This year's Mid-Autumn Festival was rather quiet.

The atmosphere at the autumn examinations was strange.

It didn't rain, but the rumors spread like wildfire.

Chen Ke watched from home as the court went about its business, deliberately letting the rumors spread, and these rumors were quite bizarre.

They have the guts to spread rumors but are also afraid of death. How much does a saint dote on his eldest grandson? The pressure to spread rumors is immense.

So it was all just for fun. Chen Ke didn't have time to play around with it.

He's still at home for now, but there's more he can do now. After a few years of reflection, he feels he's matured a lot.

Just like this rumor, the imperial court completely ignored it, which caused little harm but was extremely insulting.

Chen Zuo returned home after a busy day feeling full of energy. As for the rumors? Just ignore them.

Chen Zhen asked her grandfather, "Will the imperial court use this as an excuse to continue suppressing the Chan sect?"

Chen Zuo was satisfied: "Good point. Evil forces and heretics must be suppressed."

Chen Zhen asked worriedly, "What about this drought?"

Chen Zuo said confidently, "The weather has its ups and downs, rain and snow; that's a natural thing. What people need to do is face it correctly."

Chen Ke nodded: "If people put their minds to it, there's a lot they can do. They'll be able to handle things better and better in the future."

Chen Zuo nodded: "That's how the imperial court is. The initiative is in people's hands. The prosperity of Great Zhao is entirely achievable."

Chen Ke is still young! His outlook for the next thirty years is promising!

Chen Zuo patted him on the shoulder. "Take things in stride, think long-term, and be more magnanimous in your actions!"

Chen Ke has the talent. The Chen family isn't afraid of having another capable person, and the imperial court isn't afraid of having another capable person.

The servant brought out a bowl of boiled corn and complained, "There's a corn frenzy in Changhe County. I wonder who has so much money?"

Chen Zhen picked one up and ate it, saying, "It's absolutely not worth more than one tael of silver."

The servant said, "Two for one tael of silver; any cheaper and things will definitely fall into chaos."

Chen Zuo laughed and said, "Baishi Village is racking its brains over this."

Chen Zhen said, "So many people are watching."

Chen Ke said, "Everyone is watching, but it's not easy for Baishi Village to remain calm."

Chen Zuo ate and nodded, "It's quite delicious."

Two for one or two taels of silver—the Chen family could afford it. And some of the Chen family's land wasn't suffering such a severe drought.

Chen Zhen is considering marriage. There are some suitable men at Sheng'an University.

The key is to have a good person. After getting married, you can still do things you like. Didn't Lady Huan have freedom too?

Like Jing Wei, she also has a lot of freedom. Chen Zhen feels that she has to walk her own path for the rest of her life.

The Chen family still gave her a great opportunity; her father was a high-ranking official, and she was like a princess or county lord.

Chen Zuo had considered Fu Dingchen, but that was someone the Emperor was watching.

No one can touch Fu Dingchen; that kid is incredibly talented.

He'll most likely join the cabinet in the future, but it's hard to say what he'll do after that; sometimes it depends on fate.

Qing'e Palace.

Huan Yue, just you wait and see. Actually, there are quite a few ginkgo nuts this year.

Little Xie Yi held his mother's hand and strolled around with her.

Huan Yue sat in the Jixian Pavilion.

The little boy was nestled in his mother's arms, and she didn't mind his weight.

The little boy was holding his younger brother, extremely happy.

Huan Yue was holding his eldest son, who was almost two years old.

If a child looks at their mother, it means a younger brother is coming.

Huan Yue asked, "What's the point of having a younger brother?"

The child thinks: "Me, my brother."

Guo Bing came over and played the piano.

The child sat next to her.

Guo Bing saw that he wanted to learn, even though he was still young; she could play something simpler, and he would get used to it and learn it.

The child's eyes were bright and sparkling, unlike his mother's.

Guo Bing liked him very much and played casually.

A palace maid poured tea, and a child brought over a cup.

