Big eyes met big eyes.

Jing Hengbo’s dazed gaze crashed into Gong Yin’s deep black pupils. He was looking down with a fixed stare, his facial expression… Jing Hengbo couldn’t bear to describe it.

Jing Hengbo thought her own expression at this moment must also be unbearable to describe.

Because this position…

She was lying on her back, Gong Yin looking down from above. With them facing each other like this, it was destined that Gong Yin wasn’t lying on the bed at this moment.

He was sitting cross-legged, while she, having fallen backward, was now nestled between his… two legs…

The strange sensation beneath her neck was because she was pillowing on his legs…

Even more deadly was Gong Yin’s attire! Nothing like his usual daytime strictness and conservatism!

He actually had his long hair loose, actually wearing—so sultry—in his own palace, a one-piece silk garment that was nearly transparent!

Low neckline! Uncinched waist! Loose sleeves! Transparent!

She could see his jade-colored skin beneath the thin silk, okay?

She could see the vague little cherry blossoms, okay?

She could even see his lean, narrow waist…

Oh, she would never tell anyone that if she just shifted up slightly, she could achieve the most explosive, most nosebleed-inducing intimate contact!

Her landing position was too damn exquisite! It was practically the precious golden ratio point!

Jing Hengbo didn’t even dare breathe through her nose.

Afraid that if she breathed too hard, she might blow something around or lift something up, or smell something…

She hurried to get up, but unfortunately her waist was strained painfully and she couldn’t straighten up immediately. She could only slowly wriggle backward and down, like a swaying, squirming cicada shedding its skin.

Her soft satin-like long hair scattered and spread, softly brushing and sweeping all the way…

Jing Hengbo heard a sharp intake of breath and felt the body beneath her neck suddenly tense up. She looked up to see that in the white, flowing, hazy smoke, Gong Yin’s skin had suddenly developed a thin layer of sweat. His slightly raised chin, taut neck, and consequently even clearer thread-like collarbones all gleamed dimly like his eyes in this moment, sparkling like diamonds in the misty white fog.

Those finely condensed, glistening droplets of sweat, and the equally crystal-diamond-like skin beneath the sweat, mesmerized Jing Hengbo. She had never imagined that Gong Yin, who usually kept his collar tightly fastened, could possess such allure with his black hair and collar in disarray—enough to be called… sexy.

She involuntarily swallowed, making a loud gulp. Determined to leave quickly before she made a mistake.

One movement, one brush, one intake of breath.

A hand reached over and pressed down firmly on her shoulder. Jing Hengbo froze, but that hand lacked its usual strength, resting softly. Then Gong Yin’s voice finally sounded, slightly hoarse.

“Have you had enough…”

Don’t make it sound like I’m some female bandit who breaks into innocent men’s chambers to steal their virtue!

Though… it really does look quite similar…

Jing Hengbo reached for her waist, slowly rubbing it, and said nonchalantly, “Hehe, not enough.”

Gong Yin didn’t speak, seeming to regulate his breathing. After a while he said, “Get out.”

“You think I want to stay here?” Jing Hengbo retorted, “You think I enjoy seeing you with your hair down wearing a transparent low-cut nightgown? Do you also ride broomsticks and sing ‘Little Apple’ when you’re alone in your bedchamber?”

Gong Yin was silent for another long while. Jing Hengbo wondered if he’d fainted from anger, when she suddenly heard him say, “You don’t like it? If you don’t like it, why do you keep looking inside my collar?”

Jing Hengbo: “…”

After the red and white colors on her face had blended properly, she finally rubbed her old waist and sat up. The moment she rose, she heard Gong Yin take a long breath that sounded either pained or relieved.

She didn’t dare turn around. After waiting a while longer, once the red and white colors on her face had blended again, she turned and knelt on his bed, leaning close to stare at him eye-to-eye, angrily saying, “I went through such hardships to get here, of course I can’t come for nothing. Even if it’s not good-looking, I should take a few more looks to get my money’s worth!” She grabbed his collar and grinned wickedly, “After I finish looking, I’ll sell you to a male brothel, for always bullying me…”

She gave him a light push, seemingly to shove him but actually just guarding against this scheming, arrogant guy attacking her. She prepared to teleport at any moment, her legs already retreating.

