Best friends dressed up in ancient times to become mistresses? You run, I run too!

Liu Zhiyi was utterly shocked.

Her beautiful eyes widened in disbelief. She never expected that she had been gone for so long. Thinking of Song Hanchuan, who had abandoned her on their wedding night, she felt guilty and buried her head in the man's chest, gently nuzzling him.

He murmured softly.

"Song Hanchuan, I'm sorry."

"It's alright, it's good that you're back."

"Don't you have any questions for me? For example, why did I leave? Or, am I a human or a ghost, a demon or a fairy?"

The way she disappeared and reappeared would probably scare the faint of heart.

Throughout history, what normal person has such an ability?

Even Song Hanchuan, who is extremely learned, needs her explanation.

But to her surprise, Song Hanchuan simply smiled faintly, his large hand gently brushing across her cheek, finally stopping at her delicate, fair earlobe, his fingertips caressing it tenderly with affection.

His eyes were gentle, and a faint smile played on his lips as he spoke slowly and softly.

"Xiaoyi, whether you are human, ghost, demon, or immortal, none of that matters. All I need to know is that I love you, and you love me, and we will be together forever. That's enough."

"As for the rest, none of them matter."

"Xiaoyi, you don't need to worry about these things. Everyone has secrets that no one knows. If you want to talk about them, I'm all ears."

"If you have any concerns, you don't need to tell me."

"All you need to know is that I want you, and that's all I want."

Liu Zhiyi was deeply moved.

Every action and word of this man could precisely touch her heartstrings, striking a chord within her, making her heart, which had been dormant for many years, beat wildly for him.

It made her, an orphan, feel an unprecedented warmth and comfort.

Liu Zhiyi gazed quietly into the man's clear, dark eyes, clearly seeing that there was not a trace of impurity in them, like a clear spring.

Her image was reflected in the water.

At that moment, she was truly the only one in his eyes, as if she were his whole world.

They gazed at each other for a long time, their breathing becoming heavy and rapid in unison. This time, Liu Zhiyi took the initiative to hook her arms around the man's neck, coquettishly beckoning him with her eyes.

The man's eyes lit up.

"Can...is it okay?"

He was desperate, wanting to hold her in his arms, devour her, and become one with her completely. But... it was daytime.

He tried his best to suppress it, but the happiness came too suddenly, making his mind dizzy and fearing that it was all just his imagination.

But because I was really looking forward to it, I asked the question uncertainly.

At this moment, Liu Zhiyi's heart was finally completely opened.

She smiled charmingly.

She didn't answer him, but simply tiptoed and gave him a light kiss on the corner of his lips, glancing at him with tender eyes and a hint of dissatisfaction in her voice.

"If you don't want to, then forget it."

"Never."

The man chuckled heartily, then swept Liu Zhiyi up in his arms and strode toward the bed.

He bent down and gently placed her on the soft embroidered bed. Before he could even untie her waist sash, a snow-white jade foot peeked out from the gap in the gauze curtain.

She flipped her toes and hooked them around the jade belt at his waist.

With a gentle tug, the man's breath caught in his throat, and he fell into the tent. The embroidered curtains billowed, revealing waves of crimson silk.

The hibiscus-scented tent is warm, and ripples spread throughout the night.

He made insatiable demands, and she fully complied.

The servants in the mansion were very sensible; none of them bothered the two of them. Only when someone called for water would someone come forward.

Finally, after the tenth call for water, the night slowly faded and the sun gradually rose.

The two then looked completely satisfied and fell into a deep sleep, embracing each other.

Unbeknownst to them, a young and promising general stood tall before the vermilion gates of the Prime Minister's residence, his body covered in frost and dew from midday until midnight, wetting the hem of his precious robe.

He didn't leave until the first rays of sunlight shone on him the following morning.

On this day, Jiang Xuan Yan once again sat on the high dragon throne, only to hear from the head eunuch that the prime minister was unwell and had asked for leave.

Jiang Xuan Yan knew what was going on, but simply nodded to indicate that he understood.

After the court session, an imperial edict was issued to the Prime Minister's residence.

The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims.

The Prime Minister's wife, Lady Liu, was elegant and graceful, gentle and virtuous, intelligent and quick-witted, and possessed a virtuous and auspicious character.

He possesses the ability to assist the state and has extensive knowledge.

She is hereby granted the title of Lady of the First Rank, summoned to the capital as a royal merchant, and appointed as a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, effective immediately, without fail.

Furthermore, he shall also have full authority over trade between our country and other countries. So be it.

"Madam Liu, receive the imperial decree."

The eunuch's shrill voice rang out above them, carrying a hint of flattery and ingratiation.

Liu Zhiyi was stunned by the sudden news. It wasn't until Song Hanchuan gently tugged at her sleeve that she came back to her senses.

He quickly raised both hands above his head.

"Your subject Liu Zhiyi accepts the decree. Long live the Emperor!"

The one who came to deliver the imperial decree was the chief eunuch, Sanfu. He smiled and placed the decree into Liu Zhiyi's hand, then personally helped her up from the ground.

His chubby face beamed with joy.

"Oh my, Madam is truly blessed. This is the first time in history that a woman has entered the court as an official."

"You have no idea, but this morning at court, His Majesty went through a lot of maneuvering with those ministers, using both threats and inducements, in order to secure this position for you. It was only with great difficulty that he finally got those old ministers to relent."

"In this way, you will be the first Lady of the First Rank and the first female Imperial Merchant since the founding of the Jiang Kingdom."

"And then there's the trade with Zhou. Oh my, you're carrying a heavy burden on your shoulders. It's clear that His Majesty has very high expectations for you, Madam."

"I hope that you will remember the Emperor's great favor and not fail to live up to His Majesty's cultivation and trust."

Sanfu's usual official output.

Liu Zhiyi respectfully agreed, "Your subject will remember your teachings, Father-in-law."

"I dare not presume to offer such instruction, Madam, you flatter me."

Yun'er cleverly stepped forward, took out a money pouch and stuffed it into Sanfu's sleeve, smiling as she said...

"Thank you for making this trip, sir. Here's a small token of my appreciation for your tea. I hope you won't find it too much."

Sanfu blinked.

He subtly weighed the bulging money bag in his hand a couple of times, and his smile deepened.

"You flatter me, young lady. It's all what I should do. Oh, I have other matters to attend to, so I won't bother you any longer. Farewell, Your Excellency and Madam."

"Father-in-law, walk slowly."

After seeing the person off, Liu Zhiyi was still in a daze.

"Am I... now an official?"

Liu Zhiyi pointed to herself, her gaze blank.

Song Hanchuan smiled and gently ruffled her soft hair, then nodded slightly.

"Yes, from now on you will not only be an official's wife, but also my colleague. I hope you will give me more guidance in the court in the future."

Liu Zhiyi burst into laughter at his antics.

I was also surprised by his level of acceptance.

"Don't you think there's anything wrong with women holding official positions?"

Song Hanchuan raised an eyebrow. "As long as she's my wife, whatever she does is fine."