“Sect Leader!”

In the cries of alarm, the Blazing Flame sect members all surged forward. The injured Song Beichen completely forgot his own wounds and was the first to rush up. “Sect Leader, how are you—ah—”

The roadblock villain Qin Chang Ge kicked him away with one foot, sending him flying several zhang.

Song Beichen was sent spinning lightly in mid-air by the force of her rotational kick, landing steadily without a hair harmed, staring wide-eyed. He looked at Qin Chang Ge in bewilderment, completely confused.

“You, you all,” Qin Chang Ge pointed at Liang Fen and the others, commanding without courtesy, “Those martial artists from earlier might have noticed your sect leader is injured, and the disciples from the seven great sects might harbor resentment and return seeking revenge. Hurry and repair the main gate and surrounding walls first. The estate’s defenses must be properly arranged—don’t let anyone see through anything. We’ll take responsibility for Sect Leader Su’s injuries.”

Liang Fen immediately bowed and obeyed, hurriedly leaving with Song Beichen. Even though they didn’t recognize the people before them, after witnessing today’s battle with their own eyes, how could anyone in Blazing Flame not be grateful and reassured? With orders given, none disobeyed.

Su Xuan supported himself against the wall with one hand, slowly turning around, forcing a smile: “It seems my subordinates will soon belong to you.”

His face was pale with an unsteady breath, appearing seriously injured.

Chu Feihuan frowned, saying softly: “You should speak less.”

Qin Chang Ge paid him no attention at all, directly stepping forward to push him down.

Without looking at Su Xuan’s embarrassed expression as he was pushed into sitting in a chair, her finger immediately found his wrist pulse.

Xiao Jue looked up at the sky, feeling somewhat melancholy as he missed that young woman on the battlefield years ago who had bandaged his wounds, who had also pushed him down so unceremoniously and irresistibly.

When would he be pushed down again?

Hmm… If he hadn’t reacted so quickly when Master Jingxuan launched that sneak attack earlier, getting slightly injured would have been good…

Of course Qin Chang Ge had no idea that His Imperial Majesty was currently harboring such boring thoughts. She only focused intently on continuously transmitting her true qi to Su Xuan.

The moment her true qi entered Su Xuan’s eight extraordinary meridians, there was suddenly a faint feeling of resistance. Qin Chang Ge’s internal force seemed to encounter some obstruction, pausing briefly. Qin Chang Ge was startled and was about to investigate when that obstruction suddenly disappeared, like floodwater breaking through a dam, broadly accepting Qin Chang Ge’s true force.

This wasn’t the time for overthinking. Qin Chang Ge concentrated on her technique, but Su Xuan frowned, intending to withdraw his hand. Qin Chang Ge opened her eyes and smiled at Su Xuan, though her gaze carried a hint of killing intent.

After a moment of shock, Su Xuan smiled bitterly. Then he saw Xiao Jue silently walk over, glance at Qin Chang Ge, and place his palm on Qin Chang Ge’s back.

With a “whoosh,” Yu Zixi, who had disappeared during the great battle, suddenly appeared. His red robes fluttered as he smiled cheerfully and placed his palm on Xiao Jue’s back.

The pale sunlight illuminated them standing in a line—men and women of extraordinary beauty. What flowed through their connected palms, what they transmitted to each other, was the most precious and rare caring concern in the human world.

In this red dust of coming and going, there seemed to be countless intersections, yet how many people brushed past each other, how many missed each other, how many lost their way, how many betrayed? Time was both long and short—this moment’s smile might be the next second’s eternal farewell. Fate was both fortunate and harsh—lovers who had just held hands watching clouds and mist might be separated across the world in an instant. Therefore, possessing this seemingly ordinary moment of trust and understanding, experiencing certain emotions unrelated to personal interests blooming in an instant, was a tremendous luxury that could support one through the rest of life’s storms, listening quietly to time’s river flowing silently by without generating melancholy.

Su Xuan raised his eyes, grateful glances flowing silently, finally saying nothing and closing his eyes to accept.

Chu Feihuan sat to one side, quietly watching them, then looking up at the flowing clouds in the vast sky, his expression impossible to read as sad or happy.

