Realizing that if things continued like this, not only would the people around him suffer, but even the Zhou Kingdom could be affected, Shen Changge started to feel anxious.

Shen Changge finally changed the topic and said to Zhang Shaoqiu, "Go and investigate a few people His Majesty has been in contact with: Princess Dexin, the beautiful woman who was recently sent by the Western Turks, and Master Jingxu, the leader of Lingxu Temple."

"I have already seen the Master of Lingxu Pavilion once. I feel that this person is very strange and clearly has some grievances against me. After that beautiful woman from Xitu visited, she disappeared without a trace. Please investigate where she went. If you can find her, it would be even better. If you can't, at least find out her origins for me. And as for Princess Dexin, although I don't think she is highly suspicious, it's better to include her in the investigation as well. I would rather kill a thousand innocent people than let one go."

"Understood, I will comply," replied Zhang Shaoqiu obediently.

"Sha Qiu," Shen Changge sighed, "I am now in great danger and cannot reach out to the outside world. I can only rely on you to uncover the truth, but no matter what happens, you must ensure your own safety."

"I understand," the subordinate replied.

In addition, I suspect that there has already been a consensus reached between the Northern Barbarians and the Western Invaders, and it is highly possible that they will join forces to the detriment of our Great Zhou. Please keep an eye out for me and remember to proceed with caution in your actions.

"Yes."

After Zhang Shaqiu left, Shen Changge rubbed her temples and felt a little tired again.

I don't know why, but recently he always feels extremely tired. It's probably because his body has been exerted too much. Nangong Chi has been demanding more and more from him lately, and he is trapped in the palace and unable to leave. He's afraid that if this continues, his body won't be able to handle it anymore.

He thought like this and drifted back into a deep sleep.

"Maoqiu, remember to follow Xiaozhang and occasionally cause him some trouble, so that he doesn't investigate so smoothly."

Maoqiu: What kind of trick is his host playing again?

Wen Fei smiled and said, "I haven't had enough sleep, my darling, I don't want to reveal the truth so soon."

Maoqiu: ...Mm, as long as you're happy, that's what matters. You're the host, and that's what matters most.

At the same time, I secretly made a note: Host's frequency of consorting with emperors +1.

And silently added below: Nangong Chi - tirelessly governing the country during the day, and dedicating himself wholeheartedly at night.

Shen Changge and Tuoba Xiao's relationship has not yet been clarified, and new problems have emerged.

There is no other reason, only that the Bei Yi sent an envoy, and leading the group is none other than Tuoba Xiao.

Nan Gongchi initially did not want to see this person, but considering that if he did not meet, it would undoubtedly further conceal these dirty matters, he simply closed his eyes and agreed.

Princess's Residence.

Nangong Chi absentmindedly played with the cup in his hand, his mind elsewhere.

"Why do you have such a troubled look on your face, Emperor brother?" Princess Dexin from across the table teased him with a cheerful smile.

Nangong Chi didn't bother to argue with her. He looked up and saw a beautiful maid standing behind Dexin, who was quite tall. He felt that he had seen this maid somewhere before but couldn't remember where, so he couldn't help but take a few more glances.

"Why are you always staring at Sister Qing, Emperor Brother? You better not have any feelings for her," Dexin said in a protective manner, resembling a little chick guarding its food. This made Nangong Chi couldn't help but laugh.

"Could it be that I'm a pervert in your eyes?" Nangong Chi withdrew his scrutinizing gaze and said to Princess Dexin.

Dexin stuck out her tongue and made a funny face, saying, "Who knows?"

Being reminded by Dexin's words, Nangong Chi also recalled the headache-inducing matter of the envoy from Beiyi. Just a few days ago, he had allowed them to come to the imperial court, and now the envoy group had already arrived outside the capital city. He wouldn't believe it if they didn't travel with great urgency.

He truly didn't want to pay attention to Tuoba Xiao, while Shen Changge, who he had locked in the palace, also refused to be disciplined and caused all sorts of trouble, leaving Nangong Chi with a massive headache.

"Where did you buy this maidservant? I have never seen you bring her with you before," asked Nangong Chi.

"Qing Sister is also a pitiful person," De Xin said, then went on to tell Nangong Chi about the maid's background.

Hailing from a humble rural family in Huainan, Nan Gongchi had spent several years learning medical skills under the tutelage of a traveling physician. Unfortunately, her family's possessions were seized by wealthy gentry, forcing her to come to the capital city to eke out a living. Upon hearing this, Nan Gongchi paid close attention, though her expression remained unchanged. She simply nodded and said that she understood.

Nangong Chi did not stay in the Princess's Mansion for too long. After finishing his tea, he quickly left.

As soon as he left, Dexin and the "sister-in-law" immediately had a change of expression. The "sister-in-law" also changed her posture from standing to sitting, taking a seat next to Dexin.

If Nangong Chi had any impression of the beautiful woman from Xitu, he would realize that she is actually the "Affectionate Sister" in front of him.

And the Western Tu beauty that Shen Changge had been searching all over for is actually hidden within the Princess's residence, inside the imperial city. It is truly ironic.

"Tuoba Xiao has also come over?" De Xin asked Qing Jiejie, also known as Leng Qing.

"Here they come, this time they've come to take someone." While toying with the white jade cup on the table, he said, "Their calculations are indeed loud; they aim for both the kingdom and the beauty."

"Humph, that beauty, I spit on her. Sooner or later, I will make that Shen Changge die by my hands," De Xin twisted the handkerchief in her hands, her face showing a trace of malice that did not match her age.

"You don't need to worry now. You can wait a little longer. Wait until Shen Changge is completely abandoned by the emperor, then make your move." Cold Qing took the wine jug from the side and poured a cup for each of them, handing one of the cups to Dexin.

