Taihe Palace is not located in the imperial palace, nor is it a palace.

Instead, it was an enclosure similar to a hunting ground.

Such grand ceremonies are often held there.

Since it wasn't in the palace or a formal banquet, Jiang Qingwan didn't dress too formally. She simply had Lian'er tie her hair into a simple bun and add a pink crystal tassel hairpin.

It only makes them look even more lively and beautiful.

While combing her hair, she drew several talismans and a Bagua diagram with cinnabar.

They were given to Li Dou and Qing Sui respectively.

“Li Dou, drive six peach wood stakes according to the red dots I marked on this Bagua diagram.”

"Lian'er, go prepare the blood of the six animals, and make sure it's fresh. One bowl each of pig, dog, chicken, rat, cow, and horse. After Li Dou finishes driving the wooden stakes, pour the blood under the stakes and let it slowly seep in."

"Qing Sui, you don't need to come with me today. Help me choose people with Ye Qi. After Lian'er and Li Dou finish, stick the talismans on the peach wood stakes. Let the people I choose go in one by one."

"Be careful, some people who don't comply might go berserk inside. You two need to stop them in time and get them out quickly. Don't let them stay inside for too long to avoid injury."

Several people agreed.

Jiang Qingwan then followed Mo Yunhan out the door.

Outside Taihe Palace,

Su Yulan was holding Qin Run's hand, giving him anxious instructions.

"Your father is in trouble, and now we need you to bring honor to our family. If you can win the grand martial arts competition, the Emperor will grant you one request: you must speak up for your father and get him out of trouble, understand?"

Qin Run was extremely impatient.

Qin Minglang was imprisoned, which led to him being ridiculed by his classmates.

Now that he has finally made it to the final competition, he still has to find a way to make a living for Qin Minglang.

I originally hoped to rely on them to advance my career, but now I've been implicated instead.

"I understand. The spectators are in the stands. I'll go in and get ready."

Su Yulan then let him leave.

He walked in, and as soon as he entered the palace gate, he saw Jiang Qingwan being helped down from the carriage by Mo Yunhan. The guards and eunuchs around them all bowed in respect.

It was incredibly grand.

He was filled with deep regret.

If he had left the Qin family with Jiang Qingwan back then, he would have already moved into the Ninth Prince's Mansion, and might even have become the heir of the mansion. He wouldn't need to take exams to support others.

He quickened his pace and caught up quickly.

Seizing the opportunity, he called out to Jiang Qingwan before she took her seat.

"Mother."

His eyes were full of sincerity as he called out.

His eyes were slightly red from excitement.

Seeing Jiang Qingwan stop and look at him, he felt even more certain.

Five years of living and caring for each other day and night, how could I easily give it up?

He called out again, "Mother, if you wish, I can be your son for the rest of my life. If you don't like it, I can even change your surname and have no further connection with the Qin family."

Jiang Qingwan raised an eyebrow slightly, speechless.

For those five years, she truly devoted all her heart and soul to caring for and raising him. She simply couldn't understand why this boy would grow up to be so deformed.

Qin Run thought she had been persuaded.

He immediately lowered his voice as if he were about to sob.

“Mother, I know you miss me too. Let’s forget the past and rebuild our mother-son relationship.”

He extended his hand warmly to Jiang Qingwan.

He hoped she would hug him tenderly as she used to.

But after he waited for a long time, Jiang Qingwan still stood a few steps away, watching him with a cool expression.

There was no emotional fluctuation in his eyes as he expected; instead, there was a clear hint of disdain.

His face couldn't take it anymore, and he said angrily, "I've already gone this far, what are you waiting for? I know what you're worried about. I'm doing very well at the Imperial Academy now, and I can already participate in the Grand Martial Arts Competition. Bringing me into the Prince's Mansion will only bring you glory, so you should seize the opportunity."

Jiang Qingwan slowly curved her pink lips into a smile and uttered two words.

Who are you?

Qin Run's head was buzzing from those two words.

"What...what do you mean?"

Jiang Qingwan didn't even bother to look at him again and turned away.

Qin Run was unwilling to accept this.

"I'm telling you, I'm going to win this grand competition, and you'll regret it."

A few eunuchs not far away covered their mouths and snickered in disgust.

Qin Run, not seeing Jiang Qingwan turn around, stomped his feet in anger, glared resentfully at the eunuchs, and stormed off.

Mo Yunhan took Jiang Qingwan's hand and glanced in the direction Qin Run had left.

"Did he provoke you?"

Jiang Qingwan shook her head.

"Ignore it."

The emperor's tent blocked out the sunlight, making it spacious and cool.

Mo Yunzhao sat in the main seat and immediately invited the two of them inside when they appeared.

Everyone else, whether they were spectators or invigilators, was not entitled to this privilege and could only sit in the sunlight.

Mo Yunhan led Jiang Qingwan to pay their respects and then sat down in a side seat.

Several plates of very rare fruits and several freshly made pastries from the imperial kitchen were laid out on the table.

Mo Yunzhao looked at Jiang Qingwan's exquisite face and said calmly, "Princess Ninth, please try it. At the banquet that night, I noticed that you liked this kind of sweets, so I specially had it prepared."

Jiang Qingwan didn't pay attention to his sudden enthusiasm.

She lowered her brows and thanked him, then picked up a piece of chilled melon with a small fork and smiled contentedly.

He clearly liked it very much.

Mo Yunhan's gaze swept lightly over Mo Yunzhao's face.

I always felt that this excessive favor was somewhat strange.

At this moment, the head of the Imperial Academy stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, the time has come; we may begin."

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