The “elites” in the viewing stands had been performing with exceptional vigor ever since Jing Hengbo’s arrival.

Most of them had received favors from the court, and whoever could earn the Queen’s attention and cause that Zuoqiu Mo to fall from grace would bring imperial rewards to their entire family.

Moreover, the Queen herself was enchantingly beautiful and possessed all the wealth under heaven.

Furthermore, though Her Majesty the Queen appeared nonchalant and disinterested, she never forgot to occasionally turn her head or cast a glance back, with a single smile generating countless charms, her flowing eyes seeming to hold affection, stirring hearts that had just felt disappointment to suddenly rekindle the flames of hope.

Jing Hengbo leisurely examined the introductions of the selected candidates in her hands, occasionally glancing at the stage. She naturally knew that most of these publicly recruited men were recommendations from the Luoyun royal family – selecting them would merely add spies to her entourage. So she had come merely to go through the motions, to see if there were truly anyone worth recruiting and then find ways to approach them.

The first few were all sons of great Luoyun clans – out of the question.

There were also several with unclear backgrounds, apparently from the martial world – these she set aside separately.

Two had caught her interest. One named Qiu Jinfeng, who possessed miraculous “yin-yang eyes.” He was reportedly a member of the Wengui Tribe, the most skilled in divination and venomous sorcery among the Luoyun tribes, yet he was an anomaly within his clan – unable to learn divination or ghostly communication, but born with eyes where the left could see the mortal world and the right could see the underworld. Jing Hengbo was intrigued by a small line beneath his introduction: “Left eye sees human anatomy and organs in daylight, right eye sees ghosts’ past grievances at night.”

Seeing ghostly grievances was one thing, but seeing human anatomy and organs – wasn’t that like having X-ray vision? Those eyes were like X-ray machines, making all things in the mortal world transparent before that gaze.

If such a person truly existed, it would be like having a four-dimensional ultrasound machine. The child’s development, whatever problems existed within Gong Yin’s body – wouldn’t it all be clear at a glance?

However, this person’s background troubled Jing Hengbo somewhat. This tribe had originally migrated from the Fushui tribe and maintained intricate connections with certain great clans of the Fushui tribe, while her relationship with the Fushui tribe was hardly promising. Using such a person would require extreme caution.

The other person’s background was much simpler – named Ye Qi, from Luoyun’s southern commandery. Born into a medical family, skilled in both poison and medicine. Below were numerous words praising this person’s exceptional appearance and extraordinary bearing. If not for that phrase “skilled in poison and medicine,” Jing Hengbo wouldn’t have spared him a second glance.

Great King Ge Shen of Luoyun claimed illness and didn’t attend. The Minister of Rites led a group of subordinate officials, diligently introducing each “candidate royal consort’s” “extraordinary achievements” to the Queen, first vigorously recommending those sons of great families. Clearly, the Luoyun tribe had put considerable effort into this – among ten men, four were from great families, all possessing wealth that could rival nations, all leaders in their respective industries, enjoying extraordinary status due to their unique secret formulas. More cleverly, these four men’s industries mainly involved jewelry, textiles and furs, spices, and craftsmanship.

Needless to say, this was another sugar-coated cannonball aimed at Her Majesty the Queen. Everyone knew that even after becoming Queen, Jing Hengbo remained insufficiently greedy, still wanting to conduct imperial business. Though she claimed to dedicate her efforts to the beauty of Dahuang women, her target was actually aimed specifically at women’s purses. The Queen’s women’s marketplace was closely related to the above industries. Whether expanding commercial territories in the future, seeking the most excellent craftsmen, or obtaining secret formulas from various places and families to maintain industry-leading advantages through learning from others’ strengths – all would require such industry leaders.

It must be said that when Jing Hengbo heard these men all enjoyed fame throughout Luoyun and beyond due to possessing certain secret formulas and unique crafts, and had deep understanding of related industries in Luoyun and even Dahuang, she was truly somewhat moved.

