The whole family of villains listens to my heart, the Regent Prince treats me dearly.

Upon returning to the manor, Zhai Rongyu locked herself in her room.

Having lived two lifetimes, she had never been so close to a man before, and she was somewhat unable to accept it.

Shuang'er felt guilty and didn't bother her any further.

Night falls at the Regent's Palace.

Jun Ce walked through the corridor with steady and powerful steps.

His slender figure was accentuated by the fluttering of his dark robe as he moved.

The moonlight was like a torrent.

The flickering light and shadow fell on his chiseled profile, making him appear even more resolute, profound, and unapproachable.

He followed silently behind Jun Ce, his heart filled with unease.

“My lord…it is my dereliction of duty. Please punish me.”

If he hadn't instinctively slapped her, neither the master nor Miss Zhai would have...

Jun Ce paused slightly, half of his face disappearing into the night, his expression unreadable.

With his sculpted jawline, his thin lips parted slightly: "Reflect for half a day, and do not repeat the mistake."

"Yes! Eh...?"

The figure's fearful expression instantly turned into confusion.

Just...that's it?

Just reflecting on one's mistakes?

The Lord won't punish him?

The figure scratched its head, puzzled, and chased after it.

*

Soon, the day arrived for Zhai Sangjie to return to the court.

The princes, following the imperial decree, greeted him atop the largest city tower in the capital.

The streets, which were originally lined with shops, were now crowded with people.

The crowd surged and the noise was deafening.

"Hey, have you heard? General Zhai has captured two enemy cities in a row! He's really brought honor to our Dragon Flame Kingdom!"

"That was a great battle!"

"The Nansang Kingdom has been provoking us for so many years, and we've finally gotten our revenge!"

"The Zhai family has held high-ranking official positions for generations, and now they've produced such an ever-victorious general. Their doorstep will probably be worn down by suitors from now on!"

"Who says it isn't?"

"If it were me, I would also want to curry favor."

"The marriages of the four sons of the Zhai family are still undecided, and it is unknown who will be chosen."

"Four children? Doesn't the Zhai family only have three children?"

"Huh? You didn't know that?"

"The Zhai family originally switched their daughters at birth, and now both the real and the fake ones are being raised in their mansion. I've heard they're both exceptionally beautiful! It's just that the real daughter seems to be a rather unpleasant person."

"Hey! You grew up in the countryside, so naturally your upbringing can't compare to those from aristocratic families."

Zhai Rongyu twitched her ears slightly and sneakily squeezed into the crowd.

To welcome Zhai Sangjie back, the entire Zhai family was busy from early this morning. Father and Second Brother went to pick up Eldest Brother, leaving only the women in the mansion to wait.

She can't sit still!

I decided to sneak out and watch the excitement.

Zhai Rongyu pulled a bag of sunflower seeds from his pocket and nudged the chattering onlookers around him. "Want to try some?"

The two people on either side were startled for a moment, then took the melon seeds, glanced at Zhai Rongyu with a knowing look, and made room for her.

Zhai Rongyu: "What are you talking about?"

Onlookers: "Hey! It's the Zhai family's marriage proposal."

"I wonder who's lucky enough to be that person."

"I advise you all to give up. I have a relative who works in the palace. I heard..." One of the onlookers lowered his voice and bent down, and everyone immediately crowded around.

Zhai Rongyu also tossed aside the sunflower seed shells and crouched down to listen.

"...The Zhai family has a marriage agreement with the Sixth Prince!"

"呷-"

Everyone gasped and looked up in unison. "If this really leads to a marriage alliance with the royal family, that would be incredible..."

Zhai Rongyu picked up another melon seed and said mysteriously, "Hiss—I heard the Zhai family doesn't want to form a marriage alliance with that Sixth Prince? Is this melon guaranteed to be ripe?"

"Tsk!" The man rolled his eyes at Zhai Rongyu. "You just don't understand! This marriage was arranged from the moment we were born."

"Besides, the Sixth Prince's birth mother is the Consort Shu, who is currently enjoying the Emperor's favor! How could anyone refuse such a good marriage?"

Zhai Rongyu nodded solemnly.

He then turned his head and heard someone next to him say, "I think General Zhai will definitely be the first to propose marriage."

"That's for sure! Who knows, the Emperor might even bestow a marriage upon him."

"Yes, yes, this victory cannot be lost in vain."

"Oh dear~ Miss Gu of the Imperial Household Department is probably going to be heartbroken again~"

"Miss Gu?"

Zhai Rongyu leaned over again, eager to gossip.

What kind of gossip is this?

"You don't know what happened yesterday?" A bystander casually took a melon seed from Zhai Rongyu's hand and started cracking it in his mouth.

"That young lady Gu has long admired General Zhai. Hearing that General Zhai has returned victorious, she insisted that Gu Zhanshi marry her. Yesterday, she even made a scene in the street."

