I was living in the Five Dynasties period, just after crossing the Zhongdu Bridge.

"Commander Shen is a pillar of the nation, and it is true that he was unwell a few days ago."

"You silly girl, you've only been in Daliang for half a day, and you're already so ill-mannered. If your father finds out, he'll surely punish you by making you copy books again."

Upon hearing this, Fu Qingzhi pursed her lips. Although she toned down her aggressive demeanor, she clearly didn't take the so-called copying of books to heart.

Zhang turned her head and gave Shen Lie an apologetic smile.

"Please excuse my rudeness, Commander Shen. This is the fourth daughter of the Fu family. She has been spoiled since childhood and has a rather unruly personality."

This is where Zhang's brilliance lies.

In one sentence, he both gave Shen Lie a way out and revealed the identity of the person in front of him.

Fu Yanqing's daughter.

Why would the fourth daughter of the Fu family appear in the back hall of the Guo mansion?

It wasn't that the daughter of the Prince of Wei was truly bored and insisted on taking a stroll through Daliang City, which reeked of the sweat and stench of warriors.

Now that Liu Zhiyuan has entered Bianjing and ascended the throne, the regional military governors of the country will have to be reshuffled.

Those military governors who once knelt before the Khitans are now like frightened birds.

This included Fu Yanqing, the military governor of Wuning Army.

This veteran, known to the world as the Fourth General of Fu, was a famous tumbler during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.

When the Liao people came, he surrendered to them. Now that the Han people have risen again, he naturally has to come to pay homage and accept this new pledge of allegiance.

Earlier today, Fu Yanqing's carriage had already arrived in Daliang City.

Knowing the importance of gaining the emperor's trust, this man brought not only a large amount of gold and silver with him when he went to court, but also his most beloved daughter.

This is not a sightseeing trip, but a statement.

I dared to bring my family into the capital, which shows that I have no disloyalty to the Han.

However, it was ultimately against etiquette to bring an unmarried daughter to the emperor's court.

Therefore, Fu Yanqing took advantage of his old friendship with Guo Wei to temporarily settle his daughter in the Guo family mansion.

Guo Wei and Fu Yanqing were both military men. Although they belonged to different factions, their camaraderie and mutual respect were more genuine than that of the civil officials who spouted empty words of benevolence and morality.

As for Madam Zhang, the matriarch of the Guo family, she was also very perceptive.

Having been entrusted with the task, Guo Wei naturally dared not neglect it and specifically instructed Zhang to treat him well.

Zhang Shi naturally understood the gravity of the situation. This young lady was not only a guest in the Guo family, but also a matter of great importance to Fu Yanqing.

Therefore, even though Fu Qingzhi was a bit unruly and sometimes overstepped the bounds in public, Madam Zhang mostly turned a blind eye, considering it just the innocence of young lovers.

"Madam, you flatter me."

If it were a sensitive scholar, he would probably be ashamed and indignant to the point of death by now.

But for a warrior who has spent countless lives among the dead, such verbal sparring is nothing more than the drumbeats of a battle cry.

It's just a sound.

Zhang gently patted Fu Qingzhi's hand, but she wasn't really angry. "Commander Shen is a pillar of the nation. There must be some unspeakable reason behind your previous misunderstanding."

But Fu Qingzhi was clearly not the kind of well-bred young lady who could be easily fooled with a few words.

Although she was Fu Yanqing's fourth daughter, she had several older sisters who bore the heavy responsibility of future family marriages.

When it comes to her, it has an extra touch of rare liveliness and ease.

"A secret you can't tell anyone?"

Fu Qingzhi blinked. "I don't think so."

With her hands behind her back, she walked lightly around Shen Lie for half a circle.

"That day on the riverbank in Yaozhou, I saw that this Prefect Shen was very healthy and vigorous, and did not look like he was terminally ill at all."

In my opinion, that so-called serious illness was probably just an act to show my brother-in-law in the river.

This girl really sees things clearly.

Shen Lie sighed inwardly, but quickly adjusted his expression.

Now that we've been exposed, there's no point in continuing to put on a brave face.

