Xue Zhu was the daughter of a seventh-rank county magistrate. Her father was upright in his official duties, but met with disaster for persisting in his judgment in a murder case. The condemned criminal was the younger brother of a major merchant in the county. The merchant angrily bribed his father’s superior, who found an excuse and ultimately stripped him of his position.

The old man fell ill with anger and took to his bed. Having always been clean and honest as an official with empty sleeves, he had no extra money for treatment. The eldest daughter’s in-laws were quite well-off, and she provided financial assistance. But this offended the other party, who cut off several of her husband’s business deals. In their fury, the in-laws drove the eldest daughter back to her natal home to reflect on her errors.

Though the local people provided charitable aid out of kindness, in such circumstances, the old man could no longer remain in that county. He decided to accept an old friend’s invitation from a neighboring county to seek refuge and clear his mind.

Unexpectedly, on the road they encountered thugs sent by the merchant, disguised as bandits. Besides robbing their meager wealth, they deliberately developed lustful intentions toward the three sisters. The old man fainted in his rage. Xue Zhu had learned martial arts from county constables in her early years and had some skills. With the aid of a kind-hearted hunter from the mountains, they ultimately drove the men off. However, the old man was already weak from illness, and in his extreme anger, he died on the spot.

The old lady, overcome with grief, went mad.

Xue Zhu harbored deep hatred for the merchant and his superior. Having read extensively since childhood, she knew the root of all disasters lay in the collusion between officials and civilians. She later learned through various channels that the person backing this merchant was someone who had bought his official position, approved by the current Prime Minister.

In the court, only the Wei family could contend with that powerful minister, so she went to the Wei family to file a complaint with the head of household, Wei Wuya.

This Wei Wuya had inherited his late father’s noble title.

In her grief and indignation, she traveled to the capital to seek justice.

She knew it wouldn’t be easy to meet this Young Master Wei and had prepared to overcome numerous obstacles. Unexpectedly, Marquis Wei seemed to be a good person. Learning of her purpose, he personally received her. He told her that if she wanted to bring down Quan Feitong, righteous indignation alone wouldn’t suffice—she needed to gather sufficient evidence to report to the court. To uproot an old tree completely wasn’t so easy.

She knew his words made sense and said she would find another way.

Unexpectedly, Wei Wuya said he was willing to help her, but asked if she had the courage and resolve.

She told him she was willing to pay with her life for this.

Later, he arranged for her to enter the Quan Manor through the recommendation of one of the manor’s retainers.

It turned out Wei Wuya had people within Quan Manor.

The Prime Minister’s manor had both male retainers and female advisors—something she hadn’t expected, though there were only a few of the latter in this male-dominated society.

She dressed as a man and dealt with those people unobtrusively, seeking opportunities to approach the master of Quan Manor. Having been active since childhood, studying and practicing martial arts, often dressing as a young man unlike typical boudoir ladies, she had never been exposed. However, though she had talent, she was ultimately young, and the manor was full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. In his fox-like eyes, she was merely ordinary. He came several times but never noticed her. Among the hundred-plus retainers, only about ten could normally access matters of importance, and only two or three could discuss confidential affairs with him. The others, if they had any talent or skills and sought refuge with him, would be kept in the manor if his trusted subordinates took a liking to them. He would regularly come to discuss national affairs with them, observing and selecting from among them, promoting layer by layer.

She had spent over half a year there without incident.

Until one day two years ago, he told them he wanted to propose to the emperor the restoration of women’s imperial examinations, encouraging several women to participate. Many people expressed their views, and she also said a few words, which he quite liked.

She observed secretly and knew that when his interest was piqued, he would play the qin. The manor occasionally invited qin masters and dancers to perform. Subsequently, one night, she deliberately played the flute to harmonize when he was playing the qin. He recognized her and from then on, let her join that group of ten-plus people.

In this way, though what she accessed weren’t major matters, she learned quite a bit about the scheming within the court. Though called a retainer, he taught her many things and broadened her horizons. She also saw his methods—his appointments weren’t entirely based on favoritism, but his network spread everywhere, advancing level by level without ambiguity, and he provided many conveniences for people. He seemed like an exiled immortal, graceful and elegant, but as time passed, she became increasingly certain of one thing: he looked good, but his heart was thoroughly rotten.

