To save Xiao Xiang's life, Shen Yu and Chen Yao took turns preparing a feast.

There was no roast suckling pig on the dinner table tonight, but there was braised pork ribs, sweet and sour pork, four-happiness meatballs, and braised pork hock...

Mingyue was very pleased, "You've all grown up."

The three were numb: ...

Adults always tend to make random comments when they see delicious food.

Habits become second nature.

"By the way, sir, a wandering swordsman came to deliver a message to you today."

Xiao Yun took a letter out of her bosom and presented it to Mingyue.

Mingyue kept her eyes glued to the table and her hands never leaving the bowl. "Chenyu, you read it."

"yes."

Shen Yu naturally took the letter, tore open the envelope, and said, "Please open this gently, Your Excellency Grand Preceptor. I have missed you dearly since we parted ways in Huaizhou. I once thought that Your Excellency and that corrupt official Zhang Wen were birds of a feather, and I spoke disrespectfully to you. I feel ashamed and have forgotten you..."

Mingyue said, "Let's skip the reminiscing and get straight to the point."

Shen Yu glanced over the entire sheet of paper, which was filled with the gratitude of the adults who had sought him out as a江湖人 (jianghu person, a person from the martial arts world) to collect evidence and even nominated him before the Emperor. Only the last sentence or two expressed the purpose of their visit.

"The manor that the lord ordered us to investigate did indeed have a private army, and the soldiers were armed with strange weapons."

Mingyue nodded. "I understand."

"OK."

Shen Yu walked to the side, dipped her brush in ink, and wrote a reply with delicate handwriting.

"Did Xiaoyun tell you that you're now my apprentice?"

Mingyue put down her chopsticks, lifted her eyelids to look at Chen Yao, her peach blossom eyes looking at people with gentle and tender eyes.

Chen Yao knelt down, terrified, "Yes, sir, this servant is not qualified..."

She was impure, and it was lucky enough that she could serve the master; how could she dare to dream of anything else?

What do you mean by "not qualified"?

Chen Yao bit her lip and mumbled, "This servant... is dirty."

"I haven't seen you not showering, where are you dirty?"

Mingyue bent slightly, her long, slender, and clearly defined hand bones lifting Chen Yao's chin. Looking at Chen Yao's eyes brimming with tears, she remained expressionless. "Isn't this quite clean?"

Tears welled up in Chen Yao's eyes, and she felt a fog in her vision, the mist obscuring her view of the adult's face.

Only those eyes, bright and clear, pure and untainted, acknowledged her and redeemed her.

"grown ups……"

"Let's just say whether we'll do it or not. If we don't, there are plenty of people who can take our place."

Xiaoyun and Shenyu were the closest to Chen Yao and wished they could agree on Chen Yao's behalf.

Chen Yao smiled through her tears, "If my lord doesn't dislike me, how could I dare to complain?"

"Mmm." Mingyue gave a perfunctory "Mmm," then, feeling it was beneath her dignity, straightened her posture. "Taking over my position is simple, just flatter and fawn."

"ah?"

Chen Yao, who had prepared himself to study diligently, gain insights into life, and see through the stars, was dumbfounded.

"That's it, all you need to do is know how to flatter the emperor."

Originally, the identity that the little trash arranged for her to come into this world was given to her; otherwise, where would she have come from to play the role of the imperial advisor?

Seeing that the adult's tone was sincere and not fake, Chen Yao fell silent, feeling that her tears had been shed in vain.

Why must we flatter the emperor?

Shen Yu's soft voice broke the silence.

Mingyue looked at Shenyu with a wistful gaze, "Do you want to?"

Shen Yu said with a grin, "No, this servant wants to take a picture of Your Excellency."

"Commendable courage." Mingyue choked for a moment. "Going to digest your food, you don't need to follow me."

"Sir, come back early~"

"Sir, we're waiting for you~"

"Adults should eat less sweets at night."

Mingyue looked at the three girls with complicated feelings, feeling like she was a heartless man, what a mess!