I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 136 The Pie is Poisonous
The disaster victims, who had been eating wild vegetables for a month, sipped their rice porridge from their bowls. Although they were still not full, they believed that Princess Zhaoshan could really give them a chance to live!

Having filled their stomachs, the disaster victims regained their former simplicity and honesty, and lined up obediently to follow the royal guards and cavalry out of the city to the farm.

“Princess Zhaoshan is brave, resourceful, and decisive. The last time I saw such an extraordinary woman was when Princess Yingde was still alive. Princess Zhaoshan truly has the demeanor of Princess Yingde.”

"What the hell? Who's putting on airs like this?" Tang Zhao turned his head and saw Lu Ying, dressed in official robes, and officials from the Wuwei Prefecture escorting a white-faced, beardless, and kind-looking eunuch as they approached.

"Grand Supervisor Zhou," Tang Zhao exclaimed in surprise, "what brings you here?"

After Emperor Kangzhi passed away, Eunuch Zhou followed Emperor Sheng'an. However, Emperor Sheng'an had long been accustomed to having senior eunuchs around him, so Eunuch Zhou was not highly regarded and his status in the palace was not as good as before.

Otherwise, why would he need to personally deliver an imperial edict from afar?
Unfortunately, circumstances were beyond his control, and despite his resentment, Eunuch Zhou was ultimately powerless to change anything.

Therefore, Eunuch Zhou was particularly pleased that Tang Zhao still remembered him. "Your Highness has a good memory. I have only met Your Highness a few times. It is truly my good fortune that Your Highness still remembers me."

"The first time I met you, Father-in-law, was when you came to announce the imperial decree to bestow upon me the title of County Princess. The second time was in the Golden Palace when you vindicated my maternal grandfather's family. Both meetings were fortunate for Zhao Shan. How could Zhao Shan not remember them?" Tang Zhao said, holding him in her arms. "Father-in-law is truly Zhao Shan's benefactor!"

"Oh my!" Eunuch Zhou was flattered and felt quite pleased. "If Your Highness says so, how could this old servant dare to accept it?"

Tang Zhao probed, "Of course I dare to accept. Father-in-law, have you come all the way to the Northwest to announce something good?"

“Your Highness is absolutely right,” said Eunuch Zhou, flicking his whisk. “This old servant congratulates Your Highness in advance.”

Good thing. Tang Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. He just hoped that it wasn't because her business was doing too well that they would try to take it away or try to get a share of the profits.

"Please come into the mansion, Your Excellency. Zhaoshan will immediately order people to clean the courtyard to receive the imperial decree."

Unable to refuse, Eunuch Zhou entered the mansion, drank tea and ate some snacks, and received a complete set of four-season glass teacups. After the incense, candles and altar were prepared, he suppressed a smile and solemnly announced the imperial decree.

Tang Zhao and Gu Ci knelt at the front, followed by everyone in the Prince's Mansion, Wuwei officials, and even disaster victims outside the mansion, all kneeling to receive the imperial decree.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Your Highness, Princess Zhaoshan, is of noble birth and refined character, gentle and kind, and talented in poetry. I know that you have always been loyal to the Emperor and loved the people. In recognition of your merits, I hereby grant you Wuwei Prefecture as your fiefdom. All the mountains, rivers, fields, and houses within its territory belong to you. You must diligently perform your duties, govern the region with care, and ensure the safety and well-being of the people. This is the imperial decree!"

"Zhao Shan receives the imperial edict," Tang Zhao said, raising both hands above his head to receive the imperial edict.

Zhou Dajian laughed and said, "Since the founding of the Great Yu Kingdom, the Princess is the first member of the royal family to be granted a fiefdom, which shows how much His Majesty values ​​her!"

Tang Zhao grew increasingly alarmed as he listened, and secretly slipped a purse into his pocket. "I am of shallow talent and virtue, why have I received such an honor? Please enlighten me, Your Excellency."

Zhou Dajian took the heavy purse and smiled even more broadly. "The new farming tools developed by the Princess have been highly praised by the Ministry of Works. The people around Luoyang all think the new farming tools are excellent."

Tang Zhao suddenly realized that it was Prince Xuan who had recommended her for merit, but based on her understanding of Emperor Sheng'an, at most he would issue an imperial edict of commendation and bestow some pretty but useless gifts.