With his palm on Qin Chang Ge’s back, using his own masculine true force to share and supplement the true qi Qin Chang Ge was losing, Xiao Jue also silently observed the woman dressed as a young man before him. Under the moon-white tight clothing, her shoulders were slender, with a stretch of snow-white neck above them. Against the backdrop of black hair, it was pure white like gardenias quietly blooming at midnight, making one want to touch it with the delicacy of lips and bury one’s head within.

Only… he couldn’t. Xiao Jue smiled bitterly.

As his bitter smile arose, someone quietly approached from behind, speaking in an ambiguous tone like a whisper, but the words extinguished most of his impulse.

“Your Majesty, what is your relationship with that person in front of you? Also, how do you come to be here?”

Yu Zixi’s gaze wandered, circling up and down over Qin Chang Ge’s body, his eyes like a fox discovering prey.

Turning his head to look at Yu Zixi, Xiao Jue wasn’t surprised that he recognized him. After all, his martial arts had too distinctive personal characteristics. Yu Zixi, who had spent years with him through blood, fire, wind, and smoke, was already familiar with them. However, Chang Ge was displaying martial arts publicly for the first time since her rebirth, and with her cunning and changeable nature, the martial arts she displayed were very different from her previous life. She shouldn’t be quickly seen through by this fox.

Chang Ge always said that whether as Qin Chang Ge or Ming Shuang, the fewer people who knew their whereabouts, the better.

“How could I bear to miss such a rare ultimate battle in the martial world?” Xiao Jue smiled calmly. “It’s been a long time since I had such a satisfying fight—truly comfortable… That person is Sect Leader Su’s junior brother, out for training. I met him at Windfall Tower last time and we got along very well, so we’re friends despite differences in status.”

Qin Chang Ge, who had just finished the energy circulation technique, timely withdrew her hand, allowing Su Xuan to close his eyes and regulate his breathing to gather his true qi. She turned around and gracefully cupped her hands toward Yu Zixi: “This humble one is Xie Weiyun, greeting Prince Jing’an.”

With a slight smile and sideways glance, Yu Zixi said: “You recognize me?”

“After this battle, Your Highness will surely become famous throughout the world. How could anyone not recognize you?” Qin Chang Ge smiled sincerely, appearing earnest and refined.

“You’re not bad either. Today’s battle showed truly fine methods. I imagine your reputation will rise meteoric in just a moment.” Yu Zixi’s smile didn’t look like praise at all. “Su Xuan having such a junior brother is truly enviable. But how is it that you and your senior brother’s martial arts have completely different styles? Your killing style is somewhat similar to a certain old acquaintance of mine…”

“This humble one has no use for empty fame,” Qin Chang Ge smiled frankly. “This humble one will return to the mountains soon, no longer involving myself in worldly disputes. If not for my senior brother today, this humble one would absolutely refuse to fight. As for martial arts… this humble one was originally a late starter, joining the sect with existing martial arts. Precisely because my former martial arts were too sinister and ruthless, losing the righteous and bright path, seeing I was about to go astray, fortunately my current master taught and guided me. I then greatly awakened and spent years outside the red dust concentrating on cultivating righteous martial arts. Today’s battle arose from a competitive heart, already losing the clear and tranquil non-action intention of us cultivators. Therefore I was unwilling to use sect martial arts against others, reluctantly making do with old skills… making Your Highness laugh.”

He spoke with complete seriousness, answering flawlessly. Yu Zixi couldn’t find fault for the moment. His eyes flashed as he smiled and slowly said: “Courteous, courteous…”

He no longer paid attention to Qin Chang Ge, pulling Xiao Jue and saying: “A gentleman of wealth doesn’t sit in a precarious hall. Your personally taking such risks was already unwise. Now you should return, shouldn’t you?”

Xiao Jue had originally wanted to return with Qin Chang Ge, but having already lied, taking back his words was impossible. He could only helplessly be dragged away by Yu Zixi.

Passing by Baozi, Yu Zixi suddenly casually pointed at Baozi and said: “Your Majesty, aren’t you returning with the Crown Prince?”

Xiao Jue, who was feeling regretful, was caught off guard by this question. Just as he was startled, Baozi was already grinning and saying: “Crown Prince? I know one—our Liguo’s Crown Prince is a big fool.”