With a soft thud, Gong Yin actually just collapsed limply.

Jing Hengbo stared wide-eyed in shock, looking at her own hands—what? Had Ultraman possessed her just now? How could Gong Yin be pushed over so easily?

Looking down at Gong Yin again—good heavens!

That soft heap collapsed on the couch, clothes disheveled, long hair scattered, eyes slightly closed, pale complexion and pitiful posture—was this beauty really Gong Yin?

Wasn’t this Jing Jun in disguise?

This version of Gong Yin really felt so… incongruous…

Could there be some conspiracy?

Jing Hengbo warily glanced around the great hall. It was too spacious and clean—she was certain that besides herself and Gong Yin, there wouldn’t even be a cockroach.

Looking again at the delicate, soft, easily-toppled Great God Gong on the couch, she finally awakened to a shocking fact.

The Heaven’s Silk Powder! It actually! Really! Worked!

Yo ho, the moment for the queen to turn the tables had arrived.

Jing Hengbo’s anger rose from the bottom of her heart, evil grew at her gall’s edge!

She viciously… rolled to one side and lay down next to Gong Yin to sleep.

Gong Yin didn’t move.

Jing Hengbo flailed her hands and feet, pulling over the blanket from the foot of the bed and Gong Yin’s outer robe, hugging them while watching Gong Yin warily from above the covers. If he suddenly attacked, she’d flash away while hugging his robe—dressed like that, he surely couldn’t chase after her, right?

Gong Yin didn’t move.

Jing Hengbo relaxed slightly. Based on her understanding of Gong Yin, the Great God disdained setting traps to harm people—he was directly fierce, striking to kill when he moved.

She threw off the blanket and tossed Gong Yin’s robe to the floor, lying on her side with one hand propping up her cheek, looking at Gong Yin. She looked once and gave a cold laugh, looked again and gave another cold laugh.

Truly, thirty years of feng shui rotate in turns!

Having just quarreled during the day, evening brought her a chance for revenge.

The high and mighty Great State Preceptor, the great traitor plotting usurpation, the dictator who overshadowed the monarch—you have this day too!

She lay on his bed, hugging his blanket, cold-laughing to herself for a long time.

Gong Yin kept his eyes closed, lips pressed tight. This could be interpreted as noble and inviolable, or as ready for plucking, or even as submit to any humiliation.

Jing Hengbo naturally inclined toward the last interpretation.

“Hehehe!” After finishing her cold laughter, Jing Hengbo reached out and shoved the man opposite her. “Gong Yin, hurry up and apologize to me!”

Gong Yin was indeed pushed by her, rolling toward the inner side of the bed, his face turning aside, long hair smoothly scattering and falling across his jade-colored neck.

Jing Hengbo’s eyes lit up—a Great God Gong who could be kneaded and shaped at will! This opportunity mustn’t be missed!

She crawled over and pinched Gong Yin’s chin. “Apologize!”

Ruffled Gong Yin’s hair. “Apologize!”

Rubbed Gong Yin’s face with both hands. “Apologize.”

Grabbed Gong Yin’s neck. “Apologize.”

Gong Yin opened his eyes, looked at her, then closed them indifferently, looking like he wanted to sleep.

Jing Hengbo felt like her fist was hitting cotton. Faced with such a limp, uncaring Gong Yin, she suddenly ran out of moves.

After tormenting him for a while, playfulness suddenly struck. She laid Gong Yin down facing her sideways, also adopting a single-elbow-propping-cheek pose, gathering up his long hair and pulling his collar down a bit.

The hair between her fingers was smooth as satin. She vengefully rubbed it.

In the pale, hazy light, he was clearly a delicate beauty in spring slumber.

Jing Hengbo was struck by poetic inspiration, chanting while feeling around her waist pouch for her Polaroid camera: “Famous flower and fallen kingdom both bring joy, swear not to return until the enemy stronghold breaks.”

She had originally brought this thing with a sense of curiosity about infiltrating Gong Yin’s bedchamber, wanting to understand more about his living quarters’ structure.