In front of such intelligent people, honesty is sometimes more effective and shows more magnanimity than concealment.

"Fourth Sister has a good eye."

"That day in Yaozhou, Shen was indeed faking illness."

These words surprised Fu Qingzhi, who was ready to watch the show.

She had expected the man to become angry or argue, but she never imagined he would recognize her so readily.

"You...you admit it?" Fu Qingzhi's eyes were filled with disbelief.

"Why won't you admit it?"

"Indeed, I acted rashly. But at the time, I was forced by circumstances. Li Chongxun, as the son of the military governor of Hezhong, refused to leave Yaozhou at this critical juncture. If I hadn't fallen ill, the people of Yaozhou would have suffered as a result."

"Sometimes, a lie is just a way to clear one's mind."

These words were spoken frankly and openly.

Upon hearing this, Fu Qingzhi's teasing expression lessened, replaced by a hint of curiosity.

Although she was raised in seclusion, she was, after all, a daughter of the Fu family, and through her upbringing, she was not entirely ignorant of the intricacies of officialdom.

"You're honest."

Fu Qingzhi pursed her lips, seemingly satisfied with the answer.

She retreated to Zhang's side and sat down again, but her gaze still occasionally drifted towards Shen Lie.

"Since you're not ill, what brings you to the Guo residence today? Are you here to seek an official position?"

The question was somewhat impolite, but it didn't seem out of place coming from a young girl in her prime.

"Qingzhi!" Madam Zhang was truly anxious this time and gave a soft rebuke.

Shen Lie also felt a bit of a headache. Although Fu Si Niangzi was indeed pretty and cute, her mouth was too sharp.

Just as I was thinking about how to deal with this person, a gruff, old-fashioned voice came in.

"If it weren't for Privy Councilor Guo's help in front of the Emperor today, I'm afraid it wouldn't have been as simple as being transferred to the position of Military Governor of Taining, let alone the position of Attendant-in-Ordinary."

Before the words were finished, three figures entered the main hall.

Guo Wei was seen walking side by side with an old man in purple robes, while Guo Rong followed half a step behind.

"Father!"

Fu Qingzhi, who had been acting like a fighting rooster, immediately changed into a well-behaved demeanor when she saw Fu Yanqing come in. She rushed over and grabbed her father's sleeve.

"Okay, okay, you didn't cause any trouble, did you?"

Fu Yanqing patted his daughter's hand affectionately, but his gaze passed over everyone and landed on the young man standing in the hall.

Dressed in a scarlet robe, with an upright posture, he showed no sign of unease despite being surrounded by powerful and wealthy people.

"This is..." Fu Yanqing narrowed his eyes.

Guo Wei stepped forward and introduced with a smile, "This is Shen Lie, the former commander of the Zhongdu Bridge who led the lone army to pacify Yaozhou, whom I often mention."

"Oh?"

Fu Yanqing had naturally heard of this name.

Not to mention Fu Yanqing, although Shen Lie's name is not very well-known in the court, there are still quite a few people who know him.

After all, Shi Hongzhao wouldn't miss this opportunity to show off his good judgment, even if Shen Lie was just a casual move back then.

"Junior Shen Lie greets Privy Councilor Guo and Attendant-in-Ordinary Fu."

Shen Lie quickly clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.

"Alright, stop standing there."

Guo Wei smiled, "Since you're here, you must have something important to discuss. Jun Gui, take Commander Shen to the study to talk."

After saying that, Guo Wei's gaze fell on Shen Lie's hand.

"What is that?"

"Reporting to the Privy Council, this is a design for a suit of armor that I have come up with, and I would like to ask the masters of the Armor Bureau to take a look."

"Armor?"

Upon hearing this, Fu Yanqing became interested.

"Let me take a look."

This Attendant Fu was not polite and directly reached out to ask for it.

Shen Lie presented it with both hands.

Fu Yanqing unfolded the blueprints, glanced at them briefly, and then spoke.

"You're going to use this thing... to fight Du Chongwei to the death in Ye City, right?"