The Minister of Revenue took over the mess the Empress Dowager had thrown at him, so anxious that he grew a mouthful of cold sores overnight.

He had to send grain and pay to the three armies, build a mausoleum for the Empress Dowager, and somehow find money for the mad Emperor—all without raising taxes.

The Minister of Revenue felt his good days were numbered.

He was venting his anger on his subordinates at his residence, unaware that two newly appointed minor officials were arguing softly in the alley behind the mansion’s back gate.

Li Yunxi angrily said, “Since it was my idea, I should be the one to propose it.”

Er Lan, still disguised as a man, remained calm, “And how will you propose it, Li brother? With your scholar’s integrity, will you curse him thoroughly?”

Li Yunxi sneered at the exquisite gift box in her hand, “And how do you intend to persuade the Minister? By bribery under the guise of advice?”

He couldn’t stand Er Lan.

This scholar was delicate and pretty, speaking in a measured tone that made people feel like they were basking in spring breeze.

Li Yunxi, being straightforward, was disdainful seeing how well Er Lan adapted to the officialdom, thriving as if a fish in water.

Er Lan replied indifferently, “As long as we accomplish the task entrusted by His Majesty, the means do not matter. Have you forgotten how we secured our positions? Would His Majesty mind this gift?”

Using the Emperor to pressure me? Li Yunxi wasn’t buying it, “If he doesn’t mind, it is a fault of his as a ruler!”

Er Lan: “…”

Er Lan smiled at him, “You are right.”

Li Yunxi, “So—”

Before he could finish, Er Lan abruptly turned and ran towards the mansion’s back door.

Li Yunxi, who had always relied on verbal sparring, was stunned by this brazen act of “run if you can’t win an argument.” He watched in disbelief as she handed the gift box and a letter through the door.

A moment later, a servant came out to greet the guests.

Er Lan stepped inside and glanced back at the fuming Li Yunxi, smiling and mouthing, “Wait for my news.”

The Minister of Revenue was sitting in the hall, reading her letter, and the gift box was nowhere to be seen.

The Minister praised, “Excellent plan, truly excellent.”

The letter detailed Li Yunxi’s plan of the open trade policy: recruiting merchants to supply the army’s grain and pay. Instead of paying the merchants in money, the court would give them salt permits, allowing them to profit from distributing government salt.

This way, the court could support the army without draining the treasury, relying on merchants to bear the cost.

Er Lan smiled, “It’s my honor to help you, sir.”

The Minister of Revenue pondered for a while, hesitating, “But reforming the salt policy is a major issue. The Empress Dowager…”

“Sir, from His Majesty’s intentions, the reform is inevitable. If we don’t propose it, someone else will.” Er Lan leaned closer, flattering, “Who gets the salt permits is a matter for the future. We need to think long-term.”

The Minister understood her hint: there was a lot of profit to be made. Holding the salt permits, merchants would compete for them, turning it into another lucrative business depending on how it was handled.

Er Lan blinked, “The Empress Dowager, with her keen eye, will surely recognize your brilliance.”

The Minister laughed heartily, patting her shoulder, “Promising youth indeed.”

A few days later, the Ministry of Revenue submitted a thick memorial requesting the implementation of the open trade policy.

Xiahou Dan skipped the flattery and explanations, turning straight to the last page.

Following Er Lan’s suggestion, the Minister of Revenue listed the recommended grains for transportation. Among the various main crops, there was a small mention of millet—cited for its resistance to spoilage and ease of storage, also suitable for feeding military horses.

This reform, proposed by the Empress Dowager’s faction and benefiting the army, would not face much opposition from the Prince Duan.

Because of this, the seemingly insignificant word “millet” survived numerous revisions and was eventually sent intact to Xiahou Dan.

Xiahou Dan boldly approved it.

Thus, the open trade policy was officially implemented.

Warehouses across the land began collecting grain according to the list, transported to the border by opportunistic merchants.

In arid regions, people laughed at the idea of millet being accepted as tax and went to gather it from the wild. Some, more proactive, planted a crop and began fertilizing it.

Merchants, to save on transport costs, soon started hiring people to clear land near the border for planting the listed crops. In the harsh northwest, only millet thrived, leading to the first fields of millet.

Everyone was satisfied: the army received grain, and the Empress Dowager got her mausoleum.

At this moment, only a few people wept with joy for the millet fields that seemed like a joke.

Though they still needed more seeds, the initial hope was now planted in the soil of Daxia.

The next day, a few ministers gathered in a secluded private residence, not daring to celebrate openly, but raising their glasses in salute.

The private residence was for Cen Jintian, with a small experimental plot in the backyard growing drought-resistant crops, all thriving.

Yu Wanyin felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders, accidentally drinking too much, and stood by the field humming, “Oh—happy drums, beat out the joy of every year—”

Standing nearby, Wang Zhao: “…”

Wang Zhao was the most stable among the ministers, with a beard making him look like a little old man.

He stroked his beard, thinking for a long time, finally squeezing out a sentence, “The Empress sings of the people’s hardships.”

Across the field, Li Yunxi and Yang Duojie, two troublemakers, were whispering.

Li Yunxi’s face was livid.

The successful Minister of Revenue, basking in his glory, had conveniently promoted Er Lan.

Er Lan had glanced at Li Yunxi then but said nothing, explaining later that he wanted to speak well of him but feared being too obvious and arousing suspicion in front of the Empress Dowager’s faction.

Li Yunxi: “As if I care.”

Yang Duojie: “But he took credit for your idea—”

“Brother Li.”

Er Lan approached them with a calm demeanor, “May I have a word?”

“No need,” Li Yunxi had long seen through this person’s ambitions, and with disdain, said, “Er brother, there’s no need to waste your breath. Everyone has their own aspirations; to me, seeking official rank and wealth is as transient as clouds.”

