Tie Ci stepped forward and took her senior brother’s hand, smiling, “Thank you, senior brother.” She quickly darted into the carriage first.

Then she extended her hand to help the next person up, but behind her stood Gu Xiaoxiao and Feiyu side by side. Feiyu glanced at Gu Xiaoxiao with a smile and pushed him forward with her hand, “Would you like to get on first?”

Gu Xiaoxiao startled and jumped back three steps.

So Feiyu moved forward, casually stuffing her bundle into Second Senior Brother’s hands, “Thank you, senior brother.”

Second Senior Brother: “…”

I waited for nothing.

Gu Xiaoxiao carefully skirted around him and got into the carriage. As soon as he entered, he heard Feiyu smugly telling Tie Ci, “I didn’t compete with your childhood sweetheart. I’m quite magnanimous, aren’t I?”

Tie Ci, knowing full well what she meant, smiled, “If you don’t bully Xiaoxiao, then you’re truly magnanimous.”

Gu Xiaoxiao sat down across from them, keeping his distance from Feiyu, and snorted, “Scheming bitch.”

Tie Ci looked at him with amusement, saying, “You usually insist on riding in a separate carriage, but now that we’re traveling urgently, it’s not good to split up. Just bear with it.”

But Gu Xiaoxiao said, “When traveling away from home, how can one be so particular? Once I encountered mountain bandits who robbed me of all my money, and I even squeezed into an ox cart with a group of old farmers.” As he spoke, he frowned and scratched his arm, “Later I broke out in a rash that still itches even now.”

Tie Ci was stunned for a moment, warmth filling her heart.

She had indeed noticed that Gu Xiaoxiao’s social anxiety had improved considerably compared to before. In the past, he couldn’t even eat with others, let alone share a carriage with someone he disliked, yet today he had gotten on without saying anything.

It turned out that hardships and setbacks had forced him to grow.

But he shouldn’t have had to endure such tribulations.

Gu Xiaoxiao himself didn’t think it was anything special and said excitedly, “Why don’t you ask me how I managed to continue traveling after I had no money?”

Tie Ci smiled, “What’s there to fear about having no money? Making money is as easy as picking it up off the ground for you. Just bend your waist and lower your head, and money comes.”

“At least you understand me.” Gu Xiaoxiao smiled, “I happened to pass through that market town, Yulong Town, which was responsible for imperial silk production. The silk merchants in town formed a guild and monopolized all the palace textile orders. An out-of-town merchant had just moved there, wanting a share of the profits. He’d spent a lot of money but couldn’t squeeze in, and was quite frustrated. When I heard about it, I approached him and gave him an idea. I told him to buy a bridge over a nearby river, then have the bridge broken. That bridge was the only way for those silk merchants to transport raw materials across the river. Once broken, they’d have to take a detour, which would waste a lot of time. With the large palace orders and the penalty of beheading for delays, and nowhere else suitable to build a bridge on that river… With this stranglehold, the guild quickly let him join. The merchant thanked me with three thousand taels of silver and said if I ever needed anything in the future, just find him.”

He continued, “Don’t throw away my carriage. Have someone drive it slowly to follow us. I bought local specialties and recipes along the way that I want to keep for making money.”

Tie Ci clapped in admiration. Gu Xiaoxiao was a natural business genius—the future Minister of Revenue position belonged to no one else but him.

Feiyu had been listening on the side, and somehow her expression gradually grew gentler, and thereafter her attitude toward Gu Xiaoxiao became much more normal.

The carriage traveled for a day. That evening they lodged in a market town. Gu Xiaoxiao went out once with Chi Xue’s company and returned having sold quite a bit of goods. Not only did he make money, but he also gathered much information. He said that due to the continuous heavy rains, the fields were all waterlogged and this autumn’s harvest was destined to suffer. Many of the common people downstream of the Sanbai River in Dongming County were tenant farmers of the Xiao family. Originally thinking they couldn’t pay their rent and would have to flee as refugees, the Xiao family had announced in advance that this year they would only collect thirty percent rent, with the remainder to be made up when times were better. The only requirement was for everyone to help repair the embankments upstream of the Sanbai River to prevent flooding from high water levels, which would damage both the Xiao family ancestral home and the common people’s villages.

This was naturally to protect the common people, so everyone agreed without objection and helped enthusiastically.

The Xiao family’s good reputation had spread hundreds of li away. Hearing this, Tie Ci raised her eyebrows.

Honestly speaking, the Xiao family indeed had considerable depth and political acumen. Unlike ordinary wealthy families, they didn’t easily oppress the common people or exploit the countryside. The Empress Dowager and Assistant Minister Xiao had always maintained good appearances and rarely gave others grounds for criticism. The Xiao family’s gradual prosperous development over the years was not unrelated to this style of conduct.

Tie Ci had originally come to Dongming to listen to the Xiao family’s reputation and see if she could catch any evidence against them, but now it seemed she would likely be disappointed.

