Ha ha ha, what worries could there be that the grand plan won't succeed!

The next day, the heavens smiled upon them, presenting a clear and fine day. A gentle breeze stirred softly, sunlight mingling with the wind as it swept through the mountain forests. From the temple nestled halfway up the mountain, the distant sounds of bells and drums floated out, accompanied by curling incense smoke that seemed to evoke an otherworldly aura.

After briefly marveling at this picturesque scene, Pan Yulian’s face, hidden beneath her pointed hat and gauzy veil, creased with worry. Who was the wise soul who thought it a good idea to build a temple halfway up the mountain? Climbing all the way here would surely leave one’s legs trembling before even entering the hall.

When Pan Yulian dismounted the carriage and stared silently at the mountain temple ahead, Qing Yue reached out to steady her. “Miss?”

Snapping back to herself, Pan Yulian said, “Let’s go.”

Today, Lady Lin had intended to accompany Pan Yulian as well, but Pan Yulian held her head high, insisting that the vow made was a solitary act of sincere devotion. Though displeased, Lady Lin begrudgingly helped prepare Pan Yulian’s travel necessities.

They made their way to the main hall, where Pan Yulian solemnly offered incense and added some extra coins to the incense money. Qing Yue and Qing Yu then helped her out of the hall.

Outside, Pan Yulian glanced around before looking toward a distant cliff, her face alight with a feigned delight. “I imagine that viewing the scenery from there would be quite an experience.”

Qing Yu and Qing Yue exchanged a nervous glance. “Miss, the mountain path is treacherous. Are you sure you want to go out to offer incense...?”

At this, Pan Yulian’s smile vanished instantly. She turned to Qing Yu. “What? Now that I’m not yet in the palace, am I forbidden from enjoying the view wherever I please?”

Pan Yulian’s stern look silenced Qing Yu and Qing Yue, whose faces paled as they quickly denied any such notion.

People tend to be timid before the strong and harsh before the weak. Even the servants of the Pan household learned to gauge the temperaments of the concubines and young ladies, who were soft-spoken in public but far more fiery in private.

The three sisters—dubbed the “trio of jesters” within the Pan household—formed their own tight-knit group early on. They were dutiful and obedient before the elders and prominent family members, but among themselves, they would bicker and quarrel incessantly, sometimes even coming to blows.

So expecting them to read the servants’ moods? Not a chance.

Moreover, the servants’ contracts were controlled by Lady Lin, making the maids respectful but never truly trusted confidantes.

The more brazen Pan Yulian became, the more Qing Yue and Qing Yu dared not offend her. They followed her as she strode toward the mountain.

Upon reaching a mountain pavilion, before even catching her breath, Pan Yulian deliberately sent Qing Yu, who dared not argue, back to the carriage to fetch some refreshments. Qing Yu went to the kitchen to retrieve some vegetarian fare, leaving Pan Yulian alone in the pavilion.

Truth be told, such an isolated setting could be overly serene for one person alone. But watching the system’s notifications count down—characters approaching within a hundred meters, then fifty—Pan Yulian’s fear ebbed, and she even found herself in the mood to admire the view.

“Deep foliage obstructs the sun, towering trees embrace the wind,” she murmured.

“Mountains pile up beneath clouds and rosy mists, rivers pour eastward across the world.”

These poems, once memorized by rote in her school days, now slipped naturally from her lips.

No sooner had she finished than applause rang out behind her.

Turning around, Pan Yulian saw a refined gentleman, as if stepped from a painting, dressed in a blue robe with a graceful beard. He smiled warmly, advancing with measured steps as the mountain breeze fluttered his sleeves, embodying the elegant charm of a cultured scholar touched by moonlight and pure wind.

No matter how much Pan Yulian criticized Master Pan’s character, she could not deny his striking appearance—a visage that outshone any ancient drama heartthrob. Yet now, he was outshone—not in looks, but in aura—by the man approaching, who held her gaze spellbound.

Such presence, such bearing... was this truly the caliber of a king’s right-hand man?

As he neared, he stopped at the pavilion’s steps and without a word, knelt deeply before Pan Yulian. “Yan Song, courtesy name Weiqing, greets my lord.”

Without hesitation, Pan Yulian removed her pointed hat and veil, hurried down the steps in three quick strides, and bent to help Yan Song to his feet. “Sir, please rise quickly.”

Seeing her gestures, Yan Song’s composed face lit up with the fervor of a warrior who would die for a kindred spirit.

Strikingly, Pan Yulian, oblivious to social cues, recognized this rare talent immediately.

This man was a true genius!

Yan Song’s eyes twinkled with a smile beneath his solemn expression. “Thank you, my lord,” he said repeatedly.

