Jing Hengbo began her painful yet joyful career as queen.

The welcoming ceremony had been full of ups and downs, and the aftermath cleanup was troublesome. Fortunately, she didn’t need to worry about such troubles now – all governmental power was in Gong Yin’s hands.

At the final scene of that day’s ceremony, after the box scattered open, a group of people at the front had seen those intimate objects that rolled out of the box. But there were too many miscellaneous items at the time, and the things quickly disappeared, followed by assassination and explosion, with everyone fleeing in chaos. People’s impressions often choose to remember the most profound events. Many people’s memories stopped at the moment of explosion, forgetting the earlier shock and confusion. Others, due to the sudden chaos of the explosion, began doubting their own memories, thinking perhaps they had seen things incorrectly. Of course there were also skeptics, but such skepticism couldn’t be raised in court sessions. It was said that when someone tentatively inquired, State Preceptor Gong, who was sitting in the high seat, paused with his teacup and turned his head with a cold glance: “As they say, what you think about during the day, you dream about at night – or vice versa. Minister Tie must have lingered too often in brothels and pleasure quarters, seeing everything as those things you commonly see in brothels. An assassin’s kaleidoscope thrown to attract attention could make you think of those things. Minister Tie is truly vigorous as a dragon and fierce as a tiger – admirable, admirable.”

The ministers were dumbstruck, never imagining such words would come from the noble and reserved Gong Yin’s mouth. But only such venomous words could be most effective. The questioning Minister Tie was covered in cold sweat, his face purple and green, wishing he could burrow into the ground.

And Gong Yin, once deciding to act, never stopped at just words. Three days later, Minister Tie was dismissed and arrested for violating prohibitions by frequenting brothels during work hours. From then on, no one spoke of that “unspeakable story” from the ceremony – what could they say? With no evidence and endless consequences, just shut up.

Afterward, Gong Yin posted notices throughout Imperial Song seeking the ceremony’s assassin, deliberately stating in the notice that the assassin had malicious intent, scattering strange objects to attract attention while looking for an opportunity to assassinate the Queen. The people didn’t remember clearly how those things had appeared anyway. After reading the notice, they all went “oh,” thinking it was the assassin’s method? Of course! How could the Queen, so sacred and pure as ice and jade, privately possess such things? Right, right, that’s how it was!

Jing Hengbo safely weathered the crisis. While thanking Gong Yin for his forceful intervention, she secretly thanked heaven that an assassin had come, and that Yelu Qi had caused an explosion, creating successive diversions that drew everyone’s attention away and naturally dispersed them. Otherwise, with just her alone on the platform at that time, being watched by thousands, even if she had a mouth all over her body, she couldn’t have explained clearly.

On the day the welcoming ceremony ended, she was welcomed into Yuzhao Palace. Due to her performance at the ceremony, she received more generous spiritual treatment than many previous queens. Those guards and palace servants from poor backgrounds mostly felt grateful and worshipful toward this queen who cared about people’s livelihoods and might save Dahuang’s people, treating her with great respect. But there were also disappointments – she didn’t get to live next door to Gong Yin as she had hoped. In fact, when she asked a guard for directions, the guard spent a full quarter hour explaining the route, then another half quarter hour explaining the rules for the Queen’s meetings with the State Preceptor. After hearing it all, she despaired.

According to the rules, after her formal coronation, except for daily court attendance, she couldn’t casually summon the State Preceptor without cause. Only during annual festivals and major events would there be special meetings with the State Preceptor. For her to see the State Preceptor required an imperial edict; for the State Preceptor to see her required a memorial, which had to be filed with the Ministry of Rites and prepared by the Palace Ministry. During meetings, there would be various attendants present…

She lived in Yuzhao West Palace, while Gong Yin lived in Yuzhao South Palace. The distance between the two palaces… walking would take most of a day, and if one wasn’t familiar with the route, whether you could make it in time for dinner would be questionable.

Jing Hengbo countless times hugged her blanket and rolled around – Rules! Rules! These damned rules!

However, now she hadn’t been formally crowned yet. The Queen’s coronation date had to be chosen – Gong Yin had already ordered the Bureau of Astronomy to select an auspicious day. It was said the nearest auspicious day was six months away. Until then, she enjoyed the Queen’s privileges without fulfilling the Queen’s duties, having no authority to interfere in government affairs but being free to enter and exit Yuzhao Palace.

Jing Hengbo secretly thought this arrangement was best. Since she hadn’t been crowned yet, naturally she didn’t need to follow those stinking rules about edicts and memorials. So she straightforwardly stated she wanted to live in the courtyard closest to Gong Yin’s office within Yuzhao Palace, euphemistically calling it “guarding the door for the great god.”

