Before all the ginkgo leaves had fallen, Sheng'an experienced its first snowfall.

The interplay of white and yellow, set against the blue backdrop of the Qing'e Palace, along with the people moving about within, creates a scene as picturesque as a painting.

Huan Yue, dressed in a warm and beautiful satin robe, stood under the eaves watching the snow.

The snow naturally didn't accumulate, and the crisp, cool wind felt wonderfully refreshing on my face!

Winter is indeed a season for growth and development, and Huan Yue is very satisfied with his current life.

The female official led Tong Kui's daughter, Tong Faran, over.

Huan Yue looked at the twelve-year-old girl, who was dressed neatly and had a composed expression, without any trace of sorrow.

Although she had a stern face, it was at least a kind of perseverance.

Huan Yue went inside and sat down.

The lady-in-waiting led Miss Tong to pay her respects.

Tong Faran performed the grand ceremony without hesitation.

If we're talking about poor kids learning to be independent early, this child is already capable of supporting a family at this age, even if it's through gritted teeth.

Huan Yue had a good impression of her: "Sit down. You don't need to be so formal here."

Tong Faran sat in the chair with his back straight, as if it were his pride or his last act of stubbornness.

Huan Yue asked, "Are you aware of my reputation outside?"

Tong Faran's youthful face suddenly cracked: "The most talked-about person outside right now is Madam Pei."

This put Huan Yue in an awkward position.

Tong Faran didn't know if he would offend the Empress, but he honestly replied, "I didn't hear much, but it seems that Madam Pei is pregnant with the Holy See's child, and True Lord Yuchen even foresaw it on Zichan Mountain."

Forget it, this isn't a good topic.

Huan Yue changed his question and asked, "Do you want to seek revenge on Lan Zhen?"

Tong Faran was furious! He couldn't contain his resentment.

Huan Yue was ruthless: "If you're afraid it won't solve the problem, you should bite him even if it costs you your life. If you can kill him, find a way to kill him. Of course, the law of the Great Zhao Dynasty comes first. Don't get yourself involved. You're so young, you still have your own life ahead of you. It's not worth it for any lowly person."

Tong Faran cried.

The female official hurriedly tried to appease her.

Tong Faran held back his tears and looked at the Empress through his blurry eyes.

Although this doesn't have the delicate beauty of Wang Chuyuan, it's more authentic.

This kind of grievance strikes at the heart. Those who are heartless simply ignore it.

Huan Yue felt that it was a good thing that she could cry, and that girls should feel wronged.

Tong Faran choked up and said, "Does Your Highness know why my mother sent me here? Many people say it's good to be with Your Highness. Some even say, what if His Highness is considerate of my father? My mother can't protect me."

Huan Yue nodded: "This matter is rather complicated, and you've been wronged."

As the first to expose this, Tong Kui and Tong Faran became thorns in the side of some people.

Tong Faran tried hard to control herself and said, "I don't resent my father. The Lan family is much more pitiful than I am."

Huan Yue was worried that she had Stockholm syndrome.

Tong Faran seemed normal: "My mother has been with my father for many years, so I don't blame him. That Lan Zhen claims to dote on me, but he humiliates me every day. And the others who were taken away and then disliked are having a very bad time."

Huan Yue said, "It shouldn't be difficult for the Lan family to support a few people, right?"

Tong Faran said, "There were too many people and it was chaotic. My daughter didn't really understand either."

Huan Yue nodded.

Tong Faran answered the previous question: "Let's leave the Lan family to Zhao Lu. My father actually expected this, but some things have to be done by someone. What would happen if no one did it? I just didn't expect the Lan family to be worse than beasts!"

Huan Yue pulled the little girl over, held her in his arms, and comforted her.

She slapped the little girl, making her cry loudly.

Cui Zhu remained silent.

Another slap, and she cried her heart out.

The palace maids silently went to prepare.

However, the Lan family, Fu Shan Zhenren, and Qiong Hua Zhenren are indeed not worthy!