Er Lan smiled, “Indeed, no matter what position we achieve under the Empress Dowager, it’s all transient. After all, this country belongs to His Majesty. When His Majesty rewards achievements in the future, he will surely remember your contributions, Li brother.”

Li Yunxi was seething with anger, “Whether under the Empress Dowager or His Majesty, my ambition lies elsewhere!”

His voice was loud, drawing Xiahou Dan’s attention.

Er Lan also grew impatient, “Yes, yes, Li brother has lofty aspirations, eager to enter the court today and die for the cause tomorrow. But I, your brother, still hope Li brother lives a few more days and writes more policy proposals for my advancement.”

Li Yunxi: “…”

Li Yunxi: “Do you really think that?”

Er Lan rolled her eyes and walked away.

Li Yunxi turned to Yang Duojie, “He… he… how outrageous!”

“Your Majesty, Your Ladyship.”

The breeze was gentle as Cen Jintian approached them, holding a handful of crops, “From the looks of it, millet is indeed the most drought-resistant and growing the best. But we’ll have to wait until autumn to see the yield.”

Yu Wanyin asked, “Minister Cen, can you do as before, determine the best soil and how to irrigate and fertilize the millet?”

Cen Jintian thought for a moment, “I will do my best, but it might take two or three years.”

Talking about time made everyone silent.

Yu Wanyin couldn’t predict when the drought would come, and Cen Jintian didn’t know if he would live to see it.

Looking at his young and haggard face, Yu Wanyin suddenly felt guilty, “Minister Cen, please take care of yourself.”

Cen Jintian smiled, “I will try to live longer.”

“No, really, take care of yourself. To increase the yield even a little, you’ve gone incognito, left your hometown, and your parents…”

Xiahou Dan interjected, “Is it worth spending the rest of your life like this?”

Yu Wanyin elbowed him. That was too blunt.

Cen Jintian smiled and waved his hand, “I consider knowing my time of death a blessing. From a young age, I pondered what I must do in this life to not waste it. My parents have my brothers to care for them, and my hometown will be honored when I return in death. When I leave this world, I only wish to be buried in a place where the grains are plentiful.”

On the carriage back to the palace, Yu Wanyin was visibly downcast.

Since coming to this world, she felt she had been growing quickly, no longer the clueless newbie she once was.

But some people’s existence reminded her: she still had a long way to go.

Xiahou Dan asked, “Thinking about Cen Jintian?”

“Mm,” Yu Wanyin sighed.

When she read the book, she loved the exciting grand scenes—heroes vying for supremacy, the clash of armies… she had skipped over all the parts where Cen Jintian was farming.

“Now that I’m in this world, I realize he’s the one truly saving the people from disaster. Having such a life indeed wouldn’t be in vain.”

The carriage swayed, and Xiahou Dan half-jokingly said, “Don’t underestimate yourself; you’re also saving the people from disaster.”

“Me?”

“Objectively, if we help Daxia through the drought, you should be remembered in history.”

Yu Wanyin chuckled and lowered her head.

After a moment, she took a deep breath and looked up, “Alright, I don’t want to waste this life either.”

Xiahou Dan was taken aback, “What?”

“According to the book, Prince Duan ascends to the throne at a great cost. I want to thwart him at the least cost. Preventing the drought is just the first step. He’s going to fight a life-and-death battle with Yan, sacrificing countless lives—let’s not let him fight at all.”

She looked at Xiahou Dan with renewed determination, “I think I remember some of Yan’s settings. This war isn’t inevitable; we can use diplomacy.”

Xiahou Dan: “Alright.”

“And he’ll fight the Empress Dowager when he returns to the capital. But if we grow strong enough before then, we can deter them without a fight.”

“Alright.”

“And…” Yu Wanyin paused, “Are you laughing?”

Xiahou Dan shook his head, “It’s just a bit absurd to think all we’re doing is happening in a book.”

Yu Wanyin had thought about this too, “But like Zhuangzi’s butterfly dream, how do you know the ‘real world’ outside isn’t just another book?”

“That’s true.”

“Right, who can guarantee their existence is real? I’m too lazy to worry about it.” Yu Wanyin waved her hand, as if scattering the thought like smoke, “Even if it’s a doomed ending, I want to do more before I die.”

Xiahou Dan: “Alright.”

“Why do you keep saying ‘alright’?”

“Alright, then I’ll risk my life accompanying you.” He smiled.

Zhang San grew year by year.

The clematis still bloomed annually, but he had long stopped thinking about those flowers.

Because, as the Emperor aged and he grew older, he realized a new possibility: the “Demon Consort” protagonist might not be his father’s consort, but his own.

When he became Emperor, she would appear.

This realization brought little comfort. Though he had only glanced at the synopsis before, he clearly remembered the female lead was a consort, but the male lead was not an Emperor.

So, in typical novel fashion, he, the Emperor, was probably the villain—the kind destined for a tragic end.

Not only that, but he also began to suspect the book’s male lead was his elder brother.

Xiahou Bo had endured and survived to establish his own residence, eventually being titled the Crown Prince.

The young prince had no solid foundation in the court, so he often volunteered to guard the borders. After spending a few years in the frontier, he transformed from a bullied pretty face into a capable and well-respected leader among the military men. He returned with various military achievements and was granted honors by the old emperor.

Xiahou Bo’s path was completely that of a male protagonist.

Meanwhile, Zhang San was being pushed by the malice of the entire world onto the path of a villain.

Logically, Xiahou Bo was more suited to be the crown prince than Zhang San. But the empress dowager would never allow that to happen; she needed an easily controllable puppet.

Amidst the open and covert struggles of the two factions, Zhang San survived four assassination attempts within a year. Attacked in his sleep, vomiting blood after meals, continuously suffering serious injuries, and being repeatedly saved. The prince wanted him dead, the empress dowager wanted him alive.

