Everyone heard those words, yet everyone pretended not to hear them.

Feng Zhiwei drew her sleeves together, watching the guards escort Ning Yi to the side palace in a soft sedan chair. She thought coolly—though the Prince appeared gravely injured, in reality it was merely a flesh wound. Just now when she had touched his pulse, his pulse was very strong. How could he be so weak?

At this moment, to exit and withdraw using this method—truly brilliant.

Emperor Tiansheng on his seat remained silent the entire time. Only after a long while did he wearily wave his hand, indicating that the princes should all withdraw. Feng Zhiwei hastily also prepared to take her leave, but Emperor Tiansheng suddenly said: “Master Wei, please remain a moment.”

Feng Zhiwei froze. Emperor Tiansheng looked at Gu Nanyi, and Gu Nanyi looked at him.

Emperor Tiansheng looked at Gu Nanyi again.

Gu Nanyi looked at him again.

Feng Zhiwei broke out in a cold sweat and hastily said: “Your Majesty… this commoner’s friend is simple-minded, and moreover…” She showed a difficult-to-express look, stammering: “Common worldly principles, he mostly doesn’t understand well… could he perhaps…”

Though the words were vague, the meaning was clear—this child was slow-witted, and if lost would be in danger…

Emperor Tiansheng hesitated briefly, ultimately saying nothing, and also indicated that Shaoning should withdraw. Shaoning pouted but said nothing, obediently leaving.

Feng Zhiwei watched coldly, thinking that though this child was pampered and spoiled, she actually had a good sense of propriety. Seeing her earlier ruthless determination in killing with one stone without hesitation, she was still someone who dared to act and take responsibility, far stronger than her full-blooded older brother.

As Shaoning passed by her, she quietly bumped her with her shoulder, winking: “Perform well… hehe, I didn’t frighten you, did I?”

Feng Zhiwei smiled faintly, stepped back, and bowed properly: “This one has met the Princess.”

Shaoning rolled her eyes at Feng Zhiwei and walked away laughing all the way, her steps light and quick, the soles of her thin-soled boots still stained with the assassin’s brain matter…

Emperor Tiansheng watched his daughter’s retreating figure with a smile. When his gaze turned back, it transformed into solemnity. “Master Wei, I wish to hear your views on today’s matter.”

Feng Zhiwei blinked—was the old man testing her? This topic didn’t seem suitable to discuss with her, a freshly minted “national scholar,” did it?

“Your Majesty.” She bowed slightly. “This commoner is of common cloth and dare not presume to discuss state affairs.”

“What state affairs are there?” The old emperor’s eyes narrowed. “This is my family matter.”

“The Son of Heaven has no private matters.” Feng Zhiwei smiled, her answer simple.

“Hmm?” The seated emperor’s sharp gaze flew over like a blade.

Feng Zhiwei met this gaze, knowing that today she could no longer be evasive. She sighed silently—old man, oh old man, clearly you already have your own calculations in mind, why must you make things difficult for people?

“The imperial heir is the nation’s重器, cannot be lightly bestowed, nor can it be lightly taken.” After a long pause, she answered.

Her gaze withdrew, looking at her boot tips where blood stains were vivid—Ning Yi’s blood. Feng Zhiwei sighed inwardly… Ning Yi, it’s not that I won’t help you, but your old man, at least until now, truly hasn’t planned to depose the Crown Prince. If I presumptuously offered rash counsel, I would be the first to die.

No matter what, her own life was most important.

As for you… you still have backup plans, don’t you?

Seated above, Emperor Tiansheng silently watched Feng Zhiwei. Rare indeed that though this person was young, their mind was exquisitely clear and thorough. Having discerned his thoughts, they didn’t avoid speaking frankly. This courage and bearing was several degrees stronger than ordinary people who had experienced the bureaucratic sea.

Perhaps precisely because they hadn’t experienced the bureaucratic sea, they still retained some clarity of mind?

Emperor Tiansheng wasn’t particularly superstitious about the saying that whoever solved the Zhuoying Scroll would gain the realm—a nation’s fortune lay in enlightened rulers and virtuous ministers, in unified purpose above and below, in smooth governance, in the people’s hearts. To influence a nation’s fate by one person’s power alone, he believed no one could do it except himself.

However, this youngster before him could also be put to use…

“The Zhuoying Scroll has hung empty for over six hundred years.” The dark expression on Emperor Tiansheng’s face had vanished, looking at Feng Zhiwei with a beaming smile, his expression very satisfied. “Now you have solved it in the hall, living up to the Zhuoying’s glorious name. I am very pleased. Many years ago, I already issued an imperial decree that whoever solves the Zhuoying Scroll shall be regarded as the court’s literary attendant, granted one hundred rooms, one thousand acres of fields, given the position of Chaohua Hall Scholar, brush and ink attendant of the Imperial Study, attending at my side, ready for consultation… The fields I grant you shall be that land at the foot of Plum Mountain in the capital suburbs. As for the residence, I’ll have Seventh, who is in charge of the Personnel Ministry, arrange it for you. In future if there are actual achievements, we’ll discuss merit-based promotion. What say you?”

