Her father-in-law’s discontent or mother-in-law’s anger wouldn’t change the situation. As long as her secret background remained hidden, she would still be seen as the legitimate daughter of the Shen family. She could use this identity to marry into the Duke’s Mansion and become the Crown Prince’s wife.

Thinking this way, Shen Ruojin felt it wouldn’t be a big deal to upset her future parents-in-law a bit.

She had gained her position in the Shen family over the years, with her father, grandmother, and brothers loyal to her. This was not just because she was the eldest daughter of a marquisate ^[1]refers to a noble title in feudal society..

Pleasing elders and winning hearts had always been her strength. With Guan Muyun’s trust and love, taking over the Duke’s Mansion should be easy for her.

This would also show the Luo family’s Grand Master Luo and others who was truly capable between her and Tao Sheng.

_

That afternoon, Tao Sheng and Zhang Xinyue were coming back from shopping when they saw the King of Chu sitting in his courtyard, crossing his legs and humming happily. He peeled melon seeds and fed them to Xiao Feng, looking very cheerful.

Tao Sheng approached and asked, “What good thing happened to you, Your Highness?”

The King of Chu laughed and said, “The second son’s grandson went to the emperor to complain about me.”

Seeing his happiness, Tao Sheng knew the complaint wouldn’t work: “Did the emperor speak well of you, Your Highness?”

The King of Chu replied, “Not really.”

Tao Sheng was confused: “Then why are you so happy?”

The King of Chu explained, “One reason is that my father scolded my older brother. It doesn’t matter if he defended me. As long as he reprimanded the Crown Prince, I’m happy.”

Tao Sheng understood the King of Chu’s feelings: “Even if I didn’t gain anything, I’m glad to see my enemies suffer.”

“The second reason is something else,” the King of Chu continued. “I heard a secret from someone in the imperial court. It’s definitely true.”

The King of Chu actually had someone close to the Emperor, giving him access to confidential conversations. This was quite rare.

Seeing the King of Chu’s excitement, Tao Sheng felt uneasy. If a common person like her knew such secret information, she might be silenced.

This situation reminded her of TV dramas.

Tao Sheng quickly said, “For such an important matter, Your Highness, you should discuss it with your advisors back at the palace.”

“Don’t worry,” insisted the King of Chu. “This concerns you. The Emperor mentioned your position as the head of music was too easy. Don’t you want to know more?”

Since it was about her, Tao Sheng was curious: “Then please tell me, Your Highness.”

“I don’t fully understand it,” said the King of Chu. “But they say that if you can grasp the official documents from the Honglu Temple, you’ll understand my father’s feelings.”

He had been trying to help Tao Sheng get a job at the Honglu Temple. After hearing this secret, he rushed to the Dianke Office ^[2]refers to the government office handling official documents.. He thought about how to get the document without getting caught.

Before he reached the office, he met Huo Zhanshi from the Prince’s Mansion. The King of Chu felt lucky.

If it had been the Crown Prince coming for the documents, he might have stepped back. But since Huo Zhanshi was just a third-rank secretary, it would be easy to take the documents from him.

To make his actions seem legitimate and protect Gao Zhen in front of the Emperor, the King of Chu started a quarrel with Huo Zhanshi. He then angrily told the chief clerk in charge of the documents that Huo Zhanshi couldn’t take any documents until he showed them to him first.

Everyone knew that the King of Chu disliked the Crown Prince and had clashed with the people in the Crown Prince’s palace before.

The latest incident involved the King of Chu going to the Inner Court to pick peonies for his wife. He had a conflict with an official from the Eastern Palace and ended up taking half of the tea meant for them.

The chief clerk of Honglu Temple, responsible for official documents, felt extremely unlucky. He was a low-ranking official facing two powerful entities: the Eastern Palace and the King of Chu, neither of whom he could offend.

Fortunately, he followed the Inner Court’s approach and split the tea between the King of Chu and Huo Zhanshi of the Eastern Palace.

Huo Zhanshi was furious. The King of Chu had issues with the Eastern Palace, but he needed to control his aggression. How could someone like the King of Chu grasp the significance of official state documents?

“I’ll definitely complain to the prince when I get back,” he thought.

Tao Sheng was stunned by the King of Chu’s actions.

His Royal Highness, the Prince of Chu, used his status shamelessly, forcing the official to give him half of the tea from the Eastern Palace. This move was truly remarkable.

Tao Sheng began to suspect that the King of Chu’s apparent foolishness might be a front, as he seemed to play a high-stakes game very well.

Tao Sheng then read the official documents from Honglu Temple that the King of Chu had painstakingly obtained.

After going through most of the documents and considering the dispute between the emperor and the crown prince, she started to understand the emperor’s intentions.

Honglu Temple is the main agency responsible for ethnic affairs and foreign reception activities. Most of the official documents approved by the emperor in recent years relate closely to these matters.

The new ruler of Dai State, located in the northwest of Great Zhou, has mediocre abilities. Several city-states with larger territories and greater economic power have declared themselves kings. Since these city-states have gained independence, they have their own strengths.

Additionally, smaller countries like Liang, Chen, and Jiang are rising, ignoring their surroundings and even eyeing the Great Zhou. Ling State has annexed several smaller countries, making it a formidable force.

The emperor’s desire to promote rituals and music now isn’t just for enjoyment.

During the Zhou Dynasty before the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, ritual music was a crucial part of their cultural system, with the Zhou being one of the most prosperous dynasties for it.

In that era, the Zhou emperor was the only sovereign, and there were clear hierarchies. The phrase “All land under heaven belongs to the king, and all the people in the world are the king’s subjects” was probably true.

One of the emperor’s plans was to showcase that the Great Zhou was a country of etiquette and a great nation through rituals and music, thereby establishing its cultural status.

Now that the Great Zhou is strong, it aims to suppress other countries both militarily and politically while exporting its ideology culturally. That’s why compiling classics and promoting rituals and music are on the agenda.

Tao Sheng explained this concept to the King of Chu in the simplest way possible.

After listening to her, it took the King of Chu some time to fully understand. He sighed, saying that Miss Luo was truly knowledgeable, having insights and vision comparable to any aide in their palace or the Eastern Palace. It was unfortunate she couldn’t take the imperial examination to serve in the court.

Tao Sheng felt warm inside from the King of Chu’s praise: “Thanks to your Highness, I have successfully entered the court. As for achieving success, let’s take it slowly.”

Hearing her words, the King of Chu felt they were united: “Miss Luo, you are absolutely right.”

He was determined to make a comeback!

There was plenty of time!