How can you rule the world if I'm just a substitute for you?

Lin Xuan looked up instantly, his eyes lighting up: "Oh? Who is it?"

"The only daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei, Su Ling Shuang, and the daughter-in-law of the Marquis of Zhenbei, Zhang Wan."

Shen Qingyi slowly began to explain:

"Su Ling Shuang has been by the side of the Marquis of Zhenbei since childhood and has been personally taught military strategies by the Marquis of Zhenbei. Everyone knows that a general's family produces a tiger cub, but very few people know that Su Ling Shuang's ability to command troops is in no way inferior to that of the generals on the frontier."

Before his death, the Marquis of Zhenbei often drank with his father, stating frankly that Ling Shuang possessed exceptional talent and was a born commander.

Lin Xuan listened quietly, a thought already stirring in his heart.

Shen Qingyi continued:

"As for Zhang Wan, she comes from the Zhang family, a top merchant family in Jiangnan. Her maternal family has been in business for generations and is extremely wealthy in Jiangnan."

She began managing the family business with her parents at a young age, and her business acumen far surpassed that of ordinary merchants.

Lin Xuan grew increasingly curious, and frowned slightly:

"Given Zhang Wan's background as a wealthy merchant family and her expertise in business, why is the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion now so impoverished?"

This was something he had always had a question about.

It's understandable for a military family to fall into decline, but with the help of marriage alliances with top merchant families in Jiangnan, they certainly wouldn't have fallen to such a state.

Shen Qingyi sighed softly and revealed the long-hidden secret:

"Your Highness is unaware of the inside story. Back then, the Marquis of Zhenbei and his eldest son both died in battle at the border, and the Marquis's mansion collapsed overnight. The Zhang family immediately sent people to persuade Zhang Wan to leave the Marquis's mansion."

However, Zhang Wan was loyal and righteous. Thinking of the widows and orphans of the Marquis's mansion who had no one to care for them and the old soldiers who had no one to rely on, she refused to leave no matter what and insisted on staying at the Marquis's mansion to hold on to the remaining situation.

The Zhang family was furious and publicly severed all ties with Zhang Wan. From that point on, the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion fell into its current state.

Lin Xuan listened and suddenly understood, nodding repeatedly.

These two are indeed the best candidates to match me right now.

However, the thought of Su Ling Shuang's proud and aloof nature gave him a slight headache.

If I were to take the initiative to visit her and win her over, given her temperament, she would definitely mistakenly think that I was deliberately trying to take over the remaining forces of the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion and had ulterior motives, and would instead become hostile.

Shen Qingyi saw through his concerns at a glance and smiled gently:

"I understand Your Highness's concerns."

"Leave this matter to me. Tomorrow I will go to the Marquis of Zhenbei's residence alone and will surely persuade the two of them to come out of seclusion and help us."

Lin Xuan grinned mischievously and pulled Shen Qingyi into his arms. "My beloved concubine, you have done me such a great favor. I will reward you properly tonight."

Shen Qingyi: "Waaah...waaah..."

……

The next day, just as dawn broke.

Lin Xuan went to the abandoned training ground in the west of the city, while Shen Qingyi changed into a simple and elegant dress and took a carriage to the Zhenbei Marquis's residence.

Inside the main hall of the Marquis's residence, Su Ling Shuang's eyes lit up with joy when she saw Shen Qing Yi arrive. She quickly stepped forward and affectionately took Shen Qing Yi's arm.

"Sister Qingyi, what brings you to my residence today?"

Zhang Wan, who was sitting upright to the side, also looked up, her expression gentle and serene.

Shen Qingyi didn't waste any time on pleasantries; her expression was solemn as she got straight to the point:

"I have come here today with two important matters, and I would like to ask you two sisters to lend a hand to the Crown Prince."

Su Ling Shuang and Zhang Wan exchanged a glance, both realizing that something was amiss.

Su Ling Shuang suppressed her smile and straightened her expression:

"Please speak freely, Sister Qingyi."

Shen Qingyi took a deep breath and slowly explained the reason:

"His Majesty has already issued an edict, ordering the Crown Prince to assemble a hunting party of one hundred people to participate in the six-nation hunt in two months."

Upon hearing this, Su Ling Shuang was stunned, her face filled with disbelief.

Four years ago, the Great Qian Dynasty suffered a disastrous defeat in its hunting expedition, resulting in the loss of territory and national humiliation, a lesson etched deeply into the hearts of the people.

