Bao Qin peeked around curiously, eyes now rimmed with red from staring so long. She stole a glance at her mistress and saw that the blush on Miss's face had faded, replaced entirely by a sparkle of delight.

"That's truly remarkable," Tang Wanzhuang muttered to herself, "Taming Qinghe, pacifying Langya, settling Miao Region, none of that surprises me, as it's all based on military affairs, which are his forte. But this... this affair in Ba Shu... It's simply... Who says he's just a man skilled with blades and swords? This is truly the talent of a master strategist, previously lacking only the platform."

Bao Qin didn't understand but felt it seemed very impressive. Anyway, judging by the Miss's reaction, impressive was definitely right.

It felt like even if everyone were to forget about their past, and starting only from the establishment of the new dynasty, Zhao Changhe had to woo his mistress all over again, she'd surely fall right into his arms, judging by that itchy look on her face...

But this broken world demanded that he always be rushing around outside, and as if it wasn't enough for the Miss to feel this old woman's itch, Bao Qin herself would turn eighteen after the New Year... Sigh... So much for the promised chambermaid—this just isn't how it's supposed to be...

Unaware that her maid's thoughts had drifted away, Tang Wanzhuang continued to read the letter. Logically, once the matter in Ba Shu was settled, Zhao Changhe should have returned to the Capital to prepare for campaign, yet instead, he sent a message, which gave her an ominous feeling.

Indeed, the letter stated, "Having concluded the affair in Ba Shu, I was planning to return to the Capital to arrange the campaign, but plans have unexpectedly changed. There's a risk that Kunlun's Yuxu may join forces with the Li Family, and I must disrupt this alliance. The best outcome would be to have Yuxu side with us against the Northern Hu, but at the very least, I must cause strife within the Li Family between Sect loyalties and factions. In any case, I cannot allow them to cooperate."

"Don't worry, Hongling is with me, and she's achieved Breakthrough. Although Chang'an's situation is complex now, I am confident I can handle it."

"Make all preparations for the campaign in the Capital, I'll be back soon."

"Alright, a kiss~"

The letter ended with a cute drawing of a kiss, which looked very adorable.

But Tang Wanzhuang didn't feel it was cute at all, instead, she furrowed her brows and stood up, pacing back and forth.

"The dangers in Chang'an are not as light as he describes... Yuxu might not be that friendly now, and behind them are Divine forces. Moreover, there could be other God Demons lurking in Kunlun, and who knows which of the Northern Hu is in Chang'an—it could be Bo'e or Tie Muer themselves. Nowadays, Chang'an is a mix of dragons and snakes, replete with God Demons; him alone..."

Bao Qin reminded her, "Yue Hongling is with him."

Tang Wanzhuang outright ignored the comment, stood up, paced a few steps, and spoke softly, "Contact Vermilion Bird. I don't know how her matters in Jinzhong are faring, but if they're not too pressing, have her divert to Chang'an."

In fact, Tang Wanzhuang really wanted to go herself, but times had changed. Previously, she was only responsible for martial matters and could often roam the Worldly Society; now, she needed to manage many state affairs, as Xia Chichi's right and left arm, truly indispensable in the Capital for a moment. And some of the matters mentioned in Zhao Changhe's letter required her attention.

Her heart filled with worry, but what could she do?

Bao Qin suggested, "Contact that bird; the Four Symbols Sect must have more direct means of communication. You'd best ask Her Majesty."

Tang Wanzhuang nodded, turned to put on her robe, and headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

Bao Qin, despite always making people fume with her blunt comments, was in fact a competent secretary who could spot and fill gaps, and it would be perfect if she could help refill a cup.

Among the "outer ministers" of the Great Han now, only Tang Wanzhuang could enter the Imperial Palace without announcement and directly barge into the Emperor's sleeping quarters. Everyone knew, though not openly said, that she was not an "outer minister" but essentially an "Empress," or at the very least an "Imperial Concubine." But when it came to these titles, the Emperor was Zhao Changhe, and as for the current reigning Majesty working in the Imperial Study, her essence was also that of an Empress or an Imperial Concubine.

As for who would be the Empress and who the concubine, betting houses were already secretly taking wagers—places like Ying Wu's Kangle Gambling House were almost placing open bets, with the citizens of the Capital making their wagers while batting their eyes, the Demon Suppression Department turning a blind eye and secretly betting on their own Sect Leader.

Initially, Tang Wanzhuang felt some shame about entering the palace without notification, always feeling the guards' eyes on her seemed off. But now, she had grown accustomed, even joking about it with Xia Chichi.

Tang Wanzhuang sauntered into the Imperial Study where Xia Chichi was reviewing documents, her young face crumpled with the strain of her task.

Tang Wanzhuang sighed inwardly—if only the former Emperor had been as dedicated to governance, even if he had been less skilled, things wouldn't have turned to such chaos. Now, the Great Han was rapidly recovering, not just due to the inevitable shift from chaos to order, but also deeply tied to Chichi's diligence. She barely slept two or three hours a day, often went entirely without sleep, and was profoundly unfamiliar with state affairs in the beginning, not understanding much. But now, she had become a very competent Emperor.

Not to mention, her composed aura, piercing gaze, and intimidating presence could horrify many court officials with just one look—that was the murderous intent of a Demoness from the Worldly Society, the ice-cold demeanor of a Swordsman, mixed with the majesty of an Emperor. Today's Xia Chichi showed no trace of her past Demoness mien, increasingly resembling a slightly wicked Emperor.

Upon Tang Wanzhuang's entrance, Xia Chichi looked up briefly and then continued working, "What brings you here all of a sudden, to attend the royal bedchamber?"

Tang Wanzhuang gracefully walked in and casually sat down on the desk next to her, embodying the demeanor of a languidly charming concubine. Upon hearing the comment, she responded with equal nonchalance, "If he were sitting here, I would attend the bedchamber. But you... take a number—oh, I forgot, you've already had your turn."

The surrounding eunuchs and palace maidens couldn't bear to look directly and turned their heads away, witnessing such an unprecedented relationship between ruler and subject.

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