Chu Chengji picked up the memorials without looking at Qin Zheng again and walked straight out of the room.

Even though the hand that had been pressing on her shoulder was no longer there, Qin Zheng felt as if she had been immobilized, sitting motionless on the pear wood chair for quite some time.

Chu Chengji was truly angry.

He was not only angry at the officials who wrote the memorials but also at her.

Qin Zheng naturally understood the intentions behind those officials sending the memorials to her.

As the Crown Princess, the future mother of a nation, she couldn’t directly refuse such matters, otherwise, it would be seen as jealousy.

This was the limitation imposed on women in terms of marriage contracts and morality in this era.

Song Heqing and other ministers who leaned towards her didn’t treat the matter of taking concubines as a big deal either.

Firstly, because they were also ancient people who had always accepted the idea of men having multiple wives and concubines, especially in the current situation of divided territories and continuous warfare.

Chu Chengji needed heirs to reassure his followers.

If something were to happen to him on the battlefield, having descendants would prevent his hard-won power from collapsing all at once.

Otherwise, they would be left leaderless.

Secondly, Qin Zheng had already firmly established her political position, and no one could shake her status.

Whether Chu Chengji’s eldest son was from her or not was not important anymore.

As long as there were heirs to reassure the ministers, or even if she wanted to, she could easily “keep the child and leave the mother”.

However, this was not the path Qin Zheng was willing to take.

Whether it was considered naive or foolish, at least for now, she believed in Chu Chengji’s feelings for her.

He wouldn’t push her away just because of the pressure from the ministers.

She wouldn’t be foolish enough to hastily give up everything she had just because the ministers suggested Chu Chengji pick a few concubines to expand his family and appease them.

Not to mention the current situation was uncertain, and once Chu Chengji left for Xuzhou, she would have to handle all the political affairs on his behalf, which her body couldn’t handle.

As soon as news of her pregnancy got out, she was afraid all the ministers would demand she step down and retire to the inner chambers.

Some might genuinely worry about the heirs of Chu Chengji and herself, while others would use the pretext of recuperation to pressure her to relinquish power and stop meddling in politics.

Her rise to power in Qingzhou was thanks to the initial lack of capable individuals, which forced her to learn to handle all matters, big and small, alongside Song Heqing.

Later, when new ministers joined, even if they felt that women meddling in politics violated propriety, they dared not openly oppose her because they had just arrived and saw everyone else acknowledging her authority.

Just like in the workplace, if she took maternity leave and relinquished power for a year or two, there was no guarantee she would still have her current position when she returned.

Qin Zheng didn’t insist on holding onto power for its own sake, but having come this far, to retreat now would be to undo all her previous efforts.

The rise of the “Women’s Army” was just beginning to show signs, and female officials had also broken new ground.

Only by having a foothold in politics could she support the Women’s Army and female officials from the rear.

In an officialdom dominated by men, it was too difficult for women’s achievements and abilities to be recognized.

Qin Zheng didn’t want to regress from the opening she and Lin Zhao had worked so hard to create, just because of her own retreat.

Writing that covenant, she was somewhat resentful.

After all, just with one covenant, Chu Chengji would have to divide half of the territory he had conquered in the future, which was arrogant and childish.

If it were any other emperor, they would probably think she was coveting the throne.

In the place where Qin Zheng originally lived, the only female emperor in history almost died at the hands of the former emperor because of a rumor that she might become the empress.

Qin Zheng dared to write like that because she was convinced of Chu Chengji’s character and heart.

She expressed her attitude, letting Chu Chengji know that she didn’t want him to take concubines.

Chu Chengji was angry.

She probably could guess the reason, not because she boldly wrote about dividing the land under his name, but because she drafted such a contract.

He was angry that she didn’t trust him and used such a contract to constrain their relationship.

Although she had anticipated this result early on, at this moment, looking at the empty room, Qin Zheng’s heart inexplicably sank.

Before meeting Chu Chengji, she never thought about marriage and having children.

Her best friend advocated a post-marriage equal sharing theory, believing that if problems arose in the future, there wouldn’t be too many disputes over property.

At that time, she thought this method was cool.

After meeting Chu Chengji, she wanted to grow old with him, but in this era of unequal status between men and women, she lacked much security compared to him.

So she wrote that contract.

Qin Zheng sat until the maidservant came in to tidy up the room and change her clothes before she snapped out of her trance.

Thinking she was too exhausted from handling government affairs, the maidservant worriedly said, “Your Highness, it’s late, you should rest early.”

Qin Zheng nodded, restrained her expression, hesitated for a moment, and still asked, “Where did His Highness go?”

The maidservant replied, “His Highness may be afraid of disturbing Your Highness’s rest, so he went to the study to handle official documents.”

Qin Zheng nodded again, “You may leave, it’s late, and the dew is heavy. Ask the kitchen to send a bowl of warming soup to His Highness.”

The maidservant took her leave.

Qin Zheng yawned, left a lamp burning, and turned to rest in the inner room.

His attendants pressured her and sneakily went to Qin’s Mother, hoping she would agree to let Chu Chengji take concubines under dual pressure.

She should be the one getting angry!

But that guy, because of a contract, got angry and went to the study area?

She had given him the steps, it’s up to him to take them or not!

When the old servant brought the soup over, he saw Chu Chengji concentrating under the candlelight.