Adjusting focus and angle, click.

The moment she pressed the shutter, Gong Yin, who had been quiet and powerless, suddenly tilted his head down slightly.

His long hair cascaded down, covering his face.

The lighting was poor, and Jing Hengbo didn’t look at the photo, waving it triumphantly and cackling with glee.

“Gong Yin, from today on, I’ve got dirt on you. The Dahuang version of a scandal! Hahaha, behave from now on! Be obedient!”

“Have you played enough?” Gong Yin finally spoke. “If you’ve played enough, get out. Within twelve hours, have someone guard my door and say I’m in closed-door cultivation, all affairs temporarily suspended.”

“You should say, ‘Respected Queen, please help me notify Meng Hu that I cannot work for one day. When I recover I’ll work overtime, mwah.'”

Jing Hengbo was in a very good mood as she put away the photo. “Ah, I suddenly feel that photo wasn’t exciting enough.”

Gong Yin stopped talking again. His black hair was disheveled across his forehead, eyelashes slightly closed—an indolent charm impossible during normal days.

Jing Hengbo climbed down from the bed, searched around disappointedly, shook her head and muttered: “As expected, no candles or whips. Can’t do a proper photo shoot. I knew you wouldn’t have such interesting things…”

While muttering, she pulled out the silk bed sheet, randomly tearing it into several long strips, weighing the strips while contemplating binding methods.

Chinese style? European style? Japanese style? She didn’t know any of them.

Just do some random styling. She only wanted to take photos for evidence anyway. It might be a trump card when necessary. When arguing, she could throw it out to deflate his arrogance. She didn’t believe he could maintain his high-and-mighty demeanor after seeing photos of himself like this.

Maybe from then on, the west wind would finally suppress the east wind.

Better just tie him up randomly.

Jing Hengbo worked busily, arranging Gong Yin in a spread-eagle position, stretching his limbs apart and simply binding them to the four bed posts.

Gong Yin didn’t struggle. In fact, he couldn’t struggle. When Jing Hengbo was manipulating his body, she had already discovered that his body was particularly soft tonight, without a trace of strength. He could only make the simplest movements. Sweat kept seeping from his skin, as if he was constantly circulating his energy to expel poison, having no energy to care about her misbehavior.

Jing Hengbo squinted her eyes, so excited her hands were shaking—a delicate, soft Great God sprawled there for anyone to manipulate, so tempting, so tempting!

Even the most beautiful manga couldn’t draw such an enchanting scene. Someone usually as ascetic and ice-mountain-like, after removing his icy armor, suddenly transformed like spring water—the contrast was so great it made her nosebleed!

Jing Hengbo feasted her eyes, all anger gone, giggling as she knelt on the bed, photographing left and right, having great fun. Suddenly she felt that photos with only Gong Yin lacked impact—it would be better to add herself standing victoriously.

How could they both appear in the frame together? After thinking, she sat beside Gong Yin, making a hand-blade gesture chopping at his neck with one hand while raising the Polaroid with the other.

Click, one shot.

She turned and half-knelt, placing her hand lightly around his throat.

Click, another shot.

She lay in his arm, elbow propped against his neck.

Click, yet another shot.

“Look, look,” she said smugly while photographing, “Let you show off in the future? Let you act cold in the future? Once I reveal these photos, you’ll have to bury your head in the mud for the rest of your life.”

Gong Yin suddenly opened his eyes, both hands struggling as if trying to get up.

Jing Hengbo was startled, her hand trembling as the Polaroid dropped toward Gong Yin’s chest. She hurried to turn and catch it, crashing into Gong Yin with a thud.

Her face naturally buried downward into something soft and cool.

Jing Hengbo’s body stiffened.

That familiar scent of high mountain snow lotus, clean and cool fragrance, familiar smooth-as-jade skin, familiar, slightly soft and moist… lips.

She could almost imagine his characteristically soft, slightly red lips being pressed into a line by her…

Third-rate CEO novel plots flashed through her mind—seemed like the next move should be “prying open his teeth, tongue exploring freely?”

Before she could decide whether to faithfully follow the script, a hand beside her suddenly lifted, picking up the fallen Polaroid from the bedside and angling it toward her, pressing the shutter.

