"Xiao Se, you can't stay cooped up in the manor any longer. It's time to take the first step." In the pavilion of Snowfall Villa's rear garden, Ye Ruoyi suddenly spoke.
"Did the Grand General send you here?" Xiao Se asked solemnly.
"I do not represent my father. He wants to support you onto the throne so that he can gain greater power for himself. But I am different. I came to Snowfall Villa this time because I wish to become your strategist." Ye Ruoyi was equally serious.
"You are a dragon, while I only wish to be the wind—a wind that helps you ascend the Nine Heavens Throne." Without waiting for Xiao Se's answer, Ye Ruoyi continued.
To contend for the realm, one first needed the aid of a strategist. This had been true for both Emperor Tai'an and Emperor Mingde. Even now, the Crimson Prince and the White Prince each had their own strategists. Only Xiao Se had none. The Four Guardians of Tianqi were all unsuited to the role.
There was no need to mention Lei Wujie and Sikong Qianluo. Although Ji Xue and Tang Lian were clever and steady enough, they were not cunning enough, so neither was suited to be a strategist. Ye Ruoyi, on the other hand, was different. She was intelligent, cunning, and, when necessary, ruthless enough.
Though she had never revealed this before Xiao Se, Lei Wujie, and the others, Shen Fei had seen through her. Ye Ruoyi gave him a feeling somewhat like Tian Yan's. She could be said to perfectly meet the requirements of a strategist. A qualified strategist would help the person she served make up his mind when he hesitated.
"Then according to you, how should we take the first step?" Xiao Se asked slowly.
"The first step