Panyang Prefecture, also called Panyang Commandery, is entirely under the control of the Prince of Yan Residence. All officials, from the seven counties and one prefecture, are subject to the Prince's authority—in fact, they're all considered his people. Here, a royal decree from the Prince of Yan carries more weight than an imperial edict.
There aren’t many regular garrison troops in Panyang Prefecture—just over eight thousand. But the Prince’s private army exceeds twenty thousand, more than the combined forces of the three neighboring prefectures. If the Prince of Yan ever decided to rebel, he could seize all three surrounding prefectures in an instant.
You can imagine just how much power the Prince of Yan truly holds.
Inside the sprawling Prince of Yan Residence, in a garden covering hundreds of mu...
Chloe Cao, dressed in fine silk, sat there looking utterly depressed.
She’d been back at the Prince of Yan Residence for more than a month. At first, she was thrilled to have found her father, but after returning, she realized there was none of the warmth she’d been longing for.
Especially her older brothers and sisters—not only were they cold to her, they’d also mock her from time to time.
She’d asked her father many times to let her return to the Cloudwater Sword Sect, but every time he refused.
“I wonder if Junior Brother misses me?”
Staring at the lotus pond ahead, Chloe sighed quietly to herself.
Just then—
A beautiful young woman arrived at the pond, surrounded by a group of maids. A mocking glint flashed in her eyes as she said, "Ninth Sister, daydreaming by the pond again?"
"Eighth Sister!"
Chloe replied listlessly, barely mustering any energy.
Prince Adrian Cao had eleven children. Chloe was the ninth, with eight older siblings and a younger brother and sister.
Her brother, Adrian Cao Jr., was only five, and her little sister was even younger—still nursing.
Yvette smiled sincerely, but her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Ninth Sister, instead of daydreaming here, why not come with me to a poetry gathering?" She knew Chloe had martial skills but was illiterate, so it was the perfect chance to show everyone just how uncultured she was.
Later, she’d add fuel to the fire and spread Chloe’s reputation for crudeness throughout Panyang Commandery. Once their father heard, would he still dote on this wild girl?
And if word reached Lord Su, surely he wouldn’t want to marry such a rough girl. Then, Yvette would have her chance.
Chloe shook her head. "Forget it, Eighth Sister. I’m not going. I have zero interest in poems or lyrics!"