The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 330 That's... an enemy

Jianyang beamed: "It's been a long time, did you miss me?"

"I look forward to your return every day, but you don't need to worry about me. I only hope that you are happy and safe."

“A-Ye…”

Zheng Xun and the other two: ...

They're superfluous here.

I don't know if Jianyang felt embarrassed, but they certainly did.

Zheng Xun coughed lightly: "Aunt?"

Jianyang patted his forehead: "Look at me, I'll show you around!"

"No need, just find someone to lead the way, Auntie will go and 'busy' herself."

She emphasized the word "busy" very much, and Jianyang was still laughing after hearing it.

Jianyang had been waiting for these words, and quickly replied, "Okay!"

"You're not being polite!"

“We’re not strangers, why be so polite?” Jianyang leaned closer and whispered, “Yuanjia, please be understanding of your aunt?”

She stared intently at Zheng Xun, her breathy voice making her appear somewhat pitiful.

Zheng Xun: I can't stand it.

How could she refuse when someone who was usually so imposing suddenly did this?

Isn't the only option to give in?

Go, just this once.

Jianyang was overjoyed: "I understand."

Zheng Xun waved his hand, signaling her to quickly leave with her lover to avoid upsetting her.

Jianyang then sent his most trusted general to show Zheng Xun around the camp.

This deputy general's surname was Zhang. He was of average height and had an extremely ordinary face, except for his eyebrows, which curved over the corners of his eyes and were particularly eye-catching.

She harbored a clear critical attitude towards her superiors, and never stopped complaining about Jianyang ever since she met Zheng Xun and the others.

"The general is a man of great ambition; how could he be blinded by lust?"

"As the commander-in-chief, one should set an example. How can one bring unrelated people into the military camp?"

"If she goes to the battlefield, does she expect to bring a lover with her?"

Her words became increasingly harsh, even turning into some sarcastic remarks.

Wei Yanxing whispered to Zheng Xun, "She spoke ill of your aunt in front of you. Aren't you afraid you'll tell on her?"

“She’s not afraid, because she acts the same way in front of her aunt.”

Wei Yanxing remained silent for a moment, then finally managed to say, "Princess Jianyang has a really good temper."

“It’s different. First, Deputy General Zhang is capable. Second, Deputy General Zhang won’t let personal feelings interfere with official business. Third… people are always more tolerant of those who admire them.”

Lü Mengying: What do you admire? What do you admire?

Wei Yanxing: Is that so?

He suddenly realized and excitedly said, "Princess, may I admire you? I don't mean anything by it, I just want to be lenient with you..."

Lü Mengying: !!

Her face suddenly turned pale.

He raised his foot and kicked Wei Yanxing in the chest.

Wei Yanxing was caught off guard by her sudden attack and was kicked back several steps.

Lu Mengying, with a cold face, cursed, "You beast."

Wei Yanxing's face turned pale and then flushed: "It was just a joke..."

"A joke? How old is the princess? If I call you an animal, you should respond properly. Do I need to teach you?"

Lu Mengying is rarely talkative, but I didn't expect her to be so good at cursing.

Wei Yanxing was in the wrong and couldn't say a word; he could only lie there and take the scolding.

It wasn't until Deputy General Zhang looked at them with suspicion that Lü Mengying warned in a low voice, "Put away your nonchalant attitude. Don't forget, the princess is our master."

Wei Yanxing suddenly realized what was happening when he heard her voice suddenly rise in pitch.

He gritted his teeth angrily: "You did this on purpose?"

Lü Mengying blinked, as if she hadn't understood what he said.

"What do you mean by standing up for the princess? You just want to hit me, Lü Mengying, you're something else!"

He then asked her why she had suddenly become so talkative.

He originally thought he was the most cunning one, but he never expected that Lu Mengying, who was usually quiet, had actually been secretly preparing to take a bite out of him all along.

Alright, alright, this time he was caught off guard, he admits defeat.

Lü Mengying: "Half and half."

You can't blame her; he's tricked her so many times.

She's straightforward, not stupid; she's been looking for a chance to get revenge for a long time, and now she's finally caught her chance.

Sure enough, hard work pays off.

Wei Yanxing glared at her with a grimace, then looked at Zheng Xun with a stammering expression: "Princess, look at her~ I clearly didn't mean that. You know, I've always been a bit out of line."

Zheng Xun: ...

Look at his aggrieved look. How did such a dashing young man become a green tea bitch?

She looked away: "Let's go, lest we make a fool of ourselves in front of Deputy General Zhang."

This petty squabble, which is insignificant and does not affect unity, should not be interfered with.

She stepped over to Vice General Zhang's side.

