The emperor and Jiang Fengyuan discussed matters and decided to let Jiang Yuanxi enroll early in the Imperial Academy.

As for a teacher, the emperor had already made his choice.

Before long, an elderly scholar entered the hall.

“Minister Kong Meng greets Your Majesty.”

The emperor quickly stood up and helped him to his feet. “Cao Cheng, quickly prepare a seat for Master Kong.”

Jiang Fengyuan and Zheng Guang exchanged glances.

Kong Meng, the greatest Confucian scholar of Yufeng.

Even Yuan Sheng from Tianshan Academy and Zhuang Zhongke were his students.

What was His Majesty planning by inviting him here?

Both men had different thoughts in their minds.

The emperor ordered tea to be served to Kong Meng.

“Master Kong, I have summoned you today to ask a favor.”

Kong Meng looked up. “Your Majesty, I am already past sixty, with limited abilities. What might you require of me?”

The emperor glanced at Jiang Fengyuan before saying, “I wish for you to take on a new disciple.”

Kong Meng chuckled and shook his head. “Your Majesty, I am too old to take on any more students. Years ago, I swore never to accept another disciple. Why not choose from among my students? They are well-versed in knowledge and will surely satisfy Your Majesty.”

After some thought, the emperor agreed.

Kong Meng’s disciples were all brilliant scholars with admirable character.

Teaching Yuanxi should not be an issue.

“Since Yuanxi is ready for school, Master Kong, please recommend someone suitable.”

“Yuanxi?” Kong Meng was intrigued. “Do you mean Princess Xihe?”

The emperor nodded.

Yuanxi possessed extraordinary abilities and was still very young.

That was why he wanted the finest teacher in the land to instruct her—to eliminate any chance of her straying from the right path.

Jiang Fengyuan swallowed nervously.

His Majesty actually wants Master Kong as Yuanxi’s teacher?

It was as if the ancestors of the Jiang family had truly blessed them.

“In that case, I am willing to teach the princess,” Kong Meng said.

Zheng Guang was baffled. “Master Kong, didn’t you just say you would never take another student?”

Kong Meng stroked his beard and feigned confusion. “Hmm? Did I say that?”

Zheng Guang: … You’re impressive, Master. Whatever you say goes.

The emperor was relieved.

The weight in his heart was finally lifted.

With Kong Meng guiding her, even if Yuanxi wanted to stray, she woudn’t even to.

..

Jiang Yuanxi, who was currently playing with a Xuanwu turtle, suddenly sneezed.

She felt a chill down her back.

Stretching out her hand, she tried to divine an answer—but found nothing.

Jiang Yuanxi frowned. Had her magic weakened recently?

The night was as deep as a silent body of water.

Steward Chen had the kitchen reheat the food over and over.

The room was unlit, and Steward Chen could only rely on the moonlight to determine the master’s position.

“Master, the kitchen has prepared some food. Please have a bite,” Steward Chen urged.

The sound of fabric rustling came from inside.

“Any news from the palace?” a voice asked.

Steward Chen replied, “I heard that His Majesty has admitted Jiang Yuanxi into the Imperial Observatory.”

“Jiang Yuanxi?” the voice murmured.

Steward Chen explained, “She is the daughter of the Jiang family’s main branch. Over the past year, she has made quite a name for herself in Shengjing. It’s said that she possesses great abilities—able to heal the sick and even exorcise demons. She is quite extraordinary.”

Feng Jinye’s eyes narrowed. “If I recall correctly, she is only one and a half years old.”

“Exactly,” Steward Chen sighed. “The Jiang family’s main branch is flourishing, while the second branch was exiled from the capital.”

At last, the person in the room moved.

“Leave the food. You may go.”

Steward Chen smiled. “Master, please don’t forget to eat.”

After the steward left, Feng Jinye stepped out of the shadows.

“Jiang Yuanxi?”

In his past life, Jiang Yuanxi had died young.

