Hey everyone! ?? If you love adorable, unique items, check out my Etsy shop AdorableThingsByNoen! ?? Every purchase helps, and I truly appreciate your support!

  ??? Follow my shop for new releases every week!?? Share with friends & family who love cute, high-quality finds!

  Even a like, follow, or share means the world to me! ?? Thank you for your love and support!

  ___

  The King of Zhennan gazed at his son. Ye Jingchuan was young and impulsive, always filled with ambition and a desire to be a hero, often reckless in his enthusiasm. Initially, the king thought his son naive, having never weathered true storms, maintaining too idealistic a view of the world. Yet now, it seemed his son's perspective was both pure and surprisingly clear-sighted.

  He exchanged a gnce with Ye Jingkuan, and suddenly both broke into smiles. The king struck the table heavily, ughing heartily. “Good boy! Well said!”

  Stepping forward, he patted Ye Jingchuan’s shoulder approvingly. “Truly, a tiger father has no dog son! Though you may not fully understand why your brother and I support the Song family, your intentions are righteous. You're right—‘Heaven moves vigorously; thus, a gentleman ceaselessly strives. Earth bears all things; thus, a gentleman should embrace virtue.’ For you to retain this pure heart is already commendable.”

  Indeed, it was precisely this sincerity that would prevent him from making foolish mistakes like Shen Xiaohai or Shen Qingrang, avoiding scorn from others. Soldiers and generals should not indulge in cunning schemes; sacrificing bravely on the battlefield was the mark of a true man!

  Before Ye Jingchuan could reply, Ye Jingkuan spoke up with a smile. “Since you truly care for Sixth Miss Song, you shouldn't test the waters anymore. In a few days, have mother pay an official visit. Let’s openly crify our intentions. The Changning household isn't indecisive; they'll certainly provide us with a straightforward response.”

  —

  Zhou Weizhao sat with Song Chuyi in the pavilion at the Changning Estate. Surrounded by hanging bamboo screens, a ft-bottomed boat drifted near the keside, and wine gently warmed over a small stove nearby. Zhou Weizhao lifted his cup, sniffed briefly, and set it down again, looking directly into Song Chuyi’s eyes. "The matter has escated."

  Indeed, it had become quite serious. Even the Supervisor of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau openly accused her of being a camity star who would harm the nation. If this had been in former times, she would have already been dragged out as a witch and burned alive.

  "Fortunately, I invited Your Highness to help in advance." Song Chuyi smiled, revealing her small tiger-like teeth, deep dimples accentuating her cheeks. "Could Your Highness advise me on how to resolve this crisis?"

  The wound on her cheek had yet to heal, and the scar marred her snowy skin, detracting somewhat from her beauty. Zhou Weizhao involuntarily recalled Song Chuyi’s lost and disoriented expression that night.

  For a moment, he saw in her a reflection of himself—back when he'd first arrived at Mount Longhu, always clinging to his master's robes, only to be abruptly abandoned overnight in a deep, lonely forest.

  Even years ter, he vividly remembered how he'd passed that terrifying night. Initially crying, feeling utterly forsaken, then overwhelmed with fear as darkness crept in, seeping into his bones...

  Back then, he'd been utterly confused. Why must he, a crown prince, suffer such torment? Why had his mother cruelly sent him to live among those Taoist priests? And why had his master abandoned him alone in such a frightening pce, seemingly indifferent to whether beasts would devour him?

  Later, he learned his master had quietly watched over him from a nearby tree. But the feeling of abandonment lingered, etched deep into his memory.

  Thus, Zhou Weizhao instinctively understood Song Chuyi that day. She, too, must have been trapped in painful memories, desperately needing someone to wake her from them.

  Returning from his thoughts, Zhou Weizhao shook his head helplessly at Song Chuyi. "You've clearly already thought it through. Why ask me?"

  Song Chuyi tilted her head, gazing outward. The sky darkened as the setting sun faded, suggesting imminent rain. A cool wind swept through the bamboo curtains. She reached to grip the small warming stove, suddenly breaking into another gentle smile.

  "In any case, I still must thank Your Highness for your willingness to help me." She paused, showing an expression far beyond her youthful years. "I expect at the test by the day after tomorrow, Her Majesty the Empress will summon me."

  —

  The next day, during morning court, Grand Secretary Song Chengru shocked the court by offering his resignation. He stated humbly that due to insufficient virtue among his ancestors and misfortunes within his household, he was unworthy of his high positions, thus begging to resign from his posts as Minister of Personnel and Schor of Wenhua Hall.

  The entire court fell into an uproar. Emperor Jianzhang’s face was hidden in shadows, unreadable. After a long silence, he finally gave a faint “oh” and asked Song Chengru to crify what he meant by "household misfortunes."

  Removing his official hat, Song Chengru knelt respectfully. "Master Yuanhui decred my granddaughter a ‘Camity Star,’ and the Supervisor of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau confirmed her as having an ominous fate that will bring chaos to the realm. Ultimately, it is due to my family's ck of virtue that Heaven bestowed such a misfortune upon us."

  Minister Wang instantly turned pale, his heart pounding anxiously. That sly old fox! By bming it on "insufficient virtue," wasn’t Song Chengru implicitly accusing Emperor Jianzhang himself, who governed a nation now facing such a camity?

  Minister Wang lowered his head, knees trembling so violently he nearly colpsed.

  Indeed, as soon as Song Chengru spoke, ministers immediately rebuked him:

  "How can we fully trust such nonsense about ghosts and gods?! If we follow your logic, then are all ministers here cking virtue? Otherwise, why did Heaven not only punish your family but also affect the regions of Pingxiang and Linjiang? Are you implying those innocent commoners in Jiangxi deserved this disaster?"

  Minister Cen Biliang coldly snorted. "Lord Song must have grown senile, actually believing in these absurd tales! Ghosts, gods, disasters—if that were true, are you saying the commoners of Pingxiang and Linjiang sinned greatly, incurring divine punishment?"

  Song Chengru knelt on the ground, his back straight, and spoke clearly, "I have always conducted myself with a clear conscience before Heaven and Earth, and my loyalty to Your Majesty remains steadfast. Yet Master Yuanhui and the Supervisor of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau have both decred such things. Would these venerable masters deliberately make trouble for a child from my household? There must be some truth to their words..."

  Cen Biliang gnced briefly at Prime Minister Chang, then immediately interjected with righteous indignation, "Lord Song, you underestimate His Majesty! Would you imply that our Emperor neglects his people's welfare and instead believes in ghosts and gods?! Now, while the entire court is preoccupied with the snow disaster in Jiujiang and Linjiang, Lord Song chooses to resign and step back because of baseless rumors... Isn’t this behavior overly sentimental, akin to that of a woman?"

  To ignore the living and instead indulge in superstition! If Emperor Jianzhang permitted Song Chengru's resignation, he would inevitably gain a reputation as an irresponsible ruler who pced superstition over the people's well-being.

  Minister Chen suddenly realized this hidden implication. Instinctively, he swallowed back the words he had been about to say, wisely sealed his lips, and decided to quietly watch the drama unfold from the sidelines.