“Xiliang’s Crown Prince is no fool. Not only is he not foolish, he’s simply too vicious,” Yu Zixi’s smile was sweet. “He’s about your age, cunning and treacherous, bold and black-hearted, very difficult to deal with, very difficult to deal with.”

“Oh?” Baozi blinked, his face full of anticipation. “So impressive? Then introduce me to him. I’ll compete with him in swimming. Haha, at swimming he’d definitely still be a fool!”

Nearby, Xiao Jue was already displeased: “Zixi, that’s the nation’s heir apparent. You’re being presumptuous.”

Smiling charmingly and bowing slightly to Xiao Jue, Yu Zixi gently slapped himself as if caressing, saying: “Yes, the Crown Prince is brilliant in virtue and perfect in conduct, noble in character, like holding jade and grasping gems. I spoke nonsense.”

Holding jade and grasping gems…

Baozi glared hatefully at Yu Zixi’s gracefully departing figure. Only after he could no longer see him did he jump and curse: “Bah! Calling me Mu Huaiyu!”

He threw himself at Chu Feihuan pitifully: “Godfather, I was cursed to my face and couldn’t talk back, even had to follow along cursing myself. When have I ever suffered such a big loss…”

Chu Feihuan stroked his hair, offering his knee for him to rub against, looking up quietly at Qin Chang Ge: “It seems we can’t hide from him. I think Rong’er’s identity needn’t be concealed either. The more we hide, the worse things get.”

Qin Chang Ge raised an eyebrow and sighed: “Yes, that fox can’t be fooled, at least Rong’er can’t be hidden—after all, there are too few children as black-hearted as him… Actually, constantly changing masks and taking voice-changing pills is quite tiring. By rights, he shouldn’t be an enemy either. It’s just that in my heart, I’m always wary of Yu Zixi by three points. This person has too many secrets, and people with many secrets are unsafe.”

Sighing slightly, she said: “Forget it… let nature take its course. However much he guesses, so be it…”

She had been facing away from Su Xuan, gazing distantly in the direction those two had disappeared. Everyone was watching her, none noticing that behind them, Su Xuan suddenly slowly opened his eyes and glanced at her.

That glance was like misty waters and long winds.

Windfall Tower had recently launched new service projects.

First, storytellers began telling the latest story: “The Shocking Battle—A Tragedy Caused by a Secret Manual from Langhuan.”

The storytellers hired for high fees were extremely skilled with words, using gorgeous and brilliant language, inflammatory tones, and various methods like metaphor, embellishment, and exaggeration to tell those seven battles—whether heroically magnificent, strangely mysterious, or world-shaking—in such a spectacular and thrilling way that listeners crouched on their stools with mouths agape, drool hanging three feet long without knowing it.

The storytellers were also unscrupulous enough to stop abruptly at the most crucial moments each day, making the audiences pound tables and benches, clamoring to smash the shop.

Naturally they couldn’t bear to actually smash it. The next morning, they would still obediently rush over to wait for the “latest update.”

Second, while listening to stories, Baozi began distributing Xiliang-edition chewing gum table by table. This chewing gum was edible, packaged in fine purple jade paper into finger-sized pieces, served in exquisite snow-white porcelain dishes. Before even tasting it, its appearance alone captivated the eye.

Red silk banners with black characters hung in the shop hall as promotional advertisements, and fifty carriages throughout the city moved constantly and slowly through various streets, ensuring all the people of Yingdu could see the chewing gum advertisements.

The advertisement copy was written by Qin Chang Ge and polished by Baozi, reading:

“Have you ever been troubled by a lover leaving you because of bad breath during kissing?”

“Have you ever wanted to collapse because you ate garlic at lunch but had to go on a blind date in the afternoon?”

“Have you ever had the painful experience of being despised by your superior for having bad breath when responding to inquiries, making promotion difficult?”

“If you’ve had these tragic experiences, if you’ve suffered terribly from this with no solution, then let me tell you—the savior to rescue you from suffering has appeared!”

“Please immediately gather your silver, bring your whole family, and rush to ‘Windfall Tower’ to experience the supreme taste pleasure brought by Windfall Tower’s super chef! Feel the lifelong miracle of how one small candy can give you ‘breath as fragrant as orchids, saliva like musk’!”

