The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1070: Chapter 1046: Honor Amidst Chaos 114

A group of servants rushed forward behind the old housekeeper and directly tied up Ms. Chen and her three people.

Of course, they didn’t take these three people into the Duke Dingbei Mansion but instead loaded them onto a vegetable delivery cart to one of the Duke Dingbei’s manors to be detained.

Recently, Dong Da has been taking on new tasks.

He was assigned by Xiao Yuan to take over the newly established naval forces.

Dong Da was originally a fisherman, often sailing out to sea when he wasn’t a mountain bandit. Later, he followed Xiao Yuan and helped defeat pirates. He had good skills in the water and experience sailing at sea, making him suitable for the naval forces leader.

Moreover, Dong Da was both a trusted confidant of Xiao Yuan and his son-in-law. With the newly established naval forces in Dong Da’s hands, it was the most reassuring.

Nowadays, Dong Da leads his soldiers in daily exercises on how to engage in naval battles and find sea routes, among other maneuvers.

Today, he went to oversee the shipyard, wanting to see the appearance of the large ships about to be launched. He was just looking at the models of several large ships with the shipyard workers, without yet seeing any actual large ships, when he heard that someone from his mansion was looking for him.

Dong Da initially thought it was the Ministry of Rites officials with some request that the old housekeeper couldn’t handle, so he quickly rushed out of the shipyard and saw his attendant anxiously pacing outside.

”What’s going on?”

Dong Da hurriedly asked.

His attendant replied, ”It’s best for the Marquis to return quickly.”

He leaned closer to Dong Da and whispered, ”Ms. Chen came with two children looking for you.”

Dong Da’s expression changed immediately, ”Where are they now?”

The attendant’s voice dropped further, ”It seems Grandpa Liu wouldn’t let them in the mansion, probably taking them to the manor.”

Dong Da, thinking of the old housekeeper’s conduct, believed it was more likely they were placed on the manor.

”Let’s go to the manor.”

He mounted his horse and hastily rode toward the manor.

Over there, Mr. Geng entered the palace to report to Anning about the renovation matters of Duke Dingbei Mansion.

After Xiao Yuan made Suzhou the capital, he did not embark on extensive construction of the Imperial Palace.

He and Anning, along with these children, lived in the palace built by Da Qi earlier in Suzhou.

This palace couldn’t compare to the grandeur of the Imperial Palace, and it was smaller, but it was fairly exquisite.

Xiao Yuan’s mind was all about unifying the realm. In his heart, capturing Da Qi’s entire territory means setting the capital in the Capital; Suzhou is just a temporary residence, so there’s no need for extravagant palace construction that burdens the people.

With the money for palace construction, so many concrete matters could be done.

Anning isn’t one to indulge in pleasures either. Moreover, the family isn’t large; the children are growing up and about to establish their own residences, so the palace sufficiently accommodates them without wasting efforts.

Mr. Geng entered the palace in Suzhou and quickly followed the palace attendants to Fengqi Palace, where Anning resides.

Seeing Mr. Geng enter, Anning smiled, ”Did Geng Qing get the blueprints?”

Princess Le Yang was sitting beside Anning, also looking at Mr. Geng.

Mr. Geng hurriedly offered the blueprints, ”I checked around Duke Dingbei Mansion; the modifications are excellent. They’ve even put patterns on the glass, showing great importance to the Princess. However...”

Anning smiled and asked, ”However what, Mr. Geng? Feel free to speak without reservation.”

Mr. Geng whispered, ”While I was leaving, I saw a mother and two children outside Duke Dingbei Mansion. They claim the children are Duke Dingbei’s and that the woman is his wife.”

”Alright, I understand.”

Anning’s expression remained unchanged, ”Geng Qing, you’ve worked hard; you may return.”

Mr. Geng cautiously retreated, still pondering Duke Dingbei Mansion’s situation after leaving the palace.

He wondered what Duke Dingbei would do, whether he would acknowledge his previous children or not. If he accepts them, it could be difficult to explain to Princess Le Yang here, who might become so angry as to break the engagement.

To Mr. Geng, accepting such ingrates makes no sense. Recognizing them and bringing them back might result in them betraying you one day.

In any case, if he were the one involved, he would not acknowledge them.

However, rumor has it that Duke Dingbei dearly loved his two children in the past, and he might be unwilling to let them suffer and wish to accept them.

After Mr. Geng left, Anning comforted Princess Le Yang by patting her hand, ”Don’t worry, let’s see what decision Dong Da makes.”

”I listen to the Queen Mother.”

Princess Le Yang lowered her head, looking very obedient, yet a fierce glint flashed in her eyes.

