You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 203 He who obtains the Phoenix Maiden shall rule the world
Liang Jiang flung Gu Xizhi's hand away and stood up abruptly: "Your Highness, what kind of joke are you playing on me?"

Gu Xizhi also stood up, walked to Liang Jiang, looked down at the furious Liang Jiang, and said seriously:

“I’m not joking with you. Every word I said is serious. Since running away is useless, we can only make ourselves stronger, so that the other party will be wary and dare not lay a hand on us again.”

"What does this have to do with me marrying you?"

"Yes, while Tong Shouliang is currently operating in the shadows and his power is still weak, no one is qualified to command the army. If you and I join forces, relying on your background and my prestige in the army, we can regain control of the Liang family army."

Only by controlling military power can one have sufficient strength to speak.

Liang Jiang was stunned for a moment. Although she was strong-willed, she was still just a young woman who had never understood the power struggles in the court.

Gu Xizhi's words seem to make some sense, but whether they can be put into practice remains to be seen.

She hesitated before asking, "The other side is wary of us, how could they easily hand over military power? Besides, they probably won't agree to let me marry you."

Gu Xi knew: "As long as you're willing, I'll do the rest. At worst, I'll give up my Weixi fiefdom and hand it over to him."

"A fiefdom!" Liang Jiang was even more surprised: "Weixi is your life's work, your place of refuge. If you hand it over, you will lose your last shield and become even more isolated and helpless."

Gu Xizhi truthfully replied, "For the Empress Dowager's birthday this year, my brother summoned me to the capital nearly two months in advance. In fact, he had a purpose: to weaken the power of the princes and take back Weixi."

Liang Jiang asked doubtfully, "Under Your Highness's rule, Weixi is indeed prosperous and the people live in peace and contentment. But I've also heard that it pays tribute every year. Is there another reason for taking back Weixi?"

"A few months ago, the Director of the Imperial Observatory observed the stars and said that the Phoenix Maiden Star had reappeared in the southwest. So he immediately set off from the capital and went to Weixi. The emperor then issued an edict to transfer me back to the capital to facilitate his actions."

Liang Jiang asked in bewilderment, "Phoenix Star? What does that mean? What is Master Li doing in Weixi?"

"Haven't you heard the legends of the Phoenix Clan?"

Liang Jiang shook her head: "No."

"Legend has it that the Phoenix Clan is an ancient tribe responsible for guarding the dragon vein. Their Phoenix Maidens possess an extraordinary spiritual power that can seal the dragon vein, making it impossible for ordinary people to detect its location."

Whoever finds the dragon vein and buries their ancestors there will be able to secure their throne and unify the world. Therefore, there is a popular legend that whoever obtains the Phoenix Maiden will rule the world.

Liang Jiang did not believe in these feng shui theories: "Whether one can secure the throne depends on the virtue of the ruler and the hearts of the people, yet to place all hope on a burial ground is simply absurd."

"But my imperial brother believes it, and he believes it without a doubt, which is why he trusts Master Li so much. Master Li went to Weixi this time and I don't know what clues he discovered, but he has stayed there for so long and has not returned to the capital."

My elder brother also tested me, saying that if the dragon vein really was in the Weixi area, he would definitely not let me return to Weixi.

His decision to betroth me and Jian Shuyan was largely a delaying tactic, waiting for Master Li's decision.

Liang Jiang was somewhat astonished. She hadn't expected that these seemingly ordinary and simple things would hide so many mysteries behind them.

Liang Jiang also remembered that before her senior brother returned to Yuhua Mountain, he seemed to have told her to be careful of this Taoist priest Li and to try not to deal with him.

"If the so-called dragon vein is indeed in Weixi, then the emperor will definitely be determined to obtain it."

Gu Xizhi nodded: "Yes, but I have the late emperor's edict. It won't be easy for him to take it back. He will definitely resort to any means necessary. If he doesn't agree to grant us a marriage, I can exchange it for a fiefdom."

"Do you think such a high price is worth it?"

"Staying in Weixi might allow me to maintain a secluded position, but I'll only be passive. A brave man has to make a difficult decision; there are gains and losses. If we join forces and take control of the military, we can take the initiative. Therefore, to me, you are more important than Weixi."

Liang Jiang panicked for a moment: "But, but do we really have to get married? We can still cooperate, can't we?"

Gu Xizhi said seriously, "If we only cooperate, we can be easily defeated one by one. Only by getting married can we be one, and one plus one is greater than two." Liang Jiang was still somewhat hesitant.

Although, Gu Xizhi's words made a lot of sense.

However, marriage is not a trivial matter. Liangjiang was disappointed in men because of her bad marriage in the past. She did not want to marry again in this life. She only wanted to make a name for herself and support the Duke's mansion.

Even if she were to marry, she hoped it would be out of mutual affection and harmony, a genuine love from the heart, rather than a marriage based on self-interest or entanglement.

She admired the man opposite her, and secretly harbored a slight liking for him.

But will he only use me? Will he have multiple wives and concubines in the future? Will he grow tired of me?

Furthermore, her mother had repeatedly warned her to stay away from royal men, including Gu Xizhi.

My mother definitely didn't want me to marry him.

She had reservations, so she lowered her eyes and remained silent.

Gu Xizhi didn't understand her daughter's little thoughts. Her heart was in her throat, she was full of anxiety, and her palms were sweating.

He said nervously:
"Don't rush to make a decision for me. You need to calm down and think things through. After all, if you choose to protect yourself, you can continue to live a peaceful and prosperous life in the future."

Once you've made a decision, there's no turning back. You might even suffer a complete defeat and lose everything you have.

Liang Jiang shook her head firmly and said decisively, "No need to consider it. I only want justice and the truth. However, I need to think carefully about what Your Highness has proposed. I'm afraid I cannot agree to it."

Gu Xizhi was stunned. The light in her eyes gradually faded and dimmed.

His once sharp, arched eyebrows, eyes, and lips were no longer vibrant and lively; they had lost their original vitality. His thin lips were tightly pressed together, and his broad shoulders slumped down.

"Is this your answer? You're so quick to decide, without even a moment's hesitation?"

Liang Jiang felt a pang of pity: "Perhaps we have other, better ways to solve this, without having to go through all this trouble and gamble."

"I understand."

Gu Xizhi forced a weak smile and slowly, little by little, loosened her gaze from Liang Jiang.

He tried to keep a straight face and pretend nothing was wrong, but the moment he opened his mouth, his extremely hoarse voice betrayed his true feelings.

"I have been presumptuous today."

He rubbed his palms together somewhat awkwardly, seemingly unsure of what to say for a moment.

"It's been a long time since I've had a drink, and you got drunk after just a little bit. Your head is spinning. I'll calm you down first and then take you home."

He turned away, not wanting Liang Jiang to see the dejection on his face.

Liang Jiang stood there stunned, staring at his back, as if she had sensed something, and felt as if she had eaten a lotus seed in her heart.

"Your Majesty!"

She suddenly called out to Gu Xizhi, who was turning to leave, "I have one more question for you."

Gu Xizhi paused in her tracks: "You tell me."

(End of this chapter)