At night, while her daughter was sound asleep, Madam Chen discovered a jade pendant in the child’s hand. It was pure white and flawless.

It looked exactly like the one the Emperor had worn on his waist earlier that day.

She hurriedly called Jiang Fengyuan over.

The couple examined the pendant for a long time.

“Husband, what do you think His Majesty means by this?”

Jiang Fengyuan was equally puzzled.

As a military general, he simply followed the Emperor’s orders without concern for the intricate politics of the court.

Their daughter, Yuanxi, was only a month old, yet the Emperor had secretly gifted her such a precious item. What could be the reason?

“From what I know, possessing this jade pendant allows unrestricted access to the imperial palace. And as far as I am aware, no one else in the entire court has been granted such a privilege. But since His Majesty left it in secret, he must not want anyone to know.”

Madam Chen nodded. If the Grand Duke and the second branch of the family found out, there would surely be trouble.

The Emperor had always favored the general, and now he was even openly supporting the first branch of their family. Madam Chen felt they should return the favor.

However, their benefactor was the Emperor himself. Gold and silver were meaningless to him—he owned the entire empire.

She recalled something Yuanxi had said earlier that day and hesitated for a moment.

“Why don’t you mention something in court tomorrow?”

“Perhaps just a reminder that Jiangnan has been experiencing heavy rainfall, so His Majesty should take precautions.”

Jiang Fengyuan shook his head repeatedly.

“I’m a military man; this isn’t something I should concern myself with.”

Suddenly, a name flashed through his mind, and an idea took root.

“By the way, Xinniang, based on their travel schedule, your father’s family should have arrived in Liangzhou by now. I secretly sent them some silver, so you don’t have to worry.”

Madam Chen was touched, and she wept softly as she leaned into Jiang Fengyuan’s embrace.

Ever since the Chen family fell from grace, no one in the household had cared about her parents’ well-being—except for the general.

“Thank you, my lord.”

Outside the window, the wind began to rise, rustling the leaves with a soft whisper.

The couple gazed at their sleeping infant, their hearts overflowing with love.

Two days later, Jiang Yuansheng’s leave ended, and he had to return to the academy.

Originally, he had taken just one day off, but unable to bear parting from his little sister, he extended his leave by another day.

It was as if he could already hear his tutor’s furious roar once he returned to the academy.

Jiang Yuansheng held his little sister in his arms, convinced that there was no child in the world cuter than Yuanxi.

He thought to himself—if only he could take his sister to the academy with him.

Once the idea took root, he couldn’t shake it off.

Maybe he should discuss it with his tutor?

When Jiang Yuanxi learned that her brother was leaving, she clung tightly to his sleeve, unwilling to let go.

Madam Chen sighed helplessly and tried to persuade her.

“Yuanxi, your brother has to go to the academy. He’ll play with you when he comes back next time, alright?”

Yuanxi pouted in reluctance but eventually let go.

Then, she grabbed Jiang Yuansheng’s finger.

[Brother, be careful at the academy, especially around Guo Kun. That guy is bad news.]

She recalled from the book that Jiang Yuansheng was the top scholar at Tianshan Academy.

During this trip home, after returning to the academy, Guo Kun had invited him out for drinks—only for Yuansheng to be set up.

The next morning, he woke up in a brothel, surrounded by onlookers.

His reputation was ruined, and he became the disgrace of Tianshan Academy.

The academy, which upheld strict moral standards, expelled him.

Guo Kun?

Jiang Yuansheng seemed to recall this person.

Guo Kun kept a low profile at the academy.

Despite coming from a poor background, he had an impeccable reputation and was known for his exceptional social skills.

Not long ago, they had even called each other brothers.

[Guo Kun comes from a poor family and has a petty heart. He despises the children of officials, especially those as talented and handsome as you. Don’t fall for his tricks.]

With his sister’s warning, Jiang Yuansheng took the matter more seriously.

It seemed he needed to reassess Guo Kun’s character.

Jiang Yuanxi still clung to his hand, unwilling to let go.

[What should I do? I don’t want Brother to leave. If my noble and upright brother ends up like Fourth Brother—thrown into a brothel—it’ll be a disaster.]

She anxiously babbled in her baby voice, but no one understood her.

She could only worry internally, unwilling to let her brother leave.

Thrown into a brothel?

Jiang Yuansheng’s eyes widened in shock.

Regardless of whether his sister’s words were true or not, he would cut ties with Guo Kun immediately upon returning.

