Remarrying Chun Yuan

Chapter 230 Leaving the Capital

Liu Yuechu and Chen Zhongyao spent an afternoon discussing things privately and decided that some of their industries could be transferred to the southwest.

After all, Princess Chen is there, and now Chen Zhongyao's father, Governor Chen, has firmly established himself in the southwest and has more influence in the court.

In the afternoon, Song Liu'er and Yao Wei arrived, and Liu Yuechu naturally treated them to tea to calm their nerves.

When Song Liu'er heard "to calm her nerves," she felt a little guilty. "Aside from being a little scared at first, I was fine afterwards. Master, you gave us plenty of money, and we were quite comfortable in the prison. We ate well, drank well, and slept well. It was a real vacation."

Yao Wei chuckled and patted his belly, "In just a few days, my waistline has gotten bigger..."

"I haven't slept so soundly in a long time, except that the smell inside was a bit sour." Song Liu'er was a little nostalgic.

They are busy working outside all day, leaving early and returning late, and they really don't have any days off.

Liu Yuechu clicked her tongue twice, thinking that this sounded rather awkward.

"I want to discuss something with you. I want to close all the miscellaneous shops as they are. Those that should be sold off should be sold off, and those that should be cleared out should be cleared out."

“My husband has been promoted to Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial. Our business is too large, and we are easily manipulated. This incident should serve as a warning…”

Song Liu'er was initially reluctant, but after Liu Yuechu said her last sentence, he could only grit his teeth and nod in agreement.

“My master has already made his decision, what can I say? I will do whatever you say.”

Liu Yuechu spoke a few words to him briefly, which was not difficult for Song Liu'er.

"After you've dealt with these matters, go and help your elder brother manage the horse farm."

Song Liu'er frowned, "Master, you don't trust the eldest young master?"

“It’s not that I don’t trust him, it’s that I don’t trust the others. Besides, we need to expand things over there, and without you, I don’t have the energy to manage it.” Liu Yuechu also gave her sweet words of trust, and Song Liu’er was overjoyed.

With the matter settled, Song Liu'er didn't delay and immediately began closing the small shop, arranging for the clearance of goods, settlement of payments, and redemption.

The Liu family's sudden surge in sales caused quite a stir. Wasn't Emperor Qi Xiao just backing them up? Logically, they shouldn't be taking this opportunity to expand their influence, so why are they starting to liquidate their assets?

Less than three days later, the imperial court issued an edict ordering Yuan Cuo to visit the border of the Meng Kingdom in half a month. After visiting the Meng Kingdom, he was also to travel to the Yan and Chu Kingdoms.

He's gone now, and his child is already calling him "Dad." I'm afraid he won't be able to come back.

"Your humble servant wishes to bring my wife along..." Yuan Cuo knew that Emperor Qi Xiao would not agree, but he still made the request privately.

"I will send people to take good care of her, what else do you worry about?" Emperor Qi Xiao smiled kindly. "I assure you, she will give birth to the child safely and peacefully, and wait for your return."

"Your Majesty previously hoped that I would assist Eunuch Cheng in managing the secret guards, but I refused. Now I regret it. I wonder if Your Majesty could give me another chance?" Yuan Cuo suddenly made another request.

Emperor Qi Xiao's lips twitched. "I wouldn't stoop to harming a woman and a child!"

"Your Majesty, I wish to investigate the situation in a few more regions..." Yuan Cuo's excuse was perfunctory, and no one would believe he was being disloyal.

Emperor Qi Xiao snorted coldly, "You always have to offer something in return for doing something for me. You've disappointed me greatly!"

"But as far as I know, Your Majesty's secret guards never search for sources outside the capital... I think it's just in time to leave, so taking a group of people with us and dispersing them won't attract attention."

Yuan Cuo spoke with a straight face, "Your Majesty should also want to know news from the outside world, instead of just looking at the reports sent from various places every now and then without knowing the actual situation on the ground."

His words hit the nail on the head regarding Emperor Qi Xiao.

Previously, the Empress Dowager presided over the government. After he took over, news from all over the country came and went, some true and some false, and he was never able to fully grasp it.

Even after so many years of cleansing, he still cannot rise again.

Because the Great Qi was the last of the seven kingdoms, any internal strife or conflict could easily lead to its annexation by neighboring countries. It wasn't that he didn't want to, but that he truly dared not.

"Very well, I will grant your request!"

Emperor Qi Xiao was silent for a moment, then looked at Cheng Hai, "You make a settlement with him and obey his orders from now on."

Cheng Hai was shocked.

This is no longer just letting Yuan Cuo interfere with the secret guards; it's handing over all the secret guards to Yuan Cuo, including him!

"His Majesty……"

"Go."

Emperor Qi Xiao had already made his decision, and Cheng Hai had no choice but to agree.

He and Yuan Cuo bowed and withdrew, heading towards the secret camp of the secret guards.

Cheng Hai returned late at night after the transaction was completed. "Your Majesty, was it really not a risk?"

The last card in their hand was played to an illegitimate child they hadn't yet acknowledged.

Although Cheng Hai had watched Yuan Cuo grow up, he dared not judge whether Yuan Cuo harbored any hatred in his heart.

If there is true hatred, and it turns against Emperor Qi Xiao, then he can only be helpless.

Emperor Qi Xiao sighed, "He will find out who that person is sooner or later."

“It’s not that I’m afraid he’ll find out about his background.”

"Then tell me, to whom can I entrust my secret guards with peace of mind?" Emperor Qi Xiao suddenly asked a question.

Cheng Hai was instantly speechless.

The Crown Prince spends all his time focusing on the Third Prince and the throne of the Eastern Palace. He lacks ambition and vision, and he doesn't even care much about state affairs, relying only on a few ministers to help him.

The third prince was ambitious and had always wanted to seize the position of crown prince. However, he was impatient and unstable, and he didn't know how to pave the way for his success. He was also prone to abandoning those who had helped him after he had served his purpose.

The other princes seemed well-behaved, or in other words, incompetent.

They only wish to eat and drink their fill, play with hawks and dogs, and live a carefree life.

"You can't explain it either, can you?" Emperor Qi Xiao chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Whether I acknowledge him or not, he has no chance of taking this position. So let him be the steward of the Great Qi. If the person who takes over is not up to the task, he can fill in."

Emperor Qi Xiao explained his plans, and after a while added, "Moreover, once that woman knows her son has taken the position of steward, she may no longer have any ambitions towards the Great Qi."

Cheng Hai said awkwardly, "If I may be so bold as to say something unpleasant, even if that day ever comes, that person will not acknowledge us as relatives."

Emperor Qi Xiao chuckled self-deprecatingly, "You're right... Keep an eye on how he arranged his secret guards."

Cheng Hai accepted the order and served Emperor Qi Xiao to rest.

When Liu Yuechu woke up the next day, she found that there were some different faces in the house.

"What is this?" she asked, staring intently at Yuan Cuo.

Although those people were dressed as servants, the martial artists walked silently, their eyes sharp as eagles, their gazes filled with vigilance as they looked around...

"How could I leave with peace of mind? Of course, I must protect you first." Yuan Cuo fiddled with his fingers, and all eight people in front of him withdrew.

They left in the blink of an eye.

“These people will follow Hou Lai’s orders and will take turns accompanying you on your travels and stationed at the Liu residence… I will also come back to see you from time to time.” He embraced her and whispered softly.