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The remaining words were left unspoken on her crimson lips. Long Ang casually picked up a book, gently tore it to shreds, and with a flick of his wrist, a fragrant breeze blew, cascading the torn pieces of paper over her head like a bucket of icy water.

A solitary moon hangs high in the sky, the night is pitch black and there are no stars in sight.

A figure was working hard, sweating profusely, in the moonlight.

Organizing and moving books, occasionally pausing to wipe the sweat from his brow with his sleeve, then bending down again to pick up the books and continue working.

"Quite the backbone, huh? I never thought a lackey could have some backbone. Looks like he's not buying my act." Holding a fan to his lips, Long Ang leaned against the banyan tree, his voice, tinged with a slight laugh, drifting leisurely as he glanced sideways at the man standing motionless beside him. "Perhaps I've been too lenient. Just a little more physical labor, moving some books, that's all. Such a small trick isn't enough to scare him into kneeling and begging for mercy right now, Xiaojing."

Li Chenjing's silhouette was elongated by the thin moonlight, his unwavering gaze fixed on the busy, short figure, his clenched fists hidden in his Wide Sleeves, his narrow eyes squinting.

"If you want him to give up his ambitions of climbing the social ladder and obediently return to your side, then don't be soft-hearted anymore. I warned Xiaojing long ago that this man is quite cunning, and his every move is definitely for ulterior motives. If I hadn't told you that he was always seen with the Emperor, you would probably already be wearing that green hat. Find a pretext to kick him out of the Dongxu Mansion."

"... Stop causing trouble."

"Xiaojing is really heartless, using that pretty face to say such cruel words to me. I'm going to be heartbroken." Under the moonlight, Li Chenjing was bathed in a faint silver glow. Long Ang squinted and looked at him in the moonlight, almost mesmerized.

At the same time, a caravan of carriages sped along the official road in the distance, raising clouds of dust. The Carriages, which were surrounded by Guards, were not luxurious, but the scent of incense, typical of women, wafted out from inside as the Carriages bounced and swayed.

The commander leading the way was dressed in armor, with a somber expression. He looked up at the Capital gate that was now in front of him, then reined in his horse, turned it around, and trotted toward the Carriage behind him.

"Young Madam, the Capital is right before us. Should we enter the city tonight? Please give your instructions."

A delicate, white hand half-lifted the carriage curtain, releasing a fragrant aroma. The woman was not seen, only her melodious voice, though tinged with weariness, slowly emanated from her. "Tonight we will stop outside the city and wait for my father's permission to enter before proceeding."

The lead officer looked troubled. "But, Young Madam... the Young General ordered us to travel day and night, at top speed, to reach the Capital..."

Her jade -Capital hand unconsciously tightened its grip on the carriage curtain, but her voice remained calm and composed. "My husband is stationed on the border year-round and may not know this, but in the capital, under the Emperor's Holy Emperor, there are bound to be more rules. As military dependents, if we wish to enter the city, we must first obtain permission from the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister's approval. Entering the city rashly could lead to us being treated as rebels and executed on the spot."

The commander bowed deeply in admiration, "I see. Your consideration is indeed thorough, Madam. However, as the Prime Minister's daughter, your approval to enter the city should not take too long."

"..." After a long silence, the woman sighed deeply, "That's not necessarily true. In order to enter the city as soon as possible, please Messenger to the Long Residence."

"The Long Residence? Haven't I heard that Right Prime Minister Long and his wife's father have always been at odds?"

"It's not about asking you to go find Grand Chancellor Long, but rather Young Master Long... Yang. I have some connections with him, and he also has a very close personal relationship with the Holy Emperor. Perhaps he can grant my husband's wish and get him into the Capital as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will send someone immediately."

The sparrows chirped in the early morning, but Zhu Bafu was clearly still sleepy. She had been organizing the book list until midnight last night and even brought work home to work on late into the night. She wanted to sleep until noon, let alone at dawn.

She was just a temporary Minister of Works, so why should she be so loyal and responsible, especially to a stinky emperor who forcibly interrupted her budding sweet romance? His royal library burned down, and she, a nobody with neither high rank nor generous salary, was on the front lines. Where is justice?!

"I am the law of heaven."

A soft, gentle whisper reached Zhu Bafu's ears, instantly sending chills down her spine. She awoke with a start from her reverie, thinking she was hallucinating. But Holy Emperor she opened her eyes wide, the Emperor's handsome yet wicked face was truly before her—

"Ahhh--Your Majesty!!" Dropping the pillow she was holding, she hurriedly looked down at her clothes.

Thankfully, I was exhausted from climbing into bed last night and didn't have the strength to take off my Confucian Robe and change back into a women's skirt. My Woman Dressed as a Man went undetected, thank goodness! My life was spared.

But His Your Majesty the Emperor interpreted this action in a completely different way. "Is this Pig Kid worried that I and Xiaojing have the same fetish, that he'll take off your Clothing and jump onto your bed?"

He unfolded his paper fan and waved it lightly. "Tsk tsk, even if I were in the mood, I would never do business in this shabby house. My little favorite is living in such a dilapidated house. My dear minister is truly as pure as water and as incorruptible as a mirror. It makes me both gratified and heartbroken."

"Don't be so happy or heartbroken. If I were given a chance to amass wealth, I would certainly not give it up."

His Your Majesty raised an eyebrow, his peach blossom eyes brimming with laughter, "Is it really a good idea to tell me so blatantly that you're going to become a corrupt official?"

"Because I never wanted to be an official. So please rescind your order and find another Minister of Works for you to serve."

His Your Majesty put away his paper fan and sighed, "Alas! I knew it. That Pig Kid is still so aloof, unwilling to serve me. So, I came all this way to your humble abode to show you my sincerity. But your abode is even worse than my outhouse, truly pitiful."

Where is the sincerity? This is nothing but the attitude of spoiled brats trying to suppress students from poor families like them!

Too lazy to argue with him any further, Zhu Bafu rolled out of bed. "You ran away from the palace so early in the morning, could it be another escape?"