Guo Bing hurriedly took it. Fortunately, the tea wasn't too hot, otherwise he wouldn't have dared to let him touch it. He himself was always fed tea by the sage.

The child brought another cup of tea to his mother.

Huan Yue was overjoyed. He drank first, then fed him. Now, when he drinks by himself, he still spills some.

Lady Yang believed that the eldest grandson was the best in the world. Those who spread rumors were simply courting death. Lady Yang had also made preparations for the second grandson.

This time it's still two wet nurses. It's quite hot now, so we don't need to keep the fire burning all day, but we still need to prepare hot water.

Guo Bing was also keeping an eye on things here; there were always people trying to harm the eldest prince.

Di Baose was keeping watch from outside, and he would swat even the smallest fly.

A palace attendant came to report: "Scholars at Huangxu have started a disturbance."

Huan Yue asked, "What's all this commotion about?"

The eunuch reported, "The autumn examination question included how to deal with unauthorized mining. Originally, there shouldn't have been a problem, but when combined with Fan Tongwen, it became problematic. It's escalating and has dragged the Empress and the Grand Prince into it."

Huan Yue said, "Scholars, how dare you be so bold?"

The eunuch reported, "There are several exceptionally talented scholars."

Huan Yue said, "These people are easy to deal with. Just cut off a few heads and see if they can grow back."

The eunuch thought to himself, "That can't possibly grow."

Scholars like to talk big but they don't necessarily do practical things; it's necessary to cut some of the wasteful food.

Do they think they're the only ones with brains? Ordinary people do too, they're just too busy to think about it.

The eunuchs have brains too, but getting things done is more important. It's much better to have one more person who gets things done and one less person who just gives orders.

Guo Bing said, "There are also those who are young and impetuous."

Huan Yue said, "He made a few mistakes: bringing up children has nothing to do with studying, and bringing up the royal family is not a sign of intelligence. If he really had extraordinary abilities, he would have restructured this matter. Obviously, he can't; it's all nonsense."

Guo Bing laughed: "The Empress has a broader perspective than him, so naturally he's just a piece of dog shit."

Huan Yue said, "I can't come up with anything better, and I've never claimed to be particularly capable."

Guo Bing nodded: "Those who claim to be highly capable are all half-baked."

Who dares to say that the Empress is incompetent?

Guo Bing thought the Empress's vision was impressive.

The child nestled in his mother's arms.

Huan Yue will protect him.

Don't be afraid, little one. Your mother still has her phoenix mace with her.

Huan Yue tried, but the child didn't inherit her divine power. After all, her divine power wasn't inherited, but rather a gift from heaven.

With her around, that's enough. Anyone who tries to harm her son will be dealt with in a heartbeat.

The baby is hugging his mother's belly, and the little brother is moving again.

Huan Yue asked, "Is my younger brother alright?"

The little boy nodded with a smile. His younger brother wouldn't wrap the umbilical cord around himself.

Guo Bing continued playing the piano.

Larks come to dance.

Huan Yue found it extremely beautiful.

An imperial eunuch came to report: "Two people who spread rumors have been caught in the inner palace. Consort De has reminded Consort Huan to be careful."

Huan Yue nodded: "Thank you for your hard work, Consort De."

The eunuch dared not. But some people are truly fearless.

The little slave girl was angry: "Does spreading rumors in the harem mean you dare to directly harm the eldest prince?"

Huan Yue said, "It's hard to say."

Xie Zhou returned and comforted his wife and child. Besides those left behind by Lady Wu, there were a few others.

The Emperor has already ordered the execution of Master Chengxu. Keeping her around is just an inconvenience.

Some women are just crazy. Regardless of whether she is influenced by others, at least her heart is not pure.

Huan Yue remained calm. That's just how things are in the palace.

It's no one's fault but their own; too many people are watching those at the pinnacle of power!

Perhaps this is how children live their whole lives, seeing whether they prevail over the west wind or the east wind.