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Chapter 14: Palace Intelligence

“Alright, I shall approve.”

——

“Wurong repeatedly invades the border. Today, we are discussing a strategy to repel the enemy with your esteemed nation. Your Highness, I trust in your word.”

A young man dressed in white raised his cup inside the military tent. He carried an air of noble composure, yet his blood burned with passion.

Li Yunli could not move. Unlike her last dream, where she experienced everything firsthand, this time, she observed from an omniscient perspective.

So, this was what Yun Chu had once been like.

A young man, full of ambition and grand aspirations.

Seated across from Yun Chu was someone clad in armor—herself. Or rather, the original owner of this body.

From her position behind the armored figure, Li Yunli couldn’t see her face. But she saw her raise a wine cup to Yun Chu, her voice still carrying a trace of youthful innocence, laced with a smile:

“Third Highness, your wisdom is unmatched. May we achieve swift victory.”

The cups clinked.

It seemed that this scene took place many years ago when the state of Wei still stood, and Chu and Wei had once joined forces against a common enemy. The ones who had formed this alliance were none other than Yun Chu and the original host of this body.

Judging by their appearances, how many years ago was this?

In Unfallen Sky, there was no mention of such a deep connection between the protagonist and the eldest princess.

As Li Yunli pondered, the scene before her changed.

Beneath towering gray-brick city walls, the battlefield had been cleared. Two horses rode side by side and stopped before the city gates.

It seemed they had successfully repelled the enemy.

Dressed in white, Yun Chu casually handed something to the girl beside him.

“What is this?” Princess Nian’an reached out to take it.

A paper fan painted with a landscape scene.

“I drew it myself.” Yun Chu lightly nudged his horse’s flank, galloping off with a grin. His voice faded into the wind.

“Little princess, your archery is indeed impressive, but your swordsmanship is far from it!”

“Hey, you!”

The princess tugged at her reins in frustration but didn’t tighten her grip, carefully holding onto the fan.

They looked so young.

This must be a dream.

Li Yunli stood by, watching as though she were witnessing a tale of youthful camaraderie.

Young and free-spirited, fighting side by side on the battlefield, like a pair of adventurers—it suited them well.

So there had been such a history between them. No wonder Yun Chu had said he cared about her.

It was the original host’s doing.

A pity that this care had been ruthlessly destroyed by the original host in the novel, leading to her tragic death in a dungeon.

——

The next morning.

This time, Yun Chu woke up first. When Li Yunli got up, he was already seated at a desk, finishing a piece of calligraphy.

Still groggy, Li Yunli marveled at how early ancient people rose.

She sat up.

Hearing movement, the maids entered one after another, carrying washbasins and towels.

Yun Chu stood up and bowed. “Your Highness, I shall take my leave.”

“No need.”

Li Yunli yawned and spoke lazily, “Your courtyard is under renovation. With nowhere else to go, you might as well stay here.”

Yun Chu’s bowing hand paused, and he glanced up at her.

“What? You don’t believe me?”

Li Yunli found his stunned expression amusing.

“Renovating in late autumn?”

Yun Chu was not surprised. In his previous life, after coaxing Li Yunli into a good mood, she had also replanted flowers and trees in his courtyard, making it quite cozy.

But now it was autumn—who plants flowers in autumn?

“New year, new scenery.”

Li Yunli splashed water on her face, took a towel from Zhilian, and wiped her hands.

“We’ll start with hardy trees so it doesn’t look too barren.”

As she carefully wiped her fingers, she suddenly paused.

She had just said “renovation,” but why had Yun Chu immediately understood it as replanting flowers and trees?

Although that was indeed her plan, the artisans from Bai Fang Pavilion hadn’t even arrived yet.

Yun Chu asked again, “What about Dongsheng and the others?”

“They’re staying at the courtyard to oversee the planting.”

Li Yunli calmly finished drying her hands and returned the towel to the tray.

“You may stay here. If you wish to read or write, use my study. I have business to attend to today. If you get bored, feel free to wander around—no one in the residence will restrict you.”

Yun Chu nodded slightly. “Understood.”

After washing up, Li Yunli stepped out of Hanmei Residence.

She signaled to Shiliu, who lowered his head and approached.

Li Yunli had doubts and asked, “Did anyone enter the residence yesterday?”

“Reporting to the mistress, no one did.”

“What about the Bai Fang Pavilion florists?”

“Zhilan ordered them to come at dawn today.”

They hadn’t been here yet.

A strange feeling of unease crept over Li Yunli.

It was just a matter of interpreting “renovation” differently, yet she sensed some inexplicable coincidence in it.

She said, “Noted.”

Shiliu bowed and added, “There’s one more matter to report.”

“Speak.”

“The servant Lin Feng from the concubine’s courtyard left the residence last night and only returned this morning. He was cautious, so we didn’t dare follow too closely. We seek your instructions.”

Lin Feng had been serving for the longest time. Two years ago, when the eldest princess settled in the capital, he was assigned to her by the palace staff.

Li Yunli was wary of using people she did not fully trust. She suspected he still answered to someone—perhaps the Empress Dowager or another master. That was why she had given him to Yun Chu.

If he was coming and going frequently, he must be carrying out tasks for his true master.

“Send two skilled spies to track him and find out who he is meeting.”

“Yes.”

Just as she finished issuing instructions, a message arrived from the front hall—someone from the palace had come.

“Finally.” Li Yunli murmured.

She had sent her petition to visit Yongzhou days ago. The little emperor had finally summoned her.

Li Yunli adjusted her collar.

She had been here for so long, yet she had not met the emperor.

——

The palace walls stood tall, gray bricks and black tiles stretching endlessly.

Entering the palace required dismounting from the carriage and proceeding on foot.

Though she was exempt from many formalities, she still had to endure the tedious entrance protocols.

By the time Li Yunli reached the inner hall to see the young emperor, it was nearly lunchtime.

“Sister, you’re finally here!”

The little emperor set his book down and eagerly stepped off his throne.

“It took so much effort to summon you. Sister, why haven’t you come to visit me these past few days?”

Before she could respond, the boy hugged her.

So Yun Chu was right—the emperor and his sister were indeed close.

The little emperor, Li Han, had no airs around her. He was like a cherished younger brother who could be teased at will.

He looked about eleven or twelve, well-fed and fair-skinned.

Though dressed in imperial robes, he still carried the youthful air of a child.

Li Yunli chuckled and flicked his forehead. “Because I’ve been busy.”

Rubbing his forehead, the little emperor ordered lunch to be served and then spoke seriously:

“Sister, I have something to say.”

“Yes?”

His tone had suddenly turned solemn.

Lowering his head for a moment, as if making a decision, he then looked up and said:

“I still don’t want you to go to Yongzhou.”

——

Before she could reply, a beggar suddenly lunged at her carriage, revealing a hidden blade—

“Your life is mine!”

A sudden ambush!

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