Alas, the little wolf pup had grown into a tough old piece of wood, so unromantic and impervious to persuasion.

Yu Zhiyao sighed faintly in her heart and said lazily, “You should be a team of four in total: Zhong Lan from the State Preceptor’s residence, Lin Huang from the imperial merchant Lin family, and He Yi, who comes from an artisan household.”

Ji Changqing grunted in acknowledgment. She couldn’t hide this from her, nor was there any need to.

“You must have entered the game after the men of the Zhenbei Royal Residence died in battle.” Yu Zhiyao didn’t beat around the bush. “What is your main quest? Is it also to end this chaotic era?”

Ji Changqing nodded again.

“As you know, I’ve had over three years more time than you, and I’ve more or less completed the preliminary preparations. However, anyone could have a conflict of interest in future developments, but we won’t.” Yu Zhiyao spread her hands. “I need helpers, and you need support in the imperial court. So you see, if we cooperate, we both benefit.”

“Alright.” Ji Changqing nodded. On this point, their understanding was the same. Or rather, they believed in Yu Zhiyao’s abilities even more than Yu Zhiyao herself did. “But we need to know how much power you hold.”

Yu Zhiyao expressed her understanding. She didn’t answer the question directly, instead asking, “You haven’t attended the minor court assemblies, have you? Given your current status, your discussions should be with the several grand secretaries of the cabinet.”

This was indeed true. The minor court assembly was for officials of the third rank and above, while the grand court assembly was for officials of the fifth rank and above. Her current body was not quite suitable for appearing at court assemblies; most of her discussions were with the cabinet.

However, Ji Changqing glanced at Yu Zhiyao. Didn’t that group include her current father-in-law?

Yu Zhiyao made a grasping gesture with her hand. “The power I hold is the second generation from the families of officials qualified to attend the minor court assembly.”

Ji Changqing gave her a deep look. This answer was truly unexpected.

“The second generation has grown up, but the positions at court are always limited. Moreover, the ones occupying those positions are their fathers, who are still in the prime of their lives.” Yu Zhiyao shifted her legs and said nonchalantly, “Tell me, what do you think a group of second-generation heirs, foolish enough to believe they’re brilliant, want most of all?”

To turn the tables and become the masters, of course. They would think very naively that even if their fathers or grandfathers retired, as long as their own careers went smoothly and they took charge, it would have no negative impact on the family as a whole.

Seeing Yu Zhiyao speak so venomously and with such disdain for this group of second-generation heirs bursting with superiority, Ji Changqing couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of pleasure.

At least, Yu Zhiyao had never been so disdainful or impatient with her.

“They’re all second-generation heirs. How do you plan to use them?” The power the second generation held was given by their families. Since it was given by others, it could also be taken back at any time. This path was full of uncertainty.

“The second generation has its uses. Although the heirs on whom the family has placed high hopes don’t have the final say, they know far more than we can imagine.” Yu Zhiyao smiled.

That smile made Ji Changqing’s hair stand on end. She had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, Yu Zhiyao’s next words were spoken while looking into her eyes, as if trying to see into her soul, so earnest it created the illusion of a hidden meaning. “So, Ji Changqing, you must know that you are very important to me.”

Ji Changqing’s heart began to pound uncontrollably.

Even knowing it was just an illusion, she still couldn’t stop her imagination from running wild.

She sighed softly in her heart. As if deep in thought, she pressed a hand to her forehead, lowered her head, and closed her eyes, suppressing the bitterness in her heart and the moisture in her eyes.

When she opened her eyes again, everything was back to normal.

“Indeed. For the Zhenbei Royal Residence, at least, I can call the shots for the next fifteen years,” Ji Changqing said calmly. As a second-generation heir who was already in charge, the power she held was comparable to that of the few major players, and perhaps even greater. “And I can control the military authority of the Jingbei army for at least the next ten years.”

Yu Zhiyao’s expression didn’t change as she continued, “Ten years is more than enough.”

The two of them continued their serious discussion as if nothing had happened.

This continued until the maids came to report that lunch was ready and invited them to the dining hall.

Ji Changqing stood up first. Yu Zhiyao looked up at her. It was a familiar face, but because this body was not yet seventeen, she was tall and slender, with the unique lankiness of an adolescent.

The composure honed by more than a decade of life, mixed with a face that was over ten years younger, created a strange combination that still faintly resembled her old self.

For a moment, she was lost in thought watching her.

Until Ji Changqing asked with a hint of confusion, “What’s wrong? Have your legs fallen asleep?”

She came back to her senses and held out a hand to Ji Changqing. “Yes, they have.”