Deling took it, but did not drink. She only said, "Why am I still waiting? When will I have the opportunity to make a move if Tuoba Xiao takes the person back to the Northern Yi?"

"He can't be taken back," said Leng Qing confidently. "As a high-ranking general of the country, Shen Changge knows too many secrets. Even if the emperor truly wanted to dispose of him, at most, he would be given a three-foot white silk to end it all, but he would never be sent to an enemy nation."

Her beautiful eyes shifted, her voice not sharp but sinister enough: "To let him die at the hands of his most beloved person is far more painful than any other method of death. You must be present then, and thoroughly enjoy the sight of his posture."

Dexin seemed to have thought of the scene she described, and a smile appeared on her face.

Very well, Shen Changge made her lose her beloved, so she also wants Shen Changge to taste her pain.

After leaving the house, Nan Gongchi immediately summoned a secretive guard and ordered him to investigate the background of this "Sister Qing".

The suspicious nature of an emperor is never limited to just one person.

Shen Changge was dozing off on the dragon-embroidered bed in Chengze Hall when he was suddenly awakened by a hand slipping into the covers. Annoyed, he reluctantly opened his eyes and met the dazzling pair of dark eyes belonging to Nangong Chi.

"Don't touch me." He brushed away Nangong Chi's hand and said.

Tuoba Xiaoming will be coming to the capital tomorrow. Are you happy or not?" Nangong Chi grabbed his hand, continuing to tease him.

"He has nothing to do with me coming to Beijing," Shen Changge ignored him and turned over, lying on her side facing towards the inside of the bed.

This movement caused the bedsheet to slip down from his body, revealing a partially exposed shoulder that was as beautiful as jade.

Shen Changge's originally well-toned and powerful body, through the days of confinement, has become noticeably thinner, with a somewhat skeletal appearance.

But looking at the red marks on his skin, Nangong Chi couldn't help but feel a bit itchy.

"Don't you want to meet with him?"

"I don't want to," Shen Changge replied, closing her eyes.

"He actually misses you a lot."

"Nangong Chonglin, will you ever stop?" Shen Changge sat up and scolded.

Nan Gongchi leaned in and caressed his soft earlobe, saying, "You should call me Your Majesty."

Shen Changge couldn't be bothered with the issue of addressing him correctly and had also lost the desire to engage in conversation with him. She laid back down.

Nangong Chi didn't seem annoyed, and continued tugging at his hair as he said, "The frontier battles are intensifying, and he's here to seek peace. What do you think he will demand?"

"I don't know," he said.

"I think he will want you."

Shen Changge's body stiffened.

"You tell me, is it a good deal to trade you for more than ten years of peace in Zhouguo?"

"Nangong Chonglin!" Shen Changge grabbed a pillow and threw it at him, causing the iron chain to rattle loudly.

He was so infuriated that his whole body trembled uncontrollably. He didn't even care that the person in front of him was the emperor and angrily retorted, "I am not your personal belonging."

Nangong Chi turned his head to avoid the pillow, leaned over, and confronted him, saying, "How could it not be the case? Under the heavens, there is no land that is not the king's territory, and there are no officials who are not vassals on the borders of the kingdom. This entire Zhou country belongs to me, and naturally, so do you."

Shen Changge gritted her teeth and said with anger, "You are truly insane."

"Then consider me insane," Nangong Chi took out medicine and pried open his mouth, feeding it to him. "It's all because of you."

Shen Changge opened her mouth, wanting to vomit out the pill, but the pill had already slid into her throat and couldn't be expelled at all.

Seeing his resistant look, Nangong Chi felt somewhat displeased. "Are you really so unwilling to get close to me?"

Shen Changge turned her face away.

He was not unwilling, but rather disgusted by this coercive behavior, as well as by Nangong Chi's indifferent attitude towards him.

He is indeed a courtier, and indeed a follower of Nangong Chi, but what he wants is a lover, not a lofty ruler.

Seeing his vacant expression, Nangong Chi proceeded to remove his clothes as well.

Another time, a connection without any communication, just like countless other times. There was absolutely no difference at all.

When the envoy from the Northern Yi tribe came to visit the court, the new emperor hosted a grand banquet at the Zhaixing Terrace and summoned all the civil and military officials to accompany him.

The feast was in full swing when Beiyi Tuoba Xiaotu suddenly walked out and knelt in front of the emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, we, the Beiyi tribe, are willing to establish friendly relations with the Zhou Kingdom, and promise not to invade each other for the next ten years."

Nan Gongchi smiled and took a sip of wine before replying, "I wonder what conditions the Northern Yi have for seeking peace?"

"A thousand hectares of fertile land, a hundred warhorses, as well as a bounty of silk and satin, all meticulously listed on the detailed document." Tuoba Xiao made a gesture, and someone stepped forward to hand over the sheepskin scroll that was written on. It was then passed to the eunuch, who delivered it into the hands of the Emperor.

"Where are the gifts from the Northern barbarians?" Nangong Chi glanced briefly, signaling for the sheepskin paper to be removed, and asked again.

"There are natural ones too," Tuo Ba Xiao said, and then the northern barbarian presented another list.

"A thousand pounds of fine iron, a thousand sheets of sheepskin, and the rest of the details, please have the emperor take a look."

Nangong Chixing's heart was pounding, but he maintained a calm expression and said, "With such abundant resources, I presume the Northern Barbarian Prince desires more than just a few items from my Zhou Kingdom."

Tuoba Xiao glanced at him indifferently and said, "Naturally, there is also one thing. I have always heard that the people of Zhou Kingdom have exceptional looks. As I have reached the age of marriage, I wish to request his Majesty to bestow a beauty upon me, so that I may fulfill my long-cherished wish."

"I approved."