Seeing her interest stirring, the Ministry of Rites officials became even more energetic, beginning to recommend those candidates from martial backgrounds. Though called martial background, they mostly held official positions in the Luoyun court. One was the naturally powerful chief instructor of the Imperial Guards. Another was the son of a manor lord skilled in mechanical trap formations, holding a nominal offering position in the royal palace. One whose very name was “Luoyun” – daring to use the tribe’s name as his own name naturally indicated real skill, and this person’s skill was lightness martial arts, reportedly truly like floating clouds falling gently, touching ground without stirring dust. The Ministry of Rites indicated he would be suitable for close protection of Her Majesty’s safety – in the Queen’s opinion, this meant he could escape relatively quickly at crucial moments. There was also this year’s military examination champion from Luoyun, reportedly possessing invulnerable external cultivation, impervious to blades and spears. In the Ministry officials’ words, most suitable for charging into battle for the Queen. Her Majesty the Queen felt such a person would be just right for blocking swords.

Though Qisha was laughing nearby, calling this whole bunch garbage – sweet potatoes sold by the bushel in markets – while Jing Hengbo smiled silently as if quite agreeing, she actually had to admit in her heart that these men were all of decent quality. Having become Queen, she knew the importance of talent. The Hengji Army was constantly expanding, and recruiting talent was an urgent priority.

The Ministry officials carefully gauged her expression and cautiously said: “These are all exceptional choices, truly elite talents among Luoyun men, both literary and martial, with extraordinary capabilities. Your Majesty’s harem remains empty – perhaps such talents should all be accepted…”

“Absolutely not!” Tian Qi emerged from some corner, speaking sternly: “The Queen’s harem – how noble it is! How can just any cats and dogs be stuffed in there? Your Luoyun isn’t even the most powerful among the six kingdoms and eight tribes, yet you want to stuff in over ten people from just one place – how would other vassal kingdoms and tribes be handled? Such a large group of freeloaders – even if the Queen can afford to keep them, we can’t afford to serve them!”

Jing Hengbo stared at Tian Qi in shock. When had this fellow become so sharp-tongued? Besides, how many people she kept in her harem was none of his business? Shouldn’t he be concerned about whether Gong Yin had pimples on his face?

Thinking of Gong Yin, she suddenly remembered Tian Qi was Gong Yin’s lackey – could he have come to defend his master? She looked around but didn’t see that white pole anywhere.

Actually, when she had sat down, she had already scanned the venue, and still couldn’t see him now, causing her to snort coldly.

Her Majesty the Queen was actually quite temperamental. Though she wouldn’t admit today’s elaborate dress and grooming had anything to do with a certain someone, not seeing that someone present to appreciate it now made anger rise from her heart.

“I rather think these are all quite good.” Jing Hengbo, deliberately opposing Gong Yin, said lazily: “Taking them all wouldn’t be impossible…”

The Luoyun officials, whose faces had been embarrassed by Tian Qi’s words, immediately brightened, blinking as they stared at Jing Hengbo.

Suddenly a white shadow flashed, like the first snowfall, brightening everyone’s vision.

Before people could react, they heard a commotion below. Looking again, the empty chair beside Jing Hengbo suddenly had someone in it.

Seeing that person, the venue’s clamor suddenly quieted, the noise gradually stilling, even breathing seemed to slowly restrain itself, carefully tucked away. All disturbances felt their own frivolous restlessness before that compelling serene, icy presence, and people instinctively dispersed their breath into heaven and earth, fearing to profane that sudden coolness and chill that struck their hearts.

The eight men on stage stared blankly. When they had seen only the Queen, they felt her radiance would eclipse the brilliance of all men in the world. Yet now, with this almost restrained person’s quiet presence, no one could ignore him, and these two seated together formed the most beautiful and harmonious picture in the world.

Except Her Majesty the Queen’s expression didn’t look too pleasant…

Gong Yin looked at no one, sitting beside Jing Hengbo and speaking coolly: “Taking them all wouldn’t be impossible, as long as they’re not cats and dogs.”

The corner of Jing Hengbo’s eyes nearly flew upward – what? What was he here for? Coming to cause trouble again?

The Ministry officials stared in shock at that chair, not understanding how this person had suddenly appeared.

Gong Yin sat composedly, spine straight, collar fastened tight, with his jawline above the collar straight and refined. Looking further up, his lip line was also straight as a ruler, showing neither joy nor anger, yet naturally commanding.

Being watched by those profoundly clear, cold eyes, the Ministry official swallowed back the rebuke that had reached his lips, involuntarily retreating two steps.

But Jing Hengbo began to smile coldly.

There was slight secret delight in her heart, along with three parts annoyance, making her smile appear both brilliant and fierce, carrying murderous intent.

“These talents all look quite good to me. Even in the Imperial Capital, they would be rare talents. How is it that in this person’s mouth, they become cats and dogs?”

