Wen Zhixuan's injuries had not yet healed, and his face was still somewhat pale, but his expression remained as awe-inspiring and composed as ever.
"I was originally a Taoist practitioner outside the secular world, not bound by the complicated doctrines of the world. The love between men and women and the way of husband and wife are the beginning of human relations, and I have never felt that they are shameful. It is just that people in the world are harsh on women, and for the sake of Miss Shen's reputation, I dare not speak of it."
"However, fate has been unkind. Princess Qingping has passed away, and as her children, we must observe three years of mourning. The unborn child in her womb is innocent and can only temporarily find a quiet place to recuperate. After three years, I will naturally welcome her into my residence. I did not expect Your Majesty to be so fond of her. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and dare not deceive Your Majesty, nor dare I wrong the eldest princess. Therefore, I plead before Your Majesty and beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
He said he was apologizing, but his expression remained completely unchanged, showing no sign of feeling he had made a mistake. His words and actions truly matched.
Emperor Hongde remained silent for a long time before suddenly saying, "Since you are in love with Miss Shen, you must already know about Princess Qingping's attempt to frame Princess Huyang with witchcraft."
"yes."
Wen Zhixuan answered frankly, "When thunder struck that day, I made some calculations. But Your Majesty did not announce it. I have received Your Majesty's favor, so I should close my eyes and ears and follow the will of Heaven."
Emperor Hongde chuckled, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
"There is one thing I do not understand. Since the Imperial Preceptor is a person who has transcended worldly affairs, why did he fall into poverty and become a slave in the Duke of E's mansion?"
A dark glint flashed in Wen Zhixuan's eyes, his face full of helplessness and bitterness. "To be honest, the day I entered the world coincided with the birth of the Fifth Princess."
Emperor Hongde was taken aback.
The Fifth Princess was the Empress's youngest daughter. On the day of her birth, the sky was filled with rosy clouds, and hundreds of birds circled in the air, a sign of good fortune.
Therefore, Emperor Hongde was very fond of this daughter.
Wen Zhixuan continued, “The Fifth Princess was born under auspicious circumstances and is a person of great destiny. Even cultivators dare not challenge her. I entered the mortal world at the wrong time and offended the princess, thus temporarily losing my spiritual power. Moreover, because I am not a person of this world, I am nameless and without status, so I fell into poverty and destitution. After going through a life-or-death ordeal, I was able to recover. I deduced that Your Majesty would encounter trouble, so I went to the hunting grounds to exorcise the demon.”
"I see. It was the Fifth Princess who implicated the Imperial Preceptor."
When Emperor Hongde heard him speak of auspicious omens, he was pleased and his words were mostly expressions of admiration.
Wen Zhixuan said, "This calamity is destined to befall me, and has nothing to do with the princess."
Emperor Hongde was even more satisfied.
Wen Zhixuan had been saved by Jiang Shuman, and resented Jiang Sixian for breaking up the couple. He had no reason to help her deal with his benefactor.
His doubts vanished.
"In that case, once Miss Shen's mourning period is over, I will bestow upon her the title of County Princess and grant you two a marriage."
Wen Zhixuan lowered his gaze, concealing the expression in his eyes, and said respectfully, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."
He left the palace and looked up at the sunlight.
It's almost September, and the weather is getting cooler, unlike last year when it was so hot that it made my blood boil and my bones dry.
He was reborn after undergoing a complete transformation, but now he's in this predicament.
He was too kind-hearted; he shouldn't have left behind a source of trouble back then.
He pressed his chest; after resting for these days, his injuries had healed somewhat.
However, who was the person who secretly sabotaged his spell that day?
This person must be found as soon as possible!
A flash of murderous intent crossed Wen Zhixuan's eyes before he boarded the carriage.
**
Xiao Yitang soon received a message from her mother-in-law.
"Shen Jiming has managed to get to his current position, so he must have some skills. At the very least, he's really good with words. That Grand Preceptor is no less impressive. He lied to the Emperor without batting an eye and actually convinced the Emperor. What was supposed to be a scandal was thus easily swept under the rug."
Jiang Shumiao listened to it for a moment, but was very happy.
[The eldest princess doesn't have to marry the male lead; she's temporarily escaped a disaster.]
That is indeed a good thing.
But why only temporarily?
Xiao Yitang was watching her daughter playing with the nine-linked rings when she heard a loud snap.
She smashed the nine-linked rings.
The fifth one.
Xiao Yitang was already used to it and told the maid to come in and clean up, "Why do you always like to break things? I won't let my brother buy you anything anymore."
Jiang Shumiao's lips turned down, indicating displeasure.
[That's how the nine-linked rings are played, how can you solve them without breaking them?]
Xiao Yitang wanted to facepalm.
Forget it, she wouldn't argue with a baby, otherwise she would look stupid.
Jiang Shuman said, "Uncle is also a man. In his eyes, it is normal for a man to be a womanizer. Even if he is morally flawed, it is at most a minor offense. Besides, the imperial decree for the marriage has not been issued yet, and Wen Zhixuan has not really disobeyed the decree. He is talented and once saved Uncle's life. As long as he does not make a big mistake, Uncle will be lenient with him."
Of course, otherwise how could he be the male lead? Although he's a scoundrel, he does have some merit. He established the imperial examination system, weakened powerful clans, punished corrupt officials, and curbed land annexation. At least in the eyes of the people, he was indeed a good emperor.
This is also why Jiang Shumiao did not kill Wen Zhixuan that day.
The laws of nature dictate that everything that exists is reasonable.
Wen Zhixuan's ability to travel through the rifts of time and space to this world is due to his own mission.
Therefore, Jiang Shumiao could not kill him using Taoist magic, otherwise it would disrupt the rules governing this world.
The consequences are immeasurable.
But she can stop Wen Zhixuan from doing evil.
Disrupting the male protagonist's plans is also a kind of fun.
[The male lead had a smooth career after becoming the imperial advisor, but he's suffered a series of setbacks in the past few months, so he must be very unhappy, hahaha]
Xiao Yitang: "..."
Jiang Shuman: "..."
Thinking about it carefully, it doesn't seem wrong.
The witchcraft case was aborted, the killing of Lu Yanhe backfired, and Shen Zhixian's premarital pregnancy was exposed.
Although he failed to bring Wen Zhixuan down, these incidents were enough to give him a headache.
Shen Zhixian felt a mixture of joy and sorrow.
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