Fuqu noticed that her mistress had been rather sullen lately, even losing interest in her favorite foods like chicken wings, pig's trotters, meatballs, and crabs. When the Fifth Princess came to visit, she seemed uninterested as well.
She mustered her courage and asked cautiously, "Goddess, have you been... in a bad mood lately?"
Jiang Shumiao remained silent.
She took on a disciple who committed a grave sin. Even if she sacrificed herself to atone for it, it would be too late.
But the goddess Nuwa saved her.
The Way should never be about stopping killing with killing.
Therefore, she gave Wen Zhixuan chance after chance, hoping that he would realize his mistake and turn back from the brink.
"Sister Fuqu, since you cultivate the path of immortality, what do you think immortals should be like?"
Fuqu thought for a moment, “Before, I only thought about cultivating immortality and attaining enlightenment. If I could be ranked among the immortals, I wouldn’t have to worry about being devoured by a more powerful demon or being taken away by a Taoist priest. But after coming to your side and observing your actions, I have gradually come to understand something.”
"Immortals are the Great Dao, compassionate towards all living beings, and merciful in their salvation. Just like you were to Wen Zhixuan, even though you knew he was stubborn, you still forgave him time and time again. It was because you pitied his suffering and were forgiving. I think this must be divinity."
Jiang Shumiao was stunned. "You think I did the right thing?"
"It's not just my opinion, it's that you yourself have a clear conscience."
Fuqu smiled at her, "At first, he captured me, almost causing my soul to be scattered. But the cause was my own greed; I wanted to take a shortcut through him. If it were any other Taoist priest, he would have taken me directly. I was greedy, and he had evil intentions; neither of us is wronged. But you saved me, and at the same time, you saved him."
"Is this what you meant by cultivating immortality, cultivating virtue, and then cultivating the mind?"
Jiang Shumiao was silent for a moment, then said, "I once had a disciple who was extremely talented and devoted to the righteous path, taking it upon himself to save all living beings. Later, he went astray. Out of consideration for our years of master-disciple relationship, I did not take his life, but only expelled him from the sect. However, he entered the demonic path and committed a heinous crime."
She looked up at the sky and murmured, "I always think that if I hadn't driven him away in a fit of anger, but had instead patiently guided him, perhaps he wouldn't have fallen into the demonic path, and none of what happened afterward would have occurred."
Fuqu finally understood why she no longer accepted apprentices.
The shadow was too large.
"So, you want to guide Wen Zhixuan towards good as much as possible, instead of resorting to killing to stop evil?"
Jiang Shumiao nodded slowly.
The gods in heaven all said she was naive and foolish. Demons are inherently evil; how could they possibly be good? To indulge them would only be to aid and abet their wickedness.
But are good and evil, right and wrong, really so absolute?
Is being born a demon a sin?
Fuqu is also a demon, but she is kind by nature and has never done evil.
Most deities, however, are arrogant and have deep-seated selfishness.
Fuqu held her hand and said firmly, "Right and wrong are not judged by a single standard. At least I think you did nothing wrong."
The knot in Jiang Shumiao's heart instantly untied.
She smiled, revealing a set of white teeth.
"Um."
**
Despite the presence of the goddess Jiang Shumiao, Emperor Hongde did not change his trust in Wen Zhixuan, after all, Wen Zhixuan was a truly talented person.
He is not a foolish ruler; he will naturally appoint virtuous and capable people to important positions.
The imperial examination system has been reformed, with new rules established, and is divided into four levels.
The provincial examination, the metropolitan examination, and the palace examination.
The number of exam subjects has also increased accordingly.
Wen Zhixuan also proposed the military examination system—mainly to promote people from humble backgrounds to become generals and to divide the power of aristocratic families. Emperor Hongde greatly appreciated this and readily agreed.
Fuqu was ignorant of court politics, but she could tell good from bad from the Empress Dowager's few words. "This Imperial Advisor is quite capable. You keep him around so that he can be His Majesty's right-hand man and work for the well-being of the people, right?"
Jiang Shumiao did not answer, which was an admission.
No noble families liked Wen Zhixuan, and the more this was the case, the more Emperor Hongde valued him.
Wen Zhixuan was about to embark on the path of a loyal but isolated official.
During the Chinese New Year, Jiang Shumiao returned to the Duke's Mansion.
Jiang Yining was the happiest. "Little sister, I heard you're going to enter the Imperial Academy next year?"
"Yes."
Jiang Shumiao was in a good mood. "If anyone bullies you at the Imperial Academy in the future, tell me and I'll stand up for you."
Jiang Yining shook his head and said seriously, "I am the older brother, so it should be the older brother protecting the younger sister."
Jiang Shumiao doesn't need anyone to protect her, but hearing these words still warmed her heart.
In her past life, she had no blood relatives, but now, as a mortal, she has kinship ties. Her parents, brothers, and sisters all love and pamper her, so naturally, she wants to protect them as well.
Xiao Yitang read her Jiang Shuman's letter.
Jiang Shuman had already heard about her deeds and was initially worried that she would be bothered by it, but she was relieved after learning that she was going to the Imperial Academy.
Among children, Jiang Shumiao is the absolute queen.
Even the most upright person can be led astray by her.
It's impossible for her to suffer injustice; it's good enough if she doesn't bully others. So, she was reminded to remember to respect her teacher and not to cause trouble for him.
It can only be said that the older sister was indeed very prescient.
That's a story for another time.
After the Lunar New Year, in February, another joyous event occurred.
Princess Ningyi, Xiao Yumo, is getting married.
She was Emperor Hongde's first child, and he doted on her greatly, reluctant to let her marry too early, so he kept her married until she was eighteen.
This was common among royalty and nobility.
Jiang Shumiao followed them to the banquet. The carriage stopped at the gate of the Song residence, where she saw Wen Zhixuan.
Wen Zhixuan stepped forward to greet him, his expression appearing very calm.
Once inside, he transmitted his voice: "Princess, it's best if that demon beside you doesn't come out too often. If she's exposed one day, mortals won't care whether she's a good or evil demon; she might even implicate you."
Humans and demons are fundamentally different and inherently opposed.
Jiang Shumiao was surprised.
Has the sun risen in the west yet? It's rare to hear a kind word from you.
Wen Zhixuan remained unfazed.
[I can't beat them, I can't argue with them, I can't reason with them, so I have to admit defeat for now. But I still feel uncomfortable seeing your Jiang and Gu families. So, Princess, don't be too happy yet. Who knows, one day I might get carried away and resort to some underhanded tricks. Also, the sun always rises in the east; that's common sense. I hope that once you're in school, you won't ask the teacher such foolish questions. I'm afraid you'll give him a heart attack, adding to his karmic burden.]
Jiang Shumiao watched him walk away and gritted her teeth.
You bastard, you bad thing.
I shouldn't have been so kind to him.
Fuqu said, "[Your Majesty, I just saw Minister Shen. Didn't they have a falling out? Why do they seem so close?"]
My cousin is about to go through a period of mourning, and our two families will soon become related by marriage. Moreover, we share the same political stance, so why create enmity?
Anyway, Shen Xubai's illness has been cured.
Moreover, because of his ill intentions, he had thoroughly offended the Duke of Anguo's mansion. Since they were already struggling to get along in the aristocratic circles, they naturally had to cling tightly to Wen Zhixuan's coattails.
Fuqu nodded, sighing, "Being human is so tiring. You're unhappy inside, but you still have to smile. You harbor resentment, but you have to become in-laws. We demons are even worse off."
Jiang Shumiao reminded her, "You are a human now."
Fuqu: "..."
【oh. 】
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