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"Then do you know why Rong Feiyan was kidnapped?"

"Why?"

She really didn't know the truth about this matter. To be precise, apart from the parties involved, few people knew the truth.

"Then I'll tell you now, it's because of him that Rong Feiyan of the Rong family and Princess Jiacheng of the Yong family both fell in love with him. Concubine Rong and Princess Yong both approached Princess Pingning, wanting to marry him, but Princess Pingning was hesitant. She didn't dare to offend either side and didn't know who to choose."

"Since she didn't know who to choose, someone helped her choose. That's how the Lantern Festival happened and Rong Feiyan was kidnapped. If I hadn't happened to show up that day and saved Rong Feiyan, you should be able to imagine what would have happened to Rong Feiyan."

In an instant, Minglan and Qi Heng's faces changed. They both looked at Zhou Chen in disbelief.

Minglan murmured, "So, the Rong family's lawsuit against Prince Yong is all true?"

Qi Heng was hit even harder, he never expected that the origin of the incident would be him. He was the one who was blamed for the disaster.

"How can it be so absurd that a rude man like me could actually, actually cause such a thing?"

Zhou Chen looked at Minglan and asked, "Prince Yong dared to kidnap even Rong Fei's favorite sister. Do you think he would dare to deal with you?"

Minglan's face turned pale and she was so frightened that she was speechless.

Qi Heng said excitedly: "No, no, Prince Yong wouldn't dare to do that. If he dares to do that, I will go and beat the drum to report him to the government."

"After what happened, is there any point in suing again?"

Qi Heng was speechless for a moment, but his trembling body showed how shocked and frightened he was at the moment.

Seeing that Qi Heng and Ming Lan were both frightened, Zhou Chen asked again: "Knowing this, do you still want to persist?"

What surprised him was that after he asked the question, although Qi Heng's body was still shaking, he still gave the answer in a trembling voice.

"Yes, I will marry Sixth Sister in this life, even if it means risking my life. I just want to ask Lord Zhou, please protect Sixth Sister. I kowtow to you."

As he said that, he actually knelt down in front of Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen was immediately shocked. Nowadays, it is believed that a man's knees are made of gold. He can kneel before his parents and elders, and he can kneel before his king and teacher. However, kneeling before a peer requires tremendous courage, and he would even disregard his own face.

Minglan was also shocked. She knew that Qi Heng liked her, but she was still shocked when she saw Qi Heng kneeling down to Zhou Chen without hesitation in order to let Zhou Chen protect himself.

"Young Master, what are you doing? Get up quickly."

"Sixth sister, don't pull me. Prince Yong is so bold and cruel. Only Marquis Zhou has the ability to protect you."

Zhou Chen frowned slightly and said in a deep voice: "Young Master Qi, please get up. If you still want to talk to me, then get up and talk. Otherwise, I will turn around and leave now."

Qi Heng was startled and tried to stand up hurriedly, but his body was too weak and he couldn't stand up in an instant and almost fell. Fortunately, Minglan supported him.

Zhou Chen was quite speechless. Qi Heng was quite smart and was willing to lose face.

"Young Master Qi, to be honest, I don't really like your indecisive character. I admire Zhong Huai's reckless temper more. But you are indeed a modest gentleman, but your thoughts and actions are too naive. If you are like this, you will never be able to be with Sixth Sister."

Qi Heng bowed respectfully to Zhou Chen and said, "Please give me some advice, Lord Zhou."

Zhou Chen sighed. Actually, he didn't like to interfere in other people's emotional affairs. He had obtained the skills of the god-level matchmaker for many years, but he had only used them a few times.

The reason why he cares about the affairs of Minglan and Qi Heng is also because of him. Minglan and Gu Tingye no longer have any relationship. He still admires Minglan, his wife's sister, and hopes that she can marry into a good family, so he cares about this matter.

"Sixth sister, you have been here for a long time, please leave first."

"Brother-in-law, I..."

Minglan wanted to speak, but when she saw Zhou Chen's eyes, she dared not to speak. To be honest, she was still very brave in her bones. Normally, she would not be too afraid even when facing an angry father. But when she saw Zhou Chen's serious eyes, she would unconsciously feel a little scared.

Qi Heng whispered, "Sixth sister, Marquis Zhou is right. You have been out for a long time. Go back first. I will talk to Marquis Zhou."

Minglan had no choice but to agree, and then left reluctantly.

After Minglan left, Qi Heng asked carefully, "Lord Zhou, I know you are a hero. I would like to ask you to help me and my sixth sister. You must have a way to bring us together."

Zhou Chen saw the extreme desire in Qi Heng's eyes and said silently: "I'm sorry, I can't help you with this matter. The only one who can help you is you."

"Please help me solve this puzzle, Lord Zhou."

"If a man wants to have the confidence to do what he wants, he must have power. The reason why you can't make decisions now is because it's not your turn to make decisions in your family. As long as you don't have enough status and power, your parents will always treat you as a child."

Qi Heng frowned and said, "Of course I know this, but even if I want to fight for status and power, it's too late now."

