Just moments earlier, a lively and energetic man, training soldiers at the northern city training grounds, had lost his life in an instant.

The training grounds were eerily silent, and countless eyes were fixed on the woman standing on the high platform, her form ethereal and graceful.

When Wen Yuesheng had received the golden waist plaque in the palace, some had dismissed the significance, not believing that the Princess could influence anything at the training grounds.

But now, with the dozens of dead soldiers lying at the front of the field and the sudden execution of a training officer, the situation was clear.

The sky over the northern training grounds had changed completely.

In the silence, no one dared to speak.

Wen Yuesheng had made it clear to everyone, regardless of their rank, identity, or status, that military discipline could not be violated.

And right now, she was the military law at the northern training grounds.

Breaking the silence, a voice from above spoke, “From today, there will be an assessment at the training grounds every ten days.”

At the mention of assessments, the soldiers below exchanged uncertain glances, but the execution of the training officer had left them too intimidated to act out, even if they were confused.

“The assessment will not ask about background or identity. It will only test abilities.” Wen Yuesheng paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, before continuing, “The vacant position of the training officer will be filled by the most capable.”

The words “most capable” caused many to look up in surprise.

Even the usually silent Li Qingyuan and other officers could not help but glance at her.

For ordinary soldiers in the Great Hui, especially those in the city’s guard, it wasn’t easy to improve. Whether by background, ability, or sometimes even luck, opportunities were rare.

The rise of figures like Zhang Yulin, who became a general in a single leap, was something many soldiers could only dream of achieving in their entire lives.

But now, Princess Sineng brought not just fear, but an opportunity.

She had placed the opportunity directly before everyone and made it clear that anyone could compete for it.

In an instant, the hearts of many soldiers began to burn with excitement.

With just a few simple words, Wen Yuesheng breathed new life into the previously dull training grounds.

“Ten days from now, we await your good news,” she said softly.

The atmosphere below had shifted completely. Wen Yuesheng’s casual remark was met with a powerful response.

“Yes!” The shout rang out, stronger and more determined than when they had first entered the training grounds.

King Hengguang’s gaze deepened as he looked at the slim figure standing in front.

Beside him, King Weiyang spoke, “Under the Imperial City, there are four training grounds, all part of the city guard.”

“Historically, the northern training grounds have been the weakest of the four. But now that Princess Sineng is here, things seem quite different.”

He paused before continuing, “But the timing is a bit rushed. Once the marriage alliance with Haozhou is finalized, and the envoys leave the capital, the military exercise will be held next month.”

“With such a short period, there may not be much change.”

Prince Hengguang replied, “How do you know that, a month from now, Princess Sining will still be in the capital?”

The candidate for the marriage alliance with Haozhou hadn’t been determined yet.

By that time, Wen Yuesheng might already be married to someone from Haozhou.

However, despite this, they all knew deep down that if Princess Sineng could truly rejuvenate the northern city army, then the person chosen for the marriage alliance, whoever it may be, could never be her.

After the Emperor left the training grounds, Wen Yuesheng also departed.

But instead of heading back to the Princess’s mansion, she went to the Royal National Temple.

Her newly blessed prayer beads no longer had any effect, and Tian Ci Temple was crowded and noisy.

The National Temple, on the other hand, was much more suitable for quiet reflection.

By the time the carriage arrived outside the National Temple, the sky had darkened.

Only a hint of the setting sun remained, painting the horizon in a deep red that blended with the darkening sky, like a magnificent painting.

It was late, and the National Temple had few visitors, making it an unusually quiet place.

As Wen Yuesheng stepped into the main hall, she paused slightly, looking up to see Di Zhu standing next to Yan Ling.

“Greetings, Princess,” Di Zhu said, clearly startled to see her.

Every year, from September to the spring of the next year, Yan Ling would stay at the National Temple for a period of time.

He hadn’t expected to encounter Princess Sineng at this moment.

“Is Master Yan here?” Wen Yuesheng asked.