“Click.”

Jing Hengbo stared dumbfounded at Gong Yin’s right hand, which had somehow freed itself from its bonds, easily holding the Polaroid and photographing her.

How could he use it?

Were all these men’s brains like fighter jets?

“Hiss.” A soft sound as the photo slowly emerged. Jing Hengbo knew this photo’s angle must be problematic and reached to grab it. Gong Yin was always faster than her—his finger flicked, and the photo flew out, passing through the bed curtains with a whoosh and disappearing into the depths of the great hall.

Jing Hengbo watched helplessly as the photo vanished, knowing she’d never find it again in this lifetime.

This great schemer Gong Yin—no wonder he’d been so unconcerned earlier!

One feint had tricked her into offering a kiss voluntarily, and he’d even photographed her kissing. She hadn’t gotten the advantage she wanted but was taken advantage of instead.

“Hey,” she pressed his neck unwillingly, asking, “What did you just photograph? What are you so pleased about? You were pressed under me and tormented by me—does that photograph give you face?”

“I photographed your pursed lips forcing a kiss,” Gong Yin said calmly. “Of course, my face isn’t in it.”

Jing Hengbo was furious, pressing her fingers hard against his lips and snarling, “I’m going to smother you—”

Gong Yin didn’t speak, his black eyes staring at her, pupils deep as an abyss. In those calm eyes she saw her own reflection. Her heart suddenly moved and jumped. Her fingers suddenly felt very hot, and she suddenly realized how soft his lips were—contradicting yet harmonizing with his ice-and-snow temperament. Then suddenly she remembered that press just now, his faint fragrance pressing close, quiet and far-reaching…

She withdrew her fingers, turned her head, and knelt on the bed, holding a stack of photos like playing cards, gathering and spreading them, spreading and gathering them again.

Gong Yin ignored her, resting with eyes closed, suddenly saying, “Heaven’s Silk Powder in the soup?”

Jing Hengbo gave a heh-heh laugh: “Originally planned to use it on Yelu Qi, but you insisted on taking it. You deserved it.”

Gong Yin actually didn’t get angry, his face slowly showing a trace of red, looking quite satisfied.

Jing Hengbo could tell at a glance that someone’s sullen illness was acting up. Just because he confirmed she’d intended to use it on Yelu Qi.

“I just came to see if you were dead, and if so, to find someone to collect your corpse.” She kept a straight face while crawling toward the edge of the bed. “But now it seems unnecessary.”

“One day,” Gong Yin said.

“Hm?”

“Heaven’s Silk Powder’s effectiveness lasts three days, but I only need one day. Originally three hours would have been enough, but when I was circulating my energy, someone suddenly interrupted me and disrupted my qi flow, so the duration extended.”

Jing Hengbo snorted.

“Then just sleep for a day.” She continued moving to leave.

“During this day,” Gong Yin continued on his own, “hundreds of court officials will come seeking audiences to request instructions on affairs. Hundreds of memorials will await approval. Because I made no prior arrangements, there might even be hostile parties coming to spy, seeking opportunities to move against me.”

Was he trying to evoke her guilt? Too bad she had none.

“That’s your business. Who told you to grab the soup yourself?”

“Without my permission, no one can enter my bedchamber. In the short term, no news will emerge from here. But if I appear more than one hour late for the morning court meeting without reason, Jade Radiance Palace will enter first-level alert. If I don’t appear for two hours, the Dragon Cavalry will enter the imperial city. If I don’t appear for four hours, Kang Long will mobilize toward the palace city. If I don’t appear for six hours…” He paused. “Perhaps the Imperial Song will go to war.”

Jing Hengbo blinked. “Can I take the opportunity to usurp the throne?”

“You are already His Majesty.”

“You’ve reminded me of something.” Jing Hengbo clapped her hands. “Now no one knows your condition. If I killed you, wouldn’t I eliminate you, this great traitor who usurped royal power, and from then on hold power in my hands, becoming a true queen?”

“You can try.” Gong Yin’s gaze was clear, his black pupils showing no emotion.

