If they're lucky, their bodies might be discovered; if they're unlucky, they'll never see the light of day again.

The three young masters of the Zheng family were also busy.

They sent men to keep an eye on Young Master Zhang. When he went to the gambling den, they put a sack over his head, broke both of his legs, and crippled his third leg as well.

After Miss Zheng recovered, Madam Zheng recounted the whole story. "From now on, you should stay away from that Miss Zhang. Your father and I both think that Miss Zhang couldn't possibly be unaware of her brother's plans, otherwise she wouldn't have asked you out."

Such a person is too vicious; it's best to stay away from them.

The Imperial Advisor said that his daughter was being targeted by petty people, not by romantic entanglements; there's a big difference between the two.

Miss Zheng hated Zhang so much that she wouldn't bother with Miss Zhang at all, and naturally agreed directly.

After discussing this matter, the mother and daughter began to think about how to thank the Imperial Advisor.

Madam Zheng sent her visiting card that day, and the next day, Lord Zheng, along with his wife, eldest son, and youngest daughter, went to the Imperial Preceptor's residence early in the morning.

Inside the Imperial Preceptor's residence, Ning Yan was checking the homework of several disciples.

Previously, she lived in the palace and was unable to personally teach these disciples.

Now that she has moved to the Imperial Preceptor's residence, she should naturally start teaching what she needs to teach.

Not all of these people were gifted, so she taught them according to their individual talents.

There were teachers in the manor who taught them both literary and martial arts, while she personally taught physiognomy to her disciples who wanted to learn it.

As for the cultivation methods, they have been taught them, but none of them have yet been able to grasp the basics.

Upon hearing that Lord Zheng had arrived, he invited him to the living room and personally entertained him.

Upon meeting, Miss Zheng knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Ning Yan: "Thank you for saving my life, Grand Preceptor. If it weren't for your intervention, I would surely be dead. From now on, I will burn three incense sticks every day to wish you a speedy ascension to immortality."

The former imperial advisor ascended to immortality, and the current imperial advisor is even more powerful than the former, so he will definitely become an immortal as well.

Madam Zheng echoed this sentiment, adding that she had already set up a longevity tablet for her at home.

Ning Yan: ...There's no need for that.

"Miss Zheng, please get up. Sit down and let's talk."

Miss Zheng got up and sat down next to her mother.

“I know why you have come here today.”

I appreciate your gratitude and accept the gift.

Miss Zheng has survived this ordeal; her fate has changed, and she will live a peaceful and safe life from now on.

"But Young Master Zheng, judging from your appearance, good fortune is on the horizon."

The family of four looked at each other in bewilderment. Was the eldest son celebrating something?

Young Master Zheng got married six years ago, so this certainly isn't the happy occasion. He also didn't participate in the imperial examinations this year. Besides that, could it be...?

"Just as you think, Madam Zheng is probably pregnant, and this time it's a son."

The eldest daughter-in-law had already given birth to two daughters, but Madam Zheng did not urge her or arrange for her son to have a concubine. The couple were not in a hurry, but the eldest daughter-in-law was anxious. She had drunk a lot of herbal soup to regulate her body, and unexpectedly, she actually got pregnant.

"Thank you for informing me, Imperial Preceptor."

Ning Yan smiled and said, "No need to be so polite, just do more good deeds."

Killing two people who are up to no good is still murder.

...

Inside the Zheng family's carriage, Madam Zheng was lost in thought for a long time, while the eldest son of the Zheng family was still immersed in the joy of having a son.

Madam Zheng said, "Is Master still thinking about what the Imperial Advisor said?"

Miss Zheng asked, "Which sentence?"

Lord Zheng ignored his daughter and looked at his wife instead: "Do you think the Imperial Advisor has figured something out?"

"She could tell her daughter-in-law was pregnant just by looking at her son's face, so it wasn't difficult for her to tell... that thing."

"I plan to send my three sons out to help people in impoverished areas build bridges and roads."

"Okay, I'll prepare the money when I get back."

Young Master Zheng: ...What? They just built bridges and paved roads.

Even if they want to build bridges and roads, can't they wait until his son is born before they go?

"But that person also needs to be punished, otherwise I won't be able to swallow this."

The couple had a tacit understanding; although it wasn't explicitly stated, Mrs. Zheng already knew who her husband was referring to.

"Perhaps there really is cause and effect in this world, let's spare her life."

Lord Zheng understood what the lady meant, and after thinking for a moment, he nodded in agreement.

A few days later, the young lady from the Zhang family was found emerging from the grove, her clothes disheveled.

She tried to explain to people that she hadn't been harassed, but no one believed her, not even her parents, because her reputation was so bad that her family arranged for her to marry a scholar from another region.

Unfortunately, after passing the provincial examination, the man failed the imperial examination three times. Miss Zhang resented her husband and, fearing embarrassment, never returned to the capital.

...

The Emperor of Canglan Kingdom is about to get married, and more than a dozen surrounding small countries have sent delegations to offer their congratulations. These delegations have moved into the Yingbin Building in advance, and the capital city is particularly lively because of their arrival.

Business owners, big and small, and even street vendors have become exceptionally busy, earning a considerable amount of extra money.

This time, the Crown Prince led the Chen Kingdom, but he was a restless person by nature, and as soon as he arrived in the capital, he went straight to teahouses and restaurants.

Nowadays, the most frequently told stories in storytelling restaurants are related to the Imperial Advisor.

For example, on New Year's Eve, all kinds of flowers were ordered to bloom to celebrate the emperor's birthday.

It foretells heavy snow in the north.

A prayer for rain was held in Jizhou.

Even the story of her flying on a sword was spread.

These stories have been told for almost a year now, but they are the most popular with the guests. Every time they are told, they are met with applause. Recently, teahouses where storytellers perform have been packed almost every day because of the stories of the Imperial Preceptor.

The Crown Prince of Chen was captivated by these stories and couldn't wait to see the Imperial Advisor in person.

The wedding day finally arrived.

Breaking with precedent, the Emperor donned a bright red wedding robe and personally went out of the palace to the Imperial Preceptor's residence to fetch his bride. Ning Yan was also dressed in red, her wedding gown embroidered with golden phoenixes. The pearls on her phoenix crown were large and round, and a beaded curtain hung down. She also held a red fan in her hand, obscuring her stunning beauty.

The Emperor personally carried the person onto the phoenix carriage, and the Emperor and Empress returned to the palace together.

The wedding procession stretched along the entire street, and almost everyone in the capital came out to watch this grand wedding.

They quickly entered the palace, where the envoys were already waiting in the main hall.

Under the guidance of the master of ceremonies, the two knelt and paid homage to Heaven, Earth, their ancestors, and the Empress Dowager before receiving the homage of the officials.

She was then led to the bridal chamber.

No one dares to cause trouble at the emperor's wedding night; even envoys from small countries wouldn't dare.

After dismissing the palace servants, the Emperor recited a poem about removing a fan, and only then did Ning Yan take off the fan that was covering her face.

The Emperor swore that his Empress was extremely beautiful, but today she is truly even more beautiful!

Because this was the first time he had seen his empress put on makeup.

Her eyebrows were more arched, her eyes larger, her lips redder, her complexion whiter, and her facial features more defined.

"Are you stunned?"

Yuan Yan held Ning Yan's hand, looked into her eyes, and said affectionately, "Yan Yan, my dream has finally come true." (End of Chapter)