Cunning and deceitful strategists, with sincere intentions in their actions.

  The main hall of Jingxin Zhai, Gu Yunxi stood quietly in the center, calmly accepting the strange gazes cast from all directions. Gu Zhongzheng and Gu Yingxue were also seated in the hall, one with a deep gaze lost in thought, the other with a cold expression showing no emotion.

  "A young lady raised in a boudoir, actually wants to be the king's aide, do you know what kind of earth-shattering great things the king is going to do? And with your inability to even truss a chicken, how can you assist the king with even one arm?"

  The speaker was a middle-aged man with white hair and beard, his tone severe, completely disregarding Gu Yunxi's identity as the youngest daughter of Gu Zhongzheng. At this moment, a pair of narrow and long eyes were staring at Gu Yunxi with a piercing gaze, as if wanting to see through her.

  As his words fell, he turned to Gongsun Mo with a deep bow, "The staff's words are still requested by the king to be cautious. At present, in the Yanjing, there are countless eyes watching the king at all times. If one step is wrong, the people on the scene will not be able to recover! Please, Your Majesty, think thrice——"

  It was clear that Gong Sun Mo held the speaker in high regard, as he raised his hand to help him up. However, his gaze fell heavily on Gu Yun Xi, and she knew that no one could help her now.

  "This remark is quite inappropriate, Minister." The speaker was Gu Yunxi. Her eyes were cold and stern as she gazed at this veteran minister who had served three dynasties. "Yunxi has been confined to the inner chambers; whether or not she has the strength to bind a chicken is beside the point. Now, all Yunxi wants to do is be one of the advisors under the Prince's command. Did you choose advisors for the Prince based on who had more physical strength?"

  Gongsun Mo's mouth twitched, and Sun Luzong also chuckled twice in a very unkind manner. This Wen Ge Lao had been through three dynasties, although his reputation for wisdom was widespread, he was a person with a nose upturned to the sky and sharp teeth and tongue. Normally, only he would pick on others, while other people either respected him or feared him, never daring to give him any lip. But now this Gu Yunxi had come along and made him eat his words, which really was quite delightful.

  Wen Yuan's face suddenly turned green, and his eyes almost spat fire. He let out a cold hum, "Ignorant child! The words 'strategist' are not something that a woman like you can speak of lightly. Do you think being a strategist is as simple as embroidering flowers? And your skills in music, chess, literature, and painting will be useless when the time comes. If you ruin the prince's great plan because of your own actions, can you bear the consequences?"

  Yun Xi's eyes narrowed, "Although Yun Xi is a lady from a secluded chamber, she also knows that strategists are best at using invisible hands to stir up the power and interests of the nobles. They must have the greatest courage, the most cunning wisdom, and not be afraid to do the most sinister and shameless things. They are like a cold arrow in the lord's hand, finding weaknesses in the enemy's moves and then piercing their heart!"

  With courage and wisdom, she didn't hesitate to do the most sinister and shameless things. Gu Yunxi's gradually cold voice fell loudly in this empty hall, her slender figure standing upright, a pair of eyes whistling with the wind of the ninth day of the lunar calendar.

  Gu Zhongzheng slowly straightened up, his eyes strangely sizing up his little daughter. Gu Yingxue's eyebrows furrowed, and her hand gripping her sleeve tightened slightly. The others present, whose gazes had been dismissive, gradually turned serious.

  "Wen Yuan narrowed his eyes, 'Do you think the enemy's weakness is that easy to find? Moreover, this is a war with an unknown outcome, and you may not even have a grave!'"

  Gu Yun Xi's eyebrows and eyes drooped, "If the enemy has no weakness, we'll help him create one. Even if they're as strong as a mighty storm, Gu Yun Xi will stand in front of the prince, enduring wind, frost, swords, and arrows. As long as he isn't killed with a single move, the prince will definitely have a chance to counterattack and win!"

  She paused for a moment, her voice colder by a degree. "Corpse without remains, Yun Xi never thought of that, because Yun Xi believed that such an ending only belonged to those who stood on the opposing side of the prince."

  As soon as this was said, Wen Yuan had nothing more to say. Gu Yunxi, however, bowed deeply to Wen Yuan at this time, exactly the same way he had just bowed to Gong Sunmo. "Yunxi is young and ignorant, but I am willing to serve as a vassal to the king and assist him wholeheartedly. The old official is wise and has a broad vision, and I hope that you will teach me one or two things so that I can avoid making mistakes in my writings."