Yes, someone who had launched a war for the throne, and after defeat could still attach himself to a new master and rise again—could such a person be good? Could a good person navigate two dynasties and command wind and rain?

For some unknown reason, she gradually became restless and uneasy.

That year on the Lantern Festival, though there were clearly banquets both in the palace and the manor, after he returned, he didn’t participate. He had Chao Huang handle the hospitality while he went alone to the back courtyard to play qin and drink.

The back courtyard wasn’t a place someone of her level could enter, but she had won considerable favor from him and was given the right to enter freely. So she followed him there. Seeing him drinking until his cheeks were flushed red, she pretended to dissuade him, but he had her drink a few cups with him. She remained on guard—she had heard many rumors about him loving both beauties and handsome men.

However, rather strangely, though many beauties frequented the manor daily, some outstanding in talent and appearance who won his favor, she had never seen him take any of them as concubines.

“This minister doesn’t like men, only loves women. Of course, you’re not a man… but I…”

He had no ulterior motives whatsoever, only drinking himself into intoxication. After softly saying these two sentences, he collapsed on the desk and fell asleep.

She was secretly shocked—he had seen through her female identity long ago? When?

But she had never seen him like this. He was usually always smiling, unfathomably deep, seeming very close to you yet making one feel he was difficult to approach. At this moment he seemed spirited, yet there wasn’t a trace of smile between his brows.

She watched him coldly, only hearing vague sounds from his mouth.

“If I could go back, I’d take you away… Oh no, I probably wouldn’t go with you. Li Zhaoting and I are the same type, this is who I am…”

He spoke softly with a light laugh, seeming slightly pained, yet also as if devoid of all sorrow.

She seemed to have glimpsed some secret of his, shocked for an instant, retreating several steps. His manor was truly vast, like half an imperial palace. The front courtyard was filled with drinking and revelry, but here it was silent as this—elegant pavilions under quiet moonlight, with only insect chirping and leaf rustling.

Suddenly, she realized this was a good opportunity and slowly drew something from her bosom.

This was a dagger she had always kept close to her body.

What was the point of waiting to collect evidence? For someone like him, if she missed this golden opportunity before her, how could she easily shake him later?

She approached with the dagger raised. Just as she was about to strike, her mind flashed through all his kindness to her over the past year, and she couldn’t help but freeze. But she immediately cursed herself—what kind of person was he, and what deep blood feud existed between them? Though her family’s tragic transformation wasn’t done by his own hand, it was all his doing!

She hesitated no more and thrust the dagger fiercely toward his chest!

But then changes occurred swift as lightning. Two black-clothed figures appeared from nowhere, and after three moves, one of them knocked her down. She fell disheveled and wretched, while the other placed a sword at her neck. The remaining person helped him up. “Master, it’s a female assassin.”

He rubbed his forehead awake and looked at her with slightly narrowed eyes.

Neither surprised nor angry, without any expression at all.

“Why?” he asked in a calm voice.

She spat at him and coldly revealed everything. The tears streaming down her face weren’t from fear, but regret—she was ultimately still young and hadn’t listened to that Young Master Wei. Only through patience could one achieve success. How could someone like him be so easily assassinated?

He said: “That person didn’t go through connections via me. Of course, these administrative matters are intricate and complex—it wouldn’t be strange for it to be blamed on me.”

“You’re lying!” she angrily accused.

He suddenly smiled: “For someone like me, is there need to deny such a small matter?”

She saw the arrogance in his eyes, and the mockery.

She was shocked and uncertain, then heard him say: “If you want to kill me, I’ll give you another chance.”

His eyes held neither storm nor clear skies—everything was so indifferent it didn’t seem real.

After that night, he indeed still let her stay and continue participating in his affairs.

She was shocked, fearful, and guarded.

She secretly met with Wei Wuya once. Wei Wuya asked if she had exposed herself, and she said no. Wei Wuya told her that the body of the person who had recommended her to the manor had already been found. He wanted her to remain calm and use this remaining opportunity.

She asked Wei Wuya why that person didn’t kill her. Wei Wuya pondered briefly and said lightly, perhaps it was due to an old acquaintance. Your situation is quite similar to his.

But he didn’t elaborate on what old acquaintance that was, only telling her not to believe what Quan Feitong said.