Gong Yin expressed no opinion on this – he was ignoring Jing Hengbo again recently.

Jing Hengbo knew the reason. Wasn’t it dissatisfaction with those dolls, being too proud to show it, beating around the bush with a few words only to be rendered speechless by her retorts? With his personality, it was already good that he hadn’t thrown her out of Dahuang in anger.

So she absolutely had to find an opportunity to explain that she was innocent and pure! To explain, she first had to get close, right? Living next door was essential.

After getting tacit permission, today the gatekeeper came to look at the courtyard.

Jing Hengbo rarely got up early, bringing Yong Xue out with her. She wanted to first select a courtyard. This courtyard needed good lighting, excellent location, transparent layout, complete facilities, and most importantly, the best view of Gong Yin.

When she left, two adjacent rooms in the southwest corner of the palace garden had their doors tightly closed.

Jing Hengbo glanced over and sighed inwardly.

Those were Cui Jie and Jing Jun’s rooms.

At the welcoming ceremony, Cui Jie had knocked over the box, nearly bringing her enormous trouble. Afterward, Cui Jie repeatedly sought her out to apologize, her face red and swollen as she said she didn’t know how she had lost her footing – it seemed someone had bumped her from behind.

With the crowd excited at the time, there were indeed many people behind her. Whether there was bumping or not was really unclear.

Jing Hengbo asked where Jing Jun had been at the time. Jing Jun said she had felt uncomfortable from sun exposure and went to a secluded place to rest. She wasn’t at the scene and had nothing to do with the incident.

Jing Hengbo also remembered that day in the square, the female voice that first screamed and pointed at that thing. If not for that scream, with so many things falling at the time, perhaps no one would have had time to notice that item.

That female voice – Jing Hengbo thought about it in her mind for a long time but couldn’t determine whose it was. It didn’t sound like Jing Jun or Cui Jie, nor was it her enemies Fei Luo or Sang Dong.

Perhaps she could only wait for this enemy to show themselves again in the future.

She didn’t blame Cui Jie, but since the revenge incident, the two seemed to have developed a rift. Jing Hengbo didn’t blame her, yet couldn’t return to how things were before. Cui Jie, on the other hand, seemed very self-reproaching about the incident, shutting herself in her room without even eating dinner. Jing Hengbo had to send someone to deliver food.

Jing Jun was still her sickly-looking self. After the welcoming ceremony, she said sun exposure made her lie down again. She also blamed herself considerably toward Jing Hengbo, saying Jing Hengbo had originally entrusted the box to her, but she was too weak and gave it to Cui Jie. If she had been able to handle it then, being more careful by nature, perhaps the later incident wouldn’t have happened…

Jing Hengbo just waved her hand, saying “Nothing really came of it anyway, forget it,” and walked away, leaving Jing Jun standing there.

Regarding these two companions in hardship, she hadn’t expected much help from them. Now, regardless of whether these two had done something at the ceremony, it at least proved these two really weren’t reliable people. Fortunately, she had never held expectations or planned to entrust her affairs to them, so there was no disappointment. She just secretly decided that in the future she would let them live comfortably in the palace, and when suitable people appeared, quickly marry them off. That would count as helping friends find good homes.

People without sufficient wisdom and scheming couldn’t survive in politics and the imperial court. She didn’t want to harm them, nor did she want to be harmed because of them.

Since both were useless, Jing Hengbo could only bring Yong Xue along.

This little girl had originally been unwilling to serve customers at the brothel when Jing Hengbo casually saved her. When Jing Hengbo was captured by Gong Yin, this girl had silently followed along. Compared to the clamorous Cui Jie and delicate Jing Jun, she was quiet and taciturn, with a pair of small but dark eyes like deep pools, like a shadow always floating behind people. Having walked together for so long, she surprisingly had no presence at all.

But Jing Hengbo remembered the few words she had spoken – each sentence seemed like dream-talk, each had reason. Each sentence had a prophetic-like sharpness.

This was also a peculiar child.

A sedan chair was brought for Her Majesty the Queen’s use. Otherwise, she wouldn’t finish touring Yuzhao Palace even by nightfall.

Jing Hengbo frowned as soon as she saw the sedan chair.

“Is this a sedan chair or a coffin?” she commented rudely. “Why is it covered with black gauze? We’re not going to a funeral. Why make such a tight canopy? Hot and unventilated? On TV, I saw them all uncovered. Remove it!”

“Your Majesty,” the accompanying female official said with difficulty, “You are the Queen and cannot allow others to gaze upon your countenance casually. Any modifications to your imperial conveyances require the State Preceptor’s approval, reported to the Ministry of Rites for approval, with signatures from all six ministers…”

“Do I have the right to exercise?” Jing Hengbo cut off her words.

