Chapter Seven: The Female Lü Buwei

Prince’s Residence.

Gao Changsheng had just changed out of his court robes when a servant delivered a letter.

The letter was marked “For the Sixth Prince’s eyes only” and indicated it came from the Chu Residence.

“The Chu Residence?” he murmured.

“Minister of War Chu Jiangnian?”

Gao Changsheng furrowed his brow in puzzlement.

He barely had even a nodding acquaintance with Chu Jiangnian, who was known for his smooth, noncommittal nature—always careful not to offend anyone.

But at this critical moment, everyone in Jinyong City knew Gao Changsheng had offended the Crown Prince.

Why would Chu Jiangnian risk suspicion from the Crown Prince by sending him a letter now?

With a mind full of questions, Gao Changsheng broke the seal and unfolded the letter.

Inside were only a few brief lines:

“The humble daughter of the Chu Residence dares to invite the Sixth Prince to meet at the Wenxiang Pavilion. She will await Your Highness’s arrival here until a quarter past noon.”

So it was her.

The letter was from Chu Yunyan.

Gao Changsheng thought to himself—there was no way that crafty Chu Jiangnian would risk sending him a letter in such a tense situation.

It must be that Chu Yunyan had taken matters into her own hands.

“But this woman’s boldness is astonishing,” he muttered with a bitter smile.

“Given the Crown Prince’s overwhelming influence in Jinyong City, she is risking trouble by involving herself with me.”

Perhaps Chu Jiangnian had already decided to side with the Crown Prince, and Chu Yunyan was merely acting on the Crown Prince’s behalf to probe the situation?

Gao Changsheng’s caution was not paranoia but a necessity.

In Jinyong City, the Crown Prince’s power was everywhere.

Alone, Gao Changsheng faced hidden and open dangers; no amount of caution could be excessive.

“However, the Ministry of War controls military records, orders, and logistics.”

“If I could gain their support, my operations on the front lines would greatly benefit.”

“Even if I know it’s a trap ahead, I have no choice but to leap in.”

He sighed deeply, his thoughts weighed down.

He had no trump cards left in hand.

Having none, he had to create his own.

Perhaps a miracle was about to happen.

“Prepare the horse,” he commanded, resolutely deciding to meet with Chu Yunyan.

He was curious to see what means the foremost talented woman of Jinyong City possessed.

…

Wenxiang Pavilion.

The most famous teahouse in Jinyong City.

Known for selling only mid- to high-grade teas, common folk could not afford its offerings.

Therefore, those who frequented Wenxiang Pavilion were either wealthy or noble, and over time it had become a haven for the powerful to conceal their misdeeds.

“Miss, the whole city is talking about how the Sixth Prince offended the Crown Prince at court. Aren’t you worried that if we meet now and someone loyal to the Crown Prince finds out, it could bring trouble…”

In a private room, a woman’s timid voice spoke.

Chu Yunyan, who had been gazing out the window at the bustling street, slowly turned around, her expression unexpectedly calm.

“Zhu’er, what kind of man do you think our master is?” she asked unexpectedly.

Zhu’er was her personal maid; though they were mistress and servant, they were as close as sisters.

Having been an orphan, Zhu’er had only the Chu family to rely on in Jinyong City.

Thus, even if secrets existed between them, Zhu’er had no one else to confide in.

“I am but a maid, how dare I judge my master? If he knew, he would surely beat me to death,” Zhu’er replied nervously.

“Heh,” Chu Yunyan chuckled softly.

“I’m only asking casually. It’s just us here; if I don’t say it, who else will know?”

“Even the common people of Jinyong City know that Minister of War Chu Jiangnian is a fence-sitting opportunist.”

“He aligns himself with the Crown Prince while also obeying the Second and Third Princes.”

“To appear neutral to all sides is the gravest mistake for an official.”

“One day, whether the Crown Prince ascends the throne or the Second or Third Prince rise to power, the Chu family will surely meet destruction.”

Her eyes gleamed with sharp insight, her brows furrowed deeply with worry.

“How can that be!” Zhu’er exclaimed in disbelief.

Yet having followed Chu Yunyan for years, she knew the foremost talented woman in Jinyong City never spoke lightly.

If she predicted calamity for the Chu family, then calamity would surely come.

But what did this have to do with their meeting with Sixth Prince Gao Changsheng today?

“Compared to the Crown Prince, the Second and Third Princes, the Sixth Prince is inscrutable.”

“For years he feigned weakness, yet nearly lost his life over the Duke of Liang’s case.”

“Today, he brazenly offended the Crown Prince at court and seized military command from the Second and Third Princes who were leading the northern expedition.”

“This shows he is not weak but deeply calculating.”

“Such men often do nothing until they have absolute confidence.”

“Or they are forced to shed their disguise.”

Chu Yunyan spoke softly to herself, ignoring Zhu’er beside her.

“If this Sixth Prince is truly such a man, and judging by his conduct at court today, he is a rare treasure indeed.”

A hint of pride shone in her brows.

It was as if she was pleased to have uncovered Gao Changsheng’s true worth first.

“Creak!”

Suddenly, the door to the private room opened.

Gao Changsheng, clad in a fur cloak, stood at the entrance, his gaze fixed steadily on Chu Yunyan.

“Your Highness the Sixth Prince?” she gasped in surprise.

She had been lost in thought, speaking to herself, unaware anyone stood outside.

Perhaps he had overheard everything she said.

“Heh!”

“The talented Lady Chu is truly worthy of her reputation.”

“Your analysis was remarkably insightful—it has truly opened my eyes!”

Gao Changsheng stepped into the room and firmly closed the door behind him.

Without waiting for an invitation, he sat opposite her, picked up a cup of cold tea, and drank it in one gulp.

Seeing this, Chu Yunyan’s earlier worries vanished instantly.

In such perilous times, even strangers’ tea could be poisoned.

But his unhesitating trust in her tea showed his faith in her.

“Thank you, Your Highness, for your trust,” Chu Yunyan said with a slight bow, her gratitude evident.

“Since Your Highness has heard everything, there is no need for circumlocution.”

“Though I dare not claim to represent my father in the Ministry of War, the Chu family can lend Your Highness a helping hand!”

Chu Yunyan’s expression was resolute.

This time, it was Gao Changsheng who was astonished.

He could never have imagined that this young woman, barely eighteen or nineteen, would act with such decisiveness—more decisive than many men.

She had made a firm bet on his value based on mere conjecture.

Even most men would lack such boldness.

“So she is a female version of Lü Buwei,” Gao Changsheng thought to himself.

“Would the Chu family give their all if I asked?”

“If I need a woman, would they even part with her?”

He toyed with his teacup lazily and glanced at Zhu’er beside Chu Yunyan.

“She is your personal maid. If I want her, will you give her to me?”