Deputy General Zhang hesitated for a moment, then exchanged a dry greeting: "The princess's subordinate... is quite cheerful, huh!"

"It's good to be lively; more playful banter strengthens the bond."

These words struck a chord with Deputy General Zhang, because their Red Eagle Army had always adhered to this principle.

She led Zheng Xun toward the training ground and excitedly introduced her to the place.

Wei Yanxing and Lü Mengying glared at each other before following them.

When they arrived at the training ground, they realized that Vice General Zhang was absolutely right.

The Red Eagle Army's training ground was exceptionally lively.

It wasn't training time, but people were fighting on the stage, cheering from below, and many others had formed a circle to watch the fight in the open space in the middle.

Most people looked dull and lifeless, but they were full of energy and vitality, seemingly with inexhaustible strength and stamina.

Perhaps because he had seen so many desperate faces in the apocalypse, Zheng Xun especially liked this kind of atmosphere.

The soldiers were very serious, and their group walked from the east side of the training ground to the west side without attracting much attention.

Zheng Xun stopped at the edge: "They all work very hard."

Deputy General Zhang nodded: "It wasn't like this from the beginning. These people were all carefully selected and trained."

"Good."

"We can't let the princess's trip be in vain."

After Deputy General Zhang finished speaking, he beckoned someone over and whispered a few words to them.

Before long, the scattered soldiers quickly quieted down and stood in neat rows.

Deputy General Zhang stood on the arena and said authoritatively, "After training for so long, it's time to test our results. Today, we will hold a temporary combat exercise. I hope everyone will give it their all."

Wei Yanxing stroked his chin leisurely and said, "Deputy General Zhang is a bit too decisive. So sudden... it makes one somewhat expectant."

Zheng Xun smiled and said, "Let's see."

Upon hearing Vice General Zhang's words, the soldiers below shouted in unison, "Give it your all! Give it your all!"

The exercise had not yet begun, but the Red Eagle Army's spirit and morale were already invigorating.

As it turns out, Deputy General Zhang's willingness to propose the drills stemmed from his confidence.

They soon witnessed the efficiency of the Red Eagles.

They completed the preparations—dividing into teams, determining roles, and deciding on the competition format—in just half an hour.

Half an hour later, everything was ready and we could begin at any time.

This efficiency is simply astonishing.

The Red Eagle Army is known for its strict discipline. When they saw Zheng Xun and her group come on stage, they were initially curious about her identity. Only after they learned who she was did they begin to stir slightly.

It's no wonder they were excited.

The news of the Crown Prince's request to be deposed spread like wildfire, and along with it, news also spread that Zheng Xun was about to be named Crown Princess.

This turn of events has baffled many people, and even now, the discussion remains lively.

"Good heavens, this is Princess Yuanjia? Does that mean our Great Yong will have a female emperor?"

"So what? Our leader is a female general too!"

"I'm just curious, what's wrong with the Crown Prince? Why would he give up his position? Isn't he afraid the new emperor will hold a grudge? Isn't he afraid of being purged? Can he really be willing to watch someone else ascend the throne?"

"I'm more curious about whether Princess Yuanjia is a good emperor."

"It's probably unlikely. Since it's abdication, the princess might not be very capable at all."

"Actually, I have a guess. Do you think the crown prince was forced to abdicate?"

……

Hearing the buzzing discussion below, Deputy General Zhang's face grew increasingly grim.

Thinking back to how confidently she had made those promises in front of Zheng Xun, she felt as if she had been slapped across the face.

"quiet!"

She roared, and the authority she had accumulated over the years took effect. The murmurs gradually subsided and soon disappeared completely.

Deputy General Zhang really didn't know where they got the audacity. Zheng Xun was right in front of them, but they didn't even lower their voices when they were talking.

"Princess……"

She didn't have many thoughts; she only knew that the person beside her might become the emperor in the future.

The emperor is someone you can't afford to offend; you have to treat him with respect.

She didn't know how much Zheng Xun had heard, and she couldn't help but worry that she was angry.

Zheng Xun calmly replied, "It's nothing. The drill is the priority. When can we begin?"

What is she angry about?

These rumors were entirely expected.

Moreover, most of their voices were not actually malicious.

Even if there are doubts, she is confident that she can handle them.

Lieutenant Zhang couldn't figure out what she was thinking, nor did he dare to guess any further, so he quickly said, "We can start right away!"

She raised the flag next to the platform and waved it three times: "The drill begins!"

This exercise was divided into a "sky" team and an "earth" team, with the two sides resembling a scaled-down version of the Red Eagle Army.

When it comes to serious matters, the Red Eagle Army is even more reliable than Zheng Xun had anticipated.

The drill lasted until dark; although it was short, it was very impressive.

It's clear that Jianyang has put a lot of effort into them.

