The Legendary Female Strategist

Chapter 1 - A Simple Peasant Girl

"How dare they! Just because our Wei Emperor is newly crowned, they think our Wei country can be bullied? Don't they know that our Emperor is the chosen one of the land? On the day he was born, the skies turned golden with a hundred birds circling the skies announcing his moment of arrival. Animals even bowed in the direction of his birth as flower petals bloomed and sweetened the air."

The man speaking lowered his voice.

"I heard that even after eight years have passed, all four kingdoms are still searching for the legendary strategist that almost destroyed the entire world. Rumors say that whichever emperor gets this person by their side will be able to become the ruler of the entire nation."

"Ehh, are you sure? Eight years have already passed. It's possible that such a great master of tactics has already passed away."

She stopped listening to them. Their conversation topic wasn't anything new. Everyone knew that their emperor was searching for someone. But of course, as a simple village girl, why would she be interested?

The waiter returned with a flattering smile on his face and a delightfully exquisite tea tray in his hands.

"Young miss, this here is called the Thousand-Year Tea. It's been prepared in a very precise manner being only exposed to rare flower petals and herbs of the highest grade possible. After being cultivated on the highest cliff---"

She tuned him out as she absentmindedly nodded. All she could think about was how delicious the first drop of tea would taste in her mouth. Who knows how long it's been since she last treated herself to a luxury good like this?

He seemed to notice that she was only interested at the tea in his hands and quickly poured a cup for her before setting it and the tea pot on the table. The elegantly decorated cup was lined with gold and silver designs intertwining beautifully. The hot steam that was rising out of it only served to better contrast the colors.

"Please enjoy, miss."

With another bow, he turned around and left Feng Yao alone with her tea.

"Ahhhh, finally I get to meet you my love~"

She gently grasped the handle. The unique scent entered her nose and she sighed at the smell. It was sweet yet held hints of a faint bitterness.

Just as she was about to take the first sip, the doors of the shop harshly were kicked open. All of a sudden, robbers dressed in black swarmed in pointing swords at everyone.

"No one move! You are all being held hostage!"

Are you kidding me? Right before I get to taste my tea?

Twenty minutes later, they were all forced inside one of the back rooms of the tea shop. How all the patrons, employees, and servants fit was a wonder.

At the moment, two rich young ladies were weeping loudly next to her while their servants tried to wipe their tears despite having tears running down their faces too. They had already gotten over their initial disgust of having to sit near her a while ago.

Four robbers in black stood at the doorway guarding them with menacing looks in their eyes. As one of them scanned around the room, Feng Yao smiled and waved at him. As expected, his eyes narrowed at her.

In his eyes, he only saw a dirty street beggar leaning comfortably against the wall. Her face had streaks of dirt, but her eyes were unnaturally bright and joyful. He didn't know why, but he was uncomfortable with her attention. Quickly, he turned back around.

Feng Yao was bored once the guard refused to look at her again.

What to do, what to do? How shall I pass the time now...?

As she glanced around, she suddenly noticed three men. They all sat far apart from each other in various spots around the crowded room. Although they were dressed like common men from well-off families, small details gave them away. Nothing could escape from her eyes that had suddenly sharpened like blades.

Their faces mimicked those in fear around them, yet the blank look in their eyes couldn't conceal the spark of intelligence. The way that they were also situated at seemingly random points around the room only confirmed her suspicion. No one noticed, but they had managed to fit into the only blind spots in the room.

I knew I should have snuck in a plate of snacks when I had the chance...

Feng Yao sighed at the lost opportunity to snack while getting to watch the upcoming action. Silently, she sat back and relaxed her arm across her knee. Sure enough, as soon as she noticed the three men glance at each other, all three of them simultaneously jumped up and pulled out hidden weapons. In an instant, the four robbers in black that had been holding them hostage were dispatched and lying dead on the floor.

Everyone except her in the room were stunned at the sudden sight of blood splattered everywhere. Strangely, her face was expressionless as if she wasn't someone involved and was simply watching from afar.

As the three men rushed out to fight the remaining robbers, her eyes glanced at the medallion on one of the men's waist. Or more specifically, what was carved on it.

The secret symbol of the imperial guard was barely shown for a second before it was once again hidden by the man's clothing as he continued to fight the robbers. But that one second was enough for her to instantly recognize it.

Her eyes almost seemed to get colder, but in the next instant after a blink, they were back to normal. Almost as if whoever was watching had simply imagined the whole thing.

Feng Yao lazily hummed to herself.

I see nothing. I know nothing. I'm just a simple peasant girl~

By the time the robbers were all captured and the hostages were all released, the sun was already setting. Feng Yao walked back towards the table she'd been originally seated at. The tea she'd spent all of her money on had already splattered all over the floor along with the remains of the broken teacup and teapot. No longer could she get back her delicious tea.

She almost felt like crying over her terrible luck. With a heavy sigh, she bent down and dejectedly poked at one of the ceramic remains of the cup. What a sight she must have been as she grumpily mumbled underneath her breath while repeatedly poking at the broken pieces on the floor.

"What a pity..."

As she finally forced herself to leave the chaotic tea shop, someone's sharp eyes watched her from behind a black curtain in a secret room.

"Your majesty?"

A guard quietly bowed outside of the room. A moment of silence passed before he heard any response from within.

"En. Prepare to return."