I have suffered enough in my previous life, my cousin will never marry me

Chapter 223 Reaping the consequences
Ye Wanshu suddenly felt a little worried that Consort Zhang might return, and muttered softly, "Fu Mingchi, why don't you go back to the manor tonight?"

"Wan'er is scared already?"

Fu Mingchi smiled gently and pursed his lips: "Ke Wan'er just said that she would make it up to me tonight."

With so many people and eyes around in the mansion now, Ye Wanshu felt less at ease than before, so she deliberately evaded the question, saying, "If love between two people is meant to last, why should they be together every day? The most important thing for us now is..."

Fu Mingchi extended his slender index finger and pressed it against her lips: "The most important thing now is to make up for the pain of these past few days of separation. I want both a long and lasting relationship, and to strive for every day and night together."

Knowing she couldn't resist him, Ye Wanshu had no choice but to close her eyes and let those alluring lips sweep over her neck.

Before the wedding ceremony was even held in the newly built East Palace compound, Helian Jiu couldn't wait to move in, acting as if she were the mistress of the East Palace.

But after not seeing Fu Mingchi for days on end, the resentment in her heart finally burst forth.

"Where did Your Highness go today?" Helian Jiu asked the maid in the manor angrily. "The Imperial Palace or the Yongning Prince's Mansion?"

The maid quickly shook her head: "His Highness has not entered the palace, and the Yongning Prince's residence has been sealed off."

"That means they went to that vile woman's residence." Helian Jiu immediately summoned her guards: "Follow me to the Ji residence."

“Princess, our Great Ye Dynasty has always governed the country by emphasizing filial piety and family harmony. Now that the Dowager Consort is staying at the Ji residence, if you go and cause trouble, it will only make the Dowager Consort more dissatisfied with you,” the maid advised. “What if His Highness is not at the Ji residence? Wouldn’t that be counterproductive?”

“This princess has no interest in these complicated rules,” Helian Jiu said. “Since he refuses to see me, then this princess will make him come begging to me in obedience.”

Come to think of it, I should blame myself for being too lenient with him these days and not putting enough pressure on him.

It seems it's time to show him the ruthless methods of the Great Hill people.

"Go, tonight I will make sure the entire city of Lin'an is not at peace," Helian Jiu ordered.

The officials understood immediately and left their residences, preparing to cause a ruckus in the city. As they walked down the street, they happened to encounter Zhu Wencai, who was leading a patrol of troops.

Thinking of how these beasts had caused trouble in the city during the day, Zhu Wencai was a little angry, but remembering His Highness's instructions, he had no choice but to restrain himself and deliberately ingratiate himself by asking, "It's so late, where are you gentlemen headed?"

"Go away, don't interfere with my pleasure." The leading general shoved Zhu Wencai aside and said fiercely, "General Zhu, we are acting on the princess's orders. If you dare to obstruct us again, don't blame us for being impolite."

"Yes, yes, His Highness has already reprimanded me for what happened today." Zhu Wencai took out the roster given to him by His Highness and said with a cold smile, "So I specially collected some names of beauties for you to enjoy while you are on duty."

The man took the roster and looked it over: "Oh, I didn't expect the Vice Minister's residence to have so many beauties hidden away."

"Ordinary women are just average; the real beauties of Lin'an are hidden away in their secluded courtyards," Zhu Wencai said. "The Vice Minister is loyal to the country and is hoping to curry favor with you officials."

"I didn't expect General Zhu to be so understanding." The leader patted Zhu Wencai on the shoulder with satisfaction: "I won't hold your grudge against you for what happened during the day."

After saying that, the group headed straight for the families listed on the roster.

Seeing this, Zhu Wencai smiled faintly and then disappeared into the night.

That night, the entire city of Lin'an did not experience the unrest that Helian Jiu had hoped for, but few of the court officials' families found peace.

The Daqiu delegation stormed into the mansion, plundering and defiled many of the women, causing widespread panic. At daybreak, Li Youzhen led many officials into the palace to plead for justice.