Zhai Rongyu slapped her thigh!

Isn't this Miss Gu just Gu Xiruo from the original novel?

That fierce woman who committed suicide for love after hearing that her elder brother had betrayed the country!

She even remarked at the time that the woman was a complete idiot!

"Yes, yes! I saw it when I went grocery shopping yesterday. That Miss Gu was crying her eyes out, and Gu Zhanshi took her home. I guess he doesn't agree to the marriage."

Zhai Rongyu thought to herself, "Can I really agree to this?"

Gu Zhanshi was already the Crown Prince, which is the male protagonist's faction in this book. He and the Minister's family were already at odds in the court, and in the later stages, it developed to the point where they were extremely hostile to each other. Why would he marry his daughter to his elder brother?

At that moment, a burst of firecrackers went off, and the crowd instantly erupted in excitement, with gossip drowning out cheers.

"They're here! The general is here!"

A tall, imposing horse slowly came into view, with a robust general sitting on its back, exuding extraordinary heroic spirit and appearing divine.

His tanned skin suggested he was a seasoned warrior, and his powerful muscles were hidden beneath his armor. His cold, star-like eyes exuded an irresistible aura of authority that inspired awe.

"General Zhai is so dashing."

"I don't even dare to look at him... His aura is somewhat frightening."

"What do you know? This is a real man! He's completely different from those sissies."

"General Zhai is so handsome!"

"General Zhai, look at me!"

Ignoring the crowd, Zhai Sangjie rode his horse through them without looking to the side, when suddenly he heard a clear female voice.

Is this my older brother?

Why is your beard all unkempt?

He paused on his horse, unconsciously raising his hand to stroke his beard. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd, but he found nothing.

Some of the women who inadvertently met his gaze collapsed to the ground, clutching their chests.

His thick eyebrows furrowed, and he looked away.

Perhaps I misheard.

Zhai Rong was squeezed in the crowd, while the women around her were screaming intermittently, making her eardrums feel like they were about to burst.

It's been withdrawn.

She can't afford this deafness package.

She struggled to move away from the crowd, saying, "Excuse me, please make way!"

On the main city tower, the princes looked at the throng of people below, each with a different expression.

General Zhai is truly popular with the people.

The Third Prince said, "If the Zhai family achieves further merit, they will likely become the only powerful family in the court."

The Crown Prince gave him a cold look and said, "Third Brother, watch your words."

The Third Prince remained silent, pursing his lips.

Is there something wrong with what he said?

Now that the Zhai family wields considerable power, even the princes have no choice but to try and win them over. If Minister Zhai harbors any intention of opposing anyone…

He glanced at the Crown Prince indifferently.

Even if he were the crown prince, he probably wouldn't be able to sit securely in this position.

The Sixth Prince looked around and said, "Father ordered us to welcome you inside the city, so why hasn't Uncle arrived today?"

The prince gazed into the distance, remaining silent.

When the Emperor fell seriously ill, his uncle, who was the regent, arrived as if the Emperor himself were there.

Can the Zhai family accept such an honor?

"Perhaps he's busy with official duties," the Fifth Prince added, glancing at the Third Prince with his captivating eyes. "After all, not everyone is as carefree as Third Brother."

"You!" The Third Prince was touched on a sore spot, and a surge of anger rose within him.

I'm so angry, but I can't argue with it.

Everyone knows that he was not favored by his father, the emperor, from a young age.

Of the six brothers, apart from the youngest second brother and the sickly fourth brother, he is the only one who has not yet received the title of prince.

The Third Prince lowered his eyes and remained silent, his hands clenched into fists hidden in his sleeves.

What are they all talking about?

Jun Ce, with his hands in his sleeves, strolled up the city wall.

"Uncle Wang!"

Everyone was somewhat surprised to see Jun Ce.

Only the Crown Prince glanced at the Sixth Prince in a nonchalant manner.

Zhai Rongyu, stuck in the crowd, was silently looking up at the sky when she suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure on the city wall.

Brother Huaixu?

How did he get there?

Just then, the Crown Prince bowed to Jun Ce.

Zhai Rong's almond-shaped eyes widened.

Is Lao Liu's friend really that distinguished?

In this entire world, the only man who can command the Crown Prince's utmost respect, besides the Emperor, is...

Regent's Strategy!

Zhai Rongyu's pupils dilated instantly, and in the trembling pupils, the image of her "frivolous" behavior towards Jun Ce and then stomping on his feet twice flashed through her mind.

Whether from being squeezed or frightened, she suddenly felt a little short of breath.

Died young.

She offended the book's biggest boss.

Suddenly, she felt a gaze fixed on her, and Zhai Rong felt like she was being pricked. She didn't know where the strength came from, but she pushed through the crowd and ran away.

Can’t see me… Can’t see me…

Jun Ce narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched the petite figure fleeing in panic below the city wall.