  From the previous few words, it can be seen that Gu Yunxi is not a weak and ignorant woman as imagined by Wen Yuan. At this moment, her humble attitude and respectful speech towards him made him feel that he could no longer blame this woman too much. After a brief pause, the corner of Gong Sunmo's mouth twitched as he said, "Since it has been agreed upon by the prince, I am just offering some advice. Miss Gu is clever and eloquent, I only hope that you can truly be a good partner for the prince."

  Gu Yunxi's eyes lit up slightly, and with this person's consent, the others were no longer a problem. She bowed deeply again, "Yunxi will definitely do her best, not disappointing the elder's expectations."

  "The old man has troubled the king." Gong Sun Mo spoke, his eyes fixed on Gao Yun Xi, he nodded, signaling her to come over.

  Gu Yunxi hesitated slightly, but still took a step forward towards Gong Sunmo. She only felt a cold gaze fall on her back, Gu Yunxi's mouth curved up, and she stood extremely obediently by Gong Sunmo's side.

  With Gu Yunxi's identity settled, Gong Sun Mo sank his eyes, "This king is currently in need of people, and now that we have another person, it's truly a comforting moment... The Crown Prince's wedding is approaching..."

  The meeting had already ended at dusk, and Gu Zhongzheng first sent away the other officials before returning. When he came back, Gu Yunxue was just about to leave for Shuimonthuan. He smiled and said, "Yunxue ah——"

  Gu Yunxi stopped in her tracks, looking at this unfamiliar father. Gu Zhongzheng walked over and said warmly, "You go see off De Wang, there are still things for Father to take care of here."

  Gu Ying Xue's footsteps paused in the distance, Gu Yun Xi looked at Gong Sun Mo and said, "De Wang Qing---"?

  Gu Yun Xue naturally didn't know Gu Zhong Zheng's intentions, she walked behind Gong Sun Mo with her head down, feeling a bit suspicious. Gong Sun Mo saw the person behind him being quiet and still, looked at the not-so-far gate and stopped his footsteps.

  Gu Yunxi raised her head and met Gong Sunmo's gaze, the latter was staring at her intently. "Gu Yunxi, I allowed you to become my advisor because of your kindness in saving me. Just now, although you were able to argue eloquently with the old officials in the hall, actually doing something about this turbulent situation is a different matter altogether."

  Gu Yunxi was taken aback, his face also slightly solemn, "Please rest assured, Your Highness. Although this is a request made by Yunxi to you, since Yunxi has accepted you as his lord, he will definitely do his best. Whatever Yunxi can do, please just watch and see."

  "Gongsun's eyes sank, 'This king and you have only known each other for two days, but the you I see has a thousand different appearances. To be a good strategist, one cannot always resort to tricks, yet also cannot not use tricks at all. Whether or not this king believes in you depends on how you perform. Just now outside the courtyard, what you did was merely trying to take advantage of this king. Gu Yunxi, your audacity is quite large!'"

  The angry words spread far and wide, Sun Lu and Sun Zhe exchanged a glance from afar, looking at Gu Yunxi's humble appearance with some surprise. Is this Second Miss Gu going to be sent away so soon?

  "Manipulation and bribery, it all boils down to sincerity and means. What Yun Xi needs to do is just these two things." Gu Yun Xi raised her head, her eyes fixed unflinchingly on Gong Sun Mo, her tone icy cool. "Yun Xi's means can be used on anyone, but sincerity will only be used on her own master. Just now, Your Highness was not yet Yun Xi's master."

  Such words made Gong Sunmo's eyes deepen, looking at her bright and firm eyes, Gong Sunmo turned around with a flick of his sleeve, "Gu Yunxi, the future is long, the wind and frost sword is not used by me to block you, let me see your sincerity first——"

  Gu Yunxi gazed at Gong Sunmo's back, her eyes cold and desolate. When had she ever despised the cunning and ruthless strategists of the enemy nation more than now? They were the ones who had driven their armies to trample her homeland, ultimately leading to its downfall and her own demise in sorrow. And yet, today, she was about to become just like them.

  A deep sigh, and she silently slipped into the cold winter day. Gu Yunxi tightened her clothes and turned around, only to see a beautiful figure standing not far away. Her eyes chilled, and she walked over slowly.

  By the way?

  This chapter has been slightly revised, originally the German king was written poorly, the German king did not make a frivolous decision about who his strategist would be, true trust would only be given later, just as they said...