The emperor, who was clearly biased towards Zhang Qing, was extremely anxious. In the end, he didn't get to see his minister Zhang turn the tide. Instead, seeing that Zhang Qing was about to vomit blood from anger, he quickly called a halt.

"Alright, my two beloved ministers, there's no need to argue anymore. I think it's better to do this: I will give Consort Zhao and Consort Meng a troop of soldiers and let them train well. A month later, they will compete with the Imperial Guards. If Consort Zhao and Consort Meng win, I will promote women's education and allow women to participate in the imperial examinations. If they lose, then the women should stay at home and obediently serve their husbands and raise their children."

[Zhao Jieyu and Meng Pin? Your Majesty, why don't you just declare Zhang the winner? Let those two brainless fools compete against the well-trained Imperial Guards? Your Majesty, your favoritism is too obvious!]

Chuanwen was not convinced. After all, she was one of these many women. Although she only wanted to lie down and didn't want to be a career-driven woman, she still wanted to fight for her rights.

Before Chuanwen and Zhang Qing could raise any objections, the emperor quickly dismissed the court. Today was another day of hasty court sessions. The emperor hurried away.

The Crown Prince happily moved to Zhang Qing's side and advised, "Lord Zhang, don't be angry. Consort Zhao and Consort Meng are not as useless as you think."

Zhang Qing looked at the Crown Prince. Even if you are the Crown Prince, isn't it a bit too blunt of you to say that the concubines are useless?

The Crown Prince laughed indifferently, "Haha, Consort Zhao and Consort Meng aren't as petty as you think."

Zhang Qing frowned again, "Is His Highness the Crown Prince very familiar with the two ladies?"

“Not familiar with them,” the Crown Prince honestly shook his head. Zhang Qing just wanted to roll her eyes. You’re talking like you know them very well!

“Here,” the Crown Prince said, pulling a book from his robes and handing it to Zhang Qing. “It’s very popular lately, read it carefully.”

Zhang Qing accepted it without understanding why, while the Crown Prince laughed and left, thoroughly enjoying the gossip.

However, Zhang Qing looked down at the book title and froze—"After Disguised as a Man, I Became a Powerful Minister in the Imperial Court"

Zhang Qing, disguised as a man: !!!

Looking up at the Crown Prince's graceful departure, her gaze was deep. What did the Crown Prince know?

Meanwhile, the Minister of Works quickly caught up with Zhang Hui's long strides. Despite his lisp, he teased Zhang Hui, "Lord Zhang, this Lord Zhang has the same style as you when you were young, haha."

Zhang Hui immediately stopped in his tracks, looked at the old man, the Minister of Works, and said in an unfriendly tone, "What 'Lord Zhang' or 'Lord Zhang'? Lord Chen, you should go get your teeth fixed when you have time."

Old Chen wasn't angry. He smiled and followed Zhang Hui's steps. "I say, Lord Zhang, don't deny it. I know very well what you were like when you were young. A hothead, you wanted to settle all the injustices in the world with just a burst of enthusiasm. You were very reckless and arrogant!"

Zhang Hui stopped in his tracks, furious, and wondered if Old Man Chen was alright. But then he heard the other person continue.

"However, you are reckless yet clever, arrogant yet alert, and upright. Otherwise, the late emperor would not have valued you so much and let a young boy like you manage the floods."

Old Chen's flattery suited Zhang Hui perfectly. But to be honest, Zhang Hui had handled the job very well back then. Old Chen then brought up Zhang Qing again, asking with a smile, "Isn't Zhang Qing the same as you were when you were young? Zhang, Zhang, you two aren't related, are you?"

Zhang Hui immediately made a stop gesture, "Old man, are you seeing things or deaf? I have nothing to do with this Zhang Qing, and I don't want anything to do with him!"

He gets angry whenever he sees Zhang Qing, just as angry as he gets when he sees that girl from the Marquis of Changxing's mansion. Therefore, he has absolutely no connection with Zhang Qing!

Zhang Hui turned and left, while Old Man Chen stroked his beard and laughed behind him. "Just wait until you find out that Zhang Qing is the daughter you rushed to the village for, and see how shocked you'll be! Hahaha!"

From then on, the daily patrols returned to normal, but the noise of shouting and clashing weapons often came from the eastern suburbs outside the city. Not only did it disturb the peace of the local people day and night, but it also often disturbed the emperor and his court officials.

So the emperor sent Consort Zhao and Consort Meng with their men to Pinggu, a place far from the capital. There were no villages or towns around there, making it a perfect place to set up camp and train troops.

That night, Chuanwen was sleeping soundly when she felt someone shaking her. She groggily opened her eyes and asked, still half asleep, "Is it time for court?"

No, it's me.

Upon hearing the voice, Chuanwen paused, surprised. "The little palace maid has turned into a man?"

Normally, a palace maid would wake her up, but this voice was clearly that of a man.

There were no lights on in the room, and Chuanwen could only see things in the room by the dim moonlight streaming in through the window.

The first thing I looked at was the person who had shaken me awake; the faint moonlight outlined a distinct silhouette.

Chuanwen paused for a moment, his drowsiness dissipating somewhat.

The other person smiled, and the moonlight illuminated her aloof and unyielding beauty. Chuanwen was stunned for a moment, and his drowsiness completely disappeared.

"The Third Prince?"

What's this idiot doing here?

The Third Prince's upturned lips, which had been raised because Chuanwen recognized him, froze instantly when he heard Chuanwen call him a stupid idiot in his mind. It took him a while to recover.

Would you like to come with me?

The Third Prince gazed at Chuanwen with deep affection, brimming with confidence. Hadn't Chuanwen previously expressed her feelings, saying that she loved him and would stop at nothing to become his woman?

Therefore, as long as he is willing to lend a hand, Chuanwen will obediently follow him and do whatever he says.

"Where are we going?"

[Did this idiot's brain get caught in a donkey's ass?]

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