He began to suffer from sleepless nights and worsening migraines. Sometimes he heard things, sometimes he thought he was hearing things, only for it to be real assassins.

When the old emperor passed away, Zhang San ascended the throne and looked down from the dragon throne. The court was filled with two opposing factions: the Empress Dowager’s party and the Prince Duan’s party.

There were hardly any loyal supporters for him. Even his tutors were appointed by the Empress Dowager.

In this world, his modern background was not an advantage but a disadvantage. His nine years of compulsory education were of no help in terms of scheming and power struggles.

Among the civil and military officials, he could not find anyone he could trust.

A grand building on the verge of collapse cannot be supported by a single pillar.

But Zhang San did not believe in fate.

Even if he were to die, he would struggle till the end.

Following his intuition, he found Grand Secretary Xu, a minister who did not flatter him but often pulled a long face and lectured him with grand principles.

Also, because Grand Secretary Xu was not doing well in the court and was ostracized by others.

Zhang San believed this person was genuinely loyal to him, so he respectfully sought his advice on many issues. The policies suggested by Grand Secretary Xu always faced numerous obstacles, and the more this happened, the more reassured Zhang San felt. Because if those suggestions were wrong, the empress dowager and the prince would not have obstructed them.

Until one day, Grand Secretary Xu advised him to remove a high-ranking official.

Grand Secretary Xu earnestly explained that this person had been deceiving superiors, embezzling, and colluding with the Prince Duan, with his power deeply entrenched. He must be removed as soon as possible.

Zhang San believed him, gathered evidence, and suddenly attacked during a morning court session, arresting the corrupt official and soon had him executed by the Ministry of Justice.

That was the eighth person he had killed.

This operation was unexpectedly smooth.

Even a bit too smooth. He faced no opposition.

After the session, a small official with a mustache approached him, tearfully claiming he had been deceived.

This mustached official had always been part of the empress dowager’s faction, but now he swore loyalty to Zhang San, revealing that Grand Secretary Xu was actually a close confidant of the empress dowager, who had been manipulating him all along.

“He used Your Majesty’s hand to remove that corrupt official, effectively clipping the prince’s wings, serving the empress dowager’s interests!”

The mustached official presented numerous pieces of evidence, including letters with both the empress dowager’s and Grand Secretary Xu’s handwriting.

Zhang San, in disbelief, secretly investigated and happened to see Grand Secretary Xu walking and chatting happily with the empress dowager.

Two months later, the mustached official publicly accused Grand Secretary Xu of treason.

Zhang San did not kill Grand Secretary Xu. He ordered his family’s property confiscated and him exiled.

Grand Secretary Xu said nothing, kowtowing deeply before being dragged away.

This operation was also surprisingly smooth.

Zhang San felt something was wrong but couldn’t figure out where he went astray.

After years of silent endurance, he pieced together the truth bit by bit.

The mustached official was indeed part of the empress dowager’s faction. His accusation against Grand Secretary Xu was actually in collusion with the Prince Duan.

By doing so, the mustached official solidified his position within the empress dowager’s faction, climbing to the center of power and later being promoted to Grand Tutor — his surname was Wei.

By then, Zhang San could no longer touch him.

Whether Zhang San believed in fate was irrelevant.

The world needed a villain, the empress dowager needed a puppet, and the prince needed a scapegoat for the disasters and their consequences.

He arrived and became that person.

The carriage suddenly stopped and then sped up, jolting Xiahou Dan awake from a light sleep.

Yu Wanyin was also startled, lifting the curtain to ask, “What’s going on?”

The guard driving the carriage replied, “The shadow guards noticed someone following us. There’s only one, but he’s highly skilled. The shadow guards couldn’t capture him, so Mr. Bei went to handle it… I’m escorting His Majesty and the consort back to the palace first.”

“Wait,” Xiahou Dan frowned, “Sending just one assassin? That’s not like the Prince Duan. Tell Bei Zhou to capture him alive for questioning.”

The guard squinted into the distance, “Mr. Bei hasn’t gained the upper hand yet.”

Yu Wanyin was shocked, “How is that possible?”

Bei Zhou was the most skilled fighter in the entire story, undefeated in single combat.

“It seems they’ve exchanged over thirty moves already,” the guard narrated, “Oddly, neither has made a killing move.”

Yu Wanyin couldn’t hold back, sticking her head out of the window to look back, her hair instantly blown into disarray by a gust of wind.

To keep a low profile, they had been taking detours, and were now passing through a narrow alley barely wide enough for the carriage.

At the end of the alley, dust flew, swords clashed, and two graceful figures were fighting fiercely.

Another head peeked out from beside her shoulder. Xiahou Dan asked, “Is there such a character in the original story?”

“Not that I remember…”

“Ha!” A sharp shout rang out, followed by the sound of projectiles cutting through the air.

The guard provided live commentary, “Damn, the assassin threw hidden weapons!”

In the narrow alley, there was nowhere to dodge. Bei Zhou suddenly kicked off the wall, leaping into the air like a great bird, somersaulting mid-air. The assassin’s projectiles fell harmlessly to the ground.

Bei Zhou flipped through the air, and before landing, flicked his sleeve toward the assassin, sending his own barrage of projectiles.

His hidden weapons were much denser, making a continuous “thunk thunk thunk” as they embedded themselves in the wall, forming an outline around the assassin’s head and limbs.

Xiahou Dan shouted, “Take him alive!”

The assassin simultaneously yelled, “Alright! I’m not an assassin, can’t you tell? Spare me!”

The voice sounded young.

Bei Zhou casually said, “If you were an assassin, you’d already be dead.”

The guard stopped the carriage, shielding Xiahou Dan and Yu Wanyin as they approached, watching the scene warily.

