In the capital, a fifth-rank official wasn’t considered very high in status.

But one must understand, Li Zhiyue’s maternal grandfather, the elder of the Bai family, had studied diligently for over ten years, worked earnestly in the court for several more decades, was assigned to serve in local government for another seven or eight years, and only then was promoted to a fifth-rank official upon returning to the capital.

This shows that, for ordinary people, becoming a fifth-rank official in the imperial court was truly difficult.

Originally, Li Suiwen held only a nominal seventh-rank post in the Ministry of Communications.

Now, he had leapt into a real position in the Ministry of Works—an actual, functional department—and he was immediately assigned real duties.

This was indeed an enormous stroke of good fortune.

“Our Li family has finally achieved something!” the old Marquis stroked his beard and laughed heartily. “I know the Zhaixing Pavilion—it’s a project the Emperor is building especially for the Noble Consort. She’s been the Emperor’s favorite for four or five years now. If this task is completed well, there will be even greater fortune to come!”

Li Suiwen nodded. “Don’t worry, Old Master. I’ll definitely handle my duties well. Yun, you must study hard and aim to pass the imperial exam and become a jinshi. You’ll be the pillar of our Li family in the future!”

Li Muyun silently coughed up blood.

Suddenly, all the pressure fell on him.

If he were the one who frequented the Drunken Flower Pavilion and made meritorious service, would he not need to study anymore…?

“It’s getting late—everyone, go rest!”

At the old Marquis’ command, the Li family dispersed.

Li Suiwen leaned against his wife. “My dear, you have no idea what I went through to deceive that Furong. She touched my hand! Hurry and kiss it, or I’ll be too disgusted to sleep tonight…”

Bai Ruzhu pinched him, annoyed. “You take advantage and still act pitiful!”

“Ow, my dear! That spy even kicked me right here—it hurts like hell! And now you’re pinching me too…” Li Suiwen looked very wronged. “Tonight you have to soothe it properly, or I won’t have the strength to work tomorrow…”

Li Zhiyue quickened her steps.

She really didn’t want to listen to her parents being all lovey-dovey.

As night deepened, everyone in the marquis’ residence slept soundly—except for Li Muyun, who was burning the midnight oil reading by lamplight.

The story of how the Marquis of Xiangyang captured a female spy spread throughout the entire capital overnight.

“Did you hear? The top courtesan at the Drunken Flower Pavilion was actually from Yue Kingdom!”

“No way! Didn’t the Marquis of Xiangyang redeem her and bring her home as a concubine yesterday?”

“You underestimate him—this was a classic ‘invite the enemy into your trap’ strategy. He captured the female spy in his own residence! They say she still tried to lie to the Emperor and was executed on the spot by the Marquis. Who would’ve thought that a lifelong playboy like him actually had such capability!”

“Right? I heard he was even promoted to a fifth-rank official and assigned to build the Zhaixing Pavilion!”

“Wow, the Zhaixing Pavilion—isn’t that being built for the Noble Consort?”

“Last year at a palace banquet, she said she wished to pluck the stars from the sky. So the Emperor ordered the construction of the Zhaixing Pavilion, next to the imperial garden’s Yingyue Palace. Who knows how much silver it’ll cost?”

“They say the Noble Consort only entered the palace five years ago. She went from a mere beauty to consort in three months and has remained favored for four or five years now. If she bears a prince, it’ll be a huge deal…”

The common folk chatted excitedly, from the Marquis of Xiangyang to the favored consort.

The Marquis’ residence was filled with joy.

The servants all knew their lord had made a great achievement and gotten a real post at the Ministry of Works, so they all walked with pride.

Li Zhiyue didn’t go to the tea house that day.

She sat in her study sketching designs for a grand theater.

She had never studied architecture or design and wasn’t very good at drawing, so she could only sketch based on her imagination and then ask craftsmen to create formal blueprints.

As she was working, Moyu walked in and said, “Miss, Lord Cheng is here.”

Li Zhiyue put down her brush.

Her grandfather was out enjoying himself, her father was off on assignment, her older brother was at the Imperial Academy, and her mother was out visiting.

It was true that only she could receive guests.

She asked for Cheng Changyan to be shown to the front hall, changed into more presentable clothes, and then went to meet him.

When she arrived, she saw that Cheng Changyan had brought two others with him. Judging by their attire, they looked like guards.

“Miss Li,” Cheng Changyan stood up, “Forgive the sudden visit. I’ve come to ask a favor.”

Li Zhiyue smiled. “A favor I can help with? Please go ahead, Lord Cheng.”

“These two were my subordinates on the battlefield. They’ve suffered different injuries and can no longer serve on the front lines,” Cheng Changyan explained. “My family is poor and I can’t afford to support them, so I’d like to ask Miss Li to take them in. Any kind of job arrangement would do.”

Li Zhiyue was shocked.

Cheng Changyan looked like a scholar—he’d actually served on the battlefield?

But she quickly remembered: when she’d been kidnapped, it was Cheng who had struck decisively and saved her unharmed.

Clearly, he knew martial arts.

She looked at the two men—similar in stature to Cheng, clearly trained fighters.

The marquis’ household had only regular servants and was sorely lacking in skilled martial men.

This really was like finding a pillow when you’re sleepy.

She smiled. “Of course I’ll help. May I ask what kind of injuries the two warriors sustained?”

One raised his hand—his pinky was missing.

The other pointed to his ear—his earlobe had been cut off.

She was even more surprised.

Such minor injuries prevented them from returning to the battlefield?

The two lowered their eyes in silence.

A few days earlier, they had received a letter from their young master and thought it was a call to action.

They ran three sweat-blood horses to death in order to rush from the borderlands to the capital in just seven days.

They never expected their young master wanted them to protect a woman.

And to ensure she accepted them without psychological burden, he had used the phrase “take them in.”

They dared not think otherwise.

They were born servants of the Cheng family and would die its loyal ghosts.

Now that the young master had given them to Miss Li, they would become her most loyal hidden guards.

“I am Ji Laizhi!”

“I am Ji Anzhi!”

“Greetings, Miss!”

The two knelt on one knee, saluting their new mistress.

Li Zhiyue quickly bent down to help them up. “You are Lord Cheng’s comrades—that makes you half my friends. No need to be so formal in the marquis’ house.”

Cheng Changyan said calmly, “Since Miss Li says so, you two may relax a bit.”

Though they didn’t dare truly relax, they still clasped their hands and replied, “Understood.”

“Thank you, Miss Li.” Cheng Changyan stood up. “Now that they are delivered, I’ll take my leave.”

After her abduction, he realized that the marquis’ household didn’t even have hidden guards. And just last night, it was said a spy from Yue had infiltrated the residence.

So, he wrote to summon his men back.

The Cheng family had a hundred loyal guards—each an elite. Since he hadn’t needed personal protection, they had long been scattered across Da Wei and even other nations.

Now, it was time to put them to use.