The female official didn’t understand and blinked: “Of course…”

“Do I have the right to command guards?”

“Yes.”

“As Queen, when I personally handle certain matters, do you have the duty to assist?”

“This is essential, Your Majesty.”

“Very good.” Jing Hengbo hooked her finger, pointing at a guard’s waist sword. “Your sword is very beautiful. Let me borrow it for a look.”

The guard’s face flushed red, very honored to offer his sword while accepting envious looks from others.

Jing Hengbo took the sword and smiled as she tried to perform a sword flourish. Her movements were extremely dangerous, making everyone’s hearts leap with fear.

“Your Majesty, slower, slower…”

“How about this? This way? This side? That side?” As Jing Hengbo flourished, she made a “slash” and cut into one of the sedan chair’s pillars.

The crowd clamoring to stop her and give guidance all froze.

“Oh no, it’s cracked.” Jing Hengbo tilted her head to look, then smiled showing her teeth. “This looks so ugly. If I ride out in a broken sedan chair, this Queen would lose face. Might as well cut it all down.”

Before anyone could react, she slashed several times randomly at the pillars supporting the canopy.

“As guards, letting Your Majesty personally cut trees – what are you good for?” Jing Hengbo threw back the sword. “Come help!”

The guards numbly caught the sword.

“What? Are my orders useless?” Jing Hengbo smiled. “Now I order you to help me cut down these trees.”

“Your Majesty, these aren’t trees…”

“They used to be trees.”

…

In the end, the guards confusedly cut down the “trees.”

Jing Hengbo climbed up with Yong Xue, satisfied, stretched lazily, and looked around in all directions, feeling the breeze from all sides was very refreshing.

“This is great!”

“Your Majesty…” The female official urgently produced a veil. “Without the sedan top, you must wear a veil…”

Jing Hengbo took the veil, rubbed it in her palm, and under the female official’s hopeful gaze, turned and handed the veil to Yong Xue.

“Nice texture,” she said. “Use it to make a handkerchief.”

Yong Xue accepted it. “Yes.” A hint of amusement seemed to flash in her eyes.

“Your Majesty…” The female official’s face alternated between green and red.

“I know,” Jing Hengbo supported her chin with one hand, her eyes flowing. “Queens have many rules. These rules will soon have specialized female protocol officers come teach me. Before that, you’re the female official responsible for giving me a basic understanding of these rules. But I think I should notify you – whether it’s you or those protocol officers from the Ministry of Rites, I won’t pay attention to your rules and dogma. I have no great ambitions, just want to live more comfortably. But your rules, in my view, aren’t comfortable at all. So either I’m uncomfortable, or you and your rules are uncomfortable. Someone has to be uncomfortable, so let it be you.”

She smiled and flicked her fingers, her exquisite sapphire blue nails making a clear declaration: “However many rules come, I’ll break that many. Just watch.”

She smiled with exquisite makeup and eyes like flowing water, appearing to have no destructive power at all. Yet the female official felt those sapphire blue nails were like small daggers stabbing straight from her eyes into her heart.

Some people were usually playful and casual, and even when serious only smiled gracefully, but in those brilliant eyes was an inviolable dignity.

The female official suddenly remembered a legend from the welcoming ceremony – it was said the Queen had actually made the Minister of Rites sick with anger…

The female official silently withdrew. Of course, today’s events would be reported to the Ministry of Rites.

The sedan chair was smoothly lifted and moved forward.

“Come, let’s see which real estate is suitable for living.” Jing Hengbo directed like a general.

She discovered that walking forward from her bedroom, the terrain became increasingly spacious, with fewer flowers and plants. The layout of building architecture also became more transparent – walls grew lower, windows larger, no longer having the feeling of high walls and deep courtyards like a prison cell around her bedroom.

Finally, the sedan chair stopped before a pierced flower wall. Through the flower wall, Jing Hengbo saw the crowds coming and going in front of Gong Yin’s office “Jing Ting” (Quiet Courtyard).

Near Jing Ting were three buildings, respectively close to Jing Ting’s garden, study, and Gong Yin’s residence. According to Jing Hengbo’s thinking, naturally being close to Gong Yin’s residence would be best – if only separated from his bed by one wall, that would be even better. Unfortunately, though that courtyard was close to Gong Yin’s residence, they were back-to-back. If she really wanted to peep, she’d have to take a detour.

Finally, Jing Hengbo chose a courtyard near Jing Ting’s study. Like Jing Ting’s study, the courtyard was close to the outer court, both having doors facing the outer palace road. Across the palace road were the ministers’ offices and the Six Ministries’ meeting places. Some high officials who worked too late could also stay overnight in the outer court. Gong Yin’s back door opened there for the convenience of conducting business at any time.

