Rebirth: So what if my husband is a little crazy? He loves me.

Chapter 39 Do you think I haven't died fast enough?

"The imperial edict was issued overnight, and everyone in the palace says His Majesty is really in a hurry," Peony told Shen Li while eating breakfast.

Shen Li's mind was full of her own paintings. She only looked up when she heard "Lord Gu". When Shaoyao repeated it, her expression was one of understanding.

It was something I had expected.

She knew that Gu Chang'an would take action against the Prince of Yi's faction because Consort Zheng summoned her to the palace, so Consort Zheng would not dare to target her too much in order to protect her subordinates.

However, this would inevitably make Gu Chang'an the first person that Prince Yi would be eager to get rid of, and would also arouse the emperor's suspicion. Therefore, she went to the East Palace on her first day in the palace.

It's true that she was freeloading, and it's also true that she was using the Eastern Palace. After receiving Zhou Qianqian's request for help, she legitimately sent a message to Li Heng, asking him to contact Gu Chang'an.

At the same time, he sent a message to reassure Gu Chang'an, telling him to just assist Li Heng and Zhou Zhen and not to rush into action, as they would not suffer any losses.

Thus, the current situation has arisen: the Crown Prince's faction is impeaching Prince Yi, and Prince Yi has likely put a lot of effort into the Liu Ling case as well. The two sides are locked in a fierce and evenly matched struggle.

Gu Chang'an was merely ordered to investigate the case and was not involved in the factional struggle in the emperor's eyes. Even though Prince Yi knew he was a key figure, he had no way to take action against him.

The net has now been cast, and all that's left is for both sides to enter the game.

"The corrupt practices definitely need to be thoroughly addressed." Shen Li's expression was unusually solemn.

Although it was a setup, she chose truly corrupt people. The imperial court needed a large sum of money to deal with the war that would break out in three months, and this was the fastest way.

Others may not be aware of the tense situation, but she cannot help but do her part for the people on the border.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Your Majesty, the purchasing eunuch from the small kitchen has come to ask for money for the second time this month. The monthly allowance has been spent in just a few days." Su Mei muttered to herself as she looked at the account book in her hand.

Consort Zheng had been having nightmares for three consecutive days and was now exhausted. She leaned against the couch with her eyes closed and frowned upon hearing this: "You bother me with such a trivial matter?"

"I know you're troubled by the affairs of the previous dynasty, but the expense is too great, and I dare not make the decision," Su Mei said with difficulty.

"The person living in the side hall demands large amounts of beef, venison, and fresh fish, shrimp, and crab every day. In just five days, he has consumed a month's worth of food from the small kitchen."

It should be noted that Consort Zheng was already considered extravagant and wasteful in the palace. The monthly expenses of her small kitchen were dozens of times that of other palaces, and even that was still far from enough.

Consort Zheng was furious when she heard Shen Li's name. She didn't care how much she ate, but it was obvious that Shen Li had come to her Anhua Palace to put on airs.

Originally, we wanted to let her suffer a bit, but she ended up being treated like royalty, with a full range of dishes even the emperor didn't serve.

Her expression was truly hostile; she seemed to want to devour Shen Li alive.

Su Mei was very good at reading people's expressions, and immediately said, "His Majesty said to give her some food, but he didn't say to give her such good food. In my opinion, these rare meats and vegetables should be cut off for her. As long as she has enough radishes and cabbages, that's fine."

"A foolish move." Consort Zheng's anger flared even more upon hearing this. She kicked the woman to the ground and said irritably, "Are you afraid I won't die fast enough?"

Su Mei immediately knelt on the ground to beg for forgiveness, but she really didn't know what she had done wrong. Was it wrong to punish Shen Li?

"The case has fallen into Gu Chang'an's hands. Do you have any brains to provoke him now?" Consort Zheng picked up the pillow behind her and threw it at him, taking her anger out on him.

She was furious because she clearly wanted to devour Shen Li alive, but she couldn't think of any other unexpected opportunity to use, and now it was their turn to ask for her help.

Consort Zheng had never suffered such a loss in her life. Even the Empress could only pretend to be dignified and virtuous in front of her and dared not show her the slightest displeasure.

Shen Li is simply bizarre.

"Go over there and ask her what she needs or lacks. If you don't make her happy, I'll take your head." Consort Zheng said these words almost through gritted teeth.

"Yes, yes." Su Mei scrambled out the door, rolling around on the ground and getting covered in realgar.

"You." Consort Zheng pointed to the eunuch beside her: "Summon Princess Yi to the palace and tell her that I have been feeling unwell recently and that she should come to serve me."

Logically, she should be trying to reconcile with Shen Li now, as this would be the best way to appease Gu Chang'an, but she simply couldn't bring herself to do it.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Now that the case has fallen into Gu Chang'an's hands, even if my imperial brother has extraordinary abilities, he won't be able to rescue anyone." Upon hearing the news, Li Heng paced excitedly in the room: "What did I tell you? Shen Li will definitely have a way."

Zhou Qianqian had already taken off her veil, and she was initially happy, but upon hearing the next sentence, she couldn't help but feel jealous of Shen Li's abilities.

“But Your Highness, even though the King of Yi has also suffered a setback, Zhao Jing is becoming increasingly audacious. Our fundamental problem remains unresolved,” she reminded him.

“You just don’t understand the political situation at court. My brother has suffered such a great loss, he must be thinking of retaliating. Is this endless fighting the situation that Father wants to see?” Li Heng asked in return.

This is where Zhou Qianqian falls short of Shen Li; she only possesses some womanly skills and knows very little about the big picture, let alone how to control it.

Zhou Qianqian shook her head.

“That’s it. A little infighting is to consolidate imperial power, but if it gets too big, we’ll all suffer.” Li Heng sat back down steadily. “If I’m not mistaken, Father will definitely try to settle things peacefully.”

Zhou Qianqian was indeed not very sensitive to the political situation, and then asked, "But can His Majesty silence the censors, officials, and ministers of the Six Ministries just because he wants them to?"

“You’ve hit the nail on the head. At this time, we need someone with prestige who can command respect.” Li Heng took out a slip of paper from his sleeve: “Shen Li sent this to you while you were away. After you read it, send a message to Chief Minister Zhou.”

When Zhou Qianqian saw the contents of the note, her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. She asked, "Doesn't Your Highness think she's seeking personal gain?"

“She is not someone who cares about fame and position; this is also for the purpose of serving me better.” Li Heng had no doubt about Shen Li.

"But...but..."

"Alright, I have made my decision on this matter. I believe the Grand Secretary is not one to wield absolute power and will consider the overall situation." Li Heng's words had a double meaning.

Recently, the Empress Dowager has been trying to win over Lin Wan'er. The Zhou family has been suppressing the Lin family quite a bit, and there are already rumors in the court and among the people that General Lin is monopolizing power on the border and raising bandits to enhance his own importance.

He was also very troubled by this, but he couldn't blame Zhou Zhen for it. After all, compared to the Lin family who were fighting on the front lines, this Grand Secretary was the biggest help.

In the long run, we should try to take away some of Zhou Zhen's power, but this is not an easy task; we can only give it a try.

"Yes, Your Highness, I will go right away. Please rest assured." Zhou Qianqian didn't dare to say another word after hearing this.

Recently, because of Lin Wan'er's father's actions after entering the palace, the Crown Prince has been giving her a hard time, and she can no longer appear so ignorant.

Moreover, after calming down and thinking about it, she realized that the chances of this happening were extremely slim, and she didn't believe that the King of Yi would just sit idly by and wait for his doom.

Shen Li is just daydreaming; what does she know about the big picture?