people of the Feng family were still unwilling to let go of the twenty thousand Rongping Army that had been incorporated into the Marquis of Zhongping's command.

Hong Baode sneered, "The Eastern Palace has just taken the eldest daughter of the Grand Marshal's mansion as a concubine, and the emperor has already set his sights on you. The emperor's son refuses to accept old age and hopes for a few sons to fight each other. He's determined to guard that throne tightly."

For those in power, accustomed to high status and authority, they naturally couldn't bear to let others covet their exclusive power and position.

Xiao Jingxi remained silent and calmly ate her meal. Qin Zhen moved the dishes she liked one by one to her side, paying no attention to a certain prime minister's disdainful gaze. He said, "If you don't want to take action, I can do it for you."

Hong Baode looked at him and said, "How do you plan to take action?"

Qin Zhen has never been fond of political maneuvering. However, when it comes to matters concerning Xiao Jingxi, it's a different story. He is extremely protective of his "niece" who he has raised since childhood. A few days ago, when Xiao Jingxi fell seriously ill, the officials at the Wenguo Duke's residence neglected her. Qin Zhen personally took a knife and soldiers to go there, and personally brewed medicine and took care of her.

Qin Zhen said, "There are ways suitable for a simple warrior."

Hong Baode blinked, very curious.

Xiao Jingxi shook her head, "I am not so easily controlled."

Of course, in terms of scheming, even Hong Baode, who has been in the officialdom for several years, is not as good as her. Moreover, in martial arts, she was personally taught by General Qin.

Hong Baode exclaimed, "Tsk tsk." The people in the Weiping Marquis's residence are not easy to deal with.

"Are you close with Zhongping Marquis of Jingsi?" Qin Zhen asked again.

Xiao Jingxi replied, "Not really."

He picked up a piece of fish for her and put down his chopsticks, "That's strange. He sent me a letter with only six words," he pondered for a moment, "The day the jade is returned to Zhao."

Naturally, this refers to the 200,000 Rongping Army.

After the battle at Yiling Pass, where each of the Weiping Marquis's troops fought ten, who wouldn't want to have these 200,000 troops under their command?

Zhongping Marquis is willing to give them up.

Xiao Jingxi seemed to be lost in thought.

She vaguely remembered that in her previous life, when Chu Yu led his troops to the northwest, Zhongping Marquis politely stepped aside. Perhaps...

She smiled, "It's nothing. Zhongping Marquis probably won't be my enemy."