Villain Lady

The days passed quietly. 

Prince Ji Sheng and Prince Ji Shao Yang kept everything that occurred in the palace under wrap and only informed the family members of those who got involved. They didn't want to create unnecessary drama.

At the same time, they revealed the fact that Prince Ji Shao Yang was still alive. The one who died before was a fake who pretended to be the prince. Some people were skeptical about the news but majority of them believed it because of the influence of some officials who continued to circulate the news. 

It would take more time for everyone to fully understand the situation, but majority of the people outside the capital city didn't really care much about the royalty because there was no chance for them to meet with the Imperial Family members.

The north was stable thanks to the agreement Prince Ji Sheng made with General Hao. Along with the fact that Xiong Tribe was no longer capable to kick up any fuss, General Gao and Gao Ling were having the most peaceful winter they could possibly have.

As for Wei Hong...

"He killed himself?" Wei Liuying asked. It was exactly a week after Wei Hong was sentenced to have his crime posted to let everyone knew just what kind of person their prime minister was.

Yang Xian nodded. His order was only to keep Wei Hong alive for a week. Afterwards, the soldier left him alone and Wei Hong immediately killed himself out of shame. "He's someone who cares for his face and reputation. Without those two, he can't live comfortably."

"I see."

The indifferent expression on Wei Liuying's face betrayed none of her real feelings. Seeing her like that, Yang Xian inched closer and patted Wei Liuying's head. "You didn't do anything wrong."

"I didn't say anything, Strategist Yang."

Hearing how Wei Liuying called him that way again, Yang Xian chose to retract his hand. He smiled lightly. "Your uncle will come soon." 

"When?" Wei Liuying's eyes lit up.

"I'll tell you when he come."

"You mean the servant."

"It's all the same," Yang Xian remarked as he brought a scroll to Wei Liuying. "This is the last one we need to take a look."

Wei Liuying nodded. "I don't understand why there are so much work for officials. Do you always have to work this much?"

The hall was filled with dead tired officials who couldn't get up and continue their work. They were lying on the ground, passed out once they have finished their work because their body couldn't sustain them awake for any longer.

Yang Xian shook his head. "I believe that Ji Shu didn't manage to finish the work properly, leaving so much for us to do now."

"I thought he's a very capable man with a lot of officials under him."

"He's capable, but those around him are not capable enough. It's a bit of a shame that those who are part of the first prince was killed," Yang Xian said with a sigh. They were a bit understaffed even after having the people who followed the first prince returned to the palace to work after demoting them and punished those people severely.

Wei Liuying chose not to comment. There was nothing that they could do in that situation. Their soldiers couldn't possibly move to the capital city undetected and sudden influx of people would be suspicious. Not to mention, creating fake identities for hundreds of people would be impossible since Ji Shu had already implemented methods to make sure that everyone who entered the capital city was checked.

They would only court deaths.

"How about the children?"

"Children?" Yang Xian arched his eyebrows. Wei Liuying herself was also still a child considering that she hadn't reached 16 yet. "The officials' kid?"

"Yes."

"Some of them participated in their father's scheme. They grew up very quick." Yang Xian's lips curled up to form a knowing smile. As someone who also grew up too quick for his own age, Yang Xian knew very well what these children were capable of.

"Did you catch them?"

"I put them in the prison for the time being. I can't possibly kill all of them because they're going to be a good asset for me. Speaking of which, your first brother, Wei Yijun, is preparing for the examination this spring. If he managed to pass, he'll be amongst the youngest one to ever pass the examination," Yang Xian remarked.

Wei Liuying nodded. Wei Yijun was still 19 years old, so it wouldn't be strange even if he didn't pass this time around. But if he managed to pass and then attended the next examination, he would be able to become an official not long after he become an adult. It would be a great achievement.

"What do you think of your first brother?"

"He's a capable person. He might be young, so his experience is limited, but his knowledge and capability are good," Wei Liuying replied. At the very least, Wei Yijun was also not like their father who could only think of himself.

Yang Xian nodded. "I'm glad you think that way."

"Yes?"

"Prince Ji Shao Yang also thinks highly of him, so he might be of someone important in the future. You'll need to work together with him if there's a chance."

Wei Liuying nodded slowly. She didn't have any odds with her first brother. In the first place, they rarely interacted with each other and the only time she has more interaction with him was when she acted as Wei Hong Zheng. At that time, she realized that her first brother was truly brilliant, but it would still take him some time to become a proper official.

Besides, she also heard that Wei Yijun was actually supporting Ji Shao Yang back then. Though it was not that obvious because he still couldn't actually participate actively in the court and only discuss at the back. A student without much influence couldn't do much yet. 

Her real identity was already made known to the other officials who were not present. Many of them were dumbstruck when they found out and some of them were unable to accept it. In this society where men were the one who lead and all, they would never accept a woman interfering with their work.

In the first place, Wei Liuying herself also had no interest to become an official. What she wanted to do was simply to live freely.

"I'll be happy if I don't have to visit the capital city so often," Wei Liuying said unhurriedly.

Yang Xian arched his eyebrows. "Do you not like it so much?"

"Not really."

"I'll tell His Highness about it."

"Thank you."

Neither one of the two of them liked the capital city. While it was true that they would need to come here a few times in the future because of work, they would rather keep it as minimal as possible. 

Yang Xian noticed that Wei Liuying was still pondering. It seemed that there was still something else inside her mind aside from the fact that they would need to visit the capital city once in a while in the future. He still wanted to talk about some other things, but he doubted that she would listen if he brought it up. "Are you tired, Liuying?"

"No. I want to visit a place after this work is done if you permit it."

"Where?"

"The prison."

Prison?

Yang Xian arched his eyebrows. "Why do you want to go there?"

"I want to visit my brother," Wei Liuying responded after a while.