Knowing both masters were working hard, when he presented the soup, he specifically said, “Your Highness, take care of yourself, go back to your room and rest early. Her Highness the Princess Consort is worried about you, so she specially ordered the kitchen to make nourishing soup.”

Chu Chengji’s face was still cold, but it seemed to soften a bit.

He coldly nodded, “You may leave.”

Once the old servant left, he glanced at the soup bowl on the table, didn’t touch it, but his lips were pressed tighter than before.

Knowing that the soup was brought to him, it seemed they understood where the mistake lay.

But when you make a mistake, you should be taught a lesson.

He continued to calmly look at the documents in his hands, occasionally glancing at the dark window outside.

After an hour passed and Qin Zheng still hadn’t sent someone over, he couldn’t help but furrow his brows, put down the documents, and walked out of the study.

The guards stationed outside immediately saluted, “Your Highness.”

Once you walked out of the study, it wouldn’t be easy to come back.

Now, he could pretend to handle official business, go out for a while, and then return to the study, letting everyone below know that he deliberately didn’t return to the main house to save Qin Zheng’s face.

Chu Chengji stopped his steps and asked, “Has the Princess Consort sent anyone over?”

The attendant thought for a moment and replied, “An hour ago, the Princess Consort ordered soup from the kitchen to be sent over.”

Chu Chengji: “…”

After a moment of silence, he continued, “Has anyone approached the study during this time?”

The attendant thought he was concerned about the defense of the study area and immediately assured him, “Your Highness, rest assured, not even a fly has come near.”

Chu Chengji coldly grunted in acknowledgment.

As he turned around, the study’s door slammed shut with a loud bang, startling the guards in front of it.

The guard looked at the closed door, scratched his head, wondering if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was in a bad mood?

The young couple’s first night sleeping in separate rooms didn’t arouse any suspicion among the household staff.

Everyone knew that the Crown Prince and Princess Consort were busy with state affairs, so it was natural for the Crown Prince to spend the night in the study area to handle official matters.

When Qin Zheng woke up in the morning, she found herself sleeping in a particularly relaxed position, indicating that someone hadn’t returned all night.

Qin Zheng, who had already given him the steps, felt her temper rising.

During meals, she ate alone.

The maidservant noticed that she didn’t even ask about Chu Chengji’s whereabouts, which was strange.

So she took the initiative to report Chu Chengji’s schedule to Qin Zheng, “His Highness left for the military camp early in the morning and said he won’t be back for lunch.”

Qin Zheng grunted in response, her expression appearing quite cold, “I will also accompany Master Song to supervise the construction of the riverbank. I won’t return to the mansion for a few days. Go and pack a few sets of clothes.”

The maidservant couldn’t distinguish between official business and personal matters for a moment.

Was the Crown Prince and Princess Consort having a quarrel, or were they both genuinely too busy?

But when Qin Zheng continued to pick at her food, her grip on the chopsticks noticeably tightened, and she even accidentally flicked a green bean away.

Qin Zheng decided to leave immediately.

The last stretch of the underground river connected to the Red River was quite far from Qingzhou.

To save time on the journey, she ordered to stay in a village near the construction site for a few days.

This saved time on the round trip and allowed for better inspection of the quality of the underground river project.

Other officials knew that Qin Zheng was always meticulous in such matters, so they didn’t complain.

However, Song Heqing knew that Chu Chengji was about to go to Xuzhou soon.

Qin Zheng suddenly leaving Qingzhou at this time clearly meant that there was a rift between her and Chu Chengji.

He immediately thought of the several documents he had previously sent to Chu Chengji, urging him to choose a concubine.

He felt anxious for the young couple.

He wanted to advise Qin Zheng privately, but Qin Zheng behaved as if nothing was wrong, insisting that leaving Qingzhou was just to inspect the construction of the underground river.

Seeing her full of energy, completely immersed in the project, without a hint of sadness, Song Heqing couldn’t help but wonder if he was overthinking things.

Meanwhile, when Chu Chengji returned from the military camp, he immediately summoned several officials who had previously advised him to choose concubines.

These officials’ proposals had not been approved for a long time, so they guessed it wouldn’t be easy.

When they were summoned to the council chamber and saw Chu Chengji sitting in the main seat in his military armor, his face was icy, and his legs were already crossed, they knew something was amiss.

“We, the ministers, greet Your Highness the Crown Prince,” the officials bowed.

Chu Chengji didn’t let them get up immediately and spoke with a chilling tone, “Qingzhou is in a state of emergency, Xuzhou is besieged, and yet instead of each of you performing your duties and devising strategies, you want me, at this critical moment, to choose concubines?

Are you trying to make the people think that I’m greedy for pleasure and not thinking about the country’s welfare? What are your intentions?”

These words made several officials weak in the knees, and they quickly knelt down, “Your Highness, we implore you to forgive us. Our suggestion for you to choose concubines is indeed for the stability and prosperity of Chu Empire.

The royal bloodline is thin, and Your Highness has repeatedly gone on expeditions. In case of any mishaps, we are truly terrified…”

Chu Chengji raised an eyebrow, his gaze indifferent yet oppressive, “Are you cursing me to die on the battlefield?”

The officials’ faces turned pale.

This accusation was even bigger than before; if it was confirmed, it would mean extermination of nine generations!