No emperor could bear the reputation or the responsibility of neglecting his people's welfare in favor of superstition.

  Cen Biliang stroked his beard, unable to hide the disappointment in his tone as he addressed Song Chengru, "Lord Song, to put His Majesty in such a position, you truly are not worthy of being a minister who shares the Emperor's burdens!"

  Emperor Jianzhang coughed softly. A long, awkward silence filled the Taiji Hall. It seemed to stretch endlessly until the tension in the hall finally eased.

  Emperor Jianzhang coughed again, his voice mild and soothing, "Minister Cen is correct. If Minister Song insists on resigning for such a reason, wouldn’t that mean you regard me as an unclear and muddled Emperor?"

  In his youth, Emperor Jianzhang had been oppressed harshly by his brothers, finding soce only in faith. He genuinely believed in gods and spirits. But at this point, he could not afford to show any such beliefs openly. He ughed loudly and said, "For the sake of my reputation, Minister Song, put your official hat back on!"

  After the court was dismissed, Emperor Jianzhang retained Prime Minister Chang for a game of chess. Sitting opposite Prime Minister Chang, he asked with a cold expression, "Teacher, what do you think of today's events?"

  Prime Minister Chang calmly pced a chess piece and then respectfully withdrew his hand, looking at Emperor Jianzhang and gently replying, "It was too coincidental, too rushed."

  Indeed, it was suspiciously coincidental. First, Master Yuanhui decred Song Chuyi a cursed star, then immediately afterward, the Imperial Astronomy Bureau joined in. Soon, incidents occurred at the Song household, and even the snow disasters in Jiujiang and Linjiang were pinned on Song Chuyi.

  They probably wanted an excuse to cover their own negligence.

  The emperor smiled faintly and pced another chess piece, casually asking, "Who in the Ministry of Rites oversees matters concerning monks and nuns?"

  The next day, a censor from the Censorate submitted a memorial accusing Vice Minister Wang of the Ministry of Rites of colluding with monks, spreading rumors, and inciting public panic.

  On the very same day, Emperor Jianzhang ordered Vice Minister Wang's dismissal and imprisonment in the Ministry of Justice's dungeon pending trial. The Supervisor of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau faced the same fate.

  The King of Zhennan stroked his beard and sighed, "These Song family members are truly extraordinary. With such strategy, it's no wonder their family has reached this status. At this rate, their prosperity might continue for at least another three generations..."

  Ye Jingkuan was equally impressed but remained cautious. "Who exactly is steering the Song family? This ability to toy with a dragon's whiskers is truly remarkable..." Knowing exactly where Emperor Jianzhang's weak spot was, Song Chengru’s resignation allowed ministers like Cen Biliang to indirectly remind the emperor—if he truly accepted Master Yuanhui and the Astronomy Bureau's statements and punished Song Chuyi and the Song family, he would become, in the eyes of all, a muddle-headed ruler deceived by superstition.

  More importantly, this alerted Emperor Jianzhang that someone was plotting behind the scenes to destroy the Song family.

  If the Emperor still wished to use Song Chengru and rely on the Song and Cui families, he would never act against Song Chuyi based merely on destiny and prophecy.

  Ye Jingchuan coughed a few times, rolling up his sleeves awkwardly as he gnced at his father and brother. "It must have been Sixth Miss Song’s own idea. The day Master Yuanhui beled her fate cursed, she already decred she’d ensure no one would ever listen to his words again..."

  To ensure no one would heed the words of a famously accurate fortune-teller again—that was indeed a bold cim. The King of Zhennan initially felt amused, but considering the recent events in court and the punishment of Vice Minister Wang and the Astronomy Supervisor, he found himself unable to ugh.

  Although Master Yuanhui wasn't directly punished, Emperor Jianzhang's actions were a direct sp to his face. Everyone under heaven would now understand clearly: Emperor Jianzhang, a wise and enlightened ruler, did not believe in such fated superstitions. If anyone else dared to bring this matter up again, it would be akin to challenging the emperor himself.

  The King of Zhennan exchanged a gnce with Ye Jingkuan, seeing astonishment and appreciation in each other's eyes. If Sixth Miss Song truly had such strategic vision...

  Ye Jingkuan’s eyes shone brightly, and he chuckled, "It shouldn't be surprising that the young dy who once strategized the defeat of the Tartar forces in Tongzhou could pull off something like this now. This Sixth Miss Song is indeed intriguing."

  Intriguing, as Emperor Jianzhang himself had put it.

  However, Song Chengru, who'd personally carried out this "intriguing" move, didn't find it amusing in the slightest. Even with his deep experience and careful calcutions, his composure had nearly shattered in the Taiji Hall, his heart almost leaping into his throat.

  Only after sipping several mouthfuls of hot tea to soothe his throat did he set down the cup, leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes wearily.

  When Old Lady Song personally tiptoed over to gently drape a bnket around him, he finally opened his eyes, exhaling softly. "Xiao Yi’s scheming...even I find it frightening."

  Everyone said an emperor's heart was inscrutable, yet Song Chuyi had boldly grabbed the tiger by its tail—and even accurately so.

  Now that Emperor Jianzhang had clearly shown his stance, no one would dare use Song Chuyi's fate against her again, nor accuse the Song family of cking virtue.

  Song Chuyi had thoroughly anticipated every move her opponents might make. She'd preemptively acknowledged fault herself, allowing ministers and Emperor Jianzhang to personally defend her.

  Old Lady Song grasped Old Master Song's hand, sitting beside him. "Xiao Yi has always been shrewd; we all know this. But what worries me is her closeness with His Highness the Heir Apparent...and the fact that even His Highness is willing to help her with this..."

  Indeed, Cen Biliang and Prime Minister Chang were not figures just anyone could persuade. If anyone else had spoken in court, or if anyone else had stayed behind with the emperor, the outcome could've been entirely different.

  The Heir's assistance in this matter was immensely significant.

  Old Master Song sighed, "Previously, you even suggested marrying Xiao Yi to Second Young Master Ye was good. But now..."

  He stopped speaking, knowing it was too soon to discuss such matters.

  __

  Song Chuyi personally poured a cup of tea for Zhou Weizhao, smiling softly with relief as she warmly thanked him, "Thank you, Your Highness, for helping me."

  He'd helped her persuade Prime Minister Chang, whose teacher-student retionship with Emperor Jianzhang allowed him to speak pinly without arousing suspicion.

  Although Emperor Jianzhang spared Master Yuanhui due to their past ties, to avoid being beled a superstitious ruler neglecting his people, he'd now distanced himself from Master Yuanhui.

  Without the emperor's support, Master Yuanhui's influence would inevitably diminish. With Yuanhui's tactic countered, the time had come for him to bear the consequences.

  Zhou Weizhao accepted the tea, his beautiful eyes gently curving in a smile that even he himself didn't realize was filled with indulgence.

  (Transtor Xiaobai: After 500+ chapters, will their romance finally blossom?)