“Then what awaits me?” Jing Hengbo searched frantically on and off the bed. “Traps? Poison gas? Or those ever-changing pearls on your collar?”

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Gong Yin’s lips.

“Alright. I’ll let you off this once.” Jing Hengbo clapped her hands. “I’ll go help you notify Meng Hu, tell him you’re ill and need to rest for a day.”

“You can’t.”

“Why?”

“That’s equivalent to telling Yelu Qi and the others that something’s wrong with me. Once Yelu Qi and his group make their move, Meng Hu has no authority to mobilize the Jade Radiance Dragon Cavalry and Kang Long Army. It could very likely trigger chaos.”

“Gong Yin.”

“Mm.”

“Don’t you think that grasping all power in one person’s hands isn’t a smart approach? Once something goes wrong with yourself, you don’t even have someone who can take over for you, not to mention you’ll work yourself to death.”

“Mm,” Gong Yin rarely showed agreement with her meaning, slowly saying, “So I’m thinking, perhaps I should cultivate someone to take over.”

“Who? Meng Hu? He’s your personal guard captain—loyal enough, but I don’t think he has political acuity. He’s not someone who can handle things independently. Yu Chun won’t work either—he has hidden violent tendencies in his nature, and at critical moments he might not be able to control himself well. Ah Shan has skillful hands, but he’s too withdrawn. You should choose from young, newly promoted court officials, personally bestow favors, and cultivate them through both kindness and authority…” Jing Hengbo flicked her fingernails, speaking casually yet very fluently, as if she needed no thought.

Gong Yin looked at Jing Hengbo with a smile in his eyes.

Did she know that every time she talked about these matters of grand strategy, her temperament was completely different from her usual casual indolence? Her eyes sparkled with flowing wisdom, possessing a compelling radiance.

She had a talent for politics.

She had hidden acuity.

As long as she was willing to calm down and think seriously, no young court official could compare to her.

“You harmed me, you must take responsibility for me,” he suddenly said.

Jing Hengbo’s eyes widened in shock. What? Take responsibility?

Such thunderous words—shouldn’t these be what scriptwriters in melodramatic romance dramas make sissy boys say to female tyrants for laughs? When did the aloof emperor start stealing this line?

Was this appropriate?

She discovered that Gong Yin sometimes said things with various unexpected peaks emerging from nowhere. What zodiac sign was he exactly?

Gong Yin seemed to think there was nothing wrong with these words at all. With a movement of his hand, he had already freed himself from those loose cloth ropes, patting the bedside: “Sit down.”

“Why should I sit?” Jing Hengbo immediately lay down instead.

Gong Yin’s lips curved slightly. Yes, exactly like that.

The two lay flat, each looking up at the hall ceiling. Suddenly both felt that since they’d met, they’d had various disputes—seeming like enemies but not enemies, seeming like friends but not friends, constantly bickering. But lying quietly together like this seemed to be the first time.

Jing Hengbo only felt her heart gradually calming, no longer restlessly agitated, and no longer experiencing the flushed heart-pounding from seeing his body beneath the transparent silk garment. His breath still floated nearby, but no longer made her restless and uneasy. The air around them seemed to slowly settle, waiting only for a rare peaceful communication.

The hall ceiling had cloud stone patterns—she couldn’t make out any shapes, but felt the lines were truly beautiful, like a pig.

Ah, the feeling of just chatting without covering up with blankets wasn’t bad either.

“There are still some hours until dawn, perfect for conveying some matters to you.”

“Oh.” She answered casually, not thinking about why she should accept his instructions.

“First, let me ask you a question. Yesterday during the Quiet Court assembly, you were eavesdropping from the other side of the wall. When you came out, you almost saw all the current important officials and power figures. What do you think these people’s impressions of you are? Which people can you approach, which can you use, which are destined to be enemies? Don’t judge based on everyone’s performance during the welcoming ceremony that day—I only want your conclusions based on that single glimpse in the Quiet Court.”

The question was rather harsh. At that time she was on the wall while the important officials were far away in the courtyard—just one distant glance without even greetings, yet he wanted conclusions. It sounded quite absurd.

But she didn’t even think.