Madam Chen knew her eldest son never gave her cause for concern. Since he had heard Yuanxi’s words, he would undoubtedly be cautious.

But… when did Fourth Son end up in a brothel?

Under Yuanxi’s reluctant gaze, Jiang Yuansheng shouldered his bag and left.

Madam Chen heard her daughter let out a long sigh—one that carried the air of someone far beyond her years.

[Brother must return safely. He must not end up like Fourth Brother—knocked out and dumped in a brothel.]

Madam Chen clenched her fists.

No wonder Fourth Son had avoided her gaze when she questioned him last time.

So that was the reason.

That brat. It seemed her husband needed to discipline him properly.

The beautiful big brother was gone.

Jiang Yuanxi was listless the entire day.

Madam Chen grew worried and even called for Doctor Sun to examine her.

That night, Jiang Yuancheng practically crawled into the room.

Seeing him in such a state, Jiang Yuanxi assumed he felt the same as her—missing their big brother so much that he had lost his appetite.

The table was filled with delicious dishes, each one making Jiang Yuanxi’s eyes shine.

Jiang Yuancheng’s hands trembled as he picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks, but his grip was so weak that it fell onto the table.

Jiang Yuanxi, still drinking her milk, immediately dropped the bottle and pointed at him, babbling angrily.

[Wasteful!]

[It’s still good! Pick it up and give it to me—I don’t mind if it’s dirty.]

Under Jiang Yuanxi’s shocked gaze, Jiang Yuancheng accidentally brushed the meat off the table onto the floor.

[Ah! Evil Fourth Brother!]

[Father! Mother! Bad Fourth Brother…]

The people at the table felt their heads explode.

They could understand the beginning, but the latter part was just a jumble of baby talk.

Still, they knew she was scolding him harshly.

Jiang Yuancheng wanted to cry—Little Sister, I swear I didn’t do it on purpose!

Ever since Father took Big Brother’s suggestion, he had been sent to the military camp.

Living under the scorching sun and brutal training, his life was worse than a dog’s.

His hands trembled because they were too weak to hold anything properly!

Under the watchful eyes of Jiang Fengyuan and Madam Chen, the usually clean-freak Jiang Yuancheng shakily picked up the meat from the floor, blew on it, and stuffed it into his mouth.

Madam Chen: …

Jiang Fengyuan: Does this brat have a problem? There’s food in the bowl, yet he insists on eating off the floor?

Jiang Yuanxi, exhausted from scolding, went back to drinking her milk.

She finished an entire bottle in one go.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yuancheng, utterly defeated in both body and spirit, leaned against the wall and cried as he left.

---

Meanwhile, back in the palace…

The Emperor immediately sent people to investigate Jiangnan.

His secret guards reported back: Jiangnan was currently experiencing extreme heat, with no signs of rain.

In fact, the rivers and lakes were drying up, and many crops had withered in the fields.

Unwilling to believe it, the Emperor consulted the Astronomical Bureau.

Their findings confirmed the same—Jiangnan was facing a severe drought, with widespread famine on the horizon.

However, since the little Jiang girl was so confident, the Emperor didn’t dare take any risks with his people’s lives.

She had even warned him that due to this disaster, the officials he sent would embezzle funds, enraging him to the point of vomiting blood.

It had nearly cost him his life.

This time, he needed to send someone trustworthy.

He wasn’t about to let himself be angered to death.

Just then, the Crown Prince entered to pay his respects.

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.

Who could be more suitable than him?

“Yin’er, in a few days, you will go to Jiangnan.”

Prince Junyin was surprised. “Father, do you believe what Yuanxi said?”

Wasn’t his father always dismissive of superstitions?

The Astronomical Bureau had existed for many years, and if not for opposition from the court officials, his father would have abolished it long ago.

The Emperor replied, “I cannot gamble with my people’s lives. It is better to believe than to dismiss. Besides, this trip will be a good experience for you. A ruler who does not understand his people cannot be a true ruler.”

The Emperor hesitated for a moment. “Before you leave, visit the Jiang family again.”

Prince Junyin understood—his father wanted him to hear what Yuanxi had to say one more time.

“Bring some sweets with you. The little girl should be accustomed to the palace’s food.”

The Emperor thought of how much Jiang Yuanxi loved sweets, but he failed to realize—she was still a baby who could only drink milk.

Prince Junyin suddenly felt that his father had changed.

“…Yes, Father. I will obey.”