Zhou Chen said: "If you want to be with Sixth Sister without letting her get hurt, there is only one way so far, and that is to leave Bianjing."

"Leave Bian Jing?" Qi Heng looked surprised.

"That's right. You are being targeted by the Rong family and Prince Yong. Your mother wants to improve the status of the Duke's Mansion through marriage, so she will never choose Minglan. Prince Yong, Prince Yan and the Rong family are fighting fiercely now. As long as you leave Bianjing, Prince Yong and the Rong family will definitely stop targeting your Duke's Mansion."

"Lord Zhou, I understand what you are saying, but even if I leave Bianjing, I still can't convince my mother. How can I be with my sixth sister?"

"This is why I just told you that a man must have sufficient status and power. If you leave Bianjing, you can not only avoid disputes, but if you are lucky, you can also have a chance to succeed, so that you can argue with your mother and have the confidence to convince her."

"I can understand that leaving Bianjing can help me avoid disputes, but what do you mean by the chance of success? How can I convince my mother?"

Qi Heng was completely confused and couldn't follow Zhou Chen's train of thought at all.

Zhou Chen asked a completely unrelated question calmly.

"Who do you think will become the crown prince, Prince Yong or Prince Yan?"

Qi Heng was confused by the question: "Does this have anything to do with what happened between me and my sixth sister?"

"Don't ask first, answer my question."

"Prince Yong should have a better chance. After all, he is older and has many children."

Zhou Chen nodded and asked, "Besides Prince Yong and Prince Yan, who has the best chance of becoming the crown prince?"

"what?"

Qi Heng was even more shocked. He was stunned for a long time before he asked in a hoarse voice, "From what the Marquis said, could it be that Prince Yong and Prince Yan are both out of the chance to be crown prince?"

"Everything is possible. Answer my question first."

"If Prince Yong and Prince Yan cannot become the crown prince, then..."

Qi Heng thought for a long time, and suddenly thought of a person: "Zhao Zongquan? I once heard my mother say that the royal family member Zhao Zongquan had been raised by the emperor's side for many years, and he had a close relationship with both the emperor and the queen. If the emperor does not choose Prince Yong or Prince Yan, then the most likely candidate is Zhao Zongquan."

Zhou Chen was not surprised that Qi Heng guessed Zhao Zongquan. Many people in the court knew that Zhao Zongquan had been raised in the palace, but now Prince Yong and Prince Yan were older and the chances were greater, so no one thought of Zhao Zongquan for the time being.

Zhou Chen did not give a direct answer, but just said: "If you are really determined to leave Bianjing, Yuzhou is a good choice."

Having said that, he was ready to turn around and leave.

"It's best not to spread our conversation just now. I'm not afraid, but it's not good for you. Oh, and let me remind you again. Princess Pingning found out that you were meeting Minglan. Although she won't do anything to you, I can't say for sure about the servants around you. If you can't even protect the servants who grew up with you, don't say you can protect Minglan anymore. Don't think about what happened just now, because it's doomed to fail."

After saying that, he slowly left. He got rid of Gu Tingye who was beside Zhao Zongquan in the plot, and gave him Qi Heng and the Duke of Qi's Mansion. I wonder if there will be any changes?

He is looking forward to it.

As for whether Qi Heng would do as he said, he was not worried. It was obvious at first glance that Qi Heng was a love-brained kid. Now he had pointed out the way for him. As long as he still wanted to marry Minglan, he would definitely do it.

After Zhou Chen left, Qi Heng was still in a daze, recalling what Zhou Chen said. He seemed to see a bright road emerging in front of him.

Compared with what Zhou Chen said, his hunger strike was indeed too childish and too funny.

Thinking of Zhou Chen's last reminder, if his mother really found out that he was meeting Minglan, she would definitely not do anything to him as Zhou Chen said, but she would definitely be cruel to Buwei.

No, he must stop his mother.

Although Buwei is just a servant beside him, he grew up with him and is the person he trusts the most.

As soon as Zhou Chen returned to the front hall, he saw Gu Tingye coming over with a glass of wine.

"Brother, where did you go just now? I couldn't find you when I went to toast you."

"I went out for a walk, and the scenery at your Gu's house is pretty nice."

Zhou Chen responded casually, then had a few drinks with Gu Tingye.

After the banquet, each family left the mansion one by one, and Zhou Chen got on the carriage with Hua Lan.

"Sir, Chaoyun just told me that my uncle and his family arrived in Bianjing two days ago. Shall we go to Sheng Mansion first?"

"Okay, let's take a detour to Sheng Mansion first."

Zhou Chen knew that the first and second branches of the Sheng family were in frequent contact. Every year, Sheng Wei from the first branch would send many gifts to the Sheng Mansion. These gifts were very valuable and were used to maintain the relationship between the two families and as an investment in the Sheng Mansion.

This situation was very common in ancient times. If a family wanted to be strong, it not only needed power but also money. Those who were capable of pursuing a career in politics would definitely be supported by wealthy clansmen. In the future, when those clansmen who pursued a career in politics became prosperous, those who paid would naturally get a great return.

A family must have an official in order to keep its wealth. If it only has money but no power, it will only be rich for a short time at best, but it will not last long.

