Just as Chong Shiqie was anxiously wondering whether the Huan King would fly into a rage out of humiliation, offer a string of rebuttals, or sternly rebuke her...
Jian Shang readily agreed. "Fine! Since you believe yourself incapable of governing Yue Province, Minister Chong, return with me to Nine Dragons Royal City. I will send one of the Twelve Marquises of the Great Huan Era to govern it!"
"Ah..."
Chong Shiqie froze, her face alternating between red and white.
Of the Twelve Marquises of the Great Huan Era, only the Dragon-Settling Marquis Jiang Sheng had handled civil affairs. Martial Marquis Tong Meng Tian and the Heaven-Warring Marquis Wang Ben came from distinguished military families, while all the others were great generals who had followed the Huan King on campaigns north and south, winning illustrious military honors. They could fight wars well enough, but governing a region-and an entire province at that-would surely turn everything into a tangled mess!
In the end, it would still be the people of Yue who suffered!!!
After her expression shifted several times, Chong Shiqie drew a deep breath, forcibly swallowed her humiliation, and said hoarsely, "Since Your Majesty has commanded it, this humble minister will naturally obey. Let this humble minister take charge of Yue Province!"
"Do you think appointment as a regional governor is like buying vegetables at a market, Minister Chong?"
Jian Shang's thick brows drew tightly together as he spoke, his face dark. After a pause, without waiting for Chong Shiqie to respond, he briskly waved his hand and snapped, "Enough! Stop the fighting first and fulfill our agreement! You surely know better than I do what you should say, Minister Chong. If you fail to handle this properly, forget being a royal consort or provincial governor-you will not even become a