The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 153 Stubborn Donkey Riding a Stubborn Donkey

"He's anxious."

"Let's see how he explains himself to the Emperor after we return to the Brown Kingdom."

Ordinary people would let unfulfilled desires become regrets and put them behind them, but they are different; they want to destroy what they cannot have.

But does Mu Zhuo care about them?

No.

According to the princess's prophecy, Dayong and Heguo are sworn enemies.

Think about it: if you were facing an opponent who could potentially destroy your country and your home, would you let go of every opportunity to strike them down?

That's definitely not the case.

Therefore, the princess will definitely not let them go back.

They are bound to lose their lives here.

What threat could a group of dead people pose to him?

In the palace, the festivities had ended, and even the imperial palace, with its countless palace servants, appeared deserted.

After sending the Empress back, the Emperor and Li Xiaojun strolled around to digest their food.

"Your Majesty, Princess Xinyue has been arranged to stay at Qinghe Palace."

The emperor paused, "Did I ask you that?"

Li Xiaojun gave an awkward smile: "It was this servant who acted on his own initiative."

The emperor gave a light snort and turned his foot: "But it is indeed worth going to take a look."

Li Xiaojun: Ha, do you think I don't know you?

The emperor and his entourage did not announce their arrival. When they entered Qinghe Palace, Xinyue was dealing with her maid, He'er.

"He'er, how many years have you been with me?"

"Your Highness, it has been more than ten years."

Her tone was not very respectful, and she didn't seem to realize that something was wrong. She still held her head high, as if she were the master.

"He'er," Xinyue's gaze swept over the palace servants around her, "Do you remember who you are?"

He'er looked at her as if she were a fool: "I'm He'er."

Crescent Moon chuckled to herself, suddenly realizing how incredibly foolish she had been to say those things to her.

She waved her hand, a look of weariness on her face: "Take her away."

In Dayong, no one can support He'er anymore, and she no longer needs to worry about the power behind her.

It was at this moment that she suddenly realized that the days when she was controlled by others were over, and that she could now control her own power.

He'er didn't react when the two eunuchs walked towards her, and she still didn't react when her hands were tied behind her back.

Only when she was about to be dragged away did she realize the situation.

But when she tried to struggle, she found herself being brutally suppressed. She wanted to scream, but her mouth was gagged.

She suddenly realized that her previous smug status was all just a mirage.

She thought it was quite an achievement to be able to boss around a princess, but in the face of real power, she was nothing.

When those in power truly want her dead, they do it as casually as brushing away dust from a garment, not even giving her a chance to defend herself.

After He'er was taken away, Xinyue sat alone for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"The feeling of being completely free from shackles is truly wonderful."

Overjoyed, she stood up and spun around happily. But as she spun, she saw the emperor and Li Xiaojun, who had been standing there for who knows how long.

She stopped abruptly and immediately knelt down to pay her respects.

The swaying skirt spread out on the ground like a blooming morning glory.

The emperor's gaze was deep: "Rise."

He chose a spot not too far from her and sat down, twirling the ring on his finger. The faint scent of ambergris emanating from him mingled with the original fragrance of moon spirit in the palace, creating a strangely intoxicating aroma in the warm room.

"sit."

Xinyue didn't refuse and chose the seat closest to her.

She didn't try to flatter or ingratiate herself; she simply sat there quietly, neither humble nor arrogant, her fragrance spreading far and wide.

The princess said that those who can be good emperors are inherently domineering. She should believe that she is beautiful enough and that there is no need for her to approach him. He will naturally take the initiative to pluck her.

“Yuanjia told me about your situation. She couldn’t bear to see you return to that hellhole of the Brown Kingdom, so she begged me to help you.”

His voice was somewhat low and hoarse. Although his tone didn't have much variation, it sounded like a gentle tapping in the ear.

"Thank you for your help, Your Majesty." Xinyue didn't look at him, but lowered her head slightly. Behind her, the window was slightly ajar, and the curtains were blown up by the wind, casting pale shadows.

The emperor remained silent, and the atmosphere suddenly became quiet.

Xinyue heard Li Xiaojun's light footsteps as she retreated, the door creaked shut, and then a shadow fell over her.

A large, broad hand was extended in front of her. She blinked and saw the faint lines on the palm.

She reached out, her wide sleeves sliding lightly down her wrists, her trembling fingertips touching his, and suddenly enveloped in his palm.

……

This beautiful scene needs no further explanation, and at this moment, Zheng Xun had already taken his seat in Consort Liang's palace.

Consort Liang raised her teacup: "I must thank the princess for protecting me."

Zheng Xun raised her glass and took a sip: "Oh? When have I ever defended you?"

The two people solemnly clinked glasses across each other, but because the glasses contained only water, the scene looked strangely comical.

But the effect of leaving everything unsaid was also achieved.

Consort Liang smiled and did not insist on continuing the topic.

She was grateful to Zheng Xun for not exposing the tricks she had played on the Empress. Now that Xinyue had entered the palace, she was helping to arrange everything, which could be considered as repaying the favor she had shown back then.

But what she wants now is more than that.

She then asked, "What are your plans now, Princess?"

Zheng Xun raised an eyebrow in confusion: "What plans?"

"Now that Xinyue has entered the palace, does the princess have no further plans?"

"What needs to be planned? This is all I can do. The rest depends on how far she can go."

