The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 344 Hostages

Lü Mengying didn't have time to think about why Zheng Xun asked the question, because Wei Yanxing was really annoying.

"Your Highness said you're interested in me. I know I'm dashing and charming, but unfortunately, I can't reciprocate your feelings. I advise you to give up on that idea! I'm destined to be the man you can't have..."

Seeing Lü Mengying's utterly hopeless expression, Zheng Xun, who had first brought up the matter, glanced away guiltily.

Knowing that the drunkard wouldn't listen to reason, Lü Mengying decided to use force.

Wei Yanxing, who knew nothing about it, continued to ramble on: "I know you. You are determined to dedicate your life to public service and your master."

Lu Mengying's outstretched hand paused.

"It's also my fault for being too charming, which made you forget your original intentions..."

Lü Mengying: ...

I knew he couldn't possibly say anything nice.

"However, we are family who depend on each other for survival and have been through thick and thin together. After all, we have been together for so long. If you accidentally went down the wrong path, I have to advise you. So, forget me. I deserve better."

Zheng Xun clutched his stomach, laughing so hard he almost fell over: "Pfft, hahaha..."

Wei Yanxing was disturbed by the noise. He picked at his ear and continued, "I used to think your ideas were too silly, but now I understand a little bit. So let's compete fairly. I will make sure you always call me boss willingly. Don't worry, once you call me boss, I will be your boss for life. If anything happens, I will be the first to step up. Whether you get hurt or die, I will protect you."

Zheng Xun: "Pfft!"

She laughed so loudly that both Lü Mengying and Wei Yanxing couldn't help but look at her.

Zheng Xun shut his mouth: "You guys continue."

Lu Mengying suddenly stood up: "I'll go get the hangover soup."

After she left, Zheng Xun kicked Wei Yanxing: "She's gone, stop pretending."

Wei Yanxing's drunkenness vanished instantly: "Oh dear, as expected, nothing can be hidden from the princess."

"Aren't you afraid of being found out? If she's determined to get rid of you, you won't be able to escape."

"Your Highness, apart from the matter of being drunk, every other word I spoke came from the bottom of my heart."

Zheng Xun rested his chin on his hand: "So, all those boastful things you said..."

"What boasting? Where is the boasting?"

Zheng Xun: ...

Fine.

She changed the subject without giving a direct answer: "Wei Yanxing, don't you feel that the world we live in is like a dream..."

Wei Yanxing had just raised the jar and taken a swig of wine when he asked, "Hmm? What did the princess say?"

"nothing!"

Zheng Xun shut his mouth, warning himself not to delve into these trivial details any further.

A moment later, footsteps approached, and a familiar voice rang in my ears.

"My Lady Goddess."

Qin Xiang stood to the side of Zheng Xun, her hands clasped together in front of her abdomen, her posture respectful.

"Qin Xiang".

Hearing Zheng Xun call her name, Qin Xiang's lips curled up happily: "My lord..."

Zheng Xun raised an eyebrow: "Is something the matter?"

Qin Xiang tried to remain calm as she said, "My lord, I wish to go to the capital."

Wei Yanxing and Lü Mengying looked up warily.

"Why the sudden trip to the capital? Aren't you in charge of the Goddess Temple?"

Qin Xiang thought to herself, "The real goddess is right in front of me, so who would want to guard that cold, lifeless statue?"

"I want to do something for you!

Zheng Xun turned around to face her: "If you want to follow me, you have to have some decent skills."

“I know, Your Highness, I will get to you on my own.”

"Ok?"

"I participated in this year's imperial examination."

Since Cen Wan, many ambitious and aspiring women have set their sights on the imperial court.

But as with anything, the beginning is always the hardest. Due to the circumstances, very few women actually came into contact with the imperial examinations, and even fewer studied them in depth.

Therefore, most of their attempts ended in failure.

Cen Wan was already one in a million; it would be extremely difficult to find another person with such courage and knowledge.

However, Zheng Xun wasn't in a hurry; she simply quietly pushed for the academy to recruit female students.

She has already paved the way; it doesn't matter whether anyone walks on it or not... That's impossible, of course.

They must walk the path she has paved!

The population of Dayong is small, their minds are not yet liberated, and there is no shortage of people eager to have children. People will work hard to manage the population issue.

Women with other ambitions were encouraged to step forward and contribute to the development of Dayong.

She was unconventional in her hiring practices, focusing solely on talent regardless of gender. In order to develop this untapped talent pool, she paid close attention to the education of women.

She knew that very few women could catch up with others in three years in just over ten years, and she didn't have high hopes for this imperial examination. She never expected that Qin Xiang, whom she had only met once before, would have such courage.

Zheng Xun became interested: "How are the preparations going?"

