Mu Ruoling had all the things from her past life in her mind, and she hated the Empress. She didn't want to get close to her as before.
But now that she's a little smarter, she knows that if she wants a good reputation, she can't afford to be seen as unfilial, at least not before the Empress takes any action, so she went anyway.
Dressed in striking red, with flowing ribbons, she appeared backlit, like a fairy descending to earth, her beauty unparalleled.
The Empress carefully examined her eldest daughter, whose style of dress had changed from usual and whose attire had become elegant and simple. She scrutinized her familiar yet unfamiliar face, and a fire seemed to burn in her eyes, growing ever stronger.
In that ball of fire, a figure was reflected—the emperor's heart's blood, and a thorn in the side of an old woman like her.
How come I never noticed before? She looks so much like that bitch.
The Empress's headache worsened, her nails digging into her palms, but she felt no pain at all, staring intently at her. Only after being reminded by the nanny did she manage to control herself, but her mind was uncontrollably churning with memories of the past.
The two chatted absentmindedly, repeating the same things over and over. The Empress would glance at Mu Ruoling from time to time, a loving smile on her face, while numbly asking her about her relationship with the eldest son of the Wei family.
After seeing the person off, she suddenly swept everything off the small table next to her, let out a "ha" that sounded like a mix of crying, laughing, and resentment, and began to frantically destroy the palace. After being desperately stopped by the nanny beside her, she finally couldn't help but burst into tears.
After crying and sleeping, her headache subsided slightly. She applied makeup in front of the mirror to hide her exhaustion, but a ruthless glint appeared in her eyes.
"Go and summon Consort De."
Consort De might mistake the completely transformed Mu Ruoling for someone else, but she could never be unaware of the maidservant beside her; she must know something.
After their private conversation, the Empress fell seriously ill and summoned her eldest daughter, whom she had always doted on, and began to torment her relentlessly—though in the end, it was she who was the one who got hurt.
She observed carefully and became certain of one thing: Ruoling definitely knew that she was not her child, but that's another story.
...
On his second day in this world, Emperor Xiu had someone stop Xuan Yan, this year's top scholar, at the palace gate, handed him a handbook, but said nothing.
Xuan Yan watched the departing carriage, puzzled. He lowered his head and opened the manual, then froze, carefully reading through it before falling into deep thought.
The Takino region has experienced continuous heavy rains this year, which have breached the dikes, causing devastating floods and displacing many people.
Anyone with eyes could see that His Majesty favored Wei Shaojian to handle this task, but just now during the morning court session, His Majesty suddenly entrusted the matter to him.
Xuan Yan knew that His Majesty valued him highly, perhaps because of his talent, or perhaps because he had no power behind him, but His Majesty valued the eldest princess even more. He had also heard about the eldest princess's infatuation with Wei Shaojian, and he wondered if there had been some changes between the two of them.
Judging from this booklet, it's clear that Vice Supervisor Wei was well-prepared, or perhaps he had started paying attention to the matter after hearing about the disaster, and knew that His Majesty would change his mind today, so he had compiled this information and sent it to him.
Judging from the age of the ink, it seems to have been written recently.
Xuan Yan was a noble son from a humble background. His ancestral acquaintances had become distant due to lack of contact, and his information network was far inferior to that of the eldest son of the Grand Secretary. He had a heart that cared about the country and its people, so he accepted this favor and developed a better impression of Wei Shaojian.
Just as Xuan Yan was about to leave, a magnificent carriage stopped in front of him. The curtain was lifted, revealing a face as beautiful as a fairy princess. Underneath a red dress, her face was as radiant as the morning glow reflecting on peach blossoms, and her eyes were as clear as the evening tide reflecting autumn water.
He was stunned and only came to his senses when he was scolded by the palace servants. His ears turned red instantly, and he was at a loss for what to do. It took him a while to remember to clasp his hands in apology.
He had a fair complexion and handsome features, the kind that were pleasing to the eye, but he rarely smiled. When I first met him at the Qionglin Banquet, he seemed like a rigid old scholar.
Seeing his embarrassment, Mu Ruoling couldn't help but chuckle. Xuan Yan's heart skipped a beat, and he silently recited the classics to suppress the urge to peek at the beauty's face again. He thought to himself that the number one beauty on the continent was indeed worthy of her reputation. Then, remembering the rumors about her, he calmed down a little.
"Young Master Xuan, there's no need to worry. I have something to say to you. Why don't we find a place to have some tea?"
Xuan Yan pondered for a moment, looked at the booklet in his hand, and shook his head: "Your Majesty, I have other important matters to attend to. If you have something to say, please speak freely."
"Then get on the carriage."
Xuan Yan gripped the booklet tightly, looking down at himself, and continued to shake his head: "Men and women should not touch each other; the princess's reputation is of utmost importance."
Mu Ruoling smiled bitterly: "What reputation do I have? But it's alright, it was this princess who didn't think things through."
Hearing the bitterness and sorrow in her voice, Xuan Yan felt a pang of sadness in her heart. She pondered the truth of the rumors and was about to offer some words of comfort when she heard her say, "Longyou is a remote place with many bandits. You should be careful, my lord. I have discussed with my father the possibility of having General Yue accompany you, so that you can have someone to look after you."
“Your Highness has considered everything very well; I thank you.”
"What are you thanking me for? I am Princess Tiansheng, the ruler, and it is my duty to do my part for the people. On the contrary, I should thank you all who have served the country and its people. It is because of you that Tiansheng has been able to prosper for so long."
Xuan Yan's neck turned red this time.
Mu Ruoling found it amusing and stared at him unabashedly, her gaze lingering on his hands.
"Oh right, what did Wei Zixiao give you just now?"
Xuan Yan was taken aback, and then, as if possessed, answered truthfully: "It's about some investigations into the disaster."
Mu Ruoling looked disgusted and said disdainfully, "That person is all show and no substance. He is extremely jealous of talent and ability. The information he gives you is probably false. You must not believe him."
As a convincing and hated ex-husband, everything about Wei Zixiao must have been a carefully crafted facade.
In his previous life, he had botched this task. Regardless of the process, the result was devastating: widespread starvation and immense suffering. Yet, the emperor and the Wei family protected him.
Xuan Yan remained silent for a moment, the blush on his face gradually fading. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, I will be departing soon and need to make some preparations. I must take my leave now."
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