Bei Zhou’s projectiles hadn’t hit the assassin, but had outlined his figure on the wall, pinning him in place.

The assassin, unable to move, sighed, “I surrender.”

Bei Zhou asked, “Who are you?”

The young man glanced at Xiahou Dan, then smiled, “My surname is Bai. You can call me A Bai.”

As they got closer, Yu Wanyin saw his tall figure against the light. He wore a black mask, only revealing his eyes. His bright eyes shone even in the dim alley, like polished glass. She recalled this being a sign of deep internal energy.

“Don’t move. Where did you learn such skills?” Bei Zhou remained cautious, holding his arm up in a claw-like stance, ready to strike. His earlier projectiles had embedded deeply into the wall, with brick dust falling down.

A Bai, still frozen, asked, “Are you Bei Zhou?”

Bei Zhou was taken aback.

A Bai continued, “We don’t know each other, but you should remember Wu Mingke, right? He’s my master.”

Though Wu Mingke was nameless, his reputation echoed across the martial world. An ethereal and peerless master, he had once given Bei Zhou guidance during his travels, forming a deep bond.

Once, while drinking, Wu Mingke had asked why Bei Zhou wandered aimlessly. Bei Zhou, feeling melancholic, spoke of the early-deceased Empress Ci Zhen: “My old friend is gone; I don’t know where to go.”

Wu Mingke had dipped his finger in wine, drawn a fortune on the ground, and advised, “Return to the capital. You may see your old friend’s child.”

A Bai said, “Recently, my master observed the stars and inexplicably insisted I leave the sect immediately to follow you in the capital.”

He pulled out a crumpled, dirty letter from his pocket and handed it to Bei Zhou.

Bei Zhou read it, puzzled, “It is his handwriting. But I don’t understand it.”

A Bai said, “Oh, he said this letter isn’t for you, it’s for the emperor.”

Xiahou Dan, standing quietly aside, spoke, “Let me see it.”

A Bai turned dramatically, “The emperor? A live emperor!”

Xiahou Dan: “…”

Xiahou Dan gave him a warning look.

A Bai only got bolder, “So handsome.”

Xiahou Dan: “?”

Xiahou Dan read the letter, his expression turning serious, then handed it to Yu Wanyin.

The letter read: “The imperial mandate changes, the emperor’s star reignites. Mars guards the heart, a line between good and ill. The five stars converge, and fortune follows disaster.”

Yu Wanyin was shocked when she saw the first four characters.

“Emperor’s Mandate Changes”? This is definitely not some common fortune-telling phrase. Only a fellow transmigrator would understand. This message is clearly telling you: I know you have been replaced.

The whole passage translates to: I know you have been replaced, and the new person as emperor can change the fate of the nation. But your destiny is perilous, with only a narrow chance of survival. You must go through trials and come out stronger to turn danger into safety.

Yu Wanyin and Xiahou Dan exchanged a glance, thinking: This person truly has a keen insight.

A Bai said, “Master said you’re a genius, almost like a senior brother. He told me to learn from you. I wondered, how talented could he be compared to me…”

Bei Zhou interrupted, “So you decided to fight me first?”

A Bai hummed in response.

Bei Zhou, looking at this unexpected junior brother, felt a bit appreciative but teased, “So, are you convinced?”

A Bai avoided the question, “So you’re just a guard for the emperor in the capital? Can you take me along?”

Bei Zhou looked at Xiahou Dan.

Xiahou Dan said, “I already have Bei Shu, that’s enough.”

“Come on, my master sent me here with good intentions to assist you.” A Bai was not afraid in front of the emperor, even a bit cheeky. “One more wouldn’t hurt, right? I’m good at martial arts and can protect this—wow, a beautiful lady!”

He was looking at Yu Wanyin.

Yu Wanyin responded, “…Thank you.”

Xiahou Dan glared at him again.

Yu Wanyin was also weighing her options. A Bai didn’t appear in the original story, but now with two transmigrators, it made sense that experts from their original world would be alarmed.

At this moment, Xiahou Dan softly asked, “Bei Shu, that nameless guest…”

Bei Zhou vouched, “The nameless guest has long retired, not meddling in worldly affairs. If he sent this letter, it probably means he calculated that Dan’er can stabilize the country. This boy indeed uses his skills, so he should be trustworthy.”

Xiahou Dan nodded and said to A Bai, “Come with us.”

The group returned to the palace in the evening glow.

Xiahou Dan said he would arrange a position for A Bai and took him away.

Bei Zhou, having used his shrinking bones skill to return to his nanny disguise, accompanied Yu Wanyin back to the Consort’s Palace, “I’ll head to my room now.”

“Bei Shu,” Yu Wanyin followed him into the room, “I have something to ask you.”

“What is it?”

Yu Wanyin smiled, “Today, when you shot through the wall with your hidden weapons, it wasn’t entirely due to your skills, was it?—Don’t look at me like that, I’m just guessing.”

Bei Zhou was still skeptical, “How did you…”

“The first time we met, your dagger penetrated a wooden door and still had enough force to kill the assassin instantly. Later, on the boat, your sleeve-hidden weapons not only flew to the shore but also fired continuously without stopping.”

Yu Wanyin examined his sleeve inquisitively, “Bei Shu, you’re truly ingenious. I’m also interested in mechanisms, but I can’t figure out what kind of exquisite mechanism could achieve such an effect.”

Her analysis process was entirely fabricated.

She knew Bei Zhou was a mechanical genius because the original story said so.

When she brought Xiahou Dan to find this person, she had this in mind. But Bei Zhou considered his mechanical inventions top secret and needed time to build trust before she could bring it up.

Sure enough, after a moment of surprise, Bei Zhou laughed, “Wan Yin, you’re very clever. But it’s no wonder you can’t figure it out. This mechanism only I can operate.”