How dare they spread rumors about the sacred seed? Let King Qi just usurp the throne!

Even the emperor is unhappy with his crown prince, let alone his grandson!

It's not certain yet whether they'll have a grandson or granddaughter. What if they bring in a fake one later? It's hard to say!

The son of Master Fushan was taken to the Lan family, and the son of Master Yuchen was taken to the Lu family. It seems to have become normal.

If the King of Qi was adopted, it's uncertain whose child he is, and I'm afraid even the Xie family wouldn't agree!

Why is the Chan Sect going to war with the Xie family?

Huan Yue thought that perhaps that scoundrel had pushed Zi Chanshan to the brink. Or perhaps the Dong family had gone mad.

Otherwise, it would be difficult for the Dong family to return after going to Fuchun County. They would be gradually weakened, not allowed to live in peace and bide their time. If things were handled ruthlessly, it wouldn't be surprising if they even killed the King of Qi.

Or perhaps he thought he would die, so he resorted to this seemingly gentle move.

Can such a trick be used casually? Not even the Jade Emperor himself could do that, let alone Jade Dust True Lord!

After Tong Faran finished crying, she went to change her clothes.

Huan Yue also changed his outer clothes and sat in the main room.

There was no brazier in the house; Huan Yue planned to conserve energy until the coldest time of the day.

Tong Faran wore a pink satin robe, exuding the charm of a young girl.

Not a great beauty, but maybe she'll change a lot as she grows up; square face, cold and hard, like Tong Kui, is that what you call a high-class face?

Tong Faran was a little embarrassed.

Huan Yue asked, "What are your plans for the future?"

Tong Faran said: "My daughter once heard that Princess Yongmu was going to go to sea, and my daughter also wants to go."

Huan Yue exclaimed in surprise, "What courage!"

Tong Faran said shyly, "Our family's circumstances don't allow it. My father wants to travel more. I originally wanted to stay at home, but it's not possible."

Huan Yue comforted him, saying, "Heaven is fair. When one door closes, another opens. There is always a gain in every loss."

Tong Faran nodded; she was determined to live well!

Huan Yue said, "Perhaps a female navigator will emerge in the future, but those with ulterior motives will keep mentioning the Lan family, making the Lan family and you famous for all time."

The palace maid warned, "That would leave you with eternal infamy."

Huan Yue said, "He still thinks he'll be remembered for generations. Even after he dies, many of his kind will shout that he was the first man or something."

Tong Faran's face turned pale.

The female official had no choice; that's just how the Empress was.

Although the intention was good.

Tong Faran quickly recovered: "It doesn't matter how they framed the Empress."

Huan Yue smiled and nodded; the little girl had learned to fight back.

Tong Faran clenched her fist; she was actually very weak when she was taken away.

She only became stronger after going through hell.

Huan Yue said, "It's not easy to go into business. You need to learn a lot and be in good health."

Tong Faran wasn't strong enough, but she noticed that the Empress was slender.

Princess Yongmu came over.

Tong Faran hurriedly paid his respects.

She was extremely surprised to see that the princess was so gentle and beautiful.

Huan Yue laughed and said, "Will Tong Faran go with the princess first? We'll have to discuss the matter of going to sea with Lord Tong."

Tong Faran quickly replied, "My daughter can do anything."

Princess Yongmu asked, "Do you know how to farm?"

Tong Faran replied, "Yes, we have. My mother has never farmed before, but she had an old servant plant a little in the yard."

A county magistrate's normal income was less than five hundred taels of silver a year.

It's not a small amount, but it's not a large amount either.

If you want to live a better life and have a plan, you need to be careful with your money.

The Tong family sent Tong Faran to the palace.

Look at those who spread rumors, they don't even spare the Crown Princess, how could they possibly let Miss Tong off the hook?

Therefore, the best option is to hide in the palace; even going to Zichan Mountain to cultivate Taoism is not an option.