Volume One, Chapter Eight: Wanwan Resembles Qing

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At the Cavalry Commander’s Residence.

Long Zhan had been drinking all night, carefully crafting an alibi, waiting quietly for good news from Fifth Senior Sister Liu Ruyan.

But now that dawn had broken, his hangover had lifted, yet Liu Ruyan still hadn’t returned.

There was no sign of movement at the Northern Duke’s mansion, let alone any news about Zhao Wujiang’s death, which was such a momentous event.

Could something have happened to Fifth Senior Sister?

Long Zhan murmured anxiously in his heart.

Yet on second thought, it seemed impossible—Zhao Wujiang wasn’t capable of that.

Just then, there was a knock at the door:

“Commander, Commander! Steward Chen has arrived with an imperial edict.”

...

At the same time.

Northern Duke’s Mansion.

“An imperial edict?”

Zhao Wujiang looked puzzled.

The old steward nodded respectfully. “Yes, Your Highness. The Emperor commands that you make an early visit to the palace.”

What scheme was the old Emperor plotting now?

I’ve been hiding at home like a turtle; why suddenly summon me to the palace?

Zhao Wujiang waved his hand, signaling the steward to leave.

He had trained through the night and finally reached the first level of the True Yang Heart Technique.

Unsure whether his progress was fast or slow, he was just about to review and interrogate Liu Ruyan again when he received the Emperor’s oral order.

How could he refuse the Emperor’s command?

“Forget it, I’ll play it by ear and keep a low profile.”

Zhao Wujiang hastily tidied himself and headed toward the palace.

Two hours later.

Outside the Imperial Study.

When Long Zhan saw Zhao Wujiang, his heart skipped a beat.

So it was true—Fifth Senior Sister hadn’t killed Zhao Wujiang after all!

But where was Fifth Senior Sister?

Zhao Wujiang saw him as well, but he didn’t want to clash with this aura-filled, luck-blessed troublemaker.

If I can’t afford to offend him, can’t I at least avoid him?

Seeing Zhao Wujiang change his route, Long Zhan sneered inwardly.

Afraid of me?

Well, without the Northern Duke backing you, if it weren’t for the Seventh Princess’s protection yesterday, I would have finished you off long ago.

But, it’s not too late now.

“Young Prince,”

Long Zhan deliberately blocked Zhao Wujiang’s path.

Zhao Wujiang’s heart tightened. Just as he was about to feign deafness and slip past, two people suddenly approached.

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One was familiar: Li Chenxu, Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial.

The other was a striking woman, flawless in both appearance and bearing, her long black hair cascading like a waterfall.

Beneath her piercing gaze was a delicate, straight nose and rosy, slender lips.

Below that, a snow-white neck, draped in a wide, snow-colored robe.

Truly an ice-cold beauty.

“This is Qianye Rizhao, the cultural envoy from the Hansang Kingdom,” Li Chenxu introduced them, then inquired, “Young Prince, Commander Long... what brings you here?”

Zhao Wujiang recalled from the original story:

The Northern Duke guarded the northern border against Hansang.

Now, Hansang had come to Daxia to negotiate a ceasefire treaty between the two nations.

The Northern Duke’s death had emboldened them.

In the plot, Long Zhan was supposed to have some moments of showing off.

Later, this ice-cold beauty, Qianye Rizhao, would be taken into Long Zhan’s harem.

“Zhao Wujiang, come in quickly,”

Li Yunrui’s voice suddenly came from inside the Imperial Study.

Li Zaiyuan sighed helplessly and added, “Commander Long, and the Hansang envoy, you should come in together.”

They all entered.

Li Yunrui’s eyes stayed fixed on Zhao Wujiang.

Long Zhan was very displeased.

Zhao Wujiang recalled that his mother tongue was speechless.

[Why does this original female lead keep staring at me?]

[Look at your Long Zhan; what’s so interesting about me…]

It was absolutely absurd!

Li Yunrui, reading their thoughts, was all the more delighted.

She enjoyed the sudden clarity of understanding a man completely.

From now on, Zhao Wujiang could hide nothing from her; she would be the woman who understood him better than anyone else in the world.

“Greetings, Emperor of Daxia!”

Qianye Rizhao greeted them but without much respect.

“Daxia and Hansang have been at war for months without a decisive outcome. His Majesty the Emperor of Hansang wishes for peace. However, Hansang has suffered heavy losses because of Daxia. If Daxia is willing to offer one million taels of silver, one hundred thousand taels of gold, and ten thousand warhorses, which I will take back to Hansang, Hansang will guarantee a ten-year ceasefire.”

Hansang was trying to take advantage of the Northern Duke’s death, knowing the northern border of Daxia was leaderless and the army’s morale scattered.

If the Northern Duke were still alive, the small island nation of Hansang would never dare send an envoy like this.

Li Zaiyuan tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table, his brows furrowed deeply.

“Minister Long, regarding the ceasefire proposed by the Hansang envoy, what are your thoughts?”

“Your Majesty,”

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Long Zhan respectfully clasped his fists and spoke loudly:

“The ceasefire is acceptable, but some conditions in the treaty require further discussion!

Our great Daxia will not suffer even the slightest humiliation in this agreement!”

Qianye Rizhao’s gaze turned cold as she glanced at Long Zhan.

Though his words rejected her proposal, she thought this man was resolute and well-built.

By contrast, Zhao Wujiang beside him, fiddling with his fingers and looking down, seemed like a fool.

Li Zaiyuan nodded, appreciating Long Zhan’s spirit and response.

Neither servile nor arrogant, with courage and momentum.

“And Minister Zhao, your opinion?”

Li Zaiyuan smiled gently, appearing benevolent and wise.

But he clearly knew Zhao Wujiang lacked Long Zhan’s boldness.

Once Zhao Wujiang finished speaking, his precious daughter would naturally understand that Zhao Wujiang could not compare to Long Zhan.

Zhao Wujiang answered plainly and obediently:

“I have no opinion. As a subject, the Emperor’s view is mine.”

Tch...

Hearing Zhao Wujiang’s sycophantic, indecisive reply, Long Zhan’s disdain for this useless heir grew.

Qianye Rizhao also sneered inwardly.

She had feared Zhao Wujiang, the Northern Duke’s son, might inherit his father’s legacy and counterattack Hansang.

But now it seemed the Northern Duke’s prestige was unmatched, yet his son was incapable and not to be feared.

Only Li Zaiyuan viewed Zhao Wujiang’s words differently.

A subject’s stance reflects the Emperor’s will...

The late Northern Duke had humble origins and had always looked to his elder brother for guidance, obeying every order with utmost loyalty.

Li Zaiyuan saw the Northern Duke’s shadow in Zhao Wujiang...

A man of principle...

Moreover, even though he knew his father died in battle against Hansang, Zhao Wujiang showed no anger upon meeting the enemy envoy, demonstrating Daxia’s magnanimity.

Undeniably, compared to Long Zhan’s overt sharpness, Zhao Wujiang’s behavior was even more commendable.

At least, it won the Emperor’s favor.

Zhao Wujiang remained unaware of Li Zaiyuan’s thoughts.

[This answer of mine is perfectly lackluster and indecisive, right?]

[As long as I keep pretending to be useless, no one will pay attention to me, and I can survive quietly and develop in secret.]

Zhao Wujiang’s inner voice made Li Yunrui suppress a smile, her eyes full of tenderness.

She knew her father well, and the way he looked at Zhao Wujiang was far more approving now...