Princess, something terrible has happened! The prince consort has attempted suicide again!

Zhao Qiandong spoke at the opportune moment.

"Since you do not wish for a reward, I will grant your request. Previously, you offended the elders of your clan and committed a heinous crime, punishable by death according to the law. However, considering your great service this time, your merits and demerits will be offset. In the future, do not act rashly again, lest Changning worry about you."

Zhang Xiaomeng wanted to cry but had no tears.

I did something so reckless and nothing happened to me. It's unbelievable.

"Marquis of Valor, do you have any objections?" Zhao Qiandong looked down calmly.

"Your Majesty is wise; your subject will obey your decree."

Marquis Yongwu bowed in response, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He had always believed that his eldest son was unruly and incapable of achieving anything great, but now Zhang Xiaomeng had made a great contribution and was being looked at differently by the Prince of Zhenbei.

Was I wrong?

At this moment, Zhao Changning bowed and requested permission: "Father, I humbly request that Prince Zhang be permitted to reside in the Princess's residence."

Zhang Xiaomeng was taken aback when he heard this. What was this woman up to now?

Zhao Qiandong frowned slightly: "You two are not yet married. This behavior is against etiquette and will surely be criticized."

Zhao Changning said solemnly, "Young Master Zhang has ruined the Black Lotus Sect's plot. Those traitors are vengeful and will surely try to assassinate him in secret. Your subject wants to protect him."

Assassination?

Zhang Xiaomeng's eyes lit up instantly.

Zhao Qiandong pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly: "That makes sense."

Seeing that the emperor was already wavering, Zhang Xiaomeng quickly stepped forward to stop him: "Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

Zhao Changning was completely puzzled.

I've been thinking of him with all my heart, so why is he still refusing me?

"Why are you unwilling?" Zhao Qiandong asked curiously.

"Your Majesty, firstly, since the princess and I have not yet held a formal wedding ceremony, it would be against etiquette for us to live together in the same residence."

"Secondly, the Black Lotus Sect is lurking in the shadows, stirring up trouble and causing chaos in the court. It is a major threat to our Eastern Mausoleum and must be eliminated as soon as possible."

Zhang Xiaomeng raised his head and stood tall, his gaze firm and his whole being exuding righteousness: "To safeguard the stability of the nation and the peace of the people, I am willing to use myself as bait to lure out the remnants of the Black Lotus Cult, wipe them out in one fell swoop, and restore a bright and clear world to the world."

His words resonated deeply, moving everyone present.

"Well said!"

Emperor Zhao Qiandong was overjoyed and repeatedly praised him, saying, "If everyone in our dynasty had your breadth of vision and courage, how could the nation not prosper!"

"Father, this plan is too dangerous, it must not be done!" Zhao Changning immediately objected.

"Changning is right. I urge Your Majesty to consider this carefully." The Prince of Zhenbei also did not want Zhang Xiaomeng to take any risks and offered his advice.

"I cannot rest easy until the Black Lotus Sect is eradicated," Zhao Qiandong said in a deep voice. "Don't worry, I will arrange for people to protect him secretly and ensure that nothing happens to Prince Zhang."

"Father, the Black Lotus Sect is treacherous and cunning, impossible to guard against! What will I do if there's any oversight?"

Zhao Changning insisted repeatedly, and with the support of the Prince of Zhenbei, Zhao Qiandong found it difficult to make a decision.

"Zhao Changning, you're so selfish!"

Zhang Xiaomeng suddenly retorted, "I did this to relieve the Emperor's worries and for the sake of all the people. Even if it costs me my life, I am willing!"

He pointed at her, his voice firm and resolute: "You only care about your personal feelings and ignore the greater good of the nation. You call yourself a fearsome female warrior? You're utterly disappointing!"

As a princess, Zhao Changning had never been publicly criticized like this before.

In the past, she would have been furious.

But looking at Zhang Xiaomeng's generous and open-minded appearance, he was speechless for a moment and stood there stunned.

She knew she did have selfish motives, and couldn't help but feel a little ashamed.

I never imagined that I was even less than a playboy in the eyes of the world.