“Exactly!” the Ministry official hastily said. “Who are you? What right do you have to mock them to their faces, calling people cats and dogs?”

The eight men cast indignant glances, and the two Jing Hengbo had taken interest in reportedly hadn’t arrived yet.

“I’ve come to participate in the selection,” Gong Yin said, not even glancing at the person before him, nor explaining the latter question.

Jing Hengbo’s eyes brightened momentarily, then she immediately lowered her head to eat, concealing this.

“The candidates are already decided – no one is allowed to insert themselves randomly!” Hearing he was here to participate, the official immediately relaxed and roared: “Get lost!”

Then he was the one who got lost.

No one saw Gong Yin make a move – they only saw that snow-white figure glance at him, and the official’s feet suddenly slipped, rolling all the way down to below the stage.

Only after he crashed into the wooden corner of the steps with a loud bang and began groaning loudly did Gong Yin leisurely say: “In war, numbers matter less than quality.”

The implication was that compared to him, those were all cats and dogs – no need to take them all, just selecting the most excellent one would suffice.

He had already begun collecting the snacks from Jing Hengbo’s table, packing them into a bag he had prepared. By his appearance, the old fellow felt that having come to sit here briefly and made his attitude clear, this matter could already be concluded.

Gong Yin was very confident, because he knew that regardless of Jing Hengbo’s true purposes, regardless of how she currently treated him, selecting a consort definitely wasn’t truly selecting a consort.

Then why let such a group of people with unclear motives surround her? Didn’t she know this would bring danger to herself?

In the past, this matter might have truly ended.

After all, Jing Hengbo was accustomed to seeing an iceberg, not a Gong Yin who carried bags to collect snacks for her. Previously, if the iceberg had spared her an extra glance, she would have felt spring had arrived.

But now…

“If you want to participate in the selection, follow the rules.” Her Majesty the Queen unceremoniously rapped the table, snatched back the snack bag, reached inside to rummage, pulled out osmanthus thin cakes that hadn’t been there before, chewed them with satisfaction, then glanced sideways at the person next to her: “These people can stand here because they each fought their way through challenges. This gentleman, big talk isn’t just boasting – if you want to participate in the selection, prove you have the qualifications first.”

Gong Yin grew quiet, looking at Jing Hengbo. Those words about “qualifications” truly pierced the heart.

Women were truly mystical creatures – passionate and wild when pursuing, bold and decisive when sleeping together, coldly heartless after rising, giving you everything, yet able to pretend not to recognize you when meeting again.

How had he never noticed she was so difficult before?

However, that slight melancholy completely vanished upon seeing those opening and closing beautiful red lips, and the snow-white thin cake that suddenly disappeared between them.

Osmanthus thin cakes were a Luoyun specialty, with the most delicious shop located in back alleys. He had accidentally seen crowds pushing to buy them and, despite normally detesting crowds and smoky shop fronts, somehow found himself squeezing in too.

Now, seeing her snow-white teeth viciously crunch the cakes, accompanied by equally vicious eyes shooting like flying daggers, he suddenly felt this life was joyful – because she was beside him, because she was glaring at him, because though she ate the cakes he bought as if eating an enemy’s flesh, after finishing one piece she quickly reached for another.

He felt somewhat dazed – this was mortal life, this was human warmth, this was the mixed laughter and tears of ordinary men and women’s lives – even sacrifice was sweet, even suffering felt pleasant.

Suddenly he felt that as long as he could keep her so vibrantly natural for a lifetime, even doing things he had previously disdained would be acceptable – such as earnestly participating in this selection.

“You want me to prove they’re cats and dogs?” The corner of his mouth curved as he looked toward Jing Hengbo.

Jing Hengbo thought for a moment, then added another condition: “You’re not allowed to use martial arts – in martial arts, who could be your opponent?”

Gong Yin remained noncommittal, then asked: “If I prove they’re all cats and dogs, you won’t want any of them?”

Jing Hengbo glanced at him, drawing out her voice: “Won’t want them… impossible.”

She contentedly appreciated Gong Yin’s somewhat darkened expression, then continued slowly: “There’s one person I definitely want. As for the remaining slots… I’ll give you some face – I won’t take them all. One remaining slot, compete for it yourselves.” She pointed at Gong Yin: “Including you.”