Or rather, just how far does the New Moon's ambition go...?

They hit it off immediately when it came to sending the new moon to the palace.

But this was originally just a backup plan she had left behind. It would be great if it worked, but it wouldn't be a big deal if it didn't. Besides... she didn't actually hope that one day she would have to use it.

She suddenly looked up and stared directly into Consort Liang's eyes: "Consort Liang, you might as well speak frankly."

Actually, she could more or less guess what she was thinking.

Consort Liang was an ambitious woman. Given her status, she could have easily married an ordinary nobleman and become his wife.

But she was unwilling to give up, so she staged a play, stepping into the vortex of the imperial harem as a victim.

No one knew that she had planned to enter the palace from the very beginning.

However, taking the initiative would be a disadvantage, so she chose to become the one who "had to" do the work, and then used other people's guilt to gain more power.

Therefore, she took action against the Empress, forcing her to recuperate in peace, and from then on, all the power in the harem fell into her hands.

So she tampered with the gifts the Empress gave to Zheng Jin and Zheng Jiao, hoping to distract the Empress from her own troubles.

However, she hadn't originally intended to actually kill the Empress. Now, she dared not continue, yet she was unwilling to accept the status quo, and her situation instantly became awkward.

Looking back on her life, Zheng Xun felt that she was just someone who couldn't sit still, someone who was born to fight and climb the social ladder.

However, the education she received from childhood taught her not to compete with men, so she could only enter the harem, the biggest arena.

She chose to befriend Zheng Xun because she saw another possibility in him.

Once she steps outside the confines of societal expectations, she is unafraid to compete with men.

Consort Liang twirled the teacup in her hand, her long eyelashes casting deep shadows on her face: "Princess, we are all the same."

Equally ambitious, equally unwilling to be second to anyone.

Zheng Xun joked, "If we were exactly the same, then it would be a case of kings never meeting."

"Then I'm still a little easier to satisfy than a princess."

The conversation between the two ended quickly, and Zheng Xun did not linger there.

While the water in the cup was still warm, Consort Liang drank it all in one gulp before saying, "Shan Jun, there is still hope, isn't there?"

Shan Jun reached out and massaged Consort Liang's shoulders, his voice soft and low, as if afraid of disturbing something: "Since Princess Yuanjia did not refuse, she must have considered it."

Consort Liang's brows relaxed slightly: "Whether she is willing to help me or not, I will help her. After all, we are the same. Seeing her get what she wants is a way for me to do my part."

Shan Jun didn't speak, but his movements became even more cautious.

……

The next day.

Zheng Xun finally left the palace with Zheng Jin.

Zheng Jin wasn't in a good mood at first, but thinking of Nie Zhao, who died in the prophecy, she decided to go out anyway.

Zheng Xun: That's perfect, it saves her from getting involved.

Upon arriving at Zhuque Street, Zheng Xun was dismissed.

Zheng Jin and Nie Zhao met up and walked side by side toward the other side of the street.

Zheng Xun watched their retreating figures and sighed dejectedly.

She's destined to be busy, but her life is tough.

She went to the horse farm to pick up the horses presented by the Brown Kingdom, and then went to Jiang Weiguo's residence to find Wang Ergou.

Upon seeing him, Zheng Xun couldn't help but smile: "You've changed."

Wang Ergou's demeanor became much calmer.

He used to look like an ordinary farmer's son, but now he has a sharp edge to him and looks like a promising young general.

Upon hearing that Zheng Xun was going to take Wang Ergou out for a while, Jiang Weiguo subtly and earnestly instructed, "Feiyu, even though it's only for a day, don't slack off. You're still recovering from your injury from last time, so don't overexert yourself. Also, remember to come back early."

Zheng Xun: ?

Last time they seemed eager to sever all ties, didn't they? This change in attitude is far too drastic...

She raised an eyebrow at Wang Ergou: "Feiyu?"

Wang Ergou scratched the back of his head: "My master gave me this name."

Zheng Xun's voice rose slightly: "Master?"

"It's Lord Jiang! He's accepted me as his apprentice!"

Zheng Xun looked at him with newfound respect: "You're quite something, actually managing to gain Lord Jiang's approval."

Jiang Weiguo was unwilling to take him as a disciple because he did not want to get too involved with Zheng Xun.

But now that this master-disciple relationship is established, Consort Xian and the Jiang family will be tied to her.

Tsk tsk tsk, what does this mean?

This means that Wang Er... oh no, it means that Wang Feiyu's performance has made Jiang Weiguo so eager to hunt that he can ignore the risks.

Wang Feiyu was a little embarrassed: "My master only accepted me because he saw how hard I worked."

Zheng Xun patted his arm encouragingly: "Learn well from Lord Jiang. He has led cavalry, but he is not just good at leading cavalry. His strategies and experience are what you should learn the most."

She sent him to Jiang Weiguo not hoping he would become an outstanding vanguard, but rather hoping he would become a brave and resourceful general.

Wang Feiyu was no longer the same as before; he quickly understood Zheng Xun's meaning.

"Princess, rest assured, I will do whatever you desire."

He lifted his robe, knelt before Zheng Xun, and looked directly at her, his obsidian-like eyes filled with seriousness.

He was of average appearance, but had a resolute demeanor, and when he said those words, it was as if he were making a promise he would keep for the rest of his life.