"Your Majesty, my mind is made up. I will not rest until the Black Lotus Sect is eradicated!" Zhang Xiaomeng asked for permission with his hands clasped, his attitude resolute.

Zhao Qiandong asked seriously, "Are you really not afraid of death?"

"Death can be as light as a feather or as heavy as Mount Tai. In the past, I was unruly and foolish, wasting my time. Today, the country is in turmoil, and I have no choice but to do my duty. If I can use my life to wipe out the traitors and stabilize the country, I will die a worthy death and can rest in peace."

Zhang Xiaomeng's selfless act of sacrificing himself for righteousness deeply shocked everyone present.

As Zhao Changning gazed at his tall and imposing figure, his eyes gleamed. He felt as if the other man was enveloped in a radiant light, making his figure appear even more majestic.

In contrast, she felt even more guilty and finally stopped trying to stop him.

"What a wonderful saying! Death can be as light as a feather or as heavy as Mount Tai! Prince Zhang is very righteous, and I am very pleased."

Zhao Qiandong's eyes sharpened, and he shouted loudly, "Zhang Xiaomeng, listen to my command!"

"Your subject is here!"

Zhang Xiaomeng immediately bowed and clasped his hands in greeting.

Zhao Qiandong said in a deep voice, "I grant your request. Let Marquis Yongwu cooperate in the play, publicly expel you from the Marquis's residence, drive you out of the capital, and give the Black Lotus Sect an opportunity to kill you. I will then secretly deploy manpower to surround and annihilate the traitors when they appear."

"Your subject obeys the decree!"

Zhang Xiaomeng responded loudly, secretly delighted.

This is a sure thing.

"Marquis of Valor." Zhao Qiandong turned his head to look to one side.

"Your subject is here."

"You must cooperate perfectly with Zhang Xiaomeng and not leak a single detail. If you ruin my grand plan, you will be held accountable!"

"Your subject obeys the decree and will certainly not fail in his mission."

Marquis Yongwu bowed his head and accepted the order, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

at the same time.

Inside the main hall of the Marquis of Yongwu's residence.

Liu Ru sat upright with a sullen expression, the red and swollen handprint on her face still visible.

Zhang Ling paced back and forth in the hall, filled with anxiety, frequently glancing towards the door.

"Father has been in the palace for a long time and hasn't returned. Could something have happened?"

Liu Ru scoffed coldly, her eyes filled with resentment. "Don't worry. That little beast committed a heinous crime and murdered the young prince in the street. His crimes are unforgivable. Even Princess Changning can't protect him. He's doomed this time!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ling revealed a smug, cold smile.

"Once he dies, the position of heir apparent will be mine. I might even be able to replace him and become Princess Changning's husband."

Just then, a servant came in to report, "Madam, Master has returned."

The mother and son immediately got up and rushed to the door. Seeing that Marquis Yongwu had returned with a sullen face, they were already certain that Zhang Xiaomeng was dead.

Liu Ru feigned pity and asked softly, "My lord, how is the situation in the palace?"

Zhang Ling also put on a well-behaved and sensible demeanor, feigning comfort, "Father, you've worked so hard, please don't be too sad. It's my fault for being useless and failing to take good care of my elder brother."

Liu Ru burst into tears, deeply blaming herself, "It's my fault for not raising my son properly. I was willing to suffer some grievances myself to protect the Marquis's mansion, but who knew that Xiao Meng would become even more unruly and cause such a disaster..."

The two of them sang in unison, putting on a show of kindness and generosity in an attempt to win the favor of the Marquis of Yongwu.

Before he could finish speaking, Marquis Yongwu shouted sharply, "Enough!"

The two were immediately taken aback.

"Master, what's wrong?" Liu Ru asked cautiously.

Before Marquis Yongwu could speak, a mocking voice drifted in from outside the door, "Such a strong smell of green tea, it's too pungent and unlucky."

Zhang Xiaomeng waved his hand lightly in front of his nose and stepped into the mansion with a look of disgust on his face.

The two men were shocked to see that he was unharmed and without a scratch.

"Gentlemen, are you too happy to see me return safely? Why aren't you saying anything?" Zhang Xiaomeng chuckled lightly, a hint of sarcasm in his eyes.