He remarried after his mother's death, seized power over the world, and slept on the emperor�

Ji Ling's voice was soft, yet it precisely dissected Jiang Bingning's last line of defense.

The burning sensation from my fingertips finally became clear in my mind.

Jiang Bingning put down the teapot, and a crack finally appeared in her eyes.

"What do you want to do?"

Or rather, what do you want?

Ji Ling was very satisfied with her reaction.

It was as if a block of ice had finally been broken open, revealing the undercurrents surging beneath.

He pushed the untouched cup of tea back to the center of the table and leaned forward slightly.

The smile vanished from that incomparably handsome face, leaving only a deep, unfathomable scrutiny.

"Let's make a deal."

He tapped on the table.

"I have discovered that there is still a key witness alive in the old case of the Liu family."

"In the Northern Army."

Ji Ling looked at her.

"I can find him for you and bring him to you."

He paused for a moment, seemingly waiting for Jiang Bingning to process the news.

"But you need to do something for me."

Jiang Bingning did not answer immediately. She stared at Ji Ling, as if trying to discern the truth of the deal from his deep eyes.

"What is it?"

Her voice was a little hoarse.

Ji Ling leaned back in his chair, resuming his nonchalant demeanor.

"It's very simple."

"Keep a close eye on your dear sister, Jiang Yuerong."

"Record everything about her and the Lin family, every letter sent to the Great Zhou."

A look of surprise and confusion flashed in Jiang Bingning's eyes.

"Does Your Highness suspect my sister is a spy?"

"A spy?"

Ji Ling chuckled.

"She doesn't even deserve it!"

The sneer was laced with contempt and disdain.

"She's just stupid."

"But fools are often the easiest to be taken advantage of without even realizing it."

Ji Ling's eyes turned cold.

"That old fox, Prime Minister Lin, is going to the trouble of settling her in a separate residence and providing her with good food and drink; it's not out of kindness."

"This chess piece has a deeper purpose."

A long silence fell over the study.

Jiang Bingning lowered her eyes.

A living witness.

This was a clue she had never encountered in either of her two lifetimes.

The temptation is too great.

Even though she knew Ji Ling was a vicious wolf who would devour people without spitting out the bones, she still couldn't refuse him.

After a long while, she raised her head again.

"it is good."

I promise you.

The deal is done.

Ji Ling stood up without the slightest hesitation.

He walked to the door, his hand about to lift the curtain, but he paused slightly.

His gaze inadvertently swept over a corner of Jiang Bingning's desk.

There was a map spread out there, with something marked on it in vermilion ink.

Although it was only a corner, he could see it clearly; it was a border defense map of the area where the Northern Barbarians and the Great Zhou met.

Ji Ling's eyes suddenly shifted, his gaze deepening.

A sixteen-year-old sheltered young girl, yet knowledgeable in military affairs?

He turned around and gave Jiang Bingning a deep look.

Then, without saying a word, he lifted the curtain and left.

Jiang Bingning stood still, motionless.

Ji Ling, who had already left Tingxuexuan, curled his lips into a cold smile.

He sneered inwardly.

He didn't really care what happened to Jiang Yuerong.

What he cared about was how Jiang Bingning would react.

Is it just a perfunctory response, or will they really conduct a serious investigation?

If she is just being perfunctory, then she is harboring ulterior motives towards him, and the suspicion of her being a spy will increase.

But if... she did it seriously...

Ji Ling's eyes grew even darker.

That means she came to the Northern Barbarians with a more specific purpose.

What lies behind this old Liu case that even he doesn't fully understand?

This woman was more dangerous than he had imagined.

It seems we need to keep a closer eye on things!

……

Meanwhile, in the Lin family villa on the outskirts of Beijing, a gentle breeze and warm sunshine prevailed.

Jiang Yuerong felt like she was living in a dream.

This place is decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, with winding streams and floating wine cups; it's even better than where she lived in the Prince Xin's Mansion in her previous life.

She no longer had to look at Jiang Bingning's cold, lifeless face.

There's no need to listen to her mother Liu Jingyi's sickly voice anymore.

Every day when she opened her eyes, seven or eight maids would rush forward to serve her.

They wore the latest tribute brocade from Jiangnan and ate exquisite pastries made only by imperial chefs.

Lin Wenbo, the son of the Prime Minister, would come over every day to personally "guide" her in her poetry and prose, and teach her the etiquette of a noblewoman from the Northern Barbarians.

His gentle words and appreciative gaze made Jiang Yuerong feel like the most special woman in the world.

That afternoon, Madam Lin came over in person again.

She held Jiang Yuerong's hand with a loving smile, while behind her, a maid carried a tray with several pieces of gorgeous, shimmering fabric.

"Oh my, look at our Yue Rong, with her figure and looks, she's so likable."

Madam Lin picked up a piece of crimson brocade and held it up against her.

"It is truly a blessing for the Northern Di to have such a fairy-like figure stay with us."

She sighed softly.

"My son Wenbo, he's praised you to me a lot in private, saying that you're not only beautiful, but also incredibly intelligent, and you understand things very quickly."

Jiang Yuerong's heart pounded, and two shy blushes appeared on her cheeks.

Look!

Gold will always shine!

What is Jiang Bingning, that bitch? She's just someone who can dance a barbaric dance.

She herself was the true noblewoman favored by a top-tier family like the Lin family!

She lowered her head shyly.

"You flatter me, Madam..."

As they were talking, Lin Wenbo, fanning himself with a folding fan, strolled in through the moon gate.

"Mother, Yue Rong."

He greeted us with a smile.

"Father heard His Majesty mention something in court today."

He paused mysteriously for a moment.

"His Majesty said that, in order to show the friendship between the two countries, he intends to bestow a marriage upon the noblewoman of the Great Zhou Dynasty who is being held hostage in our court."

"My father thinks this is a great honor and is currently looking for a perfect match for you."

Jiang Yuerong's smile suddenly froze.

A marriage arranged by imperial decree?

Looking for a good match?

She glanced at Lin Wenbo instinctively, her heart skipping a beat.

Wasn't she supposed to marry into the Lin family? Wasn't she supposed to marry him?

But that moment of stunned silence lasted only a moment.

She quickly figured it out.

The Lin family is of such high status, and Lin Wenbo is the son of the Grand Secretary. As the daughter of an outsider, I am indeed not worthy of him.

But if Chief Minister Lin personally selects a family for her, it must be one of the most prestigious families in the Northern Barbarians!

This is also a tremendous honor!

Thinking of this, the slight disappointment in her heart instantly vanished.

She lowered her head shyly again.

"It's entirely up to Uncle and Young Master to decide."

Seeing her shy yet submissive appearance, Lin Wenbo and his wife exchanged a glance, and both of them smiled with satisfaction.

Meanwhile, in the actual study of the Lin residence, Chief Minister Lin was having a private discussion with several trusted officials.

"My lord, it seems that Vice Minister Wang of the Ministry of War has been quite restless lately."

Prime Minister Lin picked up his teacup and gently blew away the foam.

"It's alright."

He didn't even lift his eyelids.

"I have already found a good marriage for his good-for-nothing illegitimate son."

An official asked curiously, "Oh? Which family's daughter is she?"

Prime Minister Lin put down his teacup, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"Jiang Yuerong, daughter of Jiang Chengxuan of the Great Zhou Dynasty."

"That illegitimate son is a compulsive gambler and has a violent temper. He is in dire need of a wife with a background in the Great Zhou Dynasty."

"Once this marriage goes through, the connection with Vice Minister Wang will never be severed."