“I can trust Grand Scholar Chang Fang, and seek his help when necessary. The other ministers whose names I can’t even call—they’re neutrals. To them now, I’m a dispensable queen. To gain their support, I need to show more capability. Under normal circumstances, they won’t actively harm me. Fei Luo can only be considered half an enemy—she focuses more on personal and Xiang Kingdom interests. The real enemy is Sang Dong.”

“I remember that day Chang Fang bowed to you, the important officials pretended not to see you, Fei Luo glared at you, but Sang Dong smiled at you. Your reasoning seems a bit strange.”

Jing Hengbo found it strange that this guy was supposedly in the study at the time, yet somehow caught sight of every big shot’s attitude toward her as they left.

“Chang Fang is grateful to me, once vowed to be my servant. He’ll always show me respect at any time. He won’t change because of others’ attitudes—he’s reliable.”

“The other big shots disapprove of my behavior but don’t want to intervene right now, so they pretend not to see. This can somewhat be considered respect and wariness toward me as queen. So they won’t help, but can be won over. It just depends on whether I can increase my own weight.”

“Fei Luo’s hostility is obvious, but her attitude is relatively clear. Someone who puts enmity on their face generally won’t use underhanded tactics. Barking dogs don’t bite.”

“The one who truly despises me most is Sang Dong. Toward me as queen, she doesn’t avoid or yield. Even seeing me, she just nods slightly, never treating me as a queen above all others, even with a somewhat condescending attitude. Her smile was actually a contemptuous attitude.”

“Clap clap clap.” Gong Yin was actually applauding softly. “Perhaps they should hear this analysis.”

“Would you?” She turned her head with a smile, slightly mocking.

Even in this peaceful moment, she didn’t dare forget their power conflict to some degree. Having suffered so many losses, from the moment she stepped into Jade Radiance Palace, she’d begun learning to be vigilant.

Gong Yin didn’t respond, changing the topic.

“Do you want to know about the palace guard deployment?”

“Ah?” She hadn’t expected him to suddenly mention this.

“Divided into inner deployment and outer deployment. And the Jade Radiance maze…” He pulled out a flip panel from under the bed, taking out a scroll.

She curiously leaned over.

“Jade Radiance and Kang Long each have some secret arrangements…”

“Many important court officials live in Shande Ward. From the palace, a secret passage can quickly enter…”

“There are some arrangements beneath Shande Ward…”

“Detailed arrangements of various court officials’ departments…”

“The locations of the seven great passes of the palace city and the Jade Tower…”

“Dahuang’s layered surrounding formation has both disadvantages and advantages. The late Founding Emperor once left behind Imperial Diagram silk books—it depends on whether you can find them…”

The cold air in the great hall gradually dissipated as daylight became clearer inch by inch. Jing Hengbo hadn’t slept all night but felt no drowsiness, lying on the bed with her eyes bright as she faced a pile of diagrams.

“In half an hour, the important officials will come to the Quiet Court for assembly,” Gong Yin suddenly quieted, saying, “You should go.”

Jing Hengbo turned to look at him, her slightly upturned phoenix eyes sparkling with flowing light.

“Why tell me all this?”

Through this night’s conversation, the more she heard, the more shocked she became. Every sentence Gong Yin spoke involved the most crucial secrets of this palace, even this dynasty. She was somewhat puzzled, not knowing if these were things every queen should know, or if she was merely an exception.

Legend had it that queens only enjoyed noble status without real power. Supposedly, they wouldn’t need to know these secrets related to military defense and political situations.

“Your head is too full of nonsense—perhaps it needs some useful things added.” Gong Yin’s words were always so infuriating.

“How should I handle things when I go out?”

“Handle them however you want.”

Jing Hengbo smiled, her eyes narrowing as waves of light rippled.

“One last question,” she suddenly turned back before stepping out the door. “You’re so abstinent and stuffy during the day, why do you dress so ambiguously seductive when sleeping at night? Could you be an outwardly cold and abstinent but inwardly flirtatious and wanton scheming beautiful bottom… ow!”

Gong Yin merely flicked his finger, and suddenly there was an extra threshold on the ground. Before Jing Hengbo could trip and fall flat on her face, she promptly teleported herself away.