Below was a large embroidered portrait of Manager Baozi grinning so wide his teeth couldn’t be seen. Ten skilled embroidresses had created Manager Baozi’s glorious image three times life-size, exquisitely lifelike, wearing pure white clothes, holding a small candy in an utterly rapturous pose.

In a large yellow frame was Manager Baozi’s summary call:

“Windfall Tower Chewing Gum—your essential good product for home life, courting girls, job promotion, blind dates, and travel!”

Customers attracted by such shocking and unprecedented advertisement copy streamed endlessly toward Windfall Tower. Baozi urgently hired ten beautiful singing girls from brothels as “Chewing Gum Ladies” and selected the most beautiful and talented among them as “Windfall Tower Image Ambassador,” wearing a sash and a qipao showing her thighs. While customers drooled, she promoted Windfall Tower brand chewing gum with all her effort.

People chewed gum while eyeing the ladies’ thighs, constantly wiping their drool and mumbling praise: “Good! Beautiful!”

Who knew if they were praising the candy or the people?

However, chewing gum indeed became wildly popular in Yingdu with tornado speed.

From high officials and nobles down to common people, everyone took pride in competing to taste chewing gum. Wealthy households often sent servants to buy entire packages for showing off, making the long-unappreciated Qi Fan, who had been unsuccessful at candy-making and scorned by others, lean against walls looking at the sky with tears streaming daily: “…I finally succeeded…”

“Successful business operations create successful products.” Qin Chang Ge held her son, seriously instilling business concepts. “Uncle Qi’s candy is just passable. The key is in packaging.”

But Baozi was lost in thought. After a while, he glanced at Chu Feihuan, who seemed to be seriously reading nearby, then mysteriously whispered in Qin Chang Ge’s ear: “I saw Father Emperor’s old eunuch Yu Hai buying candy…”

Qin Chang Ge coughed and said seriously: “What’s strange about him buying candy?”

“He doesn’t have many teeth left. Can he eat such sticky candy? If he still has one tooth left after eating a piece of candy, I’ll take his surname.”

“Let’s continue,” Qin Chang Ge glanced at Chu Feihuan and opened her book. “Today we’re learning how Gates was made…”

“What do you think Father is buying chewing gum for?” Baozi completely ignored her attempt to change the subject, leaning to whisper in her ear: “He wants fresh breath—to please whose heart?”

“…”

“Whose nose does he want to smell that candy’s fragrance?” Baozi continued his deadly teasing.

“Xiao Rong, it seems you haven’t returned to the palace for studies in quite a while?” Qin Chang Ge smiled ominously.

“Don’t be embarrassed and angry…” Baozi clung to his mother even more. This time his voice was even lower: “I’ll say one more thing then leave.”

“Hmm?”

“Godfather was lost in thought over that candy for a long time today…”

Bang!!!

Xiliang’s noble Crown Prince was viciously kicked out the door by someone.

The jade and agarwood scent in the Dragon Palace imperial study would normally be quite pleasant—if one weren’t being forced to work overtime.

Especially when the person forced to work overtime was clearly very sleepy yet had to do work outside their jurisdiction, that fragrance made Qin Chang Ge want to hit someone.

Hit that person sitting above, seriously reading memorials.

“Youzhou has had extremely little rain this summer and reports severe drought. Duke Wuwei has volunteered for disaster relief.”

After a long while, His Imperial Majesty looked up, his expression still very serious, asking formally: “What do you all think?”

While asking, he stared irritably at that extra person.

Yu Zixi.

Recently this guy attended court daily, and each time he attended court, he would definitely find fault with Chamberlain Zhao—Qin Chang Ge. But how could Qin Chang Ge be easily dealt with? Whether openly or covertly, she had countermeasures. The two clashed frequently, and whenever they met there were sparks. The court officials had long regarded “Prince Jing’an vs Chamberlain Zhao” as the daily must-watch segment of court sessions.

Today after court, Xiao Jue summoned Qin Chang Ge to “discuss affairs,” but Yu Zixi forcibly followed, saying he had urgent matters to report. But after coming in for so long, he still hadn’t clarified what those urgent matters were.

Xiao Jue had no choice but to actually discuss affairs.

Why did the one who looked most romantic have to be the least understanding of romance?

He coughed, looking at Qin Chang Ge: “What does Minister Zhao think?”