He raised his arm, flexing and extending his fingers. There was a “click” from his sleeve, “The mechanism components fit around my body and require strong internal energy to activate. With a turn of my true energy, it can continuously fire hidden weapons, with great range and unstoppable force.”

Yu Wanyin expressed her amazement and then hesitated.

Bei Zhou thought she would ask to see the mechanism and was about to refuse when she said, “Have you ever considered creating a more powerful mechanism? For instance, instead of using internal energy, use gunpowder?”

“Gunpowder?” Bei Zhou was intrigued.

“Yes, I think with the current situation, His Majesty could use some defensive equipment.”

Meanwhile, A Bai handed a bunch of pills to Xiahou Dan, “Try them all. I collected these from all over during my travels. They’re all sorts of secret remedies and potions.”

Xiahou Dan sighed, “Maybe it’s time to give up.”

“No way, this was one of my master’s tasks. He calculated that I could help you, so I definitely can.”

Xiahou Dan replied, “Alright.”

A Bai sat across from him, skillfully pouring himself a cup of tea, “How’s the court situation?”

“It’s changing, it’s a long story. You tell me about your side first.”

“That’s also a long story… Recently, I took down two key figures. It took a lot of effort to stay under the radar…”

Xiahou Dan fiddled with the crumpled, dirty letter.

The nameless guest had indeed calculated that Xiahou Dan had been replaced, wrote him a letter, and sent his disciple to him. This series of events was true.

However, this letter was written five years ago, and their first meeting also happened five years ago.

A Bai reported for a while, noticing Xiahou Dan’s movements, and laughed, “You put on such a big show for me to fool my senior brother?”

“Bei Zhou is easy to fool. It’s not just for him.”

A Bai suddenly understood, “It was to fool that beautiful lady.”

“Show some respect. She’s the imperial consort. You should act like you just met me in front of her and not give anything away.”

A Bai thought for a moment and then excitedly said, “She’s the one you’ve been waiting for, right?”

“No, it’s someone else.”

“Huh?”

Xiahou Dan’s face was expressionless, “I waited for the wrong person, but she came at the right time. If she hadn’t come, I’d already be dead.”

A Bai frowned, “Am I too stupid, or are you not explaining clearly?”

“It’s because you’re too stupid.”

A Bai: “…”

Suddenly, A Bai grinned mischievously, “You like her, don’t you?”

Xiahou Dan: “?”

Xiahou Dan: “Calling it ‘liking’ is too narrow.”

“So you don’t like her?”

Xiahou Dan: “…”

A Bai didn’t hear any rebuttal and curiously looked at him, “Really don’t like her?”

Xiahou Dan remained silent.

Love, admiration, and longing—he felt that the things stirring in his chest were unworthy of these romantic names. It was like a bottomless, poisonous sea, with only black seaweed growing within.

A Bai jumped up and dashed out the door, “Then I won’t hold back.”

Xiahou Dan: “?”

A Bai, now wearing his black mask, sneaked into the Consort’s Palace, intending to enter directly. But he alerted the shadow guards, summoning Yu Wanyin.

He boldly said, “Imperial Consort, I came to spar with my senior brother.”

“Shh—” Yu Wanyin pulled him inside, whispering, “Bei Shu is disguised as a nanny here and doesn’t reveal his skills. I can take you to see him, and you two can find another place to spar.”

“…Nanny?”

Yu Wanyin led him into a secluded courtyard and knocked on Bei Zhou’s door: “Nanny Bei.”

Nanny Bei looked at A Bai suspiciously.

A Bai couldn’t hold it in and started laughing: “Hahaha, what on earth?”

Nanny Bei clicked his tongue and shook his head: “Not tired of being beaten yet? Come on, let nanny show you some love.”

With the door closed, sounds of fighting came from inside. A Bai emerged, looking disheveled.

Yu Wanyin couldn’t help but laugh: “What are you trying to accomplish?”

A Bai scratched his head, and even with his face covered, it was obvious he was grinning foolishly at her.

Having spent a long time in the palace, meeting these free-spirited martial artists naturally seemed amusing. Yu Wanyin turned and said, “Come have some tea and rest.”

A Bai watched her graceful figure and called out, “Consort.”

“Yes?”

A Bai looked around and saw a flowerbed in full bloom, bursting with vibrant colors.

He stood his ground, performed a set of cloud-hand movements, and a gust of wind rose, sending petals flying.

Yu Wanyin had taken a few steps forward when she suddenly saw countless petals flutter before her eyes, dancing in the last rays of the golden-red sunset.

She was enveloped in a fragrant mist and turned back in surprise.

Xiahou Dan was standing behind her.

They stared at each other in this dreamlike scene.

Yu Wanyin suddenly felt her face heat up: “What are you doing here?”

Xiahou Dan smiled: “Looking for you to have dinner.”

Not far away, A Bai, who had unwittingly turned into a human wind machine: “…”

Xiahou Dan pulled Yu Wanyin back to the house for dinner, while A Bai, displaying a tenacious spirit, followed persistently: “Could you set an extra place?”

Yu Wanyin was astonished. Do all martial artists have such audacity?

Xiahou Dan gave him a look and said, expressionless: “Go clean up those petals.”

A Bai looked back: “The palace maids are already sweeping them.”

“Then replant the flowerbed.”

“Don’t be so stingy, let me join you for a meal…”

Xiahou Dan coughed, giving him a warning look: Don’t push it, remember to pretend we don’t know each other well.

A Bai paused, then adjusted his tone: “I won’t eat for free. I heard His Majesty is interested in news about Yan Kingdom?”

Yu Wanyin was surprised: “You know about Yan Kingdom?”

