Chapter 281: Each Has Their Own Schemes

A great rite.

Truly a great rite.

However, this also indirectly proves that the previous Ruansizong never truly placed his treasure on her.

Chinu's humble, pleading request......

In the end, it was still misplaced affection.

Having made up her mind, Du Shanü's face showed no ripple; she calmly raised her hand and spoke lightly:

"Both officials, sincerely submitting, voluntarily handing over military authority and household registers, your heart of allegiance is commendable."

"Since that is the case, past faults incurred while under the old officials are forgiven; from now on, simply remain stationed in the original county, each performing your duties, and carry out your posts with peace of mind."

The tall, thin and short, stout figures, upon hearing this, were overjoyed; the heart they had been holding sank completely, they hurriedly bowed again in thanks, faces full of gratitude, completely setting aside their anxiety.

Although the two were mere officials, they were not fools; seeing the promise, they bowed and withdrew, leaving only Du Shanü and Ruansizong in the front hall.

Before the hall, all was quiet; the lingering feeling was calm.

Du Shanü's gaze shifted slightly, landing again on Ruansizong at her side; a hint of meaningful depth flickered in her eyes, and when she spoke again, she carried a gentleness and ease not usually present:

"Officer Ruan......"

"The other day at the government office standoff, it was due to my youthful vigor, my actions too rash, my words too harsh, causing Officer Ruan to lose face; I have kept this in mind, feeling it was improper."

"Officer Ruan is no fool; having previously suffered a setback, he today took the initiative to mediate, pulling the lines to have the two county magistrates come over to submit—this is a genuine show of softening and goodwill, actively offering a ladder for reconciliation."

"Since they have softened, Du Shanü has gained an advantage; why bother to act coy?"

"The way of governance is to alternate between tension and relaxation; after establishing authority through force, one should then pacify and win over officials, stabilizing the people's hearts."

Du Shanü raised her hand, calmly taking a scroll of imperial edict from the brocade box at her side, lightly supporting it with her fingertips, and casually placing it on the table before her.

In the Yin Dynasty, black is exalted; the edict scrolls have a deep black cloud-pattern brocade as background, with fine weave and orderly patterns, something that cannot be replicated in the populace.

Both ends of the edict are inlaid with cloud-patterned jade rollers; the jade is warm, moist, and substantial, made of the imperial Hetian black jade, the roller heads engraved with the exclusive imperial chi-pattern seal, orderly and dignified.

The entire scroll is solemn and profound, lacking any ostentatious color, yet it naturally carries the solemn majesty of the heavenly family.

Du Shanü remained calm, her tone light and casual, as if chatting, she spoke lightly:

"Officer Ruan, since you have the intention to submit, I might as well frankly reveal some details to you——"

"Actually, I have just received an imperial edict transmitted from Gold Hill; the imperial will has been decided, granting me the entirety of Yongzhou's territory as a fief. Within that territory, the appointment and dismissal of officials, people's livelihood and taxes, and defense and armaments are all under my full control."

Her words lightly fell; she lifted her gaze to look at Ruansizong and added in a warm voice:

"Another day I will set a modest banquet, specially inviting Officer Ruan to attend; this also counts as my apology for my rash behavior the other day, to make amends to you."

Having lived so many years and being able to sit in this position, Officer Ruan naturally has received the mandate and has also seen imperial edicts before.

Therefore, at the moment of seeing this edict scroll, his pupils contracted sharply, realizing the gravity.

He suppressed the surging shock in his heart, stepped forward with a respectful bow, and politely asked to view the edict on the table.

The brocade texture, embroidered pattern style, and wording of the text—none had any flaw.

At this moment, all his previous doubts and speculations completely fell away.

Before this, he never spoke of it, but in fact he had always harbored doubts about the identity of this daughter of the deposed crown prince.

Therefore, earlier he had even specially sent people covertly to Gold Hill to gather news, but at that time Yuan Lang was governing, the imperial court was turbulent and chaotic, with various forces intertwined; the information returned remained vague, yielding only a few ambiguous statements, and he could never ascertain the true identity.

