While Chen Xiaobei was feeling uneasy, a report came from outside that Fang Zheng, Chen Junyu, and Feng Pengju had arrived.
At this time, Fang Zheng looked much calmer, which made Chen Xiaobei have to sigh at the old man's extraordinary psychological resilience.
After the three entered, they respectfully knelt to pay their respects to Princess Zhaoning, and then greeted Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei separately.
Princess Zhaoning got straight to the point, "My three loyal ministers, I have summoned you today to discuss an urgent matter."
"My health is unlikely to recover anytime soon, but state affairs are pressing and cannot be left to pile up."
"After consideration, I have decided that the three of you, along with驸马 Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei, will jointly discuss state affairs. Matters that cannot be resolved can be brought to me."
Upon hearing this.
Fang Zheng's expression remained unchanged, clearly he could now accept anything that happened.
However, Feng Pengju's face showed obvious surprise. To him, Chen Xiaobei was only a third-rank official, and Liu Rumei had no official position at all. For them to enter the innermost circle to discuss state affairs was clearly lacking in seniority.
Chen Junyu seemed to share this sentiment. He pondered for a moment and said, "Your Highness, please forgive this old minister for speaking out of turn, but matters of state should still be personally attended to by you."
Princess Zhaoning looked at him and replied, "I am about to marry Chen Xiaobei. My will is his will, and his will is my will."
With that said, Chen Junyu naturally did not dare to say anything more.
Since Chen Xiaobei represented Princess Zhaoning's will, and Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei were husband and wife, it was only reasonable for Liu Rumei to participate in the deliberation.
Seeing this, Fang Zheng quickly took the lead and bowed, "Your Highness, please rest assured and recover. Fang Zheng will strictly follow your decree and consult with驸马 Chen on all matters."
Feng Pengju and Chen Junyu, seeing that Fang Zheng had pledged his allegiance, also quickly bowed and stated, "We respectfully obey the Princess's decree."
Princess Zhaoning nodded, glanced at Chen Xiaobei, and then gently patted her pillow. Chen Xiaobei understood that there was an imperial decree hidden under the pillow. He would have to discuss this matter with Fang Zheng later.
Thinking this, Chen Xiaobei cupped his fists and bowed, "Your Highness, you should rest. We shall take our leave."
When Chen Xiaobei said he was leaving, Fang Zheng and the others naturally could not stay. They filed out of the Princess's chambers.
Chen Xiaobei looked at the people present and said in a deep voice, "The most urgent task for the three officials is to handle the state funeral of the late emperor. According to the Princess's wishes, everything should be kept simple."
Feng Pengju and Chen Junyu looked at Fang Zheng. They also understood that if Fang Zheng had no objections, their resistance would likely be futile.
After all, Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei were of one mind. If Fang Zheng also supported Chen Xiaobei, they would have a majority, and their opposition would be useless.
As expected, Fang Zheng nodded slightly and followed Chen Xiaobei's line of thought, saying, "The Princess's decision is wise. Our Great Cang Kingdom has been in constant internal strife and conflict with the Great Tu Kingdom for the past two years. Our finances are severely strained. If we were to spend a large sum of money on the emperor's funeral, the common people would surely complain!"
Hearing Fang Zheng's words, Chen Junyu immediately chimed in, "Yes, the state funeral of the Crown Prince not long ago was also handled simply."
"With this precedent, if we keep everything simple this time, I believe the late emperor will not blame us."
Hearing Chen Junyu say this, Feng Pengju simply remained silent, as whatever he said was no longer important.
Chen Xiaobei nodded, "Yes, this is also the Princess's intention. Please order someone to dig a tomb outside the city immediately. Once the tomb is built, the emperor's coffin will be interred."
After speaking, he looked at Chen Junyu.
Chen Junyu understood what he meant and immediately cupped his fists and bowed, "Please rest assured,驸马. This matter will be handled by me."
Chen Xiaobei nodded and made a gesture, "Alright, thank you for your hard work, everyone. You may all leave now."
Feng Pengju and Chen Junyu bowed slightly and turned to leave. As Fang Zheng was about to leave, Chen Xiaobei spoke again, "Old Grand Tutor, please stay. Regarding Fang Jun's matter, I still have a few words to say."
Feng Pengju and Chen Junyu had no suspicions. After all, Fang Jun had just gotten into trouble, so it was normal for Chen Xiaobei to keep Fang Zheng to say a few words.
After Feng Pengju and Chen Junyu had walked far away, Chen Xiaobei lowered his voice and said, "The Princess is defying the late emperor's will. She cannot bear to see so many people killed."
Hearing this, Fang Zheng was somewhat surprised, but it was also within reason. He cupped his fists and bowed in the direction of the Princess's chambers, "The Princess's benevolent rule is truly a blessing for all under heaven."
"The Princess wishes for the late emperor's imperial edict to be returned to the plaque in the Hall of Diligent Governance. It will be brought out again when there is a genuine need."
Hearing this, Fang Zheng seemed slightly surprised, "This..."
However, on second thought, returning the imperial edict and doing so openly was also a form of respect to the late Emperor Xiao An.
"Very well, the Princess has clearly given this matter deep consideration. We will carry it out as ordered!"
"However, Marquis Liu is leading troops outside..."
Chen Xiaobei nodded, "Therefore, we still need to ask the Old Grand Tutor to convene all civil and military officials in the great hall. We will return the imperial edict, and then this matter will be considered settled."
As they spoke, the two walked out of the imperial palace and parted with clasped fists. After walking a few more steps, Chen Xiaobei felt something was wrong and turned to look, only to see that Liu Rumei's mood had become somewhat dejected.
"Xiao Mei, what's wrong?"
"Alas, I don't know how my father is doing."
Liu Rumei's worries were somewhat unnecessary. Liu Xiangnan, leading a hundred thousand troops, quickly arrived at the border of the Great Cang Kingdom.
At almost the same time, Qiao Na's army began to assemble, but he soon received news that Liu Xiangnan's hundred thousand troops were already stationed at the border.
Upon hearing this news, Qiao Na sat in his chair for a long time, and finally sighed deeply.
"Heaven does not aid me! I did not expect Liu Xiangnan to be so prescient and anticipate my every move."
After his lament, Qiao Na personally went to see his father, Qiao Psen.
After listening to his account, Qiao Psen also sighed, "I did not expect Liu Xiangnan to act so quickly. With him at the border, we are unlikely to have an opportunity anytime soon. So be it."
"Give the order for everyone to return to their respective tribes for now. We will speak of it again when a good opportunity arises."
The crisis in the Great Tu Kingdom was temporarily resolved. What made Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei even happier was that on this evening, good news arrived from Shuozhou.
Taking advantage of the Lunar New Year, the defenses along the Great Tu Kingdom's border were lax. In a few days, more than two thousand soldiers returned to Shuozhou from the Great Tu Kingdom.