Yet now, she had survived past infancy.

The Jiang family’s fate had also reversed.

The once-poor main branch was thriving, while Jiang Ruowei had been cast out of Shengjing.

That useless woman.

Feng Jinye had intended to wait before approaching Jiang Ruowei, using her to gain control of her wealth.

But now, his plans had been disrupted.

Duke An and Yan Song were dead, the secret base in Shiwa Village had been destroyed.

It was as if an invisible hand had severed all his ties.

Cutting off his hopes.

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Feng Jinye steadied himself.

It was not yet time for him to reveal himself.

Remaining in the shadows would allow him to see more clearly.

As for the throne—that seat would be his, sooner or later.

From the darkness, a spell formation flickered.

A shadowy guard, clad in black, knelt before him.

“Master, the informant inside the Crown Prince’s residence has responded. Shall we proceed?”

Feng Jinye: “Proceed.”

“Yes.” The shadowy guard vanished instantly.

Feng Jinye reached out. The night breeze rustled the leaves, making them spin in slow circles.

Yufeng was too peaceful.

It was time to start making his moves.

..

Chun Zhi entered excitedly.

While combing Madam Chen’s hair, she said, “Madam, I heard that the Grand Princess has given birth to a boy and will soon return to the capital!”

Chen Xinwan was delighted. “That’s wonderful news!”

Since becoming pregnant, the Grand Princess had moved to a summer retreat to rest. She had rarely returned in the past months.

Chun Zhi smiled. “Back then, it was Miss who predicted that the Eldest Princess was carrying a son.”

Chen Xinwan’s expression turned cold.

“Be careful with your words outside,” she warned.

Chun Zhi set down the comb and bowed. “Yes, Madam. Forgive my slip.”

Chen Xinwan sighed softly.

Her daughter had attracted too much attention lately.

Shengjing was full of envy and jealousy—she feared she wouldn’t be able to protect Yuanxi.

On the couch, Jiang Yuanxi, taking advantage of her mother’s distraction, pulled out a small tortoiseshell.

She began gnawing on it.

The palm-sized shell was covered in bite marks, with chunks missing where she had actually eaten pieces of it.

..

Early in the morning, Chun Tao returned, furious.

Chun Zhi asked, “Weren’t you at the shop? Why are you back so soon?”

Chun Tao huffed, “Madam, Sima Pingting came to wreck our shop again. Many of our cosmetics were destroyed! Fortunately, the young master was there today. But… but—”

Seeing her hesitate, Chen Xinwan was curious. “But what?”

Chun Tao gritted her teeth. “That shrew actually set her sights on the young master! She declared that she wants to marry him!”

Crack!

Chen Xinwan’s hairpin slipped from her hand and shattered on the ground.

She never expected that before anyone could covet her daughter, her son would be targeted first.

Jiang Yuanxi angrily tossed the tortoiseshell aside.

[Big Brother is as beautiful as the moon—he must not be tainted by that vile woman!]

Jiang Yuanxi swore to protect her brother.

Chen Xinwan decided that from now on, she would have a carriage pick up her son every day.

..

Jiang Yuanxi sneakily approached her fourth brother, Jiang Yuancheng.

“Fourth Brother!”

Jiang Yuancheng raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you supposed to be attending court?”

Jiang Yuanxi, now an official of the Imperial Observatory, was expected to be present.

She shrugged. “Father didn’t call for me.”

Yesterday, her father had returned home and said seriously, “Yuanxi, enjoy tomorrow—after that, you won’t be able to run around anymore.”

Jiang Yuanxi had no idea what he meant.

But today, she had more important matters to attend to.

[We need to get revenge for Big Brother.]

Jiang Yuancheng was puzzled. “Revenge?”

[Sima Pingting wants to marry Big Brother!]

Jiang Yuancheng froze.

That shrew?

As their sister-in-law?

“Let’s go!” he said, determined. “We need more people!”