Chaotic World Book

Yue Hongling, however, maintained a smiling demeanor without a hint of dissatisfaction. It wasn't until they were far from the crowd that she lightly laughed and sighed: "The spirit and appearance of the Capital is much better than many places I've seen before. People are confident and unafraid of the powerful."

Zhao Changhe nodded: "Chichi is determined to accomplish what his father couldn't, and Wanzhuang has always had such aspirations. When monarchs and ministers share the same goals, naturally results are visible."

Yue Hongling glanced at him.

Zhao Changhe was taken aback: "What?"

Yue Hongling laughed and said: "Don't you think it has something to do with you?"

Zhao Changhe scratched his head: "I only fight, I haven't done anything regarding these matters..."

Ample spring water flows by the grass of Tang, the sun sets late outside the window, holding them in turns to refill their cups, does that count?

Yue Hongling whispered: "Because you don't use power to bully others, setting an example for the officials. That's what leads to such a demeanor."

"Hmm... I think it might be due to killing too many powerful figures, causing even those with little authority to act cautiously, resulting in this outcome."

"Perhaps." Yue Hongling didn't argue, pointing to the distance: "Why are there still government officials going in and out over there? Today is the first day of the New Year, isn't the Government Office closed?"

Zhao Changhe looked up and said helplessly: "I wonder if she gives overtime pay, always working hard and dragging others along..."

Yue Hongling understood: "Demon Suppression Department..."

Zhao Changhe hesitated for a moment: "Shall we take a look?"

Yue Hongling smiled slightly: "Sure, we actually finished the street we wanted to explore."

When the two entered the inner hall of the Demon Suppression Department, Tang Wanju had actually finished her morning work and was reading a book in the hall.

Bao Qin was holding a zither, hurrying inside from outside the hall, seemingly because Tang Wanju wanted to play and had sent her to retrieve it. She collided head-on with Zhao Yue at the door, stopped abruptly, and scanned Yue Hongling up and down several times before finally saying: "During this festive time, you're dressed quite festively."

Yue Hongling: "..."

How has this maid survived until now without being strangled by the Vermilion Bird?

"Bao Qin, don't be rude." Tang Wanju's lazy voice came from inside the room: "Bring the zither to me."

Bao Qin tossed her little head, hummed, and entered the room, catching her foot on the doorstep and nearly falling flat with a yelp, even tossing the zither.

Zhao Changhe grabbed her collar and lifted her up, while Tang Wanju, with a light wave of her hand, placed the zither on the table, still holding a book and not even looking up.

Zhao Changhe carried Bao Qin through the door, and only then did Tang Wanju raise her head with a smile: "You're here, is there any need for gifts? Just leave them there."

Bao Qin: "¿"

Zhao Changhe placed Bao Qin on a chair to the side and turned to smile: "I thought you were busy... You seem to be reading leisurely instead of going through official documents. What are you reading?"

"The Romance of the Western Chamber," Bao Qin specifically found it for me."

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Tang Wanju finally put down the book and laughed: "This morning I wasn't busy with any work. You saw people coming and going because they're representing the government to deliver gifts and greetings to various military camps, just returning after completing the task. Of course, this kind of thing is done today—I can't let others do it and hide at home to sleep... The truth is, earlier at dawn, there was also a court ceremony that I had to attend. In places unknown to others, 'government hounds' often work hard; it's not my effort."

As she spoke, she intentionally or unintentionally glanced at Yue Hongling, unclear whether she was intentionally saying something to the knights who often oppose "hounds" in the Worldly Society.

Zhao Changhe suddenly recalled something Tang Buqi said to him a long time ago: What is knight? In the eyes of the court, it's actually also a thief.

He thought Red Feather and Wanzhuang would get along well, but it doesn't seem so. It's truly strange; the representatives of the righteous and the demonic sides in the Worldly Society usually get along well together, but not here with Wanzhuang?

However, Tang Wanju's next sentence shattered that suspicion: "Someone was holding a girl's hand on the street, openly being called the Princess of King Zhao, isn't it delightful?"

So that's where the jealousy is! Zhao Changhe was exasperated: "You could announce it too."

"Hm." Tang Wanju finally stood up formally and cupped her hands towards Yue Hongling: "Tang Wanju from the Demon Suppression Department, greetings to Lady Hongling."

Yue Hongling also cupped her hands back with a standard worldly courtesy, using only a few words to dispel Tang Wanju's slight hostility: "Thank you, sister, for your hard work."

Tang Wanju instantly radiated warmth: "Bao Qin, serve tea to our distinguished guest."

Bao Qin squatted on the chair for a long time, reluctantly got down to boil water and pour tea, muttering inaudibly. If you listened closely, you could vaguely hear: "Keeping law and order in the Worldly Society, buying it off with two words... If the Worldly Society had known you were like this, Great Xia would have collapsed ten years ago."

Tang Wanju pretended not to hear, smilingly said to Yue Hongling: "Hongling, why don't you stay at my place tonight, we've long admired each other, and I'd like to have a heart-to-heart talk with you."

Yue Hongling said: "Gladly... uh, wait a moment."

The two women exchanged a glance and said in unison: "Go to your palace tonight, don't come disturb us."

I didn't plan on copying you tonight. Zhao Changhe was really amused and annoyed: "Wanzhuang, didn't we come back to discuss military affairs? What is this?"

Tang Wanju looked at him with great surprise: "You're more devoted to the country and full of public affairs than I am?"

"It's just that the situation feels tense."

"Did you know that Huangfu is suppressing Jinzhong, and now the grain transport to the Capital is still halfway. Buqi has sent some overseas-purchased grain north, and it's still on the canal. In the wind, snow, and ice, transporting supplies is extremely difficult; it seems like you're doing a lot of things from place to place, but for ordinary people, a large amount of time is still spent on the road, hesitating... the rhythm of mortals is not as fast as you think." Tang Wanju shook her head and laughed: "Even if you're anxious, the matter has to keep up with your pace."

Zhao Changhe grumbled: "So slow..."

"Yes, transporting grain, you think it's like your storage ring, carrying everything alone casually?"

Zhao Changhe said casually: "Then if there were a group of people who could use storage rings, each carrying a bunch of rings filled with money and food for transportation, wouldn't it be faster?"

Tang Wanju paused for a moment, suddenly stood up, almost knocking over the teacup on the table.

No need for a group of people who can use storage rings, just have enough storage rings... just a few people carrying large packages of storage rings to the location, and as long as there's one person who can dedicate themselves to unlocking them...

Zhao Changhe's casual remark might change the war!