Zhou Chen and his companions' carriage followed behind Sheng Changbai and his companions' carriage, and they arrived at the Sheng Mansion one after another.

After the Spring Festival this year, the relationship between Sheng Hong and Hua Lan eased. After all, they are father and daughter. Although they have had conflicts, so much time has passed that they no longer have any relationship. It was just that Sheng Hong had been keeping a stern face for the sake of his reputation.

Now that Zhou Chen has been promoted again, this is also a good thing for the Sheng family. How can he have the face to compete with his own daughter? This is just looking for trouble.

When Zhou Chen and Hua Lan arrived at the Sheng Mansion, they were naturally warmly received again. Then they met their uncle Sheng Wei and his family who had come from afar.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 1149: Grandparents and grandchildren discuss, Shulan becomes a concubine

"uncle."

"Master Hou."

Sheng Wei came to Bian Jing this time, and brought several of his children with him. His daughters were in Shou'an Hall accompanying the old lady. With Sheng Wei were his two sons, Sheng Changsong and Sheng Changwu, and they all greeted Zhou Chen.

Sheng Hong said with emotion: "Brother Wei, you came at an untimely time. Recently, the city of Bianjing has been in a state of panic. Otherwise, I could have taken you to wander around Bianjing City."

Now, as the emperor's health is getting worse, the struggle between Prince Yong and Prince Yan is becoming more and more obvious, which has led to panic in the city of Bianjing.

Some people who only want to protect themselves are reluctant to go out at this time to avoid getting into trouble.

Sheng Wei didn't understand the political situation in Bianliang City, but it was not his first time in Bianliang, so he didn't actually care whether he could stroll around Tokyo or not.

Sheng Wei said he didn't care, and then said to Zhou Chen: "My Lord, we came from Youyang this time and got some small toys. We have prepared them. When you go back later, my Lord, take them back for Ji Ge'er and Xu Ge'er to play with."

"I'm so sorry to have troubled you to care about me, uncle. You're so kind."

"They are just some worthless trinkets. Compared to the fact that the Marquis saved our family, they are nothing. It's all what we deserve."

Sheng Hong advised: "Shuyuan, your uncle also means well, you should accept it."

So Zhou Chen could only nod and accept it. He knew in his heart that what Sheng Wei sent was definitely not the gadget he mentioned, but must be worth a lot of money.

He didn't know if it was his illusion, but he found that Uncle Sheng Wei seemed particularly enthusiastic today, even more enthusiastic than when he was in Youyang.

Could it be that you have something to ask for?

He was secretly guessing in his heart.

At the same time, Shou'an Hall in the backyard was also very lively.

Hualan greeted Shulan and Pinlan with a smile, then sat down next to her grandmother.

After chatting for a while, Minglan took Sheng Shulan and Sheng Pinlan out to play, leaving only the old lady and Hualan in the room.

The old lady looked at Hualan, the granddaughter who grew up by her side and was also the most respectable daughter in the Sheng family, with a kind smile on her face.

She had been raised by Hua Lan since she was a child, and Zhou Chen was also her blood-related nephew's great-grandson, so Hua Lan naturally had a close relationship with her.

"Hua'er, I heard you say last year that you wanted to find a concubine for Sanlang. How is the search going now?"

Hua Lan asked curiously, "Grandma, why do you ask this? Does Grandma have a suitable candidate?"

The old lady pondered for a moment and said, "Hua'er, we don't need to beat around the bush. If you really want to find a concubine for Sanlang, I do have a good candidate here. She will neither compete with you for favor nor threaten you. She is very gentle and kind."

Hualan immediately became interested, because she knew that her grandmother would definitely not persecute her.

"Grandma, I really want to take a concubine for you, but you never take it seriously. I asked him several times, but he said he's not in a hurry. If it's someone recommended by you, you should be more relieved. But who are you talking about? Do I know her?"

The old lady replied: "I know her. I'm talking about Shulan from your uncle's family."

"what?"

Hualan covered her mouth with a handkerchief in shock, and confirmed in disbelief: "Grandma, did I hear you right? You are talking about Sister Shulan?"

"Yes, it's the girl Shulan." Grandmother replied affirmatively.

Hua Lan was dumbfounded: "I have heard about Sister Shulan's affairs, but that was a divorce by amicable marriage. With the ability of my uncle's family, and Sister Shulan's outstandingness, it is impossible that they can't find a suitable one. How could she be willing to be a concubine? Concubines sell themselves to the master's family. If there is no choice, which woman is willing to be a concubine?"

It's no wonder she was shocked. The main reason was that the status of concubines in ancient times was very low. They had sold themselves to their masters. To be precise, they had no personal freedom and were slaves. Children born to concubines had no inheritance rights, unless they were adopted by the wife of the main family.

In this era, even the heinous crime of killing nine generations of a clan could not involve concubines, because concubines could not be considered members of the master's family.

It is no exaggeration to say that concubines are like objects. In many powerful families, concubines can be given to each other as gifts.

If there is a choice, any normal woman would not be willing to be someone's concubine. Even marrying a country man is better than being someone's concubine.