Mythical Qin: I, Gao Yao, will never be a eunuch!

Li Yunrui gave Gao Yao a deep look. This man was more terrifying than she had imagined—not only had he reached the level of a grandmaster in martial arts, but he was also incredibly insightful in political intrigue. Every step he took seemed casual, but in reality, it was the result of deep planning and foresight.

"I...understand." Li Yunrui finally loosened her grip, picked up her teacup, and took a sip; the tea had cooled slightly. "So, what are your plans next, sir? After cooperating with Tianxia Bank, the Gao Clan will surely sweep across the trade routes of the world. Although I have handed over the imperial treasury, I still have some connections in various places..."

“This is exactly what I want to talk to you about.” Gao Yao leaned forward slightly. “The expansion of the Gao Clan Chamber of Commerce requires the support of local forces. I need your undercover agents in various counties.”

"What about the conditions?"

"I'll give you 10% of the shares in the Gao Clan Chamber of Commerce." Gao Yao held up his index finger. "Don't underestimate this 10%. In three months, the Gao Clan Chamber of Commerce's annual profit will not be less than five million taels. 10% is five hundred thousand taels, and you don't need to invest a single penny. You only need to provide connections and convenience."

Li Yunrui was shocked. Five hundred thousand taels of silver—that was almost a third of the Imperial Treasury's annual profit during its heyday. And all she had to give up were those semi-dormant undercover agents and favors.

"Sir, you are so generous. Perhaps you have other requests?" Li Yunrui did not immediately agree.

Gao Yao smiled: "The Princess is indeed insightful. I want you to continue to win over the military leaders, especially those mid-level officers who are not in a position of power. I can provide money, food, and weapons."

A glint of light flashed in Li Yunrui's eyes: "Sir, you mean...?"

“It’s just for self-preservation,” Gao Yao interrupted her. “Emperor Qing won’t tolerate my existence forever. Neither the Tianxia Bank nor the Gao Family Chamber of Commerce can withstand real power. I need some… insurance.”

Li Yunrui was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "What if some generals are unwilling to cooperate?"

Gao Yao glanced at her, and the look in his eyes made Li Yunrui realize that she had asked an extremely stupid question.

"Having been in the palace for so many years, does the Princess not know how to get people to 'cooperate'?" Gao Yao's tone was tinged with mockery. "Money can move people's hearts. If money doesn't work, there's always leverage, family, future prospects... there's always one that can sway him. If he's truly impervious to reason..."

He made a gesture of wiping his neck.

Li Yunrui's cheeks flushed slightly, whether from anger or shame, she couldn't tell. Of course, she knew these methods, but in front of Gao Yao, she always felt uncomfortable that he could see right through her.

"I understand." She got up to leave, only to find that the carriage had somehow entered a dense forest, and the surroundings were eerily quiet.

Just as she lifted the carriage curtain, a strong arm suddenly wrapped around her waist and pulled her back into the carriage. Li Yunrui cried out in surprise and fell into Gao Yao's arms.

"You... how dare you!" Li Yunrui was both shocked and furious. She tried to struggle, but found that the arm was as firm as an iron clamp.

Gao Yao's face was inches away from hers; she could clearly see the amusement in his eyes, and... a trace of complex emotion she couldn't understand.

"The Princess is leaving already?" Gao Yao's voice was deep and magnetic. "Our business... isn't finished yet."

Li Yunrui's heart pounded like a drum. She wasn't an innocent young girl, but being held in a man's arms like this was a first in many years. More importantly, this man was a Grandmaster, someone who could decide her life or death.

"What...what do you want to talk about?" Li Yunrui's voice trembled slightly, whether from fear or something else, it was hard to tell.

Gao Yao didn't answer, but instead reached out and removed the gold hairpin from her hair. Her long, black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, falling onto her shoulders and Gao Yao's arm.

“Emperor Qing will not let you go,” Gao Yao suddenly said, his tone becoming serious. “His demand for you to hand over the Imperial Treasury is only the first step. Next, he will gradually clip your wings and weaken your power until you become a true princess—a woman who lives deep in the palace, powerless and without influence.”

Li Yunrui stopped struggling. She knew perfectly well what was going on; she had simply been deceiving herself all these years, believing that as long as she yielded, she could preserve herself.

“Cooperating with me is your only way out,” Gao Yao continued, “but cooperation requires trust. And trust requires… a closer relationship.”

Li Yunrui understood. This wasn't a romantic relationship, but a political marriage, a union bound by interests. Gao Yao didn't need her body, but her complete allegiance.

"What if I... refuse?" Li Yunrui asked with difficulty.

Gao Yao laughed, but his smile was icy: "Then I'm afraid the princess won't be able to leave this forest."

A deathly silence. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves in the wind outside the carriage and the breathing of the two people so close together.

After a long while, Li Yunrui closed his eyes, then slowly opened them again. His eyes held no more hesitation or struggle, only resolute determination.

"I understand."

She didn't try to get up again, but instead relaxed and leaned into Gao Yao's arms. This action signified submission, and also an alliance.

Gao Yao smiled with satisfaction. He released his arm, but did not let Li Yunrui leave. Instead, he let her lean on his shoulder.

The carriage continued its journey, emerging from the dense forest and heading towards Kyoto. Moonlight streamed through the carriage windows, casting ambiguous shadows on the two people nestled together.

Li Yunrui suddenly spoke, her voice very soft: "Why did you choose me, sir? With your status and abilities, you could choose any woman in the world."

Gao Yao was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Because you and I are the same kind of people. We have both been betrayed by the people we trusted most, we have both struggled to survive in the vortex of power, and we both understand... in this world, the only one you can rely on is yourself."

Li Yunrui's body trembled slightly. She recalled that rainy night many years ago, the cold look in her brother Emperor Qing's eyes, and the power she was forced to relinquish... She thought she had long since hardened her heart, but at this moment, she felt a strange pang of sorrow.

“Once we arrive in Kyoto, I will arrange for someone to contact you.” Gao Yao’s voice pulled her back to reality. “Remember, we have never met. The deaths of Yan Xiaoyi and Shangshan Hu were the work of Northern Qi spies, and have nothing to do with you or me.”

"The cooperation with Tianxia Qianzhong..."

“I will contact you through Fan Jian.” Gao Yao paused. “As for Fan Xian, don’t provoke him for now. After all, he is…that person’s son.”

Li Yunrui naturally understood who "that person" referred to—Ye Qingmei, the woman who changed an entire era. She was also the woman she envied and hated most in her life.

"I know what's important," she said softly.

The carriage finally emerged from the dense forest, and ahead lay the official road. In the distance, the lights of the post station could be seen, and the sounds of people and horses could be heard.

Li Yunrui sat up straight, tidying her disheveled hair and clothes. When she looked at Gao Yao again, her eyes had regained the dignity and majesty of a princess, as if nothing had happened.