Before dawn, calls could be heard from not far away.

Zhang Yun woke up and opened her eyes to meet Qin Zheng's gaze.

"Is it dawn yet?" Zhang Yun asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Not yet, soon," Qin Zheng answered, holding his breath.

"Young Master!" "Xiao Bao!" "Master!" "..."

The shouts outside grew closer, and Zhang Yun instantly snapped out of his daze, sitting up abruptly. "They've found us!"

Suddenly feeling empty in his arms, Qin Zheng smelled the faint scent of his own body lingering on his skin, feeling both relieved and somewhat disappointed.

Qin Zheng composed himself, stood up, climbed up along the edge of the gap, removed the cloth covering his head, and pulled Zhang Yun up.

"Third Sister, I'm here!" Zhang Yun shouted to a female general riding a horse not far away.

The woman, with her hair tied in a high ponytail and dressed in red, looked dashing and heroic. Upon hearing Zhang Yun's shout, she immediately spurred her horse and rode over.

After learning about Zhang Yun's disappearance, the woman in red was both angry and amused, and lightly tapped Zhang Yun with her riding whip.

"Do you know that the family is in chaos because of you? And here you are, sleeping soundly."

After saying that, she turned and ordered her attendants to ride back quickly to report Zhang Yun's safety to his family.

The woman in red is Zhang Yun's older sister.

The King of the Northwest had two legitimate daughters and four illegitimate daughters, with Zhang Yun being the youngest.

The girl in front of me is Zhang Caixing, Zhang Yunyi's older sister.

She is the third oldest in her family, twenty years old this year. She was once a disciple of Yang Po, a martial arts master. Her pistol skills are superb, and there are no more than ten people in the world who can match her.

To outsiders, the Northwest King's daughters were all talented, especially his two legitimate daughters, who were both exceptionally beautiful. However, his son was a hopeless case.

It's unclear whether his two older sisters absorbed all the good things from his mother's womb, leaving him with only some waste.

Although he was a good-for-nothing, it did not stop the entire Northwest Prince's Mansion from doting on him and cherishing him, especially his two older sisters, who treasured him like the most precious thing, even more than the Princess Consort.

The woman in front of him, Zhang Caixing, was the one Qin Zheng loved the most in the original story. He had seen her once when he first came to the palace as a stable boy, and she saved him from punishment because of a single sentence she said.

From that time on, Zhang Caixing must have become the white moonlight in his heart.

Later in the story, Qin Zheng and she went through another life-and-death experience together, and their feelings for each other deepened.

However, because in the original story, Qin Zheng's Taiping Army and the Northwest Prince's Mansion were two opposing forces, Zhang Caixing ultimately couldn't be with him.

After the death of the King of the Northwest, his queen committed suicide out of love. With no one left to support the situation in the Northwest, it was gradually swallowed up by Qin Zheng's forces.

Zhang Caixing was captured by Qin Zheng, but she refused to submit to him, so Qin Zheng released her.

In the end, Zhang Caixing became a nun and wandered the world alone, becoming a lifelong regret in Qin Zheng's heart.

On the way back, Zhang Yun was held by Zhang Caixing and sat on her horse, the two of them riding together.

Zhang Yun quietly turned to her and said, "Third Sister, my attendant is named Qin Zheng. He's incredibly smart, and his horsemanship is exceptional. If it weren't for him, I would have frozen to death tonight!"

Zhang Caixing looked at her younger brother in surprise—

Little brother, you've actually learned to compliment people!

She couldn't help but turn to look at Qin Zheng. His face was more handsome than the other servants, but still not even a tenth as handsome as her younger brother.

The only special thing about him is that he can lead the fiercely temperamental Wu Xing Ta Yue.

After all, apart from his father and younger brother, no one else was allowed to touch this horse, so Qin Zheng's ability to lead it was indeed quite impressive.

Zhang Caixing said to him, "You have rendered meritorious service in protecting your master. After returning to the manor, go to the steward to collect one hundred taels of silver."

"I only did what I was supposed to do, and I dare not ask for credit or reward," Qin Zheng said respectfully.

"Enough nonsense, just take it! In my Northwest Prince's Mansion, merit is rewarded and wrongdoing is punished. How can this be changed because of you?" Zhang Caixing said.

In terms of being domineering, she is even more unreasonable than the original Zhang Yun.

"Yes." Qin Zheng didn't object and obediently agreed.

Back home, naturally, another chaotic commotion ensued.

After Zhang Yun finished listening to the princess's scolding, took a bath, ate a meal, and lay on his big bed, thinking about the original plot, he couldn't fall asleep.

"Call Ah Zheng over and have him chat with me."

