The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress-Chapter 1079 - 1055: Prestige Amidst Chaos

Xiao Yuan looked around, his expression solemn: "I originally planned to let the people of Jiangnan recuperate for a few years, but I didn’t anticipate that time wouldn’t allow. This time, I’m afraid we won’t be able to rest."

He patted the table: "Everyone, go and get busy. Prepare the provisions that need preparing, train the soldiers that need training, next year there might be big movements."

Xiao Yuan emphasized to Dong Da: "Duke Dingbei must train the navy well. The weather in Suzhou is cold now, so take your men to Southern Yi to train, strive to train the navy this winter and be ready for battle by spring."

"I obey the order."

Dong Da bowed in salute.

Others didn’t know why Xiao Yuan singled out Dong Da, but Anning understood why.

She smiled: "We are preparing for both possibilities. If nothing happens next year, we can develop well for two years. By then, our Dajing Dynasty’s army will be strong and can win a battle. If there’s a disaster next year, we’re prepared and can deploy to the battlefield."

Xiao Yuan nodded: "The Empress is quite right."

He glanced at everyone: "Alright, you may all leave."

Xiao Ying and Prince Duan walked out together. As they went, Xiao Ying asked Prince Duan: "Uncle Fourth, do you have time?"

Prince Duan nodded: "I have time."

Xiao Ying smiled: "Then I would like to visit your home with you, just right, I’d like to see Aunt Fourth as well."

Princess Fengyang, Princess Zhaoyang, and Princess Le Yang walked together.

The three sisters went to Princess Zhaoyang’s palace, and once inside, Princess Fengyang asked: "Sister, do you have any maps of Da Qi, or some travel notes?"

Princess Zhaoyang nodded and instructed a maid to find maps and travel notes for Princess Fengyang.

Qingzheng Hall

After everyone else left, Xiao Yuan waved his hand for the attendants to withdraw.

He reached out and placed Anning on his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist: "I keep feeling that next year might bring great chaos."

Anning pinched her fingers and calculated for a while before saying: "The Yellow River will breach, and Emperor Jingqing will pass away."

Xiao Yuan squinted slightly: "That Noble Princess Consort Li is a bit excessive."

Anning nodded: "An Xin has always stayed in the north, next year she’ll manage to take over that system."

After a while, Anning asked Xiao Yuan: "Are you planning to attack Da Qi from the sea?"

"Mm."

Xiao Yuan buried his head in Anning’s neck: "We’ll take the sea route, land in Jinmen, and quickly attack the Capital. By the way, I better send a letter to Prime Minister Li earlier, ask those transporting supplies to Da Qi to keep an eye out, ideally find a few informants in the Capital; if this is done well, it can save many lives."

Anning considered who could be useful, and smiled: "Alright."

Xiao Ying went to Prince Duan Mansion, and after arriving, Hui Family arranged a banquet for him. Xiao Ying and Prince Duan chatted over drinks.

Xiao Ying primarily asked Prince Duan about the personalities and experiences of officials over in Da Qi.

Prince Duan hadn’t left the Capital of Da Qi for many years, yet he knew about the officials over there; so when Xiao Ying asked, he shared what he knew with Xiao Ying.

Xiao Ying listened attentively, and after hearing, he smiled: "If Uncle Fourth has time, could you record some of the important officials in the court of Da Qi?"

Prince Duan replied: "That can be done, I’ll take some time to write it down for you in the next few days."

Xiao Ying further asked: "Is the Lu Wang Father Emperor mentioned related to the Lu Family?"

Regarding this inquiry, Prince Duan knew.

"Lu Wang is indeed from the Lu Family of Jiangnan, his lineage is direct and legitimate. Speaking of which, many of Da Qi’s officials come from noble families around Jiangnan, like the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War from the Zhang Family, the Heavenly Official of the Ministry of Personnel from the Jin Family, and a chief from the Ministry of Revenue from the Geng Family."

Prince Duan pointed out several officials of Da Qi’s court.

Xiao Ying then said: "Uncle Fourth, I wish to visit Lu Family, is it convenient?"

Prince Duan laughed: "Go if you wish, there’s nothing inconvenient about it, your Father Emperor won’t say anything, besides, there’s Third Sister-in-law to ensure you don’t suffer."

Xiao Ying drank a mouthful of wine, having already made up his mind.

After leaving Prince Duan Mansion, Xiao Ying returned to the palace.

Xiao Ying drank quite a bit at Prince Duan Mansion and upon returning to the palace, he wished to quickly get some sleep.

He lay on the bed, and attendants came to help him take off his shoes and outer garments.

Just as his shoes were removed, a commotion was heard outside. The attendant was startled and thought something might have happened, so they quickly went out to check.

Once the attendant left, a girl with a gentle and elegant look approached.

She came to the bedside and quietly began unbuttoning the clothes Xiao Ying was wearing.

"Your Highness, please undress before sleeping, lest you feel more fatigued."

The girl seemed, whether intentionally or unintentionally, after removing Xiao Ying’s outer garment, leaned closely against him.

Moreover, the girl’s clothes were thin, and with her movements, the collar was pulled wide open, revealing a smooth, fair patch of skin.

Her right hand reached towards Xiao Ying’s nose, with a sweet, indescribable scent.

Just as the girl was about to succeed, Xiao Ying suddenly opened his eyes.

His eyes opened wide, and he swiftly kicked the girl far away.

"Wretched maid."

Xiao Ying cursed with a shout, sitting up: "Come."

Several attendants entered with heads lowered.

Xiao Ying pointed at the girl: "Drag her out and send her to the Judicial Department." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

The girl lay on the ground, struggling to get up, spat out a mouthful of blood.

Her expression was desolate, face pale, she knelt and pleaded: "Your Highness, spare my life, I was only intending to help you change... I didn’t do anything."

"Drag her out."

Xiao Ying’s face was stern and icy cold.

The attendants quickly dragged the girl out, initially her screams were heard, but soon there was silence.

Xiao Ying rubbed his forehead, lay down, and went to sleep.

Fengqi Palace

Chun Xing hurriedly entered, bending down to whisper a few words to Anning.

Anning sneered: "Such audacity, since she has been sent to the Judicial Department, deal with her properly, find out if she’s been instigated or just trying to climb up, once clarified, hold her there."

Chun Xing agreed to go out, but Anning stopped her: "Forget it, don’t bother asking, what does it matter whether you ask or not? Have all the palace maids go and see at the Judicial Department, let them witness that wretch being flogged fifty times, regardless of life or death, hit heavily."

Chun Xing’s heart trembled, yet she quietly replied: "Yes."

After Chun Xing left, Anning contemplated the matter solemnly.

Besides Xiao Yuan, there were quite a few young lads in the harem.

Xiao Ying grew older day by day, combined with his handsome stature and such noble status, attracting many maid’s hearts. The maid in Xiao Ying’s palace was the first, but not the last one; besides Xiao Ying, Xiao Song and others will probably face harassment and seduction too; if there are more such maids, these children might change their dispositions.