This man, his words, this scene... it suited Pan Yulian perfectly. She could not help but smile and tease, “With your help, sir, how could any great endeavor fail?”

Indeed, compared to the stiff and rigid Confucian scholars who might scrutinize her identity and morality, Mr. Yan was exactly her type.

Just as Pan Yulian was luxuriating in her role as “my lord,” footsteps sounded behind her.

She instinctively turned—

Wow!

At first glance, Pan Yulian hardly noticed the visitor’s face, only staring in awe at his towering figure.

Standing eight feet tall, broad-shouldered and robust, he radiated heroic vigor, moving with the might of a dragon and tiger. Up close, he resembled an unyielding wall blocking the sun.

In that moment, Pan Yulian’s head buzzed, and she heard a familiar saying echo in her mind—

“I thought Lu Bu was unbeatable in the world, but to find someone even braver—whose general is this?”

Drawing nearer, Pan Yulian swallowed nervously, and when his gaze fell upon her, she involuntarily took a step back.

Her anxiety was clear to the others. Yan Song, about to speak, was struck silent when the formidable man suddenly knelt before Pan Yulian as gracefully as pouring gold or jade.

His brows relaxed, his voice rang loudly with a heroic tone, “My surname is Lü, given name Lushan. Today I pay respects to my lord.”

Honestly, once he knelt, Pan Yulian’s fear eased.

She stepped forward, helping Lü Lushan to his feet. “To meet you, General, is truly my great fortune. Please rise quickly.”

According to the system’s explanation, none of the figures before her held official posts yet, but to see Lü Lushan, one need not think twice—the only fitting title was ‘General.’

Stooping slightly to steady Pan Yulian, he nearly matched the height of the kneeling Lü Lushan.

The forest surrounded them, fragrant grasses swayed, and mountain winds stirred. Pan Yulian’s pale pink shawl fluttered softly, its delicate edge brushing Lü Lushan’s chin, the faint scent wafting into her mind.

Lü Lushan’s gaze remained fixed on Pan Yulian, never once shifting toward Yan Song.

Still kneeling, he looked up at her, smiling gently, his voice softening, “Lushan has wandered half a lifetime without a worthy lord. To meet you today is truly a blessing of three lifetimes. If you do not refuse, Lushan wishes to swear you as his sworn mother.”

Yan Song, whose expression had been calm, squinted at Lü Lushan’s boldness. His eyes narrowed critically, but a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

Hearing this, Pan Yulian thought: Don’t mess around!

Suddenly, laughter accompanied the arrival of another figure—an elegant young man in a simple white robe, adorned only by a single ebony hairpin holding his long hair neatly.

Approaching with a smile, he bowed properly to Pan Yulian. “I am Di Huaizhen, greetings to my lord.”

Ah, now her last gentleman had arrived just in time.

After helping Lü Lushan to his feet, Pan Yulian turned with a smile to Di Huaizhen. “Yulian greets you, sir.”

Di Huaizhen stood upright, smiling as he tilted his head to look at the still-kneeling Lü Lushan.

Lü Lushan narrowed his eyes, expressionless, rising and walking toward Di Huaizhen.

Di Huaizhen met his gaze unflinchingly, standing firm.

Goodness, not only were these men exceptional, they each had a strong personality.

Pan Yulian swallowed nervously, trying to move forward, but Yan Song discreetly blocked her path.

“Do not worry, my lord. These two gentlemen are young and hot-blooded; such clashes are inevitable upon first meeting, but they are sure to keep things in check,” Yan Song said softly with a smile, his eyes crinkling. “It is no small feat that you have come here today. May I ask if you have been selected to enter the palace?”

Yan Song’s words instantly caught Pan Yulian’s full attention.

While they spoke, Di Huaizhen and Lü Lushan did not come to blows—though perhaps it was a one-sided affair (just kidding).

...

Before Qing Yu and Qing Yue returned, the four had concluded their meeting at Yuanjue Temple.

They established guiding principles: uphold the highest standards to honor imperial grace, root themselves firmly in court, efficiently ensure the welfare of the people, survive the inner palace without hindrance, and strive to strengthen the realm.

Indeed, Pan Yulian’s timid attempts to avoid danger were transparent to the others.

Yet these three exerted no pressure on her to scheme in the palace. Their single, politely phrased request was simply: please try to stay alive.

At the very latest, when the emperor passes, the three will join forces to pull her from the imperial temple to a peaceful, beautiful place where she can live freely.

After the meeting ended, watching the three depart down different mountain paths, Pan Yulian sniffed quietly to herself—

With three kings and one queen in hand, surely she couldn’t ruin such a promising hand.