The head maid, Yu Tao, who was serving outside, came in and coaxed him in a sweet voice, "What did you call him for, Master? If you're bored, Yu Tao will keep you company and talk to you, okay?"

“What’s there to talk to you about? Call A-Zheng over here!” Zhang Yun said.

The maids serving him were all very clever despite their young age, and each of them seduced him silently.

Luckily, he's naturally gay; otherwise, someone else might not have been able to handle it.

Although Zhang Yun wanted to replace them all, he had already gone through a lot of trouble, and if he acted too hastily, it would arouse suspicion. So he could only keep these people for now and slowly look for an opportunity.

Qin Zheng had already taken a shower and changed into the clothes of his personal attendants.

Seeing the weariness on his face, Zhang Yun immediately realized that this man must have not slept all night.

"Someone, prepare bedding and blankets for him, and lay them out... under the corner of my bed."

Zhang Yun originally wanted to suggest that the bed next to his own bedding be provided, but then he thought that such an honor as sleeping in the same bed as the prince was too much and might arouse Qin Zheng's jealousy, so he changed his mind at the last minute.

The servants of the Prince's mansion, while envious of Qin Zheng being favored by Zhang Yun, suppressed their jealousy and removed the footstool from under Zhang Yun's bed to make a makeshift bed for Qin Zheng.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

After expressing his gratitude, Qin Zheng took off his shoes and lay down on the floor.

After spending a few days with Zhang Yun, Qin Zheng had gotten to know his personality better.

Just do what he says; Zhang Yun doesn't like others disobeying orders.

As soon as she lay down, Zhang Yun rolled off the bed while hugging her pillow.

Qin Zheng was startled, feeling as if a soft, fragrant cat had fallen into his arms.

He instinctively pulled the person closer, and his heart started racing again.

"Move over there." Zhang Yun rolled off him and placed her pillow next to his.

They should have advised him to go to bed, but Qin Zheng's body seemed to be moving to the side on its own.

So what? At worst he'll get a beating for being disrespectful; he's not afraid of pain anyway.

"Did you see my third sister today?" Zhang Yun asked, lying next to him.

Qin Zheng snapped out of his thoughts and said, "Yes."

What do you think?

"This subordinate dares not comment on the young princess without authorization," Qin Zheng said.

The Northwest King had six daughters, of whom only the eldest daughter Zhang Caiyue and the third daughter Zhang Caixing were born to the King's wife. The rest were born to concubines and secondary wives. The Northwest King did not request that his illegitimate daughters be granted the title of Princess, so the household referred to Zhang Caixing as the Little Princess and Zhang Caiyue as the Princess.

“There’s no one else here, so you don’t need to be so reserved. I treat you like a brother, so there’s no need for formalities between us. You can call me A-Yun, just say it and let me hear it.” Zhang Yun said, feigning intimacy.

"belongs to..."

"If you keep doing this, I'll get angry!" Zhang Yun pulled out his trump card.

“Ah Yun…” Qin Zheng said softly.

"Hey, that's more like it!" Zhang Yun smiled, then whispered in his ear, "You still haven't answered what my third sister is like?"

Qin Zheng only glanced at Zhang Caixing yesterday and didn't look up at her again. He had seen her before and knew that Zhang Caixing was extremely beautiful and had a heroic air about her, but she didn't have the delicate features of the young man beside her.

"The young princess is perfect in every way."

“This answer is too vague. Let me ask you, and you can answer yes or no,” Zhang Yun said.

"yes."

Zhang Yun asked, "When you first saw my third sister, were you stunned by her beauty?"

Qin Zheng: "No."

"When she gets close to you, or when she talks to you, do you feel your heart racing and your face getting a little hot?"

Qin Zheng was stunned, then shook his head, "No."

He did experience a racing heart and a flushed face, but that was because...

Qin Zheng looked away, feeling a little guilty.

When Zhang Yun saw him like this, he thought he was just saying one thing and not admitting it.

Zhang Yun said with some disappointment, "Alright, stop denying it, you've fallen for my third sister!"

"like?"

"That's right, you feel that way because you've fallen for my third sister. If she's nice to you or cares about you, you'll be very happy. You want to know what she likes and dislikes, try to please her, and show her your best side. If you don't see her for a while, you won't be able to eat or sleep. That's called lovesickness..."

Hearing Zhang Yun's voice, Qin Zheng's expression grew increasingly strange.

Zhang Yun thought he was shy, so he patted his shoulder and said, "Don't worry, my third sister has been practicing her marksmanship for many years and she's still not married at twenty. She doesn't like this or that."