As he spoke, he ordered several important ministers to come in and write the imperial decree. The foremost Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion, Yao Ying, listened and his brow twitched.

Feng Zhiwei’s brow also twitched.

Satisfied… truly too satisfied… so satisfied it was unsatisfactory.

This wasn’t bestowing rewards and granting positions—this was placing her on a fire pit to roast.

The position granted appeared to be a civil nominal rank. A scholar, when calculated, was merely sixth rank, seemingly not excessive. However, Chaohua was a main hall that had never previously had scholars established. The Imperial Study brush and ink attendant was an even more bizarre new position. The current emperor’s decrees were all handled by the several prime minister-ranked Inner Cabinet Grand Secretaries. Now this brush and ink attendant position, plus that phrase afterward “attending at my side, ready for consultation,” was practically a portion of the prime minister’s duties. A close minister to the Son of Heaven, participating in central decision-making—what kind of status and glory was this? The saying “white-robed prime minister of the Imperial Study” seemed inescapable.

As for those sentences about granting fields and residences, though she still wasn’t clear about the situation, looking at those important ministers’ expressions, there was most likely a problem there too.

The old man was lifting her high—did he want her to fall to her death someday?

“Your Majesty…” Yao Ying licked his lips, carefully choosing his words: “The gentleman is young and unfamiliar with court affairs. Better to first place him as a Hanlin Scholar, which would also leave room for future advancement…”

“It’s merely a sixth rank position. Does the Grand Secretary believe a national scholar cannot be worthy of it?” Emperor Tiansheng’s eyes slanted over. Feng Zhiwei suddenly felt that expression very similar to Ning Yi’s.

“This subject dares not!” Yao Ying immediately begged forgiveness.

Feng Zhiwei also didn’t hesitate: “This subject receives the decree!”

No need for affected modesty, no need to falsely decline. First, declining wouldn’t work anyway—whatever the emperor hurled down, whether pie or pitfall, must be received. If you didn’t receive it, he would suspect you had disloyal intentions. Second, Feng Zhiwei didn’t believe there was anything she truly couldn’t handle. One must first be in position before having the right to dialogue as equals with all the powerful and oppressive forces in this world.

She had had enough of constantly retreating, constantly being bullied.

Even if advancing one step led to a jagged cliff, it was better than always falling in the dust to be spat upon by others.

Withdrawing from the main hall, the assembled ministers waiting outside had long since received the news and all swarmed forward to congratulate the new favorite.

In the faint sunlight, the young rising star possessed a graceful bearing, his smile warm yet not familiar, like a solitary fragrant jade tree, harvesting countless envious gazes.

The crowd was dazzled by the sunlight, squinting as they looked up at the youth standing on the steps, calculating in their hearts how to establish connections with this close minister to the Son of Heaven who had risen meteorically.

Feng Zhiwei exchanged pleasantries one by one, receiving those cordial or enthusiastic words, when her gaze suddenly flashed.

One person came over, smiling: “Master Wei is truly accomplished at a young age—most enviable, most enviable!”

His tone was affectionate, also deliberately revealing some restraint befitting a high-positioned person.

Qiu Shangqi, Commander of the Five Military Commands—her uncle.

Truly, it had been so long since they’d met. Thinking of him waking and sleeping, not seeing him for one day felt like three autumns apart.

“Uncle Qiu!” Feng Zhiwei immediately gently parted the crowd surrounding her, quickly stepping forward with a deep bow to the ground. “It’s been so long since we parted! You’re still in good health—it truly delights this nephew!”

This sentence stunned Qiu Shangqi. He had come to curry favor with this new favorite of the Son of Heaven—how had he suddenly become the man’s uncle?

“Uncle, many years ago at the Sibo Pavilion meeting, your heroic and gallant bearing left this nephew with admiration beyond measure, remembered to this day. This time when seeking learning at Qingming, my father still instructed your nephew that no matter what, I must visit Uncle again. It’s just that studies were demanding and it was delayed. Uncle must not take offense…” Feng Zhiwei spouted complete nonsense, her tone and expression extremely sincere.

But Qiu Shangqi had already believed it. Sibo Pavilion was the observation hall in the mansion’s back garden where guests were always received. This person must be some family friend’s son who had visited the mansion with his father many years ago. The Qiu Mansion received countless visitors each year—not remembering for a moment was normal. Thinking this, his heart bloomed with joy. Even if he couldn’t remember, he had to pretend to be very familiar. He immediately beamed with delight, feigning sudden recognition and surprise: “Ah, so it’s worthy nephew! It’s been many years—is your esteemed father well? This uncle also misses him very much. Alas, with mountains high and waters long, meetings are beyond reach—truly cause for regret. Worthy nephew, whenever you have time, you absolutely must visit the mansion for a gathering…”

“How could this nephew dare refuse Uncle’s invitation? The scenery of Sibo Pavilion at the Qiu Mansion is beautifully splendid—it has appeared in your nephew’s dreams for many years…” Feng Zhiwei smiled with longing—ah yes, I truly miss your mansion’s madam, maids, and old women…

The two shook each other’s arms, chuckling in laughter, the gaze in their eyes filled with the ardor of reunion after long separation…