Although Wen Chan often spoke erratically, making it impossible to grasp her true intentions, Lu Shuo had to admit that when she threatened someone, she always hit her mark, striking precisely at his vital point.

Back then, his father, Lu Zhonghui, was defending Yi Prefecture and fighting against the great Tongluo army. Shortly after a victory, he was assassinated and died on the battlefield. In the third year of Yanshou, the Emperor re-divided Yi Prefecture and some of the reclaimed lost territory into the three commanderies of Wuyuan, Tangshan, and Baoning. The majority of the original Yizhou Army was assigned to Tangshan Commandery. A portion of the elite personal troops was led by the original Yizhou Army general, Lin Xian, to garrison Baoning Commandery. As for Wuyuan Commandery, due to its close proximity to the Tongluo and Chuohan tribes and its perilous location, the Emperor personally appointed the Duke of Xu, Xiao Dingfang, as its governor.

The children and relatives of the Lu Clan were all settled in the Capital City under imperial grace. His own son, Lu Shuo, received the Emperor's favor and was brought into the palace to be raised, studying and socializing with the various princes. In terms of preferential treatment for a meritorious subject, the Emperor could be said to have been perfectly benevolent and beyond reproach. Only Lu Shuo himself knew in his heart that he was a beast raised in a golden cage—the kind that had to either be obedient or die. It was only because everyone wanted him to be a tame housecat that he was forced to retract his claws and fangs, lying dormant and waiting for an opportunity.

If he showed even the slightest bit of complacency, he would sink deep into a world of wealth and pleasure, never to climb out for the rest of his life.

Wen Chan magnanimously accepted his apology. "Peacock, you speak first. What's the latest news from Wuyuan Commandery?"

He Lanzhi produced a roll of parchment from his sleeve, its tie fastened with a snow-white feather, and pushed it before Wen Chan. "The old king of the Chuohan Tribe has died of illness. The new king, Jian Yuduo, has ascended the throne. As soon as he took power, he went on a killing spree, executing two of his brothers and three elders on charges of rebellion, and subduing the entire tribe with an iron fist. Right now, the tribe is in a state of panic. Everyone says he has an unpredictable temperament, is moody and volatile, a demon king whose name is enough to stop a child from crying at night."

"The new king has such a rigid temperament. No wonder Xiao Dingfang wants to win him over with a policy of appeasement," Wen Chan mused. "The last time I heard His Majesty's thoughts on the matter, it seemed he hadn't given up on the idea of a marriage alliance. If the Chuohan Tribe makes any unusual moves, or if someone fans the flames again, I'm afraid he'll make up his mind for good."

Lu Shuo knew these words were meant for him. Wen Chan had secured a sliver of opportunity for him from the Emperor. Lu Shuo had originally thought she was just helping him out of convenience because she didn't want to be married off to a distant land. But now, with the winds of choosing a husband blowing throughout the Capital City, she really had no need to worry about this matter anymore. Why did she still want to find a way to prevent the Great Qi Dynasty from forming a marriage alliance with the Chuohan Tribe?

"Speaking of that Duke of Xu, there's even more interesting news," He Lanzhi winked at her. "Your Highness, care to take a guess?"

Wen Chan's gaze met his. In an instant, she understood, and a mischievous, gloating smile appeared in her eyes. "Oh my, the Duke of Xu is quite old. It couldn't possibly be some romantic affair..."

"Your Highness is truly as sharp as ice and snow." He Lanzhi applauded her with a grin. "Governor Xiao's days in Wuyuan Commandery are more luxurious than even the Emperor's. I heard the annual allowance for his wives' and concubines' cosmetics alone is three thousand taels of silver—and that's just for the cosmetics of his wives and concubines in Wuyuan Commandery, mind you, not counting the ones in the Capital City, nor their clothes and jewelry. The money for rouge and powder alone could feed half a city. He's so rich."

Wen Chan had known about this in her past life, so feigning surprise would be too deliberate. Still, her thoughts uncontrollably wandered for a moment, and she asked curiously, "What kind of rouge and powder costs so much? Are they eating pearl powder for meals?"

He Lanzhi leaned in with great interest and counted on his fingers. "First, there are many of them. Second, the border commandery is remote, and just transporting the rouge and powder there takes a great deal of effort. Besides, there's so much to consider with these things—dark red, light red, pink, purplish-red, orange-red, peach-red... The ones produced in Zhaojing are different from those from Zhongzhou and Jiangzhou, and different shops use different secret formulas... In short, it's extremely complex and hard to explain in a few words."

"The more difficult the transport, the higher the price," Wen Chan remarked thoughtfully. "If only the land and water transportation were more convenient..."

Her voice trailed off. He Lanzhi laughed, "That's nothing. The bulk of the expense isn't on this, Your Highness."

