The war in Jiangxi has settled, and Chen Xi finally put down the big stone in his heart.

That night, he did not return to his residence, but went to Ma Lian's residence. He was like an emperor who did not need to go to the morning court. Chen Xi could put down all his burdens in Ma Lian's place.

Drinking and having fun until late at night, Chen Xi returned to the bedroom with drunken eyes, and Ma Lian was with him and served and washed carefully.

"The master has something to worry about?"

Ma Lian said with a restrained look.

Because when Chen Xi was enjoying the singing and dancing performances at the previous banquet, he always showed an absent-minded state, which made Ma Lian accurately sense what Chen Xi was thinking.

Chen Xi sat on the edge of the bed without answering Ma Lian’s question.

Ma Lian picked up the copper basin containing foot washing water, went to the door and handed it to the maid, and then came back to continue helping Chen Xi with a rich clothes.

Chen Xi suddenly grabbed her hand, which made Ma Lian very uncomfortable.

"You have been with me for a few years. Can you tell what I am thinking?" Chen Xi asked.

Ma Lian nodded slightly, and after thinking for a while, he said, "I don't know what the master is thinking, but I can still see if I have any worries... If the master thinks I can help you to help you understand, I can say that I can listen to you."

Chen Xi shook his head: "You don't understand many things."

Ma Lian seemed very stubborn and looked up at Chen Xi: "If the master doesn't say it, how can I know that I don't understand?"

Chen Xi let go of his hand, signaled Ma Lian to sit next to him, and asked, "Do you know how many people in the court are against me?"

When Chen Xi asked, Ma Lian was speechless, but she realized that this was simply a question with no answer. I am afraid that even Chen Xi herself would not know who was against Chen Xi.

"A lot." Ma Lian said.

Chen Xi smiled: "It's right. Many people are against me. I even lead troops to fight for the country and the people. There are people behind the scenes of turmoil and rain, wanting me to die in the battlefield. Even if I lose the interests of the Ming Dynasty, as long as I can't come back, they will be satisfied."

Ma Lian was very angry and gritted her teeth and said, "These people deserve to be damned."

Chen Xi was very peaceful: "From my standpoint, they should be damned, but this is the officialdom. They think I am a political enemy and want to die. There is nothing wrong with it. It's just that sometimes their way of doing things is too sinister and vicious. Just like now, there are people in this new city who want me to die, but fortunately I found out early."

"Who?"

Ma Lian asked curiously, "Is anyone going to assassinate the master?"

Chenxidao: "Some people sneaked into the new city, hoarding gunpowder and waiting for an opportunity to destroy it. They still don't know where to get muskets and are preparing to find an opportunity to assassinate me, but my people discovered that after a fight, they finally cleared the hidden dangers, but unfortunately they didn't get a confession. In fact, if there is no need to be tried, I know who wants me to die. I was too annoying in the Ming Dynasty."

Ma Lian was not worried about what this matter had to do with him, nor did he think that this matter had something to do with his brother Ma Ang.

Ma Lian lowered his head: "My master is very capable, so he will naturally be coveted by others... Isn't he a mediocre person not to be jealous of... The master can actually take revenge."

Chen Xi sighed: "If I really fight back, wouldn't it fall into the trap of some people? Is there still a peaceful life in the Ming Dynasty? When the court disputes are endless, I might as well retreat from the court early and live a few days of stable life."

Ma Lian couldn't accept it now and said, "Master wants to withdraw from the court? No! No! The court needs you."

Chen Xidao: "Whether it is necessary depends on when the rebellion of King Ning has been quelled, the internal and external troubles of the Ming Dynasty have been basically eliminated, and the places where I can play a role are quite limited. Next, I will stay in Xincheng. In a few days of peace, even if Your Majesty summons me to return to Beijing, I will not return... It would be great to stay here. This is my territory, with wine...haha, and beauty."

When Chen Xi said there was a beauty, he stretched out his finger and raised Ma Lian's chin.

Ma Lian's pretty face turned red. Although she was not the first day with Chen Xi, she was still as shy and full of expectation as she met Chen Xi in the boudoir.

Chen Xi smiled and looked at Ma Lianruhua Jiaoyan: "You are very good, like a magic pill, which will promptly drive away the haze of your soul... Every time you have any sorrow, it can be resolved after seeing you. I am very happy that you are by my side."

Ma Lian said shyly: "It is the blessing of slaves to be able to share worries for the master."