“How about here?” Jing Hengbo looked left and right, asking Yong Xue.

The girl’s dark eyes seemed to look past the courtyard toward the distance.

“The pavilion closest to the water gets the moonlight first,” she said.

Jing Hengbo was delighted, feeling this couldn’t be more appropriate. The pavilion closest to the water – naturally closest to Gong Yin, this pool of ice water.

“Then here it is.” She waved her hand and walked around the courtyard.

“Hey, the garden lacks benches. Bring some benches.”

“Why is the wall on this side so solid? Change it to a pierced flower wall!”

“Too few flowering trees, so bare. Quickly transplant some flowering trees, otherwise how can I avoid getting sunburned when I leave the courtyard?”

The guards were ordered around in circles, urgently planting trees, demolishing and rebuilding walls, moving furniture – a bustling scene.

In the adjacent Jing Ting study, Gong Yin, who was meeting with ministers, suddenly stopped speaking.

Everyone quieted, hearing the clanging sounds from next door, looking at each other in confusion.

Jing Ting wasn’t the most magnificent palace chamber in Yuzhao Palace, even somewhat secluded. It was chosen for the word “quiet.” The surrounding courtyards had been uninhabited for years. Those who held meetings here were accustomed to a quiet atmosphere, always speaking in low voices. Now hearing wall demolition, moving sounds, digging sounds, mixed with lazy and charming female laughter, the noise was unbearable. They couldn’t help but look anxiously at Gong Yin.

Everyone knew the State Preceptor most detested clamor.

But this time was somewhat strange. When the State Preceptor heard the noise, he initially frowned, but suddenly his brow relaxed slightly. His eyes glanced outward, and soon he casually tapped the table as if nothing had happened. “Continue.”

Everyone was puzzled in their hearts but didn’t dare slack off, quickly following along while secretly pondering.

Some sensitive ones thought that when the State Preceptor glanced outward just now, his lip curve seemed to suddenly soften?

Others even more sensitive thought the State Preceptor’s attitude change seemed precisely because he heard that laughter?

Huh, who was that laughing? In the courtyards near Jing Ting, who dared to move in so noisily?

…

“Regarding Left State Preceptor’s suspected involvement in assassinating the Queen at the welcoming ceremony, please give an explanation for this, Lord Yelu.”

The meeting continued the previous topic. Now it was the Chief Minister of the Justice Ministry challenging Yelu Qi, demanding he explain the “assassination” incident of that day.

Dahuang’s political system differed from other nations. Under the Left and Right State Preceptors were Vice Ministers. Under the Vice Ministers were the five ministries: Rites, Justice, Works, Revenue, and Personnel. In terms of status, the Ministry of Rites ranked first. The head of each ministry was also called a minister – the Ministry of Rites head was the Rites Minister, equivalent to the Ministry of Rites Secretary in Great Yan and other countries. There was no War Ministry – the nominal supreme military commander was Her Majesty the Queen, while actual military power was generally held jointly by the Left and Right State Preceptors, with whoever had more influence taking control. Additionally, the six nations and eight tribes had their own armies, but with limited troop numbers. The leaders of the six nations and eight tribes mostly held nominal positions in court – civilian posts like議事大夫 (Discussion Officials), allowing symbolic participation in government affairs. Furthermore, sages and priests also possessed certain rights of political participation.

Dahuang’s former Vice Minister had just left office, and this position was currently vacant, with countless people fighting fiercely for it. Minister of Justice, seeking to make an impression, had even actively taken on the “Queen’s Assassination Case.”

Yelu Qi sat in the first position on the left, slightly lower than Gong Yin’s position. He looked at his opponent calmly and said, “If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext. Just because someone says I masterminded it makes it so? I’ll immediately kill State Preceptor Gong and say Minister Linghu Qin masterminded it – how do you plan to explain that?”

Dahuang had many compound surnames, with frequent intermarriage among court officials. Several members of the Linghu clan held office, and they all angrily cursed. Justice Minister Linghu Qin sneered coldly: “Those suspected of crimes should all accept investigation. Even if State Preceptor Yelu frames me, I’m willing to accept Justice Ministry investigation. The Justice Ministry enforces law impartially and can naturally restore my innocence.”

“I don’t dare trust that Minister Linghu can restore my innocence. I hear you’re about to become in-laws with the Zhanyu tribe?” Yelu Qi smiled carelessly. “Besides, those assassins were all killed in the explosion – there aren’t even witnesses. You dare accuse me based on assassins’ words that may not have been heard clearly?”

“State Preceptor, please don’t drag in irrelevant matters. There are people who saw you flash into the ruined ceremonial platform, then rush out from the platform after the explosion.” Linghu Qin sneered. “The Queen was hiding under the platform then. May I ask what you intended by secretly entering under the platform? Why did you later emerge in such a disheveled state?”