In her mind, Yan Kingdom was just a vague concept, with only a hint of internal conflict as a setting. She hadn’t paid much attention to the details. Now, wanting to introduce Yan millet and prevent war, she figured she should first divide and conquer their factions.

“Yes, yes, I know a lot about them. I’ve even killed…”

Xiahou Dan heavily patted A Bai’s shoulder, cutting him off, and said with a low tone: “Sit down.”

Xiahou Dan dismissed the servants serving the dishes, leaving only the three of them at the table. A Bai, pleased, sat next to Yu Wanyin.

He looked around, took off his mask, and began to eat.

Yu Wanyin curiously observed his face. He was a rather handsome young man, his demeanor entirely opposite to Xiahou Dan’s. His skin was slightly tanned, suggesting he spent a lot of time outdoors. He had a mouth full of white teeth, and he focused on the meat, stuffing his cheeks.

A Bai took a swig of wine and suddenly turned to Yu Wanyin with a smirk, as if asking: Looking at me? Do you think I’m handsome?

Yu Wanyin: “…”

Are all martial artists so reckless?

She couldn’t help but glance at Xiahou Dan. Whether he noticed or not, Xiahou Dan said calmly, “Let’s discuss the matter at hand.”

“Right, Yan Kingdom. It’s a backward, poor country, lacking in food and textiles, so they often raid us.” A Bai snorted, “They’re uncivilized barbarians, but they’re tough fighters and fast runners. Every time they invade, they loot and burn, then leave when they’ve taken everything.”

Yu Wanyin: “That sounds like banditry.”

“They see us as enemies, hoping all Xia people die so they can take our land.”

Xiahou Dan: “What about the Yan royal family?”

“An uncle and nephew are vying for power. The current Yan King is called Zhaluo Wahan, and his nephew, Tur, is the best warrior in Yan. The two can’t get along on anything except their hatred for Xia. There’s a rumor that they’re competing to send assassins to Xia, seeing who can kill more nobles—not for any strategic reason, just out of hatred.”

Yu Wanyin held her head: “Why such deep hatred? Can either of them be turned?”

A Bai shook his head: “Not likely. The Yan King lost an eye in battle against Xia, and Tur has a grudge against our emperor.”

“Grudge?”

Xiahou Dan kicked A Bai under the table.

A Bai hastily continued, “Haven’t you heard of Shan Yi the beauty? Shan Yi was Tur’s childhood sweetheart, sent to Xia to dance and made quite a splash. But the emperor was indifferent, giving her only the title of ‘beauty’. She later attempted to assassinate the emperor and was executed. Yan used this as a pretext to declare war.”

Xiahou Dan: “…”

Yu Wanyin: “…Oh, I forgot.”

Such palace secrets wouldn’t necessarily reach the ears of even the original Yu Wanyin.

But how did A Bai know?

As Yu Wanyin’s thoughts turned to this, Xiahou Dan placed a piece of fish on her plate with his chopsticks: “Regardless of success, we should send someone to negotiate with them. Peace talks and ending the war are vital national strategies. If there is a wise leader among them, they should understand to put personal grievances aside. Wan Yin, who do you think is suitable to send?”

Yu Wanyin’s attention was diverted: “Oh… among the scholars we recently recruited, Wang Zhao is skilled in diplomacy and speaks Yan.”

“Alright, let it be him.”

“But to avoid arousing the prince’s suspicion, all our actions must be covert. We can’t openly send an envoy; we’ll have to smuggle him out. The central army guards the northwest border, and as a mere scholar, how can he safely get out?”

A Bai interjected: “Why not go out from somewhere else?”

“Xia only borders Yan in the northwest.”

A Bai rubbed his hands and explained, “The central army’s General Luo is deeply loyal to the prince. In comparison, the left and right armies have looser ties to the prince. The right army guards the southern border, and their General You has recently returned to the capital to report.”

Xiahou Dan frowned slightly.

A Bai glanced at Xiahou Dan, seeking his opinion: “In my view, we could arrange an official position for Wang Zhao in the Right Army, let him follow General You back to the southern border. If you’re worried, I can accompany him in the army and then escort him to sneak into Yan Kingdom through Qiang Kingdom.”

Yu Wanyin asked, “What kind of place is Qiang Kingdom?”

A Bai waved his hand dismissively: “Even smaller and more isolated than Yan Kingdom. Sometimes they help Yan with raids, but they run away when the situation turns bad. They’re not a threat.”

Xiahou Dan still frowned and shook his head: “It’s not safe to join the army. It’s easier to be exposed under General You’s watch. Let him blend into a merchant caravan.”

A Bai opened his mouth to speak.

Xiahou Dan didn’t give him the chance: “You can’t leave the country. There are other uses for you.”

Xiahou Dan sent several secret guards to escort Wang Zhao.

When Wang Zhao set off, he carried no official orders, had no title, and no one saw him off. He traveled in a merchant cart, lightly packed, and silently took to the road in the early morning mist.

They were to approach the uncle-nephew duo in Yan Kingdom separately, proposing a ceasefire and trade agreement.

Currently, the most urgent commodity Xia needed was Yan millet. However, to avoid drawing attention and to make the proposal more enticing, Wang Zhao suggested presenting a long list of goods, allowing Yan people to trade their local products for Xia’s grain and cloth. Yan millet was discreetly listed among the items.

Xiahou Dan attended the morning court and sent A Bai to secretly escort Wang Zhao.

When A Bai returned, he brought the latest gossip for Yu Wanyin: “Last night, the commander of the imperial guards got drunk and drowned in a pond.”

Yu Wanyin remembered something: “Did Vice Commander Zhao take over?”

“That’s likely how the appointment went. How did you know?”

Yu Wanyin shook her head.

Prince Duan was following the plans left by Xu Yao, gradually eroding the power of the Empress Dowager’s faction.