Chen Xi smiled and shook his head: "No need to say those clichéd compliments. I see your goodness and remember it in my mind... In fact, you don't have to always think about how to flatter and please me. It's enough to have you here... Oh, by the way, are you still satisfied with the things I have sent you these days?"

Chen Xi was busy taking care of his family during this period and had no time to come to Ma Lian to accompany him, so he gave him a lot of gold, silver, jewelry, silk, satin, rouge and powder for women to soothe Ma Lian's heart.

Ma Lian said, "There are too many, and I can't use it all."

"There is always a need."

Chen Xidao, "Women have to rely on these... Maybe I can't give you a sense of security from other aspects, but if you can't even let this thing go, it will be too unfair to you."

This time Ma Lian didn't answer. For her, gold, silver and jewelry were still useful.

Even if she doesn't need it herself, her singing and dancing girls also need it. The yard is expensive. In order to strengthen her favor, Ma Lian refused all the women sent by her brother. She also had to buy piano, chess, calligraphy and painting from outside on weekdays. She used a different method to help Chen Xi find freshness, so that Chen Xi missed the yard and also favored her.

Chen Xidao: "From the beginning of every month, in the middle of the month, I will send some here, you will take care of it yourself. You will be the master in this yard. You don't have to ask me what you should add."

"Um."

Ma Lian had basically no economic freedom before, but now Shen Xi has given her this freedom, which gives her a hostess mentality.

Chen Xi yawned: "It's not too early, I'm tired, so let's take a break soon."

Seeing Chen Xi's face full of fatigue, Ma Lian said quickly: "I haven't served my master well yet."

Chen Xi smiled and shook his head: "I've been so tired these days, let's go next time."

Chen Xi was quite good at dealing with women before, but unfortunately, after the Shen family arrived in Xincheng, he felt that he was out of date. There were many beautiful wives at home, and there were Hui Niang, Li Jin, Yun Liu and Xier outside, and Ma Lian, which was a little overwhelmed.

However, he is very energetic and can handle this fashion, but at some point he can only hold up the "no battle card".

Ma Lian seemed very well-behaved: "My master has been very busy recently, and I can't see my master often. It's rare for me to come. If I don't serve well, it's my fault."

While talking, Ma Lian helped Chen Xi wear a loose clothes.

Chen Xi always had a smile on his face, unintentionally changing his previous attitude. He was indeed a little tired at this time. In addition, after drinking some wine, he felt sleepy and didn't care about anything else. Moreover, the girl in front of him was not Chu Huan. Ma Lian and him were old couples, so there was nothing to avoid in some things.

However, it was obvious that Ma Lian was unwilling to give up the opportunity to please Chen Xi easily. Even though Chen Xi had already lie down, she still came over. When she gently got into the quilt and tried to please Chen Xi in a special way, Chen Xi did not refuse. She smiled and closed her eyes, allowing Ma Lian to do whatever she wanted.

...

...

Zhu Houzhao took a boat to Nanchang and then led his troops into the city smoothly. Only then did he realize that King Ning's death was not a rumor or a conspiracy.

King Ning was indeed dead, his body was placed in front of him, and a city that had just experienced war was all under his control.

"Congratulations to Your Majesty for quelling the thief and rebellion, and for the prosperity of the country and the people." When the civil servants and military officials came to pay their respects to Zhu Houzhao, Zhang Yuan praised Zhu Houzhao in front of Xu Qi, Wang Lingzhi, Jiang Bin, Tang Yin and others.

Zhu Houzhao frowned: "What a thousand years of success? I am not the leader of the green forest in the martial arts world. I want to unify the world... It means how complicated this war is, it doesn't take much effort to quell the rebellion... But my victory this time can be considered a contribution to the Ming Dynasty. After I go back, the cabinet and the Sili Supervisor discussed to give me a reward."

Zhu Houzhao was very proud, so he naturally attributed his first contribution to himself without any intention of being humble.

Zhang Yuan smiled and said, "Your Majesty has made great contributions in this battle, and he will definitely remember the history."

In Zhang Yuan's opinion, to show his merits to Zhu Houzhao, he can only record a stroke in the history books and describe the emperor as wise as possible.

But obviously Zhu Houzhao was not pursuing this, and he wanted to express himself in a more special way, just like he had made a title for himself in history... He didn't even do the emperor, and took the hat of a duke on his head, which made him look very capable.