However, Emperor Zhaolie was in poor health recently and had no mind to care about these matters. The group searched everywhere but could not find the Crown Prince. They were all at a loss and huddled together, complaining bitterly.

"What should we do?" Lou Yan, the Minister of Revenue, complained to Li Youzhen, his face bruised and swollen from the beating. "Didn't the Vice Minister say that as long as His Majesty was persuaded to submit to the emperor, the two countries could be forever allied? Is this the result you wanted?"

Li Youzhen never expected the people of Daqiu to be so unreasonable and domineering.

He still felt lingering fear when he thought about the Daqiu people storming into his house that night. These beasts didn't even spare young girls who hadn't reached marriageable age; he had to settle this matter.

“I’m afraid His Highness went to the Ji family,” Li Youzhen said. “It must be because of that vixen from the Ji family that the Duke of Daqiu was angered and implicated us. Let’s go to the Ji family.”

Without further ado, the group headed straight for the Ji residence.

In a secluded corner of the Ji residence, Fu Mingchi was listening with great interest to Zhu Wencai's report on the events that had occurred in Lin'an City that night when a guard suddenly reported: "Your Highness, the Second Grand Secretary has arrived with his court officials."

"It seems that Vice Minister Li doesn't genuinely want the Daqiu people as his sons-in-law," Fu Mingchi chuckled coldly.

"Your Highness, would you like to see them?" Zhu Wencai asked.

Fu Mingchi shook his head: "It's time to test our strength against the iron cavalry of Daqiu."

Zhu Wencai largely agreed with this.

Right now, the entire Daqiu is probably full of self-satisfaction and is thinking of ways to enslave and oppress the people of Daye. If we take advantage of this opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the Daqiu army, we might get unexpected results.

His Highness previously ordered Yu Bai to lead the Xie brothers to secretly set off for Jiayuguan, which must have been part of this plan.

"I will personally go to Jiayu Pass," Fu Mingchi pondered. "As for Lin'an City, let those pedantic scholars keep up with the Daqiu people's antics for a while longer."

Zhu Wencai was overjoyed and immediately volunteered: "This humble general will accompany Your Highness."

"No, you stay in Lin'an and protect Wan'er and Mother's safety."

Thinking of something, Fu Mingchi suddenly frowned: "By the way, Gu Erlang has been escorted to Lin'an. With me not here, I'm afraid he will still try to stir up trouble."

He paused, then said solemnly, "Send more people to keep a close eye on Wan'er for me."

"?"

Zhu Wencai was completely confused: "Your Highness, you just said you were worried that Gu Erlang would cause trouble, so why did you send someone to keep an eye on Miss Ye?"

"Just do as I say, why ask so many questions?"

Fu Mingchi pouted in dissatisfaction, not wanting to waste time with him: "I will leave the city immediately. You go out quickly and accompany Wan'er and Mother to deal with those pedantic scholars."

The moment he finished speaking, he vanished without a trace.

Thinking of His Highness's tone just now, Zhu Wencai covered his mouth and smiled.

Perhaps His Highness is jealous. This person is really interesting these days, even jealous of that devil.

As soon as he entered the courtyard with his guards, he saw Ye Wanshu accompanying Consort Zhang as they hurried over.

"Zhu Wencai, where is your prince?" Consort Zhang asked, raising an eyebrow.

"This..." Zhu Wencai was somewhat at a loss for words.

Ye Wanshu roughly guessed Fu Mingchi's whereabouts. The two of them had been plotting for these past few days. Now that Lin'an was in a state of public discontent, it would be enough for the Daqiu people to deal with for a while. It was likely that Fu Mingchi had secretly headed to the northern border.

"Your Highness, at this critical juncture, it would be best if His Highness did not show himself," Ye Wanshu suggested meaningfully.

Consort Zhang thought for a moment and said, "You're the smartest girl. We have to make those bastards taste the bitter fruit of their own actions."