He's spoiled rotten; that wolf cub knows how to flirt and be affectionate.

Knowing that Zhao Yang was out of danger, Qu Yi planned to leave.

Aren't you upset that I kept it from you?

After staring at him for a while, Qu Yi said, "Strange."

Zhao Yang's breath hitched.

"So remember to tell me next time, so as not to make people worry unnecessarily."

I thought you wouldn't worry about me.

"...What nonsense are you talking about?"

A radiant smile appeared on Zhao Yang's face, instantly dispelling the desolate night.

The two chatted in the room for a while, and Qu Yi learned about Zhao Yang's next plan.

He was going to the border, a place rife with war.

Tan Yuhui was taken away by Prince Rui and groomed to become the next emperor.

"You're just telling me about Prince Rui's poisoning like this?"

"Do you have other ideas? Like... an empress?" Zhao Yang asked her with a smile.

Qu Yi understood the seriousness in his eyes. If she really said she wanted to be an empress, this man would probably really put her on that throne above all others.

Her red lips curved upwards, and a faint smile captivated Zhao Yang's eyes.

What if I really wanted to?

"It's just a matter of changing the assistant."

Where is Tan Yu?

“Give him a quiet position.”

"You really are generous."

"As long as you want it."

Qu Yi harbored some wicked intentions and, resting her chin on her hand, asked, "Can the Empress have a harem of three thousand?"

A harem...three thousand?!

Zhao Yang's smile froze, and her tone turned colder: "Was that what you were thinking about just now, sister?"

Qu Yi: "Hmm, is that not allowed?"

Zhao Yang remained silent for a long time.

Qu Yi took in his ever-changing expression and chuckled, "Never mind, I was just joking."

It wasn't until Qu Yi was about to leave that Zhao Yang said, "I thought you really wanted it."

"Are you willing?"

"No." Zhao Yang pursed his lips.

"Then I don't want it."

After saying this, Qu Yi's figure disappeared into the thick night.

A gust of wind blew by, and a few leaves fell down, drifting lightly, landing right at Zhao Yang's feet. He looked up at the deep night sky and suddenly laughed.

Does she mean that if he doesn't want it, she doesn't want it either?

So cunning.

How could you say something like that at a time like this?

He knew perfectly well that there was nothing he could do here.

*

Zhao Yang returned once later, packed some things, and left, never to be seen again.

Almost everyone in Qingfeng Town knows Qu Yi and Zhao Yang, especially Zhao Yang, who is frequently seen in public.

When Zhao Yang left, everyone speculated wildly, with all sorts of outlandish guesses emerging. The most outrageous one that Qu Yi heard was that Zhao Yang was seduced by a widow and went to live with her, even leaving with the widow's son by his hand.

The colorful fallen leaves didn't last long before the weather turned cold, and Qu Yi put on thicker clothes before going out.

"Miss, it's so cold today, why don't you wear this?"

The maid, wearing a thick green cotton-padded coat, took out a white woolen item from the cabinet.

"It's not very cold."

"Miss." The little maid blinked her big eyes. "This is a white fox that Master hunted in the deep mountains. Its fur is top-quality. Master sent it over by fast horse as soon as possible. You should wear it."

The "master" she was referring to was Zhao Yang.

The maid was one of Zhao Yang's subordinates. Two months ago, she brought him a letter. In the letter, Zhao Yang said that she was someone he had specially chosen for her and that she could use her without worry.

Qu Yi doesn't really like others following her, but if they do, it doesn't bother her.

At first, she was not used to the way the other person addressed Zhao Yang.

Miss, and Master?

This generational hierarchy suddenly seems rather strange.

Zhao Yang is actually a little younger than her.

But after hearing it so many times, she got used to it.

"Master is so good to Miss," the maid said with a smile.

"Because of these gifts?"

"Of course not. Master thinks of Miss in everything he does, sending her all sorts of good things. It shows he really cares about you."

Qu Yi had indeed received quite a few things from him, and she didn't know what good things she had to give in return.

What is he missing now?

A month later, a letter arrived in Zhao Yang's hands.

Seeing the familiar handwriting, Zhao Yang's beautifully shaped thin lips curved into a smile. He opened the letter and began to read, but he froze halfway through.

supplies?

That day, the military camp was filled with cheers and jubilation, and a bonfire party was held that night.

With the court in turmoil, there was no time to care about those guarding the border. Food supplies were dwindling day by day, and the promised military pay never arrived.

This batch of grain and warm clothing provided much-needed relief.