She wanted to ask for details, then grew angry at herself for overthinking, and ultimately didn’t ask.

And that person’s actions remained as always—ruthless and merciless.

However, once there was a great drought in the country, with many cities affected. Just as border conflicts with foreign tribes became militarily urgent and funds were tight, the court opened granaries for disaster relief and called for officials and merchants to donate to the people. Though some silver was raised in the short term, it was still a drop in the bucket. He had the court use the remaining money for military provisions, a move that drew great criticism. Unexpectedly, five days later, he had raised over a million taels, purchasing grain from Chu merchants at high prices, resolving the urgent crisis.

That money was said to come from fundraising, but she suspected it was actually from his years of accumulating wealth—this was just a portion of it, used at a critical moment to gain merit for the country and consolidate his power. Later, however, she learned from an advisor one level above her that it had indeed been raised by him. He controlled many “secrets” of ministers and merchants, and under威逼利诱, that money quickly came to hand. However, obtaining the money was secondary; the most challenging part was the purchasing, because she was quite favored by him, the advisor beside him didn’t hide anything from her, telling her that though Chu and Zhou were mutually wary, he had his own network of relationships in Chu, was privately close to the Chu Prime Minister, and had dealings with a group of Chu merchants.

She suddenly felt somewhat at a loss. What he had done was completely beyond her expectations. He definitely wasn’t a good person, but he wasn’t entirely consistent with her imagination either.

He sent her beautiful women’s clothing. The way people inside and outside the Prime Minister’s manor looked at her became different. Even the emperor was quite interested, once specifically asking to meet her when dining at the manor.

But he made no improper advances toward her. He seemed to actually not be as interested in her as he appeared before others. She knew she had to quickly investigate the matter of buying official positions—her feelings about this man were becoming increasingly strange.

She was slightly lost in thought when she suddenly heard the steward call: “Miss, the Prime Minister wants you to travel with him.”

She was stunned, just about to ask why, when the steward had already smiled and walked away.

When she came to her senses, they were already in the carriage.

She and he shared one carriage, while the emperor had his own.

In the spacious, luxurious carriage interior, the two sat on opposite sides. He was across from her, sipping tea and reading, his narrow eyes showing their usual laziness.

“Where is His Majesty traveling to, and why… did you bring me along?” she began, her voice carrying a trace of deeply suppressed tension.

He didn’t even lift his eyelids. “The emperor travels alone as a solitary man, while I have a beauty for company—isn’t that wonderful?”

She hadn’t expected such an answer. The word “beauty” made her face flush. After a pause, she hesitantly asked: “Is this really alright? Aren’t you afraid His Majesty will blame you?”

“Not afraid. His magnanimity isn’t that lacking. Being able to annoy him a bit is quite good.” He answered concisely.

She was immediately so shocked she could barely speak. By all accounts, he was extremely favored and trusted by the emperor—why was this? But looking at his expression, it didn’t seem like he was joking.

Why?

As she was thinking, he suddenly stood up, bringing his face close to hers, his thin lips only inches from her mouth.

“You’re so worried about me—why?” His lips curved slightly in an enchanting smile.

All she could smell was the clear, faint tea fragrance from his mouth, and she couldn’t help trembling all over.

At this time, Li Zhaoting was in his carriage, slightly lost in thought.

There was only him in the carriage—he hadn’t brought any female companions on this journey.

On the tea table in front was a woman’s robe.

The fabric was excellent, but the style was from several years ago.

He felt so fortunate that despite all his hatred back then, hanging her on the city wall, the clothes she had changed out of in his palace hadn’t been destroyed by anyone and had always been kept together with his clothes.

He looked deeply at that garment, his Adam’s apple moving from time to time.

Ever since receiving Quan Feitong’s letter on the Lantern Festival, he had never again slept through the night until dawn.

When he closed his eyes, he would see the scene from years past when she had Leng Xue give her a boost to peek over his family’s wall. Little Four always used a slingshot to hit her.

Even when hit, she wouldn’t get angry, grinning as she looked at him, full of nonsense.

The familiar face was long gone to who knows where, but the peach blossoms still smiled in the spring breeze.

But he still wanted to see—even if only weathered old walls and broken branches remained there now, he still wanted to go back and look, return to that original place.

When spring flowers reddened and winter leaves greened, she had waited for him in that misty March.