The news had come too abruptly, too shockingly. Feng Ruonan and Shang Shuqing were both stunned, both doubtful. How could this be possible?
Southern Prefecture was no longer the remote county-prefecture territory it had once been, where news was easy to keep track of. Too many matters now carried enormous implications, and the two women had gradually stopped involving themselves in government affairs. Shang Chaozong, too, had gradually begun keeping things from them deliberately.
They might have heard something about matters within Southern Prefecture City or the territory of Southern Prefecture, but they truly knew nothing about developments far away in the Capital City.
The key was that Southern Prefecture had not intervened in the affairs of the Capital City this time. Neither woman had noticed Shang Chaozong making any moves in that direction, so how had he suddenly become Great Yan's Regent Prince?
Feng Ruonan was filled with uncertainty and shock as she rebuked her, "You little brat, what nonsense are you spouting?"
The maid waved her hands excitedly. "Princess Consort, I'm not talking nonsense. Grand Marshal Shang Yongzhong personally came to deliver the decree. I heard he even brought the state-protecting divine artifact to the Prince. The Prince has already ordered the entire army notified. This is no longer a secret—it's already spread everywhere!"
The state-protecting divine artifact had been delivered too? The two women were greatly astonished. If he possessed the state-protecting divine artifact, what Regent Prince was this? If Shang Jianxiong had even handed that over, he had handed over imperial authority itself!
The two women instantly lost all interest in decorating their new home. They hurried away to find Shang Chaozong and verify it.
Shang Chaozong was not there; he had gone out. Lan Ruoting was not at the Prince's residence either, but Meng Shanming