“Bang.” She landed sprawled in the courtyard outside the bedchamber, facing a bunch of boots that jumped back in shock.

From the boot styles, she could tell they were guards from the Quiet Court side.

Jing Hengbo gave a heh-heh laugh, propping her chin while lying on the ground, just thinking how to explain her sudden appearance outside Gong Yin’s bedroom door when that pile of boots suddenly walked away.

“The weather’s quite nice today, hehe.”

“Yes, hehe.”

“Brother Zhang, you look well too, hehe.”

“Brother Wang, you look well too, hehe.”

“The side door’s open—should we go arrange the defenses?”

“It’s still early, let’s leave it open for now.”

A group of people looked around as if they’d seen nothing and left. Jing Hengbo got up, dusting off the dirt on her knees.

“Someday when Gong Yin gets bedded, he won’t even know!” Muttering this, she went through the unguarded side door back to her own palace quarters.

As soon as she entered, she saw Zirui, who had come earlier than usual and was standing right at the side door. Jing Hengbo muttered, “Trouble.”

Sure enough, seeing her, Zirui quickly walked over. After the night, her emotions had calmed considerably, and she’d returned to her previous dignified strictness. Her clothes appeared more neat and plain than usual. Somehow, seeing her like this, Jing Hengbo felt more respect for her.

This woman hadn’t lost composure excessively before great disaster, and could recover quickly after great disaster. She truly lived up to being excellent talent selected through layers of palace life and heavy screening.

Jing Hengbo didn’t think such talent would completely abandon her personal duties and principles because of yesterday’s life-saving grace.

Sure enough, Zirui bowed to her and said seriously, “May I ask where Your Majesty went last night?”

“Discussing life, ideals, and the impact of moral ethics on the human heart with the State Preceptor.” Jing Hengbo smoothed her temple hair, smiling charmingly without any guilt.

“Oh.” Zirui’s face remained unmoved like a mountain in eight winds, calmly saying, “Although Your Majesty the Queen and the State Preceptor may be close and discuss state affairs, it seems more appropriate for Your Majesty to summon the State Preceptor rather than going personally. If discovered by others, I’m afraid it would inevitably cause trouble.”

Though she was pointing out protocol, she remarkably didn’t mention the matter of breaking into someone’s bedchamber at midnight. That word “discovered” struck Jing Hengbo as quite cleverly chosen. She smiled and said, “The State Preceptor is too busy. I personally went out of consideration for him. As you see, Zirui, how should we both follow protocol and achieve my goal of frequently discussing life, ideals, and the impact of moral ethics on the human heart with the State Preceptor?”

“Oh.” The dignified, strict female official said, “My duty is to remind Your Majesty of protocol and help solve problems. If Your Majesty wishes to discuss life and ideals with the State Preceptor in the future, please inform me and let me stand guard nearby. With me present, even Minister of Rites cannot criticize you, because regarding palace protocol instruction and restraint, only I am the primary responsible person.”

Was this volunteering to be her lookout?

Remarkably said with righteousness, full of palace protocol.

What a talent, what a talent.

“This couldn’t be better!” Jing Hengbo clapped. “But making you stand all night feels a bit embarrassing.”

“Your Majesty is merciful,” Zirui said. “If you grant me rest, I naturally will rest.”

“What if I let you rest in the outermost room of the adjacent courtyard?”

“Naturally I obey the decree. My heart is with Your Majesty—even if somewhat far from Your Majesty, it won’t affect my sharp ears and eyes in fulfilling my duties.”

It was quite far—a full two courtyards away. Jing Hengbo believed that even if she forced herself on Gong Yin and he struggled and called for help, Zirui wouldn’t hear.

She smiled even more happily.

“Then from now on, I hope you’ll properly instruct me in palace protocol and help me survive better in the palace.”

“I humbly receive Your Majesty’s decree.” Zirui bowed respectfully.

