They were in charge of being beautiful, and she was in charge of taking the hits.

Wu Ziyan glanced at Fang Yuerong. [I did such a good deed? I had no idea!]

This disaster was originally a matter of government affairs, but it was being talked about recklessly by a merchant. Moreover, every word he said was about the government's inaction. Even Wu Ziyan wouldn't dare to make up such lies. She hadn't done anything wrong; she was just trying to make money. But in this situation, she had no choice but to go along with it.

The Empress frowned even more deeply. This was a slap in the face, but she couldn't afford to vent her anger on a nobody. She turned to Sima Zongcheng: "Prime Minister Sima! I remember you were entrusted with handling the flood!"

Sima Zongcheng bowed: "Your Majesty, I have indeed already begun to take action."

Seeing the tense atmosphere, which could easily escalate, Wu Ziyan could only steel herself and say, "Your Majesty, why not leave this matter to me?" [I'm not an expert on floods, but I've watched a lot of TV dramas; I'm sure I can find a solution.]

Sima Zongcheng laughed, thinking to himself how foolish Wu Ziyan was. The floods had been dealt with year after year, yet the problem persisted, with the rotten roots deeply entrenched in the court. And she actually wanted to interfere in this matter. This just gave her the perfect opportunity.

"I think it's excellent. The Fourth Princess is of excellent character, brave and intelligent, and will surely be able to handle this matter properly." Sima Zongcheng couldn't be happier that she took on this mess.

Her Majesty the Empress shook her head. She had thought that her fourth daughter had changed a bit and could judge the situation, but now it seemed that she was still stupid and only knew how to play petty tricks. But since the situation was so simple, Her Majesty the Empress had no choice but to agree.

“But Your Majesty, I have a request,” Wu Ziyan said, raising her head again.

"explain."

"Please, Prime Minister Sima, accompany me. I am still young, and it may be inappropriate for me to take on such an important task."

"How can the Prime Minister leave the court so easily!" The faction standing on Sima Zongcheng began to discuss animatedly.

"Then let the Prime Minister supervise this. You go and get started." She couldn't understand what his fourth daughter was up to. Why was she dragging Sima Zongcheng into this for no reason?

Wu Ziyan glanced at the exchanged glances between Wu Chengye and Sima Zongcheng, wondering if these two were having an affair. This political struggle was truly difficult. With everyone gone, Wu Ziyan breathed a sigh of relief. Fang Yuerong walked beside him and said, "Why should the Fourth Princess worry? Things will work themselves out."

"Fang Yuerong, you bastard...you bastard!" She really had no way to explain herself. If it weren't for the flood, their "collusion" would have gone on forever.

"What about me? I'm doing just fine. Besides, the Yellow River floods do need to be controlled, and this is an opportunity for you." He smiled as if he were the one who had helped Wu Ziyan.

Wu Ziyan nodded. This was indeed an opportunity. Money and power were secondary; popular support was the most important thing. But she had nothing right now, so she wasn't sure if she could succeed.

Wu Chengye and Sima Zongcheng walked together, and Sima Zongcheng said, "Second Princess, you are too reckless. I don't think she's going to amount to anything."

"I know Wu Ziyan best, and if there is even the slightest other change, we will lose everything!"

"You'd better be careful."

"Prime Minister, don't forget that I'll be visiting your residence tonight."

Sima Zongcheng nodded and they all left. Wu Ziyan returned to his residence, where a group of people were watching him go out to practice swordsmanship. Chu Qiu was not embarrassed at all. He was already used to it in the army, so what did these people's gazes matter to him? He didn't care.

Wu Ziyan pushed through the crowd and approached, staring at Chu Qiu for the first time: "Wow, a general dancing with a sword!" Then, she exclaimed: "What are you doing here?! [If you're going to dance, you should go to my room and dance for me alone!]"

