Grand Tutor Lu stared at the back of the servant carrying the lantern ahead of him. It was the rule that one could not bring their servants into the royal palace, but he now regretted not bringing his servant in. At least there would have been another pair of eyes to look at that little monster, to see whether it was Grand Tutor Lu’s eyes that had problems, or if everyone else had been blinded by some magical technique.

But halfway down the path, Grand Tutor Lu began to feel vaguely worried.

The monkey must have been given to Princess Hanyue by the Queen of New Xia, who had then cast a spell causing everyone in the entire Jintang Hall to be bewitched into seeing the monkey as human. Now that he had seen Princess Hanyue and uncovered her trick, would the Queen of New Xia kill him to silence him?

Thinking this way, he felt that all the surrounding vegetation concealed soldiers as if someone might jump out at any moment.

Fortunately, this scenario never materialized. Grand Tutor Lu safely exited Yanhu Manor and returned to his own Grand Tutor’s Residence without incident.

Grand Tutor Lu spent the next two days in unease.

Then, on the morning of the third day, the Queen of New Xia suddenly made another announcement:

Princess Hanyue had rested for many days, her physical and mental state had improved, and she could now receive outside visitors.

Grand Tutor Lu was stunned: Originally, the Queen had isolated Princess Hanyue to keep the secret. What game was she playing now? Could it be that she had made other preparations? Based on experience, this Queen had never been an easy character to deal with.

Sure enough, the Lady of Anyang Marquis’s Mansion was the first to visit Jintang Hall on behalf of her husband and their household, checking on Princess Hanyue and her son.

Once the Queen had given her royal approval, the second, third… and even the nth officials also called on the former Crown Prince’s consort. The order of visits generally followed official rank and status from high to low.

Everything remained calm and peaceful.

Grand Tutor Lu soon discovered that the atmosphere among the entire Yinzi City’s nobility had relaxed. They were no longer tense or worried. This meant that everyone who had seen Princess Hanyue and her son had put their minds at ease, believing that the Queen of New Xia had not deceived them.

In other words, they had all “seen” the former Yao prince’s son, Miao Hansheng, and found nothing strange about him.

How was this possible?

Grand Tutor Lu recalled the monkey in Princess Hanyue’s arms and sometimes felt chilled to the bone. He had longstanding connections with the Anyang Marquis’s Mansion, so one day he simply hosted a banquet and invited them as guests to his home. Seizing the opportunity, he asked the Lady: “You’ve seen Princess Hanyue and her son?”

“Yes, mother and son are safe and sound. It’s truly a great blessing for our Yao… for all of us.” The Lady changed her words mid-sentence, then suddenly asked with curiosity, “Oh, I heard the Grand Tutor also paid a visit to Jintang Hall?”

Grand Tutor Lu coughed lightly: “My old eyes are failing. I didn’t get a good look at mother and son.”

The Lady covered her mouth and smiled: “Oh, he’s just the same person he’s always been—not missing an eyebrow, not growing an extra arm—why would you need to look so carefully!”

He may not be missing an eyebrow or have an extra arm, but he has grown a full coat of fur and sprouted a tail, yet you’re all too blind to see it. Grand Tutor Lu complained inwardly, but his expression remained warm: “Then tell me, how is the young master doing?”

“He’s doing very well. I even held him,” the Lady said with a smile. “The young master is truly blessed. After encountering danger for many days, he’s come back even plumper than before. And he’s so active, always wanting to get down and play. I could barely hold him.”

Nonsense, it’s a monkey—of course, it loves to play! Grand Tutor Lu knew he wouldn’t learn anything more, and let out a cool sigh.

A few days later, he sent younger members of his household to visit Princess Hanyue, and they came back with conclusions identical to the Lady of the Anyang Mansion.

So, was everyone being deceived, or were his eyes failing him, stubbornly seeing a perfectly normal infant as a monkey?

Time passed bit by bit, and the deadline for the Queen and Princess Hanyue to return to New Xia drew ever closer. Grand Tutor Lu grew increasingly agitated. If everyone was being kept in the dark, then where was the real Miao Hansheng? Was he still out there, in the hands of the bandits?

Once the Queen of New Xia left, the truth would likely never see the light of day.

But only he could see the abnormality—what did that mean? His visit had been unannounced, giving the Queen no time to prepare, allowing him to glimpse the true face of “Miao Hansheng.” Therefore, Feng Miaojun simply let everyone go see Princess Hanyue and her son so that no matter what accusations Grand Tutor Lu made afterward, others would think he was senile.

After all, people believe what they see with their own eyes, don’t they? Besides, accusing the Queen of using a monkey to impersonate Miao Hansheng was absurd enough on its own.

This Queen’s tricks were truly formidable.

In the following days, Grand Tutor Lu could not sit still. Seeing that he wasn’t eating or sleeping well, his descendants suggested he go to their country estate to relax. His youngest granddaughter even suggested he attend the Lantern Festival: “Tomorrow night is the Lantern Festival. Last year someone fell into the lake, so they say this year they won’t dare set up the stage by the lake. Instead, they’ve chosen the Xue family’s courtyard, and they’ve decorated it beautifully.”

Grand Tutor Lu had no interest in attending the Lantern Festival and refused offhandedly.

The next day was the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

As evening approached, Yinzi City’s lanterns began to light up, and people wearing new clothes and carrying lanterns filled the streets. The New Year atmosphere remained strong—everyone understood that after today, the New Year celebrations would officially end, so they cherished it all the more.

Grand Tutor Lu, however, was somewhat distracted, especially after hearing a piece of news from a servant who had returned to the mansion. He grew even more restless. Looking at the sky, he ordered: “Prepare the carriage.” After a moment’s thought, he added, “Harness the jade-patterned bo beasts.”

In ancient times, there was a mythical beast called “bo” that could fly as swiftly as the wind. Pure-blooded bo beasts were no longer seen today, but their offspring from mating with spirit horses remained in the world. They ran several times faster than ordinary horses, only lacking the ability to fly. The Grand Tutor’s Mansion raised several precious jade-patterned bo beasts. The old man, having spent half his life in military affairs, still preferred fine steeds to antiques and curios even in his old age.

His grandson, Lu Hongyuan, came rushing over upon hearing the news and exclaimed in surprise: “Grandfather, are you going on a long journey?” If he were just going to see the lanterns by the lake, why would he need such fine steeds as the jade-patterned bo?

“My heart is troubled,” Grand Tutor Lu said in a low voice. “Today’s messenger was late again, only arriving at dusk.”

Lu Hongyuan did not understand: “But at least he came.”

“No, there must be some change, otherwise why would it happen again and again…” Grand Tutor Lu said irritably. “Enough, get out of the way!”

Lu Hongyuan saw that his eyes were bloodshot, clearly showing he hadn’t slept well for several days. Despite the old man’s robust health, his advanced age made it difficult to endure such torment. Lu Hongyuan wanted to persuade him further, but the old man pre-empted him: “Tonight, everyone in Yinzi City is busy with festivities and visiting gardens. The Queen and her capable officials will all be in attendance, and even the unwavering curfew will be lifted. I’ll be back by tomorrow morning at the latest, and no one will be suspicious. Now—” He thumped his walking stick heavily on the ground. “Get out of my way, all of you!”

The servants quickly prepared the carriage. Lu Hongyuan helped Grand Tutor Lu into the carriage compartment and dispatched more than ten people to board another carriage. The driver flourished his whip, and the jade-patterned bo beasts set off at a gallop.