Becoming a Crown Prince entails learning a great many things. Yang Yi has his strengths, but his weaknesses are also evident. Having grown up wandering outside, his scholarly knowledge is inevitably lacking. However, the art of governance is the most profound, with no shortcuts to take.

He feels as if he has returned to being ten years old, reconnecting from the broken point of that year.

Besides being personally taught by Grand Preceptor Gu, Scholar Shen and Scholar Wu from the Hanlin Academy are also arranged by the emperor to take turns teaching.

One teaches national history, the other two teach poetry and philosophy. Apart from learning, the rest of the day is spent in the Qianqing Palace following the emperor in handling official documents.

Fu Zhen entered the palace a few times and often saw the emperor in the Qianqing Palace giving verbal instructions on the piles of memorials, with Yang Yi offering his insights, leading to an exchange between the two, without the initial tense atmosphere. However, they are still not as close as ordinary father and son, as Yang Yi rarely discusses matters outside of politics with the emperor.

Despite this, the Empress often accompanies them, watching them with gentle satisfaction. Occasionally, she offers her own opinions but often persuades the emperor to let Yang Yi try things on his own.

Thus, as his knowledge deepens, Yang Yi’s responsibilities increase.

After the snow stopped in January, the emperor dispatched Pei Zhan to lead a delegation to Dongzi.

The Tiger Talisman of Dongzi must be returned, and at the same time, establishing diplomatic relations with Dongzi is imperative. This mission was originally most suitable for Yang Yi to lead, but it is unreasonable for any country’s Crown Prince to personally lead a mission abroad.

Accompanying Pei Zhan were officials from the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Imperial Stables, along with Liang Zhi, Cheng Chili, and He Zhao, who participated in capturing Lian Yang’s party in the northwest. They also had the task of surveying the border areas.

The grand procession stretched from the Donghua Gate all the way to the North City Street two miles away.

Fu Zhen, along with Pei Yu, Mrs. Pei, and Liang Chen’s couple, went outside the North City Gate to see them off.

The sun after the snow brightened the entire land.

Fu Zhen held in her hand the two copper keys Pei Zhan had pressed on her before leaving, her heart as bright as the sunlit land.

She disliked farewells, especially after the disaster that befell Liang Ning.

But this time was different, this time the departure was for the hope of mutual friendship and jointly maintaining the peace of the borderlands, making it a beautiful separation.

Great Zhou needed peace, and Dongzi even more so. Before the year ended, the two countries had established an alliance through letters, opening a horse market at the border to encourage the exchange among the merchants of both sides. Dongzi had excellent horses, weapons, and minerals, while Great Zhou offered exquisite silk, porcelain, and grain. These exchanges would greatly promote trade prosperity in both regions.

The people of Great Zhou, long impoverished by war, would also find more opportunities for making a living through this.

Finally, there’s no need to fight anymore.

Finally, it is possible to be with family for a long time.

Xie Yu was also in the group, wistfully looking in the direction the procession had gone, murmuring: "This journey will take two or three months."

In December, she and Liang Zhi became engaged. These two, despite their quarrels whenever they meet, are constantly thinking of each other when apart.

"Two or three months is not long. When they return, it will just be in time for the spring blossoms."

Fu Zhen raised the copper keys in her hand, squinting and smiling at their gold-tinted edges in the sunlight.

The copper keys that Pei Zhan left her—one was for the weapons store of the General Mansion, the other for his study.

"I know your greatest dream is to become a female general. While I’m away from the capital, you can go to the weapons room to choose a weapon that suits you and practice diligently. There are also many military books in the study, some of which I found useful after I defeated Dayue. They are quite handy for battles in the northwest terrain.

"I have already requested permission from the Crown Prince, and after the spring examinations, the court will reopen the martial exam, allowing women to participate. Then, you should enlist. With your skills, getting into the top three should be no problem. By then, becoming a female general and joining the ranks would be perfectly natural."

Fu Zhen could hardly believe it: "Are you teasing me? Is the Crown Prince not just saying it casually?"

"Of course not." Pei Zhan, leaning against the pillow, placed her hand over his heart. "In recent years, many generals in the court have unfortunately been lost. The court lacks enough generals. After stabilizing the northwest, considering Lian Yang’s provocations, I proposed to the palace to dispatch troops to Dayue, which naturally requires sending some veteran generals.

"Although there’s no need to fight, the military cannot be weak. To strengthen the national power, while emphasizing culture, ensuring the safety of the realm requires not neglecting martial affairs; the court is indeed in need of people. The Crown Prince and Grand Tutor Gu both agreed with my proposal, and thus the decision was made."

Originally, after defeating Dayue Country that year, Great Zhou refrained from stationing troops in Dayue due to inadequate national power and allowed them to manage themselves. Now, with Lian Yang as a reminder, although such upheaval is unlikely to happen again, no one wishes to leave the slightest chance for it.

So, shortly after Yang Yi took up the Eastern Palace, this policy was established during an early morning meeting. Even if the national power is inadequate, Great Zhou still has to dispatch troops to Dayue, and Dayue must submit to governance.

"There are numerous capable women in our dynasty; it’s a real waste to confine them to the inner residence. Like you, like mother-in-law, you are both outstanding women. Great Zhou can use your martial skills and talents, and mother’s business acumen; you both should contribute to the prosperity of the Great Zhou era. Wouldn’t you agree?"

Pei Zhan continued to talk until near dawn.

When Fu Zhen woke up, he was already dressed. He even arranged breakfast for her while she was asleep.

Unknowingly, Fu Zhen, who originally prided herself on being the elder, gradually got used to his care. After more than half a year of marriage, not only have her thoughts changed, but their way of interacting has changed as well.

Whether they talk or not when they’re together, they’re becoming more comfortable with each other.

As Fu Zhen had promised to see him off, he waited until she finished her breakfast before ordering the start of the journey.

"Elder sister, don’t you miss the General?"

Xie Yu blinked her eyes, looking at her pitifully.

Perhaps, for someone as inexperienced as she is, even the sadness of parting needs company.

"Not at all." Fu Zhen put away the copper keys, "When they’re with us, we live one way; when they’re not, we must find another way to live." She smiled and turned, "Let’s go, let’s go to Wanbin Building for tea and Gudong Soup. We’ll wait for them to return riding the east wind and stepping on flowers!"

A man who supports her in participating in the martial arts examination to strive for her dreams would never want her to be forlorn and longing when he’s absent.

In her eyes, he is not just a husband; he is also a confidant.

"Ah, Gudong Soup!" Xie Yu joyfully leaped and followed her, "No wonder earlier Master instructed me not to return home after the send-off, but to go to Wanbin Building to eat mutton before leaving. Because there’s mutton soup to eat! Then I must inform Father that I’m not coming home today! I’ll stay with elder sister!..."