The Marquis doesn't support his beloved wife's ambitions, so I'll take the imperial e

Shen Yu took the thin piece of paper and glanced at it. He felt that every word on it weighed a ton.

Those are not the classic texts that ordinary students should read.

"Sister Jiang, these are..."

"It's military strategy, political maneuvering, and the art of rulership." Jiang Zhenxue's voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable resolve. "Xiao Yu, I'm asking you, do you want to be an official?"

Shen Yu was taken aback, then nodded without hesitation: "I want to."

"What kind of official do you want to be?" Jiang Zhenxue pressed.

The young man's eyes were clear and firm: "I want to pass the imperial examination, enter officialdom, and rise to a high position, becoming an honest and virtuous official who can benefit the people and serve in the court. If I have the ability, I also want to protect my sister and ensure your safety and well-being."

"Alright." Jiang Zhenxue nodded and smiled, her eyes clear and bright. "But you can't walk steadily on the path of the court with just passion and brilliant writing. You need to have methods, cunning, and your own power to gain a foothold in the ups and downs of officialdom and rise step by step."

She reached out and gently placed her hand on the boy's thin shoulder, speaking each word clearly and distinctly:

"I don't need a top scholar who only knows how to study by rote. I need a sword that can plunge into the murky waters of the capital, the sharpest, the most reliable, and the most capable of stabilizing the situation."

"Would you be willing to be my sword?"

Shen Yu's heart jolted violently, and he instantly understood all the causes and consequences.

He finally understood that Jiang Zhenxue's actions of saving him, taking him in, and nurturing him were never just a coincidence of being soft-hearted.

She was making plans ahead of time, personally polishing a rough gem and cultivating a sharp blade that could one day quell the court.

He felt no displeasure at being used; on the contrary, he was filled with a sense of solemnity at being valued and entrusted with high expectations.

He looked up to meet her gaze, a fierce light igniting in his eyes, his words ringing out with conviction:

"I am willing. In this life, Shen Yu will be the sword in my sister's hand. Wherever the sword points, I will die ten thousand times without hesitation."

Jiang Zhenxue nodded in satisfaction.

She remembered that Shen Yu in the original novel was the most unique character in the entire book.

He was not entangled in love or complicated relationships, but devoted his life to his career. He was calm, self-disciplined, and cautious, rising from humble beginnings as an orphan to become the Grand Secretary of the court, holding a high position in the government. He was a true top-level official who had the last laugh.

Even without anyone's support in their past life, they were still able to reach the top.

In this life, she will seize this promising steed ahead of time, and personally help him soar to great heights, making him her greatest support in this chaotic world, helping her withstand all storms.

"From today onwards, all of Qingyun Pavilion's connections, finances, and resources are at your disposal." Her expression was solemn, her tone filled with unwavering ambition. "I have only one request—within three years, I want to hear your name in the Golden Palace."

……

Since then, Shen Yu has completely shed his naivety and timidity, as if he has become a different person.

He no longer confined himself to years of arduous study and rote memorization of classics, but actively engaged with the students, gentry, and low-ranking officials of Qingyun Pavilion. His vision, speech, and overall perspective underwent a rapid transformation. With his unique insights and tactful approach, he quickly rose to fame and earned respect among the scholars of Yunyang.

When Kang Mingyan saw him again, he was a complete stranger.

He looked at the maps of mountains and rivers spread out on the table and the densely packed court essays, and his heart trembled.

These perspectives and visions far surpassed those of ordinary scholars who took the imperial examinations.

"Shen Yu, what exactly have you been learning lately?"

Shen Yu raised his eyes, smiled gently, but a sharp glint was hidden in his eyes:

"Learn to establish yourself, learn to get involved, and learn to be someone who can truly stand firm in the court and accomplish great things for the world."

Kang Mingyan remained silent.

He finally realized that Jiang Zhenxue was no ordinary merchant's wife.

She is the one who plays the game, and all of them are willing to enter her game and follow her moves.

……

The capital city, the residence of the Marquis of Ningguo.

The study was cold and desolate, with a heavy and chilling atmosphere.

Xiao Qingyan sat upright in a black robe, his handsome features shrouded in a deep, icy aura.

