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Fine, fine, fine—so this is the caliber of my sister’s top strategist? No wonder I’ve been hearing about how ruthless this top scholar is. Now I’ve seen it for myself. To treat a cute and charming young girl like me so harshly, and still manage to deceive me, he is truly a formidable character.

She stood up, fuming, ready to speak her mind.

Suddenly, Shangguan Wan’er approached, her gaze lingering curiously on the somewhat disheveled Wu Mingyue.

After bowing, she turned to Yang Yi and said,

“Her Majesty has finished attending to her matters. Please, Lord Yang, enter the hall.”

Yang Yi thought, Perfect timing.

He had just accidentally pushed the girl into the pond, which was indeed a bit embarrassing. Fortunately, he had thick skin.

He quickly replied, “Please, Lady Shangguan, lead the way.”

Shangguan Wan’er nodded and was about to guide Yang Yi into the hall when Wu Mingyue, still standing by, called out, “I’m going in too.”

Shangguan Wan’er paused, blinking in surprise.

“Princess, Her Majesty only summoned Lord Yang.”

“Your Highness… perhaps you should change your clothes first?”

She glanced awkwardly at Wu Mingyue’s chest. The girl’s soaked clothing clung to her, revealing more than intended.

Wu Mingyue suddenly realized how transparent her clothes had become. Letting out a startled cry, she gathered her skirt and dashed away as quickly as she could.

A moment later, inside the hall, Wu Zhao rubbed her temples and gazed at Yang Yi from a distance.

A flicker of surprise crossed her cold, noble face. She quickly regained her usual calm and composed demeanor. She couldn’t help but wonder if it was just her imagination, but Yang Yi seemed even more handsome than he had been a month ago.

Unbeknownst to her, Yang Yi had received a system reward that enhanced his charm, though she dismissed her thoughts as a personal bias.

The Empress pressed her lips together, steadying her emotions. Her clear, sharp eyes sparkled as she spoke.

“You handled the situation in Hangzhou exceptionally well. The grain prices have stabilized, and those unscrupulous merchants have been dealt with. I knew I wasn’t wrong about you. Despite your youth, you surpass the old fossils in the court by far.”

Yang Yi smiled, choosing not to respond. Excessive humility was unnecessary; he truly was better than those others.

Wu Zhao composed herself before continuing,

“In the past six months, you have accomplished many great things. I have always been fair in my rewards and punishments. I plan to appoint you as Vice Minister of the Secretariat and grant you the title of Baron of Kaiguo County. What do you think?”

Even with Yang Yi’s deep and composed nature, he couldn’t help but be astonished by the Empress’s generosity.

Not only did she bestow upon him a noble title, but she also promoted him to the esteemed position of Vice Minister of the Secretariat.

It’s important to understand that in the Great Zhou Dynasty, the Vice Minister of the Secretariat wielded considerable authority, with the ability to participate in state affairs.

While the title might sound similar to that of the Chancellor of the Secretariat, their powers were notably different.

The Chancellor of the Secretariat assisted the Empress in managing state affairs, supported by two deputies of the fourth rank who acted as his deputies, participated in major state decisions, and handled the submissions of foreign envoys.

If the Chancellor of the Secretariat was the de facto “Prime Minister,” then the Vice Minister of the Secretariat was akin to a Deputy Prime Minister.

The Empress’s reward was indeed generous, almost resembling a meteoric rise in status.

Meeting the Empress’s gaze, Yang Yi calmly said, “I will follow Your Majesty’s orders.”

Wu Zhao nodded slightly, a hint of a smile playing on her rosy lips.

“If that’s the case, then it’s settled.”

Yang Yi bowed respectfully.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Wu Zhao suddenly smiled, and her cold face blossomed with astonishing charm.

However, the smile was fleeting, leaving Yang Yi with a tinge of regret at its brevity.

She quickly returned to her usual cold and indifferent demeanor, though her tone softened slightly.

“You are in your early twenties and have already risen to the position of Vice Minister of the Secretariat. Few in the entire Empire can compare to you.”

“When do you plan to address your personal affairs?”

Yang Yi couldn’t help but think to himself when he caught the Empress’s teasing.

The Empress is already twenty-four years old. By today’s standards, that’s considered quite old.

If you’re not in a hurry, why should I be?

Of course, he couldn’t voice such thoughts, as it would undoubtedly upset the Empress. Age is a sensitive topic for women, regardless of the era.

“Your Majesty, I believe that matters of marriage cannot be rushed. When the time comes, it will come. The more you rush, the more likely it is to backfire,” Yang Yi replied casually.

Wu Zhao raised an eyebrow.

“I have a younger sister who is still unmarried. If you have some free time, you could get to know each other.”

Yang Yi’s mouth twitched.

Why is the Empress suddenly introducing me to her sister?

He had just dragged her sister into the water!

He cleared his throat. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s kindness, but we have already met.”

Wu Zhao was taken aback.

“You’ve met?”

Feeling helpless, Yang Yi recounted what had just happened.

After all, it was impossible to hide the incident, and it was better for him to explain it than to let Wu Mingyue exaggerate the story.

After listening to Yang Yi’s explanation, the Empress couldn’t help but laugh.

She hadn’t expected her mischievous sister to be subdued the first time she met Yang Yi.

Her clear eyes blinked as she asked with a half-smile, “So, what do you think of my sister?”

As a top strategist, Yang Yi knew that it was better to ally with the Empress’s faction to avoid the clutches of powerful families.

Besides, Yang Yi was quite a catch, more than suitable for her sister.

Yang Yi paused, considering his words carefully before replying,

“She is as radiant as the moonlight illuminating a jade forest, as brilliant as the morning light reflecting off a pearl shore. The Third Princess is as beautiful as a flower, a true royal beauty.”

Wu Zhao’s rosy lips curved into a smile.

“So, do you like her?”

Yang Yi had not expected the Empress to be so insistent and concerned about his marriage. Feeling a bit cornered, he blurted out,

“Uh, Your Majesty, the Third Princess is only sixteen, several years younger than me. Actually, I prefer someone older…”

As soon as the words left his mouth, the atmosphere in the hall grew tense, plunging into an uncomfortable silence.