Wen Chan was still musing, "As the saying goes, where the money goes, the heart follows. He spends his entire year's salary just to support his rear court. The Duke of Xu is truly a man who cherishes flowers..."

He Lanzhi laughed so hard he slid under the table. Lu Shuo, at the end of his patience, rapped on the table. "Can you two be serious!"

Wen Chan said, "Boohoo, if the Duke of Xu's wife and Consort Xiao in the palace found out, they would surely be moved to tears."

Lu Shuo said, "...If the people from the Censorate found out, they'd be the ones too happy to sleep."

He Lanzhi climbed out from under the table and added, "Xiao Dingfang has several beauties from other tribes in his rear court, supposedly gifts from others. There are also rumors that after Jian Yuduo took power, people from other tribes frequently visited the Governor-General's Manor. It's unknown what was discussed, but soon after, Jian Yuduo made his move to purge his brothers."

There was a subtle implication in his words. Lu Shuo's gaze grew colder. "Are you trying to say that Xiao Dingfang colluded with Jian Yuduo, helping him identify the rebels in his tribe and solidify his position?"

He Lanzhi met his gaze unhurriedly and smiled openly. "Young Master Lu, I am only responsible for relaying the news I've heard and seen. As for analyzing it, drawing conclusions, and deciding who is good, who is bad, and who deserves to die—that's your business. I'm not targeting anyone."

"Peacock is right. Where Xiao Dingfang's money comes from, and what his relationship is with the new king of the Chuohan Tribe, Jian Yuduo—figuring out these two points is your mission, Young Master Lu." Wen Chan brought the hammer down, summarizing decisively. "Welcome to 'Deep Forest.' Give yourself a resounding codename."

"..." Lu Shuo looked utterly hopeless. He asked coolly, "What kind of codename counts as resounding? A loud-voiced bird?"

Wen Chan replied, "Something more ferocious. After all, you hold a proper official post. In the future, you might kick Xiao Dingfang out and take his place, maybe even become the Grand Marshal of the Realm. If your name is too petty, it won't look good in the history books. How about Goshawk?"

"Sounds like 'housefly'," Lu Shuo's brows were furrowed enough to crush a mosquito. "Don't you have any other proper business to discuss? Be quiet and let me think."

The others suppressed their laughter and exchanged a round of tacit glances. Wen Chan then called on Cheng Kai. Without avoiding Lu Shuo, the group exchanged their information one by one. Finally, Wen Chan concluded, "Everyone has worked hard. It's almost the end of the year. I'll have Cheng Xuan arrange for you to rest in the Capital City for a few days and have a good new year. Next year, once I leave the palace and establish my own manor, we'll be able to meet and communicate more often. You won't have to travel all the way up the mountain anymore."

Cheng Kai's hand, holding his teacup, trembled. Shi Jifu and Crow looked up at her in unison. He Lanzhi's eyes shot wide, gleaming with a sharp light. "Your Highness is getting married? Has the Prince Consort been chosen already? Who is it, who is it? Do you need us to help investigate his life and character? We guarantee we'll dig three feet deep and find out everything, right down to the age his grandfather first fell in love and secretly pledged his life to someone!"

Even Lu Shuo, who had been deep in thought off to the side, couldn't help but look up, watching them with anticipation.

Wen Chan replied, "Soon. It's not yet finalized. No need. I'm not interested in who his grandmother's romantic rival was, thank you."

He Lanzhi drew out his words in a whiny tone, pretending to be coquettish. "Your Highness, if the Prince Consort finds out you're secretly keeping so many spies, he won't get angry, will he? If the Prince Consort gets angry, he won't beat us, will he? The Prince Consort is so scary..."

Wen Chan couldn't help but recall that trembling Little White Flower and said with lingering fear, "Not to that extent... He'd probably just refuse to eat or drink and hide in his room, weeping secretly for three days and three nights."

He Lanzhi shuddered.

'So the Princess likes the submissive type?'

Since the matter wasn't settled yet, Wen Chan didn't want to reveal too much. She turned and directed the conversation back to Lu Shuo. "Hurry up, have you thought of a codename? While everyone's here, get acquainted. From now on, you're all brothers. You need to get along well."

Lu Shuo: "..."

Perhaps because he wasn't a man of letters, he always felt that saying a name he'd given himself was rather embarrassing.

"Black Eagle."

Wen Chan seemed to be in a daze for a moment, then she smiled faintly. "That's a resounding name. It suits you well."

Lu Shuo was already used to her erratic nature and was taken aback for a second by her sudden sincerity. Then he heard Wen Chan say, "Alright, meeting adjourned. Little Qing, stay behind. The rest of you may go."

Lu Shuo: "..."

Lu Shuo said, "What kind of ridiculous nickname is that? Xiao Qing is a snake."

Outside the meditation room, continuous laughter echoed, startling countless birds into flight from the forest.