The Qin Dynasty entered the game with love.

Zhang Liang entered the palace and became the confidant of the Lord of Danyang. Within a day, the entire city of Xianyang knew about it. In contrast, Han Fei, the hostage from the state of Han, was appointed as the Grand Censor. The former was the focus of the people's attention, while the latter was the focus of the officials' attention.

Ying Ji also assigned the Yuezhi to Zhang Liang, since it wouldn't be good to have no one by his side. The Yuezhi were unique, and Zhang Liang was intelligent enough to protect him.

Imperial Academy (Qinling area)

Having received word that the main person in charge of Danyang was coming to inspect the Imperial Academy, Shun changed into a new work uniform and waited for the inspection.

Upon seeing Zhang Liang, who had arrived in the same carriage, he quickly bowed.

"Greetings to Lord Danyang and Young Master Liang."

Yingji told the person to get up: "Shun, you've done a great job. It's mostly finished. Let me check if there are any details that need improvement."

Shun quickly stepped forward to present his son: "Lord Danyang, this is my son. Liang, no, no, no, he's not my son..."

Shun was about to introduce his son when he discovered that he shared the same name as Liang Gongzi. He wanted to change his name, but when the words came out, he couldn't think of anything and immediately knelt down.

“Lord Danyang, it is my fault. My son’s name is taboo.”

Just as Ying Ji understood, she saw Shun kneel down: "Don't kneel, get up. It's a small matter, Liang won't be angry about it. But we can't keep calling him that. It just so happens that we'll have the surname Zhang from now on, and the given name Xue. How about that?"

Shun was very happy and was granted the surname Liang, no, now called Zhang Xue.

Zhang Xue was a twenty-year-old boy who had recently gotten married. His wife worked in the textile industry, while he first went to school to study. Later, he helped his father build the Imperial Academy, and his life improved considerably.

Leading Ying Ji, he showed her the planned teaching area, workshop, armory, and seed bank one by one, as well as the rooms prepared for the teacher. They were all sunny, with desks, papers, green plants, and daily necessities, and someone was specially arranged to clean them every day.

Now it seems we can move in with our bags ready. Yingji discovered that Zhang Xue has excellent eloquence, unlike Shun, he can tell the same story vividly and interestingly, which is quite good.

Ying Ji took a quick look around and then dismissed Zhang Xue, while she herself strolled through the area hand in hand with Zhang Liang.

"Liang, what do you think of this place?"

Zhang Liang looked at the two holding hands with some embarrassment: "Hmm, very good, very creative, but why are there weapons, seeds and farming tools as well?"

Ying Ji pulled the person to her side and pointed to a huge sand pit: "This place can be used for competitions. All schools of thought in the Imperial Academy accept students. At least, talented people can study at the Imperial Academy regardless of their school."

Last time, we invited many renowned scholars to give lectures, and we wanted to find people from various schools of thought to oversee the proceedings, but we haven't found anyone to connect us.

Zhang Liang listened and couldn't help but chuckle: "Your Highness is overthinking it. Once the Imperial Academy makes a name for itself, it won't be us begging them, it will be them madly begging to enroll."

Ying Ji's eyes lit up, and she hugged the boy and kissed his forehead: "That's good. I was worried that no one would come. I feel much more at ease after hearing your words."

Zhang Liang touched his bright red ear tips and walked in step with Ying Ji. The gap between them, which was originally about a hand's width, gradually disappeared as they walked.

Walking hand in hand along the path, their backs to each other, they truly seemed like a match made in heaven.

As for Bai Changchuan, he has not seen Ying Ji since returning to Xianyang. Even when they meet, they only exchange a brief greeting before parting ways. Most importantly, he was not taken to the palace but was instead assigned to a training camp.

Black Crow was waiting for orders after returning to Xianyang from Bai Changchuan, but there was no response. Even though he sent several tokens to request an audience, his master never responded.

He had no choice but to show up one night, and Bai Changchuan immediately pinned him down like an assassin: "Who are you, and why are you here?"

Black Crow realized that his master really didn't remember anything, so he quickly showed his waist tag: "Master, I am Black Crow, your trusted confidant."

After explaining all night, Bai Changchuan still couldn't remember, but he still released Black Crow.

For a period of time afterward, he deliberately stopped contacting Ying Ji, but Ying Ji was too busy to pay attention to him, and he gradually lost interest.

He was especially surprised to hear that Zhang Liang had entered the palace, but he was the last to know. Today, when he learned that the two had come to the Imperial Academy, he had been following them. Seeing the two holding hands intimately as they strolled around the academy, he finally left in anger.

Even after learning the truth, Bai Changchuan was unwilling to let go easily. On the way back to the palace, Ying Ji and Zhang Liang "accidentally" encountered Bai Changchuan being insulted as a prostitute, and were told that Bai Qi's sins were so grave that Bai Changchuan should also confess.

Upon seeing this, Ying Ji's eyes turned icy: "Bai Qi was personally appointed Marquis of Wucheng by the King of Qin. When did he become a sinner in your mouths? Guards, take him to prison and investigate his three clans."

Bai Changchuan, dressed in military uniform, had a look of suppressed anger on his face. Ying Ji got out of the carriage and tried to pull him back to the carriage.

But Bai Changchuan pried his hand away: "If the princess pities me, there is no need. She has just taken a new lover, so why would she remember me, a sinner?"

His words were full of sarcasm, yet his eyes held a look of impending tears, making Ying Ji somewhat regret keeping him confined to her backyard.

Ying Ji had no choice but to withdraw her hand, and said sincerely, "I know you like leading troops into battle. I will ask for an imperial decree later, and you will be a free man. You can go to the border to fight the enemy."

Bai Changchuan couldn't help but pull him back: "That's what you think, you just want to kick me aside if you don't like me, even though that's not how things are between us."

The man hugged Ying Ji from behind on the street, and tears could be seen in the corners of his eyes with just a slight turn of his head.

Ying Ji sighed: "It's up to you. If you want to go anywhere, just tell me anytime, and I'll support you."

Bai Changchuan tensed up, released the person, and left without saying a word.

Back in the carriage, Ying Ji felt a little sad, and Zhang Liang could see it too. The pleasant atmosphere from before was completely gone, and so they returned to the palace.

Master Mo had been waiting for a long time. When he saw the young man being difficult, he didn't ask any questions. Instead, he kept pulling him aside and asking about the Imperial Academy.

"Little girl, how long have you kept this old man locked up in your Yongning Palace? You don't even let me go out for a walk."

Ying Ji: "Elder Mo, just say what you have to say. You know my temperament."

Old Master Mo chuckled: "My Mo family has a place in the Imperial Academy."

Ying Ji: "You're joking, old man. Of course, I'll set aside a spot with everything you need and materials."

Master Mo nodded: "Then I'll become the teacher, what do you think?"

Ying Ji then composed herself and solemnly replied, "Master Mo's talent is sufficient to qualify him for a doctorate, and he is certainly qualified. Master Mo will be in charge of the Mo Department. I am deeply impressed."

Old Master Mo stroked his beard and laughed: "You little girl, I was right about you. Since that's the case, I'm going out today to meet some of my friends and catch up."

Ying Ji looked at the sky and said, "Elder Mo, let's do it tomorrow morning. At this time, Zhangtai Palace should be closing. I will go to the Imperial Academy to arrange for the teachers tomorrow morning. How about Elder Mo come with me?"

Mr. Mo was somewhat disappointed, but could only nod.