Chapter 136: The Young Master

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Time swiftly passed, more than half a day slipping away. After having breakfast, she rested briefly on the bed but woke up to the sun high in the sky, and Ji Wuqing had yet to return.

She nibbled on some light snacks, feeling that the day had stretched out rather leisurely.

With nothing pressing to do, she decided to visit Ji Wuqing’s usual study to find some books to pass the time.

The king’s study was naturally a place off-limits to outsiders, but Blood Snow moved freely wherever she pleased. After selecting some books, she found a quiet spot—a pavilion within the estate—to read.

Before long, a voice came from not far off. “So the Empress is here; it was truly hard to find you.”

The figure approached slowly, standing beside her with a familiarity that bespoke no awkwardness.

“Lord Yu?” She lifted her head slightly, clearly surprised by Yu Bufan’s arrival.

“My humble self pays respects here,” Yu Bufan bowed to her respectfully.

“Lord Yu isn’t helping the king up ahead? Could it be that the king sent you back?” She lightly flipped through the pages of her book, teasingly revealing a hint of mockery.

“It seems even Your Majesty is aware of my indiscretion last night,” Yu Bufan admitted without hiding anything. He smiled faintly, but there was no joy in it.

Upon hearing this, Blood Snow waved for him to sit. She closed the book. “So, in your eyes, borrowing wine from the Wu Kingdom last night was improper—not foolish or forbidden. That shows the weight that princess holds in your heart.”

“My deeds for her are insignificant. Even such a trivial matter escapes my control. I do not deserve such praise from Your Majesty,” he said, his tone growing subdued and faintly weary.

“Are you seeking comfort from me?” she asked.

“I dare not,” he replied, but his expression betrayed no fear of insubordination. Instead, recalling something, he added, “Almost forgot—this is a letter from the king to Your Majesty.”

“...” Blood Snow was momentarily silent.

Yu Bufan was indeed bold.

After reading the letter, a hint of melancholy clouded her. Just yesterday, she had said she wouldn’t leave Qin City, yet Ji Wuqing had departed the very next day to the military camp for training, and it was to be a long absence. He must be confident she wouldn’t leave to act with such abandon.

Yet, his mission in Qin City was to lead the troops into battle. It was indeed improper for him to be lingering idly at the estate all day.

With this thought, she felt somewhat at ease.

But then she found it strange—after being with Ji Wuqing for so long, even half a day apart felt unsettling.

If she missed him, she could visit the camp in a few days.

A pleased thought crossed her mind, and a smile graced her lips.

“All right, come out now.” She slipped the letter between the pages and softly called toward a concealed corner.

Yu Zhi, who was attending nearby, was startled and looked around, seeing no suspicious figures. She thought her mistress was talking to herself. Only after a moment did Ling Yin, clad in blue robes, mysteriously appear, revealing that Ling Yin had been nearby all along.

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Yu Zhi quickly steadied herself and subtly positioned between the two, separating Ling Yin from them.

“Master,” Ling Yin looked at Blood Snow, his icy features tinged with curiosity.

“It’s been several days since I last saw you. Where have you been?” she sat down, speaking gently.

“Nowhere. I’ve stayed by your side all along,” Ling Yin replied.

“Is that so? Thank you for your hard work.” Blood Snow nodded, refraining from addressing the awkward tension between them.

Since when had Ling Yin begun to feign responses?

Undoubtedly, Ling Yin was her creation. During their brief days in the Yu Kingdom, the two had been close master and servant. She could only trust him; others required cautious vigilance, a constant tightrope walk.

But since meeting him, Ling Yin had changed greatly. Though a Tao person, he now seemed more human. He no longer centered everything on her, no longer blindly obeyed. He had independent thoughts—perhaps even human desires and greed.

Therefore, she wanted to see what Ling Yin truly sought, what he wished to gain from her.

“Master has been cold to Ling Yin lately. Is it because I did something wrong?” Ling Yin asked.

“Ling Yin, you know it’s not your fault. If there is any fault, it lies with me,” she said. If Ling Yin had a problem, the blame ultimately was hers.

“I understand.” He nodded, glanced at Blood Snow, then vanished.