However, she wasn’t too concerned. With just the few people around her, if they really tried to get evidence against the Xiao family, their lives would probably be in danger.

Her master had warned her that one’s actions should be like flowing water—smooth and adaptable, going with the flow. Even if one wanted to surge like rapids, one must first gather into rivers and lakes, possessing tremendous momentum. A mere trickle trying to flow upstream would only be beaten back three thousand li—what chance would it have to gather and form an ocean?

Tie Ci sat under the tea shed, drinking fine tea and watching the continuous drizzle, when suddenly someone sat down across from her and grabbed the teapot from her table, silently pouring themselves a cup of tea.

Tie Ci was startled and held back Dan Shuang, who had abruptly stood up. The person looked up, and Tie Ci said in surprise, “Lady Sun?”

It was actually Lady Sun from Lingquan Village, the woman who had given her the opportunity to approach He Zi because she had saved her child.

Lady Sun had always been a direct person. Holding her tea cup, she pointed at Tie Ci and said, “Three matters.”

“The husband you found for A Hei ran away some time ago. A Hei asked me to ask you where that guy is from and where he lives—she needs to chase her husband across a thousand li.”

Hearing this, Tie Ci laughed, “That person is actually quite a character—the second prince of the Liaodong King. This time he was rescued, he’s probably returning to Liaodong. A Hei should forget about it. The Liaodong King commands heavy troops, and the royal palace is impregnable. Even if she has supreme martial arts, she might not return if she goes alone. If she really wants a handsome man, I’ll help her find another one later.”

Lady Sun shook her head, “She only likes that one and can’t let go. Let her be.” She continued, “Second matter: the child you left behind has been cared for by Dong Dezi’s family. Last time Dong Dezi even said you two weren’t very loyal—you ran off and left the child behind. Who’s going to pay for the upkeep? But I’m not here today to ask you for child support. The Fishing Old Man has taken a liking to that child, says he has excellent bone structure and is a martial arts prodigy. He wants to take him as a disciple, and from now on he’ll pay for the upkeep.”

Tie Ci was silent for a while.

That child was Old Liu’s grandson. Old Liu and his son had been coerced by Murong Duan into harming her, ultimately perishing in the flames. She had left the child in Lingquan Village partly to provide him with protection. Now that he had indeed been noticed, one could imagine what kind of human weapon would be created when the skilled people throughout Lingquan Village concentrated on training one child from a young age.

Before she could speak, Feiyu had already said, “Excellent, let it be so.”

Tie Ci frowned.

Certainly Feiyu’s choice was very correct—the inevitable choice of a superior. Speaking of which, that child had nowhere else to go, so why not add a weapon for oneself?

But creating a human weapon required more than just martial arts training. It might involve countless hardships and sufferings. Though she had saved the child’s life, what right did she have to decide another person’s entire life based on her own selfish desires?

Having been influenced by her master’s teachings for so many years, those feudal scholar-official concepts of class hierarchy had long been covered by ideas of “equality, human rights, and freedom.” Some decisions were no longer so easy to make.

After a long pause, she said, “I’ll pay the upkeep first. As for martial arts training, could the Fishing Old Man wait until the child is three years old and ask for his own opinion before deciding?”

Lady Sun raised her eyebrows, stared at her for a long moment, then nodded, “That’s also acceptable, but we’ll cleanse his marrow first. This won’t harm him, and whether he learns in the future, he can decide for himself.”

Tie Ci nodded.

Feiyu sighed, “Woman’s kindness.”

Tie Ci just smiled.

But Gu Xiaoxiao indignantly retorted, “What do you know? This shows her noble character and open conduct—she doesn’t care to deprive someone of their freedom of choice to fulfill her own purposes. Someone like her will eventually have more people admire and join her. She doesn’t need these ruthless tactics!”

Rarely, Feiyu didn’t argue back. She tapped the table with her knuckles and looked at Tie Ci with a half-smile, “Indeed. Shiba’s character and perspective—being merely the son of a third-rank official is beneath her.”

Tie Ci’s heart jumped.

Feiyu was extremely perceptive—had she sensed something?

But Lady Sun suddenly said, “Character and perspective—I don’t understand these terms. But I do know you were smart enough this time.”

She took out an envelope from her robes and said, “This is the third matter. Go back and read it yourself. The person who gave me this letter told me that if you had chosen without hesitation to let that child become a weapon and death warrior for the second matter, then this letter needn’t be given to you.”

She handed over the letter, drained her tea cup, overturned it, and like a breeze, swept away and disappeared into the rain curtain.

Many people around were drinking tea, but no one looked up for a second glance.

Tie Ci opened the letter, glanced at it, and suddenly stood up.

Everyone looked at her in surprise. Only then did Tie Ci realize Feiyu was also there. She sat back down and smiled, “I received an unexpected joy. Something I thought hadn’t succeeded—now the other party tells me he’s accepted my invitation.”

