Ji Ruxue didn't think much of the Xuan Niao Guard unit she'd been given. It was just an exchange of benefits, after all.
Even if the Duke of Wei filled every position, would those people really be loyal only to her just because they bore the name of the Xuan Niao Guard?
What a joke!
She had never expected much from the thousand Xuan Niao Guards in the Duke of Wei's hands.
But the Duke of Wei's deliberate concealment of his strength clearly showed that the Wei State Duke Mansion was no longer the loyal servant of Great Gan it had once been.
And this change was something she herself had brought about. Whether she regretted the outcome or was genuinely unhappy with the Duke of Wei's attitude, it didn't matter.
Either way, Mo Yunxuan had run into her while the Empress was in a foul mood!
But when she saw Qing Li, who was usually so composed, even a little cold, show such a flustered expression for the first time—
In the blink of an eye, she cast aside that little bit of displeasure, her mind filled with the idea of teasing her.
The two exchanged a glance. Ji Ruxue gave Hong Yu a look, and Hong Yu silently rolled her eyes.
If His Majesty wants to gossip, he can just say so. He's always making me do it.
Unfortunately, Ji Ruxue was the Empress, while she was merely a lowly Xuan Niao Guard Commander. She had no choice but to obey.
She sighed quietly, smoothed away the helplessness on her face, and replaced it with a playful smile. In a teasing tone, she said:
"Oho~ Wasn't our Little Qing Li just about to call the Duke of Wei Yunxuan? Why did you suddenly change your mind?"
"No."
Qing Li answered calmly, her firm, unequivocal manner lending her words some credibility.
But the flush on her face and the little hand secretly fidgeting with her clothes made her seem rather unsure of herself.
After Hong Yu had spoken, Ji Ruxue simply stared at Qing Li without getting to the point.
So Ji Ruxue decided to step in herself, speaking in a slightly low, yet magnetic voice:
"Qing Li, don't tell me you've fallen for the Duke of Wei. If you have feelings for him, just say so. I'm not against it~"
At Ji Ruxue's words, Qing Li's little face twisted with indecision.
On the one hand, she wasn't sure whether she actually liked Mo Yunxuan. She only knew that when she was with him, she didn't quite feel like herself.
And whenever Mo Yunxuan was mentioned, her attention always shifted to him of its own accord. She couldn't control it, no matter how hard she tried.
On the other hand, she and Mo Yunxuan had known each other for too short a time. Aside from occasionally seeing him from afar in the past, this was the only time they'd properly met.
If she really said she liked him, would she seem too fickle?
Watching Qing Li, who had changed so much from her usual self, Ji Ruxue's mouth twitched.
What the hell? My Personal Sword Attendant is being stolen away just like that?
What on earth is so charming about that Stinky Man, Mo Yunxuan, that he's managed to ensnare my Little Qing Li like this?
And isn't being single great? Just look at Qing Li now. She's practically a different person.
If this happened to me...
Eugh, no.
I can't even imagine it!
Ji Ruxue shuddered and lost all interest in pressing her further.
She waved a hand casually. "Qing Li, go get some rest."
At Ji Ruxue's words, Qing Li felt as if she'd been granted a pardon. She hurriedly bowed and took her leave.
But just as she was about to leave the Imperial Study, Hong Yu's coquettish voice came from behind her.
"Little Qing Li, His Majesty always keeps his word. Be sure to think it over when you get back~"
Qing Li paused at that, then fled even faster.
Ji Ruxue pointed at Hong Yu, who was smiling brightly, and said helplessly:
"You!"
A week passed in the blink of an eye.
Empress Ji Ruxue managed Great Gan as usual.
Two days ago, Qing Li had finally returned to her usual unruffled self.
But if you looked closely, you'd notice that she often stared vacantly toward the Palace Gate for a long time.
It was as if she were waiting for something. Whenever anyone passed by, she couldn't help but notice.
Seeing her like this only strengthened Empress Ji Ruxue's belief that "men will only get in the way of me drawing my blade."
Meanwhile, at the Left Wei Guard Barracks, the White Horse Volunteers that Jun Tianxiao and Zhao Yun had newly formed had all advanced from the early and middle stages of Golden Core to the Late Golden Core stage.
As for their loyalty, at least on the surface, the soldiers had never slacked off in carrying out Zhao Yun's orders.
And with that final safeguard in place, Jun Tianxiao wasn't worried that the White Horse Volunteers would betray him or give up their cultivation for the sake of so-called loyalty.
Mo Yunxuan hadn't left the Wei State Duke Mansion either. He spent every day at the mansion, wrapped up with Meng Zhirou.
The only interruption came when a soldier from the You Wei Guard delivered a letter from Meng Qianxue, asking about the appointment of the Commander of Left Wei Guard.
But both Mo Yunxuan and Meng Zhirou knew that Meng Qianxue's interest was not really in the appointment.
After all, Mo Yunxuan considered her his fiancée, and he hadn't intended to keep it a secret.
Meng Zhirou was even eager for Meng Qianxue to know she'd gotten ahead of Sister Qianxue. There was no way she'd stop the news from spreading.
She'd learned from Mo Yunxuan that he planned to transfer Meng Qianxue out of the You Wei Guard.
So she knew exactly what Meng Qianxue was after.
Wasn't she just using the question about the Commander of Left Wei Guard to sound out when Mo Yunxuan would send someone to replace her, so she could return to the Wei State Duke Mansion?
Meng Zhirou thought to herself, Hmph. I've already claimed so many of Husband's firsts. Sister Qianxue, you can't beat me.
Besides, every day Mo Yunxuan set aside time to absorb the Fierce Beast corpses brought back by the Imperial Guard and the Elite Vanguard, extracting their Blood Essence.
All in all, though, Great Gan remained calm and peaceful on the surface throughout that week.
But then, on this day, an unexpected person appeared at the gates of the Wei State Duke Mansion.
"Zhirou! Are you inside the Wei State Duke Mansion? Zhirou! Zhirou!"
The man's voice rang through the whole area. Even the Anle Marquis Manor at the other end of the street could hear his shouts.
At the sound, Mo Yunxuan knitted his brows, his expression turning unpleasant. He'd been Duke of Wei for less than ten days, but no one had dared provoke him at his own gate like this. Even Qing Li, the Empress's envoy, had presented a calling card and waited obediently in the main hall.
Yet Lin Fan swaggered about as if he owned the place, openly provoking him right at his doorstep.
After soothing the girl, who was tired and a little drowsy, he got dressed and headed to the mansion gates.
He looked toward the source of the shouting and, well, would you look at that! It was Lin Fan!
The guards of the Wei State Duke Mansion had surrounded him without orders, but they didn't dare take his life in full view of the crowd.
That sight only made Lin Fan more confident. He stood there radiant and triumphant, brimming with swagger.
He no longer looked anything like the wretched man who'd been kicked out of the Anle Marquis Manor.
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