"Strive to finish third and aim for first."

Looking at her calm demeanor, Zheng Xun knew that this was still a conservative estimate.

"You were already familiar with the classics for the imperial examinations?"

"I knew a little about it before, but I only started to formally engage with it three years ago. Your Highness, I am now a student at the Six Harmonies Academy."

Qin Xiang initially sought to learn about the goddess because she wanted to compile a book about her. Three years ago, she made up her mind to take action in order to follow in the goddess's footsteps.

Her motivation has always been simple: to do what believers should do.

Zheng Xun pondered for a moment: "Qin Xiang, I don't object to your decision, but there's something I need to remind you of."

Qin Xiang knelt down and listened attentively: "Please speak, Your Excellency."

“You have high moral standards for yourself, but once you step into the secular world, you are no longer in control of your own destiny, and it is very difficult to maintain your principles.”

Zheng Xun did not want Qin Xiang to become depressed or even despondent after realizing the gap between her ideals and reality.

"Rest assured, sir, I will certainly not let you down."

Qin Xiang had heard about the things the Goddess had done and knew that she intended to create a golden age.

She thought, this is what God should look like.

It is not a heartless stone on a temple, it should not enjoy offerings in vain while remaining silent, it should not look down on all living beings from a high place.

Gods should walk the earth like adults, and build their merits through their deeds.

God is simply a person in the secular world who bows down for the people and for peace.

As a follower of the goddess, she had the privilege of glimpsing the goddess's aspirations, so what reason did she have not to follow her?

She was quite intelligent and had some minor skills; she could do many things.

Sensing her seriousness, Zheng Xun gently took her hand and said, "I'll be waiting for you in the capital."

"Please wait for me."

She will walk towards her step by step, firmly.

Zheng Xun replied with a smile, "I will definitely wait for you."

Qin Xiang left excitedly after receiving affirmation.

One moment Zheng Xun was smiling as he watched her retreating figure, the next he suddenly turned around and launched a surprise attack: "You really don't think..."

Before she could finish speaking, Wei Yanxing and Lü Mengying inexplicably started arguing.

Zheng Xun didn't care what they were arguing about. She just thought that Xiao Jinlong was actually quite cautious in his actions. Knowing that she might not be able to control her curiosity, he made other arrangements.

So whenever she brings up this topic, no one can give her a direct response.

She stood up and straightened her clothes, which were wrinkled from sitting for so long: "Let's go, it's time to call it a day."

With matters in the capital on his mind, Zheng Xun did not linger at Liumu Mountain.

After the goddess's birthday celebration ended, she quickly set off back to the capital.

The way back is much easier.

In the imperial court, the method of collective office work has been implemented, and the office space has been prepared.

The ministers, who had been eagerly awaiting Zheng Xun's return, were all beaming with smiles as they walked. Even if Zheng Xun wanted to pretend he hadn't seen them, he couldn't.

They hoped to see not only Zheng Xun, but also news from the Kingdom of He.

On the first morning of Zheng Xun's return to the capital, every minister discussing politics mentioned the Kingdom of He several times.

She knew they were subtly probing her, hoping she would recall intelligence from the Brown Kingdom.

However, she has not recently learned of any unusual activity in the Brown Kingdom; everything she needs to know has been relayed back through news channels.

Therefore, Zheng Xun did not satisfy them.

In order not to reveal that he knew what was on his mind, Zheng Xun often had to feign ignorance or pretend not to know.

Not saying what needs to be said, and pretending to be ignorant when you know the truth, is also an art.

Although the ministers were disappointed, they guessed that nothing major had happened in the Brown Kingdom.

Thankfully, although they didn't hear the princess's voice, the princess returned, and they were finally able to see the sky!

Zheng Xun did not open the sky screen during the morning court session. He stayed up until dusk, when the ministers who had volunteered to work overtime finally saw the screen slowly light up.

After waiting for so long, everyone was finally moved to tears as their wish came true.

The screen still showed Jiao Lian and Mo Sheng.

Jiaolian, holding a bowl of sweet soup, looked up in surprise: "Are you leaving?"

"Yes, it will take a long time."

Jiao Lian seemed distracted, as if the news had thrown her into a panic: "Why are you suddenly leaving? Where are you going? I..."

The question "What should I do?" was never uttered.

Mo Sheng naturally understood what she wanted to say, and he reached out and gently touched the top of her head.

"The Emperor has sent me to the border. Don't worry, I've already obtained an imperial decree from him. From now on, you will be my wife. You can live a carefree life in the capital; no one will offend you. Also, I will ask the Emperor to take care of you. As long as he still wants to use me, you can trouble him as much as you like."

Jiao Lian asked in a daze, "Wife?"