"My father is already planning to find her a husband. As the saying goes, 'Don't let good things go to outsiders.' You're such a good person, I'll help you find a match. You'll be my brother-in-law from now on, so don't forget to look after me..."

Qin Zheng was initially delighted when Zhang Yun praised him, but his face darkened when he realized that Zhang Yun wanted to match him with the young princess.

"Shi...A-Yun, don't joke like that. How could I possibly be worthy of the young princess..."

"Relax, relax! As long as you win my sister's heart, your status won't be a problem!"

Zhang Yun said, "Besides, you have my own younger brother to help you!"

In the original novel, Zhang Caixing did not end up with Qin Zheng because of the hostile relationship between Qin Zheng and the Northwest Prince's Mansion, coupled with her inability to let go of the death of her parents. This can be described as a point of contention in the script.

Judging from Qin Zheng's behavior just now, the protagonist is still that straight man, and I have no chance. But I can't let the male lead slip out of his Northwest camp. I must do my best to bring Qin Zheng and Zhang Caixing together.

If Qin Zheng becomes his brother-in-law, then he will be the future emperor's brother-in-law!

By then, besides Qin Zheng, what kind of older brother/younger brother wouldn't I want?

It can bring together a couple in love and also allow you to latch onto a powerful patron. This investment is a sure-fire way to make a profit!

Zhang Yun quickly recovered from the heartbreak that had ended before it even began, and felt a sense of satisfaction.

"Tomorrow I'll go see my third sister and ask her to give you some pointers on martial arts. Then you'll do this and that..."

Zhang Yun shared all the flirting tips she had learned from the romance dramas and novels she had acted in and read in her previous life.

He concluded with these words of advice: "You have to be patient when pursuing a girl, you can't rush it, especially with someone like my third sister. Hmm, she's probably more receptive to a slow and steady approach. If you follow my advice and take it slow, you'll definitely..."

Qin Zheng, who had been silent all along, suddenly asked, "So, which one do you prefer, A-Yun?"

Zhang Yunzheng paused his chattering, took a second to think about what he was saying, and then suddenly his eyes sparkled, and he smiled like a seductive little fox.

He poked his chest with a finger: "Me? I like guys who are handsome, have great bodies, and are straightforward..."

Qin Zheng didn't quite understand, but he was captivated by his smiling face.

...

The next morning, Zhang Yun took Qin Zheng to Zhang Caixing to discuss the matter of receiving martial arts instruction.

"Should I instruct him in martial arts?" Zhang Caixing looked Qin Zheng up and down. He had a good physique and was good material for training.

“It is possible, but I am only responsible for teaching. Skills are honed through practice. If he is lazy and unwilling to practice, it will be useless no matter how detailed my teaching is,” Zhang Caixing said.

Zhang Yun patted his chest and assured her, "Don't worry, Third Sister, he definitely won't slack off."

Zhang Caixing nodded, looked at Qin Zheng and said, "You're still young, so I'll teach you a breathing exercise first. You can practice it yourself when you get back..."

"Breathing exercises? Is that internal energy cultivation? Can I learn it?" Zhang Yun's eyes lit up.

Zhang Caixing said, "Your mind is unsettled, and you are prone to making mistakes in your practice, even to the point of going astray. If you really want to learn, you should change your impetuous nature first!"

After saying that, Zhang Caixing kicked him out of the yard.

As Zhang Yun was pushed out by Zhang Caixing, she didn't forget to turn around and wave her fist at Qin Zheng behind her, giving him a double entendre: "I'm leaving, you'd better work hard..."

Qin Zheng felt awkward, unsure whether to answer or not, so he could only silently bow to him.

Once a person has something to do, time seems to fly by.

Three months have passed in the blink of an eye.

Zhang Yun calmly played the role of a spoiled young master, gradually curbing his personality and slowly changing the image he had in everyone's mind.

Everything was going smoothly for him, but there had been no movement from Qin Zheng and Zhang Caixing.

Although Zhang Caixing gave Qin Zheng some pointers on his training, he only taught him the basic movements for strengthening his muscles and bones and the breathing techniques, and then let him practice on his own.

The scenario that Zhang Yun imagined—where the two would meet every day, Zhang Caixing would hold her hand and point to her, and they would often have intimate physical contact and develop feelings for each other—did not materialize at all.

Every time Zhang Yun deliberately mentioned Qin Zheng in front of Zhang Caixing, he noticed that although Zhang Caixing's expression and words showed appreciation and praise for his talent and diligence, she didn't show any of the affection a girl might have for a boy.

Several attempts to create opportunities for them to be alone failed to spark any romance. Instead, they aroused Zhang Caixing's suspicion, which frightened him so much that he quickly stopped his little scheme.