Until now, personally witnessing this edict......

This is truly a stabilizing pill for the heart.

It's not that he respects the false dynasty so much, but rather Yuan Lang has no justification to bestow a title on someone who is not of the Yin Dynasty's bloodline!

Then only one possibility remains: this young woman before us, with thunderous methods, is in fact a genuine blood relative of the imperial house!

Indeed, it's not impossible that her status is even higher than that of the Young Emperor!

After all, it is widely known that Emperor Taizong had no harem and no offspring.

If the line of the deposed crown prince, Huang, were to have been passed down, her identity would truly be that of a genuine imperial relative!

My own move, after all, was ultimately correct!

My family's little one, this time, has done something truly good!!!

Having figured it all out, Ruansizong's heart instantly burst with unrestrained joy; he secretly rejoiced that he had timely turned things around, actively submitted, and had not truly severed ties completely.

He hurriedly bowed and performed the rites, his tone growing ever more respectful and earnest, wholly heartfelt and sincere submission:

"Our lord has received the heavenly family's favor, governing a region of territory, truly the mandate of heaven belongs to him!"

"This humble official was previously ignorant and shallow, having given offense; having received the lord's leniency and the favor of the banquet, this humble official will certainly attend the banquet on time, grateful for the lord's grace!"

He repeatedly assented, his attitude extremely humble.

As he raised his head after the rites, his gaze swept without a trace—first lightly passing over Du Shanü's still-flat abdomen, then falling to the tea cup beside the table that retained a little vomit stain.

All those thoughts instantly retreated into his heart; Ruansizong dared not linger or ponder further, nor dare to utter a word of speculation, he bowed again, the rites complete, and said respectfully:

"This humble official will not disturb the lord's handling of affairs; I will now take my leave."

Du Shanü gave a slight nod; Ruansizong then steadily retreated, turned and left with composure, his heart already firmly resolved on one matter——

From now on, the only way is to wholeheartedly cling to this new lord; thereafter, what worry is there for the Ruan clan's prospects not flourishing?

As long as this princess bears a child for the Ruan clan, the Ruan clan can then support governance, let the little one grow close to the child, and when the child grows up, then reveal this secret......

Thereafter, the Ruan clan will have gained a reliance that towers like a tree and spreads like a canopy!

Ruansizong walked away smiling.

Du Shanü also smiled as she watched the door close.

Until the footsteps faded away in the distance, Du Shanü could no longer bear it, covered her chest, and again felt a surge of nausea.

It was at this moment that Chinu returned to Du Shanü's side.

He did not know whether he had heard Du Shanü's idle chatter with several people, approaching with warm cow's milk in hand, he lightly patted his wife master's back, yet could not conceal his panic:

"I, I when I left, the wife master had not yet vomited like this......"

Isn't that right!

Du Shanü muttered and vomited a few mouthfuls in her heart, until she smelled the cold fragrance on her obedient slave's body, that nauseous feeling was slowly suppressed——

I don't know if it's because it's her first pregnancy, but Du Shanü always feels that this pregnancy is indeed a bit strange.

When Chinu was around, she didn't really feel like vomiting, but once Chinu left her, that nauseous feeling came like a flood.

Moreover, there is still one most crucial matter......

Du Shanü endured and endured, even drank several mouthfuls of cow's milk to calm herself, but she still couldn't hold back, and somewhat embarrassed she said:

"Go give Afang a letter, ask him to first have Chunri Jian temporarily handle Dun Cheng's official duties, come to Zhoufu to help me."

"I don't know what's going on, ever since I showed signs of morning sickness...... I really have been missing him terribly."

Chinu: "......"

Chinu: "???"

Nonsense!

He's right there beside you! How can the Wife Master still say she misses Afang!

That old bastard Afang is waiting, I'll just take a knife and give him two slashes, four holes!

?? Method for Summoning the Little Fierce Beast Yuanlong——

? When Daddy is present, no vomiting; when Daddy is not present, vomiting.

? When Uncle Fangfang is not present, uncomfortable; when Uncle Fangfang is present, at ease.