Xuanming summoned Grand Tutor Mu to the Imperial Study.

Grand Tutor Mu also had some reservations about what happened in the main hall.

But after learning that Mo Beichen was actually Mei Ling in disguise, her expression immediately improved.

“Your Highness is right. Your identity is special. Other continents already believe that our Xuancang Continent is intentionally protecting the Xumi Continent. If you step forward to expose that Mo Beichen’s identity is fake, other continents will not only not believe it, but will also think that you are saying this to help the Xumi Continent get away with it.”

But then the tutor continued, "Besides, Meizu has been gone for so many years, and everyone thought it was extinct. This sudden explanation is unlikely to be believed by anyone."

Xuanming nodded, "So I plan to expand our influence. I've already sent people to disguise themselves as members of the royal families of other continents and use Mo Beichen's matter to provoke them. This way, the influence will expand, and since their own interests are involved, they certainly won't sit idly by. As long as we continue the investigation, the matter of the Meizu will be brought to light, and perhaps we can even find specific information about the person behind Meiling."

“Yes, people are only moved when their own interests are involved. This trick works, but will it give us away?” The Grand Tutor’s eyes lit up, his admiration evident in his gaze.

The young emperor had already mastered the art of controlling people and had reached the pinnacle of understanding human nature.

Xuanming didn't care at all. "It won't expose our identities, but it will let people know that it's fake, which will arouse their suspicion. Since they want to muddy the waters, I'll give them a hand and make the waters even muddier."

The Grand Tutor said in a deep voice, "It's good that you have your own ideas."

"Still no news from them?" the Grand Tutor asked in a low voice.

Xuanming sighed and shook his head. "We haven't found them. I even sent people out to sea, but we haven't found any of their ships."

The two chatted for a while, and then the topic shifted, with the Grand Tutor mentioning his daughter.

"Your Highness, this old minister only has this one precious daughter. I hope Your Highness will not let her suffer any injustice." The Grand Tutor's tone carried a hint of pleading.

"I know my daughter's temper. If she does anything wrong, please be lenient with her, Your Highness."

Xuanming stood up and bowed. “I have been carefully nurtured by the Grand Tutor. How can I accept the Grand Tutor’s request? Please rest assured, Grand Tutor, my Xuancang Dynasty has always followed the century-old tradition of one emperor and one empress. My harem has only one wife, Mu Zhi. I will certainly not let her suffer any grievances.”

The Grand Tutor nodded with satisfaction. “To be frank, I’ve watched you grow up. A teacher for a day is a father for life. I treat you like my own child. If Mu Zhi throws a tantrum and upsets you, come to me and I’ll talk to her. Don’t let yourself be wronged.”

A warm feeling rose in Xuanming's heart. This old man had held his hand all the way to this day without any selfishness, and had even spent more time with him than with Muzhi.

"Seeing you and your husband doing well makes this old minister happy too. Two wishes have been fulfilled at the same time. I am so happy, so very happy." The Grand Tutor's eyes were slightly moist, but his gaze was exceptionally bright.

This gave Xuanming a bad feeling, and he would have to ask Mu Zhi about it later.

After he finished his business, he went back to find Mu Zhi.

Mu Zhi, dressed in a phoenix robe, sat upright by the bed. The person who was dozing off was immediately awakened by her voice and opened their eyes.

"Xuanming, you're back." Mu Zhi's eyes sparkled.

"Hmm, why don't you take off the phoenix crown? It's very heavy." Xuanming concealed the amazement in his eyes and did not correct Mu Zhi's form of address.

He stepped forward, helped her up, and sat her down in front of the dressing table.

Mu Zhi said somewhat embarrassedly, "It's too late, so I told Granny Liu and Magpie to go and rest. I was thinking of taking a look at it when you came, and then I would take it down. I haven't asked you yet, is it pretty?"

Xuanming's eyes darkened as he looked at the delicate, fair face in the mirror, and he smiled.

"Beautiful, my little girl is naturally the most beautiful in the world." Xuanming's straightforward praise made Muzhi blush.

"Then I'll take it off." Mu Zhi turned around and reached for the hairpins and jewelry.

Xuanming pressed her hand down, "Sit still, I'll take care of it."

He carefully removed Mu Zhi's phoenix crown and jewelry.

Seeing his practiced movements, Mu Zhi asked in confusion, "How come you're so skilled?"

Upon hearing this, Xuanming paused in the hand holding the golden hairpin, then resumed his normal motion.

"Thinking that I would need it someday, I learned it." Xuanming's voice was calm, as if he were talking about something very small.

But Mu Zhi was shocked. How could the emperor of a country learn this?

She was secretly pleased, but said seriously, "If Father knew you were neglecting your duties, he would definitely scold you."

Xuanming chuckled softly, "How can pleasing one's own wife be considered neglecting one's duties? I think if my father-in-law knew, he would definitely praise me for doing a good job."

Mu Zhi was taken aback before realizing that he was addressing her father.

His change in address was so natural, as if it was the natural way to address someone.

Mu Zhi blushed. What did she mean by "it should be"? What was she thinking?

Mu Zhi shook her head violently, and Xuan Ming immediately pressed down on her little head, "Don't move, or you'll pull your hair."

Mu Zhi froze instantly, taking a deep breath to calm herself.

"Alright, I'll have someone bring hot water. Take a bath first." Xuanming said and walked out.

Mu Zhi covered her face with her hands in embarrassment. She had embarrassed herself today. Was it really necessary?

It's just getting married, why is she acting so abnormally?

When Xuanming entered, he saw Muzhi covering her face with her hands, shyly talking to herself.

He coughed twice on purpose, and Mu Zhi quickly sat up straight.

Xuanming walked over and said, "You don't need to care about these things. Just be yourself. When you came to the palace to dine with me before, you were free, unrestrained, and easygoing, which was great."

Upon hearing this, Mu Zhi seemed to be transported back to that time, and her expression relaxed slightly.

"I'm going to the study to give you some instructions. You can take a bath first; you don't need to wait for me," Xuanming said before turning and leaving.

Several palace maids came in to serve Mu Zhi as she bathed.

Seeing Xuanming leave, Mu Zhi felt a little more at ease, but she was also puzzled. Hadn't the matter of Mei Ling already been explained?

What could be so urgent that you have to explain it so late at night?

She took a nice hot shower and went to bed.

Xuanming was in the study, casually picking up a book to read, but thinking of Mu Zhi's charming appearance, he felt a surge of anger and couldn't concentrate on reading a single word.

He went to the hot spring, took a bath, and guessed that Mu Zhi had already finished bathing before heading back.

Mu Zhi lay nervously on the bed. When she saw Xuan Ming return, she immediately sat up. The blanket slipped down, revealing a bit of her cleavage. Xuan Ming's breath hitched.

Mu Zhi felt a chill, looked down, gasped, and shrank back under the covers. She quickly explained, "Um, I just wanted to ask what happened earlier, and whether it's been resolved."

Xuanming didn't speak. He walked to the bedside and looked down at the nervous Muzhi. "Silly girl, you shouldn't be worrying about other things at a time like this."