Summer days are hot and windless, the streets are empty and desolate, the vendors' calls are hoarse and dull amidst the cicadas' chirping.

  In the wine house, there is a sound of a zither, accompanied by the waiter's singing menu like music, echoing into people's ears.

  "Brother Pei Shi today improvised a poem, and has already stolen the show with his talent. Tomorrow he will surely pass the imperial examination with flying colors!"

  A young scholar wearing a silver silk coronet, on one side holding chopsticks to pick up the tender meat from the belly of a mandarin fish, on the other side excitedly and loudly praising.

  "Chen Xian's excessive praise is wrong, and although Ruan may have been lucky for a moment, it's nothing more than a trivial skill in poetry and lyrics. Now that the Emperor is wise and just, selecting the best talents from all over the country with national strategies, how dare I boast of my mediocre talent in front of the world's heroes?"

  Pei Zhen was only in his early twenties, with a fair and handsome face. He answered humbly while glancing around the empty streets.

  "I heard that the two kings of Anping will enter the capital today." Chen Yu, who was beside him, saw that he seemed to be thinking deeply and suddenly remembered something. He took advantage of the wine excitement to bring it up.

  "According to the precedent set by the previous emperor, the guard troops of the vassal kings must camp outside the capital city for ten miles, and the number of attendants they bring with them shall not exceed one hundred horsemen."

  Chen Yu was a native of Beijing, and this time he spoke eloquently in front of the other successful candidates who had entered the capital.

  Pei Zhen heard this, a faint frown between his eyebrows that no one noticed, thinking of the continuous and towering barracks outside the family gate, and also thinking of his wife who was left alone at home, a sense of foreboding secretly arose in his heart.

  May these soldiers not disturb the four directions...

  He thought silently, recalling his journey with his wife, full of hardships and dangers, and couldn't help but feel a pang in his chest, overcome with sorrow.

  He and his wife, Yin, were childhood sweethearts, with a deep understanding of each other. They had even made a marriage pact at home, but unexpectedly, the current imperial son-in-law, relying on his power and influence, wanted to force her to become his concubine.

  He was a scholar with no strength to truss a chicken, but in his indignation, he relied on the effects of wine to hijack the sedan chair and almost lost his life.

  In a moment of crisis, an extraordinary man and woman came to the rescue with their noble demeanor, but they didn't leave their names behind before disappearing into thin air.

  The only thing I remember is that mysterious 'girl', with eyes as clear and cold as ice and snow...

  "Brother...... brother?!"

  Chen Yu gently shook him, just waking him up from his deep thought.

  Look at his dazed expression, another scholar in the room laughed and teased: "Brother Pei must be thinking of his lovely wife back home!"

  In the midst of everyone's loud laughter, Pei Zhen was just about to retort with a witty remark when he heard a solemn drum and music sound coming from the street, a huge commotion growing louder and closer.

  But seeing the ceremonial instruments like clouds, the imperial carriage and sedan chairs, coming in a long line, with a loud rumbling noise, the two most magnificent ones in the center are where the two kings are.

  Everyone looked at the flags that covered the sky, and the magnificent scene of the crown and canopy like clouds, was just admiring, Pei Zhen's heart was fine, and with one glance, he saw the vast team behind the carriage.

  "Is that Ping Wang's attendant... How dare he overstep his authority?"

  He shouted in a low voice, with a tone of surprise and anger.

  Chen Yu stretched his neck to take a look, but saw that those golden and jade utensils, intentionally or unintentionally, had already exceeded the degree that a vassal king should have in terms of quantity and color.

  "Zhou Li says, the Son of Heaven has nine, the vassals have seven... what's with those eight golden axes?!"

  "Looks like Prince Ping is also not very peaceful!"

  Chen Yu was shocked and lost his composure, hastily stopping him: "Brother, you must not rashly discuss state affairs!"

  Pei Zhen showed no fear, and smiled: "We study the classics of the sages precisely to sweep away the evil influences within the universe..."

  Several people were young and vigorous at the time, and it was a big deal, so they couldn't help but discuss it with seven mouths and eight tongues. As they talked about it excitedly, each of them had their blood boiling with enthusiasm.

  At this time, the waiter knocked and entered, bringing up a dish of roasted fish "lips" from the top eight treasures, smiling and bowing: "This is sent by the guests in the next room for you."

  Everyone was shocked and puzzled for a moment, but eventually discovered that this room, although independent, had very thin walls. It seemed that the previous conversation had been too enthusiastic, and the voice had inevitably become louder, allowing the guests in the next room to hear it all.

  They stared at each other in shock and suspicion, as if the passion of a moment before had been doused with a bucket of ice water.

  In the midst of the gathering, only Pei Zhen's face remained calm: "Everyone doesn't have to worry, since they've given us such a precious gift, they certainly won't have any malicious intentions!"

  Chen 'Lu' and Qu Yun quietly went downstairs, no longer having the heart to watch the bustling scene on the street.

  The two of them walked straight in the direction of "Cui Se Lou", with the scorching sun overhead, and saw very few pedestrians along the way.

  Walking onto that Qinglou Fang Street, but seeing the 'gate' was deserted and desolate, a stark contrast to its usual splendor of bright lanterns and fragrant incense, with colorful flags flying high.

  Only then did I realize that the two vassal kings' elite troops were stationed outside the city, ten miles away. They were so bored that they spent a huge sum of money to book more than half of the girls from several brothels.

  "Is this also considered as entering the capital for an imperial audience?!"

  "Unbelievable! This is the life of luxury in the capital!!"

  Morning 'dew' furrowed her brow, she was well-versed in military strategy, but her heart was not without worry.

  Is this kind of military strategy supposed to forge elite soldiers or create cannon fodder?!

  There's still one more chapter tonight, remember to vote for recommendations under the cover, let's work hard together!!!