In the evening, as Gu Yuena was returning home, she happened to encounter "Xue Qinghe" at the door. Once again, she was carrying a large piece of pork as a visiting gift.
Recently, "Xue Qinghe" had been busy implementing the Tui'en Decree (Edict of Benevolence), so she hadn't visited for a while. Now that the situation had settled down, she immediately came over to "freeload" a meal.
Gu Yuena welcomed her warmly, led her inside, and introduced her to Bi Ji.
Bi Ji glanced at "Xue Qinghe" with curiosity.
Due to her keen perception of life force, Bi Ji instantly discovered the truth—"Xue Qinghe" was actually a woman.
"Xue Qinghe" remained unaware of Bi Ji's special abilities and simply offered some polite compliments.
Zi Ji, however, was displeased. She pouted and said, "Flatterer! How come when you saw me, you didn't have any words of praise?"
She stared at "Xue Qinghe" intently, clearly unwilling to let the matter go without an explanation.
"Xue Qinghe" chuckled lightly and shook her head. "Zi Ji, you are both intelligent and stunning, with a striking charm that left me momentarily speechless. That's why I forgot to express my admiration at the time."
"Hmph! You passed the test!" Zi Ji snorted.
Lately, she had noticed that Bi Ji seemed to be gaining more favor than herself, which left her feeling frustrated. She had been wondering how to regain her superior position.
While Gu Yuena and "Xue Qinghe" were chatting, Zi Ji pulled Bi Ji aside just as she was about to serve them tea.
Bi Ji looked at Zi Ji in confusion.
"Zi Ji, why did we come outside?"
Zi Ji smirked smugly and said, "You're new to the human world, so there are things you don't understand. Let me give you some advice."
"What is it?" Bi Ji asked curiously.
Zi Ji's expression turned crafty as she leaned in and said, "Did you know? That Xue Qinghe is the Crown Prince of the Tian Dou Empire! He's the one who gave us this house!"
"So, our dear Master—I mean, Sister—needs to maintain a good relationship with him. Since you're so considerate and even received his praise, why not do something for our Master? You should go back with him to the Crown Prince's residence!"
Zi Ji's eyes gleamed with cunning. If she could send Bi Ji away to the Crown Prince's palace, she wouldn't have to compete with her anymore!
Bi Ji hesitated. "If Sister asks me to do it, I will. But…"
She found it odd. "Xue Qinghe" was clearly a woman—how could she take her in without exposing her own secret?
Although they had just met, Bi Ji's instincts told her that "Xue Qinghe" was hiding something major.
"Leave the rest to me!" Zi Ji patted her chest confidently, her eyes shining.
She couldn't allow Bi Ji to keep competing with her for favor—especially not for the delicious meals cooked by that greedy old man!
Everything had to be hers alone!
Soon, the meal was served.
The table was filled with delicious dishes, their steam and aroma mingling in the air, making everyone's mouths water.
Among them, only Dan Heng ate with refined elegance. The women, on the other hand, moved their chopsticks so fast that they nearly left afterimages.
Even Bi Ji had learned from Gu Yuena, picking up food with a speed that rivaled a mini tornado.
Zi Ji clenched her teeth in frustration, grumbling internally: She eats too much! I must get rid of her!
In no time, the food was nearly gone.
It was only then that "Xue Qinghe" brought up the real reason for her visit.
With a smile, she said, "Mr. Dan Heng, your Tui'en Decree is truly the most remarkable political strategy in the history of the Douluo Continent."
"We've been implementing it recently, and it's been going quite smoothly. Even though it's an overt scheme, those who benefit from it are more than willing to cooperate."
"Dan Heng, I've brought a small gift for you as a token of my gratitude…"
"Xue Qinghe" raised her hand, about to retrieve something from her spatial soul tool, but Dan Heng stopped her with a firm gesture.
"That's unnecessary." Dan Heng frowned slightly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Xue Qinghe" sighed. Knowing Dan Heng's temperament, she dared not insist.
"Mr. Dan Heng, I feel quite ashamed… Also, to be honest, I've come to seek your advice on another matter."
"Xue Qinghe" seemed a little embarrassed.
Dan Heng didn't mind. He found "Xue Qinghe" to be a reliable person—she had promised to keep his secrets, and so far, she hadn't revealed anything.
Engaging in these "transactions" with her allowed him to exchange his knowledge for a peaceful life.
He considered it a very worthwhile deal.
"What's the issue?" Dan Heng asked.
Bi Ji blinked. Now that she knew "Xue Qinghe" was actually the Crown Prince of the Tian Dou Empire, she was even more intrigued by her "brother-in-law."
After all, why would a royal heir seek advice from him?
"Here's the problem," "Xue Qinghe" began. "As we implement the Tui'en Decree, we need many officials to help govern the newly created fiefdoms. However, nearly all officials come from noble backgrounds, and there simply aren't enough of them.
"We tried asking the nobles to recommend people, but most of them refuse to do so…"
"Xue Qinghe" could understand the nobles' reluctance.
It was just like how, if someone tried to take Dan Heng away from her, she would never agree to it.
Bi Ji furrowed her brows, contemplating how to convince the nobles to provide candidates.
Dan Heng, however, spoke directly:
"You don't need to focus solely on the nobility. As far as I know, Tian Dou Empire does not have a law that requires officials to be of noble birth.
"Recruit from the common people instead. Establish an imperial examination system, categorize different disciplines, and select officials based on merit…"
"Huh?"
"If certain regions lack administrators, recruit locally. You don't have to rely on the nobility at all."
Dan Heng stated this calmly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
To him, this was basic historical knowledge—something he had read in books before.
Now, he simply applied it to the Douluo Continent to help the Tian Dou Empire solve its problem.
"Xue Qinghe" froze for a moment, then suddenly realized the brilliance of the idea.
Right! Why was I so fixated on the nobility?
She sprang to her feet, so thrilled that she nearly wanted to hug Dan Heng and kiss him.
How had she not thought of this before?
It was such a simple yet effective solution!
She instinctively bent forward, but before she could say anything, Gu Yuena chuckled softly and said, "Your Highness, there's no need for such gratitude. You've already done much for our family."
"Xue Qinghe" gave a sheepish smile, realizing she had gotten carried away.
Then she looked at Dan Heng—calm, composed, completely unfazed.
At once, she schooled her own emotions, adopting a similarly composed demeanor.
Zi Ji suddenly raised her hand and said, "Sister, since His Highness has been so kind to us, shouldn't we give her a gift in return?"
Gu Yuena was puzzled. When did Zi Ji start caring about things like this?
"What kind of gift?"
"Xue Qinghe" was taken aback and quickly waved her hands. "No, no, it is I who have received too much kindness from Mr. Dan Heng…"
"Let's give her Bi Ji!" Zi Ji grinned mischievously. "Bi Ji is so good at taking care of people. Let her go with His Highness!"
"Eh?!" Bi Ji looked at Zi Ji in shock.
Gu Yuena's face stiffened.
"Get out!" she growled.
Zi Ji beamed, nudging Bi Ji. "Did you hear that? You're going with His Highness!"
"I meant you!" Gu Yuena gritted her teeth.
Zi Ji's joy came to an abrupt halt.
She looked at Gu Yuena's cold expression and dared not argue.
With a sulky expression, she obediently left the dining table.
Sensing the tension, "Xue Qinghe" awkwardly excused herself and took her leave.
(End of chapter)