This was a good thing, indicating that his main focus was still on dealing with the Empress Dowager. They could continue to lay low for a while until…

Yu Wanyin suddenly felt a chill.

She had forgotten a major issue. Xie Yong’er also knew about the drought.

Xu Yao’s book did not mention the drought, which meant Xie Yong’er hadn’t told Prince Duan yet. Perhaps she thought the future was still far away, and revealing the prophecy might backfire. Or maybe she believed it was a certainty and didn’t see the need to mention it.

However, once she saw the implementation of the “Kai Zhong” method and the upcoming border trade, she would eventually figure out their plan.

If she spoke up before the Yan millet was planted, everything would be ruined.

They had to silence her.

But what could they use to persuade her? If they revealed the entire truth, would it move her?

Xie Yong’er aspired to be an empress for the ages. If she discovered two other transmigrators threatening her position, would she make a desperate move to have Prince Duan kill them?

Could they afford such a gamble?

Before she could find Xie Yong’er, she received a note from Prince Duan.

Xiahou Bo was waiting for her in their secret meeting place.

“Wan Yin, have you seen anything with your ‘heavenly eye’ recently?”

Yu Wanyin made up a bunch of useless information, from flowers blooming somewhere to a certain minister’s impotence.

Xiahou Bo listened with a smile, then said, “I heard that the expert by the emperor’s side appeared again, this time in the palace.”

Yu Wanyin’s heart skipped a beat.

How could he know? How could he have discovered Bei Zhou? Since Bei Zhou was exposed on the lake, he had switched to his Nanny Bei disguise and hadn’t revealed his skills…

Prince Duan frowned: “This person is very dangerous. Can you foresee how we can eliminate him?”

Yu Wanyin: “…”

She tentatively asked, “Is the information reliable? Who told you this?”

Xiahou Bo looked at her with a light laugh, as if mocking her for being inexperienced: “I saw it in a dream with my ‘heavenly eye’.”

Yu Wanyin: “…”

You just said you heard it. What a jerk!

Yu Wanyin stalled for time, sitting cross-legged and making a lotus gesture, pretending to meditate: “Let me try.”

Xiahou Bo watched her with great interest: “Go ahead.”

Yu Wanyin closed her eyes, pretending to nap, while her mind was in chaos.

Who was the informant? Who had the opportunity to see through Nanny Bei’s flawless disguise?

Then it hit her—the informant hadn’t seen Bei Zhou’s skills, but someone else had displayed them.

The petals swirling in the wind.

The wilted flowers left for the servants to clean up.

Yu Wanyin quickly drafted a plan and opened her eyes, speaking slowly: “I seem to see a tall man walking through a corridor.”

She glanced at Xiahou Bo.

Xiahou Bo didn’t object: “Which corridor?”

Good, the informant saw A Bai.

Yu Wanyin quickly calculated and stammered, “It looked like the corridor by the imperial garden… but maybe not… there was someone else with him… I can’t see clearly. Has Consort Xie predicted anything for you?”

Xiahou Bo replied gently, “I came to you first. If you can’t predict it in three days, I’ll ask Yong’er.”

Yu Wanyin trudged back to the Consort’s palace.

Xiahou Bo’s gentle words were actually a final warning: “This is your last chance to prove your loyalty. If you can’t be useful, you’ll disappear.”

She still couldn’t figure out who the informant was. Bei Zhou and the secret guards were loyal to Xiahou Dan until their deaths in the original story.

If the secret guards were disloyal, Prince Duan would have known when Bei Zhou first trained them secretly and wouldn’t have been caught off guard at the lake.

The informant only knew of one expert, not two…

Yu Wanyin’s steps halted, and she turned toward the backyard, seeking out a guard: “Did you see which servants cleaned up the fallen petals that day?”

“Miss, don’t just eat snacks, have some tea.” Xiao Mei smiled as she brought tea to Yu Wanyin.

Yu Wanyin discreetly observed her maid.

In the original story, Xiao Mei didn’t survive halfway through the book. In the palace intrigues, she was killed by Xie Yong’er.

Yu Wanyin hadn’t suspected her because, in the original story, she was just an honest and simple tool, never causing trouble.

Yu Wanyin sighed.

Xiao Mei curiously asked, “Why is Miss looking so worried?”

“Sigh, I saw Prince Duan earlier. It seems he clashed with the emperor and is being punished.”

Xiao Mei’s hand shook, spilling hot tea on herself.

She didn’t dare make a sound, trembling as she set down the teapot and hid her reddened hand behind her.

Yu Wanyin pretended not to notice: “I wonder how severe the punishment is, if he’s badly hurt.”

Xiao Mei bit her lip: “Shall I go check for you, Miss?”

“Are you crazy? If the emperor catches you, how will I explain?”

Xiao Mei paused, then lowered her head: “I’ll find out later then.”

She left.

Yu Wanyin signaled to the hidden guard in the corner.

The guard silently followed Xiao Mei, returning shortly with her by the collar, forcing her to kneel before Yu Wanyin: “Consort, this maid tried to escape and was caught.”

Xiao Mei was terrified: “Miss, what’s happening?”

Yu Wanyin asked, “When did you start collaborating with Prince Duan?”

Xiao Mei: “…”

“Don’t bother denying it. I’ve checked.” Yu Wanyin bluffed.

Xiao Mei gritted her teeth but didn’t admit it: “I don’t know Prince Duan… Ah!!!”

The guard crushed one of her finger joints.

Tears streamed down Xiao Mei’s face: “Miss, on the night before you entered the palace, during the Lantern Festival, I first saw Prince Duan on the street. I was captivated by his demeanor… Later, he occasionally came to chat with me. For the first time, someone treated me like a person…”

Yu Wanyin sneered: “So you told him everything he wanted to know? You’ve been feeding him my information?”