However, Zhu Houzhao obviously did not expect that Feng Gong would be the one who said enthusiastically: "Your family has made great achievements in this battle, especially General Xiao Wang. Thanks to you going deep into the enemy's backbone to open up the situation, otherwise the war would not end so soon. I will stay in Nanchang City these days and decide on the merits and rewards... If there are any remnants of King Ning, they will be eliminated."

Xu Qi said: "Your Majesty, the rebellion has been quelled, you should return to the capital earlier."

Before Zhu Houzhao went south, Xu Qiu hoped that the emperor would visit Jiangnan so that he would have more opportunities to contact and please the emperor.

However, after experiencing the rebellion of King Pingning, Xu Qi changed his attitude and hoped that Zhu Houzhao could return to the capital as soon as possible so that he could live a few quiet days.

Xu Qiu was thinking: "If the little emperor continues to stay in Jiangnan, he might have to do something about his dreams, so don't lead his troops to fight in the next step."

Zhu Houzhao glanced at Xu Qi coldly, and her eyes seemed to be saying, I am in a good mood now and I haven't settled the score with you, how dare you persuade me to leave?

The emperor frowned and said nothing. Zhang Yuan said tactfully: "Mr. Xu, Your Majesty has just pacified the rebellion in Jiangxi. At this time, the land of Jiangjiang is in full swing. Your Majesty wants to stay here to urge the local area to rebuild after the war. What's wrong with it? Do you have any intention to let Your Majesty leave?"

Xu Qiu quickly defended himself: "Your Majesty is not in the capital, I am afraid that he will change over time... the old minister has no other intentions."

Zhu Houzhao seemed very impatient and waved his hand and said, "I don't want to leave for the time being. First of all, I have to rectify the military affairs, clarify the rebels, kill the main evil, and comfort the victims who have been displaced due to war and properly resettled them. I am planning to exempt Jiangxi from one year of money, grain and taxes, and all these will take time to complete... You can retreat."

"I will obey the order."

In front of the emperor, most civil and military officials had no say and respectfully accepted the order to leave.

Everyone consciously retreated, leaving only Zhang Yuan behind in the end.

Zhang Yuan stepped forward: "Your Majesty, Princess Ning has not been thinking about food these days, and she has lost a lot of weight. She may be depressed by the death of Prince Ning... Your Majesty, do you want to comfort me?"

Zhu Houzhao glanced at Zhang Yuan: "You think I said I stayed to take care of Princess Ning's emotions? I want to get her, so I don't have to wait until today... But I feel sorry for her torture herself so much. I quickly arrange someone to handle the situation. If it doesn't work, I will send her back to my parents' home first, and then follow me to the capital after she recovers a little."

...

...

Although Lou Suzhen was seeking death in front of Zhu Houzhao, Zhu Houzhao did not plan to let go of it, but instead tried to find this beautiful woman who was fascinating.

However, Lou Suzhen was the concubine of Prince Ning and the daughter of the Confucian family. Zhu Houzhao knew that it was very difficult for her to get Lou Suzhen. Lou Suzhen alone was worried that Lou Suzhen was seeking death in front of him.

"I can't tie her up and force her, right? What's the fun of that? Even if I get her, she will still seek death... This kind of woman who is brainwashed by Confucianism is really troublesome."

Zhu Houzhao said he wanted to do big things in Jiangxi, but in fact he wanted to stay and see what good things to eat, drink and have fun.

After pacifying the rebellion of King Ning, Zhu Houzhao felt that the world was peaceful and all the major concerns had been eliminated. It was the time when he was having a good time in the local area that he fulfilled his unfulfilled wish when he was traveling to Jiangnan as the prince.

However, it was obvious that in Nanchang City, which had just passed the war, he did not find any "fun". At this time, the two people he cared about the most were Lou Suzhen, whom he coveted, and the other was Shen Yier, whom he had not yet succeeded.

“It’s really difficult.”

Zhu Houzhao thought about it but couldn't even think of how to get two women, and she was a little nervous.

Just at this moment, Jiang Bin brought Xu Tai to see him.

Jiang Bin led his troops to attack and could no longer control the emperor and the foreword, which caused Zhang Yuan's power to expand again. This time, Jiang Bin came back to try to suppress Zhang Yuan's power and revitalize the prestige that was favored by the emperor.

"Get up."

Zhu Houzhao saw Jiang Bin and Xu Tai half-kneeling and waved his hands impatiently.
To be continued...