“I went there naturally to save the Queen.” Yelu Qi remained composed. “When I heard the assassins’ slander and framing, I knew that to clear my innocence, I had to first save the Queen. Naturally I had to rush to her side.”

“Then why wasn’t the Queen saved by you? And why did you emerge disheveled?” Zhanyu tribe leader Zhan Chong immediately questioned.

“That was naturally because Her Majesty the Queen herself has extraordinary divine power, needing no protection from me. She even used divine skills to send me out of the explosion zone. Ah, Your Majesty’s grace – this humble minister is moved to tears.” Yelu Qi’s eyes sparkled as if he was truly very moved.

“The State Preceptor is truly eloquent.” Zhan Chong sneered.

“What’s improper about the State Preceptor’s words? Rather, it’s the Zhanyu tribe being aggressive, making one think – the Zhanyu tribe and Lord Yelu have unresolved grievances to this day, right? Could this be the thief crying ‘catch the thief’?” High Priest Sang Dong suddenly smiled and interjected.

“Nonsense! Slandering people – just because you’re a priest you can show favoritism?”

“Such a guilty conscience – who knows who’s forming cliques and deliberately showing favoritism!” Xuanyuan Jing joined in.

…

“Enough.”

When the big shots were arguing most intensely, Gong Yin finally spoke.

The clear, cold voice was like cold water splashed into a hot pot. After the shock, everyone fell silent with respect. Although those who had been arguing still showed indignant expressions, they didn’t speak again.

Yelu Qi maintained his carelessly smiling expression, repeatedly glancing out the window.

“Jing Ting is not a night market, and you are not peddlers or porters,” Gong Yin’s tone was decisive. “Minister Linghu, just follow proper procedures.”

“Yes. According to Article 35, Section 7 of Dahuang Law, all those suspected of attacking or harming Her Majesty the Queen shall be imprisoned. When cases are in doubt and the parties involved hold first-rank positions, they may first be investigated at Zhaomin Public Office. After facts are clarified, further decisions will be made.”

Gong Yin pondered silently, also glancing out the window.

Others didn’t notice his slightly displeased expression, all feeling this disposition was good. No matter how noble the State Preceptor was, it was impossible to sentence him to death based on a single sentence from someone already dead without evidence. Being able to have him detained for investigation was considered a blow to Left State Preceptor’s faction. For the Zhanyu tribe, who had grievances with Yelu Qi, this was even more welcome, as it gave them opportunity to make moves while Yelu Qi temporarily lacked freedom.

Officials from Yelu Qi’s faction were naturally somewhat displeased, but seeing Yelu Qi himself smiling without any intention to object, and thinking there really was no reason to oppose further – they couldn’t refuse even investigation – they could only remain silent.

Gong Yin glanced at the smiling Yelu Qi, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.

Fei Luo had been sitting by the window, looking outside several times, when she suddenly smiled: “I wondered who it was – turns out it’s our Queen. Her Majesty is truly lively, saying she won’t live in the bedchamber and then not living there, saying she’ll live next to Jing Ting and then moving next to Jing Ting. If the previous queens knew from their graves, they’d be so envious.”

Gong Yin’s expression darkened slightly. Before he could speak, the Minister of Rites, who had supported his ailing body to attend the meeting, already trembled as he said: “Ah! I thought Jing Ting was expanding and renovating the adjacent courtyard, but it’s Her Majesty the Queen moving there? Impossible, impossible! Without reporting through the Palace Ministry and approval from the Six Ministries’ research, how can Her Majesty relocate at will…”

“She hasn’t been crowned yet,” Gong Yin interrupted the Minister of Rites who was about to rise in protest with one sentence. “An assassination just occurred, so I had Her Majesty relocate for easier protection.”

“I see, but it’s still improper…” another official said quietly. “Although Her Majesty was brilliant and magnificent at the welcoming ceremony, benefiting the world, her behavior is unrestrained and doesn’t follow propriety. Thus, we should properly explain the rules to Her Majesty. Our Dahuang has been established for hundreds of years. Ceremonies are sacred texts that generations of queens must follow, and they’re the guarantee of our Dahuang’s stable political system. They cannot be easily overturned by others…”

This person droned on, and most people present nodded in deep agreement. Dahuang’s power structure was already established. Regardless of faction, no one wanted a strong queen to suddenly appear and disrupt the existing political balance. However, Jing Hengbo’s demeanor, performance, behavior, and speeches were all heterodox, vaguely showing a flavor of challenging the existing system. How could this be allowed?

All restless elements should be nipped in the bud.