Di Zhu nodded, but before he could say anything else, Wen Yuesheng had already passed him and pushed open the door to the side hall.

Di Zhu’s expression shifted slightly. Yan Ling preferred not to be disturbed while he was in seclusion.

Before he had a chance to speak up, he heard someone inside say, “Princess?”

When Wen Yuesheng entered the hall, Yan Ling was half-awake, half-dreaming.

He opened his eyes and saw her, initially thinking he was dreaming again.

Before, she had sat in this side hall, listening to him play the zither until he fell asleep.

Thus, in the days that followed, this side hall and the image of her in it always appeared in his dreams in various absurd ways.

Wen Yuesheng glanced at him.

This Lord Yan, even when napping, always kept his collar neatly fastened.

However, his eyes were clear, and it was hard to tell whether he had actually fallen asleep or not.

Wen Yue Sheng simply asked, “Lord Yan, aren’t you playing the zither today?”

At the sound of her voice, the haze in Yan Ling’s eyes vanished completely.

He raised his gaze toward the person in front of him and met her dark, intense eyes, with a hint of restless energy hidden deep within them, almost imperceptible.

It was the same feeling as the night he had found her near the national temple.

That night, however, she had carried with her an overwhelming murderous intent.

“Dizhu.” Yan Ling softly called.

Dizhu quickly entered, and Yan Ling instructed, “Go and fetch the zither.”

Dizhu paused for a moment.

Usually, at this time when staying in the national temple, Yan Ling would never play the zither.

But after a brief pause, Dizhu quickly realized the situation and hurriedly left.

There was a monk in the royal national temple known for making fine zithers, so the temple was never lacking in instruments.

However, Yan Ling rarely used a zither that had been touched by others.

But today…

Everything was different from usual.

Soon, Dizhu returned with a simple green zither.

Inside the hall, one person sat quietly adjusting the zither, while the other lazily leaned beside it.

The hall was filled with sandalwood incense, the typical incense from the temple, but as Wen Yue Sheng sat beside the zither, even the scent became crisp and cold.

Yan Ling’s expression remained aloof, but his gaze followed the person who was leisurely leaning against the soft pillow behind her.

Her face was rarely so tired and lazy, casually leaning back, and her large robes couldn’t fully conceal her figure.

The jade-like skin and fiery lotus patterns on her body once again appeared before his eyes.

“Lord Yan?” As he remained motionless, Wen Yue Sheng, leaning on the large pillow, lightly called his name.

Yan Ling’s usually cold, emotionless eyes seemed to ripple as if a stone had been thrown into a still pond.

Yet, his expression remained distant as he raised his hand to play the zither.

The music was like flowing water, like the moonlight.

The sound was clear, like mountain stream water, gentle like moonlight on a pond.

Few people could play Zen music so well.

Wen Yue Sheng listened, leaning against the pillow, and gently closed her eyes.

She did nothing, simply half-reclining and listening to the music, not even close to Yan Ling.

Yet, the cold sandalwood scent lingered around Yan Ling, refusing to dissipate.

By midnight.

The night was cool like water, and the candlelight in the side hall flickered.

The zither music suddenly ceased, but the listener did not open his eyes.

Yan Ling stopped playing, and under the quiet candlelight, he gazed at her for a long time.

Finally, he stood and draped a new velvet carpet over her.

Unable to withstand the coldness of the sandalwood scent any longer, he stood up and left the side hall.

However, unbeknownst to him, as soon as he left, Wen Yue Sheng opened her eyes.

Her gaze was clear, and she looked down at the velvet carpet draped over her.

The last time someone had copied Buddhist scriptures for her late at night, suppressing murderous intent, was Zero.

Everyone in the Massacre Plan Laboratory knew that Zero harbored feelings for her.

But unfortunately, she was naturally indifferent to emotions and found it hard to reciprocate such feelings.

After the Battle of Mountains and Seas, Zero died, and when his body was found, he was still tightly clutching her Buddhist beads.