Qin Zhaoqiong had been in the military for a long time and didn't have many formalities.

But she knew her younger sister was very clean, so she made a point of taking a shower before going inside.

"I'm not asleep yet, come over here."

Hearing her sister's call, Qin Zhaoqiong walked hesitantly to the bedside.

"What are you standing there for?" Qin Zhaoyue patted the empty space next to her. "I don't care, but eldest sister has to get up early tomorrow to handle official business, right?"

Seeing that her younger sister's expression was normal, Qin Zhaoqiong sighed inwardly, wondering what was wrong with her.

She immediately lay down, sitting up straight, half a body distance away from her sister.

Qin Zhaoyue sniffed lightly and smelled a cool, refreshing fragrance. She then turned sideways and pressed herself against it.

"Did you take a bath, sister? What kind of bath powder did you use?"

Qin Zhaoqiong tensed up instantly.

Her younger sister was right next to her, her arm casually draped over her stomach, her little head close, her breath tickling her neck.

She wasn't used to wearing perfume, firstly because there wasn't the option in the military camp or on the battlefield, and secondly because the distinctive scent would easily give away her location.

Today, I inexplicably ordered some bath beans, but my sister discovered this secret, and I felt a surge of embarrassment.

"No...it's nothing, it's probably just because some mint was added."

"I see..." Qin Zhaoyue squinted her eyes, her voice trailing off with a carefree languor.

Qin Zhaoqiong was so nervous that she forgot how to breathe.

I remember when I was a child, in the Prince's residence, my younger sisters would sometimes sleep in the same bed with me.

But after the Empress Dowager ascended the throne and entered the palace, everyone was assigned to their own palaces, and there were no more times when they were so close.

More than a decade has passed in the blink of an eye. Now, I actually feel nervous when my sixth sister gets close to me, which makes me sigh with emotion.

"Sixth Sister... Zhaoyue?"

"Hmm..." she murmured in response, as if drowsiness was creeping in.

Qin Zhaoqiong patted her little head and said, "Zhaoyue, I have something to ask you."

"Just ask..."

Qin Zhaoqiong didn't know if her sister was fully conscious, but such a private opportunity was rare, and she wanted to ask her sister about her true feelings.

"Are you really not interested in becoming the heir apparent?"

After a month of travel, Qin Zhaoqiong's opinion of her completely changed, and she surprised him countless times.

He's quick-witted, decisive, calm in the face of danger, and exceptionally gifted in martial arts; his inner energy even possesses the extraordinary ability to heal injuries…

Qin Zhaoqiong knew her mother's thoughts: only by passing the throne to a princess could this generation hope to preserve the national policies she had implemented.

Before setting off for disaster relief, she also believed she was the most suitable person, but now...

"If the younger sister is interested, the older sister can assist her..."

"Forget it!"

Unable to sleep soundly, Qin Zhaoyue abruptly interrupted, immediately abandoning her elder sister and returning home.

"I've said it eight hundred times, I'm not arguing, I'm not arguing, are you kidding me?"

Qin Zhaoyue turned around with a sour expression. Was her behavior during this period not enough to dispel her elder sister's suspicions?

That shouldn't be the case. I was wearing her armor when we were rescuing the dike, and I used my merit points to save her life. Isn't that enough?

Damn it, the struggle for the throne is really troublesome; every imperial heir has eight hundred schemes in their head.

We were almost asleep in the same bed, and he's still testing me! Humph!

I don't know if Lao Wu is really stupid or just pretending. You can know a person's face but not their heart. Who knows?

"Zhaoyue, that's not what I meant, I meant it sincerely...Zhaoyue?"

Qin Zhaoyue stuck out her buttocks and closed her eyes, refusing to acknowledge them, instantly dispelling the sweet atmosphere of the sisters sharing a bed late at night.

After calling out several times without receiving a response, Qin Zhaoqiong stood there with her mouth agape, looking dazed.

She was telling the truth. If her sixth sister intended to vie for the throne, she would be willing to assist her.

She secretly kept a copy of the manuscript of "Women Should Be Self-reliant" and read it over and over again.

The sixth sister is clearly shrewd and capable, and her ideals align with those of the Empress Dowager. There is no reason for her not to vie for the throne.

Tonight was an opportunity for honesty and openness, but Qin Zhaoqiong felt she had messed it up.

With a sigh, she lay back down, staring blankly at the tassels hanging from the top of the tent.

For the next three days, Bailuzhou remained calm and peaceful.

All the cavalrymen sent to the surrounding counties returned, and there was no widespread rumor.

The first wave consisted of twenty riders from each county. Five riders returned each day, which could keep the news flowing for four days. Later, a rotation system could be used to establish a routine, with one report per day.

All neighborhoods in Bailu County have been placed on high alert, and all staff in Wuhou County have had their holidays cancelled and are working in three shifts to keep watch.

The people were incredibly cooperative, and even spontaneously organized temporary patrol teams.

They didn't understand politics or economics, nor did they know why the imperial envoy was so determined to cover up the counterfeit currency; they only wanted to maintain their current, hopeful life.

Qin Zhaoqiong, Prince Rui, and the governor, as prominent figures, would patrol the city daily to demonstrate their unity of purpose.

For safety reasons, Qin Zhaoyue and Qin Jingzhan were both in the group, but they were just accompanying them; Qin Zhaoyue never even left the carriage.

Fengjing, the Imperial Study.

Empress Qin Minghuang finished reading the urgent report from the Xuanji Guard, her gaze sharp as an arrow.

That damned sorcerer! His assassination attempt failed, and now he's trying to incite internal strife again!

In addition to the facts of what happened, the urgent report also included a complete reasoning process that was logical, well-founded, and convincing.

Entrusting the decision of minting inferior currency to Zhaoqiong was originally a test.

This matter is neither a big deal nor a small one; the main issue is that the two people in charge of it are both very sensible.

No matter what decision Zhaoqiong made, she was able to mitigate the impact, but she never expected such an unexpected turn of events.

If they hadn't acted decisively, they might have been manipulated by sorcerers to incite public resentment.

In addition, the three prefectures of Qingyao and Hanoi, which were involved in the illegal casting of ironware, were thrown into turmoil.

Considering the officials in the court, the powerful families who have concealed their true strength, and the northern and southern borders, the consequences would be unimaginable!

Qin Minghuang's thoughts raced; at this moment, she could no longer provide support to any more Divine Martial Realm experts.

By temporarily stalling the issue of inferior currency and standing up for Prince Rui, he can naturally command the person beside him, and his own safety should be assured.

call……

Qin Minghuang wrote furiously, completing a letter in twenty or thirty breaths.

Having reigned for fourteen years, it seems some have already forgotten that blood-stained winter of the first year.

Just assume she's a woman, older and looking for stability, and it's time to unleash the killing blow.

"Use the seal and send it to the Purple Palace."

"yes!"

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the handwritten letter was delivered to the official in charge of the Ziwei Terrace.

Chu Xinglan frowned slightly, feeling a chilling aura emanating from the powerful handwriting.

The phoenix beak at the end is like a powerful arrow released from a bow, never giving up until it drinks blood!

"Your Majesty, I will accomplish this."

Before anyone could respond, she had vanished from Ziwei Terrace.