Ji Changqing naturally reached out and pulled her up.

Yu Zhiyao stumbled and fell into her arms, grabbing her lapels and looking up. “I just remembered something very important.”

Ji Changqing held her loosely, a little uncomfortably, letting her lean on her for support.

“What is it?”

Yu Zhiyao said with a smile, “Have you forgotten? We are both young women under seventeen. Marriage is an imminent issue.”

Upon hearing the word “marriage,” she clearly felt Ji Changqing’s body stiffen for a moment before quickly relaxing. Her tone was perfectly level as she said, “It’s not a problem on my end.”

She knew very well that neither the Zhenbei Royal Residence nor the Empress Dowager and the Emperor would pressure her on this matter for the next ten years. So what if it was against propriety? In the face of benefits, everything else could be pushed aside.

Even if they tried to arrange something, she had her own ways to deal with it.

Then or now, she would never allow herself to be forced into a marriage against her will, whether to appease her family or for any other reason.

Yu Zhiyao nestled in her arms, her fingers tracing down her lapels to her belt, toying with it suggestively. “We’re allies. You wouldn’t mind helping me solve this little problem, would you?”

Ji Changqing caught her hand. The soft, smooth touch sent a jolt through her heart, and she forced herself to divert her attention. “How?”

Yu Zhiyao blinked, leaned close to her ear, and said teasingly, “Let the people outside know that you have… ladylike intentions toward me.”

Ji Changqing took a deep breath, telling herself this was just an instance, not real life. “Are you sure?”

Yu Zhiyao pulled her hand free, not at all afraid of angering her, and boldly reached up to caress her face. “Of course. This way, it’ll be much more logical for you to give me guards and secret protectors.”

“Fine. As you wish,” Ji Changqing replied numbly.

Just then, they heard the sound of someone bumping into the screen.

The two, locked in what looked for all the world like a lover’s embrace, both looked over.

The maid who had come again to invite them to dine fell to her knees, trembling, on the verge of tears. Why was she so unlucky? To walk in on the Commandery Princess and the Prime Minister’s daughter doing… that. She probably wouldn’t lose her life, but she feared she wouldn’t escape a beating, and she’d surely be dismissed from her good post.

Ji Changqing glanced at the innocent-looking Yu Zhiyao. “You did that on purpose?”

“What do you think? It’s bad enough you can’t give me a proper title. Are you telling me you won’t even acknowledge me in the royal residence? Must we always sneak around?”

She made her sound like a scumbag.

Ji Changqing frowned.

Yu Zhiyao reached out and smoothed her brow. “No frowning.”

So we’re really going all in on this act? Ji Changqing cleared her throat. “Alright, get up. Go tell the steward that from now on, you are to treat her as you would treat me.”

The frightened and worried maid was dumbfounded.

It was quite common for the young nobles to have their flings before marriage—men and women, men and men, women and women—but no one had ever heard such words come from any residence. “Treat her as you would treat me”—not even the storybooks dared to write something so bold!

Still, she reacted quickly, scrambling to her feet and backing away. Once she was out of their sight, she turned and fled.

Steward, help! The Commandery Princess… she’s gone mad!

No one knew if the Commandery Princess had gone mad, but the steward who heard the news was about to!

He didn’t know about the secret protectors, but the matter of Ji Changqing arranging a squad of guards to be placed under Yu Zhiyao’s command had to go through him.

The way he looked at Ji Changqing now was like looking at a profligate, wastrel heir.

He wanted to report to the Princess Consort, and Ji Changqing didn’t stop him. She merely told him to start packing and arranging their travel, as they would soon be departing for Jingbei.

The steward was skeptical, but he still carried out the arrangements efficiently.

Yu Zhiyao began to appear frequently at the royal residence, forcing Ji Changqing to play the “pretend lovers” game with her.

After acting for a while, Ji Changqing grew numb to it.

After all, what did this amount to?

At most, it was just some hugging, feeding each other water and food, wiping away sweat, and the like. What hadn’t they done back in the day? Perhaps they knew each other’s bodies better than their own.

They’d been closer than close countless times. Even after becoming the most familiar of strangers, why would she be afraid of a few ambiguous gestures now?!

Noticing this change in her, Yu Zhiyao calmly expanded the location of their “trysts” from the royal residence to the outside world.

A “truth” began to circulate quietly among the nobility: Don’t even think about the Twin Beauties of Great Zhou anymore. They’ve sorted it out internally.

The young noblemen were indignant, like animals whose territory had been stolen, feeling a helpless rage at the encroachment.

