Before entering the palace gate, Jin Shu handed Zhou Yinghuai a gun.

"Take this. You've already learned how to use it, so keep it to give yourself some confidence later."

"You should keep this valuable item for yourself."

Zhou Yinghuai knew how much effort Jin Shu had put into making such a small gun. After all, it was not like the long guns that were now common in the military. The manufacturing process was much more complicated. Sometimes, even a small metal pad required Jin Shu to make and process it again and again.

Zhou Yinghuai had been inside her private workshop before. He had only entered by chance that time, intending to report on the affairs of the court. However, as he walked around the screen, he saw Jin Shu dressed in casual clothes with her long hair tied up and wearing what she called "glasses," earnestly cutting iron sheets with a saw.

And this gun was the one she was making that day.

It's a nice grayish-white.

"Take it, it was made for you anyway."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yinghuai almost couldn't contain his joy, but then Jin Shu added something else.

“The Right Chancellor, General Liu and the others all have them. I made one for each of you according to your preferences. This one is lighter and more suitable for you.”

The light in his eyes quickly faded. Zhou Yinghuai composed himself and carefully took the gun, tenderly stroking its cold, smooth lines.

"Your Majesty, you are truly a goddess, aren't you?"

"What's so great about being a goddess? Being a goddess is meaningless."

"Sometimes I feel like you really were a god in heaven, and nothing in the mortal world could catch your eye."

The man lowered his eyes, his tone carrying a hint of self-mockery.

Before Jin Shu could speak, their carriage had already arrived at the palace gate.

The accompanying cavalry could only wait outside, and in the end, only a simple carriage was allowed to enter the palace gate.

Because the accompanying guards and the tribute gifts they brought were all detained outside the palace gates, the procession became exceptionally simple and efficient. A dozen carriages moved forward in pairs. Just as Jin Shu lifted the curtain to catch her breath, a deep and sharp gaze from not far away landed on her.

Jin Shu turned her head slightly and met those dark green eyes.

The other person seemed surprised that Jin Shu would look at them so calmly, and their gaze became somewhat tense, but they did not look away.

In the end, Jin Shu smiled at him naturally and generously.

"Mu Han, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

The cars drove side by side, and Mu Han simply stared intently at her, watching this flamboyant and unrestrained girl before him grow from a frail and petite woman from the Central Plains into the queen of the Northern Frontier.

Thinking back to what he had said to her before, Mu Han felt ridiculous.

"Jin Shu, I knew you might come, so I came too."

Besides this method, he couldn't think of any other way to meet Jin Shu for the time being.

Zhou Yinghuai, who was standing nearby, overheard their conversation. No one had asked what had happened during the six months Jin Shu was trapped in the Mongol Kingdom, and Jin Shu herself had never mentioned it.

Even though he knew this was not something he could interfere with, he couldn't help but pay attention to every word the two of them said.

Fortunately, it's not hard to tell from Jin Shu's words that there isn't much of a connection between the two of them; if there is, it's just wishful thinking on the part of the King of Meng.

Once the carriage stopped, Mu Han stepped down and headed straight for Jin Shu.

"How is Xiaobai doing these days?"

"He's doing great. He just became a father not long ago. As expected of a Mongolian horse, he's truly robust and invincible. If you ever want to bet with me again, I'm always welcome."

Jin Shu succinctly explained the grievances between the two in just a few words.

A hint of bitterness flashed across Mu Han's face, but he shook his head with a smile.

"I admit defeat. I can't beat you, whether in the past or now."

The two walked and talked. The banquet was held in the back garden of the Great Zhou Imperial Palace. The emperor and empress had not yet appeared, but all the monarchs gathered in groups of three or five, admiring the flowers and chatting.

Putting aside their identities, Jin Shu and Mu Han actually had a lot in common, since they were both experts in horse breeding and could talk a lot about horse breeding and training alone.

Zhou Yinghuai initially followed Jin Shu silently, but later found it a bit boring, so he found a quiet corner to sit down. Fruits, snacks, and fine wine were already prepared on the table in front of him. Perhaps due to the long journey, Zhou Yinghuai felt inexplicably tired, so he poured himself a drink.

Just as he was getting a little tipsy, someone appeared in the empty seat next to him. The person was dressed in casual clothes and it was impossible to tell which country's ruler she was. It wasn't until she turned around and Zhou Yinghuai could see her face that his initially sluggish mind instantly cleared up considerably.

He was all too familiar with that face.

His childhood sweetheart and fiancée, the woman who had once dragged him into the abyss, was now sitting beside him, dressed in men's clothing but still looking like a woman. Her smiling gaze made Zhou Yinghuai feel nauseous.

"Your Majesty the Empress."

As a pillar of the North, Zhou Yinghuai's reaction ability was exceptional. Despite having accumulated so many old and new grudges, he was still able to maintain the most rational attitude towards Liang Qingqing.

At this moment, Liang Qingqing, who was well-prepared, was the one who was a little caught off guard.

She had imagined what it would be like when the two met again. Perhaps Zhou Yinghuai would be full of resentment, or perhaps he would get up and leave. In any case, she never expected that he would be so calm. After getting up and bowing to her, he chose a more distant spot to sit down again.

They were so indifferent, as if they were just ordinary strangers.

Liang Qingqing propped her head up and looked at Zhou Yinghuai.

"Am I a ghost? Why do you hide when you see me?"

Zhou Yinghuai glanced at her, his tone calm and his attitude composed.

"If Your Majesty has come here dressed like this, then please speak frankly. We are not the kind of people who can sit down and chat idly."

Since they were already hostile countries, Zhou Yinghuai didn't need to be overly respectful to her. He only needed to show her the proper courtesy, and he was sorry, he wouldn't do anything more.

The forced, relaxed smile on Liang Qingqing's face vanished instantly.

"Zhou Yinghuai, do you still hate me?"

"Your Majesty, as a minister who expands the northern borders, I am very busy and have no time to think about unimportant people and things."

It's true. Ever since he followed Jin Shu to establish the country, he has almost forgotten about Liang Qingqing.

"As expected, you still hate me. This is indeed my fault. Over the years, I've often thought about my childhood. Those were such wonderful times, innocent and carefree. If you had the chance to go back to the past, would you be willing?"

"I don't want to."