Azure Snow's resources? That is indeed a benefit. And then?

Her brow furrowed as she sat in the swaying beast-drawn carriage, staring at the smiling man before her, momentarily confused.

The Mingyi of the past would have naively believed Ji Bozhai had genuine feelings, thinking that some momentary decision of his might have been because he cared for her.

But now? She would never indulge in such wishful thinking again. When faced with a situation, she first analyzed it from the perspective of benefits. If it aligned with Ji Bozhai’s interests, she would then consider whether helping him served her own interests. If it didn’t align with his interests…

Then she simply hadn’t thought it through enough—there must be something she’d overlooked.

Mingyi quickly snapped out of her thoughts. Since attacking Azure Snow was something she also wanted to do, traveling alongside him for a while wouldn’t hurt.

For some reason, the man in the carriage suddenly seemed in high spirits, his expression brightening. Mingyi glanced at him repeatedly before finally asking, "Your Majesty, has something good happened recently?"

"The palace burned down, and now we have to go to war. What good could there be?" he replied.

That’s what he said, but he was smiling far too much. Mingyi was baffled but didn’t press further. She accompanied him back to the inner courtyard, summoned Situ Ling and others for discussions, and then went to reorganize Sunspire City’s military forces.

War wasn’t something that could be launched today and fought on the battlefield tomorrow. To avoid alerting the enemy, Ji Bozhai merely claimed that there were traitors repeatedly attempting assassinations and that he suspected someone was plotting to usurp the throne. Thus, he transferred Star Yearn City’s troops to Sunspire City.

Mingyi, under the pretense of defending the throne, also gathered and accounted for all of Facing Sun’s military forces.

This approach indeed didn’t alarm Azure Snow, but rumors soon spread among the Six Cities that Mingyi was plotting a rebellion.

"I think His Majesty and the Minister Superior are at odds—they keep clashing. Last time, they even fought in Qingming Hall."

"Really! I saw it too. It was so intense. Lord Zhou tried to intervene and got injured, and Lord Situ just closed the doors of Qingming Hall."

Zhou Zihong walked past the gossiping garden, carrying a bowl of ginseng soup, and scoffed expressionlessly.

Rumors truly grew more outrageous the more they spread.

He wished those two would actually fight—better yet, never speak to each other again. Unfortunately, due to recent discussions, Mingyi had been staying in Qingming Hall frequently. Though they argued, most of it was just back-and-forth debate—never physical.

If anyone resorted to violence, it was the Minister Superior, who would occasionally strike His Majesty’s arm in frustration. But His Majesty never retaliated. Instead, he would laugh, wave it off, and move on to the next topic.

The way Ji Bozhai looked at Mingyi made Zhou Zihong deeply uncomfortable. Yet Mingyi no longer believed the man had any sincerity, so she treated it all as an act. She neither acknowledged it nor avoided him.

He had tried warning her once, saying Ji Bozhai had ulterior motives.

Mingyi had only laughed, dismissing it entirely.

Who would believe that someone who had toyed with her repeatedly still had designs on her? Even if he did, she wouldn’t fall for it again.

The military reorganization took a long time. By summer, Mingyi spotted a budding lotus in the pond and suddenly said to Zhou Zihong, "We’ve known each other for a long time and understand each other well. Would you be willing to marry me?"

Zhou Zihong froze.

Two days prior, the inner courtyard had received ten rolls of the finest Dragon and Phoenix Red Kesi Brocade. Ji Bozhai had jokingly asked her, "Want to wear matching outfits with me?"

Mingyi had laughed too and replied, "Sure."He listened on the side, his heart half chilled, thinking the Minister Superior had truly forgiven him.

But in the blink of an eye, why was she talking about marrying him?

"Minister Superior?" he asked, confused.

Mingyi chuckled softly. "When Your Majesty joked with me the other day, I suddenly realized it's already been half a year, and I still haven't had the wedding I wanted."

"Out of everyone in the rear courtyard, I favor you the most. Maybe this is sudden for you, but if I were to have a grand wedding, I think doing it with you would be best."

Zhou Zihong's eyes brightened, momentarily too overjoyed to speak.

Mingyi wasn't looking at him. When he didn't respond for a long while, she quickly added, "This is just me selfishly wanting to fulfill a wish. If you're worried about it being difficult to marry again after a year, I can have the ceremonial officials omit your identity and name—just go through the wedding ceremony with me."

His joy didn't last long before it felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over his head.

Zhou Zihong was almost in disbelief. "Just going through the motions?"

Mingyi grew even more embarrassed by his sudden anger and hurried to explain, "It's not that I insist on this formality. It's just that I feel a person should experience everything in life at least once, so I wanted to find someone to marry. Besides you, the others in the rear courtyard probably wouldn’t be so willing."

In other words, she chose him only because he had never pressured her to consummate the marriage, never forced her to do anything, and never made excessive demands of her. Otherwise, she could have picked someone else?

Taking two steps back, Zhou Zihong took a deep breath, then laughed bitterly. "Has the Minister Superior never considered that I might also be unwilling?"

Mingyi thought she had misheard, blinking at him. "What?"

"To marry the Minister Superior, only for it to be a formality—I would also be unwilling." Zhou Zihong pressed his lips together, gazing at her deeply. "If I didn’t have feelings for the Minister Superior, I wouldn’t have entered this rear courtyard."

Since he had come, it was because he wanted her. If they could have a wedding, why couldn’t they become true husband and wife?

Mingyi’s heart skipped a beat.

She tilted her head, belatedly realizing. "You mean… you want to stay with me forever?"

"You don’t seem to like anyone else in the courtyard much anyway. Why not let them go and just keep me?" Zhou Zihong nervously looked down. "Before, you said you didn’t want to easily get involved with anyone, but it’s been half a year now. You know what kind of person I am—do you still not want to be with me?"

Well, that made sense, Mingyi thought. Zhou Zihong really was a good man. Though he might not be her absolute favorite, she did like him quite a bit. Holding a proper wedding and sharing a bridal chamber would be perfectly reasonable.

As long as Zhou Zihong was willing, she had no objections.

After a brief moment of thought, Mingyi nodded. "Then let’s be real husband and wife."

Zhou Zihong’s eyes instantly lit up. He strode to her side and took her hand. "Really? You’re not lying to me?"

"I only lie to those who’ve lied to me. I never hurt the innocent." She smiled, then frowned slightly. "But the others in the courtyard… It’s not that I want to keep them around for my own pleasure, but many are tied to court factions. It wouldn’t be wise to send them all away now. We’ll probably have to wait until after we’ve dealt with Azure Snow."

"That’s fine." Zhou Zihong curved his lips. "As long as I’m in your heart, I can keep waiting."

He really was such a good-natured person. Mingyi sometimes felt almost embarrassed—how had someone so wonderful ended up with her?When one's heart is as calm as still water, they can always handle things with ease—just like how she was with Zhou Zihong. Perhaps Ji Bozhai had once been the same toward her, watching her slowly sink while he remained soberly standing on the shore.

However, she wouldn’t be as heartless as Ji Bozhai. Since she had agreed to marry Zhou Zihong, she would surely treat him well.