"Well, I'm not in the capital. Given your current status... Anyway, I'm worried you'll be bullied."

Oh dear, I'm worried she'll be bullied!

[Mu Zhuo was diligent and conscientious while he was alive, and the woman he deeply loved was someone the royal family had to take care of, even if it was just for show.]

With Mo Sheng, Mu Zhuo's brother, around, it's a deterrent; who would dare bully her?

If you're truly afraid she'll be bullied, then redeem her from her servitude and fight for her power and status, instead of marrying her.

That sounds nice, but isn't it all just because of selfish desires?

Inside the light screen, Jiao Lian said with melancholy, "Why do you have to do this? My identity is not exactly honorable. If you marry me, I don't know how much criticism you will face. A hero like you shouldn't become the subject of gossip."

"No, now that you're my wife, no one will dare question your past."

With her eyes lowered, she lost all her former reserve and nestled into his arms, unable to resist her emotions: "General..."

Outside the light screen, Zheng Xun frowned.

Mo Sheng certainly has a very high-sounding reputation.

[He seemed to dote on Jiao Lian, but in reality, he didn't care about her at all. He obtained the imperial decree without even asking Jiao Lian a question, branding her with his own mark, thinking that Jiao Lian would rise in status by following him... He probably also thought her status was dishonorable, so he didn't think there was anything wrong with what others were saying.]

[This self-righteous, condescending pity is laughable.]

If such a general were in my Great Yong, I would certainly teach him a lesson in how to speak and behave. But since he is an enemy, it doesn't matter.

On the other side, Zheng Jin's hand holding the calligraphy brush gradually tightened.

Go to the frontier...

Why did Mo Sheng suddenly decide to go to the frontier?

A sense of unease inexplicably welled up inside her.

In the light screen, Mo Sheng pursed his lips and whispered, "Do you blame me?"

Why blame you? You were only doing it for my own good.

Jiaolian said this, but her furrowed brows did not relax at all.

Summoning courage from who-knows-where, she climbed onto his arm: "I want to go with you!"

"Stop fooling around. The border is bitterly cold and fraught with danger. Your skinny arms and legs can't withstand any hardship!"

"But I'm worried about you. The emperor suddenly sent you to the frontier, is it because there's going to be war? I don't want to..."

Mo Sheng covered her mouth: "Stop fooling around! I have important business to attend to, not to go out for fun."

"That's precisely why I'm worried!"

Mo Sheng's expression softened slightly: "Alright, the borderlands aren't a good place."

Jiao Lian lowered her head, a hint of mockery tugging at the corner of her mouth, while Zheng Xun outside the screen passionately spoke into the microphone.

[You're making it sound like the capital of the Brown Kingdom is safe.]

He married Jiao Lian with such fanfare; everyone knows she's the apple of his eye, right?

Does Qi Yongji need someone to restrain Mo Sheng?

How did he manage to deliver Jiao Lian into Qi Yongji's line of sight so conveniently?

[Mo Sheng knew what kind of person Qi Yongji was, and he was wary of him. If he truly cared about Jiao Lian, he should have secretly let her go, the farther the better. Instead, he advised Jiao Lian to stay. How foolish!]

Mo Sheng couldn't be that stupid, so he must be evil.

She buried her delicate face in Mo Sheng's chest, her expression blank.

However, Mo Sheng did not notice her unusual behavior.

He remained the same deeply affectionate and devoted lover, continuing to gently persuade Jiaolian.

Finally, Jiao Lian reluctantly agreed.

"Can you come back sooner?"

"I will definitely live and come back safely."

The two lingered for a while longer before Mo Sheng left and Yue Niang came in.

"What did he say?"

The sweet smile on Jiao Lian's face vanished without a trace: "He's going to the frontier! He must be planning something against Dayong! We have to send a message back quickly!"

Moon Maiden stopped her: "Don't!"

Although Jiao Lian was puzzled, she stopped what she was doing.

"Not many people know about this, so it absolutely cannot get out of here."

Jiaolian paced back and forth anxiously, her previous delicate demeanor completely gone: "So we're just going to watch helplessly?!"

"Of course not, don't worry."

Faced with Yue Niang's confident attitude, Jiao Lian sat back down with some skepticism: "Does Yue Niang have some good ideas?"

"We need to find someone to take the blame."

"What does Yue Niang mean?"

"We can't let it get out from here, but we can let it get out from Mo Sheng. As long as everyone knows that Mo Sheng did it, naturally no one will associate it with us."

"But Mo Sheng is cautious by nature and wouldn't do something so foolish."

"What if Qi Yongji finds out that Mo Sheng has some dissatisfaction with him?"

Jiao Lian's eyes gradually widened.