Yu Luo's gaze lingered for a moment on the departing figure of the county magistrate's wife, Cui.

A bold idea flashed through her mind.

Since the Wang family wields absolute power in Yu County, what if she becomes the daughter of the county magistrate's wife?

The magistrate's wife comes from the Cui family in the capital.

Without the slightest hesitation, she quickly went around to the back door of Chunfeng Tower.

As dawn broke, the magistrate's wife's carriage slowly started moving, and she quietly followed it while the guards were not paying attention.

They hadn't gone far when the two guards beside the carriage stopped abruptly.

They were well-trained and turned around alertly.

"Who goes there!" one of the guards shouted, his long sword flashing as it was drawn, the tip pointing directly at Yu Luo.

The blade gleamed coldly, reflecting on Yu Luo's composed face.

She showed no panic, but instead addressed the magnificent carriage with respect, her clear voice breaking the morning silence.

"Madam, I would like to speak with you."

Inside the carriage, a woman's voice, tinged with impatience and confusion, rang out.

"What happened?"

Then, the beaded curtain swayed gently, and a slender hand wearing a jade bracelet lifted the curtain, revealing a plain yet dignified face.

Cui's eyes and brows carried a coldness that came with years of holding a high position, yet one could also see the weariness that life had taken its toll on her.

She looked at the little girl in front of her, who was dressed in coarse cloth but was unusually quiet.

"Why is it a little baby? Where are your parents?"

Yu Luo met Cui's probing gaze, her eyes unwavering.

"Madam, may we speak alone?"

She spoke directly, her tone youthful yet carrying an undeniable seriousness.

"I have a way to help you win this game."

Beside the carriage, another guard, upon hearing this, frowned and stepped forward to offer a low word of advice.

"Madam, how can you trust the words of a wild child by the roadside? Be careful, it might be a trap."

Cui, however, did not take it to heart; a hint of interest flashed in her eyes.

This little girl's eyes are so special; they are as calm as a deep pool, yet so profound that they seem to see right through people's hearts.

She waved her hand, signaling the guards to step back a few paces.

"All of you, get down. I want to hear what earth-shattering things she has to say."

The guards looked at each other, but dared not disobey. They could only retreat a few feet away and watch their surroundings warily.

Cui Shi moved gracefully and slowly toward Yu Luo.

She didn't have the slightest bit of the spoiled air of a rich girl; instead, she exuded a capable and efficient aura, like someone on the front lines of battle.

Yu Luo looked at Cui Shi, who had walked up to her, and got straight to the point without any preamble.

"Madam, would you consider adopting a legitimate daughter?"

Upon hearing this, Cui's face, which had been showing a hint of curiosity, instantly turned cold.

Her eyes revealed an obvious disgust.

"I haven't considered it."

She said indifferently.

"I will only love my own children."

Yu Luo was not deterred by her coldness; instead, she took a step forward and went straight to the point.

"But the magistrate is unable to have children."

Cui's body jolted violently, her eyes widened, and all the color drained from her face.

She thought she had concealed it well, but unexpectedly, a little girl she had never met saw through her disguise.

Yu Luo's voice continued, each word piercing the heart.

“You will only be burdened by him and will have no children for the rest of your life. People will never blame a man or a county magistrate.”

"They will only curse you for dragging down the Wang family and causing the Wang family line to die out."

Cui's face changed completely, turning deathly pale and showing signs of pain.

She bit her lower lip tightly and clenched her fists.

These were the words that the servants talked about openly and secretly on ordinary days, and they were the knot in her heart that kept her tossing and turning every night.

Yu Luo, however, gave her no chance to catch her breath and continued her logical analysis.

"Madam has a wide network of information, so she must also know that the new emperor is a woman."

Cui suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with shock as she looked at Yu Luo.

The fact that the new emperor is a woman is such a shocking piece of news that even among the most powerful families in the capital, only core members knew about it.

How did the little girl find out?

Yu Luo ignored Cui's shock, but his voice became more and more firm and powerful.

"In the future, women will also be able to take the imperial examinations and become officials."

"If you accept me, I guarantee I'll be on the list!"

"I will definitely bring you honor!"

Her voice wasn't loud, but it stirred up a storm in Cui's heart.

For a woman from a prominent family, the greatest regret is being childless.

Once a woman has no children, even if her family is powerful, she can no longer stand tall.

Yu Luo's promise opened a completely new door for her.

"From now on, you will be granted the title of Lady of the Imperial Decree!"

"Whether it's the Wang family or the Cui family, everyone must respect you!"

Ms. Cui's breathing quickened. The future described by the little girl unfolded before her eyes like a magnificent painting.

That was the glory and dignity she had always dreamed of!

But reason quickly pulled her back to reality.

She scrutinized the thin little girl in front of her, her tone tinged with suspicion.

How can I trust you?

"You're just a kid passing by; anyone can spout such nonsense."

She scoffed, a hint of mockery in her eyes.

"How could I not trust my own husband, and instead trust you?"

Yu Luo calmly took out a neat stack of papers from his pocket and handed them to Cui Shi.

"This is a policy essay I wrote; you may take a look at it first, Madam."

Cui took it with a puzzled look, glanced at it, and her pupils suddenly contracted.

This handwriting, this insight, though immature, flows smoothly and effortlessly, something no ordinary person could write!

The person who wrote this policy essay must have been exceptionally talented!

Yu Luo stared at her intently, and his voice rang out again: "Madam is incredibly resourceful. As long as you investigate diligently, you will surely find out the truth."

"I work at Chunfeng Tower as an ordinary handyman."

She looked up and stared directly into Cui's eyes, her gaze calm and profound.

"I'm waiting for you."

After saying this, Yu Luo bowed and turned to walk away in the direction of Chunfeng Tower without looking back.

Cui stood there, clutching the stack of policy essays tightly in her hand, watching Yu Luo's slender figure with a complicated expression until she disappeared around the street corner.

A gentle morning breeze brought a touch of coolness.

Cui felt as if a fire was burning in her heart.