Everyone assumed that the Third Prince would definitely bring his entire main force to the competition this year.

No one expected that His Majesty would entrust a force of one hundred men to the Crown Prince.

Su Ling Shuang frowned and asked in confusion:

"Sister Qingyi, have you come today to ask me to assist the Crown Prince in preparing for the hunt?"

Shen Qingyi nodded emphatically:

"Exactly."

Yesterday, Your Highness gathered three thousand able-bodied men from the city, intending to select one hundred elites from among them to form a hunting team to participate in the battle.

However, this batch of new recruits was disorganized, lacked military discipline, and did not know how to fight. Zhou Yi, the commander of the Eastern Palace guards, had to stay at the Eastern Palace to protect the emperor and was unable to spare the time.

What the training grounds need most right now is a chief instructor who understands training and can keep the new recruits in check.

Su Ling Shuang remained silent for a moment, quickly weighing the pros and cons in her mind.

She knew in her heart that the Crown Prince had helped the precarious Zhenbei Marquis's mansion out of its predicament, and she had always kept that favor in her heart.

After a long while, Su Ling Shuang raised her eyes, her gaze clear and open, and answered crisply:

"Okay, I agree."

Previously, I, the Marquis of Zhenbei, owed the Crown Prince a favor; this is my way of repaying that favor.

Shen Qingyi felt a sense of relief, then turned to look at Zhang Wan beside her, her tone gentle and sincere:

"Ling Shuang's willingness to come out of seclusion to train troops has solved the biggest problem for Your Highness in preparing for the hunt. I have another good thing to do today, which can not only help the Marquis's mansion, but also requires Sister Wan's help."

Zhang Wan was slightly taken aback: "To help our Marquis's mansion?"

Shen Qingyi said slowly:

"You all know that there are still many retired and disabled veterans in the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion."

They were all loyal and brave men who had followed the old Marquis for half their lives on the frontier. Now, they were carrying old wounds, and even if the court issued pensions, it would be a drop in the ocean.

You two sisters are supporting such a large mansion and have to provide for these veterans year after year. You are already overwhelmed by the burden of living beyond your means.

Abandoning them would be unjust, but raising them would be difficult; this has been a knot in your hearts for many years.

Upon hearing this, Su Ling Shuang and Zhang Wan both looked somber and remained silent.

Shen Qingyi continued:

"Now Your Highness intends to develop commerce and build workshops."

With the completion of the workshop, His Highness intended to settle all retired veterans of the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion in the workshop, pay them monthly salaries, and provide them with a stable livelihood.

This not only provided a stable livelihood for the loyal and brave veterans, but also completely relieved the Marquis's mansion of the burden it had carried for many years.

Zhang Wan suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with shock and emotion.

She served as the governor for several years, worrying about the livelihood of the veterans every day, but no high-ranking officials or sons of powerful nobles ever asked her a single question.

No one expected that the prince, who was seen as a playboy by the world, would have such a kind heart and broad vision.

Shen Qingyi pressed her advantage, saying sincerely:

"Sister Wan comes from the Zhang family of Jiangnan and is well-versed in business. If Sister Wan is willing, it would be a way to completely settle the old subordinates of the Marquis's mansion and put an end to a long-standing grievance."

Secondly, your exceptional business acumen shouldn't be wasted.

His words were both reasonable and persuasive, clearly distinguishing between advantages and disadvantages.

After a moment of contemplation, all of Zhang Wan's hesitation vanished.

Now that the Crown Prince has both respected the veteran's loyalty and given her the opportunity to showcase her talents, she has no reason to refuse, whether out of sentiment, duty, public interest, or private considerations.

Zhang Wan exhaled softly, her expression solemn, and nodded in response:

"If Your Highness trusts me, Zhang Wan, I will take full responsibility for all the properties of the Eastern Palace and will never betray your trust."

Seeing this, Shen Qingyi felt completely at ease.

Su Ling Shuang immediately asked, "Where is the Crown Prince now?"

Shen Qingyi replied, "Your Highness went to the abandoned training ground in the west of the city early this morning, and all three thousand able-bodied men were settled there."

Su Ling Shuang immediately stood up: "There's no time to lose, let's go there now."

Shen Qingyi nodded in agreement and, together with Su Ling Shuang and Zhang Wan, rode to the abandoned training ground in the west of the city.