Xiao Mei panted and remained silent.

“Didn’t I treat you like a person?”

Xiao Mei’s eyes flashed with resentment: “Miss, you were always kind to me. That’s why, seeing the mutual affection between you and Prince Duan, I buried my own feelings deep inside and dared not reveal them.”

“If that’s the case, why then—”

Xiao Mei retorted bitterly, “But you had clearly shifted your affections to the emperor. Why did you keep stringing along Prince Duan, letting him waste away for you!”

Yu Wanyin almost laughed in anger.

Then she suddenly remembered something else: “I always wondered how Prince Duan found the lakeside. Thinking back, it was you who helped me change and disguise myself before leaving the palace. But I never told you where I was going. How did you guess?”

Xiao Mei had given up resisting: “When the prince asked, I told him which gate you exited. He immediately sent people to follow you.”

She looked proud: “The prince is very wise. He had already stopped trusting you.”

Yu Wanyin truly laughed in anger: “Fine, fine. What else have you told him?”

“What’s the matter, afraid now…”

Xiao Mei’s scream was like that of a pig being slaughtered. The secret guard had crushed her second finger joint.

Yu Wanyin’s eardrums buzzed. She focused her thoughts and recalled carefully, feeling somewhat reassured—when she discussed matters with Xiahou Dan, she always dismissed everyone, so the palace maids couldn’t have overheard any core secrets.

The secret guard asked, “Shall I kill her, mistress?”

Yu Wanyin instinctively wanted to shake her head, but halfway through the motion, she paused.

Leaving this hidden danger alive, even if she was banished from the palace, Prince Duan would immediately understand her stance. He would definitely save Xiao Mei and use her to recount Yu Wanyin’s daily routines in detail.

Yu Wanyin couldn’t imagine how much he could deduce from that.

The secret guard asked again, “Mistress?”

Yu Wanyin tried to nod, but her head felt heavy as lead.

Xiao Mei curled up on the ground, trembling.

After a long silence, Yu Wanyin took a deep breath: “If you don’t want to die, do something for me. Ever since I became the imperial consort, Consort Shu has been making things difficult for me. Poison her for me. As long as you’re not caught, I’ll spare your life.”

Xiao Mei scrambled out, crawling and stumbling.

The secret guard looked at Yu Wanyin.

Yu Wanyin’s nails dug deep into her palms. Struggling to suppress the tremor in her voice, she instructed him, “Follow her. Let Consort Shu catch her red-handed.”

She couldn’t leave any witnesses.

Not only that, but to mislead Prince Duan, she had to use someone else’s hand.

Yu Wanyin sat alone in the room, feeling as if she were sinking into an ice-cold abyss.

She had no idea how much time had passed when the secret guard returned to report: “Consort Shu discovered Xiao Mei poisoning food in the kitchen. She ordered her beaten to death with a staff and is now going to seek justice from the emperor.”

Yu Wanyin said, “I understand. You may go.”

She vomited on the floor.

She called for a servant to bring water, rinsed her mouth, and vomited a second time, feeling as though she would expel even her bile.

This was the first person she had killed.

Xiahou Dan arrived: “That Consort Shu claims you sent someone to poison her. I sent her away. What’s going on here?”

He looked closely at Yu Wanyin’s pale face, his tone growing serious: “What happened?”

Yu Wanyin forced herself to calm down, recounting the events. She added, “To make it look real, you need to punish me. Demote me to a lower rank, put me in confinement or something.”

Xiahou Dan nodded silently.

Yu Wanyin said, “I’m sorry.”

Xiahou Dan gave a wry smile: “There’s nothing to apologize for…”

“I’m sorry for suspecting you of orchestrating the incident at the lake.”

Yu Wanyin lowered her head, and saw Xiahou Dan’s arm move awkwardly. He seemed to want to hug her but restrained himself.

“It’s okay. I know you were scared.”

Yu Wanyin, overwhelmed with sorrow, sobbed as she hugged him.

“It’s okay,” Xiahou Dan gently patted her back. “It hurts to be betrayed, right? Even though they are paper people, you’ve known them for so long. Killing also hurts, right? You didn’t expect it to hurt this much, did you?”

Yu Wanyin said, “I’m so useless, why am I so useless!”

Xiahou Dan chuckled: “You’re just a normal person.”

He continued to pat her back gently: “In the future, if anyone needs to be eliminated, tell me, and I’ll handle it.”

Yu Wanyin uneasily tried to lift her head: “Why?”

Xiahou Dan pressed her back down on his shoulder: “Maybe because I acted in historical dramas before transmigrating. I’m more used to it than you. It’s the same if I do it. You don’t need to get used to it.”

Where she couldn’t see, his expression was far more serious than his voice: “You never need to change.”

After calming down, Yu Wanyin suddenly remembered Prince Duan’s blatant threat.

She took a deep breath, straightened up, and switched into professional mode: “This is a tricky situation. He won’t allow you to gain any support. He’s already decided to eliminate A Bai and wants me to report back within three days.”

Xiahou Dan looked at his dampened shoulder, deep in thought.

Yu Wanyin said, “I’ve gotten too close to you. Xiao Mei, the traitor, has spread the word. Now it’s almost impossible to earn his trust. But before you can achieve great things in silence, I can’t end up on his blacklist.”

Xiahou Dan casually asked, “You mean to take advantage of the situation?”

Yu Wanyin knew it would be difficult and hesitated: “But we can’t really send A Bai to his death.”

“A Bai is always masked. We can find someone with a similar build as a decoy.”

“Prince Duan isn’t that easy to fool. Even if the appearance can be mimicked, what about the skills? The only one who can match A Bai’s abilities is Bei Shu…”

Yu Wanyin’s eyes suddenly lit up: “I have an idea.”