In the memories of her previous life, although Wang Ziling had won the top scholar position, he was merely assigned by the Emperor to a vacant sixth-rank position as Imperial Academy Reader. Afterward, for unknown reasons, he made no achievements whatsoever in his official career. However, Jiang Ruan had heard the Eighth Prince mention that while this person possessed outstanding scholarly talent, his vision was overly narrow, he liked to curry favor in his actions, and although the Wang family was considered nobility in the capital, they were merely maintaining an empty reputation—now just an empty shell.

Needless to say about Jiang Chao, Mo Cong was a talent. Mo Cong was the youngest son of Minister Mau of the Court of Imperial Clan, with a flamboyant and lively personality that was originally quite troublesome. However, his insights on political matters were quite innovative. For the Emperor, who was accustomed to hearing ministers give conservative, rule-bound answers, this was undoubtedly refreshing. After the palace examination, he was appointed as second place scholar and given a fourth-rank position as Deputy Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud, only two ranks lower than his father. Mo Cong was good at making friends and moved with ease in the court. Such a person was difficult to see which faction he truly supported—he appeared neutral, and the Eighth Prince had suffered many headaches over this man initially.

Of course, neither of these two could compare to Liu Min, who would later rise to prominence. The one sitting in the imperial palace, that sovereign of utmost honor, was not only unlike what people believed—that he would become increasingly muddled with age—but instead acted in ways that were impossible to fathom, and was extremely suspicious. If Mo Cong and Wang Ziling still had family clans to rely on, Liu Min came from humble origins and was upright and incorruptible in character—such a person could be trusted for employment. Liu Min himself was also talented, and this new court favorite quickly became the Emperor’s most trusted minister. If she could connect with Liu Min in this life, it would be equivalent to having someone who could speak on her behalf in the palace.

Most importantly, Liu Min had always persistently supported the Crown Prince’s faction. He valued traditional etiquette and turned a blind eye to the Eighth Prince’s overtures. However, Liu Min’s opportunity would come three years later. Many things could happen in three years. What Jiang Ruan needed to do was help this currently impoverished future Grand Tutor and bring his opportunity forward.

Seeing Jiang Ruan lost in thought, Lu Zhu pursed her lips and suddenly remembered something: “Speaking of which, there is good news. Nanny Zhou woke up today and appears to be in much better spirits.”

Since Nanny Zhou had fainted last time, Jiang Ruan had ordered Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao to take care of her, but whether it was a relapse of an old illness or not, Nanny Zhou had been unconscious for a long time. Hearing this news, Jiang Ruan’s expression relaxed somewhat, and she said: “That’s good news indeed. I’ll go see her.”

That night, lanterns left hanging from the New Year celebrations were still strung up everywhere throughout the capital, making even the originally pitch-black night sky glow red. Many common people also took to the streets, and there were temporary stages erected by traveling performers everywhere, creating quite a lively atmosphere.

In a private booth deep inside Dongfeng Tower, purple and gold beaded curtains hung heavily down, completely blocking the entrance, leaving only brilliant, dazzling light flickering through.

Inside the room, a man leaned against the window, lowering his head to glance indifferently at the bustling crowd below. The lamplight fell upon his jade-carved, handsome profile, his long eyelashes drooping down, making it impossible to read the emotions in his eyes. He wore jet-black clothing, his cold temperament impossible to conceal, naturally possessing an undisguisable profound elegance.

The beaded curtains were suddenly swept aside as a young man in green robes entered from outside. He was also handsome and distinguished, with a perpetually smiling expression. He addressed the black-clad young gentleman: “My, after not seeing you for days, why are you in such haste this time upon returning?”

Seeing his arrival, the black-clad gentleman didn’t move, saying: “His Majesty is unaware.”

“Under heaven, you’re the only one who dares to so openly defy imperial edicts,” the green-robed gentleman sat down at the table in the center of the room, poured himself a cup of tea and drained it in one gulp, sighing: “If you had come half a moment earlier, I wouldn’t have had to accompany those people from the Imperial Academy to drink flower wine.” This person was none other than Mo Cong.

The black-clad youth shook his head and asked: “How were the imperial examinations?”

“So-so, I should be able to scrape into the top three.” Mo Cong appeared quite nonchalant, but suddenly thought of something and said with regret: “It’s just a pity about Liu Min. Such fine scholarly talent, if only he weren’t so stubborn, I would have liked to befriend him. Looking at Rector Chen’s intentions, I’m afraid Jiang Chao will take advantage of the situation.”

“Jiang Chao?” The black-clad youth’s brows furrowed slightly.

Seeing his reaction, Mo Cong said: “The son born to Minister of War Jiang Quan’s second wife. Jiang Quan is truly something—the son he raised is practically a demon, bothering me endlessly every day. I don’t know how exactly Jiang Quan taught him. Wasn’t there all that commotion about the legitimate daughter of the Jiang household that had the whole capital in an uproar recently? Yet Jiang Quan still has the mind to manipulate his son’s affairs—truly remarkable.” Mo Cong chattered on and on, but seeing no response, he couldn’t help but look up at his friend. Seeing the black-clad youth’s thoughtful expression, he continued: “I heard from Ye Feng that you’ve had him investigating some woman these past days.” He teased: “Which family’s daughter is she? Do I know her?”

The black-clad youth paid no attention to his teasing, his features growing even colder. Mo Cong touched his nose, his expression somewhat sheepish, but his mouth didn’t stop: “Don’t be shy—what’s there to be embarrassed about? When it comes to other matters, you’re more experienced than I, but when it comes to affairs between men and women, you’re not as good as I. Why don’t I take you out for some flower wine another day? The new Miss Ruyue at Cuiwei Tower is truly gentle…” Speaking thus, Mo Cong glanced again at his friend’s expression, but saw that the other seemed not to have heard his words at all, so he sighed: “With a temperament like yours, I truly don’t know what kind of person could catch your eye. Looking around, all the beauties in this capital are too ordinary for you—it would take someone truly shocking to the world to suffice.”

Hearing these words, the black-clad gentleman’s expression froze slightly, and his mind conjured again that night in the temple—the young lady in plain, humble clothing, her features strikingly beautiful under the moonlight, smiling as she gazed at the corpses covering the ground, yet her eyes were cold as snow and ice. When they met again, in crimson robes like hunting flames, like a mysterious fire, having the secrets of the Shen household completely under her control.

The background that Ye Feng had investigated revealed this was the young lady’s first time entering the Shen household. There was no way she could have known the Shen household’s secrets, yet somehow she possessed such supernatural abilities. The legitimate daughter of the Jiang family, rumored to be weak and gentle—she appeared nothing like that at all. Who exactly was she?

Mo Cong looked at him with surprise: “What are you thinking about? So lost in thought?”

The black-clad gentleman came to his senses slightly and said indifferently: “Nothing. The Eighth Prince has been getting very close to Prime Minister Liang recently. There are many irregularities regarding the imperial examinations—pay more attention.”

“Things have been tightening considerably lately,” Mo Cong also put away his previous playful expression, his demeanor becoming serious: “According to what my sister says, Noble Consort Yang has been running rampant in the palace recently. Is this the beginning? Ah Shao, why don’t you assign me a few Brocade-Clad Guards? The Imperial Academy has been strange lately too, and I’m not at ease about Jiang Chao.”

The black-clad gentleman pursed his lips: “Very well.” After pausing, he added: “Pay more attention to the Jiang family.”