Look at how domineering the Commandery Princess was! Recently, she had secretly arranged for her guards to put sacks over the heads of anyone who’d had ideas about the “Jade of the Yu family” and give them a good beating.

Just for having a few thoughts, they get treated like that. Wouldn’t a formal marriage proposal be a death sentence? Who had a death wish and dared to snatch someone from her?!

Ji Changqing, who had unexpectedly been made to take the fall: …

That was all arranged by Yu Zhiyao herself, okay?! She didn’t have the leisure to investigate every single person who had designs on her!

As for the young noblewomen… well, the young ladies found it quite understandable. After all, Ji Changqing was powerful, beautiful, and treated her well. One could indulge in the pleasures of the bed with no worries. She perfectly fit the standard for an ideal lover.

Prime Minister Yu only felt that his colleagues had been looking at him strangely lately, and fewer people were coming to sound him out about his “beautiful jade’s” marriage. At first, he was happy for the peace and quiet, but when he finally figured it out, his whole mood soured.

Whether he agreed to a proposal was one thing—at least he’d think they had good taste. But for them not to propose at all… were they blind?!

He keenly sensed that something major must have happened. He sent people to investigate, and the news they brought back nearly made him faint from anger.

Excellent! Excellent! What a Commandery Princess! What a Ji Changqing!

He knew it! Why was she in such a hurry to help Zhiyao out of her predicament at the banquet? So that was the reason! The ambition of a wolf!

Prime Minister Yu, having finally discovered the truth, was angry, but he didn’t lose his head. He quietly reviewed the things Ji Changqing most wanted to accomplish recently. With a sharp gaze, he discovered that Ji Changqing had been secretly plotting to deal with the group of people in the court who had deceived everyone and delayed sending funds and provisions during the barbarian invasion years ago.

Fine, he could understand. After all, her father and brother had both died in that war, not just because of foreign enemies but also due to internal strife. It was normal not to be able to swallow that insult, and wanting revenge was understandable.

But this matter had to be handled with a delicate balance. The big shots behind those people were also very powerful. And considering the worries of His Majesty and the Empress Dowager…

As an old fox who was particularly adept at balancing acts, the cunning Prime Minister Yu mulled it over and over, but still felt it was a bit too much and couldn’t make up his mind.

Just then, another shocking piece of gossip spread through the Imperial Capital. Before, the rumors were that the Commandery Princess considered Yu Zhiyao her private possession. This time, the shocking gossip was that they were truly in love!

It was because a young scholar from a noble family, who admired the “Jade of the Yu family,” had, in his scholarly idealism, run into Ji Changqing and Yu Zhiyao on a lake outing. He launched into a tirade, denouncing Ji Changqing as a mere woman who had usurped a high position, overturned yin and yang, and forced herself on others (specifically Yu Zhiyao), declaring her a true disaster for the nation…

Ji Changqing was a major figure now, so she naturally had the grace to let an insult dry on her face and couldn’t be bothered to argue with a fool. But unexpectedly, Yu Zhiyao got angry. She stood up for her “lover,” furiously refuting the scholar’s points one by one—thirteen in total—praising Ji Changqing to the heavens and cursing the provocative scholar into the dirt.

When Prime Minister Yu finished reading the transcript of Yu Zhiyao’s thirteen refutations—which some busybody had recorded on the spot—he recognized it as undeniably his Zhiyao’s handiwork. His heart ached, and his vision went black.

Fine. No need to worry about whether it was going too far anymore.

With a wave of his great sleeve, Prime Minister Yu threw his all into it. He swiftly bundled up all the personnel related to the previous grain supply delays and had the imperial clansmen take them away with the three thousand Jingbei troops.

Weren’t you saying that these people were chronic procrastinators and incompetent because they were well-fed all day and didn’t understand border affairs? Fine, as you wish. I’ll pack them up for you. Take them back to Jingbei and let them get a good taste of the urgency of border affairs.

Besides, Jingbei is a key fortress in the northwest. How can its commander leave so lightly? Although filial piety is a child’s duty, loyalty and filial piety have always been difficult to balance. Commandery Princess, you should return to Jingbei. You can guard the border and observe your mourning period at the same time!

Very quickly, the imperial edict that the cabinet had been holding up was issued: Ji Changqing was to be enfeoffed as the Commander of Jingbei, granted the title of Commandery Princess Zhenbei, and would act as regent of the Zhenbei Royal Residence, holding its seal of authority.

As a father-in-law disgusted with his “clumsy son-in-law,” Prime Minister Yu went all out and gave a mighty kick:

Get out! And don’t come back!