Gong Yin remained noncommittal, rising to walk to the window. The originally solid wall facing the window had been half demolished, quickly replaced with a flower wall. Someone was laughingly and sneakily climbing a ladder. In the sunlight, bright eyes flashed, and something in her hand seemed to gleam strangely.

He drew a breath, his gaze also flashing, then turned away.

Some people were naturally radiant, like sudden sunlight breaking through clouds.

His heart and lungs seemed suddenly pierced by sharp light – a pain, a coolness, a trace of true energy flowing out like water from within. His face paled slightly as he regulated his breathing, then turned around. Seeing everyone’s expressions, he suddenly sighed inwardly.

Something originally very simple seemed to become more complex and difficult to control due to her unconventional arrival.

Her freedom was destined to face resistance from almost all subjects. Those millennia-old regulations had condensed into indestructible high walls, spanning all roads leading to self-determination.

Who should give up? Who should retreat? Or watch helplessly as they charged bloodily at each other, watch her fall on a thorny path? When conflict became inevitable, how should he tell her that this iron-blue sky domain stretching for hundreds of years absolutely couldn’t be crossed by courage alone?

“Is promoting swamp cultivation important, or is the Queen learning etiquette important?” He turned back, his eyes coldly sweeping over everyone. “Gentlemen, this matter concerns our Dahuang’s national strength for a century. Everyone present bears responsibility. The water vegetable, fish, and mulberry co-cultivation method proposed by the Queen – do any of you present have good methods for promotion? How should we begin? Where should we first trial plant? What good seeds should we choose…”

With serious topics thrown out, no one dared slack off. All sat up straight and discussed heatedly. The matter of the Queen not following etiquette was temporarily set aside.

Only Fei Luo by the window glanced at the outside occasionally, then at Gong Yin who appeared stern yet seemed somewhat distracted, and at the constantly smiling but silent Yelu Qi, revealing a strange and cold smile at the corner of her lips.

…

“Hey, hey, higher, higher! No, left, a bit to the left! Ah ah ah, almost can see, a bit more to the right! Good, don’t move!”

Jing Hengbo was perched on a ladder while a group of guards below sweated profusely holding the ladder, moving everywhere according to her demands.

Finally, Jing Hengbo determined the optimal spying position and patted the wall with a beaming smile. “Good, right here. Don’t build a wall, leave a big hole!”

The guards were dripping with sweat – the big hole she’d marked out was large enough for a person to step through…

Finally, the guards built a plum blossom wall there, ensuring Her Majesty the Queen could see the State Preceptor’s every movement through each petal of the plum blossom. The five petals could also create multi-angle observation effects. Jing Hengbo expressed great satisfaction.

She stood contentedly on the wall top with a telescope in one hand and a Polaroid in the other.

“Alright, they’re having a meeting.” She moved the lens around. “Tsk tsk, red faces and thick necks – they’re arguing? Hmph, and they call themselves big shots. No grace.”

“Oh oh, he’s standing up! Ah! The window! Polaroid ready!”

“Click.”

Jing Hengbo smiled as she looked at the photo in her hand. Tsk tsk, a beauty is a beauty – gorgeous from any angle!

In the photo, a white-robed figure stood quietly by the window, tall and straight, with black hair like flowing water, eyes clear as deep springs. The pale golden pearl at his collar emitted a hazy halo, illuminating his softly lined red lips.

Black tiles, red window, green branches, white robes. Bright colors, a person like ice and jade.

Jing Hengbo smiled as she admired it for a long time, unconsciously scratching at Gong Yin’s collar with her fingernail. After thinking, she pulled out a colored pencil from her chest and colored over the pearl.

Not content with just that, she drew a few crooked lines, changing the tight high collar to a low V-neck.

“I want to see his collarbone!” She pressed the photo to her chest and cried to heaven.

When beautiful men won’t show their collarbones, great beauties suffer eternal sorrow.

But it didn’t matter – she believed this day wasn’t far off. Deliberately binding himself so tightly every day – wasn’t he just trying to tempt her to tear it open!

Jing Hengbo grabbed the Polaroid, shooting horizontally and vertically, click click click. Forgetting the preciousness of photo paper, she captured many close-ups. Standing, sitting, frowning, contemplating, coldly looking at people, issuing commands – soon she had several photos in hand. She examined them one by one, clicking her tongue in admiration: “Handsome, handsome, every angle so handsome it angers gods and men. Such good stuff is worth a thousand gold… Yong Xue, help me keep these safe.”

The little girl took them, about to find a good place to hide Her Majesty’s beloved items, when she heard Her Majesty say with longing: “When we have time to leave the palace, let’s set up a stall to sell these. High-resolution portraits of Dahuang’s First State Preceptor – those lustful women would definitely wave banknotes and fight over them. What do you think, a thousand taels per photo isn’t expensive… Hey hey, Yong Xue, why did you fall over…”

…

When the sun was about to set, Jing Hengbo, who had fallen asleep lying on the wall, finally heard the door of Jing Ting open as the big shots filed out.