This was He Zi’s letter. He said he had already taken the Academy Dean to the capital and would soon become the Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor. Zhu Yi had also resigned from his position as Academy Dean, recommending Rong Pu as his successor. After much court discussion, the Supervisor was promoted to Dean, and Rong Pu took the Supervisor position.

Tie Ci had originally given up on this matter, never expecting He Zi to send her such a great gift. Recalling Lady Sun’s words just now, clearly He Zi had wanted to test her one more time to see her character. Having been so badly harmed by the imperial family, he didn’t want to encounter another cold-hearted master who would cross the bridge and tear it down. If she had answered without hesitation to let that child become a weapon, this letter wouldn’t have been produced, and He Zi’s position as Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor naturally wouldn’t exist either.

Obtaining He Zi was of great significance. Tie Ci was delighted and drank several more cups at dinner. However, travel safety was important, so she was only slightly tipsy. The inn where they lodged was quite large, with a small pond in the courtyard. Tie Ci put her left arm around Gu Xiaoxiao and her right arm around Feiyu, raising her hand to gesture a large circle: “Look, this is the fish pond I’ve reserved for you!”

Feiyu laughed and raised her hand to gesture an even larger circle, saying, “Look, sooner or later I’ll conquer this beautiful realm for you!”

Gu Xiaoxiao glanced at her and frowned, “What nonsense are you spouting! Is that something you should be saying?”

Feiyu ignored him, easily scooped up Tie Ci horizontally, and strode into the room. Gu Xiaoxiao didn’t want to follow her and sat in place, his eyebrows almost flying off his face.

Look at that scheming bitch, snatching up the Crown Princess with one move!

And she’d been acting delicate and fragile as a willow the whole journey in front of the Crown Princess.

What an act!

…

Capital city.

Central Military Governor’s Office.

Qi Yuansi, who had returned home to visit his family, was practicing swordsmanship in the garden early in the morning.

Any servants passing by the garden carefully slowed their steps.

Since the young master returned to the manor, he was completely different from before. He had been diligent before, but now was even more so—sleeping at the third watch and rising at the fifth, practicing sword so early that even the servants hadn’t yet awakened.

When he read, he was even more tireless day and night, adding many miscellaneous subjects. He had the master find him a Western mathematics teacher for special tutoring, making both master and mistress simultaneously happy and worried. They often had to persuade him not to work so hard—the Qi family could already rely on hereditary privilege, and taking the examinations himself was already quite remarkable. There was no need to insist on becoming the top scholar.

No one knew what had stimulated him.

Qi Yuansi had just finished sword practice and was about to go study when a senior maid from the old mistress’s quarters came to urge him, saying today was the flower-viewing gathering and the young master shouldn’t study anymore—he should change clothes early and attend the gathering.

Qi Yuansi listened respectfully but didn’t look pleased.

He knew this flower-viewing gathering was actually a disguised matchmaking event for the capital’s nobility. Today at the gathering, his grandmother had arranged to meet the eldest granddaughter of the Minister of Justice’s family.

Natural and proper, a suitable match, but he wasn’t interested.

Just as he was reluctantly going to change clothes, his page came running over with a letter.

Seeing the familiar signature on the envelope, Qi Yuansi raised his eyebrows—it was actually from an academy classmate.

He had only been home for a few short days and would return after staying a while. Why would an academy classmate need to write him a letter and send it so far?

He casually opened the letter and skimmed through it.

Suddenly his gaze froze.

Qi Yuansi’s page watched his young master worriedly—why had he suddenly become rigid as a statue?

After another long moment, Qi Yuansi’s hand loosened and the letter fell to the ground.

The page instinctively moved to pick it up, but Qi Yuansi shouted, “Don’t pick it up!”

Startling the page so much he trembled. He dared not move or look at the letter’s contents, wondering what earth-shattering matter it contained to make his young master so distraught.

Qi Yuansi stood dazed for a long while before slowly picking up the letter, slowly folding it, and sorting through his chaotic thoughts.

So… Ye Shiba was a woman.

So… she was the Crown Princess.

So… she was the Crown Princess whose engagement to him had been broken off.

So after he left, such heart-stopping events had occurred—all the academy students were protected by the Crown Princess and everyone was preserved from the assassins’ blades.

Qi Yuansi wandered aimlessly through the garden and unknowingly walked to the side of the latrine. Turning his head and seeing his family’s clean toilet, he suddenly remembered his experience in the academy latrine that day.

His page followed behind, watching dumbfounded as his young master suddenly crouched down in front of the latrine.

Was this… a sudden stomach upset?

Then he should go inside to relieve himself!

But he didn’t dare approach or speak, feeling it was better not to get near the young master at this moment.

After a while, the senior maid came to urge the young master again, “Young master, young master, what are you doing crouching here? The old mistress requests you quickly change clothes. The Minister of Justice’s young lady has reportedly already arrived at Yanjiao Garden… Oh my young master, what is this…”

The maid stopped speaking.

She watched in shock as Qi Yuansi looked up with reddened eyes and said in a thread-like voice, “I regret it now… is it too late to go to the garden party?”