Yu Zhi was left bewildered by their conversation. When Ling Yin left, she breathed a sigh of relief. Ling Yin’s presence carried a strange pressure, especially his cold face and eyes, which she dared not meet directly.

“Yu Zhi, are you afraid of Ling Yin?” Blood Snow asked upon hearing Yu Zhi’s sigh.

“Your Majesty, it’s not fear. But don’t you feel Ling Yin exudes a strong oppressive aura? His expression is always cold, like a block of ice,” Yu Zhi replied. “Yet, when he is with you, he seems gentler, softer...”

Suddenly, she stopped, covering her mouth—she had almost spoken her heart aloud.

“I see.” Blood Snow was suddenly enlightened, as if she had understood something.

That day, the conflict between the Ji Kingdom and Wu Kingdom reignited—not a mere skirmish of deceit, but a genuine clash. Both sides dispatched strong vanguard officers for the first engagement.

The situation tightened, and even Qin City grew utterly silent.

“Seems Zuo Qiu Liye truly intends to settle the score with our Ji Kingdom,” Ji Wuqing surveyed the battlefield, analyzing the situation.

Clearly, previous encounters had been Zuo Qiu Liye’s deliberate probes—to confuse him, to inflict grievous wounds. His scheming had succeeded. But now the circumstances had changed. If taken seriously, he would no longer be deceived.

“Send orders: Generals Lu Lin and Lu Wei will each guard the east and south gates respectively. When necessary, launch surprise attacks to catch Wu Kingdom off guard. War favors swift pursuit, but avoid unnecessary casualties. No need to rush success.”

Ji Wuqing sat in the tent, eyes fixed on the map, commanding the battlefield.

“Yes, your subordinate obeys.”

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After all preparations, he continued studying the map. His deep eyes seemed to perceive unseen corners, focused and methodical.

The cold military camp was filled with danger and solemnity.

This was not her first time entering a camp. Back when the Yu Kingdom fell, she had acted as its leader. Though publicly the daughter and puppet of General Yuan, with no real power, indirectly controlling the commander of Yu’s forces.

What the world did not know was that she was the strategist. General Yuan only prolonged the war through her intelligence until ultimate defeat was inevitable.

“Your Majesty...” a guard’s voice interrupted her reverie.

Soon Ji Wuqing lifted the tent flap and entered. Dressed in a simple black robe, his eyes shone brightly at the figure sitting at the table. He approached slowly, with a mix of surprise and inquiry. Finally, a mischievous smile played on his lips.

“Blood, how have you come?” He stood beside her, the smile lingering. “No, now I should call you Blood, the young master.”

He reached out and tugged at her deep blue robe—simple and plainly masculine attire.

Her hair was bound neatly with a ribbon, clean and crisp, lending her an air of vigor. Her delicate features bore a faint flush; her slender brows were drawn with resolve, resembling a cold, young master.

“I heard the king hasn’t eaten?” Blood Snow ignored him and began ladling soup for herself.

“What kind of logic is this?” Ji Wuqing stared at her, the smile stiffening before a sudden realization dawned. “Could it be Blood deliberately provoking me? Or are you the one upset with me?”

Blood Snow paid no heed and continued drinking.

The soup in the camp was bland and unmemorable.

But she was used to simple fare, so it was passable.

“Looks like you’re starving. Did someone at the Yishouli Mansion withhold your food?” Ji Wuqing smiled and sat beside her—not on the chair, but suddenly lifted her into his lap.

“What are you doing?” Startled, Blood Snow dropped her bowl.

Fortunately, the thick plush carpet cushioned the fall, preventing the bowl from shattering.

“Shh.” His hand silenced her lips, breath warm upon her face. His finger gently traced her soft, tinted lips. Ji Wuqing’s gaze grew increasingly fiery as he looked at those tender lips.

“Don’t be improper. I’m Blood… the young master now,” she pushed his hand away, a hint of annoyance on her face.

Indeed, dressed in men’s clothing, she looked every bit the lively, youthful young master.

“Then, young master Blood, tell me how is Your Majesty improper?” He still held her, noting the spark of irritation in her eyes.

He toyed with her tied hair, his movements deliberately teasing.