Jing Hengbo cheerfully raised her hand to wave hello. Except for Great Sage Chang Fang, who smiled and bowed to her from afar, the other big shots ducked their heads and turned away, walking off as if they hadn’t seen her.

Sang Dong and Fei Luo were the two women among the high officials. Both showed no courtesy to Jing Hengbo, but the atmosphere between them also seemed strange – they ignored each other. Fei Luo glanced at Jing Hengbo from afar, sneered coldly, and left. Sang Dong maintained her usual gentle smile, even nodding to Jing Hengbo from a distance before gracefully departing.

Jing Hengbo stared at her retreating figure and sneered coldly.

Back then, for her sake, Lord Xuanyuan and Lord Sang had personally traveled far to Xikang, condescending to sell noodles.

Afraid she wouldn’t take the bait, they opened a small shop with more complete food than anyone else’s. The items must have been prepared and made long in advance, fearing too few food varieties would make her look down on them – they simply had everything.

Thinking back now, that day was truly full of hidden dangers. When she entered the tent, those people who had finished eating and left had tense backs – where was the relaxed satisfaction of having just eaten? They were probably shills brought by the Xuanyuan and Sang families.

If not for Gong Yin’s interference, where would her bones be scattered now?

Jing Hengbo ground her teeth, thinking that while Dahuang’s people were passionate and simple, the officials were truly worse than each other.

Just as she was thinking how to repay this revenge, Jing Ting’s door opened again, and Yelu Qi came out.

He looked like spring in his eyebrows and eyes, as if he’d received some great good news.

His good news naturally wasn’t Gong Yin’s good news. Jing Hengbo became interested and beckoned to him.

Yelu Qi smiled even more happily and quickly walked over.

By the window, State Preceptor Gong, who was preparing to inspect the newly opened flower wall next door, suddenly stopped.

Expressionless, his eyes sinister.

…

Yelu Qi stopped under the flower wall, smiling as he looked up.

“Comfortable up there?”

“Not bad,” Jing Hengbo looked around, seeing the guards all at her side, relaxed and said: “Seeing you smile so happily, what good thing happened?”

“Good things naturally occurred,” Yelu Qi said easily. “For instance, seeing the delectable Queen waiting for me here as soon as I came out – naturally that makes me happy.”

Bah. Jing Hengbo curled her lips inwardly. He’d be happier seeing her dead on the throne, right?

“Speaking of which, I haven’t properly thanked Your Majesty for saving my life,” Yelu Qi looked up with a smile, lowering his voice.

The suicide bomber he’d sent to light the explosives naturally had people watching from afar. When the fuse was put out by Jing Hengbo’s sitting on it, he learned about it afterward.

“What?” Jing Hengbo heard but didn’t understand. When had she saved him?

Yelu Qi just smiled without explaining. Jing Hengbo’s eyes rolled, thinking having a favor was better than having none. She shamelessly accepted it, waving her hand: “Small matter. Just remember my kindness and stop opposing me in the future. Oh right, since I’m your benefactor, you should answer questions. What good thing happened today?”

Yelu Qi still smiled, turning a deaf ear to her roundabout topics, suddenly raising his voice: “…I must also thank Your Majesty for specially choosing this place for me. I’ll have to trouble you to take care of me in the future.”

“Ah? What do you mean?” Jing Hengbo raised her eyebrows. “I didn’t choose for you…”

Yelu Qi had already turned around gracefully, waving cheerfully toward Jing Ting, flicking his robe hem as he walked away.

“Inexplicable.” Jing Hengbo muttered, craning her neck to peer into Jing Ting. “Eh, everyone’s gone, why isn’t Gong Yin coming out? What’s he doing inside?”

Inside Jing Ting.

Gong Yin quietly watched Yelu Qi’s carefree departure, his figure radiating coldness.

Meng Hu stood behind him, not daring to speak, secretly muttering in his heart.

“Master, you just said you wanted to check the solidity of that flower wall…”

“I suddenly remembered there are memorials I haven’t reviewed.” Gong Yin glanced in that direction, turned around and sat down. “It’s getting dark, light the lamps.”

The lamp oil was filled to the brim, clearly planning to review memorials all night.

But Gong Yin seemed somewhat restless. He kept changing positions, changing directions.

Meng Hu lowered his head, not daring to speak, wondering where his master who used to sit motionless for half a day had gone.

“Lower the curtains!” After adjusting countless positions and still feeling irritated, Gong Yin ordered.

No matter where he sat, he always felt bathed in her gaze, always seemed to see her smiling face, gently calling to Yelu Qi.

