Chapter 395: Plotting the Strategy

Chapter 395: The Scheme

That enchantress...

Previously, the most seductive and bewitching person upon the couch had always been Chichi—she was a little witch, after all. Yet Zhao Changhe now discovered that once Huangfu Qing let down her guard and embraced her coquettish side, the allure she blossomed with was truly like a rose in full splendor. Compared to her, Chichi’s seductive charms seemed like a tiny flower bud yet to open, merely at an apprentice level. Age played its part, after all; in the marrow of her bones, Chichi still possessed a touch of youth's green innocence.

Perhaps he was simply a glutton for punishment. This feeling of an older sister "rewarding you" from a position of higher authority, steeped in a flavor that invited endless reverie—did it carry a fraction more enchantment?

Uh, or perhaps he had simply met too few women.

Though Hongling was as passionate as fire, she was straightforward, a missionary through and through. She didn't know how to play tricks, let alone entice and beguile. When he wanted her to change things up a bit, she refused, saying she would switch to a new style the next time they were fated to meet. Looking at how entangled things were now, that opportunity might never come again...

But this current "whatever you decide," that was truly viable!

Zhao Changhe’s heart itched so fiercely at this moment that he felt he could beat ten Wang Daozhongs to death if they appeared before him.

"Where are you stretching your hands?" Huangfu Qing slapped his paw away and stood up with a half-smile. "Just now, the one saying this wasn't the place was you, and now, the one wishing to execute justice on the spot is also you. Heh, men..."

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Huangfu Qing bent down and planted a kiss on his face. "If you want things left to your decision, you must first handle this matter well... Put some back into it, my little man."

With that, she vanished in a flash, the doors and windows of the room acting as nothing more than illusions to her.

In the other room, Tang Wanzhuang let out a sigh. The soundproofing of the walls was likewise an illusion to her; she had heard everything perfectly clear.

Theoretically, Zhao Changhe intended to act as a rebel this time, yet she did not know how to stop him. The Yang family wished to revive their sword spirit, and it wasn't as though they were out to harm anyone; it was an entirely proper matter, and wanting to help them revive it was a righteous deed. Forget about stopping him—if she possessed such capability herself, she ought to lend a hand instead.

The only thing she could attempt to interfere with was the nature of the act.

Originally, when Zhao Changhe attended the gathering alongside her, Tang Wanzhuang, others would naturally view the matter as a favor to the Demon Suppression Division, or simply state that the prince was cleaning up the mess left by the Emperor. But if it were done under the name of the Four Symbols Cult, the nature of the deed would shift entirely.

It could be boiled down to a more fundamental direction: if Zhao Changhe obtained the Yang family's gratitude, what did he intend to use it for? Was he going to use it to rebel, or to maintain the stability of this empire?

On one side was the Four Symbols Cult, and on the other was Tang Wanzhuang.

The people of the Yang family had actually seen through it long ago. Yang Bugui had questioned it before: "Specifically, does it manifest between the Four Symbols Cult and Chief Tang?"

It was laughable that outsiders understood, yet these involved parties remained blinded by emotion to this day, none of them seeing it clearly.

Zhao Changhe himself did not wish to enter the imperial court, yet he did not personally rebel either. He only involved himself in the martial world, seemingly neutral. But Tang Wanzhuang knew he had always leaned toward overthrowing and rebuilding, because he felt that Xia Longyuan’s method of governing the country only brought tragedy to the people; the more it was patched up, the greater the tragedy became.

The only reason he hadn't personally risen in rebellion was merely that he felt Xia Longyuan was too powerful, rendering such actions meaningless... Had Xia Longyuan been a fraction weaker, the leader of the rebellion would surely have been him, Zhao Changhe. That was why he could be so close to the Four Symbols Cult.

And the reason he could walk the same path as her, Tang Wanzhuang, was because he could not bear to witness the suffering of the common people, and thus did what was within his power—such as resisting foreign invaders and suppressing evil cults. If he could continue along this path, it was not impossible for him, relying on that ambiguous identity of a prince, to step into the chessboard: "If you won't manage it, I will."

This was Tang Wanzhuang’s expectation, and that would be the best outcome.

But fundamentally, he still possessed the heart of an untamable mountain bandit and rebel. Once someone else led him down that path—like Huangfu Qing offering her body as a reward this time—there was no need to ask what kind of road he would gradually take.

How could she twist him back?

Huangfu Qing’s words echoed in her heart: What has Tang Wanzhuang given you? Huh?

What had she given him? He didn't seek authority, so was she to speak to him only of grand righteousness?

Looking at Cui Yuanyang ahead, who was peacefully enjoying the gossip because she couldn't hear what Huangfu Qing was saying, Tang Wanzhuang thought to herself: Can this one count as something I gave him?

This one was also someone he had saved by risking his life through life and death. The young girl’s heart was tied to him, so what did it have to do with anyone else?

Tang Wanzhuang knew what it was he truly desired.

She pressed her lips tight, remaining silent from beginning to end.

Yet Cui Yuanyang suddenly spoke up: "Chief..."

Tang Wanzhuang snapped out of her reverie: "Ah?"

"I want to join the Demon Suppression Division."

Tang Wanzhuang fell into a brief daze, as though she had returned to the moment they first met, when Cui Yuanyong brought his younger sister to see her. The young girl had been brimming with enthusiasm to join the Demon Suppression Division, claiming the work was very thrilling. How could she willingly accept a legitimate daughter of the Cui family into the Demon Suppression Division—a job where one carried their head in their hands? With a turn of her thoughts, she had tricked the girl into going to Beimang.

Time flew, and people changed, yet here she was hearing her say these words once more.