Today’s Princess Le Yang has changed significantly from before.

Since the flood disaster in Jiangnan, Princess Le Yang has been campaigning around with Xiao Yuan. Her breadth of knowledge and experience has transformed; now Princess Le Yang is steadfast and courageous, with a hint of ruthlessness, far from the gentle Xiao Hui she used to be.

Princess Le Yang leaned in to look at the modified plans for Duke Dingbei Mansion with Anning, pointing out a few places: ”Tell Mr. Geng and Duke Dingbei to make some changes here, leave some open space in the garden, so we can build a greenhouse in winter.”

”Alright, you don’t have to trouble Mr. Geng with this. Just have a maid take the plans and inform Housekeeper Liu.”

Anning smiled and said, ”If there’s anything else to change, let Housekeeper Liu know as well.”

Only then did Princess Le Yang realize that Dong Da had just taken over the naval forces, and he probably wouldn’t have time to handle these matters.

Princess Le Yang smiled, ”The Queen Mother is right.”

Anning collected the plans: ”Alright, let’s look at your dowry. I’ve made a list for you; take a good look and let me know if you want to add anything.”

After sending Princess Le Yang away, Anning saw Princess Fengyang coming hurriedly.

”Quickly sit down and wipe your sweat.”

Princess Fengyang must have come from outside; she was sweaty all over.

She sat down, took a sip of tea, and wiped her sweat, ”Queen Mother, I’ve sought out Sixth Uncle. The craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry have developed movable type printing. From now on, our Dajing Dynasty can massively print books, using our low-cost books to impact Da Qi’s market. Moreover, I want to start a newspaper.”

”A newspaper?”

Anning furrowed her brows, ”Is it that publication you mentioned that reports daily fresh news? It’s somewhat similar to the court gazette, but this newspaper is open to everyone, and it features not only national affairs but also some fresh and unusual news.”

Fengyang laughed, ”Exactly! This newspaper can serve as the court’s mouthpiece and help Father Emperor and Queen Mother gather news from various places. If it’s done well, it can even supervise local officials to see if they’re doing real work or if there’s any corruption. Used properly, it can be a sharp blade.”

”But if it’s not handled well, it could harm the court.”

Anning tapped the tall side table beside her, ”I need to think about it carefully.”

Fengyang agreed and then playfully clung to Anning’s arm, ”Queen Mother, don’t overthink this. It’s rare for your daughter to want to accomplish something; please don’t turn it down, or your daughter will be upset.”

Anning pointed to her forehead and laughed, ”Okay, this is no small matter. I must think it through carefully. If we’re going to do it, we must do it well, considering what the plan will be and how to handle unforeseen events.”

Fengyang nodded, ”The Queen Mother is right.”

She leaned closer to Anning and mentioned another matter, ”Queen Mother, didn’t I train a naval force earlier? In addition, I’ve trained some paparazzi. If your daughter wants to run a newspaper, these people will have a place for their talents. Also, one of your daughter’s paparazzi brought a message: the old man has caused trouble again.”

”What?”

Anning felt uncomfortable upon hearing about the old man, ”What has he done now?”

Fengyang pursed her lips, ”What can he do, but chase women? He wants to seduce those young maids, but why would those fresh and young girls want to be with an old bastard like him? He’s probably frustrated, so he hooked up with the cook. That cook is a widow and has a little girl. I guess she’s serving the old man to secure a good future for her daughter.”

”Each day, no peace.”

Anning’s heart was filled with anger, ”Enough, don’t talk about this outside.”

Fengyang agreed, and after pouting and acting sweet for a while, she shared some of her thoughts with Anning, ”Queen Mother, what if your daughter never marries and instead keeps a handsome and charming young man for herself?”

Anning was momentarily stunned.

She hadn’t expected Princess Fengyang to have such thoughts.

”Do you want to keep one or many?”

Anning decided to talk candidly with Fengyang, ”If it’s just one, your father and I won’t object. But if many...my dear, you must consider your Father’s dignity. If you really want to keep them and they agree, do it discreetly. Don’t make it too public.”

What?

Fengyang had been prepared to be scolded.

She thought that expressing such thoughts would undoubtedly provoke her mother’s ire and lead to her punishment.

But unexpectedly, her mother was so understanding, even permitting her to keep even many companions.

Princess Fengyang felt utterly delighted, even happier than a mouse in a rice barn.

”Mother, don’t worry! Your daughter will certainly consider your and Father Emperor’s dignity, and uphold the royal decorum. Your daughter definitely won’t go overboard. Even keeping many, your daughter wouldn’t manage. Just one, one would be enough, but he must be the best looking.”