"Reporting to Master, Young Master Chu Qiu arrived at the manor early to take up his post. Since no one is watching him, he's entertaining himself," Mo Baiyun said, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.

"Chu Qiu! Stop!" Wu Ziyan didn't expect that her casual remark would lead to this guy arriving at her residence right on time. Everyone dispersed to do their work when they saw Wu Ziyan return.

Chu Qiu stopped, the tip of his sword pointing directly at Wu Ziyan's face, carrying a chilling aura but no murderous intent. He sheathed the sword behind his back and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, I have offended you."

"You'll call me Master, just like Xiaoyun'er. Alright, from today onwards, you'll be my personal bodyguard. As for what you'll be doing, ask Xiaoyun'er." She was currently quite annoyed; flood control? She wasn't some kind of water conservancy engineer!

After saying that, he turned to leave, and Chu Qiu quickly followed without saying a word. Wu Ziyan felt annoyed: "Didn't I tell you to ask Xiao Yun'er? Why are you following me?"

"Close protection!" he said seriously.

Wu Ziyan was speechless. She thought, "If you want to follow, then follow." She was currently troubled, thinking about how to manage the floods. She had no experience with it. Maybe she was going on a business trip to the area.

She still had to meet with Sima Zongcheng first. The money she had already received had vanished. She sighed to the heavens, then regained her composure.

Reaching the bedroom door, Chu Qiu suddenly stopped, almost unable to stop himself. Wu Ziyan abruptly turned around, the distance between them so close that only a fist's width was between them: "Chu Qiu, I need to change my clothes, are you going to protect me too?"

Chu Qiu blushed and shook his head. No matter what, he was still a normal man. Wu Ziyan slammed the door shut, changed his clothes, and invited Sima Lingchuan and Mo Baiyun to the hall for a small meeting. Of course, Chu Qiu stood next to Wu Ziyan like he was invisible.

"Lingchuan, we're going back to the Prime Minister's residence this time. Pick out some gifts for us."

Upon hearing that he was to return to the Prime Minister's Office, Sima Lingchuan's face was full of surprise, but he still replied, "Okay, Ziyan." He remained as dignified and elegant as ever, but his eyes kept glancing at Chu Qiu.

"Little Yun'er, if I'm going south this time, you have to take good care of the house." Even before leaving home, she was already giving her instructions.

"What, Master, you're not taking me with you!" He looked incredulous, because he had been by her side for so many years.

"Yes, I have new bodyguards now. I'll only feel at ease if I entrust my back to you." He glanced at Chu Qiu with a smile in his eyes.

Only then did he realize that he hadn't formally introduced Chu Qiu to everyone yet, and he also noticed that Sima Lingchuan's eyes kept glancing in their direction. [Could he be jealous?]

"Situ Chuqiu, you were originally a general, and now you're a guard in our household." Then, looking at Chuqiu, she asked, "Is there anything else you'd like to add?"

Chu Qiu shook his head, clasped his hands in a fist salute to everyone, and didn't say a word.

Mo Baiyun clicked his tongue and didn't say much. Wu Ziyan was silent for a while longer: "Floods are bound to be accompanied by illnesses. We can't let Elder Han suffer anymore. We can only call Han Yuxiu to my side, but men are too conspicuous."

"Can't Changsun Boyu change his appearance?" Mo Baiyun reminded him with a hint of jealousy.

"Yes, but is he willing to endure this hardship? We can only negotiate a price with him, hopefully it won't be too exorbitant."

"My goodness, my master, this entourage sounds more like a pleasure trip with beauties than a flood control mission!"

"Little Yun'er! You have no manners!" Sima Lingchuan seemed slightly displeased, though it was unclear whether it was because of Little Yun'er or Wu Ziyan.

Wu Ziyan stood up, looked at the three of them, and suddenly remembered something: "Speaking of which, did you catch that mouse in the house?"

Mo Baiyun licked his lips, revealing murderous intent, and nodded.