Tang Wanzhuang said: "What, do you still find it thrilling?"

"Because I need to grow." Cui Yuanyang looked at her earnestly. "Many people say I am bound to be Brother Zhao's wife, because it is the most legitimate. We have the consent of our parents, the words of matchmakers, and the covenant of the world. Once the arrangement is complete, it follows naturally. But whether it is my father or me, our hearts actually feel hollow instead."

Tang Wanzhuang grew interested: "Oh?"

"Because we have absolutely no advantage." Cui Yuanyang said. "Isn't it laughable? The Qinghe Cui family that spans across provinces and commanderies, a father-in-law ranked ninth on the Heavenly Ranking, inexhaustible resources—yet no advantage whatsoever. Because Brother Zhao doesn't value these things... This truly is a dilemma. If he valued them, I might not like him so much, for he would ultimately be nothing more than a vulgar man. But because he doesn't value them, I think he is magnificent, yet my own advantages are gone."

The look in Tang Wanzhuang’s eyes shifted slightly.

In truth, it was very close to her own situation. The greatest advantage she could offer was making him Emperor, but he didn't care. Thus, what could you possibly give him?

"Family background is still useful; I can become an aid to him. But if that's the case, the significance of the Qinghe Cui family outweighs Cui Yuanyang, and I won't be happy." Cui Yuanyang lowered her voice. "I hope that when he falls into certain difficulties, he will think: 'Ah, Yangyang can help me with something,' rather than what the Cui family can bring. Can the current me do that? I have always been nothing more than a little burden to him."

Tang Wanzhuang: "..."

"I want to join the Demon Suppression Division. It will allow me to eliminate evil and eradicate bandits, broaden my horizons, and also nurture my Cui family's Noble Purple Qi to elevate my cultivation. I don't need to be as formidable as the Chief; I only need to be able to draw my sword and rise to become a pillar of support when he needs me, just like back then in Langya."

Baoqin sat to one side with her arms around her knees, sizing up this young girl who was about the same age as her. She secretly curled her lip: *At such a young age, her mind is entirely filled with how to be with a man, utterly shameless.*

*And another thing, by saying this, aren't you baring your inner heart to your love rival? This Chief Tang before you will only laugh at your lack of schemes and wisdom. How could she possibly be willing to help you find a sense of presence? If it were me, Baoqin, I would definitely dispatch you to a leisurely, unimportant bureau to rot, with nothing to do but drink tea and walk birds. It would be best to turn you into a useless person...*

Just as she was thinking this, she heard Tang Wanzhuang say: "Very well. Once the matters here are concluded, Yangyang, go report to the Demon Suppression Division. I will arrange an official identity for you."

Cui Yuanyang’s spirit lifted: "What is it, what is it?"

Tang Wanzhuang said seriously: "The Bandit Capture Department. Responsible for apprehending thieves, robbers, murderers, and handling incidents of settling vendettas through violence... You shall start as a Deputy Supervisor. Once you are familiar with the duties, we shall see if you can become a chief official. If you truly perform well and your cultivation rises, the Major Cases Department is not out of the question either."

Baoqin was left dumbfounded. *You're actually going to groom her?*

Cui Yuanyang was indeed overjoyed and asked: "Then what does the Major Cases Department do?"

"Treason and grand conspiracies, or major criminal cases involving powerful experts. The opponents will primarily be the Hu people, the great clans, and the demonic cults... Judging by age, perhaps one day, your opponent will be Xia Chichi."

An extremely amused light flashed through Cui Yuanyang’s eyes.

This sounded like fun!

She stood up in a solemn manner, bowed to Tang Wanzhuang, and offered her tea: "Greetings, Chief."

Tang Wanzhuang accepted the tea, her heart suddenly feeling a bit hollow.

*If the scene changes in the future, I wonder if you will be offering tea or splashing it...*

She coughed twice and turned the conversation toward official matters: "Yangyang, regarding the Yang family's birthday banquet this time, does your Cui family know anything about the situation?"

Cui Yuanyang said: "We only know they have widely invited many famous doctors, saying Uncle Yang encountered some trouble with his cultivation that involves the divine soul, which ordinary physicians cannot treat. My coming here this time was also to bring famous doctors from Hebei along, to see if we can render some assistance."

Tang Wanzhuang pondered for a moment, then asked: "I wonder if Yuanyang can wield the Qinghe Sword?"

Naturally, Cui Yuanyang would not reveal that her family’s sword was still in a half-awake, half-asleep state, currently being nurtured by Cui Yuanyong. She could only reply: "I cannot completely master it, but I am still quite familiar with it. The Qinghe Sword is quite friendly with me."

Upon hearing this, Tang Wanzhuang knew right away that the hitch regarding the Qinghe Sword mentioned in the conversation between Huangfu Qing and Zhao Changhe was likely close to being resolved, and Cui Yuanyang had been deeply involved, likely possessing a wealth of relevant experience.

"If that is the case..." Tang Wanzhuang thought about it and laughed despite herself. "They wish to cast us aside to handle this matter, but it might not be that easy."

Cui Yuanyang: "?"

Tang Wanzhuang said: "Yangyang, the situation with the Yang family appears peaceful on the surface, but there are actually some dark undercurrents within. How about I give you a task?"

Cui Yuanyang was extremely excited: "Please give the order, Chief."

"Keep an eye on the Wang family. The people Wang Daozhong brought along, whether they are famous doctors or attendants... if you discover any abnormal situation, please alert me in a timely manner."

Baoqin’s face was awash with silent tears.

Whether you were driven by jealousy or some such, the sagacious young lady has come back to life...