The eight men across bowed in unison: “Your Majesty, this person has repeatedly insulted us with words. Please allow us to challenge this gentleman.”

“Please proceed.” Jing Hengbo waved her hand with a smile: “Don’t compete in martial arts. Apart from that, whoever can make him eat humble pie, I’ll take.”

Below, Pei Shu’s dark face showed sunshine, feeling that seeing Gong Yin’s current expression was truly one of life’s great pleasures.

Gong Yin said nothing, casually picking up a covered bowl to drink tea, only saying coolly: “Best to choose your strongest representative to come out and settle this once. The sun is very hot.”

The hot sun didn’t affect him, but Jing Hengbo’s face was flushed red. Watching her, he constantly worried she might get heatstroke.

His seemingly light yet contemptuous tone was always quite irritating. The eight men’s faces turned iron-blue. According to their backgrounds, they huddled together, and after a moment, each side pushed forward one person who walked to the center of the stage and cupped their fists toward Gong Yin.

Jing Hengbo kicked Gong Yin’s chair leg. Only then did Gong Yin wave his hand, and the faces of those eight men had already changed from blue to purple.

Jing Hengbo glared at him, wanting to say he was rude, but thinking of this person’s true identity, she suddenly closed her mouth.

For him, sitting here was already an exception, and competing with these people was even more of a grievance. If not for her, when would he ever deign to appear in countless common people’s sight with the identity of “competing for royal consort”?

The first to emerge was a representative of the great families – tall and elegant, with handsome features, concealing three parts of faint pride. Seeing Gong Yin’s “arrogance,” he smiled coldly: “Since we’re not competing in martial arts, and we seek only the Queen’s heart, what we should compete in should be what the Queen favors.”

Gong Yin raised his hand, indicating he should pose his question.

Listening, Jing Hengbo felt this angle was cunning. These four were familiar with her specialties and were themselves skilled in these areas, so using this to test Gong Yin – even she couldn’t help but worry. Would the iceberg who only knew state affairs truly understand those women’s things?

“I’d like to ask this gentleman,” that man fired questions like a machine gun: “Do you know how many women’s shops Her Majesty the Queen currently operates, where they’re all located, and what they cost? What do the shops mainly sell, what are they best at, worst at, what do they most need, what do they most fear?”

Jing Hengbo raised her eyebrows.

This question seemed ordinary but would be difficult for anyone not proficient in this trade to answer accurately. Especially Gong Yin, who clearly came from noble birth and didn’t concern himself with worldly affairs, carrying an air of disdaining contamination by mortal commercial concerns. These men from great merchant families were extremely accurate judges of character. Seeing Gong Yin was this type, they didn’t compete in martial arts, didn’t ask about martial learning, didn’t discuss politics or literature, only talked about those women’s things that men looked down on most. Truly merchants – most cunning and shrewd.

Looking below, even Pei Shu was frowning with a bewildered expression.

Pei Shu followed her around all day yet hadn’t paid attention to these trivial matters – what about the elusive Gong Yin?

Then she heard Gong Yin answer without pause: “She openly operates two shops, secretly operates one, and is privately preparing another. The public ones need no answer, the secret one I have no need to tell you. If you must ask, it’s the character ‘fragrance’ – let the Queen judge whether this is correct. The shops she purchased all have excellent locations, with market prices no less than a thousand taels of silver each, but more expensive are those beauty products with added exotic flowers and deep-sea pearls. Just the transportation costs for deep-sea mud from hawksbill turtle routes alone equal the annual income of an ordinary Imperial Capital shop. Just one crystal chandelier in the main hall required dozens of top craftsmen, each person’s wages equaling the monthly income of your family’s best location shop in Luoyun City. So the total shop value is impossible to calculate. Your question has the suspicion of probing secrets – why should I tell you? Her shops excel at everything that makes women beautiful, are worst at making the noble gentlemen accompanying their wives also interested; what they most need are special formulas and designs that suit the folk customs of various Dahuang regions while maintaining distinctive characteristics; what they most fear is that during this startup phase, people like you – these fellow merchant families from various regions – intend to probe the commercial secrets of the women’s marketplace, secretly unite and form alliances, using the pretext of competing for royal consort to secretly attempt approaching the Queen, seeking opportunities to strangle the shops’ vitality or steal the core secrets of the women’s shops—” He paused, and in the shocked silence, expressionlessly raised his eyebrows to look at his opponent: “Am I correct in what I’ve said?”