Jing Hengbo looked around with a smile. “Ah, I heard that instructress nannies are coming today to specifically teach my speech and behavior in the palace, outside the palace, and at various ceremonies. But I have more important matters today. Female Official Zirui, do you see any way to both follow protocol and avoid the lessons?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, the arrival of instructress nannies is not something I can prevent. However, as the receiving female official by Your Majesty’s side, I have the qualification to select and examine whether the instructress nannies are qualified. I request Your Majesty’s permission to first examine these nannies for Your Majesty, lest their own protocol learning be insufficiently refined and they cannot teach Your Majesty well, affecting Your Majesty’s dignity.”

“Exactly, exactly.” Jing Hengbo was delighted, nodding repeatedly. “Be sure to examine them well—preferably examine them for a very long time.”

“Dahuang’s ceremonial code has ten volumes, palace protocol has one thousand and eight regulations, and various detailed sub-regulations fill thirty scrolls,” Zirui said calmly. “Presumably this cannot be examined in one day. I boldly request Your Majesty to wait several more days, possibly even longer.”

“I’m very anxious,” Jing Hengbo said with dancing eyebrows and sorrowful worry. “So long!”

“Your Majesty’s patience is appreciated.” Zirui lowered her head with a face full of trepidation.

Jing Hengbo burst out laughing and patted Zirui’s shoulder.

What a wonderful person.

Her quarrel with Gong Yin yesterday and saving her hadn’t been in vain.

“I’m going to meet with important officials shortly to participate in deliberations.” She went to her room to change clothes, consulting Zirui. “Do you have any good suggestions for me?”

“According to protocol, you cannot directly deliberate with ministers now. Did the State Preceptor authorize this?”

“Yes.”

“I can almost foresee that the first half hour will inevitably involve discussing how your actions violate protocol, possibly even directly expelling you.”

“I want to make them shut up.”

“Only shut up?”

“No.” Jing Hengbo turned back, staring at Zirui.

“I also want to be a good queen. I want to stop being a puppet. I want to change Dahuang’s harsh treatment of queens. I want there to be no more reincarnated queens after me. I want,” she paused, “not to disappoint someone who gave me an opportunity.”

Gong Yin didn’t necessarily need her to step forward and manage affairs on his behalf—he was giving her an opportunity.

Of course, this was also a test.

She could vaguely guess Gong Yin’s current contradictions and hesitations.

His subordinates hoped he would marginalize the queen or even exile her, becoming a male emperor himself.

And he, because of her appearance, had changed his original thoughts. But change meant betraying all his subordinates—a responsibility even he couldn’t bear.

So he wanted to test her ability and character. If she could handle it sufficiently, he would give her opportunities.

If not, even letting her be queen would mean she’d eventually be devoured by various watching forces, actually harming her. Better to remain under his protection as a puppet, or as an ordinary woman.

Jing Hengbo had originally thought Gong Yin would choose the second option without thinking—allowing her to live was already generous enough.

She hadn’t expected him to be willing to risk giving her an opportunity.

She naturally wouldn’t give up without even trying.

The Research Institute’s four-person team, having endured long imprisonment and experimental years, never giving up seeking opportunities to escape—none were truly cowards.

Speaking frankly to Zirui, she also wanted to see this woman’s attitude. If it wasn’t clear enough, she would never trust her from then on.

Zirui didn’t even blink.

“Actually, there’s a protocol in the ceremonial code that many people have forgotten,” she said slowly.

“What?” Jing Hengbo’s eyes lit up.

“The Queen has emergency deliberation rights.”

Jing Hengbo shook her head. Gong Yin’s problem counted as an emergency, but this couldn’t be mentioned.

“Emergency… emergency…” Jing Hengbo rubbed her hands, walking around the hall, thinking what could be urgent enough.

She didn’t want to participate meekly in deliberations, needing others’ permission to sit aside as human scenery. This was her first tentative step into the center of national power—she had to grasp the initiative herself. With a good beginning, there could be awesome follow-ups.

This emergency had to be a major emergency, shocking enough, urgent enough, chaotic enough to make people lose their composure, for her to have the opportunity to step into the center of Dahuang’s political arena!

How to create such an effect?

Blow up Jade Radiance? Burn down Quiet Court? Hmm, Gong Yin would strangle her.

She looked up, her gaze touching something, her eyes suddenly brightening.