Today's Red Eagle Army can rightfully be called an elite force.

Deputy General Zhang was very satisfied with everyone's performance. Of course, she did not become arrogant because of this, and instead calmly led everyone in a review.

Only after the drill was completely over did Zheng Xun finally see Jianyang, who had arrived late.

Her first words to Zheng Xun were not out of concern for the Red Eagle Army, but rather an offer to let her stay the night: "It's getting late, why don't you stay the night before going back? Although the camp environment is not as good as the palace, I can give you my tent."

Zheng Xun crossed his arms: "Okay, I'll stay here tonight."

Before Jianyang's smile could fully form, she slowly added the second half of the sentence: "Have Yanxing and Mengying take Young Master Ye back."

Jianyang's smile cracked.

She looked at Zheng Xun resentfully: "If you don't want to agree, then you don't want to..."

Zheng Xun interrupted her: "I know that Aunt hasn't been back to the Princess's residence for a long time, but you do have days off. If you really want to see him, you can go back on your days off. This is a military camp. Bringing Young Master Ye to see you is already an exception. If you want him to stay overnight, that's absolutely impossible."

Jianyang looked troubled.

Zheng Xun sneered.

Go ahead and act.

Jianyang wasn't the kind of person who didn't understand the rules. She knew from the beginning that this was impossible, but she had to put on an act for her young master.

As expected, Young Master Ye took the initiative to speak: "Princess, you must not break the rules. I will wait for you to return at the manor."

"Ah Ye~"

The two held hands, gazing at each other with tears in their eyes. Zheng Xun's lips twitched slightly: "Alright, let's go."

Jianyang reluctantly saw them off outside the camp.

Zheng Xun mounted his horse and looked down at Jianyang: "Aunt, I'm waiting for the day when the Red Eagle Army shines brightly."

After she finished speaking, she rode away.

Jianyang stood there for a long time. After a while, she lowered her head, her face full of smiles.

She turned around and, unsurprisingly, saw Deputy General Zhang.

She stood quietly behind, silent as a sapling rooted in the soil.

Jianyang approached her, and Deputy General Zhang couldn't help but ask, "General, why..."

She was extremely puzzled.

The general is not the kind of person who would disregard the overall situation. How could he abandon his important duties for the sake of a man?

Jianyang faced the military camp, the torchlight falling on her face, making it seem as if flames were dancing in her eyes.

“Yuan Jia has set a precedent. Someone as carefree as me needs to gain her trust to continue living freely. I must let her know that I have no suspicion of her and no intention of disloyalty.”

Deputy General Zhang looked up at Jianyang in astonishment.

Jianyang stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm, a far cry from the lustful and irrational demeanor he had displayed during the day.

"If Princess Yuanjia had guessed..."

"It would be even better if she guessed it; the point is to make her guess it."

Jianyang didn't explain further, and strode into the military camp: "Heh, these little brats, one after another they don't know their place. Don't let them sleep tonight, make them get up and do extra training, practice how to control their chattering little mouths."

Sensing the anger in her tone, Jianyang shuddered: "Yes!"

……

Meanwhile, after Zheng Xun and his men escorted Young Master Ye back to the Princess's residence in Jianyang, they hurried back to the palace.

Upon arriving at the bedchamber, Zheng Xun dismissed everyone and eagerly absorbed all three pieces of jade at once.

Through the bronze mirror, she saw a dazzling golden light emanating from her body.

[Beep...beep...beep...]

Although the machine's sound was devoid of emotion, Zheng Xun felt that each of the three "beeps" was more spirited than the last.

It's like parched land suddenly receiving sweet rain; the roots buried deep underground and the listless animals come back to life, bursting forth with vitality.

Zheng Xun asked tentatively, "You're alive?"

There was no response for a long time; the system remained silent as always.

Zheng Xun breathed a sigh of relief.

The system was inside her, and the thought that it might be conscious sent chills down her spine.

The system knows too much, and she doesn't like being spied on.

If it were truly conscious, she would kill it at all costs.

Since there were no abnormalities, she turned her attention to studying the changes in the system.

After the three pieces of jade were used, perhaps the system's energy was fully charged, and its interface became more and more gorgeous, with gilded flowers growing on the border.

Zheng Xun was stunned by the flashy interface for a few moments before he came to his senses.

Fortunately, there weren't many changes elsewhere, except that a new section called "Brown Country" had been added to the live streaming section.

Zheng Xun quickly opened the light screen.

The perspective of the light screen changed according to her wishes, and what she cared about most was naturally Qi Yongji.

Zheng Shi, who was hiding in the shadows, showed a change in expression, and her gaze involuntarily fell on Qi Yongji on the light screen.

That's... my enemy.