However, after only a short time away from the capital, a sudden upheaval broke out in the court, with undercurrents surging, and it was about to overturn the situation he had painstakingly maintained.

"Speak." He parted his thin lips slightly, his voice cold and devoid of any warmth.

Night Hawk knelt on one knee, his expression solemn: "My lord, the First Prince's faction has already made its move. They have secretly bribed the canal transport officials, forged a complete set of account books, and falsely accused the Third Prince of embezzling funds intended for disaster relief in the south."

Yes, the Third Prince was appointed to oversee the matter, but now there are rumors that he embezzled disaster relief grain. This will take some effort to resolve.

"evidence?"

"The other side's plan was meticulous, with records of warehouse departures, losses along the way, and accounts for the distribution to disaster victims—each step was linked, and the evidence was irrefutable," Night Hawk whispered. "His Majesty is furious and has ordered the Court of Judicial Review and the Censorate to jointly try this case."

Xiao Qingyan picked up the cold tea, a cold and indifferent smile curling at the corner of his lips.

"Flawless?" His gaze was deep. "In court intrigues, there is only elaborate disguise, never true impeccability."

His departure from the capital was ostensibly to investigate military affairs, but in reality, he was secretly digging into the old case of the Third Prince's birth mother, holding a deadly trump card that could overthrow factions in the court.

But once he left the capital, his opponents immediately seized the opportunity, set up a deadly trap, and forced him to return to the capital and get trapped in the vortex.

"My lord, the situation is perilous. Should we... send someone to bring Miss Jiang back to the capital?" Night Hawk asked hesitantly.

"No need."

Without a second thought, Xiao Qingyan refused outright.

He looked up towards Yunyang in the south, his eyes swirling with complex and indescribable emotions.

"The capital city these days is a quagmire that devours people." His voice was low, with an unnoticed indulgence. "She is unruly and proud, and cannot tolerate the slightest grievance or humiliation. Bringing her back would only push her into the eye of the storm, making her someone else's weakness to manipulate."

The eldest prince and his group were eyeing him covetously, just worried about not being able to find any fault with him.

He would never allow that bright and carefree young girl to be tainted and harmed by the dirty turmoil of the court.

"Let her stay in Yunyang." Xiao Qingyan concealed his sharpness, his tone tinged with helplessness. "The mountains are high and the emperor is far away; no one can disturb her, no one dares to bully her. She is free and unrestrained, which is the safest thing for her."

The night hawk lowered its head, understanding dawning on its mind.

The Marquis, a ruthless and cold-blooded man who had spent half his life killing, showed an extreme reluctance to part with and a deep affection for this Miss Jiang.

"But I've discovered," Night Hawk hesitated before speaking, "that Miss Jiang recently purchased a large house with a courtyard in Yunyang, but the deed is registered under someone else's name. It seems she's been planning this all along, ready to run away again at any time."

In an instant, Xiao Qingyan's body temperature plummeted to freezing point.

His eyes suddenly turned cold and fierce.

He shielded her from all attacks and disasters in the capital, while she lived a carefree life outside, constantly plotting to escape his control!

An unnamed rage surged into his heart, making him laugh in extreme anger.

"Let her be."

He suppressed his surging anger, regaining his cold and ruthless demeanor, his voice indifferent and icy:

"With her limited intelligence, where could she possibly escape to?"

"Pass on my order," Xiao Qingyan's eyes flashed with a sharp light, his words resolute, "order the paper mill in Yunyang to cease operations immediately and cut off all paper supplies to Jiang Zhenxue."

"Tell her that you will resume supplying goods only when she is willing to return peacefully."

He wanted to see how long she could hold on with her pride intact after her livelihood was cut off.

Night Hawk accepted the order and was about to leave when he was suddenly stopped by him.

"Send someone to keep a close watch on them."

"No one is allowed to harm her in the slightest, and no one is allowed to come near or provoke her."

"Just keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't get away completely."

"Yes."

Night Hawk bowed and withdrew, leaving the study silent and cold once more.

Xiao Qingyan sat alone by the window, gazing at the deep night, his eyes unfathomable.

After a long silence, he murmured softly, his voice filled with a possessive yet obsessive intensity:

"Jiang Zhenxue, this game of chess has only just begun."

"You'd better not disappoint me."