In the imperial study, Zhao Zhi was reviewing memorials when she suddenly heard Qin Hantong say that Prince Yi was requesting an audience, which truly surprised her.

Qin Han noticed her slight frown and quickly stepped forward to explain in a low voice, "Your Highness, this Prince Yi's given name is 'Zhang,' and his courtesy name is Yifeng. His ancestors were originally surnamed Zhang, but were granted the imperial surname because of their merit in supporting the emperor. Rumor has it that Prince Yi is dashing and unconventional. Moreover," he glanced outside and lowered his voice, "when the traitor Yun Shu was alive, the two were often seen together. If Your Highness does not wish to see this person, this old servant will send him away for you."

After listening for a moment, Zhao Zhi raised his hand and said, "Let him in. Let's see what tricks he has up his sleeve."

"Yes, sir." Qin Han bowed and withdrew, his shrill voice suddenly echoing in the imperial study, "Summon—Prince Yi—"

Upon hearing this, Yun Zhang smiled, abruptly put away the jade pendant he was playing with, tucked it into his waistband, and strode into the imperial study.

When he came in, he noticed that Zhao Zhi was no longer wearing the elaborate and gorgeous palace dress she had worn at the morning court session, but instead was dressed in a light and casual outfit.

She sat upright behind a mountain of memorials, her brows furrowed and her expression solemn, sometimes frowning, sometimes biting her pen in deep thought.

Last year, when he first looked at her lying on the bench through the screen, he also fantasized about what it would be like if one day she sat in the Imperial Study.

However, at that time he thought she would be sitting in the imperial study of Da Xuan, not in Yun Chao, to meet him here.

Yun Zhang coughed lightly and said, "Your Highness, this humble subject Yun Zhang greets you." He bowed respectfully.

Zhao Zhi then realized that the person had already entered. She placed the vermilion brush on the brush holder, straightened her back slightly, and gestured, "Please sit, Prince Yi."

She glanced at the sky outside; it was almost dusk.

So, this Prince Yi came to see me to discuss state affairs? How urgent must the state affairs be that he had to come just before the palace was about to close?

Yun Zhang nodded slightly and sat down as instructed, but his gaze never left Zhao Zhi's face.

He secretly admired her. Even in the imperial study, Zhao Zhi's temperament was still exceptionally different from that of ordinary palace women. She was not affected or pretentious, but instead exuded a sense of fortitude and decisiveness.

Zhao Zhi took the tea from Qin Han, took a small sip, and looked directly at Yun Zhang: "What brings Prince Yi to see me today?"

Yun Zhang smiled slightly and replied slowly, "Your Highness works tirelessly for the country every day, and I am deeply concerned about you. I have come today to offer a suggestion that may be able to alleviate your worries."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhi's brows furrowed in surprise. He thought to himself, "This Prince Yi is in cahoots with Yun Shu. It's good enough that he doesn't cause trouble. I never expected that he would actually offer advice on national affairs."

Although she had her doubts, she still said calmly, "Oh? Prince Yi, if you have any insightful opinions, please speak frankly."

Seeing that Zhao Zhi's attitude had softened, Yun Zhang took out an exquisite sheepskin scroll from his sleeve and presented it with both hands: "Your Highness, please take a look. This is a frontier map that I recently drew, in which the enemy's deployment and movements are marked. I believe that if we can use this as a basis, we will surely be able to defeat the enemy in one fell swoop and reclaim our land."

"Enemy forces? My Yun Dynasty and the Great Xuan have been at peace for more than ten years. Where would enemy forces come from?"

Zhao Zhi took the scroll, unfolded it, and examined it closely. She saw that the mountains, rivers, and military camps on the map were clearly visible, and she couldn't help but secretly marvel at Yun Zhang's talent. However, she was quite unfamiliar with the two characters "Yunluo" marked on the map.

Cui Shenghe and Zhao Yi never mentioned them much in front of her.

After careful recollection, Zhao Zhi realized that the only person who had ever mentioned Yun Luo to her was the last tutor her mother had hired for her during the Da Xuan era.

At that time, she was extremely disappointed in Shen Hanshan and almost developed feelings for the teacher she had never met. Yes, it was this teacher who had mentioned Yunluo.

Yunluo seems to be a small country that was separated from Yunchao when it was first established several decades ago. If we were to force a connection, Yunluo and Yunchao could be considered collateral relatives.

She lightly tapped the area around Yunluo with her finger, pondered for a moment, then raised her head, her gaze now scrutinizing: "Yunluo is a small country, not worth worrying about, and for decades, our dynasty has maintained peaceful relations with it. What is the purpose of Prince Yi presenting this map today?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Zhang's expression darkened, and he slowly said, "In the past, I had close ties with the traitor Yun Shu. Although I had no intention of rebelling, I could not escape suspicion. Now that Yun Shu has been eliminated, and Your Highness has just ascended the throne, your foundation is not yet stable. The civil and military officials will inevitably adopt a wait-and-see attitude. I am willing to dedicate myself to the country and wish Your Highness success in achieving hegemony to atone for my past mistakes."

Zhao Zhi remained silent for a moment before finally speaking: "If Prince Yi has such intentions, I will certainly consider them. You may step aside now, and I will make a decision after carefully studying this map."

Yun Zhang rose and bowed again: "Your humble servant obeys and awaits Your Highness's good news."

After saying this, he turned and walked out of the imperial study. As he passed Qin Han, he scoffed lightly, making the other man's chest heave with anger.

Zhao Zhi watched Yun Zhang's departing figure, her hands resting on her knees slowly clenching into fists.

She knew about everything that happened at the teahouse an hour and a half ago.

She was well aware that while the court officials outwardly supported her, they were secretly plotting to bring her down.

Yun Zhang's suggestion was good, but she couldn't figure out his thoughts for the time being. Moreover, she didn't know Yun Luo's current situation.

Who knows if Yun Zhang will join forces with the tiny country of Yun Luo to undermine Yun Dynasty?

"Your Highness, just now Prince Yi returned with a notebook, saying that it contains information about Yun Luo Guo."

Qin Han interrupted Zhao Zhi's thoughts and bowed to hand her a small booklet with yellowed pages.

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