The number one spendthrift woman in the capital actually brings glory to her entire family?

The next morning, Sikong Jin got up very early. After accompanying Sikong Mo to practice martial arts as usual, she leisurely washed up and changed into the clothes made by the Ninth Princess. It was a gorgeous black brocade robe with large, blooming roses embroidered on the cuffs and hems. The embroidery was exquisite, showing that the Ninth Princess was quite skilled at embroidery.

Her hair was tied up high and secured with a black glass hairpin. She had lightly touched up her face with charcoal and held a second-hand, slightly worn fan that she had picked up from some street stall. She looked exactly like a refined young master from a wealthy family.

Just as they finished tidying up, a guard came to report that General Ji's carriage was already waiting outside.

After instructing Meng Benbo and Mei Ruhua to take good care of Su Yue and Sikong Mo, Lord Sikong left.

Ji Wuge also changed out of his usual court attire today and put on a dark blue brocade robe, looking handsome, dashing and debonair.

The two did not go to the palace immediately, but went to a small teahouse on Chaoyang Street to drink tea and eat snacks. Tang Jingyao and Lan Zixi had already ordered tea in a private room.

"How's it going? Have you read all the books I gave you? I went to your residence to look for you, but you weren't there, so I left you a few. I confiscated them from my subordinates. Aren't you and the Ninth Princess getting closer to your wedding? Learning more will benefit you..."

While Tang Jingyao was talking to Lan Zixi, Ji Wuge quietly whispered a few words in Lord Sikong's ear.

Lord Sikong raised an eyebrow, squinted his eyes, and smiled, "This is wonderful. You can't buy this with money. Especially when you're stationed at the garrison, it's common to not see a woman for half a year or even a year or two. Having this can help pass the time."

"I knew you would like it, otherwise I wouldn't have said something like 'Wushan Clouds and Rain Picture'. It's settled then, consider this my wedding gift to you, and consider it my early wish for you to have a long and happy marriage."

"Dream on! I was so generous to give you 999 taels of gold for your birthday, and now you think you can fob me off with a few tattered books for my wedding? Keep dreaming!"

"Don't be so vulgar. You keep talking about money. People will think you're uncultured and lack manners."

"I'm just that kind of materialistic person. If you're not materialistic, then I won't pay back the two hundred thousand taels. Is that alright?"

"Go to hell! Forget I said anything..."

"How did it go at the Prince Duan's residence that day? I overheard the old man in the family saying that Lord Xingqitian is very satisfied with you as his future son-in-law. I reckon that after you marry the Ninth Princess, you will most likely be transferred directly to Hangu City. Haven't you noticed that none of the guys in your Sikong Mansion have dared to cause you any trouble? I imagine it's because Sikong Shu suppressed them."

Ji Wuge said with a half-smile.

Sikong Jin shrugged. "He's not stupid. He knew that Lord Xingqi Tian sent me an invitation and even prepared a gift."

"By the way, I heard you had a fight with the Liu brothers, Liu Zhang and Liu Xin, at the No. 1 Tea House in the world yesterday. Are you alright?" Ji Wuge opened his eyes and carefully looked Sikong Jin over, but he didn't find any injuries on her body. "Looking at you, well, you just have a few bruises on your face, but it doesn't seem like anything serious."

“He’s fine, of course. It’s Liu Xin who’s in trouble. That kid will probably be bedridden for the next two weeks. Liu Zhang is itching to tear you apart. This is a really difficult situation to handle. If it weren’t for the Ninth Princess, A Jin, you would probably have to come with me to the Judicial Gate.”

Tang Jingyao's helpless tone chimed in.

Lan Zixi chuckled softly, "However, to beat Liu Xin so badly, Ajin, you are quite the hero. Liu Xin has caused a lot of trouble in the capital, and the people there have long harbored deep resentment towards him. You don't know, yesterday there were even several anonymous letters submitted to the judicial department, all of which were to prove your innocence."

Upon hearing this, Sikong Jin couldn't help but smile, and said with a hint of pride, "I never imagined that I, Sikong Jin, would have such a lofty image in the hearts of the people of my Great Yong!"

"You really think I'm praising you? After this commotion, you'd better watch out for the Liu family's retaliation. By the way, I heard from Meng Benbo that an assassin appeared at your residence a few days ago?"

"He's just a petty thief."

"We can't be careless. The Seventh Four-Star Conference is just around the corner. I hope you can live to see that day. By then, you'll probably be one step closer to your goal."

"Who knows? The Central State Society isn't my home."

Sikong Jin replied indifferently.

At this moment, Ji Wuge sighed, "That's true, but all the brothers will do their best. The key is still you. By the way, there was a report yesterday that the Great Zhou army is invincible and its forces are breaking through the three passes of Southern Liang, heading straight for the Southern Liang capital."

"Alas, it seems that Southern Liang cannot escape the fate of Northern Qi and will be incorporated into the territory of Great Zhou again. Beitang Yi is indeed not to be underestimated. In just over seven years, how many neighboring vassal states has he wiped out? The ambition of the Great Zhou emperor is not small. Does he want to dominate the world? No, he wants to unify the world."

Tang Jingyao frowned, and a hint of gloom appeared on his gentle and refined face.

Their army is probably about to storm the capital of Southern Liang. That guy, Di Beizun, is quite ambitious, and he's the one in command.

Sikong Jin thought to herself, took a sip of tea, and said, “Tiansheng, neither Dayong nor Liao are pushovers. It’s unlikely they will unify the world for at least the next few decades, unless the next ruler of their Great Zhou is as charismatic and resourceful as them.”

"Yes, but I heard that the Crown Prince of the Northern Empire will ascend the throne no later than the year after next. At that time, the moment of true chaos will arrive."

Ji Wuge paused for a moment before sighing.

"What do you mean?"

Sikong Jin exchanged a glance with Tang Jingyao and Lan Zixi, and the three of them looked at Ji Wuge together, their faces full of doubt.

"What I mean is that in a year, the 'Saint Lan Ceasefire Agreement' signed between the Great Zhou and the Heavenly Saint at the border fifty years ago will soon be over. You know, the relationship between the Great Zhou and the Heavenly Saint has always been very delicate. There have been constant border frictions in recent years, and war is only a matter of time."

"How strong is Tian Sheng?"

Sikong Jin squinted and asked.

"Not weak at all, at least several times stronger than our Great Yong. Tuoba Yu's army has always been known for its strength and bravery. His own talent is probably comparable to that of Emperor Bei Zun. However, he is not a simple man. He is a true hero. His cunning is so deep that others cannot fathom it."

"Back then, my father also encountered the army under Tuoba Yu. His confidant, General Kamon, led an army of 100,000 through the Liusha River basin. I was only fifteen years old at the time... Huh? What are you doing? Wait for me, we haven't paid for the tea yet... Those three bastards have tricked me again!"