Don’t want to see.

The curtains were lowered densely, blocking out light and shadow. His figure was projected on the wall, long and twisted, like inexplicable emotions.

…

While someone was irritated in the study, Jing Hengbo had already climbed down from the wall to amuse herself.

She had always been an easygoing person, unwilling to make things difficult for others or herself. If she couldn’t wait, she wouldn’t wait. She would never stand forlornly until midnight like a lovesick woman, ending up coughing blood.

Taishi Lan from the research institute had once commented that Jing Hengbo was the most shameless and heartless person. She seemed passionate and outgoing, willing to help others, but actually she was always casual, never truly taking things to heart. She liked beautiful people or things, would show enthusiasm, even pursue them, but that was just simply pursuing what she liked.

When hurt, she would either immediately think of ways to retaliate, or if she didn’t want to retaliate, she’d stay away, too lazy to hate.

When she liked someone, she would unconsciously approach them, but when others were truly attracted by her enthusiasm, she might run off to play with a puppy.

She had very intense attractions but not sufficiently deep love or hate. Her brilliant eyes were always attracted by the bright things along the way.

Taishi Lan once said that to make Jing Hengbo truly unforgettable about someone, to occupy all of Jing Hengbo’s thoughts, it was best to first give her a hard blow.

Jing Hengbo, who never allowed herself to be sad for more than three minutes, circled around Yong Xue in the kitchen, constantly sniffing greedily at the pot’s edge as fragrant steam rose.

“I didn’t know you had such good cooking skills,” Jing Hengbo said intoxicated. “Ah, this soup smells so good.”

Yong Xue ladled a bowl of soup for her. Just as Jing Hengbo was about to drink, she saw someone walk past the door.

“Ah, Meng Hu.” Without investigating how he’d suddenly appeared here, she enthusiastically called out: “Come, come, there’s good soup here. Have a sip together.”

“Your Majesty.” Meng Hu looked sadly at her soup, at her excited face in the steam, thinking of Gong Yin still reviewing memorials alone under lamplight without eating or leaving his room. He immediately felt overwhelmed with sadness. “Thank you for your kindness, but the State Preceptor hasn’t eaten yet, so I shouldn’t eat first…”

“Ah, Gong Yin hasn’t eaten yet? Why doesn’t he come eat with me? Is he afraid I’ll propose a bet?” Jing Hengbo peered outside. The courtyard next door was dark and gloomy, looking rather pitiful.

“I’ll go deliver soup to him then.” She had Yong Xue pack a porcelain jar of fish maw, ginseng, and native chicken soup, personally carrying it to show her caring.

If she could take advantage of the situation, that would be good too – the punishment for his bet would depend on Gong Yin’s attitude.

Meng Hu seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, showing a slight smile as he hurried ahead.

He had to go back and hint this good news to his master.

…

“She wants to bring me chicken soup?” Gong Yin sat with his back to Meng Hu, motionless, as if concentrating deeply on reading memorials.

“Yes.” Meng Hu smiled and bowed. “She prepared it personally.”

“It’s not like she made it herself. Even if she made it herself, it wouldn’t be edible.” Gong Yin coldly turned a page of the memorial, appearing unmoved.

“It’s still thoughtful.” Meng Hu suppressed his smile. “When Your Majesty saw me passing by, she specifically asked if you’d eaten. Hearing you hadn’t, she immediately got up to ladle soup for you. She hasn’t eaten yet herself.”

“It’s better if she hasn’t eaten, otherwise there might be saliva in it.” Cold and venomous enough to anger people to death. But his sitting posture adjusted imperceptibly, his face turning slightly toward the neighboring direction.

In the darkness, the next courtyard was brightly lit, seemingly carrying the rich aroma of chicken soup. The flickering lamplight reflected on his face, his eyes flowing with light, his features soft.

But Meng Hu was getting anxious – he’d only left a step ahead, so why hadn’t the Queen brought the chicken soup over yet?

…

Jing Hengbo carried the chicken soup toward next door.

Carrying chicken soup naturally couldn’t involve climbing walls. She measured the length of the courtyard and felt that going out the front door, around to Jing Ting’s front door, then to Gong Yin’s study would be quite a detour.

Then she saw two adjacent side doors on the connecting walls of the back courtyards – one facing outward toward the palace road and office buildings, one facing inward directly toward Gong Yin’s study.

She naturally took the shortcut, walking toward the door facing Gong Yin’s study.

Just as she reached the door, before pushing open the inward-facing door, the door near the palace road suddenly opened.

A pair of arms reached in, positioned right in front of her. One hand lightly and naturally took her chicken soup.

A familiar voice she’d just heard laughed detestably: “Ah, is this for me? Smells so good!”

…