“Your Majesty, this humble minister is Vice Minister of Justice.” Qin Chang Ge replied seriously.

Meaning: You’ve got it wrong, haven’t you?

“You should know this matter concerns you,” Xiao Jue remained determined and unmoved. “Youzhou suffered drought, the court already allocated disaster relief, but it was embezzled by Governor Wu Nanfan. The disaster victims rioted because of this, killing officials and seizing granary grain, creating chaos. In today’s court session, I originally planned to send Imperial Censor He Yan for disaster relief and pacifying the people, to capture Wu Nanfan and his shameless officials. Unexpectedly, Duke Wuwei Li Han jumped out and volunteered to pacify the people.”

At this point he paused, seeming uncertain how to phrase things appropriately. Yu Zixi had already understood and smiled: “Youzhou Military Governor Cao Guangshi was formerly a fierce general under Duke Wuwei, deeply loved and trusted.”

“Not just formerly trusted,” Xiao Jue said coldly. “Even now their friendship is deep, with frequent private correspondence, very warm relations.”

“Youzhou is a border stronghold with Cao Guangshi commanding 300,000 heavy troops,” Yu Zixi’s eyes were bright with hidden excitement. “Under his command are many of Duke Wuwei’s former subordinates. If the Duke goes there, his former subordinates will surely be very pleased.”

Smiling slightly, Xiao Jue said: “What do you think would be the best way to handle this?”

“Didn’t Your Majesty already approve it in court?” Yu Zixi smiled lightly. “With Your Majesty’s unique wisdom and perfect control, this humble minister is just an ordinary person—how dare I presume to speculate?”

“Stop that,” Xiao Jue threw the memorial onto the dragon desk, looking intently at Qin Chang Ge. “Wen Zhengting’s duties as Observation Commissioner aren’t finished. I’ll have him immediately rush to Youzhou to jointly supervise disaster relief affairs with Li Han. I’ve given him secret memorials and authority to act as circumstances require.”

The remaining implications didn’t need to be spoken—everyone present was intelligent. Supervise and manage: you manage, I supervise. Act as circumstances require: report when necessary.

“Your Majesty,” Qin Chang Ge thought for a moment and said calmly: “Li Han will surely rebel. You’re releasing the tiger from its cage—there will be future troubles. Do you have confidence in handling this?”

“Where would I want to release him? He cornered me today,” Xiao Jue sighed. “Such righteous deeds for country and people—anyone who volunteers has never been refused according to precedent and principle. So even knowing Li Han’s intentions aren’t right, I couldn’t reject him in court session, or I’d again be seen as a suspicious and ungrateful ruler.”

“Just prevent him from going,” Yu Zixi smiled. “Old Li is getting on in years, his bones are stiff, and losing his son was quite a blow… Right now he seems in good spirits, but deep down he’s already ill…”

Qin Chang Ge smiled and praised: “Excellent strategy, Your Highness!”

Glancing at her sideways, Yu Zixi said: “You didn’t think of it? Someone as clever as you wouldn’t think of it?”

He smiled and stood up, walking behind Qin Chang Ge, leaning against the back of her chair, tilting his head to sniff at Qin Chang Ge’s temples like smelling early spring flowers or plum branches in deep snow. With an intoxicated expression, he took a deep breath and sighed in appreciation: “What a fragrant romantic charm…”

Behind the dragon desk, Xiao Jue’s face darkened slightly. He endured it and tried to speak calmly: “Prince Jing’an, what are you doing? Do you really want me to charge you with improper conduct before the throne?”

Straightening up from the chair back, Yu Zixi lightly turned and was already in front of Qin Chang Ge. He extended his slender fingers to slowly trace over Qin Chang Ge’s face, his eyes seductive as he giggled: “Your Majesty, don’t be angry… Look at Chamberlain Zhao—not only a capable minister for governing the world, but truly handsome… These eyebrows, these eyes, this nose, tsk tsk… The skin on this face is fine as jade, even more beautiful than a young lady’s… Oh my, let me check your body to see if you’re consistent inside and out, whether your skin is also good…”

His wolf claws went all-out, constantly moving downward, finally simply pulling at Qin Chang Ge’s collar, poking his head toward Qin Chang Ge’s neckline, wanting to glimpse the “beautiful scenery.”

“Hey!”