But no matter how much Tang Zhao tried to find out, whether openly or secretly, Eunuch Zhou always seemed to think that Jian was favored by the Emperor, so Tang Zhao gave up trying to find out more.

Lu Ying led the officials of Wuwei Prefecture to kneel and pay homage. Tang Zhao offered a few words of encouragement, and then he and Gu Ci personally hosted a banquet. After several rounds of drinks, they saw the people off at the gate of the prefecture and watched the imperial edict procession set off to return to the capital.

Tang Zhao looked up at the sky and asked, "Husband, do you think it's possible for a pie to fall from the sky?"

Gu Ci affirmed, "No."

Tang Zhao pointed to the sky, "Then what does he mean?"

Gu Ci didn't speak, his gaze falling on the disaster victims who were still queuing.

Tang Zhao:.
"Okay, I understand," Tang Zhao was about to speak when he saw Gu Ci turn his gaze to the iron cavalry soldiers escorting the disaster victims away.

Tang Zhao's gaze darted back and forth between the disaster victims and the Northwest cavalry, then he gasped.

Gu Ciwei nodded, his words barely perceptible.

Tang Zhao angrily raised the middle finger to the heavens!

Gu Ci asked in confusion, "What is the meaning of this?" "To express the surging emotions in my heart," Tang Zhao replied angrily. There's no such thing as a free lunch; even if there were, it would be poisonous!

Gu Ci reached out and pressed down the raised middle finger. "This is an impolite gesture."

Tang Zhao felt that she was already very elegant; she didn't even try to promote the national essence.

Gu Ci comforted her, "It will be alright."

This consolation was dry and unconvincing, and Tang Zhao refused to accept it. However, she didn't have the courage to stop Eunuch Zhou from returning the imperial edict, and she had long coveted Wuwei City. So she had no choice but to grit her teeth and accept Emperor Sheng'an's open scheme.

In the middle of the night, Tang Zhao, who was still fuming, had just dozed off when he was startled awake by a loud clap of thunder.

Raindrops pattered on the roof, flowing down the tiles and dripping from the eaves. A strong wind blew, rustling the leaves in the courtyard. Lightning flashed across the sky, casting intermittent shadows on the windows.

The scene, reminiscent of a horror movie, made Tang Zhao unconsciously curl up.

[Host, don't be afraid. There are no ghosts or gods in this world. Believe in science.]

Tang Zhao: Do ​​you think your existence is scientific or mine?

The system beeped twice and then went completely silent.

"See? This world is so unscientific," Tang Zhao sighed, tossing and turning in bed.

"Can't sleep?"

"!" Tang Zhao yelled and burrowed into the blankets.

"Don't be afraid, it's me."

Tang Zhao peeked out from under the covers and saw Gu Ci walking over with a candlestick. Tang Zhao breathed a sigh of relief.

She thought the disaster victim she killed during the day had come to seek revenge.

Gu Ci placed the candlestick on the bedside table, sat on the edge of the bed, and reached out to pull the person hiding under the covers out. "Aren't you afraid of suffocating yourself?"

Tang Zhao wrapped herself tightly in the brocade quilt. "What are you doing here?"

“Granny Song was worried that you were frightened by what happened during the day, so she asked me to come and keep you company,” Gu Ci said, carefully examining Tang Zhao by candlelight. Seeing that the fear in Tang Zhao’s eyes had not completely faded, he said, “Sleep peacefully, I will watch over you.”

Tang Zhao stammered, "I, I..."

“I have killed countless people since I went to the battlefield, and I have never encountered any ghosts or gods seeking revenge,” Gu Ci said, looking at the woman’s wet eyes. His voice softened unconsciously. “There are no ghosts or gods in this world. Even if there were, with me here, I will kill any god I encounter and exorcise any ghost I encounter. I will definitely protect you and keep you safe.”

Tang Zhao felt somewhat touched, "Your actions are giving me the wrong impression."

Gu Ci looked away. "What misperception?"

“I would think,” Tang Zhao sniffed, “that you want to acknowledge me as your mother.”

Gu Ci:.
"A man is only this filial to his own mother."

Gu Ci:.
Gu Ci's forehead veins throbbed. "Shut up and go to sleep."

Oh, Tang Zhao grabbed Gu Ci's sleeves with both hands, closed her eyes and lay down, falling asleep in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Zhao Zhao: I really want to be your mother!

Gu Ci: Shut up!