Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1200: Showing Political Talent in Front of the Emperor

Royal study room.

The scent of ambergris and ink are intertwined, and the atmosphere is quiet and solemn.

Memorials were piled up on the rosewood imperial desk.

Nangong Xuanyu sat upright in the back, the cuffs of his dark uniform embroidered with coiled dragon patterns in gold thread.

"I am here to see your Majesty..."

Hearing the movement at the door, the emperor did not look up, but said calmly: "No need to be polite, come here."

Shen Zhinian stepped forward as instructed, her light blue skirt brushing against the smooth golden brick floor silently.

She did not, like other concubines, panic and refuse to participate in the harem government. She simply walked to the side of the imperial desk and glanced at the pile of memorials waiting to be reviewed. As her eyes moved, there was a hint of insight and gentleness.

"Your Majesty has allowed me to serve you with writing materials. This is naturally a blessing for me."

Shen Zhinian's voice was clear and there was a gentle smile on his face.

Her slender fingers naturally picked up the finest pine soot ink stick, poured a few drops of clear water into the Duan inkstone, and began to grind it with graceful movements.

The fragrance of ink then spread.

"It's just that... the Imperial Study is a very important place. As a concubine of the harem, I'm afraid staying here for a long time is against the rules and will cause criticism."

The emperor's hand holding the pen paused slightly, and he finally raised his eyes. His deep gaze fell on her graceful profile.

Her posture of concentrating on grinding is calm and beautiful.

Nangong Xuanyu's lips curled up slightly. His voice was low, but firm, leaving no room for doubt: "Rules?"

He chuckled softly, and dipped the tip of his pen into the rich ink that Shen Zhinian had just ground: "My words are the rules!"

Shen Zhinian smiled and said, "Yes."

The imperial pen wrote powerful comments on the memorial, making a slight rustling sound.

As the emperor reviewed the documents, he spoke casually, his voice remarkably clear in the quiet imperial study: "The mess at the Duke Dingguo Mansion has finally been put to rest."

"Those who should be killed have been killed, those who should be exiled have been exiled, and the mansion has been raided."

He paused, then placed his pen firmly on a certain spot in the memorial, his ink condensing slightly. "The only remaining evildoer is Liu Shixiu, a cunning rabbit with three burrows, still on the run."

"But I have already sent people to pursue him, and I believe he will not be able to cause any great trouble."

Shen Zhinian continued grinding, and the ink swirled evenly in the inkstone.

She lowered her eyes, and her long eyelashes hid the cold light that flashed deep in her eyes.

Liu Shixiu...

This poisonous snake is a hidden danger after all.

"As for the border..."

Nangong Xuanyu's voice deepened, with a subtle hint of consideration as he spoke to himself, "Liu Chongshan ran that place for many years. Although he's retired, he still has deep roots, and there are always some loyal people who are nostalgic."

"Even though he is now a traitor who is reviled by everyone, there are still some people who are weak-willed and have some inappropriate thoughts in their hearts."

The emperor put down his pen and looked out the window, as if he could see through the palace walls and see the distant border. "However, with the Zhou family father and son in charge, I am not too worried."

"General Zhou fought his way out of a sea of blood and corpses. He is truly loyal and courageous."

"Although Zhou Yuxi is young and a bit impetuous, he is a good swordsman and is unstoppable."

"With them here, there will be no chaos at the border."

Shen Zhinian listened quietly.

In her previous life, she had devoted all her energy to supporting Lu Jianglin in ascending to the top position of prime minister. Her insights into the court, military affairs and public opinion had long been ingrained in her bones.

Nangong Xuanyu outlined the situation in just a few words, and Shen Zhinian instantly understood the key points and risks involved.

When the emperor mentioned that people on the border might be uneasy, her grinding fingertips paused slightly.

Shen Zhinian raised his eyes, with a hint of the concentration and thought of a listener in his eyes, and said softly: "Your Majesty has thought it through."

"In a critical border area, people's hearts are the most important."

"Liu Chongshan's old subordinates... Although the prestige of the Zhou family father and son is enough to intimidate, the word 'nostalgia' can sometimes be like a dark fire that ignites when the wind blows."

Having said that, Shen Zhinian paused slightly, as if he was considering his words, his tone filled with cautious tentativeness.

"Perhaps... General Zhou could use the pretext of rectifying military discipline to quietly transfer those officers who were once too close to Liu Chongshan, or those who have been slacking off in recent years, to unimportant, idle positions in the rear?"

"Firstly, it will eliminate potential dangers; secondly...it will also prevent loyal and brave men from being disheartened and thinking Your Majesty harbors suspicions about your former subordinates."

Shen Zhinian stopped at that point without going into details, and finally added softly: "This is my humble opinion, and I hope Your Majesty will make the final decision."

Nangong Xuanyu's hand holding the pen stopped in mid-air, and his deep gaze turned from the memorial to Shen Zhinian.

A hint of surprise first flashed across his eyes, and then was replaced by an increasingly intense surprise!

He originally just wanted to keep Nian Nian by his side and away from the troubles in the Cining Palace.

He casually talked about state affairs, just wanting to share with her how he felt after eliminating the traitors.

But she never expected that Nian Nian would not only understand, but also point out the key points directly. She even made a very feasible and well-measured suggestion!

This kind of vision and skill is definitely not something that an ordinary woman in the harem can have!

Nian Nian is not only the sweetheart in his heart, but also a soulmate who can overlook the vast landscape with him...

"Niannian..."

Nangong Xuanyu's voice deepened, carrying an unprecedented passion and admiration.

He didn't directly comment on her suggestion, but the emotions surging in his bottomless eyes said it all.

The emperor put down the red brush and suddenly stretched out his hand. His warm and rough fingertips naturally covered the back of Shen Zhinian's hand holding the ink stick and gently stroked it.

Shen Zhinian's fingertips trembled slightly, and two blushes appeared on her face at the right time, like the first blooming peach blossoms, with a hint of shy panic.

Then he quickly lowered his head and continued grinding, but the swirl of ink seemed even more rapid than before.

"Your Majesty, what are you doing..."

Nangong Xuanyu looked at Shen Zhinian, who was shy and intelligent. The haze in his heart caused by Empress Dowager Liu completely dissipated, leaving only a soothing warmth and the joy of discovering a treasure.

He withdrew his hand, picked up the pen again, his eyes fell back on the memorial, a hint of joy on the corner of his lips.

The imperial pen wrote Shen Zhinian's proposal in a flamboyant manner on the memorial about the border.

In the imperial study, the scent of ink is even stronger.

There is a silent tacit understanding flowing in the quiet air.

Shen Zhinian lowered his eyes and pondered, but deep in his eyes, there was a clear calmness.

After dealing with this matter, Nangong Xuanyu put down the memorial with the imperial seal.

His deep gaze swept across another secret report on the Xingyang bandit suppression on the desk, and a barely perceptible hint of hesitation flashed across his brows.

The emperor's voice echoed through the still air, with the calmness typical of handling state affairs: "The private soldiers Liu Chongshan raised in Xingyang have been completely wiped out by Jiang Lingzhou and his men."

"Xingyang County Magistrate Lu Jianglin...did make some contributions to this matter."