As they neared He City, they encountered Da Li on the road, who was searching for the Saintess.
The convoy halted, and Da Li, on horseback, rode directly to General Shen's carriage. His expression was grave as he reported, "Reporting to the General, a token from Bei Qiang was indeed found in the County Princess's residence, along with numerous letters, accessories, and other items belonging to Bei Qiang!"
General Shen frowned. "It seems Xiao Xueqiu's deductions were all correct. We shouldn't speak too much here. Let's return to the manor first."
"Understood!" Da Li cupped his fists, then rode his horse to Shi Sheng's side, riding abreast of him.
"Does Huang Lian Sheng truly still have ties with Bei Qiang?" Shi Sheng asked in a low voice.
Da Li nodded. "It is absolutely true. Furthermore, her title as Saintess is no doubt due to the covert support from Bei Qiang."
Shi Sheng's eyes darkened. "She deserves to be cut into a thousand pieces, and it would still be insufficient!"
Half an hour later, they arrived at He City.
He City was not large. The attrition from over a decade of war had left the city sparsely populated. Many residences stood vacant, with grass growing on the rooftops and walls, giving the city a bleak and dilapidated appearance.
The General's manor was located in the eastern part of the city. It only had three servants: Steward Bao, Granny Huang who handled the laundry and cleaning, and Cook Xue, who prepared the meals.
Fortunately, the residence was large enough to accommodate everyone who had arrived.
Bai Sheng had many attendants. Upon entering the General's manor, Uncle Ding arranged for their staff to clean rooms, settle accommodations, prepare tea and meals... The desolate residence suddenly became lively.
After everything was settled, everyone enjoyed a hearty meal and freshened up. By then, it was already dark.
Given the day's exertions, Bai Sheng instructed Uncle Ding to tell everyone to rest early tonight, as an important inaugural meeting for the construction of the Qing Huang Kingdom would be held at the Hour of Chen tomorrow, and all personnel were required to attend.
After returning to their room with the four cubs, Zuo Ye closed the doors and windows. Bai Sheng then took him and the cubs into the spatial realm.
The four cubs shed their outer layers. Freed from the constraint of heavy clothing, they were all excited, wrestling and playing on the bed. Zuo Ye held Bai Sheng's hand, wanting to take her out for a stroll. They hadn't had a proper conversation in days.
Bai Sheng frowned and apologized. "Husband, tomorrow's meeting is quite important, and I need to deploy various matters. So, I must prepare thoroughly tonight."
Zuo Ye looked at her, his eyes filled with affection. "Let's go, I'll help you."
Bai Sheng nestled into Zuo Ye's embrace and said coquettishly, "Husband, it's so good to have you here."
"Good girl, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have let you get so tired," Zuo Ye said, feeling very guilty.
Bai Sheng looked up and said to him solemnly, "Husband, it's not you who makes me tired, it's me who wants to be this tired. As the Princess of Qing Huang, my father and mother and my kin were killed, the country was trampled by cavalry, and the people live in misery... I cannot escape my responsibility."
"Baby, rest assured. From now on, I will share your burdens and won't let you be so exhausted," Zuo Ye said, holding her tightly.
The four cubs giggled as they watched their parents embrace tightly.
Bai Sheng and Zuo Ye exchanged a smile, held hands, and went to the study, leaving the four little rascals behind.
They sat facing each other and preliminarily decided on Qing Huang's most urgent matters, as well as the establishment of various government departments, specific positions, and their responsible persons.
Standing up and stretching, Bai Sheng sat on Zuo Ye's lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and affectionately saying, "Husband, I promise you, once we have driven Bei Qiang and Da Xia out of Qing Huang, recovered our lost territories, and the various departments are running smoothly, I will hand Qing Huang over to the children, and we will travel the world together."
Zuo Ye chuckled. "How many years will that take?"
"Ten years, at most ten years," Bai Sheng stated with firm conviction.
Zuo Ye embraced her slender waist and said gently, "Good girl, don't put too much pressure on yourself, and you don't have to do things one way or another.
Remember, no matter where you are or what you are doing, as long as you are there, I am happy.
Since you are to be the Empress of Qing Huang, then be it happily, enjoy it, and don't see it as a burden or a weight, otherwise, every moment you are in it, you will feel tired.
And if, one day, you suddenly don't want to be Empress anymore and want to change your lifestyle, then we will change it. Life doesn't have many decades to spare. Don't wait, just live each present moment well.
Moreover, whatever you do, I will support you."
Bai Sheng looked at Zuo Ye with bright eyes. "Husband, what you say makes so much sense. I understand."
"In that case, a kiss?" Zuo Ye asked with a wicked smile.
"No, my face hasn't healed yet, so I can't be touched," Bai Sheng immediately raised her hand, partially covering her face.
Zuo Ye curled the corners of his lips and kissed the fragrant hair.
His gaze swept over Bai Sheng's fair and slender neck, and her prominent chest. His throat bobbed as he suppressed the storm raging within him.
When his good girl's face is fully healed, he would settle everything at once.
The next day, after breakfast, everyone in the manor gathered in the front hall.
Bai Sheng's household servants were all immensely surprised. They never expected to participate in the princess's founding conference alongside such distinguished figures as the National Teacher, the Great General, and Prince Shi Sheng.
This would be a moment to go down in history.
Bao Yu and San Gou Zi stood guard outside the hall, preventing anyone from approaching or eavesdropping.
Heng Heng, the radar, was also utilized by Bai Sheng, with its listening range extending two hundred meters around.
The spacious front hall was filled to capacity. Even Old Master Zuo, Old Madam Zuo, and Gu Cang Lan had come to attend the meeting.
Although Gu Cang Lan's hair was white, his mental state had improved considerably, and he could walk. Granny Wu had him sit beside herself and Mei Qing.
Bai Sheng had many tasks to arrange for today, so she specially invited her uncle to take meeting minutes.
Zuo Siming took out a thick booklet and prepared his brush and ink, quietly waiting for Bai Sheng to begin.
Bai Sheng first turned to General Shen. "Uncle Shen, who is currently in charge of the various departments in Qing Huang? If they are capable and virtuous, I will continue to entrust them with responsibility."
Shen Tianjun thought for a moment and said earnestly, "The Bei Qiang spies have not been completely cleared yet, and no one can be trusted. Xiao Xueqiu, you should first assign people from your side. After the spies are purged, then it will be time to consider who to entrust with responsibilities."
"Alright, then I will first assign people from my side," Bai Sheng nodded.
General Shen looked at Bai Sheng's intelligent and capable demeanor, feeling particularly gratified.
His Xiao Xueqiu was truly the chosen Empress, naturally possessing the strategy and authority for governance.
He recalled a day when she was just over four years old. The Emperor was discussing how to resettle enemy prisoners with a few trusted confidants. Some suggested killing them directly, while others proposed strict confinement to prevent their escape and trouble.
Xiao Xueqiu, who was sitting nearby playing with her beloved cat, suddenly blurted out, "Let them work."
Everyone was startled. Emperor Yuan Che asked her why she thought of having them work.