"So you're a department head..."
"Yes," Zhai Liying said indifferently.
"But that Minister Li person is also a department head, right?"
"Yes."
"He seemed pretty terrified of you," An You said weakly. In truth, there was something else she hadn't said—that Minister Li looked far more like a department head than she did, especially since Zhai Liying was so young and beautiful.
"I'm from the Defense Department, and he's from the Ministry of Civil Affairs."
"Is the Defense Department bigger?" An You asked blankly.
"No," Zhai Liying said calmly. "The head of the Defense Department is the same rank as the head of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, but I outrank him."
"Oh." An You understood in an instant. This Sister Zhai clearly had more than just that one title; she likely held multiple positions, or perhaps possessed something akin to a peerage. After a brief pause, she asked again, "What does the Defense Department do?"
"Territorial defense, the Imperial Guard, garrison forces, and all armed forces directly utilized for domestic security and defense fall under the jurisdiction of the Defense Department," Zhai Liying stated. "Now you know why those two at the gate were so obedient."
"I... I thought they were just that obedient to all officials," An You said sheepishly.
Zhai Liying: "..."
"There seem to be a lot of people on the road, and most of them look in a rush," An You hurriedly changed the subject. Suddenly, she heard the sound of hooves rapidly approaching from a distance.
She quickly turned her head and saw a strapping man in a black officer's uniform riding a tall, cyan warhorse covered in fine scales, galloping swiftly down the road. In an instant, he overtook their carriage without even glancing over, charging at full speed ahead.
She stared in